Pastor's Page

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  Luke 6:37 & 38 NIV  
            I have a real Christmas disability that I need to confess – so I included verse 37 above to ask you not to judge me. 

Congregational Care & Family Ministries

Advent Resources for Families  
The season of Advent, which comes from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming" or "visit," begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. Advent is the beginning of the church year for Christians. During Advent, we prepare for and anticipate the coming of Christ. We remember the longing of Jews for a Messiah and our own longing for and need of forgiveness, salvation and a new beginning. Even as we look back and celebrate the birth of Jesus in a humble stable in Bethlehem, we also look forward anticipating the second coming of Christ as the fulfillment of all that was promised by his first coming. (Umc.org/advent) Here are some online materials to help you observe and celebrate the seasons at home:

UNYC Director of Stewardship

Rev. Susan M. Ranous, Deacon of Stewardship 

WebMD has this to say about food insecurity: “Most people can go to the grocery store and buy the food they need, but not everyone can get enough healthy food easily. This is called food insecurity, and it can look different for different people…Low food security is when the food you eat is lower-quality or isn’t very appealing, and you don't have many choices. But you typically get enough food. Very low food security is when you can’t get food when you need to or you have to eat less because you don’t have money or other ways to get it.” It goes on to say that food insecurity can lead to lifelong illness such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. It also affects children’s health.

Eureka! Book Club

Eureka! Book Club ~ Tuesday, December 15 at 6:30 p.m.: “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse” by Charlie Mackey 
Join us via zoom for our discussion of this delightful and thought-provoking book by Charlie Mackey. If you are interested, but do not usually participate, please contact the office. The book is available at several book sellers for between $14 and $18. We will have a power point of the book to aid our discussion. Many blessings this Advent and Christmas! --  Jeff

Youth Service: Live Nativity

Join us for a different take on a favorite Christmas Tradition! 
Because of the pandemic, we are taking precautions to make it safe for participants and audience alike. This year the Live Nativity will be a drive-thru, led by the youth of our church. Join us to relive the Nativity Story: Sunday December 20, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.  If you would like to help the youth with this project, please contact Janet Brooks (315-635-6416) or Rev. Jeff Hodge (315-383-4384)

Christmas Eve Services

7:00 p.m. at the Mercer Park Gazebo 
9:00 p.m. in the Church Sanctuary with choir music and candle lighting
Please Note:  RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED  for the 9:00 p.m. service. Call the church office, Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.