“We don’t talk about …”
Last fall, we had a message series that focused on things we don’t talk about, mainly the old adage that we aren’t supposed to talk about money or religion. In those messages we talked about the importance of not ignoring these topics and shared some positive and healthy ways to openly discuss them.
But money and religion aren’t the only topics that are taboo in our culture. This Sunday we will begin a message series on another of those topics that is often not something we are comfortable discussing in polite conversation – grief. Grief, namely grief after the death of a loved one, is something every person will experience in their life, likely many times over. However, bring up the topic of death, loss, mourning, or grief in any conversation, and you will see others get uncomfortable very quickly.
As we all know (but often don’t like to acknowledge), death is one of the few inevitabilities in life. However, many of us are uncomfortable talking, or even thinking about how we process death, let alone considering our own mortality. Like many topics, we know ignoring it doesn’t make it go away, it just makes us feel like we’re facing it alone.
Over the next four weeks we are going to spend time talking about finding hope in the midst of our own grief, how to help others see light in the darkness of grief, how to think about our own mortality to face death with hope, and finally consider the legacies left by others and what legacy we might leave behind as well.
I encourage you to join us throughout this series as we practice talking about a difficult, but very important part of life we all experience.
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 begin a new 4-week message series titled “Through the Valley.” In this series, we will take a look at the subject of finding hope in the midst of grief and loss. This week, we will begin by discussing grief, loss, and the hope we find in our faith. The scripture for this week is one of the best known of all scriptures, Psalm 23.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Our services will begin with the song Fill My Cup, Lord by Andrew Ripp. Our other songs for the morning include O god, Our Help in Ages Past, In Christ Alone, and Hymn of Promise. This Sunday our choir will provide the Prelude in our 10:20 service with the song Wade in the Water.
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.
Announcements
Mark Your Calendars
The education committee has some fun fall events coming up for you to mark on your calendar:
October 16 – Celebration of Sunday School including a potluck breakfast, awarding of Bibles to 3rd grade students, and recognition of Sunday School leaders
October 16 – Church Fall Bike Ride – we will meet at the Katy Trail trailhead at 1:00 pm for a fun afternoon of bike riding. We will ride about 2 miles, take a break and have refreshments, and ride back to the trailhead. Everyone is welcome!
October 23 – We will gather at 5:00 pm at Earl and Karma Haller’s home for a bonfire, wienie roast, and hayride. Please plan to bring a dish to share. Everyone is welcome!
Outreach Committee’s “Leave the Leaves to Us” Fall Event
The Outreach Committee is organizing a Fall Event “Leave the Leaves to Us” to beheld on Saturday, Oct. 22nd. We are wanting to take our resources, or our people, out into our neighborhood around NMUMC and help with some Fall Clean-Up type jobs like raking leaves, cleaning out gutters, etc. We are inviting you, men, women and children to be a part of this service to the community that surrounds us.
Please sign up to volunteer on the sign-up sheet that is in the East Wing or Karma Haller @ 660-537-3061 or Katy Giroux at 573-825-8775 or email at hallerk@prairiehome.k12.mo.us or ktsprad@hotmail.com. Please bring rakes, yard equipment and gloves. If you have seen a yard that needs our help, please let us know.
Church Mission Trip – 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 have received reservations from UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) for our adult work team to go to the Mayfield area November 6 – 11. If you are interested in joining our group and wish information, please contact Bill Salyer, Tim VonEngeln or Larry Long for details. No one under the age of 18 will be allowed on the work sites without accompanied parent or guardian.
Events this week:
Friday, October 7: Al-Anon, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Youth Lock-In, 9:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Saturday, October 8: Methodist Men, 8:30 am, Lounge
Sunday, October 9: Administrative Board Fall Planning Retreat, 11:45 am, Fellowship Hall
Sunset Trails Subdivision HOA Meeting, 4:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Monday, October 10: TOPS, 9:30 am, Foundations Classroom
Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, October 11: Nominations Meeting, 7:00 pm, Foundations Classroom
Wednesday, October 12: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15 am, Church Lounge
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, October 13: Baby Grace Size and Sort, 1:00 pm, Church Annex
Praise Band Rehearsal, 6:00 pm, Sanctuary
Friday, October 14: Al-Anon, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Closing Words of Wisdom:
There is no grief like the grief that does not speak.” ― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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