“Cleaning Things Out”

When anyone becomes aware that they are guilty in any of these matters, they must confess in what way they have sinned.  As a penalty for the sin they have committed, they must bring to the Lord a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for them for their sin.” Leviticus 5:5-6

The other day I was looking for something in the garage.  I knew it was in there, I just couldn’t see it.  I moved the Jeep out of the garage and started moving around boxes, tubs, bikes, and all sorts of other things before I finally found what I was looking for.  As I was starting to put everything back where I found it, I realized that so much of the stuff that had accumulated over the past few years wasn’t really needed.  A lot of it was trash that I just hadn’t gotten around to arranging for pickup.  There was an old mattress, the frame of a screen door that was no longer used, the track from our old garage door opener, and other junk.  It wasn’t so much that I was hanging on to this stuff thinking I’ll use it someday.  I just hadn’t gotten around to getting rid of it. 

A couple of weeks ago, our Jewish brothers and sisters observed Yom Kippur, an annual event devoted to the examination of the soul for the purpose of confessing and atoning for sin.  The practice goes back to the Old Testament where every year the community of Israel would gather and confess their sins.  The priest would then cast all these sins onto a ram and then the ram would be sent out into the wild to die as a sacrifice for the community’s sins.  This is where we get the term scapegoat. 

Back when I was in college, I worked at the rec center on campus.  My boss was a Jewish man.  He didn’t attend worship often, but Yom Kippur was still an important day to him.  One morning he told me he was taking the afternoon off to prepare to confess his sins.  We were at a Catholic college, so I thought he was going to confession.  He explained to me the importance of Yom Kippur and the traditions he grew up with, using this day as a time to examine his life, his actions, his inactions, and consider what junk he needed to remove from his life.  He explained that Yom Kippur represented a time to clean out all the junk and garbage that had accumulated in his life over the past year, confessing his burdens and seeking healing and hope.

Yesterday I arranged for the trash company to come and pick up some “large items.”  As I dragged those bulky items to the curb last night, getting rid of the junk I’d accumulated over the last couple of years, it felt good.  All this junk had been in the way, even in ways I didn’t realize as I had become so accustomed to seeing it. Now it was finally going to be gone.  I invite you to take some time to consider what “junk” you need to clear out of your life.

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 continue our message series titled “Through the Valley.”  In this series, we will look at the subject of finding hope in the midst of grief and loss.  This week, we will discuss an important part of grief, dying well – how we face our own mortality.  The scripture for this week is from the Book of Genesis, Chapter 25, verses 5-11:

Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac.  But while he was still living, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east.

Abraham lived a hundred and seventy-five years.  Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people.  His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him at the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite, the field Abraham had bought from the Hittites.  There Abraham was buried with his wife Sarah.  After Abraham’s death, God blessed his son Isaac, who then lived near Beer Lahai Roi.

Our services will begin with the song What If by Matthew West.  Our 10:20 service will include our Choir providing the song Wade in the Water as the prelude.  The other songs for the morning include Love Divine, All Loves Excelling; Shine, Jesus, Shine; and Be Thou My Vision.

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 approximately10:25 after our Gathering Song.  Additionally, we post a recording of our message each week to our website by early Sunday afternoon. 

Announcements

Don’t Forget the Hayride and Bonfire – October 23 – Bring your families to the Haller’s home today for a hayride, bonfire and other fall activities.  The party starts at 5:00 pm.  Hot dogs and s’mores provided by the education committee.  Please bring a side dish to share!   

Outreach Committee’s “Leave the Leaves to Us” Fall Event – The Outreach Committee is organizing a Fall Event “Leave the Leaves to Us” to be held on Saturday, November 5, 2022.  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 contact Karma Haller or Katy Giroux 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.

Coats for Kids – We will again be providing coats for kids who need them in the Boonslick Area.  If you would like to contribute, make your check out to NMUMC and in the memo line put “Coats for Kids” and place it in the offering plate or drop it by the church office.  If you have any questions, please contact Heather Beach.  Thank you!

Upper Room Devotional – Spend time each day in God’s word with thought-provoking devotions to strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ.  The November/December “Upper Room” devotional books have arrived, please help yourself to one in the back of the Sanctuary.

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:

Sunday, October 23: Bonfire and Hayride, 5:00 pm, Earl and Karma Haller’s home

Monday, October 24: TOPS, 9:30 am, Lounge

Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, October 26: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15 am, Church Lounge

Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall

Thursday, October 27: Praise Band Practice, 6:00 pm, Sanctuary

Friday, October 28: Al-Anon, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Closing Words of Wisdom:

Confession of errors is like a broom which sweeps away the dirt and leaves the surface brighter and clearer. I feel stronger for confession.”  Mahatma Gandhi