“Unplugging”
Last Sunday we talked about letting go of busyness and the renewal we often find in stopping for a time of Sabbath. I’ve been trying to remind myself of this throughout the week as my days seem to keep getting longer and more meetings pop up.
This morning (Friday), I observed Sabbath by doing the practice I mentioned Sunday, waking up when my body was ready, not when my alarm clock made me. To be honest, I slept in later today than I intended. When I woke up and saw what time it was (after 9), I started to get stressed about the productive day I was hoping to have and worried that I slept away more time than I had planned. As I got up, though, I felt my body relaxed, I felt renewed and more awake than I had the previous few days. My body got exactly what it needed, it just wasn’t what I planned.
One of the frequent “hats” I find myself wearing, be it with my mother or even around the church, is that of tech support. I don’t really know a lot about technology, but I’m not afraid to try to figure things out. I have found in my role as amateur tech guy that there is one fix that works more often than any other – powering a device off, waiting, and powering it back on. Sometimes powering down certain things involves unplugging. I’ve found that many times, if a piece of software, my phone, television, or computer aren’t functioning properly, shutting it down for a few minutes is all it needs to get working again.
That’s Sabbath. Just as our phones need a chance to reboot, software needs an opportunity to reload, so, too, do our souls. Not only that, we (I) need to stop feeling guilty about giving our souls what they need. So, as we continue to work to let go of busyness, I want to encourage you to find a time to unplug – even if for a few minutes – and not feel guilty about it. Your soul deserves the break.
As always, it is an honor to be your pastor and to be in ministry alongside an amazing God who models rest for us.
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 is the fifth Sunday of Lent. Our Message Series this Lent is titled “Letting Go.” This Sunday’s focus will be on letting go of being important. Our Scripture lesson this Sunday comes from the Gospel of Mark, chapter 10, verses 35-45:
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in glory.”
You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
“We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
Then the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Our services will begin with the song First Things First by Consumed By Fire. Our hymns for the morning include To God Be the Glory, As the Deer, and Seek Ye First. Also, Mason McGruder will provide a special prelude for us.
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
Holy Week Schedule:
Update on the Directory Update – Thank you to everyone who has updated their contact information for the directory. If you haven’t done so already, please fill out one of the forms available in the back of the Sanctuary or East wing, or you can fill out an electronic version at the following link: https://forms.gle/rMLfxccrJmLxnQG36.
Also, a big thank you to Mike Thomas for generously offering his photography skills as we updated family pictures. If you did not get your picture taken but would like to an update, please email an updated photo to pastor Chris at chrisksnyder@gmail.com. Our hope is to finish this update project in the next couple weeks.
Palm Sunday Dinner – The Education Team will be hosting a carry-in dinner for Palm Sunday, April 2nd, after the morning worship services. There will be an Easter egg hunt for the children while the food is being put on the serving tables and readied for the dinner. Each child that participates will be given a bag of wrapped candies; donations of candies can be brought to the 3-5 years old classroom.
To ensure a good variety of foods, we request the following distribution:
Family names A to F Dessert
Family names G to L Side Dish
Family names M to S Meat Dish
Family names T to Z Salads
Foundations Books – More Foundations books are in and located in the back of the Sanctuary for those that signed up and didn’t receive their copy.
Church Work/Cleanup Day – In place of their April meeting, the Methodist Men will host a work/cleanup day Saturday, April 8 beginning at 8:30 am. Tasks include wiping down/polishing pews and other woodwork, cleaning up entrances and common areas, cleaning out some storage areas, and other tasks not a part of the weekly cleaning tasks. Everyone is invited to join in this effort as we prepare our building for guests on Easter Sunday. Donuts and coffee will be provided.
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:
Friday, March 24: Methodist Men Retreat to Camp Sagrada, meet at 4:00 pm to carpool
Youth Group, 6:00 pm, Jackson’s home
Saturday, March 25: Methodist Men Workday at Camp Sagrada
Sunday, March 26: Foundations Small Group, 6:30 pm, Gordon’s Home
Monday, March 27: TOPS, 9:30 am, Lounge
Leadership Development Team, 6:00 pm, Lounge
Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, March 29: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, March 30: Praise Band Rehearsal, 6:00 pm, Sanctuary
Friday, March 31: Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Closing Words of Wisdom:
But just as your body needs sleep, your soul needs time to rest in God.” —Craig Groeschel