“Value”
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:45-46
As you all probably have figured out, I am a big fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, but this year has not been the easiest year to root for them. In fact, it reminds me of the terrible seasons of the early 90’s where it was not “cool” to admit you rooted for the redbirds. Their performance has even been impacting ticket sales!
Over the last 10-15 years the Cardinals have switched their ticket pricing from set prices to “dynamic pricing,” which allows them to adjust the ticket prices based on demand. With the team on track to lose more games than they will win this year, demand is down. The Cardinals, who typically have ticket prices in the top half of the league (sometimes even higher), are now among the lowest priced tickets in Major League Baseball—meaning the value of a ticket to a Cardinals game is now lower than it was even a couple of months ago.
The idea of what something is worth, its value, is an interesting concept. I remember having to endure 3 economics classes when I was in college. I don’t recall a lot from those classes other than the basic principles of the supply and demand curve and its effect on pricing. In a nutshell, if there is a higher demand than available supply of a thing, it will cost more. If there are more units of an item available than there is demand for it, the less valuable it is considered. From what I remember, this means that prices set and value given are not absolute, they are a function of whether people desire the item or not.
In the above scripture, Jesus is attempting to describe to his disciples the value of the kingdom of heaven. He isn’t talking just about a destination one ascribes to arrive at once they cease living on earth, but a place within reach in this life. He tells them that it is like a man who seeks something very valuable, and once he finds it, he alone recognizes how valuable it is. The man then sells everything he has so he may possess it. The merchant understands how valuable the item is, recognizes something others don’t see, and is willing to do whatever it takes to attain it.
As I was thinking about this passage and the “value” of Cardinals tickets, it got me thinking about the value I put on things. I am a thrifty (some might say cheap) person. I have an idea in my mind of what things should cost and I often get grumpy when they cost more. But, there are some things that I am willing to splurge on because of their value to me. This got me thinking about the similarities and differences between the things I find valuable and the things I don’t. In the scripture passage, the merchant knew the value of what he found. Do I know the value of the great things around me – not the stuff, but the people, the love, the protection, the grace of God? What about you? What are the things you value above others? What are the lengths to which you would go to obtain or keep those things?
It is an honor and pleasure to be your pastor and to be in ministry alongside you to an amazing 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
This Sunday we will begin a new message series titled “Modern Wisdom: Biblical Truths From Modern-Day Proverbs. Each week we will look at a popular saying and see what Biblical truths we can find in them. This week we begin by looking at the phrase “The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Grease.” Our Scripture focus will be from the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 18, verses 1 through 8:
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said, “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’
“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”
And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
Our services will begin with the Gathering Song Never by Tasha Layton. Our other songs for the morning include Great Is Thy Faithfulness, Forever, and ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus. Additionally, Noah Rogers and Cheryl Salyer will share a special musical offering titled I Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray. During the “By These Signs” time this Sunday we will celebrate the ministry of KidsHope – our partnership program with David Barton Elementary. We will hear stories from KidsHope mentors, celebrate the many years of service that Debbi Maxwell has provided to KidsHope, and pray over our new program directors – Karma Haller and Greg Silvey.
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
Notes of Encouragement for Teachers – On August 17 the Outreach Committee will put together a tray of breakfast pastries for the teachers at LSE to welcome them back to school. (This is a correction from the date that appeared in the newsletter.) Feel free to write a note of encouragement for teachers and staff to include. You can leave it in the Sanctuary or church office.
Choir is Back – Choir rehearsals for the Methodist Music Makers have started back up. We are switching to Thursday evening practices immediately following Praise Band rehearsals. We practice twice a month. We are always welcoming new singers and hope to see you there! Please contact Leah Gumbel for additional information.
Church Picnic August 20 – Time for Some Food and Fun – The United Methodist Men are hosting our Annual Church Picnic Sunday, August 20 at 6:00 pm. We will gather at the church yard. UMM will provide the meat and drinks. Please bring a dish to share and also a (lawn chair or blanket). Feel free to invite friends, family and neighbors to join in on the fun.
Blood Drive – Our next Red Cross Blood Drive is coming up on Monday, August 28th from 2:00 to 6:00 in our Fellowship Hall. As happens most summers, the supply of blood available is in short supply and donors are greatly needed. To schedule a time for donating blood, please click here.
Prayer Ministry – Did you know that every Wednesday morning a group of dedicated prayer warriors meets for about 15 minutes (over Zoom) to pray for our church, our members, our community, our world, and any other needs that arise? If this sounds like something you would like to do, please contact the church office (boonvillemethodist@gmail.com).
Events this week:
Monday, August 14: TOPS, 9:30 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, August 16: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, August 17: Baby Grace Distribution, 5:00 pm, Annex
Praise Band Rehearsal, 6:00 pm, Sanctuary
Choir Rehearsal, 7:00 pm, Sanctuary
Sunday, August 20: Annual Church Picnic, 6:00 pm, Church Lawn
Closing Words of Wisdom:
The cost of a thing is the amount of what I will call life which is required to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run.”
― Henry David Thoreau