Weekly Update, November 4, 2022

“Investment Strategy”

A couple of weeks ago, Sara and I had a conversation with an investment advisor.  I’ve never really given investing a lot of thought. I’ve had a pension fund for the past 18 years that I’ve contributed into, but other than looking at the quarterly statements (or avoiding them the past 12 months or so), I haven’t given much thought to my investment strategy. 

In our conversation, our advisor wanted to gauge the level of risk we were willing to accept and discuss “investment goals” we had identified.  One goal was to one day retire (actually, to retire for more than one day), and another was to one day own our own home as we’ve always lived in parsonages.  We also talked about our values, our hopes and dreams, and what we’d like to accomplish with the resources we not only have, but also hope to have.

Starting this Sunday, we are going to begin a message series focused on a similar idea – what do you want to accomplish with the resources you have been given?  Over the next three weeks we are going to discuss investing from a different point of view. We’ll look at how we are called to invest in ourselves through continuing to learn, grow, improve, and rest; how we are called to invest in others with our time, energy, and prayers; and how we can invest in the work of God with our talents and treasures.

Full disclosure – the final week of this series is going to include a request for everyone to make a financial commitment to the work of the church over the coming year.  That Sunday, November 20, I will share the draft of the upcoming church budget and our leadership team’s vision for how we will accomplish the work we feel God is calling us to in 2023.  We will then ask for you to make an estimate of your anticipated giving for the next calendar year, hoping you will see how you are investing in the work of God in the Boonville community and beyond. 

How we use our resources – our time, our talents, and our finances– says a lot about what we value.  I hope you will join me in the coming weeks as we discuss how we can best invest all of our resources into a life of meaning and purpose and to best partner with God in the work God desires to accomplish in this world.

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 3-week message series titled “Investment Strategy: Investing in What Really Matters.”  In this series, we will discuss how we can use our precious resources to help us find meaning.  This week, we will discuss “Investing in Yourself”.  The scripture for this week is from the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 10, verses 13-16:

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them.  When Jesus saw this, he became indignant.  He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’  And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.” 

Our services will begin with the song Who I Am by Ben Fuller.  The other songs for the morning include For the Beauty of the Earth, Word of God, Speak, and O Jesus, I Have Promised.  We will observe the Sacrament of Holy Communion at both services, with our Choir providing a special “Call to Communion” at our 10:20 service. 

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

Announcements

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 tomorrow, 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 via 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.

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.

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.

Mission Team – Please hold our mission team in your prayers this week as they travel to Kentucky to help with tornado cleanup work.  They will leave Sunday after worship, serving Monday through Thursday, and making their way back home next Friday.  Those going on the trip include: Rob Gordon, Bob Koch, Larry Long, Bill Salyer, and Tim VonEngeln.  Please pray for a safe and productive time.  

Baby Grace Reception – Everyone is invited to a reception for Cindy Koch who has recently retired from her position as the Director of Baby Grace program.  The reception will be next Sunday, November 13, in the lounge after the second service.  Please join us in thanking Cindy for her many years of dedication to Baby Grace.  Barbara Wooldridge has volunteered to be the new Baby Grace, Director.

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 Nelson Memorial, UMC and in the memo line put “Coats for Kids” and place it in the offering plate or drop it by the church office.  Thank you!   Heather Beach.

2022 Angel Tree – It is hard to believe Angel Tree is sneaking up on us.  Our angels will appear on our tree on Sunday, November 20th.  We will need the children’s gifts back in the Sanctuary no later than Sunday, December 3rd for the dedication of the gifts.  The Angel Tree Party will be held once again at the church on Saturday, December 10th at 11:00 a.m., beginning with a short message in the Sanctuary and soup and sandwiches to follow in Fellowship Hall. 

Our Education committee will be joining in this special ministry.  Everyone is invited to join with us in fellowship with our “angels”.  As always, we are so grateful for the way in which our church family supports this Matthew 25 ministry to the children of incarcerated parents.  If you have any questions please contact Karma Haller or Debra Windsor.  Thank you.

Events this week:

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

Sunday, November 6: Daylight Savings Time Ends

Youth Group, 6:00 pm, Jackson’s Home

Monday, November 7: TOPS, 9:30 am, Lounge

Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, November 8: General Election Voting, 6:00 am – 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

PEO, 6:00 pm, Lounge

Wednesday, November 9: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15 am, Church Lounge

Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall

Thursday, November 10: Baby Grace, Size and Sort, 1:00 pm, Annex

Praise Band Rehearsal, 6:00 pm, Sanctuary

Friday, November 11: Al-Anon, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Closing Words of Wisdom:

The secret of concentration is the secret of self-discovery. You reach inside yourself to discover your personal resources, and what it takes to match them to the challenge.” –  Arnold Palmer

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