Weekly Update, April 14, 2023

A Few Updates

I want to begin this note with a word of thanks to everyone who worked so hard to support our ministries throughout Lent and Holy Week/Easter.  We had a wonderful Holy Week thanks to everyone who did so much – from the Education Committee coordinating an amazing Palm Sunday potluck dinner with so many people in attendance, to the meaningful services on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, the Methodist Men and others who pitched in help with some spring cleaning last Saturday, and especially everyone who helped make last Sunday such a wonderful celebration of the Resurrection!  After Easter week, I usually feel physically and mentally drained, but Sunday afternoon my heart was full and I was energized by all the incredible support and love demonstrated.  Thank you to everyone who helped make our Holy Week and Easter celebrations so meaningful! 

The week after Easter typically is a slow week, a time to rest and catch our breath after the busyness of the past six weeks.  But that has not been the case this week.  Bright and early Monday morning the crew from Rehagen Heating and Cooling arrived and began working on replacing our HVAC units.  They have been working diligently all week and are more than halfway done with the process.  By this time next week, we should have all systems up and running.  In addition to that, we have had all the typical groups and events that meet at the church throughout the week, and had a glass company come out and seal up the protective glass around the stained-glass windows.  The church, instead of slowing down this week to catch our breath, has been a beehive of activity, and it’s great!

In the coming weeks we have more opportunities ahead of us – a family outing next weekend to Glasgow for pizza and bowling, opportunities to serve the students at LSE and BHS (mentioned below), times for growth and fellowship at a new small group opportunity.  Not to mention we’ve already started planning for VBS – mark your calendars now for July 5-7. 

It’s an exciting time around the church with so much going on and new opportunities arising seemingly every week.  I thank you for your continued support of the church and participation in all of the various ways we serve God and our Boonville Community. 

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 week after.”  Our service this week will continue our celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus.  Our Message this week is titled “So … Now What?”  Our Scripture lesson this Sunday will be from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 24, verses 36-49:

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses to these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Our 8:00 service will begin with the song I See Grace by Micah Tyler.  Our 10:20 service will begin with our Praise band leading us in 10,000 Reasons.  Our other songs include Mighty To Save, He Lives, and Take My Life, and Let It Be. 

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 10:20 am with our Gathering Song.  Additionally, we post a recording of our messages to our website by early Sunday afternoon. 

Announcements

Family Ministries Pizza & Bowling – Mark your calendars now to be a part of the Pizza & Bowling Party on Sunday, April 23.  We will meet at Muddy Mo Pizza in Glasgow, MO for lunch around 1 and then go to the bowling alley in Glasgow around 2.  Everyone is invited.  Please sign up on the sheet in the back of the Sanctuary or in the East Wing so we can order enough food.

Christian Movie Night – Beginning Sunday, April 23, we will start a Christian Movie small group (open to all ages).  We will show some favorite movies every other Sunday night in the Fellowship Hall beginning at 6:30 pm.  The first movie we will watch is Godspell, after that, we need your help.  If you have any suggestions or recommendations please text (660) 888-5408 and also let us know if you own it.  Come join us for popcorn and a movie, and good old fashion fun!

Outreach Opportunities:

1. We are writing notes of encouragement to ALL of the students at LSE as they take the annual state assessment in early May. Packets of notecards will be placed in the back of the church. If you’d like to write a note, simply take a packet–write a few words of encouragement, and return by April 30.

2. We are also collecting prepackaged and individually-wrapped snacks for LSE students for their testing days. Think granola bars, PB crackers, Goldfish, etc. These can be left at the church by April 30.

Recognizing Our High School and College Graduates – Please contact the church office if you have a High School or College Graduate in your family this spring.  We would like to be able to congratulate and recognize them during an upcoming worship service.  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, April 17: TOPS, 9:30 am, Lounge

Leadership Development, 6:00 pm, Lounge

Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, April 18: Choir Rehearsal, 7:00 pm, Sanctuary

Wednesday, April 19: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15 am, Lounge

Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall

Thursday, April 20: Baby Grace Distribution, 5:00 pm, Annex

Friday, April 21: Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Closing Words of Wisdom:

Jesus’s resurrection is the beginning of God’s new project not to snatch people away from earth to heaven but to colonize earth with the life of heaven.”― N.T. Wright