“Inconceivable!”
One of my all-time favorite movies is The Princess Bride. The movie has so many quotable lines, and one of my favorites is when, in response to one of the characters saying the word “inconceivable” over and over, a character says: “You keep saying that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”
There’s a word I’ve heard a lot in the past few years, and I’ve wondered if it means what people think it means. That word is “woke.” When this word was first used, it had a positive connotation—often describing people as open-minded, caring, and sensitive to others. More recently, it is used in a negative context—a criticism of people who are perceived to have taken caring about others too far.
As I’ve heard this word thrown around more and more by lots of people, I’ve thought to myself: “You keep saying that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” So, I did what I do anytime I want to know something – I googled it. And what I found is that the word woke comes to us from the word awake – it is about being awakened to something. Learning this took me to thinking about the “Great Awakening,” the period in the early to mid-1700’s in the American colonies when a renewed dedication toward religion and faith took hold.
According to Christianity Today: “The Great Awakening in America in the 1730s and 1740s had tremendous results. The number of people in the church multiplied, and the lives of the converted manifested true Christian piety. Denominational barriers broke down as Christians of all persuasions worked together in the cause of the gospel. There was a renewed concern with missions, and work among the [Indigenous peoples] increased. As more young men prepared for service as Christian ministers, a concern for higher education grew… Not only did the Great Awakening unite the colonies religiously but also politically. After being freed from inner sin, the colonists also sought freedom from external tyrants. The motto of the Revolutionary War was, “No King but King Jesus!” (https://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1701-1800/the-great-awakening-11630212.html))
Beginning this Sunday, we are going to spend 4 weeks considering what it might look like for us to experience an awakening – a renewal of connection with God and concern for all of God’s creation. We will begin by discussing what a personal awakening might look like, then move on to examining the implications of such an awakening in our family, our church, and our world. I hope you will join us these next few weeks as we look to be awakened to what God is doing in our midst.
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 begin a new message series titled “Awakenings.” This series will focus on experiencing a spiritual awakening. This week we will begin by considering what it looks like to experience a personal awakening. Our Scripture focus will be from the Book of Revelation, Chapter 2, verses 1 through 7:
Write this to the angel of the church in Ephesus:
These are the words of the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven gold lampstands: I know your works, your labor, and your endurance. I also know that you don’t put up with those who are evil. You have tested those who say they are apostles but are not, and you have found them to be liars. You have shown endurance and put up with a lot for my name’s sake, and you haven’t gotten tired. But I have this against you: you have let go of the love you had at first. So remember the high point from which you have fallen. Change your hearts and lives and do the things you did at first. If you don’t, I’m coming to you. I will move your lampstand from its place if you don’t change your hearts and lives. But you have this in your favor: you hate what the Nicolaitans are doing, which I also hate. If you can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. I will allow those who emerge victorious to eat from the tree of life, which is in God’s paradise.”
Our services will begin with the Gathering Song Church (Take Me Back) by Cochren & Co. Our Opening Hymn is Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing. Our other songs for the morning are Blessed Be Your Name and Pass It On. The choir will sing Soar Like Eagles as our prelude at the 10:20 service. Also, we will share together in Communion.
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
Blessing of the Animals – This 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! – On 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
Homecoming Parade – The Boonville High School Homecoming parade is Friday, October 6th. We will have a table set up on Main Street again this year to hand out bottles of water. If you would like to donate bottles of water, please bring them to the church by noon, on Friday, October 6th. To volunteer to distribute water, please contact Sara Snyder @ 417-343-1124 or sstephenson.snyder@gmail.com. Thank you.
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…
Events this week:
Sunday, October 1: Blessing of the Animals, 1:00 pm, West Lawn
Monday, October 2: TOPS, 9:30 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, October 3: Congregational Care Team, 7:00 pm, Lounge
Wednesday, October 4: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Friday, October 6: BHES Homecoming Parade, 2:00 pm
Closing Words of Wisdom:
Spiritual awakening is not ultimately the work of invisible cultural forces. Instead, it is the work of learning to see differently, of prayer, and of conversion. It is something people do.” – Diana Butler Bass