Confession of the Pastor’s Wife: Because God Doesn’t Do Redos

…the God of all grace, the one who called you into his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will himself restore, empower, strengthen and establish you.“ 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)\

Awhile ago, I was driving and praying. The car is often a sanctuary spot for me, a time to turn off the noise around me, decompress, and check in with both myself and God. Apparently I was having one of those days. You know those days. You get out of bed off-kilter and the day just keeps turning in the wrong direction. Maybe you forgot to get milk and let your ten year old eat a cookie for breakfast. Perhaps you forgot to sign a study guide and your child lost a behavior point. Or, an unexpected medical bill might surreptitiously arrive in your mailbox and send your budget into a tailspin. You get the point…stuff happens.

So, as I was driving and praying on this particular off-kilter day, I said to God, “You know, I just need you to give me a redo.” Honestly, I don’t think that’s too much to ask of the God who stopped time for a full day so the Israelites could defeat the Amorites in the book of Joshua. If the Earth could stop on its axis for a day of battle, surely I could get a do-over.

Alas, it was not to be. As I pondered the idea of a redo with God, this thought came to me. God doesn’t do redos. God does restoration.

Think about that for a minute. If you’ve ever watched one of the bazillion house flipper shows on HGTV, you understand the difference between a redo and restoration. A redo involves demolishing everything and building from scratch. You get rid of the existing structure, tear out the old foundation, and build a completely new structure out of new materials. In restoration, however, the goal is to bring the structure back to its original glory. This involves some demolition. If the plumbing is rusted, it needs to be replaced. Systems need to be modernized so they can be functional. However, the basic bones of the original structure are still there. And, when possible, original materials are repurposed into something useful once more.

A restoration takes a lot more time and effort than a redo because he goal is to bring something that has faded back to its original pristine condition. A painting that has lost its luster is restored to brightness. A crackly, old recording is made crystalline once again.

God doesn’t give us a redo because he loves us as we are. God knows our mistakes. He knows our faults and our weaknesses. He knows the things we’ve experienced, and he wants to use them in his restorative process. God’s not going to obliterate our bad days, he’s going to use them for a greater purpose. If, of course, we let him. We must be active participants in God’s restorative process. We have to put on our work gloves, strap our tool belts to our waist, and dive into the depths of our being with God.

It’s a painstakingly tedious endeavor. We don’t become the person God has designed us to be overnight. There’s some demolition involved, some pipes and wiring to replace. There’s also the refurbishing that has to be done, as we clean up the messes within our hearts so that God’s love can shine through us. But, in the end, if we give God time and space, we will experience the beauty of God’s restoration in our lives.

Blessings and Peace, Sara

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 “Lies We Believe” message series. This week’s lie to be explored is “Sticks and Stones…” Our scripture reading will be from the book of James, chapter 3, verses 4 through 11:

Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire but a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this must not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? “

We will begin our service with the song Sing Wherever I Go by We The Kingdom. Our hymns for Sunday include: To God Be the Glory & O Jesus, I Have Promised. Our praise song is Great Are You Lord.

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 this 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. Also, please bring a bag of candy with you to hand out to the kids. We hope to see you there!

All Saints Day – We will observe All Saints Day in both of our November 7 worship services. We will light candles in honor of members of Nelson Memorial who have been received into the Kingdom since All Saints Day 2020. The list includes: Marilyn Cochren, Mike Dowling, Maurice Farrell, Kenneth Farris, Wes Gingrich, Nellie Gingrich, and Jim Stanaway. We will have a time in the service for all who are present to light a candle in memory of a loved one. Please join us on November 7 for this special service.

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:

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

Monday, November 1: TOPS, 9:30 am, Foundations Classroom

Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Lounge

Wednesday, November 3: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15 am, Lounge

Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Friday, November 5: Youth Lock-in, 6:00 pm – Saturday 10:00 am, Fellowship Hall

Al Anon, 8:00 pm, Church Lounge