“Advent Thoughts”
A few years ago I was introduced to a group of pastors and churches that labeled themselves as “The Advent Conspiracy.” This group seeks to recover Advent as a time of reclaiming and practicing Advent as a time of waiting and preparing for the implications of the coming of Christ. This group has produced a daily devotional guide. I found this devotion on their website, which covers the scripture we focused on last Sunday, and I thought I’d share it with you. I was greatly blessed by it and hope you will be too.
Blessings, Chris
“A Worthy King”
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” Isaiah 9:6-7
It’s hard to imagine, in this day of polarity in politics, a government so amazing that we would consider good news the fact that it would never end. Can you picture an earthly kingdom characterized by justice and righteousness – always and forever? It’s a stretch, isn’t it?
When we consider some of the most successful kingdoms throughout the Earth’s history, with the happiest subjects, the fairest laws, the lowest taxes… all have eventually proven flawed by the corruption of power and ambition, weak or greedy leaders, restless, rebellious people or some combination of our universal brokenness.
No matter how good a government may seem for a time, it’s clear that mere humans, even with the best intentions, have never been/will never be able to accomplish this sort of ideal civilization. It’s impossible. Only God could accomplish this.
But look at the good news of this passage: that’s just what God did!
Through the birth of this one babe, this child, God established His Kingdom – overflowing with justice, righteousness and peace with no end, and ruled by the most Wonderful Counselor, the Mightiest God, the Everlasting Father, and Prince of all Peace.
There is one more name for this perfect King, the ruler of this shockingly perfect eternal kingdom. It is “Jesus” and we don’t have to wait for some distant future in which He will reign. No, King Jesus reigns now and forever.
If you are a subject of King Jesus, living in His kingdom and under His authority, you already know the goodness of His reign. If not, you are invited to join Him, to be a part of the beautiful Kingdom where justice, righteousness and peace will never end.
What are you waiting for?
Reflect
If you are a subject of King Jesus, in what ways do you experience His reign every day? Are there areas of your life in which you struggle to submit to His authority? If you have not called Jesus your King, what causes you to hesitate? Ask God to reveal Himself and His Kingdom to you today.
Pray
Jesus, Thank You for Your government and Kingdom, which has only ever been and will always be for my good. Thank You for inviting me to be a part of Your glorious Kingdom. Help me to submit to Your authority in every part of my life so that I may increasingly experience Your reign of justice, righteousness and peace unending.
I ask in Your name, Jesus, my King.
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 is the second Sunday of Advent. Our Advent Messages this year will be around the theme of “Hope: An Advent Journey.” This week, our Message is titled “On The Outside.” The scripture for this week is from the Prophet Micah, Chapter 5, verses 2-4:
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come from me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times.”
Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.“
Our services will begin with the song We All Need Jesus by Danny Gokey. Our Opening Hymn is Hail to the Lord’s Anointed. Our other songs for the morning include Star Child and O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. At the 10:20 service, our Choir will share the piece Where Is He as our Call to Communion.
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
Christmas Parade – The annual Boonville Christmas Parade will be this Saturday, December 3rd at 2 pm. NMUMC will have a float for those who wish to ride so be at the church at 1:30 pm. AND we will be handing out packets of hot chocolate with our Christmas Eve worship times attached. If you’d like to pass out packets of hot chocolate, please let Sara Snyder know.
Salvation Army Bell-Ringing – Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help ring the bell on Saturday, December 10! We are providing a little extra help this year and are going to serve a second time on Saturday December 17. A sign-up sheet will be in the East wing narthex (where we serve refreshments after worship). The money gathered will be available to local residents in need. Thank you.
2022 Angel Tree – Just a reminder we will need the children’s gifts back in the Sanctuary no later than this Sunday, December 4th for the dedication of the gifts. The Angel Tree party will be on Saturday, Dec. 10th at 11:00 am, beginning with a short message in the Sanctuary and lunch to follow in the Fellowship Hall. Please make plans to join us in this very special ministry to our church. 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.
