Unexpected Gifts –

We’re in the season of gift giving, and if you’re still shopping, chances are you approaching the point of trying to find something for someone and have no idea what they want/need.  This can be especially frustrating when you are shopping for someone who is difficult to buy for – those who are either really picky, don’t need anything, or never give you ideas of anything they want.  I’ve been accused of being one of those people.  One of the things I’ve found when you are perceived as a person who is difficult to shop for is that you often get gifts that are very unexpected (typically people have to guess at what you might like, and sometimes those guesses can be, let’s say amusing).

Have you ever received an unusual gift – one of those gifts you definitely didn’t ask for and maybe don’t really know what to do with?  A couple of Christmases ago I received a weighted blanket as a gift.  (I have struggled for years with insomnia and restless sleep and weighted blankets often help people fall asleep quicker and stay asleep longer.)  This was a very thoughtful and practical gift – one I never knew I wanted.  At first, I had to somewhat feign my excitement about this gift (a skill which those are difficult to buy for must employ frequently).  After we were finished opening presents, I took the blanket out of its packaging and placed it across my lap.  Instantly (I’m not exaggerating) I felt a calm come over me.  That night was the best night of sleep I had experienced in years. 

This morning I was reading a book about discipleship and I came across an interesting concept.  The author was discussing the idea of limits, or limitations, and described them as gifts from God.  I’ll be honest with you, I’ve considered my limitations a lot of things, but a gift from God is not one of them.  The author encouraged readers to change their perspective on limits, though, and to look at them in a different light.

I’ll give a quick example – I’ve mentioned before my desire to be musical and my complete and total lack of musical talent.  My lack of ability to lead singing in worship, or to play the piano or guitar (or any other instrument except maybe the cowbell) is a limitation.  But, when I learn to accept this limitation as a gift, I can see it as God’s way of telling me those things aren’t something I need to devote my energy to.  If I was musical, chances are I wouldn’t stop all the other ways I serve, I would just add that to them, and would be even busier than I am now.  This limitation is really gift, a way of allowing me to be ministered to by others. 

Another example the author described has to do with our time.  All of us have limited time (in multiple senses of the term, but for this case, I’m talking about hours in the day). As a result of this limitation, we are therefore required to prioritize how we will spend our time – will we spend our time with our family, by ourselves, at work, at play – how will we live within the limits of the 24-hour day?  The author concluded that once we embrace the gift of limits we can truly come to recognize our gifts, abilities and priorities and truly flourish as the people God created us to be, not those we think we need to pretend to be. 

This Christmas season, as you receive many different kinds of gifts, I invite you consider the unexpected gifts God gives us of our own limitations.  How can you embrace your limitations and learn to view them as gifts? 

It is, as always, an honor to be your pastor and to be in ministry alongside you to an amazing God.

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 in worship we will observe the fourth Sunday of Advent.  In our 8:00 service, we will conclude our “He Shall Be Called” message series with a look at the final title for the Messiah – Prince of Peace.  This week our scripture reading will be from the book of Micah, chapter 4, verses 2 through 5:

He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.”  The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.  He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide.  They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.  Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.  Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken.  All the nations may walk in the name of their gods; we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.“

This Sunday our services will begin with the song – The Night Before Christmas – by Brandon Heathand the hymn Star Child.  The 8:00 service will also sing the praise song Glory (Let There Be Peace) by Matt Maher and close with O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.  

Our 10:20 service this will be blessed by our children and youth as they present their Christmas Program – “Stories of a Savior.”  The program will include traditional Christmas Carols, a couple of new songs and a performance by our youth orchestra.  You will not want to miss this service.  (If you have family who can’t make it but would like to watch, please share our livestream information with them.)

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 with our gathering song provided by our Praise Band.  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

COVID cases are on the rise again in Cooper County and throughout our region. We will continue to keep all pews open in our Sanctuary, but encourage all worshipers to follow healthy practices – hand sanitizing, mask-wearing, and social distancing. Worshipers are encouraged to wear masks if they prefer or if they are not feeling well.  Masks remain 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 Eve Services December 24 – We will have two services this Christmas Eve at 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm.  Our services this year will feature lots of music, with songs by our Praise Band, Choir, and a couple of special pieces by Leah Gumbel and Sara Snyder.  Both services will include celebrating Holy Communion and singing Silent Night by candlelight.  The offering at these services will go towards the Boonslick Ministerial Alliance who helps those in need in our community. 

Living Nativity – Our Living Nativity Christmas Eve tradition will continue this year and your help is needed.  We are looking for people to be our “actors” in a “still scene” as part of this experience.  We are planning on have actors present from about 3:45 pm until around 5:00 pm, then another group from about 6:15 pm until our service begins at 7:00 pm, and back out there following the service for about 30 minutes.  Each group will need 6 – 10 people.  Please let Pastor Chris know if you are able to help.

Christmas Program – This year’s Christmas Program, “Stories of a Savior,” is this Sunday 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.  If you would like to share the service with family who cannot attend physically, please share our livestream information with them. 

Christmas Families – Thank you to those who took the tags off the giving tree to help local families this Christmas.  Please place your item under the Christmas Tree in the Sanctuary on or by December 19^th with the tag attached.  We greatly appreciate your help and Christian Love and helping these families to have a more joyful and blessed Christmas.  If there are any questions, please feel free to call Pastor Chris.  Thank you!

December 26 Worship Service – We will hold one Worship Service on December 26 at 10:20 am.  There will not be an 8:00 am service that day. 

Year End Giving – Thank you for the offerings you have made and are making to Nelson Memorial, UMC.  Your offerings, of your time, of your God-given talents, and of your gifts, help support all that we do.  Nelson Memorial could do nothing without the faithful offerings of all who call Nelson home.  As you consider your final contributions for 2021, please note that the church office offerings must be received by Sunday, December 26 for them to be credited on your 2021 giving statement.  Thank you.

Financial Peace University – If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to be healthier with your finances, we have a program to help you.  Beginning Sunday, January 9, we will be offering a opportunity to learn from Dave Ramsey his lessons on financial stewardship.  Financial Peace University (FPU) is a 9-week program with practical, Biblically-based lessons on financial management.  FPU classes will begin with an included lunch and run from Noon till 2:00 pm each week from Jan 9 – March 6.  For more information or to register for FPU, please click here or speak with Sam or Katy Giroux.

Blood Drive Coming Up – Our next Red Cross Blood Drive is scheduled for Monday, January 24 from 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm in our Fellowship Hall.  As happens most winters, the blood drive is in very short supply.  All donations are appreciated.  Click here to make an appointment to donate or find more information.

2021 Angel Tree – Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2021 Angel Tree program a success!  To everyone who donated a gift, made soup, helped with the crafts, and spent time with our angel Tree families – Thank You!

Salvation Army Bell Ringing – Thank you all who donated time on Saturday, December 11, 2021, to ring the bell for the Salvation Army.  The money raised will help those in need living in the Cooper County area.

Events this week:

Sunday, December 19: Christmas Program 10:20 service, Sanctuary

Monday, December 20: TOPS, 9:30 am, Foundations Classroom

Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, December 23: No Women’s Bible Study

Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Choir Rehearsal, 6:00 pm, Sanctuary

Friday, December 24: Christmas Eve – Office Closed

Christmas Eve Worship Services and Living Nativity – 3:00 pm, 7:00 pm

Sunday, December 26: 1 Worship Service at 10:20 am

Closing Words of Wisdom:

Our mistake is to confuse our limitations with the bounds of possibility . . .” William Golding