“What Can I Do?”
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:36-38
Have you ever looked at the world and thought it was a total mess? Between natural disasters, acts of violence and hate, political turmoil, and a whole host of other things, there just seems to be a lot of need in our world.
It can be overwhelming to see the great needs all around us and not know where to start. Perhaps the right starting point isn’t in looking at needs. Perhaps the place we should start as we seek to make a difference is assessing our gifts, talents, and passions. What if when we see needs in the world, we ask ourselves, “what am I good at, what do I most care about, what gifts do I have that could make a difference?” Then, after thinking about what we can bring to the table, we find the place where those gifts and passions can be put to the best use.
Sara co-teaches the “tween-ish” Sunday school class. This month they have been learning about missions – ways to be of service to God and community. They have left notes of encouragement, done acts of service, and learned about various ministries of our church. They have asked themselves the question, “what do we enjoy doing and how can we use that to make a difference?” After much lively discussion, they decided many of them enjoy baking and want to host a bake sale and have the proceeds go to Neighbors Helping Neighbors. (Read in the announcements below for more details.).
I so appreciate that this group began by looking at themselves and their gifts to determine how to make a difference. I encourage you, the next time you see overwhelming need (such as hunger and poverty), to begin not by thinking about how bad things are, but about the gifts and passions God has given you to make a difference.
It is an honor 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 conclude 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 “Be Yourself, Everyone Else Is Taken.” Our Scripture focus will be from the Book of 1 Samuel, Chapter 17, verses 32 through 40:
David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”
Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”
But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by the hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”
Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”
Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them.
“I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.
Our 8:00 service will begin with the Gathering Song Plans by Rend Collective. The 10:20 service will kick off with the Rend Collective song Build Your Kingdom Here. Our Opening Song will be Come As You Are. Our Praise Hymn will be Open My Eyes, That I May See, and our Closing Hymn will be O Jesus, I Have Promised.
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
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 by September 24. 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.
Bake Sale! – Sunday, October 8, one of the Nelson Memorial Sunday School classes will be hosting a bake sale! The treats will be homemade! You can buy them before and after the second service. The proceeds will be going to the food pantry here in Boonville as a donation! Please come and buy some delicious treats! Nola Parker and the Tween-ish Sunday School class
New Studies:
Be Still: A Simple Guide to Quiet Times – This book by Brian Heasley is a practical approach to establishing the rhythms of prayer and devotion in our lives. It includes discussions on practicing imaginative prayer, finding wonder, and cultivating contentment. Heasley’s message is that we don’t need to be static for our hearts to be still. Interested in participating? – Order the book Be Still: A Simple Guide to Quiet Times by Brian Heasley at any book outlet. Meet in the church lounge Monday, October 9 at 6 PM.
Jesus and Justice Small Group: – As Jesus people, we are called to engage in seeking justice. But what does God’s justice look like? In this new small group, we will take a look at Biblical justice and explore ways we can be a people of justice in our families, workspaces, local community, and the world by following in the footsteps of Jesus. Interested in participating? – Order the book God of Justice by Abraham George and Nikki A. Toyama-Szeto at any book outlet. Meet in the church lounge on Saturday, October 14 at 9:30 AM. Pastries and coffee provided!!
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…
Christian Movie Night – Our next movie night will be Sunday, 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 beginning at 5:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall.
Events this week:
Sunday, September 24: Christian Movie Group, 5:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Monday, September 25: TOPS, 9:30 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, September 27: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Friday, September 29: Al-Anon Meeting, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Closing Words of Wisdom:
“At the intersection where your gifts, talents, and abilities meet a human need; therein you will discover your purpose.” — Aristotle