“Immeasurably More”

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen.”  Ephesians 3:20-21

Last year for my birthday, I asked for (and received) a weather station.  (On this side of 40, things aren’t as exciting as they used to be.) I really enjoy my weather station and seeing all the measurements on it.  It tells me things like the temperature and humidity, the “feels like temperature” and wind speed and direction.  It also gives all kinds of other information including having a rain gauge.  The rain gauge is probably my favorite part.  But, over the last week, my rain gauge has not only had a workout, it’s not been working properly because of the volume of rain we’ve received.  I’ve not been able to accurately measure the amount of rain because it has surpassed the capacity of my gauge. 

As we’ve been getting more rain than my gauge can measure, the scripture verse above from Ephesians has been going through my mind.  Those words remind me about the powerful and faithful God we serve – “To Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine …”

I think sometimes we, as a church, forget that we work on behalf of one who is pretty amazing.  We can get bogged down in the details of programs and events, budgets and schedules.  We spend so much time planning and preparing (and fretting, perhaps) about what we are working on that we sometimes forget we are working on behalf of the One who can do immeasurably more than we can imagine. 

This is what faith is all about¾ trusting in a God who will not only take care of all these things, but will do them bigger, better, and more beautiful than we could ever do on our own.  Is this the God you pray to?  Is this the God you know and in whom you have put your faith?  Or are you guilty, like I am sometimes, of underestimating God and forgetting that he can do immeasurably more than you can on your own?  Sometimes, we need this reminder that God is God, and we are not.  God can do more than we can, and that is a good thing.  The question I have for you today is, how are you depending on God to do immeasurably more?  In what ways are you asking for this immeasurably more God to work in and through your life?

In just a few weeks, our church is going to enter a period of discussion and discernment about what we fell God is calling us to do, who we feel God is calling us to serve, and who God is calling us to be.  We know that God can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.  This visioning process we are entering into will be a time where we seek to hear God’s voice about the future ministries and priorities of our church.  I invite you to begin to be in prayer for our church as we enter this process and to please make plans to participate in the process.  On Sunday afternoon, August 8 we will have a visioning workshop led by Kay Kotan, a church leadership and visioning consultant.  Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend this session, which will begin at 1:00 pm.  Additionally, in the next few weeks we will be sending out a congregational gifts assessment.  I ask that you prayerfully consider what gifts God has blessed you with and what ways you might be called to use them for the Kingdom. 

I am excited about this process as we discern the next steps of ministry for Nelson Memorial UMC in the Boonville community and beyond.  I hope you will join me in this process.  I give thanks for the opportunity to be your pastor to serve alongside you a God who can do immeasurably more than we can ever ask or imagine.

Blessings, Chris

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday, with it being the Fourth of July, our message will be about Freedom.”  Our scripture reading will be from Galatians 5, verses 1 and 13 through 15.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery. 

You, my brothers and sisters, are called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.  For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” 

We will begin our service with the song Freedom by Zach Williams.  Our hymns for Sunday include: This is My Song, and For the Healing of the Nations.  This week, our video hymn will be the song Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone, by Chris Tomlin.

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. 

From Our County Health Department

Cooper County is starting to experience an increase of Covid-19 cases, an increase of 150% over the past week.

Signs & Symptoms include: headache, runny nose, sore throat (Fever and cough are less common), Loss of smell/taste were not experienced by many. Most people think they do NOT have Covid-19 and are infecting others and not seeking medical care or testing. To help stop the spread of Covid-19, wear a mask indoors or when 6 feet of distance cannot be maintained, wash your hands, social distance of 6 feet from others, and get vaccinated. If you suspect that you have Covid-19 schedule a test and isolate yourself while managing your symptoms. Cooper County Public Health Center does offer free testing by appointment only.

This year our toolbox is not empty. We now have Covid vaccine available. We STRONGLY encourage all eligible individuals ages 12 and up who are NOT VACCINATED to come to the health center for vaccination as soon as possible. The Covid-19 vaccine shows that two doses are 88% effective against symptoms and 96% effective against hospitalization of the Delta variations, along with one dose at 33%. Our current county-wide 32% vaccination rate can be much improved by the end of August if we start now. The Cooper County Public Health Center has vaccination clinics by appointment on Tuesdays and walk-in (no appointment necessary) on Thursdays until 7pm.

If you know of any organizations or employers that would like to host a vaccination clinic at their facility, please call and talk to Erin Davis our emergency planning nurse to schedule an event. Phone is 660-882-2626. Follow Cooper County Public Health Center on Facebook for more information.

Thank you, Melanie Hutton Administrator

Announcements

Vacation Bible School Thank Yous – Vacation Bible School was so much fun and a great success!  We had more than 40 kids participate, over 25 helpers and raised more than $380 for Special Olympics of Missouri.  Thank you to everyone who was a part of VBS!  To all the teachers, leaders, helpers, decorators, those who helped with publicity, took pictures, prepared snacks, brought kiddos and in any other way helped out, thank you!  To all the kids who came and the parents that brought them, thank you!  And to an amazing God who revealed himself in new and awesome ways, Thank You! 

Also, a big thank you to Risa Venable for all your leadership.  Also, a very special thank you to Melissa and Gary Baker for their organization of the kickoff track meet!  It was so much fun and enjoyed by many.

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.  Thank you to those who have generously contributed to this project and to the Missouri UM Foundation! We have met our fundraising goal and are excited to move forward with this project.  Depending on availability of materials, this project could be completed this month.

Events this week:

Sunday, July 4: Happy Independence Day!

Monday, July 5: Office closed

Wednesday, July 7: Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Friday, July 9: Al Anon, 7:00 pm, Church Lounge

Saturday, July 10: Methodist Men Workday at Hain House, 8:00 am

Closing Words of Wisdom:

The holiest of Christians, and those who understand best the gospel of Christ, find in themselves a constant inclination to look to the power of the creature, instead of looking to the power of God and the power of God alone.” ~ Charles Spurgeon