“Our Words Matter”

As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Mark 1:10-11

Something I’ve learned over the past 15 years is that being a parent is hard work.  (I know, “Thanks Captain Obvious!)  Being a parent is one of those 24/7 job, you never get a break.  No matter what you are doing or where you are, you are still a parent.  It can be easy to be a good parent when life is going well, when stress levels are low and your energy is high.  But this perfect storm of great conditions happens probably once a month or so in our house.  Most of our lives are not lived in perfect conditions.  And when we experience less than perfect conditions, often our kids are the ones who bear the brunt of our stress.

The other day I was in a store (one I describe as a stressful place even on a good day) and I saw an interaction which disturbed me.  I saw a young boy (probably 7 years old or so) excitedly run up to his obviously stressed-out mother.  He said something along the lines of “Mom! Mom!  Guess what?!?” with joy and excitement palpable on his face and in his voice.  The mother responded from a place full of stress by yelling at her son and letting him know that she didn’t have time for him right then.  You could see the light and joy leave his face in that moment.

I am not telling this story to condemn this mother.  I have no idea what her life is like and no idea what she was going through in that moment.  I tell this story because as sad as it made me to see this, I know I have done this very same thing (probably in different words) to my own kids.  How many times have I come home from a long day only to dismiss my boys when they try to tell me about something they are excited about?  How many times, when Garrett is describing to me the newest LEGO set being released or the details of a Marvel movie trailer he just saw have I communicated to him, either by my words or actions “I just don’t care?”  How many times, when I was wrapped up in a baseball game or some other trivial matter have I dismissed Stephen when all he was trying to do was connect with me? 

I have long been drawn to the part of the story of Jesus’ baptism where he receives affirmation from God.  As Jesus is coming out of the water, an audible voice can be heard saying “This is my Son! I love him and I am proud of him!”  I want my boys to know not only that God loves them and is proud of them, but so am I.  I want them to know that they are more important to me than my daily stressors or escapes from reality.  Every night before they (or I) go to bed, I make sure to tell them I love them.  But do my actions when I am stressed or tired reflect this?  Will they remember my words, or my actions (I’m a little afraid of the answer to this one)? 

Being a parent is the most important job those of us who are lucky enough to be parents will ever have.  Let us remember the importance of showing love to those God has entrusted in our care, even when it isn’t easy.

Blessings, Chris

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday we will have a special message titled “What They See.”  Our scripture readings will be from Proverbs, chapter 22, verse 6 and Titus, chapter 2, verses 6-8:

Start Children off in the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

Similarly, encourage young men to be self-controlled.  In everything set an example by doing what is good.  In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. (Titus 2:6-8)

We will begin our service with a special video in honor of Father’s Day.  Our hymns for Sunday include: This is My Father’s World, and Here I Am, Lord.  This week, in place of a video hymn, we will view a music video to the song Watching You, by Rodney Atkins.

COVID Precautions

The Church’s Administrative Board met this week and discussed our current COVID 19 precautions.  In May the decision was made, in accordance with new CDC guidelines, that masks are no longer required in the church for those who are fully vaccinated.  Social distancing will still be encouraged and practiced, as will enhanced cleaning procedures.  The Administrative Board considered returning to 100% capacity in the Sanctuary, but given a rise in COVID cases again, decided to keep every other pew closed for the time being. 

We know there are some who are still not feel comfortable or able to attend 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 10:20 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

Vacation Bible School – VBS is almost here!  This year we will host Vacation Bible School the mornings of June 28 – 30 at the church.  Our theme is “Keep Running the Race Set Before You.”  We will kick off VBS with a fun event at the Boonville High School track on June 27 beginning at 5:00 pm.  If you’d like more information or to volunteer to help, please contact Risa Venable.  Registration for VBS can be found here.

Would you like to lend a helping hand with VBS?? – Even if you are not available during VBS, we have opportunities to help us get ready.  If you have hands that want to help, we have a place for them.  There are sign-up sheets located in the church on the counter by the front doors or back in the refreshment area.  If you have any questions please contact Risa Venable or Melissa Baker.

Help Needed: Starting in July, we will return to using real bread and juice for Communion.  In preparation for this, we are looking for some help cleaning up the Communion trays formerly used for holding cups.  These trays have accumulated a lot of tarnish over the years and need some TLC.  If you are willing to help clean and shine these up, please let Pastor Chris know.  Thank you in advance for the help.

Thank You – To Elvin Farquhar and the other Methodist Men who organized and put on the Ice Cream Freeze Off.  Also, a big thank you to those who entered in the Freeze Off.  Your creations were delicious.  Congratulations to Sherry & Gary Baker for being our winners.  Finally, thank you to everyone who came out to the Freeze Off.  A great time was had by all!

Technology Upgrade Update – In May, the Church’s Administrative Board voted to approve a plan to update and upgrade some of the technology capabilities at the church.  We will be installing video cameras and other equipment to enable video streaming of worship services and upgrading out internet service.  This part of the project is already funded through a few generous donations and the use of some memorial funds.

The Board also received a bid to upgrade the projectors and visual quality in our Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall.  The total for this project was an additional $8,500.  This update/upgrade would provide for a clearer, easier to read image through the projectors used in our worship services.  After much deliberation and discussion, the Board did not see the funds on hand to approve this purchase at this time.  However, we would like to ask you to consider helping with the funding for this project.  We have already received $2,450 for this project.  If you are able to make a gift to this project, over and above your giving to our general fund, please consider doing so.  Checks can be made to Nelson Memorial with “A/V update” in the memo line.  Thank you for considering helping to fund this important update to our technology.

New Foundations Sunday School Summer Study: Beginning in June, the Foundations Sunday School class will be doing a video study based on Bob Goff’s bestselling book, Everybody, Always. During this study, we will reflect on how we can Be Love in in a world full of setbacks and difficult people. Feel free to come along on this journey of love with us each Sunday morning at 9:00 A.M. in the Foundations classroom.

Events this week:

Friday, June 18 – Youth Group, 5:00 pm, Jackson’s home

Al Anon, 7:00 pm, Church Lounge

Sunday, June 20: Happy Father’s Day

Monday, June 21: TOPS, 9:00 am, Foundations Classroom

Al Anon, 8:00 pm, Church Lounge

Wednesday, June 23: Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Friday, June 25: Al Anon, 7:00 pm, Church Lounge

Closing Words of Wisdom:

Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.” — Robert Fulghum, author