“Enough”

One of the many benefits of being a United Methodist Pastor is that part of our compensation includes housing.  Nelson Memorial owns a beautiful parsonage that was wonderfully and lovingly prepared for us before we moved in. One of the reasons so many United Methodist Churches own parsonages is because of the itinerancy system-the way we assign our pastors – given the nature of short notice or the nuances of the real estate market, it can sometimes be difficult for clergy to feasibly buy and sell homes.  

We have spent our entire marriage living in parsonages, never owning our own home.  (For you homeowners out there who have recently had to take on any costly projects—new roof, HVAC, siding, etc., you probably think this is nice.)  But I think the longer we live in a home that is not our own, the more dreams I have for that undetermined future home of ours.  I enjoy watching the home buying shows on HGTV – House Hunters, Lottery Dream Home, 100 Day Dream Home, etc. – and it seems like the more I watch these, the loftier my desires for a home become. 

We often laugh when people in these shows mention different luxury items as absolute must-haves (heated Italian marble flooring, gold-veined countertops or appliances that think for themselves).  I must confess, when I picture our dream home – there are some features I want that would be considered a luxury to many, too (a very-large garage, tons of extra storage, a urinal, etc.).  The more I watch these shows, the easier it can become for those options to leave my wants list and make their way to my needs lists.  Not only that, but the more I think about all the things we want and don’t have, the easier it becomes to not appreciate what we do have.

This Sunday in worship, we are going to begin a short 2-week message series on money and possessions.  While I understand this is not always everyone’s favorite subject to discuss or think about, I want to invite you to begin considering with me the relationship between your faith and your attitudes toward money and possessions.  Jesus has a lot to say to his followers about the use of money, and we will take a look at a few of those lessons over these next two weeks.  I think one of the most important lessons for us to consider is the idea of contentment.  We have all been blessed more than we realize.  It can be difficult in our culture of always wanting more, bigger, shinier, and newer things to be happy with what we already have.  The farmer in the story above became a victim of the need for bigger and newer. But God calls us to a different way of living—of giving gratitude for what we have, and of sharing what we can with others.

I hope you will join us over the next couple of weeks as we consider the ways God calls us to use what we have been given in ways that honor him.

Blessing, 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 in worship we will begin a 2-week series titled “Let’s Talk About Money.”  This week our scripture reading will be from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 6, verses 19-21 and 24:

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

No one can serve two masters.  Either you will hate one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and money.“

This Sunday we will sing 2 songs in common at both services – Broken Vessels and Standing on the Promises.  At the 8:00 service our gathering song will be What If, by Matthew West, and our opening hymn will be God Will Take Care of You.  At the 10:20 service, our new praise band will provide I’ll Fly Away as our gathering song and How Great is our God as our opening song.

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 10:20 when the Praise Band begins the gathering song.  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

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.

Salvation Army Bell-Ringing – We are scheduled to “ring the bells” at Walmart on Saturday, December 11, 2021.  Volunteers are needed for one hour time slots from 10 AM – 6 PM.  A sign-up sheet is in the East wing narthex (where we serve refreshments after worship).  Please talk with Tim VonEngeln if you have any questions.

Community Thanksgiving Service – The Boonslick Ministerial Alliance will hold their annual Community Thanksgiving Service this year on Tuesday, November 23 at 6:00 pm at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church.  Please join us for this time of fellowship, worship, and community.

2021 Angel Tree – It is hard to believe Angel Tree is sneaking up on us.  Our angels will appear on our tree on Sunday, November 21st.  We will need the children’s gifts back in the sanctuary no later than Sunday, December 5th for the dedication of the gifts.   The Angel Tree Party will be held once again at the church on Saturday, Dec. 11th at 11:00 a.m., beginning with a short message in the sanctuary and soup and sandwiches to follow in Fellowship Hall.  We are needing dessert donations.

Our Education committee will be joining us in this special ministry.  All are invited to join with us in fellowship with our “angels.”  As always, we are so grateful for the way in which our church family supports this Matthew 25 ministry to the children of incarcerated parents.  If you have any questions please contact Karma Haller or Debra Windsor.  Thank you.

Events this week:

Sunday, November 14: Youth Group, 5:00 pm, Jackson’s Home

Monday, November 15: TOPS, 9:30 am, Foundations Classroom

Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Lounge

Tuesday, November 16: Administrative Board, 6:00 pm, Lounge & Zoom

Wednesday, November 17: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15 am, Lounge

Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Choir Rehearsal, 6:00 pm, Sanctuary

Thursday, November 18: Baby Grace Distribution, 5:00 pm, Annex

Friday, November 19: Al Anon, 8:00 pm, Church Lounge

Closing Words of Wisdom:

“Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty.” ~ Socrates