“Go, Set A Watch”
Several years ago now, when my boys were still little and cute and cuddly–before the teen years set in and they knew more, wanted more, and looked at the world through slightly more jaded eyes–in a time and place that now seems kind of like a “once upon a time”, my boys stood watch at our front door.
We have a picture of them, standing stair-stepped side-by-side as the sun poured in through the screen door. Their faces are turned away from the camera–looking outward into the big, wide world. Their bodies seem poised, ready to spring into action–the camera capturing that moment right before potential energy becomes kinetic. And their eyes, so round, so eager, so full of expectation…the picture makes clear that something is coming, and it is gleefully anticipated.
What was the cause of such a joyful watch? A friend was on his way, and the boys were getting ready to participate in their first-ever sleepover. And so they watched. And so they waited. And so they were ready when the van first appeared, turning the corner onto our street. And so the door was thrown wide into the evening, welcoming the traveler in. And so shouts sprang forth, calling the parents and the dogs to gather: “He’s here! He’s here!” And so the watch was complete, the waited-for moment come to fruition just as the grown-ups had promised. And so there was joy.
It is with precisely this kind of ardent hope that I read Isaiah 21, as the Lord tells the people of Israel to set a watch–not because invaders are coming–but because news of deliverance is on its way.
Why did the Lord call on the remnant of Israel to set a watch? What were they supposed to be looking for? Nothing short of the miraculous….Babylon, the mighty power that had shattered the Temple and cast Israel into exile–the vast empire that had become the political, economic, and cultural center of ancient Mesopotamia–was under threat. Good news was coming to the remnant of Israel, and God said, “Watch.”
And so, Israel sets a watchman, who stands on the ruined walls of ancient Jerusalem and squints toward the horizon. It is quiet, as the people wait with bated breath. Time seems to stand still, energy suspended in its potential form, until, suddenly, there is a shout from above. A cloud of dust rises in the distance, and as the lookout calls down from the wall, a sound is heard–it is the sound of horses running.
Can you imagine the joy that greeted this pronouncement? Babylon, the nation that had flaunted its power and supposed superiority over the Lord God Almighty had fallen–her idols smashed to the ground. John recounts this moment in the book of Revelation, using it to celebrate God’s final victory over the enemy. Israel watched, and God’s promises were fulfilled.
As I read this passage, I can’t help but think about our churches today. And I wonder…are we watching? Or are we so consumed with self-perpetuation, with our own rules and policies, with numbers and monetary gains, with infighting and sacred cow traditions, that we have forgotten that part of our role is to be the lookout for God’s work in our world?
Like my boys waited and watched with hope and expectation, so we, the people of God, should do the same. We, as God’s church, should be the watchmen on the walls of our community–not looking for invaders or danger–but, as the watchman on Jerusalem’s walls peered toward the horizon seeking that cloud of dust which bore the first sign of God’s good news , so we should position ourselves throughout our communities to ardently seek opportunities to share God’s good news with the world.
As watchmen (or lookouts, if you’d rather), the Church can point to an opportunity for God to be made known–gleefully, joyfully, fervidly, and wholeheartedly. Perhaps we see someone grieving and stop what we’re doing to sit beside them. Maybe we see someone hungry and put our resources to ensuring that they are fed. Are there those in our community who are lonely, and could our churches be the community into which they can connect to something deeper? Do we have an opportunity to speak of God’s freedom to those who are imprisoned, be it a physical cell or one constructed from addiction or mental illness?
Just as he did long ago, so God still calls his people to set a watch, but not a watch of trepidation and despair. Rather, we are called to scan the horizon of our communities with eagerness–to gaze into the vast night of the world and enter into that space bringing the love and light of God.
So go…stand on the watchtower…and expect God to show up.
Blessings and Peace, Sara
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 Pastor Dan Faust will be our guest speaker and bring a message titled “Looking Like Him.” Our Scripture lesson this Sunday will be from the Book of Acts, chapter 4, verses 1-13:
While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them, much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead.So they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.But many of those who heard the word believed, and they numbered about five thousand.
The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?”Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are being asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead.This Jesus is:
‘the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.’
“There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus.
Our services will begin with the song To Not Worship You by MercyMe. Our hymns for the morning include We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations and Sent Out In Jesus’ Name. Our Praise song for the morning is Come As You Are. In addition to our guest speaker, we will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion this week.
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
Summer 2023 Vacation Bible School – July 5th-7th, 9am – 11:30 am
It’s not too late to let us share our love for the Lord with your kiddos! Through fun activities, engaging lessons, crafts, and God’s Word, 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. His love has a strong ripple effect that can change the world. There are sign-up sheets located throughout the sanctuary. You can also sign-up online, too!
Thank You – A big thank you to everyone who helped get the cooling station set up, Sam and Katy Giroux, Jessica Caszatt, and Tim VonEngeln. It was a great opportunity to offer some relief on a hot summer day during Heritage Days!
Church Library News – We have many authors in our library. Did you know that we have four of our very own great authors? For the month of July, we will feature Sara Snyder. The title of her book is Confessions of the Pastor’s Wife. It is a three-way conversation between the author, the reader, and God. Containing fifty-two devotionals, one for each week of the year. Not only are the devotionals short, sweet, and to the point, they come with a weekly prayer and Scripture Bytes that you can take with you to chew on through the week. Her book will be on display in the library for the month of July. If you are interested in purchasing this book check with Sara.
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:
- Thursday, August 10, 2023 – S’mores Night
- Sunday, August 20, 2023 – Church Picnic
- Monday, August 28, 2023 – Red Cross Blood Drive
Events this week:
Monday, July 2: TOPS, 9:30 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, July 4: Happy Independence Day! Office Closed
Wednesday, July 5: VBS, 9:00 am
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, July 6: VBS, 9:00 am
Praise Band Rehearsal, 6:00 pm, Sanctuary
Friday, July 7: VBS, 9:00 am
Saturday, July 8: Methodist Men, 8:30am, Lounge
Closing Words of Wisdom:
Waiting on God, according to Scripture, is not a passive, vacuous state but rather an active process of asking, seeking and engaging with his Spirit.” ― Pete Greig