Children’s Christmas Program December 18 – Our Children’s Christmas program will be Sunday, Dec. 18, during the 10:20 AM worship service. The children will present “A Star is Born”. Invite family to watch the livestream at facebook.com/nelsonmemorialumc. There will be a dress rehearsal after worship services on Sunday, December 11.
Christmas Poinsettias – Those of you that would like to purchase a poinsettia in memory of or in honor of a loved one, please pick up one of the forms located on the table back in the refreshment area. The list will be in the Christmas Eve bulletin. Please deliver the form to the church by Monday, December 12th or drop it in the offering box on Sunday. Please make checks payable to Nelson Memorial, UMC, in the amount of $14.00, and in the memo line write poinsettia. Thank you!
Christmas Cards for NMUMC Elders & Friends – We are asking the congregation to mail out Christmas cards to the following names below. The addresses for the names listed will be located on the table in the back area of the Sanctuary. We will also have a supply of Christmas cards for you, if you need them.
Florence Banion, Jack Bell, Frances Bradley, Virginia Brownfield, Mary Margaret Browning, Jan DeGraffenreid, Ada Gingrich, Ann Hartmann, Margaret Hopkins, Gene and Donna Reagan, Bart Riley, Carol Schenck, Leona Schmidt, Helen Taylor, John Tincher, Hessie Watts, and Dorothy Whitten
Living Nativity Help Needed – We will once again host our Annual Living Nativity this Christmas Eve. The Living Nativity will be presented from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. We are looking for volunteers to be our “actors” during this time. We will have 3, 1 hour shifts and are looking for up to 8 volunteers for each shift. There will be a signup sheet in the East wing Narthex. We thank you for your help with tradition!
More Outreach Opportunities – Want to help NMUMC spread some holiday cheer this season? The Outreach Team has several opportunities for you to share God’s love with our neighbors. Here are three ways you can help in the next couple of weeks:
- Turkey Donations: We are partnering with Community in Schools (CIS) to provide Christmas dinners to a few families of students at LSE and BHS. Specifically, we are collecting funds to purchase 10 turkeys. If you’d like to contribute, please place money in the offering plate and designate it “turkeys.”
- Christmas Cheer Stockings: On December 11, we will be delivering some Christmas cheer stockings to members of our congregation who are homebound or in nursing homes. We’re looking for the following stocking stuffers:
- Homemade cookies—dropped off at church by December 10
- Fuzzy socks
- Hand lotion (small tube)
- Lip balm
- Puzzle booklets (crossword, word search)
Stockings will be put together December 10 at 1 P.M. following Angel Tree. Volunteers are welcome!
Adopt-a-Family: We have been asked by the CIS (Communities In Schools) coordinator at BHS & LSE to help provide Christmas blessings for several families in the Boonville School District. This Sunday we will have tags on the Christmas Tree with opportunities to help these students and families. Please return wrapped gifts by Sunday, Dec 18 so they can be distributed to families in time for Christmas.
Giving Through 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:
Saturday, December 3: Methodist Men, 8:30 am, Lounge
Christmas Parade, Decorate @ 12:30, Lineup @ 1:30, 4th Street
Sunday, December 4: Angel Tree Gift Dedication
Monday, December 5: TOPS, 9:30 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, December 6: Choir Rehearsal, 7:00 pm, Sanctuary
Wednesday, December 7: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15, Lounge
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, December 8: Praise Band Rehearsal, 6:00 pm, Sanctuary
Friday, December 9: Al-Anon, 7:00 pm, Lounge
Saturday, December 10: Salvation Army Bell Ringing, 10 am – 6 pm, Walmart
Angle Tree Party, 11:00, Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall
Assembly of Christmas Cheer Stockings, 1:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Sunday, December 11: Dress Rehearsal for Children’s Program, Following Worship, Sanctuary
Closing Words of Wisdom:
The Lord is coming, always coming. When you have ears to hear and eyes to see, you will recognize him at any moment of your life. Life is Advent; life is recognizing the coming of the Lord.” – Henri Nouwen
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