“The Power of Silence”

I’m finding myself at a loss for words, and the funny thing is it’s okay.  The last thing I need is to be heard, but to hear what you would say.  Word of God, speak.  Would you pour down like rain, washing my eyes to see your majesty, to be still and know that you’re in this place?  Please let me stay and rest in your holiness, Word of God, speak.”

Word of God Speak – MercyMe

 

I’ve shared with you before that I understand the repetition of a topic or idea to be a sign from the Holy Spirit to which I probably need to pay attention.  Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reading and learning a lot about the importance of and the art of listening.  Last Sunday I talked about the idea of talking to strangers and a book I’ve been reading about initiating and sustaining conversations.  This week I’ve been learning about deep listening skills. 

One of the key concepts in both of these areas has been about the power of silence.  The idea is that people are generally uncomfortable with silence and will fill it in order to avoid the awkwardness.  When you avoid the desire to fill the silence, chances are people will continue to share and carry on the conversation. 

This got me thinking about the importance of silent (or quiet) time with God.  One of the tendencies I have in my prayer time is to fill the time with my talking (and thinking), filling the silences because of my discomfort with it.  How might my quiet time be better if I spent more time in silence (or quiet) and allowed God to fill the space? 

Another reflection on the power of silence I had was about those times where I felt like God was silent.  Has this ever happened to you?  You pray and read scripture and pray some more and wait for a response from God and feel like there is no response.  Perhaps during these times God is allowing us to spend time in silence, giving us the space to understand and discover the solution we are looking for was within us all along. 

So, how about you?  How do you incorporate quiet time (or silence) into your time with God?  Do you provide space for God to speak, and are you listening for God’s voice?  Also, when you feel like God is silent, do you use that it may still be time for you to speak and find the answer within yourself?

It is an honor to be your pastor and to be in ministry alongside you to an amazing God who uses silence in powerful ways.

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 a new message series titled “Lies We Believe.” This week’s lie to be explored is “Don’t Talk About Religion.” Our scripture reading will be from the book of Acts, chapter 17, verses 16 through 23:

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.  So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.  A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate him.  Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?”  Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.”  They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.  Then they took him and brought him into a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting.”  You are bringing some strange ideas into our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.”  (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)

Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said, “People of Athens!  I see that in every way you are very religious.  For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.  So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship – and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.” 

We will begin our service with the song Good God Almighty by Crowder.  Our hymns for Sunday include: For the Beauty of the Earth & The Gift of Love.  Our praise song is Who You Are to Me.

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. The Board made the decision to remove the seating restrictions in the Sanctuary.  Starting this Sunday, all pews will have cushions and be open for seating.  Masks are still optional for everyone and 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

Outreach Soup/Sandwich Luncheon – The luncheon is scheduled for Sunday, October 31st after the 10:20 worship service.  There will be several different kinds of soups and ham salad and peanut butter sandwiches.  There will also be dessert.  It is a free will offering to help fund some of the Outreach ministries of the church. 

Parade of Costumes-As Halloween falls on a Sunday this year, children are encouraged to wear their costumes to church. After the 10:20 service, children will parade into Fellowship Hall to do some trick or treating. Please bring a bag of candy with you to hand out to the kids.  We hope to see you there! 

Youth Group Lock-in – This coming Friday, October 29^th – there will be a Youth Group Lock-In at the Church from (6pm Friday to 10am Saturday).  Youth group members can invite one friend to attend with them.  All attendees must have a signed permission slip.  If you would like to donate supplies or volunteer for a night shift, please contact Brian or Chelsea Jackson.  

Christmas Program – This year’s Christmas Program, “Stories of a Savior,” will be performed on December 19th during the 10:20 service. The story of our Savior does not start with His birth…it starts back with Adam and Eve and our NEED for a Savior. Come watch Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, David, Mary, Simeon, and Anna all tell their stories of a Savior.  Rehearsals will take place during Children’s Church (10:20 service) beginning in early November.

Important dates for children involved:

12/5/21 – Quick run through after 10:20 service 12/12/21 – Dress rehearsal after 10:20 (Pizza served for lunch). 

12/19/21 – Production 

Coats for Kids Program – We will again be providing coats for kids who need them in the Boonslick Area.  If you would like to contribute, make your check out to Nelson Memorial, UMC and in the memo line put “Coats for Kids” and place it in the offering plate or drop it by the church office.  Thank you!    If you have any questions about the Coats for Kids program, please inquire with Heather Beach.

Events this week:

Monday, October 25: TOPS, 9:30 am, Foundations Classroom

Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Lounge

Tuesday, October 26: Outreach Meeting, 6:30 pm, Lounge

Wednesday, October 27: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15 am, Lounge

Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Friday, October 29: Youth Lock-in, 6:00 pm – Saturday 10:00 am, Fellowship Hall

Al Anon, 8:00 pm, Church Lounge

Sunday, October 31: Outreach Ministries Soup/Sandwich Luncheon, following 10:20 service, Fellowship Hall

Closing Words of Wisdom:

Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content.” – Helen Keller

Silence is true wisdom’s best reply.” – Euripides