NEW YEAR, ONE WORD: POSSIBILITY
Each year, I like to choose one word to anchor myself as the world hurtles around the sun for another 365-ish days. This year, I had planned on choosing the word flexibility, as it seems to be something God is asking of me a lot lately. But then, a simple misinterpretation on my husband’s part opened up a whole new realm for me this year as flexibility became possibility.
What a beautiful word! Possibility is gazing at magnificent pink and orange sunrise through an open window, that first sip of hot roasted morning coffee with a splash of cream and chocolate, the moment between typing in my password and my email loading on my work computer, standing before all of the newly released books adorning the shelves nearest the entrance at our local library. Possibility is heady and intoxicating–the seed of an idea ripened with expectation and hope.
Possibility is looking out at the world not as it is, but as it could be. It’s about greeting each day as an adventure waiting to be had, each project a world waiting to be explored. Possibility is about being open, vulnerable even. It’s a surrendering of self to what might be if we are willing to lay down our ideas of what we think can or should be. Possibility is a resounding YES in a world that so often wants to say no.
As we see in this Scripture, Jesus calls us to be people of possibility. But it’s not a possibility borne of our own efforts and strivings; rather, it is something that requires us to be wholly dependent on our Creator–the one who brings all possibilities into being. This year, we will be faced with many impossibilities: peace, forgiveness, an end to poverty, justice, an end to oppression. We can’t save the world, but the good news is that all things are possible for God, and he has already laid out the path of salvation for us. How might God be calling you to embrace his possible this year?
Blessings and Peace, Sara
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 begin a new message series taking a look at the Book of Esther titled “For Such A Time As This.” This week will be an introduction to the Book of Esther and a look at how we react when important opportunities arise. Our Scripture lesson will come from the book of Esther, Chapter 4, verses 13-14:
Mordecai sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
Our service will begin with the song God Is In The Story by Katy Nichole. Our other songs for the morning include Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee; How Great Is Our God; and Spirit of the Living God.
Virtual Worship Information
In addition to in-person worship, our service will be live-streamed. The service can be viewed on our Facebook Page. The service will start at approximately 10:25 am following our Gathering Song. Additionally, we post a recording of our messages to our website by early Sunday afternoon.
Announcements
Annual Church Charge Conference – Our annual Church Charge Conference will be convened by our District Superintendent on Sunday, January 15 at 2:30 pm via Zoom. If you would like to participate in this year’s meeting, please let Pastor Chris know and he will share the Zoom information with you.
Soup and Sandwich Luncheon – The Community Outreach Committee will be hosting a soup and sandwich luncheon on January 15th, following the second church service. There will be a free-will offering at the luncheon, with proceeds being used to support future community outreach projects. A variety of soup, sandwiches, desserts, and drinks will be offered, and of course, good Christian fellowship! Please plan to attend!
Blood Drive – With flu season beginning and COVID hanging around, blood and platelet donations continue to be essential to hospital patients. Donors are needed to come together to help others in this time of need. We will be hosting another blood drive the afternoon/evening of Monday, January 23 in our Fellowship Hall. To schedule a time for donating blood, go to: redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive. Thank you!
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:
Monday, January 9: TOPS, 9:00 am, Lounge
Education Committee, 5:00 pm, Lounge
Al-Anon, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, January 11: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15, Lounge
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Friday, January 13: Al-Anon, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Saturday, January 14: Methodist Men, 8:30 am, Lounge
Closing Words of Wisdom:
A thought, even a possibility, can shatter and transform us.”― Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche