November 26, 2024 Crossroads and Finger Lakes Newsletter

Crossroads and Finger Lakes Districts

November 26, 2024

We wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving. In honor of this special day, the District office will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 28-29. Office will re-open on Monday, December 2.

Next newsletter is December 10, 2024

Please submit items for inclusion to the district office no later

than Friday before.

Bishop Hector's Thanksgiving message

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4

This month, like we do every year, we will celebrate one of the most iconic holidays in the United States, Thanksgiving. A day, that since the beginning of this tradition, people have taken to give thanks and rejoice for good things. For Christians, Thanksgiving presents a special opportunity to thank God for life, for health, for provision, and for those people and experiences that have marked us positively. Sometimes we give thanks even for the not-so-good moments, and even the bad ones, because through them we learned about the things that are most important in life.

Being thankful is a Christian imperative! No matter what season of your life you are in, rejoice in the Lord, and be thankful. We do not need special days to be thankful, when in Christ, we have the invitation to rejoice, to give thanks, for everything, and always – everyday, in all times.

· Why wait until Christmas Day to thank God for the gift of hope that came to the world in Jesus, if we can do it every day? Every day should be Christmas. Every day we should give thanks for Christ, our Lord, and Savior!

· Why wait until Easter to give thanks to God for the gifts of life and salvation we receive from God through Jesus Christ if we can do it every day?

· Why, as a church, wait for the day of Pentecost to thank God for the reality of Christ’s presence today through the Holy Spirit, if we can do it every day?

· Why wait for Valentine's Day to give thanks to the people who love us and have expressions of affection with them, if we can do it every day?

· Why wait for Mother's or Father's Day, to thank God for our parents and express love to them, if we can do it every day?

· Why wait for Pastor Appreciation Day, to thank God (and pastors) for the love, guidance, and care of our pastors, if we can do it every day?

· Why wait for Hispanic Heritage Month, African American month, or Native American Day to celebrate our diversity if we can do it every day?

Why wait – if we can be thankful all year round!

When was the last time you paused to give thanks for the love of God and the many ways it manifests in your life? Who in your life are you thankful for, who are the people that make you smile? That accept you for who you are, and care for you? When was the last time you let them know how much they mean to you?

Thanksgiving is not a holiday – it is a way of life that springs out of a grateful heart, and as children of God, we have the eternal source and reason for thanksgiving, in Jesus Christ. Let us give thanks to God every day and find meaningful ways to thank others for the ways they bless our lives.

Thank you for the countless ways you are making the love of Jesus Christ visible in your communities and the world.

Together in the journey,

Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez

The United Methodist Church

Serving the Susquehanna & Upper New York Area

Season of Rest – A Gift for January 2025 from UNY's Compelling Preaching Initiative

As part of Upper New York's Compelling Preaching Initiative, we’re thrilled to present Season of Rest, a four-week sermon series designed as a gift to you— UNY preachers and churches—that can be used for January 2025. This series, co-developed with the Greater New Jersey and Eastern PA Conferences' Breakthrough, centers on the vital spiritual practice of rest, offering a time of renewal, balance, and inspiration.

Access at: https://breakthroughseries.org/series/season-of-rest

Season of Rest Sermon Series Overview:

· Week 1: Release into Rest (1 Kings 19:1-9): Discover how God helps us release into rest rather than pushing us to do more.

· Week 2: A Rhythm of Rest (Ecclesiastes 3:1-13): Explore ways to cultivate a healthy rhythm of rest, work, and play for spiritual growth.

· Week 3: What Kind of Rest: The Science Behind Rest (Genesis 2:1-3): Embrace the natural rhythm of rest modeled by God for our well-being.

· Week 4: The Gift of Rest (Leviticus 25:1-19): Celebrate rest as a gift for restoration, equity, and wholeness for all people.

The Season of Rest series comes fully equipped to support your worship planning with:

· Weekly Sermon Guides & Worship Liturgy

· Children’s Moments & Small Group Study Guides

· Mission Engagement Ideas

· Graphics & Video Resources

· 4 optional pre-recorded video sermons, available in mid-December

at https://www.unyumc.org/resources/uny-sermon-bank

This series is offered as a supportive resource, crafted to ease sermon preparation and inspire a shared journey of renewal across our congregations. Take time this January to embrace Season of Rest—a heartfelt gift from Upper New York's Compelling Preaching Initiative to enrich your ministry and encourage sacred rest.

Crossroads District News

Church Announcements

Stewardship with Susan Ranous

Please check out the blog below

CLICK HERE for the Blog: Stewardship with Susan Ranous

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Hannibal Center/South Hannibal UMC is looking for the

CD set for the United Methodist Hymnal.

