“Good Intentions”

“Hey, I’m so glad you called!  I’ve been meaning to call you for a week now.  How are you?”

I confess to you that I’ve started too many conversations this way.  I think about people a lot.  I desire to reach out and check on people a lot.  I want to be that person.  But all too often I get sidetracked by this task or that, this article or some distraction and the next thing I know, it’s 10:30 pm and way too late to reach out.  “I’ll do better tomorrow,” I think, and then repeat the same cycle.  But, when I do remember to make that call, mail that note, or even shoot off that text, to reach out to the person who is on my mind – I am always blessed. 

This coming Wednesday we will enter the season of Lent.  For many years I observed the season of Lent by giving something up – pop, sweets, one year I even tried to give up snarky comments (it didn’t go well).  In the years when I have given things up for Lent, what I have sacrificed becomes more of the focus for me than the process of drawing closer to God.  Lent was all about my sacrifice, not what I gained as a result. 

A few years ago I started picking up a habit or discipline during Lent rather than giving something up, or substituting a positive habit for a bad one.  This year, in the midst of nearly a year of giving up many things in our normal lives, I think it is more important than ever that I identify something to add to my spiritual and daily life rather than finding one more thing to give up. 

A few weeks ago I shared some reflections on loneliness and the widespread feelings of loneliness so many currently feel.  This Lenten season I plan to be intentional in reaching out to others, seeking to enter into intentional relationships with those I feel God is leading me to.  I want to invite you to consider doing this as well.  I’ve included the word intentional in my decision because, for me, this is the important part.  The reason I need to focus on this, to improve this aspect of my life, is because I am not intentional about it.  To be intentional means making it a priority, having a plan, and consciously working on it.  In order to develop healthy habits and positive disciplines, we must be intentional.  We must develop a plan and be diligent in ensuring we stick to that plan.  I encourage you to start thinking about it today so that you will be ready some Ash Wednesday.  Pick a person to enter into an intentional relationship with over these next 6 weeks and set goals and reminders to keep you on track.

There are many people in need of exactly what you have to offer – kindness, thoughtfulness, care.  Let us be intentional this Lenten season in offering these gifts to a lonely world.

Blessings, Chris

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday, we will conclude our message series “Piecing it Together: Solving the Biblical Puzzle.”  This series will seek to introduce the major themes (or puzzle pieces) of the Bible and to show how they define the Word and work of God.  This week’s puzzle piece is about The New Creation.  Our scripture reading will be from Revelation, chapter 21, verses 1-5:

Then I saw a “new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.  I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully prepared for her bridegroom.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look!  God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.  They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” 

We will begin our service with a video of the song I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me.  Our hymns for Sunday include: How Great Thou Art, and Hymn of Promise.  Additionally, our video hymn this week is Revelation Song, by Phillips, Craig, & Dean.

COVID Precautions

Please remember the 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 (approximately 50 people) in our Sanctuary.  Our services are now at 8:00, 9:15 & 10:30.  We also request you not hang around 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

Annual Valentine’s Spaghetti Dinner – Next Sunday, February 14 will be our Annual Valentine’s Spaghetti Dinner.  Things will look a little different this year, but taste just as good! Masks and gloves will be worn during food preparation and handling. To-Go meals can be ordered ahead of time, order forms are available here.

We also will have a limited number of tables that can be reserved for lunch following our 10:30 service. Only one family will be seated at each table. Tables will be spread out and masks must be worn when you are not seated at your table. Please speak with Chelsea Jackson or Melissa Baker if you’d like to reserve a table! There is no cost for the meal, but donations will be accepted and benefit our children and youth programs.

Ash Wednesday – Join us February 17 at 7:00 pm for our Ash Wednesday Service.  This will be a simple service of meditation, contemplation, confession and receiving ashes.  This year, instead of receiving the sign of the cross in ash on your forehead, we will sprinkle ashes over those who comes forward, as a sign of repentance and a reminder of our mortality. 

Church Conference – Our District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Mi Hyeon Lee, will be here to hold a Church Conference on Tuesday, February 16 at 6:00 pm to vote on the proposed new Administrative Board for Nelson Memorial.  If the new structure is approved, an additional vote will be held to affirm the officers elected at our Church Charge Conference in Nov 2020.  All are welcome to attend this meeting, but only professing members of Nelson Memorial UMC are eligible to vote. 

Following the Church Conference, the Administrative Board will hold their February meeting.  Attendance can be in person in the Church Lounge or via Zoom. 

Inclement Weather Policy – As recent weather events have shown, our winter weather in Missouri can be challenging!  And while we encourage our members to attend worship as frequently as they are able, we also know that when it is treacherous to travel, the wiser long-term answer is to stay safely at home.  The Trustees do have a contract with a service to clear our sidewalks and steps when it snows, so if the city has cleared the roads, we will have worship services. 

If a decision is made to not hold Sunday services because of inclement weather, an email will be sent out to notify the congregation of a cancellation, we will notify the local television stations KMIZ and KMOU and have them add it to their reports.   Additionally, we will post the closing on our Facebook page and church website.  If you do not have access to email, or if you do not have access to the media (because of power outages), call a church friend before heading out. 

Events this week:

Saturday, Feb 13: United Methodist Men Cancelled

Youth Group, 1 pm, Fellowship Hall

Sunday, February 14: Education Ministries Spaghetti Dinner, Fellowship Hall and to-go

Monday, February 15: TOPS, 9:30 am, Foundations Classroom

Al- Anon, 8:00 pm, Church Lounge

Tuesday, February 16: Church Conference, 6:00 pm, Lounge,

Administrative Board Meeting, following Church Conference, Lounge

Wednesday, February 17: Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Ash Wednesday Service, 7:00 pm, Sanctuary

Thursday, February 18: Baby Grace, 5:00 pm, Church Annex

Sunday, February 14: First Sunday of Lent

Closing Words of Wisdom:

What one does is what counts. Not what one had the intention of doing.” – Pablo Picasso