“Where would you like to go?”

One of my favorite innovations over the last 10-15 years is electronic navigation systems.  It wasn’t too long ago you’d have to look up directions on sites like MapQuest or Google Maps if you were going somewhere you were unfamiliar with.  Prior to that, in preparation for a trip, we would always make a visit to the AAA office to get a Triptik, and make sure we had the good ole US atlas with us in the station wagon.  But now, with the assistance of my navigation system, I can make spur of the moment decisions, change course mid-trip and still find my way to whatever destination I choose.  The key, no matter what I use for directions – AAA, a fold-out map or my phone’s navigation system – is that I need to know where I want to go.

For the last month or so I have shared with you about the upcoming visioning session our church is participating in. This whole process is basically one big navigation system.  Our event on August 8, when we meet with Kay Kotan and work through a series of exercises to discuss our community, our congregation, and our calling, will be to discuss our destination.  What direction do we feel like God is calling us as a congregation to head?  What ministries will help us have the most effective witness for God in our community?  What are the ways in which we can best fulfill our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world in a society that is different from what it was 20 years ago, 10 years ago, even 2 years ago? 

Some of you may wonder why we are going through this process now. Didn’t we just go through something similar a couple of years ago? 

Nelson Memorial was chosen by our denominational leadership as one of four congregations in our area to model this process for other congregations throughout our region.  We were selected because of the history, strength, and potential Nelson Memorial has for making an impact in our community for the kingdom.  This process provides us with an opportunity not only to help other congregations become stronger, but also to more clearly understand the direction and destination God is leading us to in the coming years. 

A couple of years ago we primarily focused on setting a few short-term goals to help strengthen our ministries.  Now, we are asking some larger questions about overall direction, destination, and how best to utilize our strengths and resources to make a difference not just now, but for the foreseeable future. 

Just as getting to a destination on a road trip requires certain information, not just where are we going, but where are we starting from, this process requires information as well.  As we embark on this process, our Vision Prep Team (Katy Giroux, Karma Haller, Brian Jackson, MaryEllen McVicker, and myself) are gathering some information about where we are according to the opinion of folks within our community who are not connected to our church.  Additionally, we are asking for your help in assessing where we are by participating in a gifts assessment – an inventory of your skills and passions to help us know not just where we are but how we might get further down the road to our destination.  If you have not yet filled out the gifts assessment, please do so either by clicking this link or filling out a paper copy Sunday.

No trip can begin without first identifying a destination.  I am excited about this process of considering and discerning the direction God is leading Nelson Memorial.  Thank you for your participation in this process, this journey, and this important work.

Blessings, Chris

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday we continue our message series “Discernment: What is it and how do we do it.”  This week’s message is titled “The Mind of Christ.”  Our scripture reading will be from 1 Corinthians, chapter 2, verses 11 through 16.

For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirt within them?  In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.  What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.  This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.  The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that comes from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Holy Spirit.  The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”

We will begin our service with the song Less Like Me by Zach Williams.  Our hymns for Sunday include: Holy, Holy, Holy, and Be Thou My Vision.  This week, our video hymn will be the medley In Christ Alone/Cornerstone/The Solid Rock, by Caleb + Kelsey.

COVID Updates

As many of you may have heard, COVID infection and hospitalization rates are on the rise again.  The state of Missouri currently has a 14.4% 7-day positivity rate, with Cooper County being at 21.4%.  With this new rise in infections, I want to remind you of the COVID precautions as set by our Church Administrative Board. 

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. 

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

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.

Thank you, Melanie Hutton Administrator

Announcements

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.

Spiritual Gifts Inventory – As part of our visioning process, we are taking inventory of the most valuable assets our church has – you!  Everyone is invited to fill the Spiritual Gifts Assessment (linked here).  Paper copies will be available in the Sanctuary this Sunday.  Thank you for your help and your participation. 

Speaking of Gifts – If you are a technology person, or even if you think you might be willing to learn about becoming a technology, we are looking for your help.  Within the next few weeks our new video system will be installed and operational.  We are looking for a few individuals (4-5 or more) to be trained to operate this new technology.  If you, or anyone you know, might be interested in helping our developing media ministries, please let Pastor Chris know.  Once the equipment is installed, a training session will be scheduled. 

Blood Drive – Our next Red Cross Blood Drive is coming up Monday, August 16 from 2-6 pm.  As happens most summers, the supply of blood available is in short supply and donors are greatly needed.  If you would like to sign up to donate on Aug 16, you may do so here.

Food and Fun – The Methodist Men will once again host a church wide picnic.  This year we will gather at Harley Park for some food, fellowship and a friendly game of softball on Sunday, August 15.  Stay tuned for more details. 

Events this week:

Monday, July 26: Al Anon, 7:00 pm, Church Lounge

Tuesday, July 27: Administrative Board, 6:00 pm, Church Lounge and Zoom

Wednesday, July 28: Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Friday, July 30: Al Anon, 7:00 pm, Church Lounge

Sunday, August 1: Youth Swim Party, 5:00 pm, Boonville Aquatic Center

Closing Words of Wisdom:

If we could first know where we are, and whither we are tending, we could then better judge what to do, and how to do it.” – Abraham Lincoln