With many churches using computers many of these sets

are probably collecting dust.

Please contact Jim Sokolowski at 315-532-2864.

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November 26, 2024

PENNELLVILLE FREE WILL DINNER

The Pennellville United Methodist Church will be having their next Free Will Dinner on Tuesday, November 26th from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The menu will be sloppy joes, oven roasted potatoes, vegetable, assorted desserts and beverages. Come out and enjoy some good food and fellowship. The church is located at 389 County Route 54 in Pennellville. We are a self-sustaining group with our goal of bringing community together in sharing a meal and fellowship. We appreciate those who have helped us to provide the meal through your giving, Donations are not required but are gratefully accepted. Thank you.

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December 1, 2024

On Sunday, December 1^st 4:30-5:30p.m. (or until gone). Free will eat-in (pork roast, mashed potatoes, vegetable, cookies, and beverage) dinner at the Oswego Trinity United Methodist Church, 45 E. Utica St. Downstairs. Info: (315) 343-1715 or https://www.facebook.com/OswegoNYTrinityUMC

CLICK HERE for a Flyer with more details

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December 3, 2024

Martville UMC will be holding a fundraiser in conjunction with

Doug's Fish Fry on December 3, 2024, from 11 AM to 6PM

outside the Hometown Service Center & Sales

on State Route 370 west of Cato, NY. Pick up only.

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December 6, 2024

Grinch Night!

Fayetteville UMC will host a Grinch Night on

Friday, December 6 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

Pre-K and elementary aged children (and their adults) are

invited to join us for a FREE evening of Grinchy fun.

We'll eat pizza & snacks, make Grinch themed crafts,

and watch the movie together.

The church is located at 601 E. Genesee St, Fayetteville NY 13066

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December 8, 2024

God's Country Jamboree

Sunday, December 8, 2024

6:00pm

Featuring God's Country Ramblers

Cicero UMC

8416 Brewerton Rd

Cicero, NY

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December 8. 2024

PENNELLVILLE CHRISTMAS CANTATA

The Pennellville United Methodist Church will be hosting their 49th annual Christmas Cantata on Saturday, December 7th at 7:00 p.m.

and Sunday, December 8th at 5:00 p.m. at 389 County

Route 54 in Pennellville. Approximately 40 members from local churches will be singing various seasonal selections plus the main cantata,

The Ballad of Bethlehem, by Pepper Choplin. The director is Terry Sivers with Susan Candee at the piano. It's a beautiful way to enter into the Christmas season. There is no charge, but a free-will offering will be collected to be donated to the Phoenix Food Pantry and Paws Across Oswego County. Refreshments will be served in the fellowship hall following the cantata.

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December 8, 2024

Bridgeport UMC presents The Master's Touch Chorale In Concert

December 8th at 4:00pm

The church is located at 377 NY-31, Bridgeport NY 13030

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June 3-6, 2024

Sight and Sound Theater to see NOAH

Lancaster Bus Trip

June 3-6 2025

The trip includes transportation and lodging, with three breakfasts, dinners,

shows, driver gratuity and more.

Sponsored by Cicero United Methodist Church Caring Group

For more information, contact Mary Alice Scheel at 315-699-7181

Cost is $875.00 per person double, $950.00 Single

A $250.00 deposit is needed As Soon As Possible

Finger Lakes District News

Church Announcements

December 7, 2024

Rushville UMC is hosting a Quilt Sale

10:00am - 2:00pm

All proceeds to benefit Friendship House Food Pantry

All sizes $50.00 to $200.00

Pillows $10.00

Card, Cash or Check accepted

The church is located at 26 North Main Street,

Rushville NY 14544

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December 8, 2024

Red Creek Westbury church is again celebrating Advent with a Christmas Sing-In'. Named at a time when Sit-ins were popular , a Sing-In' Is an old fashioned Hymn Sing - All Christmas music!

Everyone is invited to our 40th Annual Christmas Sing-In'!

Music starts at 6:30 on Sunday Evening, December 8th.

Refreshment follow in the Fellowship Hall .

Church address is 6837 Church Street, Red Creek.

Choirs and individuals that want to share their music are encouraged to come. People wanting to sing Christmas from the pews are welcome too! We love to celebrate the season and start Advent on a Happy Note.

NO Need to pre-register, just see Bonnie when you arrive- she will be the one running around with a clipboard. If you need our organist or pianist please send your music by Dec 1 so the accompanist can practice.

It is a lot of fun and we promise not to keep you out too late.

Snow or sleet won't stop us!

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