“Snow Days”

Whether you love it, hate it, or accept it as a part of life in the Midwest, winter weather has hit us hard this week.  Last evening, I came across a reflection from a colleague of mine, Matt, about lessons we can learn from snow days.  I invite you to consider your need for a snow day. 

Blessings, Chris

1. Snow days force us to slow down. I never drive 45 mph on the interstate! Normally we are in way too big of a hurry. When we cannot slow down ourselves, God sometimes does it for us.

2. Snow days remind us of what is essential. Warm shelter? Check. Food and drink? A must. Meaningful work? I hope! Time with people that you love? Yes. There are a lot of other extraneous things on our radar screen these days. But much of it is fluff (no pun intended).

3. Snow days reveal our lies. “I have so much to do today”, “I am too busy for…”, “My work is so important”. No you don’t, no you’re not, and no it isn’t. While some of us have to still go in to work today, snow days still show us that so much of what fills our calendar is more flexible than we imagine.

4. Snow days beg us to play. When my kids were young, they were up bright-and-early begging to go play in the snow. I have teenagers at home now, so they are not as eager to get out of bed and go outside. It reminds me that as we get older, we often neglect to play. There is more to life than wake up, eat, work, chores, work some more, and go to sleep. If you have a chance, go outside and play in the snow. If that isn’t your thing, perhaps the next couple of days will give you a surprise moment to rest. If God finds time for relaxation and rest, so can you.

5. Snow days demonstrate who is really in control. This is a theme of the past two years of our lives! Too often, we think we are in control. But from COVID to snow days, we are reminded that we are not. Instead of focusing on the things we cannot control, snow days refocus us on the things we can. We don’t get to control all the circumstances of our life, but we do get to decide how to live in all circumstances. Don’t neglect what you can control, and don’t get anxious about what you can’t!

Stay safe. Stay warm. And stay connected to God, to church, and to those you love.

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 we will continue our “Becoming More” message series.  This week, the fruit of the Spirit we will consider Faithfulness.  Our scripture lesson is from the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 9, verses 17 through 27:

A man out of the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought my mute son, made speechless by a demon, to you. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and goes stiff as a board. I told your disciples, hoping they could deliver him, but they couldn’t.”

Jesus said, “What a generation! No sense of God! How many times do I have to go over these things? How much longer do I have to put up with this? Bring the boy here.” They brought him. When the demon saw Jesus, it threw the boy into a seizure, causing him to writhe on the ground and foam at the mouth.

He asked the boy’s father, “How long has this been going on?”

“Ever since he was a little boy. Many times it pitches him into fire or the river to do away with him. If you can do anything, do it. Have a heart and help us!”

Jesus said, “If? There are no ‘ifs’ among believers. Anything can happen.”

No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the father cried, “Then I believe. Help me with my doubts!”

Seeing that the crowd was forming fast, Jesus gave the vile spirit its marching orders: “Dumb and deaf spirit, I command you—Out of him, and stay out!” Screaming, and with much thrashing about, it left. The boy was pale as a corpse, so people started saying, “He’s dead.” But Jesus, taking his hand, raised him. The boy stood up.

Our services will begin with the song I Have This Hope by Tenth Avenue North.  Our hymns for the morning include Great is Thy Faithfulness and Trust and Obey.  Our praise song for the morning will be Cornerstone.  At the 10:20 service, the Choir will share the song Forever I Will Praise You as our prelude. 

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 at approximately 10:25 following 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 is in full force around us.  The Church Administrative Board reviewed the Covid data and our current practices at their recent meeting.  They would like to reiterate their encouragement to follow as many safeguards as you feel are necessary including masking, distancing, and hand washing/sanitizing.  We would also like to encourage you to take notice of the behavior of others and respect their potential desire for more distance or less touch. 

Masks remain optional for everyone and encouraged for those who are not fully vaccinated or are feeling any symptoms of any illness.  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

Mission Trip Coming Up – On December 10, 2021, a violent, long-tracked tornado moved across western Kentucky producing severe to catastrophic damage in numerous towns, including Mayfield, Kentucky.  We are now forming a team of men and women to travel to Mayfield to complete clean up and rebuild projects.  Our tentative dates will be March 13 through March 18.  If you are interested in joining our team, please contact Larry Long, Bob Koch or Bill Salyer for details.  Sorry – no one under the age of 18 will be allowed on the work sites. 

Kids Host Valentine’s Lunch February 13 – Make plans to attend the Annual Valentine’s Lunch hosted by Nelson Kids on Sunday, February 13th, following the 10:20 service.  The kids are going to be serving a spaghetti lunch. This will be a free will offering, so please make plans to attend, and share in love and fellowship with our church family.

Winter Family Outing – Dust off your ice skates and make plans to attend our winter outing! This year we are planning an ice-skating outing on Sunday, February 27th from 1:00 -3:30 at the Washington Park Ice Arena in Jefferson City. We will meet for a pizza lunch in Fellowship Hall after church and carpool to the Ice Rink.  Everyone is welcome for the afternoon of fun and fellowship.  You can reach out to Melissa Baker or Chelsea Jackson if you have any questions.

Juanita Scott Memorial Scholarship – The intent of this scholarship is to provide one $500.00 scholarship per year for a high school senior, with preference being given for Nelson Memorial United Methodist Church members and/or those who are actively involved with the church.  Boonville High School seniors will be provided an application as part of their Guidance Office “Local Scholarship Information”.  For other than Boonville High School students, high school seniors may contact our church office at 882-6223 to request an application.  All scholarship applications with accompanying transcripts shall be received by the committee by March 14, 2022, during office hours. 

Charles Edgar Whitten Memorial Scholarship – The intent of this scholarship is to provide one $500.00 scholarship per year for 3rd and 4th year college applicants, with preference given to Nelson Memorial United Methodist Church members and/or those who are actively involved in the church where they attend a university or college.  The scholarship may be used for tuition, books, lab fees, or living expenses, as needed to help the scholarship winner continue their studies.  To request an application please contact the church office at 882-6223.  All scholarship applications must be received by our committee by April 11, 2022, during office hours. 

Blessing Bags – The Youth have prepared 100 Blessing Bags and invite you to pick some up and distribute them as you see a need.  They are in various places around the church.  Please take one or two (or more) and leave them in your car.  As you see someone needing food or help, share this bag with them.  This is a great (and easy) way to help people in need.  Thank you to the youth group for preparing these and giving us this opportunity!

Events this week:

Sunday, February 6: Youth Group, 11:30, Fellowship Hall

Financial Peace University, Noon, Church Annex

Monday, February 7: TOPS, 9:30 am, Foundations Classroom

Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, February 8: NAMI, 6:30 pm, Foundations Classroom

PEO, 6:30 pm, Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, February 9: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15 am, Church Lounge

Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Thursday, February 10: Baby Grace Size and Sort, 1:00 pm, Church Annex

Praise Band Rehearsal, 6:00 pm, Sanctuary

Friday, February 11: Al-Anon, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Saturday, February 12: Methodist Men, 8:30 am, Fellowship Hall

Closing Words of Wisdom:

It is time for us to breathe and build margin into our lives for God. Sabbath was intended as a gift which gives us delight.” – Priscilla Shirer.