“Hardened”

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.  But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”  Hebrews 3:12-13

It’s been over a week now since the tragic events in Uvalde, TX that saw the death of 22 people.  Over the past several days we’ve heard the typical conversations that have become all too predictable – gun restrictions, 2^nd Amendment, mental health, video games, background checks, rap music, prayer in schools, arm the teachers, good guy with a gun, etc.  I’m not going to get into what I think ought to be done or what you should do–I know this a much more complicated matter than can be solved or addressed in a simple letter. 

But I do want to share one thing that has troubled me with this most recent round of conversations – the use of the term “harden.”  One of the ideas being shared is the need to harden schools, and subsequently society as a whole.  As I understand the use of the term, hardening involves limiting access points, having an increased security presence, and being prepared when the inevitable bad guy with a gun arrives.  I’ve been struggling with the use of this term and this idea, but not able to pinpoint exactly why, until this morning.  I was praying about the word harden and the suggestions that hardening will help us become a safer society. 

It occurred to me why I was struggling so much with this term – harden is a biblical term and a tool God uses.  A quick search of scriptures shows this word or term being used 33 times (in the King James Version).  Each time hardening is used in Scripture, it offers a warning or an example of what is used by God to show his power.  For instance, in the book of Exodus, it is mentioned 15 times that Pharoah’s heart was hardened, and this is why he was unreceptive to the word of God.  Pharoah’s hardened heart, in the face of each of the plagues and in response to the flight of the Israelites, prompted God to act and to show that his power was stronger than Pharoah’s hardened heart.

 In the New Testament, the scribes and Pharisees are described as being hardened against the words and work of Jesus.  And the Book of Hebrews includes the warning of protecting against having a heart that becomes “hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” 

I know I am changing the context a bit, but I realized my discomfort with the idea of “hardening” our society to protect us from the sins of others feels to me like we are accepting the inevitability of that sin and allowing ourselves to become hardened (or in my mind, numb) to the pain and hurt in our world.  As I process my thoughts and feelings around the responses to the violence so prevalent in our society today, I find myself in danger of becoming hardened, accepting violence as just how it goes, and being unwilling to see a way to build God’s kingdom “on earth, as it is in heaven.”

I invite you to join with me in guarding our hearts, that they not become so hardened to the sin we see around us that we are unable to see God’s light and hear God’s call in the midst of it.  Let us continue with the mission God has given us of being his light in a world of darkness.  Please pray for me as I pray for you, that we have the strength to avoid hardened hearts.

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 will conclude our “Courageous Faith” message series.  Our message this week will look at the story of the events of Pentecost Sunday.  Our scripture reading is from the book of Acts, Chapter 2, verses 1-14.

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.  Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.  They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 

Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.  When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken.  Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?  Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?  Parthians, Medes and Elamites, residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs – we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd…”

Our 8:00 service will begin with the song Holy Spirit Come by Patrick Mayberry.  Our Praise band will kick off our 10:20 service with Come, Now is the Time to Worship.  The rest of our songs for the morning include Holy is the Lord, We are the Church, and Here I Am, 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 at approximately 10:20 with our Praise band.  Additionally, we post a recording of our message each week to our website by early Sunday afternoon. 

Announcements

Save the Date – VBS July 6th-8th (9-11:30am) – Volunteers are needed to help with Vacation Bible School. This year, our program is called “Make Waves” and we will be teaching the children what they can do to change the world around them! Through fun activities, engaging lessons, and God’s Word, we’ll help kids understand how they can share God’s love with everyone.  The program is open to children 4 years of age to those who have just graduated 5th grade. Please contact a member of the education committee if you are interested in helping!

Service Opportunity – Camp Sagrada has reached out to us requesting our help with transportation of campers.  We only have a few people signed up, so please consider helping out with this vital ministry.  This is a ministry we did in the past. The camp’s mission is to reach children with the gospel, whose parents are incarcerated. Campers experience the love of Jesus, and that of camp staff/counselors, in a fun filled natural environment, perhaps rendering them more receptive to the gospel. The camp experience is so important for these children who are burdened by the absence or stigma of an incarcerated parent.  We are looking for help on the following dates: June 10, June 13 and 17, and June 20 and 25.

Each day we will need a team of 2 adults, one of which can drive the Sagrada van, the other to assist. You can volunteer for one day, or one week. Any adult, 18+, is eligible to help with this project.  Each volunteer will need to plan on several hours of travel.  The Camp Sagrada Van as well as fuel will be provided.  Please take a look at your schedule and see if you are willing to make a trip, and if so, which date?  There will be a sign-up sheet in the east narthex.  More information will be provided to volunteers as the dates near.  If you have any question, please contact Tim Von Engeln at (660) 882-3348.

Covid Update – At the May meeting of the Church Board, we discussed the small increase in Covid cases in the area.  While noting the need to stay diligent in practicing good hygienic practices (hand washing, staying home if not feeling well, etc.).  After some discussion, the board no new or increased procedure were needed, but wanted to encourage everyone to stay aware of the ongoing presence of Covid and other illness which may not be too serious to some, but might have severe consequences for others.

New Way to Give – As we continue to pursue virtual ministry and ministry in our modern times, we have found we need to keep up with digital technology trends.  We are excited to announce that in addition to being able to give to Nelson Memorial by check or Vanco (automatic withdrawal from your bank account), we now are accepting offerings via Venmo.  We can be found on Venmo at @NelsonMemorialUMC. If you don’t know what Venmo is and would like to learn more, information about giving through Venmo can be found on our webpage at https://nelsonmemorialumc.org/give/venmo/. 

Events this week:

Sunday, June 5: Youth Group, 6:30 pm, Fellowship Hall

Monday, June 6: TOPS, 9:30 am, Foundations classroom

Retired Teachers Association, 10:00 am, Fellowship Hall

Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Church Lounge

Wednesday, June 8: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15 am, Church Lounge

Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Thursday, June 9: Baby Grace Size and Sort, 1:00 pm, Church Annex

Friday, June 10: Missouri Annual Conference Session, Branson, MO

Al-Anon, 7:00 pm, Church Lounge

Saturday, June 11: Methodist Men, 8:30 am, Church Lounge

Closing Words of Wisdom:

Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don’t give up.” –Anne Lamott