“December 1st”
I was looking through my Facebook memories this morning (the record of things I’ve posted on this date in years past), and I found the following:
I love a new year and the idea of 365 days (366 in 2024) of opportunities awaiting me. The New Year represents a clean slate, options, possibilities, and fresh challenges to overcome. While I’ve stopped making resolutions, I do set goals with great plans of exceeding them. Some years, I’m successful, other years, not so much. But most of the time, by December, those goals are long forgotten, either met with little fanfare or discarded in a pile of good intentions.
But my Facebook memory this morning reminded me that this year isn’t over yet. Today begins the last month of the year. We have 31 opportunities to “seize the day,” to be used by God for his kingdom’s purposes, and to make a difference in the lives of those all around us.
If you’re like me, it can be easy to approach December with a much different attitude – not one of making the most of each day, but of mere survival. December is often a difficult month, full of decorating, parties, shopping, end-of-year reports, final exams, school programs, and special events at church. All these things are great, but sometimes we approach them more in the spirit of something that must be conquered or endured rather than opportunities to be seized.
I want to ask you to hold me accountable for approaching this December differently. I want to view each day as a chance to do something meaningful – to have meaningful conversations, to help people in significant ways, to inspire and be inspired by others, and to enjoy the sights, sounds, and busyness of this season. And I’d like to invite you to join me in this endeavor as well.
These next 31 days do not have to be something we look forward to being through with. The month of December offers us an opportunity to be present and be used in important ways. How will you make the most of this final month of the year?
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 the season of Advent. Our message series for Advent is titled “Prepare: Advent and the Message of John The Baptist.” This week, our Scripture reading this week will be from the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 1, verses 5 through 17.
In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of the incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard. Your wife will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous – to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Our 8:00 service will begin with the Gathering Song Make Room, by Casting Crowns. The 10:20 service will begin with the Praise Band leading us in Build Your Kingdom Here. Our Opening Song is Everlasting God. Our Praise Hymn is Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus, and we will close with the first verse of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.
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
Coats for Kids – We will again be providing coats for kids who need them in the Boonslick Area. If you would like to contribute, make your check out to Nelson Memorial, UMC and in the memo line put “Coats for Kids” and place it in the offering plate or drop it by the church office. Thank you! Heather Beach.
2023 Angel Tree – Thank you to everyone who took an Angel from the tree. We ask you to please deliver the children’s gifts back to the Sanctuary no later than this Sunday, December 3rd for the dedication of the gifts. The Angel Tree party will be on Saturday, Dec. 9th at 11:00 a.m., beginning with a short message in the Sanctuary and lunch to follow in the Fellowship Hall. Please make plans to join us in this very special ministry to our church. As always, we are so grateful for the way in which our church family supports this Matthew 25 ministry to the children of incarcerated parents.
Christmas Parade December 2 – The Christmas Parade is this Saturday, December 2nd at 2:00. Meet at church at 12:30 on the west side of the church to get ready for the Christmas Parade. Everyone is welcome to ride. Wear a church sweatshirt, if you have one! Please bring a bag of candy to throw.
Save the Dates
- Children’s Christmas Program, Sunday, December 17 during the 10:20 worship service. The program is titled “Oh What A Night”! The dress rehearsal will be Sunday, December 10 following the 10:20 service.
- Christmas Caroling on Sunday, December 24th at Riverdale Care Center. Meet at the nursing home at 9:15 am. We plan on concluding at 10:00 am.
- Christmas Eve Services will be at 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm. The living Nativity will be on the lawn between services.
Advent Study Books – The Advent books by Ruth Chou Simmons, Emmanuel: An Invitation to Prepare Him Room at Christmas and Always” have arrived and are available to be picked up by all who requested one. Please pick up your copy on the ledge by the South doors and mark your name off of the signup sheet in the back of the church. Thank you!
Church Library News – The Christmas books for all ages have arrived in our church library and also are on the stand by the East outside door.
Christmas Poinsettias – Those of you that would like to purchase a poinsettia in memory of or in honor of a loved one, please pick up one of the forms located on the table back in the refreshment area. The list will be in the December 24th bulletin. Please deliver the form to the church by Sunday, December 10th or drop it in the offering box on Sunday. Please make checks payable to Nelson Memorial, UMC, in the amount of $13.00, and in the memo line write poinsettia. Thank you!
Adopt a Teen – Once again, we will be coordinating with LSE and BHS/BTEC to adopt local teens for Christmas. There are 4 Sunday school classes that have already signed up to provide Christmas gifts for some of these teens. However, if your family would like to adopt a teen for Christmas, please reach out to Sara Snyder @ 417-343-1124 or sstephenson.snyder@gmail.com.
Cookie Time! – On December 18, we will be delivering trays of cookies (or other goodies) to the faculty and staff at LSE. We’re looking for donations of home-baked goods. Please use the following link to sign up to bring goodies. Or, sign up in the East Wing. Cookies should be at church by Sunday, December 17.
Christmas Cards for NMUMC Elders and Friends – We are asking the congregation to mail out Christmas cards to the following names below. The addresses for the names listed will be located on the refreshment table. We will also have a supply of Christmas cards for you, if you need them.
Jack Bell, Frances Bradley, Virginia Brownfield, Ada Gingrich, Margaret Hopkins, Elise Langkop, Phillis Otis, Gene and Donna Reagan, Bart Riley, Carol Schenck, Leona Schmidt, Helen Taylor, Hessie Watts, and Dorothy Whitten.
Our church friends have been so pleased with your cards of remembrance in the past and we want to let them know again that we are remembering them during the upcoming holy season of love. God bless you for participating in this endeavor.
Events this week:
Saturday, Dec 2: Christmas Parade, meet at 12:30 pm to decorate, 4th Street
Monday, December 4: TOPS, 9:30 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, December 5: Congregational Care Team, 6:00 pm, Lounge
Wednesday, December 6: Women’s Bible Study, 10:00 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, December 7: Choir Rehearsal, 7:00 pm, Sanctuary
Friday, December 8: Al-Anon, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Saturday, Dec 9: Methodist Men, 8:30 am, Lounge
Salvation Army Bell Ringing, 10 am – 6 pm, Walmart
Angel Tree Party, 11:00 am, Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall
Closing Words of Wisdom:
Good morning, happy first day of December. Keep looking up. That’s the secret of life.” — Charles M. Schulz