“Sports are Stupid!”

I don’t know about you, but I am excited for the Superbowl this Sunday! Of course, the main reason for that is the Chiefs are in it, and it’s always exciting when your team is in the Big Game. (But, as a side note, it’s nice when you don’t care about the game, because then you can go to the bathroom or get more snacks during the game and not worry about missing any of the commercials.) Also, in our house, Superbowl Sunday means making and binging out on all kinds of less than healthy snack foods (Actually, this might be more important than the game for everyone in our family but me.).

However, I’ve been reflecting about the nature of sports playoffs and championship tournaments – like the Superbowl, World Series, March Madness, or Stanley Cup. It’s so exciting when your team makes the playoffs and you have hope for a championship run and memorable moments. But the reality is, after all is said and done, only one team gets to end their season with a win. Every other team ends their season with a loss, and players and coaches spend the next several months with the bitter taste of defeat in their mouths. This actually seems like a pretty dumb system.

I’m not advocating for participation trophies or third place games, but a system that is intentionally setup for all but one participant or team to fail seems like a pretty bad system. I’m a huge fan of sports, but sometimes they teach us that to be successful, others must fail. This type of zero sum, win at all costs, second place is the first loser mentality might make for good television, but it shouldn’t be a way of life. Too often, we take this win at all costs attitude into areas of our life it doesn’t belong – trying to win every conversation, always feeling the need to be right, valuing our own opinions over others’. But we don’t need to diminish others to make ourselves feel important.

Take a look at Jesus’s interactions with the religious leaders of the day. These leaders saw Jesus’s message as a threat because they felt that ministry was a competition, and they were not going to be the loser. Jesus taught a different way – he spoke about loving everyone, not competing with them. He taught us to forgive those cursing us and not to strike back when struck. The kingdom Jesus spoke of wasn’t ordered by who was the biggest, strongest, or fiercest; rather this kingdom valued the humble, meek, and obedient. Jesus argued that how we treat others matters, and that we should always seek to see the humanity in everyone we meet. Too often we turn our opponents – be it in an argument or athletic competition – into the villain or the “bad guy.” But Jesus taught us to have compassion on others and to take on the mantle of servant leadership so that everyone can succeed at life.

This isn’t to say I’m not going to be rooting for the Chiefs this weekend (or eating some of my favorite snack foods), but I am going to try to not look down on those who don’t. Unlike athletics, in our walk with Christ, we can all be successful, because we are all children of the kingdom. I invite you to spend some time this week praying for someone else – lifting them up and cheering on their success.

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 Rev. Dan Faust will bring our message. This week’s message is titled “Reckless Love” and will focus on the events described in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 26, verses 6-10:

Now while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, “Why this waste? For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum and the money given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.”

Our services will begin with the song Jesus’ Fault by Zach Williams and Walker Hayes. Our opening hymn will be O Love of God That Will Not Let Me Go. Our praise song will be You Are My King, and our closing song for the morning will be Sent Out In Jesus’ Name. Additionally, the Choir will provide the song Bonsa Abe as a prelude for the 10:20 service.

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

Baby Grace Diaper Drive – Baby Grace is having a diaper and wipes drive during the month of February! We keep sizes 1 through 4 on hand with size 3 and 4 being the most popular. A package of wipes is included with each distribution of diapers. Please consider helping with this mission. There is a crib in the church foyer for contributions. Monetary gifts are also welcome. Just make the check out to Nelson Memorial, UMC and put in the memo line Baby Grace Diaper Drive. Thank you.

Kids Host Valentine’s Lunch February 12 – Make plans to attend the Annual Valentine’s Lunch hosted by Nelson Kids this Sunday, February 12th, following the 10:20 service. The kids are going to be serving a spaghetti lunch. We are asking the families of the Nelson Kids that attend Children’s Church to bring a dessert to share! Thank you so much! This is free so please make plans to attend, and share in love and fellowship with our church family.

Say Cheese! – The time has come to update our church directory and we need your help. Directory information forms are available in the back of the Sanctuary and in the East Wing Narthex. Additionally, you can fill out an electronic version of the form at the following link: https://forms.gle/rMLfxccrJmLxnQG36.

In addition to updating your information, we are going to offer opportunities to update your directory picture. Mike Thomas has generously volunteered his photography services to help with this project. Mike will take pictures beginning this Sunday, Feb 12 and continuing the following 2 weeks (2/19 & 2/26). Mike will be taking pictures between services and following the 10:20 service in the church library. A signup sheet for appointments will be in the back of the church beginning Feb 5. Thank you for helping us to update our directory.

Ash Wednesday – Join us February 22 at 7:00 pm for our Ash Wednesday Service. This will be a simple service of meditation, contemplation, confession and receiving ashes.

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, February 11: Methodist Men, 8:30 am, Lounge

Youth Group, 9:00 am, Fellowship Hall

Sunday, February 12: Spaghetti Luncheon, 11:30, Fellowship Hall

Monday, February 13: TOPS, 9:15 am, Lounge

Leadership Development Committee, 6:00 pm, Lounge

Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, February 14: PEO, 4:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, February 15: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15 am, Lounge

Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall

Thursday, February 16: Baby Grace Distribution, 5:00 pm, Annex

Praise. Band Rehearsal, 6:00 pm, Sanctuary

Friday, February 17: Youth Group, 6:00 pm, Jackson’s Home