“Feels Like”

I’m wearing my warmest sweater, with the thermostat raised a bit, with a cup of hot coffee near me and I’ve only begrudgingly taken off my gloves to type this note.  It is cold!  Before I left the house this morning I made the mistake of looking at the monitor for our weather station.  It informed me that while the air temperature was 7 degrees Fahrenheit, the “feels like temperature” was a paltry 1 degree Fahrenheit.  1 stinking degree! 

As I was driving in this morning, rubbing my hands together and regretting not warming the Jeep up more before getting into it, I got thinking about that term “feels like temperature.”  It is only in the past few years that the term “feels like” has been used.  Terms like “wind chill” and “heat index” used to be the go-to phrases in winter and summer to help us understand the weather better.  But this term “feels like” has now become the replacement.  I googled the term (as I do) and found the following explanation on accurite.com:

The “feels like” temperature is a measurement of how hot or cold it really feels like outside. The “Feels Like” temperature relies on environmental data including the ambient air temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed to determine how weather conditions feel to bare skin.

Different combinations of temperature, humidity, and wind speed can increase the sensation of being hot or cold. For example, skin that is exposed to wind and cold temperatures will make a person feel that it is colder outside than it really is because heat is drawn away from the body at a faster rate. As another example, a day that is very humid may feel hotter than it really is outside because your body sweat does not evaporate (and thereby cool the body) the way it is intended.”

The “feels like temperature” and other such measurements remind us that, sometimes what matters isn’t just what actually is happening, like the air temperature, but also what things feel like.  In the case of the weather, it feels even colder or hotter than the temperature might indicate. In our lives, experiences or circumstances might feel more stressful, depressing, or infuriating than we think they should because of other extenuating factors. It’s important that we, as Christians, understand the “feels like” when it comes to those that are called to be in relationship with. For example, we might know that we have a loving and welcoming congregation, but someone coming into the church for the first time with some old wounds might not get it at first. We must be attune to what our actions might feel like to someone else.

We’ve been watching the television show The Big Bang Theory recently.  One of the characters, Sheldon, is a genius who has no understanding of the fact that the things he says can be hurtful.  No matter how honest or factual Sheldon is being, his comments on someone’s talent or intellect (or other things) feel like an attack. As with our actions, we should also be mindful that our words can sometimes feel differently than we intend, as well.

As we try to stay warm in the midst of the current cold snap, I encourage you to be on guard for the “feels like” of your words and actions. 

Thank you for the joy of being your pastor and being 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 Week

This Sunday in worship we will begin a new message series titled “Becoming More – Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit.”  Each week we will look at one or two of the “Fruits of the Spirit” names in Galatians chapter 5.  This week we will focus on the first o the Fruits of the Spirit, “Becoming More: Loving.”  Our scripture lesson will be from Galatians chapter 5, verses 13-15, and 22-23:

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge in the flesh; rather serve one another humbly in love.  For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.” 

We will begin our service with the song This Could Change Everything by Francesca Battistelli.  Our hymns for the morning include Love Divine, All Loves Excelling; The Gift of Love; and Have Thine Own Way, 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 after our 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

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.  If you are ill or not feeling well, please consider staying home and worshiping with us through our live-stream. 

Announcements

Methodist Men Meeting – All the men of the church are invited to attend the first Methodist Men’s meeting of the year on Saturday, January 8 at 8:30 am in the Fellowship Hall.  We will share a devotion together, plan our events and projects for the coming year, and take down the nativity scene.  Please join us for this time of fellowship, devotion, and service.

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 this Sunday, January 9, we will be offering an 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, you can click here or speak with Sam or Katy Giroux.  Even if you haven’t registered yet, you can still come for the first session and check it out.  There will be plenty of lunch for everyone.

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.  You may make an appointment to donate or find more information here.

Living Nativity – We would like to thank everyone who helped with the Living Nativity again this year.  Thank you to the Methodist Men for once again assembling the structure and getting everything set up.  Thank you to the McVicker and Wax families for supplying and tending the animals.  Thank you to everyone who participated as actors that evening, you made it really special!  This was the 40^th year of a Living Nativity at Nelson Memorial and we couldn’t have done it without all of the support.  Thank you all!

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.

Events this week:

Saturday, January 8: Methodist Men, 8:30 am, Fellowship Hall

Sunday, January 9: Youth, 11:30 am, Fellowship Hall

Financial Peace University, Noon, Church Lounge

Monday, January 10: TOPS, 9:30 am, Foundations Classroom

Education Meeting, 5:30 pm, Church Lounge

Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, January 11: NAMI – 6:30 pm, Foundations Classroom

Wednesday, January 12: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15 am, Church Lounge

Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Thursday, January 13: Baby Grace Size and Sort, 1:00 pm, Annex

Praise Band Rehearsal, 6:00 pm, Sanctuary

Friday, January 14: Al-Anon, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Closing Words of Wisdom:

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” – Mother Teresa