“Ready or not …”

Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy.  So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening’.”  1 Samuel 3:8b-9

It’s Friday morning and I’m spending a few minutes waking up my mind before I finish the Weekly Update.  I’m looking at the Cardinals schedule and the various giveaways (because I love a freebie) now that baseball is actually going to happen.  Meanwhile, the boys are home today for an AMI day (Alternate Methods of Instruction, AKA virtual school) because of the snow.  The younger son finished up all his schoolwork in about an hour (probably less) and is now bored.  (And a bored 13-year-old can sometimes be a dangerous 13-year-old.)

As I’m looking at the baseball schedule and considering what our summer plans might look like, the 13-year-old stands behind me and starts giving his running commentary about the things on my screen.  (By the Way – one of the many pet peeves I have is people looking over my shoulder at what I’m working on.)  I do my best to tune him out, as I’m just trying to work on my plans for a bit and am not really looking for any input.  Eventually, after enough one word answers on my part , he goes back to his video games. 

About 5 minutes later, after the window is closed, it dawns on me: my 13-year-old actually wanted a conversation with his father.  This is a rare situation.  And I just missed it.  I was stuck in my own mind, with my list of things I wanted to do, and I tuned him out.  What a wasted opportunity!

I wonder how often I do this–not just with the boys, but with God.  The story of the calling of Samuel is a story I absolutely love.  Samuel is sleeping in the “house of the Lord at Shiloh” and God comes to speak with him.  Samuel, not having heard a word from God previously, didn’t recognize the voice of God.  Eventually Eli, who is to teach Samuel the way of the Lord, recognizes that the voice calling Samuel is the Lord.  Eli instructs Samuel to respond “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.” 

We are spending the season of Lent focusing on the spiritual practice of prayer.  Last week we discussed that one of the aspects of prayer we often forget about is listening.  Listening is such a vital part of prayer (and life, for that matter), but something we often neglect.  It requires us to quiet our minds, stop thinking about our priorities, to-do’s, and desires, and be open to hearing the voice of God.  Like Samuel, this is something we must learn to do, as it doesn’t come naturally.  I invite you to join us this Sunday as we discuss pausing in the presence of God as a way of being ready not just to speak, but to listen, because you never know when those opportunities for conversation might come.  And like me with Stephen, you don’t want to miss out.

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 we continue our message series for the season of Lent titled “Dear Heavenly Father.”  This series is focused on the spiritual practice of prayer and seeks to provide some practical tools for increasing your practice of prayer.  This week our message is titled “Pause” and will focus on the scripture in Psalm 46, verses 7 through 11.

The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth.

He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth.  He breaks the bow and the spear; he burns the shields with fire.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.“

Our 8:00 service will begin with the song Hurry Up and Wait by MercyMe.  Our 10:20 service will open with our Praise Band leading us in the song Everlasting God.  Our other songs for the morning include Come, Now is the Time to Worship, Come and Find the Quiet Center, and Into My Heart. 

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 10:20 with 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

It appears that Covid is beginning to loosen its grip on our community.  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

Time to Spring Forward – Daylight Saving Time begins March 13.  Don’t forget to “spring ahead” before you go to bed on Saturday, March 12.  We wouldn’t want anyone to be late for church! 

Men’s Retreat and Camp Sagrada Work Day
All men and male youth are invited to the annual retreat and work day at Camp Sagrada March 18 & 19.  We will leave the church at 4pm Friday and carpool to the camp.  (You may meet us there later if this works better.)  We will have a dinner at the camp and devotion Friday evening.  Saturday we will have breakfast, work through the morning, have lunch and finish up projects in the afternoon.  We plan to be back home by about 6 pm Saturday.  If you are interested in attending, please sign up on the sheet in the East Wing.  If you have any questions, please talk with Tim VonEnglen or call him at 660-882-3348.

Thank You! To everyone who came out to the Soup N’ Spuds luncheon for missions.  Your generosity is much appreciated.  Stay tuned for information about the rescheduled trip to Kentucky.

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. 

Easter Lily Orders – It’s that time again to order your Lilies for our Easter Sunday services.  Those of you that would like to purchase an Easter Lilley in memory of or in honor of a loved one, please fill out a form that is located on the table in the refreshment area or by the front doors. Please return the form to the church by Sunday, March 28th or place it in the offering box. This will give Marcey from Stella’s Florist plenty of time to order the lilies. Please make checks payable in the amount of $12.00 to Nelson Memorial, UMC, and in the memo line write Easter Lily. The lilies will help beautify the sanctuary for Easter and will be displayed at the Easter services. You may take your lily home after the 10:20 a.m., Easter service.

Events this week:

Sunday, March 13: Financial Peace University, Noon, Church Lounge

Youth Event, 5:30 pm, First Baptist Church

Monday, March 14: TOPS, 9:30 am, Foundations Classroom

Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Church Lounge

Tuesday, March 15: Administrative Board, 6:00 pm, Lounge and Zoom

Choir Practice, 7:00 pm, Sanctuary

Wednesday, March 16: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15 am, Church Lounge

Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Thursday, March 17: Baby Grace Distribution, 5:00 pm, Church Annex

Friday, March 18: Al-Anon, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Men’s Retreat and Camp Sagrada Workday, Meet at 4:00 pm

Youth Outing to Concert in Kansas City

Closing Words of Wisdom:

What hinders me from hearing is that I am taken up with other things. It is not that I will not hear God, but I am not devoted in the right place. I am devoted to things, to service, to convictions, and God may say what He likes but I do not hear Him.” – Oswald Chambers