“Sweet Relief”
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25
This discomfort and pain has been overwhelming at times. I stretch my arms up as high as possible and hold them there as long as possible. I lay down flat on the ground and stretch as much as I can. I do all the exercises I can think of and everything I’ve found on Google to try and relieve the pressure in my back, but nothing provides relief.
I’ve had tightness in my back off and on for nearly 20 years now. It’s become like a companion, tagging along wherever I go, sometimes being so slight I forget about it, other times as intense as the cries of an infant when he realizes he’s alone. Most of the time stretching, Tylenol, or a heating pad provide the relief I long for. But every once in a while, no matter what I do, that angry infant will just not be soothed.
Yesterday was one of those instances. So, I made an appointment and went to the chiropractor. I can’t really explain why, but I feel like going to the chiropractor is like admitting defeat, acknowledging my lack of being able to master my own body. But, I swallow my pride, or whatever it is, and go. While lying on the table, the Dr. immediately feels the tightness in my back and begins to work his magic. At first he can’t make any headway, my back is that tight. It takes three attempts, but finally, with a giant exhale and a series of pops that remind me of when I used to eat Rice Krispies, I feel my back let go. The doctor continues to adjust my spine and I receive a couple of other treatments, then I’m on my way. As I’m walking back to the church, I feel a freedom I haven’t felt in a long time. I’m walking straighter, taller, and easier. I guess my constant companion decided to stay at the chiropractor’s office.
I was looking through Mark’s Gospel, working on an upcoming message series, and I saw the above passage. As I considered my newfound freedom from the pain and discomfort I had been carrying with me for days or weeks, I was reminded of what it feels like to forgive. In this passage, Jesus is attempting to help his disciples understand just how awesome and powerful the gift of prayer can be. After telling the disciples that a faithful person’s prayers can move mountains, he then tells them the importance of forgiveness.
When we offer forgiveness, we do so in the name of God. This relief from the power of hurt and anger does more than simply free the one we’ve been angry with, it brings us sweet relief as well. If you’ve ever carried around hurt or anger or pain, you know those things can gnaw at your soul as intensely as any back pain. Those transgressions become for us a constant companion. Offering forgiveness is not just a gift to the one who hurt us, it helps us to find sweet relief from the hurt and pain we’ve been carrying.
Just as I am hesitant to go the chiropractor and feel like I need to swallow my pride before I can get that relief, I too can be stubborn and hesitant to ask God to bring me the sweet relief I find in forgiveness. If you, like me, have a tendency to allow the constant companions of hurt and anger to follow you around, I invite you to give yourself the gift of sweet relief. I promise you, once you do so, you will find yourself walking a little taller and easier. I invite you to allow yourself the gift of offering and receiving forgiveness.
As always, it is an honor and pleasure to be your pastor and to be in ministry alongside you to an amazing and forgiving God.
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
We continue our message series looking at the life and teachings of Simon-Peter. This Sunday our message is titled “Peter’s Worst Moment.” Our Scripture lesson this Sunday will be from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 26, verses 69-75:
Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.
But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”
After al little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”
Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”
Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Our services will begin with the song Glory, Glory (God Is Able) by Crowder. Our hymns for the morning include In Christ Alone, Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone), and Victory In Jesus. Our Praise band will lead our first 2 songs 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 10:20 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!!
Ice Cream Freeze Off – What’s better than a nice bowl of ice cream on a hot summer day? How about a whole bunch of flavors of homemade ice cream and fellowship with friends? If this sounds good to you, then make plans to join us July 16 at 4:00 pm for our Annual Ice Cream Freeze Off. As always, this event is open to everyone who would like to enter their favorite home-made ice cream – the more exotic the flavor, the better! If you’re not an Ice Cream chef, we’d love to have you come and be one of our judges. Stay tuned for more information and start getting your recipes ready now.
Upper Room Devotional – Spend time each day in God’s word with thought-provoking devotions to strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ. The “Upper Room” devotional books have arrived, please help yourself to one in the back of the sanctuary.
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/.
Save The Date:
- Sunday, July 16, 2023 – Ice Cream Freeze Off
- Thursday, August 10, 2023 – S’mores Night
- Sunday, August 20, 2023 – Church Picnic
- Monday, August 28, 2023 – Red Cross Blood Drive
Events this week:
Saturday, June 24: Heritage Days
Monday, June 26: TOPS, 9:30 am, Lounge
Leadership Development Team, 6:00 pm, Lounge
Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, June 28: Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Closing Words of Wisdom:
As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.”
― Nelson MandelaNot forgiving is like drinking rat poison and then waiting for the rat to die.”
― Anne Lamott