Weekly Update, July 22, 2022

“Fair Thoughts”

By the time you read this weekly update, I’ll be somewhere in Indiana or so on our family road trip.  This week has been a blur and I don’t have much of a reflection for you today, but I did want to share an experience I had this week. 

Wednesday morning, I spent some time out at the Cooper County Fairgrounds checking out the hog and sheep shows as well as the 4H projects.  So, as a city boy, I don’t have much experience at animal shows, or county fairs for that matter, but I was impressed with what I saw.  These kids (not just the ones from our church, but especially the ones from our church) work so hard and are very dedicated to these animals and this pursuit.  I was so impressed with everything I saw these youth doing and how serious they were throughout.  Then I went in to see the 4H projects – talk about impressive.  The variety of projects these kids did, and how many projects these kids submitted, it blew me away.  It was hard to take in everything. 

I encourage you to seek out any of the kids you know that are a part of 4H or any of the young folks showing animals this week and tell them how proud of them you are.  These kids deserve the recognition.  It always make me proud as a pastor to see our church folks showing off all their skills and talents, using their gifts for the glory of God.

As always, it is a blessing to be your pastor and to be 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 Rev. Dan Faust will be our guest speaker.  Pastor Dan’s message is titled “He is Amazing!” The scripture this week will be from the book of Acts, Chapter 3, verses 1-10.

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o’clock in the afternoon. And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God, and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and astonishment at what had happened to him.

Our 8:00 service will begin with the song Glory, Glory by Crowder.  Our 10:20 service will be kicked off by our Praise Band leading us in the song How Great is Our God.  Our hymns for the morning include Victory in Jesus, He Touched Me, and Freely, Freely.

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 10:20 with the Gathering Song.  Additionally, we post a recording of our message each week to our website by early Sunday afternoon. 

District News

July 1 is the beginning of the new year in United Methodism.  With the beginning of the new year comes some changes to our Annual Conference’s organizational structure.  Previously we were organized into 9 geographic areas called districts.  Starting this year, we are divided into 5 districts.  Nelson Memorial is now part of the North Central District.  While the name is new, we will continue to have Rev. Dr. Mi Hyeon Lee as our District Superintendent and her office will continue to be in Columbia.  To mark the launch of this new district, Rev. Dr. Lee has shared a video welcoming everyone to our new district and sharing some upcoming events.  I encourage you to take a few minutes to view the video and be blessed by her words.  The video can be viewed here.

Announcements

Ice Cream Freeze Off – It’s just a little over a week until the annual Ice Cream Freeze Off contest.  Join us in the Fellowship Hall at 4:00 o’clock, on Sunday, July 31st for all the fun.  This year’s activity will be no different, with lots of exotic flavored home-made ice cream.  All entries (everyone is encouraged to enter) are asked to have their ice cream at the church by 3:45 for judging.  Make sure to invite your friends and family for a time of fun, fellowship, and fantastic ice cream.  Please contact Elvin Farquhar and give him the flavor of your entry.  Winners will receive $25.00 for 1st place, $15 for 2nd place, and $10.00 for 3rd place.  We hope to see you there!

Card Shower – Our friend Helen Taylor’s birthday is July 29 and you are invited to shower her with birthday greetings by sending cards and good wishes to her at 106 Osage Trail, Boonville, MO 65233.  Thank you for your participation.

S’mores N’ More – Celebrate National S’Mores Day August 10th with us!  We will have a fire pit going and all the S’Mores fixings you will need. Live music will be provided by Philip Wooldridge. Bring a lawn chair and join in on the food, music, and fun.  The fun will start at 7:00 pm.  Please invite your friends, family and neighbors to join in as we celebrate this “holiday.”

Planning Ahead – Dates for Your Calendar

August 15, 2022: Red Cross Blood Drive

August 28, 2022:  Church Picnic

Pack the Bus – Boonville Kiwanis members and other volunteers will be at Wal-Mart on Saturday, August 6th from 9 am to 1 pm.  Please stop by and help us back the bus with school supplies. Donations benefit children kindergarten-5th grade. They will also accept monetary donations.

Blood Drive – Our next Red Cross Blood Drive is coming up on Monday, August 15th from 1:00 to 6:00 in our Fellowship Hall.  As happens most summers, the supply of blood available is in short supply and donors are greatly needed.  Click here to schedule a time for donating.    Thank you!

Prayer Ministry – Did you know that every Wednesday morning a group of dedicated prayer warriors meets for about 15 minutes (over Zoom) to pray for our church, our members, our community, our world, and any other needs that arise?  If this sounds like something you would be interested in participating in, please contact the church office (boonvillemethodist@gmail.com) and Debra will get you the info.

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, July 24: Youth Group, 6:00 pm, Jackson’s home

Monday, July 25: TOPS, 9:00 am, Foundations Classroom

Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, July 27: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15 am, Lounge

Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall

Friday, July 29: Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Closing Words of Wisdom:

Hide not your talents, they for use were made.  What’s a sundial in the shade?”
― Benjamin Franklin

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