“Something’s Different”

Here we are, just one week left until Christmas.  I don’t know about you, but this year, it just doesn’t seem like it should be Christmas yet.  Maybe it’s because of the strange nature of everything over the past year or so.  Maybe it’s because the weather has (mostly) been warmer than in Decembers past.  Maybe it’s just me…

A lot of things are different about Christmas this year.  Many of us will not gather with those we typically gather with on Christmas Day.  Our Christmas Eve services are going to look (and feel) different.  We’ve had no Christmas parties to attend, only virtual Christmas concerts to attend, and no breakfasts with Santa.  Even our shopping has mostly been done online this year – staying out of the stores as much as possible (I like this change).  Things feel very different this Christmas.

Two years ago, six days before Christmas, Sara’s dad passed away unexpectedly.  To say the least, we had a very different Christmas that year.  Typically, the Christmas Eve worship service is the highlight of my year.  That year I had to force myself to go (and I was the pastor).  We gathered with family on Christmas Day and did our best to put on happy faces and act like it was just another year.  But it wasn’t and we all knew it.  I remember driving home that night thinking about how weird everything was but feeling like it was something we couldn’t discuss.  Instead of sharing our feelings about how everything was different and working together through our grief, we just pretended everything as okay.

This year, many of us will experience a Christmas very different from any other.  The temptation might be to do all we can to pretend like nothing is different, avoiding talking about the traditions we are unable to practice this year, the people we are missing this year, and the loss of much of what we treasure about Christmas.  I encourage you to name the differences this year, recognize that things are different and see what you can do this year, because things are so different, that you couldn’t do otherwise.  Consider (if your kids are willing) sleeping in on Christmas Day, maybe opening gifts on Christmas Eve or later in the afternoon.  Instead of a big dinner with all the trimmings for a smaller group, come up with a special menu – everyone’s favorite dish, or a special dish from your childhood (Grandma’s famous Mostaccioli has been a go-to for us).  If Zoom will be part of your Christmas this year, consider playing games, reading a story or even opening your gifts together. 

This year is going to be different, unlike what you probably would have planned.  That first Christmas probably didn’t go exactly as Mary or Joseph (or the Shepherds for that matter) thought it would.  Instead of fighting against it or mourning the losses, try to make the most of it and make a new tradition (“this is what we do every Christmas during a pandemic”).  Some things will be different, but Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, Emmanuel – God With Us is coming.  Let us remember, no matter how or with whom we celebrate, this amazing news!

Blessings, Chris

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Advent.  This week in our 8:00 service the message will look at the beginning of the Gospel of John and his description for the reason of Christ’s birth.  Our scripture reading for Sunday comes from John chapter 1, verses 1-5:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

We will begin our service with a special video showing a creative use of light.  Our hymns for Sunday include: Star Child and O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.  Additionally, our video hymn this week is The Night Before Christmas, by Brandon Heath.

At our 9:15 & 10:30 services, we will present our Children’s Christmas Program: “A Night in Bethlehem.”  The children and their leaders have been working very hard on this service and we are all looking forward to seeing their talents on display.

Even though this is a special service, I remind you that we must still follow our COVID precautions.  We still will have a limit of 55 or so people in the service (including the children preforming).  Parents, please plan on attending only 1 of the 2 services.  Also, I know grandparents and aunts and uncles enjoy these performances. We encourage you to share the video of the program with them once it is posted Sunday afternoon (video will be shared on Facebook and on our church website). 

COVID Precautions

Please remember the increased COVID precautions in place at the church: masks are now required for everyone over the age of 2, social distancing is expected, we will be disinfecting pews between services and we have modified our worship schedule to accommodate for having no more than 25% capacity (50 people) in our Sanctuary.  Our services are now at 8:00, 9:15 & 10:30.  We also request you not hang out too long after the service is over so we can have enough time to wipe down the pews and prepare for the next service.

We know there are many who do not feel comfortable attending worship at this time. Please know that even though we don’t get to see you weekly, we still want to minister to you.  Every Sunday afternoon we will post a recording of our 10:30 worship service on our Facebook page and the message on our website.  We hope this helps you feel connected until we are able to gather again without concern. 

Announcements

Christmas Eve Services – Christmas Eve Services this year will once again be at 3:00 and 7:00 pm (on the 24th, of course). But, with this being 2020, there will be some differences. Our services will be held outside with the Living Nativity as our backdrop. We encourage you to bundle up, bring a blanket and come ready to have your heart warmed by this unique and special service.

Additionally, we plan to offer the parking spots immediately adjacent to our yard as a “drive in” option.  We will have a FM transmitter, so you will be able to hear the service in your car if you are parked nearby.  We will share the station information with you that evening.

If you are available around 1:00 pm on 12/24, some help setting up chairs for the service would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance!

Christmas Cards for NMUMC Elders and Friends – Please include the following members and friends of Nelson Memorial on your Christmas Card list: Doc & Florence Banion (Karma Haller’s Parents), Guree Beam, Francis Bradley, Virginia Brownfield, Mary Margaret Browning, Ada & Wes Gingrigh, Marjorie Harman, Ann Hartman, Margaret Hopkins, James & Dixie Lloyd, Bart Riley, Carol Schenck, Leona Schmidt, Helen Taylor, Hessie Watts, and Dorothy Whitten.

This year due to COVID, we are asking the congregation to mail Christmas cards rather than drop them off at the church.  The addresses for the names listed below are available in the East Wing entry area.  A supply of Christmas Cards are available too if you would like them.

Correction – Please note there are a few changes to the above mailing list we passed out last week.  Ruby McNew’s address is Ashely Manor Care Center, 1630 Radio Hill Rd, Boonville, MO 65233, and Francis Bradley’s address is Riverdale Care Center, 1121 11^th Street, Boonville, MO 65233.  Also, Marjorie Harman passed away this past Tuesday evening.  Please remove her from your mailing list and add her family to your prayer list. 

Upcoming Office Closure – The Church office will be closed the afternoon of 12/24 and all day 12/25.  The office will also be closed 12/28 & 1/1/2021. 

Events this week:

Sunday, December 20: Children’s Christmas program, 9:15 & 10:30 services

Youth Group Christmas Party, 5:30 pm, Fellowship Hall

Monday, December 21: TOPS, 9:30 am

Al- Anon, 8:00 pm, Church Lounge

Wednesday, December 23: Al-Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Thursday, December 24: Christmas Eve

Services at 3:00 & 7:00 pm, West Lawn

Friday, December 25: Merry Christmas!

The Church office will be closed the afternoon of 12/24 and all day 12/25.  The office will also be closed 12/28 & 1/1/2021. 

Closing Words of Wisdom:

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more!” – Dr. Seuss