Sarah Jane Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church

Greetings to the Sarah Jane Johnson Church community of faith, Many Protestant Churches celebrate Reformation Sunday, either today or next week. It commemorates Martin Luther’s nailing his 95 Theses, or arguments against corruption in the Catholic Church, to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany on October 31, 1517. This was about the time in history that the printing press became more available, and Luther’s list was widely distributed. This monk and professor ...Continue reading

As I reflect on the ministries and life of the church over the past twelve months, I can’t help but think about the lesson Moses learned from his father-in-law, Jethro, in Exodus 18. Moses was getting overwhelmed with all the work before him, taking care of all those who had escaped Egypt. Moses had been doing it all by himself. Verses 17-19 are clear Moses’ father-in-law said to him, ‘What you are doing is not good. You will surely wear yourself out, both you and these ...people with you. For the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. Jethro then advises Moses to divide the tasks before him and delegate them to others in the community of faith. As I reflect on all that Sarah Jane Johnson Church is able to do, I know it all happens because of the many hands who join together in the work of ministry and in the joy of worship. On this Laity Sunday, I can’t help but think of all who have a part in sharing God’s love and I can’t help but be grateful. PEACE! Carolyn https://youtu.be/km81q6CQAdQ

Greetings to the Sarah Jane Johnson Church community of faith, The way The Message version of the Bible brings us Hebrews 10:22-25 seems so fitting for the world we find ourselves in these days: short of exchanging hugs, giving handshakes, and sharing - they allow us to stay connected and work together. PEACE! Carolyn... https://youtu.be/o_v_C62KETg See more

Greetings SJJMUMC community of faith, What a time we live in. Changes seem to be the only thing that’s constant these days. Your Leadership Team voted this morning to refrain from in-person worship this coming Sunday, 10/4/20. We want to be part of the solution to keeping this COVID-19 under as much control as possible and honor our county executive’s request to stay in as much as possible for the next 7 days. We are mindful of many who would be traveling into Johnson Cit...y from other parts of the county and understand that could be counterproductive to controlling the spread. The musicians and I will bring worship from the sanctuary and make it available live through Facebook Live. Thank you for your grace and patience as we remain as responsive as possible to our changing realities. You can Follow this link to our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SJJMUM if you have Facebook, you should be all set If you do not have Facebook, you can join us by choosing "View as a Guest" - you may need to "click" on the video. We will be signing on right about 10:30 am. PEACE! Carolyn

Tuesday night Lord's Table dinner is cancelled for October 6. This is due to Broome County Executive Jason Garner's suggestion that people stay home.

Greetings to the Sarah Jane Johnson Church community of faith, This is coming to you a little later in the day than usual today because . . . . well . . . . I didn’t know what to write about. Nothing came to me. I had a little writer’s block you might say. So, Mark & I headed out to Chautauqua County like we will do most Sunday afternoons. As we drive along route 86 I can’t help but notice the beauty of the colors this year autumn is coming wi...th a vibrancy that we’ve not enjoyed in recent years. The yellows seem brighter, the reds deeper. I’m sure I can see some pink & some salmon and orange that looks almost gold. Mark thinks it’s so magnificent right now because we haven’t had any harsh storms to hurry the leaves to the ground. As we drive along, I can’t help but think about how this year 2020 has felt like one storm right after the next, some we are still going through. And yet, this fall is one of the most beautiful we’ve had in years. Reminding us that no matter the storms we might be facing there is always somewhere to find the beauty of God at work to find that peace Paul talks about in Philippians 4: 4-7 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. PEACE! Carolyn

Greetings to the Sarah Jane Johnson Church community of faith, In Matthew 12:25 Jesus says . . . no city or house divided against itself will stand. And yet, my Facebook page is filled with divisive thoughts, comments, and pictures. Conversations are filled with my side vs. their side. People have become downright nasty to one another trying to insist that their needs are more important than those of others their viewpoint is the only viewpoint worth havi...ng. Complaining it’s not fair to me. Today, my daughter posted this to her Facebook page: it's not fair" and thank God it isn't. If I got what I deserved, because I have sinned and fallen short of God's glory, I would be nowhere, with no hope, but because Grace isn't fair, God has shown me, and you, love and mercy, and given us eternal life! Friends may you live with that hope, even though it's not fair. There is a place where we come together through the love and mercy of our God. Let’s focus, not on what’s fair or not. Let’s focus on merciful forgiveness and loving mercy. I think when we do, we will find ourselves stronger together. PEACE! Carolyn

Well done good and faithful servant. We extend our sincerest sympathy to Rachel's family and friends. https://www.legacy.com/obituar/pressconnects/obituary.aspx

You are cordially invited to Sunday Morning Service at 10:30 this Sunday. It's been a long haul dealing with Covid obstacles but, we're back. September 20 is also National Back to Church Sunday. Please join us and spread the word! We'd love to see you there.

Explore updates on our website. https://sarahjanechurch.org/