“Big Moments”
Graduations. Birthdays. Accomplishing goals. Getting promoted. Falling in love. Becoming a parent. Mastering a new skill. Achieving a dream. Living out a call. Life is full of big moments. Some are exciting, some are difficult. Some we have worked toward for years, while others arrive as if out of nowhere.
This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. Described in the Book of Acts, Pentecost is the day Jesus’s promise of the Holy Spirit comes upon the disciples and other believers who are in Jerusalem. The day begins like any other day, and then God shows up (in the form of the Holy Spirit). God can be felt in the rush of the wind. God can be heard in various languages. God can even be seen in the tongues of fire resting on heads. Once God arrives, everything changes. Some start to question what is going on, trying to make sense of something they don’t understand. But Peter and the other apostles, instead of questioning what is happening or trying to make sense of it, seize the opportunity.
This Sunday we will begin a new message series titled, “On This Rock.” This series will take an in-depth look at Simon Peter, the disciple whom Jesus promised to use as the rock on which he would build his church. This week we will begin with the events of Pentecost Sunday and Peter’s big moment. In the following weeks we will look back at the work God had been doing in Peter that prepared him for this moment.
I am excited about this series and this opportunity to examine the life and teachings of one of the most important figures in the history of the Christian Church. I hope you will join us over the coming weeks as we explore how God developed Peter and how he is developing 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 our message is titled “Peter’s Big Moment.” We will look at the events of Pentecost and how Peter arose to the occasion. Our Scripture lesson this Sunday will be from the book of Acts, chapter 2, verses 14-21:
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. There people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
Our services will begin with the song The Lord’s Prayer (It’s Yours) by Matt Maher, which our Praise Band will lead at the 10;20 service. Our other songs include How Great is Our God; Holy, Holy, Holy; and Spirit Song.
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
Summer 2023 Vacation Bible School – July 5th-7th, 9am – 11:30 am
Theme: Ready, Set, Move! Follow Jesus Here, There, and Everywhere.
The education committee is busy creating a hands-on, memorable experience that will allow children in our community to grow their faith as they understand how they can follow Jesus here, there, and everywhere. The program will inspire kids to: Do what He says, Believe who He is, Love who He loves, Share what He did, and Go where He leads. If you would like to lend a helping hand, please contact Risa Venable (573-881-7788). Together we can create a summer experience full of energy, movement, and lots of God’s Word!!
Christian Movie Night – Our next movie night will be held on Sunday, June 4th in the Fellowship Hall beginning at 6:30 pm. We will have a Comedian Night. 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 bring your own soda.
Sagrada Bible Camp – Camp Sagrada has reached out to us requesting our help with transportation of campers. We are looking for help on the following dates: June 16, 19, 23, and 26. Each day we will need a team of 2 adults, one of which can drive the Sagrada van, the other to assist. You can volunteer for one day, or one week. There will be a sign-up sheet in the east narthex. If you have any question, please contact Tim VonEngeln at (660) 882-3348.
Our Daily Bread Devotional – Spend time each day in God’s Word with thought-provoking devotions to strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ. “Our Daily Bread” devotional books have arrived, please help yourself to one in the back of the Sanctuary.
Directory Update – The updated directory is completed and copies are now available at church. Directories will be available in the back of the Sanctuary on the radiator stand by the south doors and also on the table in the East Wing. Please take 1 per family at this time. Additionally, an electronic version is available via the “Instant Church Directory” app which is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Only those whose email address is listed in the directory will be able to access our directory via this app. Once you have downloaded the app, you will need to log into the Online Member directory at https://members.instantchurchdirectory.com/ to complete your setup.
If you have difficulties setting up your account or accessing our directory, please make sure the email address you are using is the same one that is listed in the directory. If not, please contact Pastor Chris or Sandy Farris and we will update your email address in the system. Again, only those whose email address is listed in the directory will be able to access the electronic version of the directory. This is done as a way to keep the information secure.
Let’s give an extra special thank you to the team that worked so hard to make it happen – Sandy Farris, Maryellen McVicker, Nancy Schler, and Mike Thomas. Please pass along your appreciation to them for their work on this project.
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, May 29: Memorial Day (Office Closed)
Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, May 30: Job Pointe Meeting, 1:00 pm, Classroom
Wednesday, May 31: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Friday, June 2: Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Saturday, June 3: Fellowship Hall Reserved
Closing Words of Wisdom:
I will prepare and some day my chance will come.” ― Abraham Lincoln