“Today – Tomorrow – Together”
One of the podcasts I enjoy listening to is called “Fake Doctors, Real Friends.” It is hosted by two of the lead actors from the early 2000’s sitcom Scrubs. It’s not the deepest, most intellectual podcast in the world, but it is entertaining and provides a bit of a brain-break.
In an episode I recently listened to, the hosts discussed one of the show’s themes that is reflected in the lyrics of the opening song – “I can’t do this all on my own. I know, I’m no Superman.” These lyrics represent the theme of learning to accept help, surrounding yourself with people who can support you, and also supporting others.
Honestly, this is not always my go-to mode. I tend to be an “I’ll just take care of it myself” type of person. Working with, or maybe more accurately, depending on others has never been something that has come naturally to me. But I continue to learn lesson after lesson the need to depend upon others and let go of the illusion that I can do everything myself.
I am so grateful for the many people God has surrounded me, and us, with as we work to embody the lessons and gifts of Jesus Christ to our community and world. Beginning this Sunday, we are going to spend the next 2 weeks talking about the work God is doing through us as a congregation. As part of this series, this Sunday, everyone will be given a pledge card and asked to spend the next week considering what part you will play in paying off the debt we took on for our HVAC campaign. You will be asked to consider making a 2-year commitment as we work together to pay down this $115,000 loan. Not only that, but we will consider what God is calling us to do – not just for our church building – but to make an even bigger difference in our community.
I encourage you to make every effort to join us these next two weeks as we discuss working together to build on to the 200 plus year legacy of faith that is the Nelson Memorial United Methodist Church.
As always, it is a pleasure to be your pastor and to be in ministry alongside you as we work together to achieve God’s mission.
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 we will begin a 2-week series titled “Today – Tomorrow – Together.” This week we will look the story of the dispersed faithful returning to Jerusalem and beginning the process of rebuilding and restoring the Temple of God. We will reflect on what our roles in coming together to continue to utilize our resources for God’s purposes as well. Our Scripture lesson this Sunday will be from the book of Ezra, chapter 1, verses 1-6:
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing:
“This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘ The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them. And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.’”
Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites – everyone whose heart God had moved – prepared to go up and build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts , in addition to all the freewill offerings.“
Our services will begin with the song House Of The Lord by Phil Wickham. Our other songs include O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing, Forever, and Great is Thy Faithfulness. Our choir will bring the song God So Loved The World for our prelude at 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
Liturgists Wanted! – If you are interested in helping in worship through our Liturgist Ministry (being the one up front who reads the Call to Worship and some of the other worship emelents), please let Pastor Chris or Debra know. The schedule gets updated every few months, and we are putting together the upcoming schedule. Each liturgist takes a turn once every 6-8 weeks or so (this depends on how many liturgists we have). Again, if you’d like to participate in this ministry, please let Pastor Chris or Debra know and we can give you more information. Even if you’d prefer not to be on the schedule but would be willing to be a backup or substitute, that is always needed as well.
Family Ministries Pizza & Bowling – Don’t forget to attend the Pizza & Bowling Party this afternoon. We will meet at Muddy Mo Pizza in Glasgow, MO for lunch around 1:00 pm and then go to the bowling alley in Glasgow around 2:00 pm. Everyone is invited.
Christian Movie Night – This Sunday evening 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. Childcare will be provided if you need it, please let us know. 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:
Sunday, April 23: Pizza and Bowling, 1:00 pm, Glasgow, MO
Christian Movie Night, 6:30 pm, Fellowship Hall
Monday, April 24: TOPS, 9:30 am, Lounge
Outreach Team, 6:00 pm, Lounge
Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, April 25: Administrative Board, 6:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, April 26: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, April 27: Praise Band Rehearsal, 6:00 pm, Sanctuary
Friday, April 28: Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Closing Words of Wisdom:
I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.” ~ Mother Teresa