“Everyone’s Welcome?”

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

One of my most memorable experiences in a church took place on August 24, 1997.  This was the day of my grandfather’s funeral.  My grandfather and grandmother were devoted members of the Catholic church.  As his funeral service proceeded in the typical manner of a Catholic Mass, the time came for the celebration of Holy Communion.  At the part in the service where my pastor would typically declare that everybody who was present was invited to Christ’s table the priest, instead, made clear that only those who were members of the Roman Catholic Church were welcome to receive the gifts of Christ’s body and blood. 

This article is not meant as a criticism of the Catholic Church.  I have seen many people come to know and grow in the love of God through their teachings.  The reason I bring up this memory is because recently I have seen numerous stories of individuals sharing experiences of being told in one way or another by a church that they weren’t welcome or worthy.  In fact, (again not to pile on the Catholic Church) just last week a major story in the news was the association of American Catholic Cardinals meeting to discuss prohibiting public officials who had voted in a way contrary to the teaching of the church from receiving the sacrament of Holy Communion.

Throughout the Gospels we see story after story of those who are sick, demon-possessed, outcast, or otherwise deemed less-than being welcomed into Christ’s presence.  Christ did not turn away the lepers, the women, the orphans, the sinners.  He did not tell them to go and be made clean first, then come him.  He cared for them, ministered to them, listened to them, welcomed them, and then told them to be deemed ceremonially clean (according to the law).  The barriers many of the religious leaders built up to delineate between the “righteous” and “sinful” were not observed by Jesus.  He crossed those lines, went to the hurting and told them they would be welcomed not just by him but into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus did not create barriers to God.  Jesus taught, ministered, and lived in a manner that embodied those words Paul writes in Romans when he says nothing shall “separate us from the love of God that is in Jesus Christ our Lord.”  We love to celebrate that God places no barriers between us and his grace, but then we are quick to build those barriers for others.  Why?  Our churches like to define who is worthy and who is not.  Why?  If Christ spent his ministry demonstrating a love that knew no boundaries, why do we feel like it is okay to deny God’s love to someone? 

When we are told that nothing shall separate us from the love of God, we are to hear that nothing should separate others from the love of God as well.  Let us dedicate our lives to showing others a God who does not build barriers to his love.

Blessings, Chris

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday we will have a special message titled “Just Keep Running.”  Our scripture reading will be from Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.  For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” 

We will begin our service with the song For My Good by Cochren & Co.  Our hymns for Sunday include: Great is Thy Faithfulness, and Are Ye Able.  This week, our video hymn is the song Raise a Hallelujah, by Bethel Music.

COVID Precautions

The Church’s Administrative Board met this month 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

Prayers of Peace and Comfort – Please hold Ada Gingrich and her family in your prayers in the passing of Wes Gingrich. Wes was welcomed into his heavenly home on Wednesday morning (June 23). Wes’s Celebration of Life Service will be held Monday, June 28 at 3:00 pm with a visitation beginning at 2:00 pm. The visitation and Celebration of Life will be held in our Sanctuary.

Vacation Bible School Track Meet and Tailgate Party – Everyone is invited to join us for an evening of fun, fellowship and food as we begin our Vacation Bible School with a family track meet!  The festivities will begin at 5:00 pm at the Boonville High School Track with several different races, games and other events for kids of all ages.  Following these events there will be an awards ceremony and then a tailgate party.  The main dish will be supplied and families are requested to bring a side dish or dessert to share.  Everyone is encouraged to come out and join in on the fun and fellowship!

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.

Mark Your Calendars – Our congregation has been chosen by our District leadership to participate in a new visioning process with a national church leadership consultant.  This process will help us as we continue to seek new ways to minister to our community and fulfill our mission of “Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”  Kay Kotan, the national leadership consultant, will be with us Sunday afternoon, August 8 to lead us in a process of discovery and discernment.  The more participation we have and the more representatives from our congregation we have, the better the product will be.  Please mark your calendars now and plan on joining us Sunday, August 8 beginning at 1:00 pm for this important time.

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 nearly $3,000 for this project, and a grant from the MO United Methodist Foundation for $5,000.  This means we are only about $500 away!  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.

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.

Events this week:

Sunday, June 27: VBS Track Meet, 5:00 pm, BHS Track

Monday, June 28: TOPS, 9:00 am, Foundations Classroom

Al Anon, 8:00 pm, Church Lounge

Wednesday, June 30: Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Friday, July 2: Al Anon, 7:00 pm, Church Lounge

Closing Words of Wisdom:

God’s grace is an essential concept for believers to understand, He freely offers His favor to mankind because Jesus; sacrifice on the cross purchased forgiveness and salvation for anyone who believes.” — Charles Stanley