“Ugh!”

Wednesday afternoon I walked into my lunch meeting, found a chair at an empty table, and allowed myself to sink into it, relieved for a break from the busyness of the morning. I let out a deep sigh.  As more people arrived, I noticed how each person who joined me at the table seemed to go through a very similar routine.  After chatting a bit, it became clear that each of us felt a little overwhelmed by our workloads – be it professional demands, personal demands, familial demands, or others. 

While we were all sharing variations of how busy/overwhelmed we felt, someone at the table said, “Maybe we all need to take a lesson from Simone Biles.”  I politely chuckled at this comment, but inwardly I felt very convicted. 

In case you are somehow unaware of what this comment was referencing, Simone Biles is a member of the US Women’s Gymnastic Team, the reigning gold medalist in pretty much everything women’s gymnastics, and was expected to put on a display of her dominance throughout these Olympic games.  Tuesday was the first major competition for Simone and the rest of Team USA, but after her turn on the first of the four disciplines in which she was competing, Simone withdrew from the competition citing mental health reasons.  She said her focus was so stretched and she was so mentally exhausted that she feared her mental weariness could lead to actual physical harm (in this case an accident while performing).  Even though this competition was a moment she (and countless others) had been anticipating for years, she made the decision that her mental health needed to take priority. 

I think we all know what it feels like to have sky-high expectations (either imposed by others or ourselves), feel like we are under a mountain of pressure, and like no matter what we do, it will never be enough.  Just the other morning I made the comment that for every item I checked off my to-do list it seemed like 3 more things were added.  It can be easy to feel overwhelmed and like we’re carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders. 

While I know there has not been universal acceptance and praise for Simone Biles’ decision, I think we would all do well to remember her example.  She took into consideration not just her physical health, but sensed that her mental health was at risk and made a decision to prioritize it.  She stepped back and said, I know it might not be the right time, but if I don’t take care of myself now, I might seriously hurt myself and others. 

Are you carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders right now?  Do you feel like there is immense pressure on you?  I invite you to consider what you might need to step back from, even temporarily, in order to lighten your load. 

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 “Tools for Discernment.”  Our scripture reading will be from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 12, verses 1 through 8.

At that time, Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath.  His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them.  When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look!  Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath!”

He answered, “Haven’t you read what David when he and his companions were hungry?  He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread – which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests.  Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath yet are innocent?  I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.  If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.  For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

We will begin our service with the song Waymaker by Michael W. Smith.  Our hymns for Sunday include: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah, and Be Thou My Vision.  This week, our video hymn will be Forever, by Chris Tomlin.

COVID Updates

At our Administrative Board meeting this week, the board reviewed COVID conditions and our congregation’s practices and agreed to continue to encourage social distancing in worship by keeping half of the pews closed for the time being.  Even though the CDC has revised their recommendations for masking, suggesting all people should once again wear masks when indoors, we are not changing our masking requirement at this time.  Masks are still optional for those who are fully vaccinated and encouraged for those who are not.  The Board is committed to continuing to monitor the latest COVID conditions and will discuss any further changes at upcoming meetings.

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

Reminder – Our congregation has been chosen by our District leadership to participate in a new visioning process with a national church leadership consultant.  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 end product will be.  Please 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.  Our new video system will be installed next week.  We are looking for a few individuals who would like 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.  A training session is scheduled for Thursday, August 5th at 5:00 pm.

Food and Fun – The Methodist Men will once again host a church wide picnic.  Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend our Church picnic, Sunday, August 15.  We will gather at the shelter house 2 at Harley Park beginning at 6:00 pm.  Luke Haller will be catering our meal.  Following our meal we will move over to the ballfields for a game of softball or wiffle ball.  All you need to bring is a ball-glove (and maybe a lawn chair) and come ready for fun!  We look forward to seeing you on August 15!

Choir is Back! – Calling all musicians—the NMUMC Choir is returning this Fall! The choir is open to any musicians ages 12+ who are interested in singing or playing a musical instrument during worship. Practices will be held every other Wednesday evening beginning September 1, from 6-7 P.M. in the church sanctuary. You can sign up by clicking here. Sign up forms will also be placed in the church sanctuary. Please note if you play an instrument, we are happy to incorporate that gift, as well. Just let Sara Snyder or Leah  Gumbel know.

We’re looking forward to making some joyful noise together!!  Please remember when signing up for choir that the church’s current Covid-19 policy makes masks optional for those who are fully vaccinated.

If you have any questions, contact Sara Snyder (417-343-1124) or Leah Gumbel.

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.

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:

Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary.” — Fred Rogers