“Prayers for Peace ”

Wednesday evening we were getting ready for bed when I saw the news alert that the Russian attacks and invasion of Ukraine had officially commenced.  We turned on a news station and watched in silence as stories and images of shelling and violence were being shared from across Ukraine.  When I see images and stories of violence, my desire is to pray, but often words fail to come that adequately express my thoughts and yearnings.  Below are a couple of prayers I have found helpful as words are still hard to find.  If you, too desire to pray but don’t know exactly how, I commend these prayers to you.

Blessings and Peace, Chris

Prayer for peace in Ukraine

Holy and Gracious God

We pray for the people of Ukraine and the people of Russia; for their countries and their leaders.

We pray for all those who are afraid; that your everlasting arms hold them in this time of great fear.

We pray for all those who have the power over life and death; that they will choose for all people life, and life in all its fullness.

We pray for those who choose war; that they will remember that you direct your people to turn our swords into ploughshares and seek for peace.

We pray for leaders on the world stage; that they are inspired by the wisdom and courage of Christ.

Above all, Lord, today we pray for peace for Ukraine.

And we ask this in the name of your blessed Son.

Lord have mercy.

Amen (Posted on the British Methodist Church Website)

Prayer of Intercession inspired by Psalm 130

Out of the depths we cry to you, O Lord.

Lord, hear our voices!

Above the sound of rockets and the weeping of those bereaved,
hear our earnest prayers!

We look on in horror
at children killed,
homes and schools hit,
smoking rubble.

We listen in fear
to voices speaking defiance,
vowing revenge,
claiming violence as a solution.

We mourn with
all who have lost loved ones,
all who have fled the fighting,
all who will lie down in fear this night.

We wait for the Lord, our souls wait,

and only in the Prince of Peace can we hope;
our souls wait for the Lord,
more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch in fear for what destruction the morning’s light will show.

O peoples of this troubled region,

may your angry voices be calmed,
may love drive out hatred,
may God’s peace settle upon you.

May God redeem all who call for further killing.

May the horrors of these days give fresh determination to the peacemakers.
And may we see conflict here no more. Amen.

Posted on the Christian Aid website

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 connclude our “Becoming More” message series.  This week, the fruit of the Spirit we will consider are Peace and Patience.  Our scripture lesson is from the Book of 1 Timothy, Chapter 1, verses 12 through 16:

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.  Even though I was one a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.  The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.  But for that very reason, I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 

Our 8:00 service will begin with the song Pour Out Your Spirit by Thrive Worship.  Our 10:00 service will kick off with our Praise Band leading us in I Shall Never Forget the Day.  Our hymns for the morning include Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus, and Let There Be Peace on Earth.  Our praise song for the morning will be Mighty to Save.

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.  Additionally, we 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

Ash Wednesday Service – Join us this coming Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm as begin the season of Lent with our Ash Wednesday Service. This service is time to help us focus our minds and souls on the time of preparation and repentance that is the season of Lent. This service will include the imposition of ashes, a time of acknowledgement of our mortality and our need for forgiveness.

Come and Make a Joyful Noise – Our Choir and Praise Band are looking for a few more members.  The Choir is looking for a few more voices, specifically men, but all are welcome.  The Choir practices the first and third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm.  Please talk with Leah Gumbel for more information.

The Praise Band is also looking for a few more members.  A bass player or drummer is being sought, and an additional guitarist would be welcome as well.  Vocalists are also welcome.  The Praise Band rehearses the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 6:00 pm.  Childcare is available during Praise Band rehearsal.  Please talk with Larry Long, Sara Snyder, or Philip Wooldridge for more information. 

Winter Family Outing – Dust off your ice skates and make plans to attend our winter outing! Next Sunday (Feb 27) we are planning an ice-skating outing 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.

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 27: Financial Peace University, Noon, Church Lounge

Ice Skating Outing, 1:00 – 3:00 pm, Washington Park Ice Arena in Jeff City

Monday, February 28: TOPS, 9:30 am, Foundations Classroom

Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Church Lounge

Tuesday, March 1: Choir Rehearsal, 7:00 pm, Sanctuary

Wednesday, March 2: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15 am, Church Lounge

Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Ash Wednesday Worship Service, 7:00 pm, Sanctuary

Friday, March 4: Al-Anon, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Closing Words of Wisdom:

Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” ― Martin Luther King Jr

The day the power of love overrules the love of power, the world will know peace.” ― Mahatma Gandhi