“Where are you?”

Tomorrow is the 20^th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.  A few weeks after that tragic day, country singer Alan Jackson released a song with an opening line “Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?” 

Like many of you, I remember very vividly where I was that September day.  I had just moved to Chicago to start a new chapter of my life (in seminary).  My family was with me and our plan that Tuesday morning was to drive into the city and visit one Chicago’s most iconic buildings – the Sears Tower (actually it’s called the Willis Tower).  We had to stop at a GM dealer on the way to drop off my dad’s car, which had begun acting strangely.  As we drove, we listened to the radio. We were very confused by the strange morning show we had found and the sick sense of humor they had – going on and on about some kind of attack on the US. 

Once we arrived at the dealership, at least a dozen people were huddled around a television in the waiting area, watching the surreal events play out in real time.  The only sounds that could be heard other than the television were the occasional gasps and cries of horror.  I remember so clearly the feelings of confusion, shock, profound sadness, hopelessness, helplessness, fear and disbelief.  Over the next hours and days other feelings would surface too – feelings of dread that another attack might happen at any time, feelings of patriotism and unity, a desire for revenge, and of course sadness for all those whose lives were more directly impacted than mine. 

We’ve been watching a couple of news specials about people who had strong connections to the events on 9/11.  One involved the students who were in the classroom with President Bush when he received news of the attack, and another was about women who working in or near the World Trade Center and Pentagon.  In each of these documentaries, it was obvious how vivid each person’s memories still are of that day.  At the end of each program, the subjects talked about their lives now and the road they have had to travel to let go of the deep anger and fear they felt during and after the attacks.  They discussed how they are still haunted by what they experienced, but they are no longer in the same place where they were 20 years ago.  They shared stories of how they had grown through all they had been through and were shaped and transformed by what they experienced.

I imagine most of us who were old enough to remember 9/11 can tell you where they were on that September day – not just physically, but where we were emotionally as well.  But like those interviewed in each documentary, none of us are the same today as we were 20 years ago. We have all had our own journeys, our own personal tragedies, joys, and moments of fear that are not necessarily connected to 9/11, but are just as profound and important. As the nation comes together to reflect on the events that transpired 20 years ago in our country, it’s a good time to reflect on our own journeys. Therefore, my question for you today isn’t about where you were, but where are you now? 

Blessings, Chris

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday we conclude our message series “Mixtape.”  This week’s message is inspired by the song My Jesus, by Anne Wilson.  Our scripture reading will be from Matthew chapter 16, verses 13 through 16:

When Jesus came to the area of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

But what about you?” he asked.  “Who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.”

We will begin our service with the song My Jesus by Anne Wilson.  Our hymns for Sunday include: O How I Love Jesus, Mighty to Save, and Sent Out in Jesus’ Name. 

COVID Updates

At our most recent Administrative Board meeting, 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, but encouraged.  The Board is committed to continuing to monitor the latest COVID conditions and will discuss any further changes at upcoming meetings.

Announcements

Women’s Bible Study – Linda Gordon and Judy Powell are going to lead a fall women’s Bible study on Wednesday mornings in the lounge beginning Oct. 6th, at 9:30 a.m.

We invite interested ladies to bring their Bible and enjoy coffee with us. We are going to begin with a revisit of the book entitled Sensible Shoes by Sharon Garlough Brown. (We had just started this one at the beginning of Covid.)  If you need a book or study guide, please let Linda, Judy, or Cindy Koch know.  Hope to see you there!

Calling All Musicians – NMUMC is in the process of creating a praise band to help facilitate our worship experience. We are looking for musicians with experience playing keyboard, drums, bass guitar, etc. If you play an instrument and are interested in participating, please talk to Larry Long or Sara Snyder. 

Central Methodist University Chorale – Please mark your calendars for Sunday, September 26^th for the CMU Chorale who will be singing during the 10:20 worship hour. 

Worship Livestream – We will again live-stream our 10:20 worship service to our Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/NelsonMemorialUMC)) this week.  The stream will start approximately 10:25 or so, as we begin it after the opening video (for copyright purposes).  We will continue to post a recording of our message each week to our website by early Sunday afternoon.  We are excited to be able to extend our worship services in these ways. 

Collections for Missions – We have one week remaining of collecting items for the Personal Hygiene Packs for the annual MO Festival of Sharing.  Below is a description of what is sought for each project.  If you’d prefer to donate cash, that would be great.  Each pack has an approximate value of $20.

Missouri Personal Hygiene Pack:

1 bottle lotion (10-16 oz.), 1 fluoride toothpaste (6 oz. or more), 1 toothbrush (in original package), 1 bath size bar of soap (in package), 1 bottle shampoo (12-16 oz.), 2 razors, 1 comb or brush, 1 deodorant, 1 washcloth, 1 hand towel (please place items in a 2 gallon zip lock bag)

Items or monetary donations for the Missouri Personal Hygiene Packs are requested to be returned by September 19.

Events this week:

Friday, September 10: Youth Bonfire, 7:00 pm, Jackson’s Home

Saturday, September 11: Methodist Men, 8:30 am, Church Lounge & Hain House

Monday, September 13: TOPS, 9:30 am, Foundations Classroom

Tuesday, September 14: Administrative Board, 6:00 pm, Church Lounge

NAMI, 6:30 pm, Foundations Classroom

Wednesday, September 15: Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Thursday, September 16: Baby Grace Distribution, 5:00 pm, Church Annex

Friday, September 17: Al Anon, 8:00 pm, Church Lounge

Closing Words of Wisdom:

“Why am I here? What is the reason I was saved? They’re really unanswerable questions. After going through something like we did, all you can do is try to live your best life from day to day and move forward with gratitude.” — Brian Clark, World Trade Center survivor