“Experiences”
…And He walks with me,
And He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the Joy we share as we tarry there,
None other, has ever known.
“Describe your personal experience of God.”
I am privileged to be a part of a Committee on Ministry, which meets with those who feel a call to serve in pastoral ministry in the United Methodist Church. We are preparing for a day of interviewing candidates who are seeking the next major step in the process of becoming ordained (a multi-year process involving many steps of certification, training, mentoring, reflection, and service)).
Part of the preparation for this meeting includes reading over paperwork candidates have submitted with answers to various questions as required by the denomination. The first question (although not really a question) is, “Describe your personal experience of God.” While reading through the responses on the paperwork, I got to thinking, “how would I answer this question? How would most of the folks in our church answer this question?”
Most of the time when I talk about God, I share qualities about God – things I learned in seminary or books I’ve read as part of a Bible Study. When asked about God, my answers begin with academic or theological statements – not my daily experience of God’s love, grace, and hope.
I’ve recently begun using the Daily Examen as a form of devotion. The Examen is a form of prayer and devotion where you reflect on your day (or the previous day) and think about the ways you experienced God’s grace and presence, what emotions you felt as a result, what your fears and concerns are, and what you are most looking forward to in the days to come. I will confess right away, I don’t do it everyday, at least not yet. I try, but sometimes, I forget or am not in the right frame of mind. But the days where I do abide by this practice, I find myself more aware of God’s presence and its impact on my day-to-day activities. I become more aware of God in the mundane parts of my life, not just those mountaintop moments. This practice reminds me that my experiences of God are much more frequent, awesome, and ordinary than I recognize when I am not on the lookout.
This week I invite you think about your experiences of God. How would you describe your personal experience of God? When was the last time you felt the presence of God? Do you regularly expect God to show up in your life, not just in the miraculous ways, but in those ordinary times too? And, this is a big ask, when was the last time you shared with someone else your experience of God? What would you say if someone asked you to describe your personal experience of God or Jesus?
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 continue our 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 will look at the phrase “Two Wrong Don’t Make A Right.” Our Scripture focus will be from the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 5, verses 38 through 42:
You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.“
Our services will begin with the Gathering Song WWJD by Cain. Our Opening Hymn for the day is O How I Love Jesus. Our Praise Song will be Holy is the Lord, and our Closing Hymn will be Freely, Freely. This Sunday our Choir will return to the 10:20 service and bless us with the song A Festive Alleluia as our Prelude.
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
Are You Ready to Rock?!? – The band Rend Collective (Build Your Kingdom Here, My Lighthouse) is coming to the Missouri Theater in Columbia on Sunday, October 8. (The show begins at 7:00 pm, with the doors opening at 6:15.) Tickets are $23/each if we take a group of 10 or more. If you are interested in attending, please sign up on the sheet in the East Wing or in the back of the Sanctuary. Please contact Pastor Chris if you have any questions.
Blessing of the Animals – On Sunday, October 1, we will host a “Blessing of the Animals” event on our west lawn. We will begin at 1:00 pm with a short time of prayer giving God thanks for the creatures we share this world with and the difference they make in our lives. There will be a time for individual blessings of animals following the short service. You are invited to bring your animals (pets, livestock, service animals, etc.) to receive a blessing. Also, please feel free to invite any family, friends, neighbors, or others who might want to come and give thanks with us for the companions God has given to us. Please contact Pastor Chris if you have any questions.
Mission Trip Opportunity – We are tentatively planning an adult mission work team to again travel to Fulton First United Methodist Church (Fulton, Tennessee) beginning the first weekend in November into the following week to complete home repairs in N/W Tennessee and S/W Kentucky. You may remember that a year ago this area was hit by a very large tornado which destroyed or damaged many homes and buildings. Recently, this area was hit again by one of the largest rainfalls in recorded history, flooding many of the homes, some that were repaired just a year ago. If you would like information to join us on this mission, please see Bill Salyer, Tim VonEngeln or Larry Long for details.
Save the Date – On Saturday, November 4, the Outreach Team will host a church wide MISSION EXTRAVAGANZA!! We will have a variety of mission projects for people of all ages and abilities. These include: leaf raking, cooking baking, flood-kit assembling, and even some sewing! There will also be projects you can do from the comfort of your own home. So mark November 4 on the calendar and share it with a friend. Together, we will work to build God’s kingdom here!! More details to follow…
Growth Opportunity – Have you ever wanted to be one of those “chapter and verse people” – one of those folks who can recite important and meaningful verse of Scripture? We have a group for you. There are many reasons for memorization of scriptures where it increases your knowledge of God: of who he is, what he’s promised, and who I am in Christ (2 Peter 3:18). It will give you knowledge, wisdom, and understanding (Proverbs 2:1-6). It will help you remember God’s Word. Cindy Koch is putting together a group that will focus on learning and reciting Scriptures. If you’d like to be a part of this group, please contact Cindy Koch (660-888-5408) for more information.
Attention Walkers – A group is forming to walk the Katy Trail once a week. We will begin on Tuesday, September 12th , gathering in the lounge at 10:00 am.. If you have any questions please contact Cindy Koch at (660) 888-5408.
Church Library News – Cindy Koch is our own famous author for the month of September. The title of Cindy’s book is Come September. It is a story about a young woman named Carrie who is in her last year of journalism college. She was raised by grandparents who would not talk about her parents. Any information she learned had to be hunted down. On her 21st birthday, she is surprised with something that will help her find out the crucial missing pieces. She finds much more than just answers along the way. Check with Cindy if you want to purchase her book. All of the proceeds go to our Baby Grace program.
Upper Room & Our Daily Bread Devotional Books – The new “Upper Room” and “Our Daily Bread” devotional books have arrived, please help yourself to one in the back of the Sanctuary.
Christian Movie Night – Our next movie night will be Sunday, September 17 in the Fellowship Hall beginning at 6:30 pm. We will be watching “Ruth” of Sight and Sound production. On September 24 we will watch Sight and Sound’s production of “Esther.” Come join us for popcorn and a movie, and bring your own soda.
Events this week:
Monday, September 11: TOPS, 9:30 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, September 12: PEO, 4:30, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, September 13: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, September 14: Baby Grace Size & Sort, 1:00 pm, Annex
Praise Band Rehearsal, 6:00 pm, Sanctuary
Choir Rehearsal, 7:00 pm, Sanctuary
Friday, September 8: Al-Anon Meeting, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Closing Words of Wisdom:
We (Christians) are always in the presence of God. There is never a non-sacred moment! His presence never diminishes. Our awareness of His presence may falter, but the reality of His presence never changes.” — Max Lucado