A Couple of Updates

The early part of this week was very eventful in our area and state.  I thought I’d use this space to share a couple of updates with you about those events.

As you all know, last weekend a terrible fire ripped through the nearby village of Wooldridge, burning over 3,000 acers of grasses, trees, crops and several homes.  On Saturday evening, 21 families were displaced, with 8 of those using the emergency shelter set up by the American Red Cross at the Open Bible Praise Church.  Sunday evening, 1 family still required use of the shelter, and by Monday, all families had found temporary housing. 

I have been in touch with officials from the Red Cross and the Cooper County Emergency Management department, along with leaders in the UMC in our state and our local Ministerial Alliance.  The immediate needs of those working in Wooldridge were to be allowed to finish putting out the fire (with the aid of that wonderful rain earlier this week) and to assess the full impact of the damage.  In the coming weeks and months, cleanup and recovery efforts will take place.  In the meantime, I’ve heard that there are some fundraisers on GoFundMe and through a local bank, but I am unsure to whom or how those funds will be distributed.  Once a response effort is organized, we will share information about how to get involved and what we are doing to help in that effort.

While the fires were still being fought, another tragedy struck in St. Louis Monday morning.  There was a shooting at a high school in South St. Louis which resulted in the deaths of 3 individuals (including the shooter) and injuries to several others.  Rather than share my thoughts or reactions to this event, I want to close by sharing the response from our Bishop, Rev. Robert Farr:

“Yesterday, a teenage student and a teacher were killed and at least seven others were injured by a 19-year-old man who entered Central Visual and Performing Arts High School with a gun and more than a dozen, 30-round magazines. This event didn’t happen somewhere far away, but right in the backyard of the Missouri Annual Conference. Words of sadness scarcely touch the depth of grief families and friends are experiencing in the aftermath of such senseless violence.
 
In September, United Methodist bishops issued a Call to Prayer and Action to Response to Gun Violence. This call to prayer is not a shallow request but one that firmly believes that the collective prayers of God’s people will keep this issue in the forefront of our consciousness and guide our discernment of the actions needed to bring about change. Gun violence threatens our fundamental human right to life. Anyone can be affected by firearm violence, but statistics show that gun violence disproportionately impacts communities of color, women, children and other marginalized groups in our society. In the wake of Newtown, Parkland, Buffalo, Uvalde and countless other mass shootings, regardless of where you may stand on guns, I call on United Methodists in Missouri to stand against the violence occurring in our country. As United Methodists, let us support communities affected by the trauma of gun violence and walk alongside those who have been victims. Let us advocate for safer communities, safer schools and building bridges to beloved community.
 
News of yet another mass shooting can make us cynical, throwing up our hands that nothing can be done. Such tragedies can make us doubt God’s power and question God’s mercy. We point to the shadows cast by violence in our world as proof that God is not working in the world. But, because I believe in Jesus, I am convinced that nothing can separate us from God’s love. If God is with us, then he is with us even in those times and places where it seems that death and darkness have prevailed.
 
Light of the world, have mercy on us. Guide us in the way of peace.”
Bishop Bob Farr, Missouri Episcopal Area

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 message series titled “Through the Valley.”  In this series, we have been taking a look at the subject of finding hope in the midst of grief and loss.  This week, we will discuss leaving a legacy.  The scripture for this week is from the Book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 6, verses 1-7:

These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.  Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 

Our services will begin with the song God Really Loves Us by Crowder.  Our praise band will lead the singing of the Gathering song at the 10:20 service. The other songs for the morning include I’ll Fly Away, Because He Lives and Victory in Jesus.  We will observe All Saints Day this Sunday and honor those members of our congregation who have entered the Kingdom of Heaven in the past year.

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 approximately10:20 with our Gathering Song.  Additionally, we post a recording of our message each week to our website by early Sunday afternoon. 

Announcements

Thank You – A big “Thank You” to the Education Committee for a fun Hayride/cookout last week.  An extra special thank you to Earl & Karma Haller for hosting and providing the hay ride!  It was a beautiful evening and a lot of fun!  We’re already looking forward to next year!

Thank You – Sara and I would like to express our gratitude to everyone for the generous gifts given to us as part of Pastor Appreciation Month.  What a joy it was to walk into my office after worship Sunday and see that wonderful gift basket with a soft blanket, Cardinals thermal coffee mugs, a puzzle and other exciting goodies, and a generous gift card to CC Broiler’s.  Thank you all for all the ways you support us.  Chris and Sara

Outreach Committee’s “Leave the Leaves to Us” Fall Event                            

The Outreach Committee is organizing a Fall Community Service 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 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.

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 – Next Sunday, November 6, a group will make the trip to Western Kentucky to assist in the rebuilding effort from tornadoes that swept through nearly a year ago.  We still have space if you’d like to join us.  Please contact Larry Long, Bill Salyer, or Tim VonEngeln if you are interested.

Daylight Savings Time ends November 6 – Just a reminder that Daylight Savings Time ends Sunday, November 6, 2 AM.  Set your clocks back one hour before going to bed Saturday, November 5.

Just for Fun – Did you know that John Wesley had a ghost story? For Halloween, the Virginia Conference communications office has put together an animated video on Facebook that tells the tale of Old Jeffrey.  Click here to see the video.

Events this week:

Monday, October 31: TOPS, 9:30 am, Lounge

Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, November 1: Choir Rehearsal, 7:00 pm, Sanctuary

Wednesday, November 2: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15 am, Church Lounge

Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall

Friday, November 4: Al-Anon, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Saturday, November 5: “Leave the Leaves to Us” Service Event

Closing Words of Wisdom:

When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” ― Fred Rogers