Knowing About vs Knowing

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?” Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you.  Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:21-23

Over the past 18 months or so, I have done a ton of research on Boonville and Cooper County and learned a lot.  I have learned about the people who live within a few miles of Nelson Memorial (our neighbors).  I’ve learned about the average age of someone in our community (approximately 38), average income (approx. $54,000 for a household), average education level attained, comfort level with technology, anxieties, fears, hopes and dreams and all kinds of other things.  I have spent a lot of time learning about the people in our community. 

Our church’s Administrative Board has spent a lot of time looking over this information, too considering the implications of it for the future of Nelson Memorial.  We can tell you a whole lot of things about the people who live around us.  But here’s the problem, we can’t tell you most of their names. 

I’m not sharing this to call out our church Board members (or myself).  We have put a lot of time and energy into trying to get to know about the people around us, but we have spent little time or energy actually getting to know them.  Knowing about someone and knowing someone are two very different things. Quick example, when I was in high school, one of my favorite people was Dale Earnhardt.  I knew everything about him – birthdate, hometown, family information, career information, etc. – but I never actually knew him.  We’d never met, never talked, never shared a meal or laugh or any actual human connection.

As I’ve been reflecting on this idea of knowing about someone without actually know them, I’ve been wondering if that might also translate to our walk with God?  We can spend a lot of time learning about God – reading Scripture, reading other books about God, talking and learning about theology, listening to other people describe God – but is that the same thing as knowing God?  John Wesley (the accidental founder of Methodism) believed it was important for the church to strike a balance between appealing to the intellect (head) of individuals and also their emotions (heart).  He observed that many churches and the people in them spent a lot of time engaging their head and knew a whole lot about God, but they spent very little time engaging their heart and actually coming to know God. 

In Matthew, there is this difficult passage about Jesus saying that many who call him Lord will not enter the kingdom of heaven because they never actually knew him.  They knew about Jesus, but didn’t actually know him or serve him.  To be honest, I’m not sure that everyday I would fall into the group that Jesus would recognize as someone who actually knows him.  I’ve spent a lot of time and energy (and money) learning about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and associated things on a head level, but do I actually know God on a heart level?  Would Jesus recognize me as one who know him?  What about you?  Do you spend more of your time and energy trying to know about God, or to know God?  I invite you consider one step (maybe joining a small group or participating in a service project) you can take as a way to help you get to know God better.

Blessings, Chris

Mission

To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Vision

Nelson Memorial UMC seeks to be a place where all God’s broken, hurting, and imperfect children discover wholeness and community while experiencing the warm and welcoming love of Jesus Christ.  We seek to connect with one another to grow in our knowledge and love of God, to encourage each person to live out their unique calling to serve God, and to make a difference in the Boonville community and throughout the world.

Priorities

Developing and Nurturing Faith in Children and Youth

Fostering Growth and Community in Worship and Small Groups

Provide Opportunities to Serve God in Boonville and Beyond

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday we conclude our “What If …?” message series.  This week’s message is titled “What if… God changed the world using us?” Our scripture reading will be from the Gospel of John, chapter 9, verses 1 through 7:

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.  His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.  As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me.  Night is coming, when no one can work.  While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes.  “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”).  So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.“

We will begin our service with the song Do Something by Matthew West.  Our hymns for Sunday include: This is My Father’s World; Shine, Jesus, Shine; and We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations.  Additionally, the choir will sing We Praise Thy Holy Name as the Offertory at the 10:20 service.

Virtual Worship Information

In addition to in-person worship, each Sunday we will live-stream our 10:20 worship service. The service can be viewed on our Facebook Page.  The service 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. 

COVID Updates

At our most recent Administrative Board meeting, the board reviewed COVID numbers in the state and Cooper and Howard counties, and our congregation’s current practices. It was agreed to continue to encourage social distancing in worship by keeping half of the pews closed for the time being.  Masks are still optional for everyone but encouraged for those who are not fully vaccinated.  The Board is committed to continuing to monitor the latest COVID conditions and will discuss any further changes at upcoming meetings.

Announcements

Get those Bikes Ready

Everyone is invited to join us for a family bike ride on Sunday, October 10 at 2:00 pm.  We will meet at the Depot on Spring Street and ride approximately 4 miles total with a refreshment break at the midpoint.  All are welcome!

Last Call for Small Groups Survey – As part of our commitment to offer opportunities for people to connect with one another and grow spiritually, we are looking for your input on our small group ministries.  Would you please take a few minutes and fill out our small groups survey?

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!

Kids Hope Pumpkin Carving

October 17 will be the annual Pizza and Pumpkin Carving event from 4:30 – 6:00 pm (after the Chiefs game).  Come out and help us support this important ministry!

Events this week:

Sunday, October 10: Church Bike Ride, 2:00 pm, Boonville Trailhead

Youth Group, 5:00 pm, Jackson’s Home

Monday, October 11: TOPS, 9:30 am, Foundations Classroom

Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Lounge

Tuesday, October 12: NAMI, 6:30 pm, Foundations Classroom

Wednesday, October 13: Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Thursday, October 14: Baby Grace Size and Sort, 1:00 pm, Church Annex

Friday, October 15: Al Anon, 8:00 pm, Church Lounge

Closing Words of Wisdom:

God trusts most those who know Him best, and those who know Him best are those who have spent the most time with Him.”― Mark Batterson