“Mary’s Song”
My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” Luke 1:46-55
Most of us have favorite Christmas songs. For some it’s O Holy Night, others love The Little Drummer Boy. Me, I have a soft spot in my heart for God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. My father-in-law’s favorite was Mark Lowry’s Mary Did You Know. In fact, one Christmas he even had the chance to sing it for a congregation he was serving as a lay speaker.
Mary Did You Know is an absolutely beautiful song that describes so many of the astounding, miraculous, and divine works of Jesus. In the 32 years since it was first released, it has been recorded by scores of artists and charted 9 different times, including versions by Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, and Pentatonix. It even inspired a stage musical in 1999.
In reading through the scripture passage above, sometimes referred to as Mary’s Song or the Magnificat, I wonder what Mary did know. The angel Gabriel told her that her child would be “great and called the Most High.” Gabriel said the Lord would “give him the throne of his father David and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his reign will never end” (Luke 1:32-33). Mary received a strange greeting from her relative Elizabeth, being told that Elizabeth’s baby leaped in her womb when he heard her voice and Elizabeth asked why she was so favored as to be in the presence of the mother of her Lord.
Given all this, and Mary’s declarations in response to Gabriel and Elizabeth, I wonder what Mary did know, or think, the possibilities would be for her baby? She must have known that God had something special in store for him. Given everything that was going on around her, and everything she had been taught about the promised-for Messiah, Mary must have had some idea of what he might do. Did she know he would walk on water, heal the blind, calm storms, and raise the dead? Probably not. But Luke shows us by the words Gabriel and Elizabeth spoke to Mary, and by the words and actions of Mary herself, that she did indeed know this child was not just another baby. Whether she knew, or just hoped, Mary made it clear that this child would change things in a world in great need of hope. He would be merciful, would be a blessing for generations, and would be called holy.
When I hear the song Mary Did You Know, the question I ponder isn’t so much about what Mary did or didn’t know or expect for her child. What I think about is what I expect from my fresh encounter with God’s incarnation. What will change in me, what will I hear, do, and experience because of the Advent of God again this year? And how will I take that experience and make a difference for the Kingdom of God?
In just over a week, we will gather for our Christmas Eve services. We will join with friends and family, hear familiar stories, sing favorite carols, and receive and reflect the light of Christ. As we do, I encourage you to consider not what Mary may or may not have known about this child, but what your expectations are for a fresh encounter with Emmanuel, God with us.
It is indeed an honor to be your pastor and to be in ministry alongside our 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 continue 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 will be from the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 3, verses 1 through 8.
In those days, John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him’.”
John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.”
Our 8:00 service will begin with the Gathering Song Somewhere in Your Silent Night, by Casting Crowns. Our Opening Song is In the Bleak Midwinter. Our Praise Hymn is Star Child, and we will close with three verses of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.
Our 10:20 service will be our Children’s Christmas Program. We will begin the service with a video of children telling the nativity story. We will sing together Star Child, and then turn the service over to the kids’ presentation of “Oh What A Night!”
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 Video. Additionally, we post a recording of our messages to our website by early Sunday afternoon.
Announcements
Christmas Eve Services – In addition to our regular Sunday morning service on Dec 24, we will hold Candlelight and Communion service on Christmas Eve at 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm. The Living Nativity will be on the lawn between services.
Living Nativity – We are excited to once again host the Living Nativity on Christmas Eve between our two Christmas Eve Services. We are looking for volunteers to be our “actors” during this time. We will have 2, approximately 1 hour shifts and are looking for up to 8 volunteers for each shift. There will be a signup sheet in the East Wing Narthex. We thank you for your help with tradition!
Choir Christmas Cantata – Our Choir has been hard at work the past few months preparing a Christmas Cantata for us. They will share their ministry with us during the 10:20 worship service on December 24. This program, titled: A New and Glorious Morn, is going to be the perfect way to start your Christmas Eve and Christmas celebrations. Please join us in person or via live stream.
Help Us Spread Some Holiday Cheer – Our Sunday School classes will be Christmas Caroling on Sunday, December 24th at Riverdale Care Center. We will meet at the nursing home at 9:15 am and we plan on concluding at 10:00 am to leave time to return for the 10:20 service.
Christian Movie Night – The next movie night will be held on Sunday, December 17th beginning at 4:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. We will be showing Nativity from The Chosen series. Come join us for popcorn and a movie, and bring your own soda. Please Note: There will be no other movie nights in December.
Cookie Time! – We are still looking for a few more people to help us provide cookies (or other goodies) on December 18 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.
Community Christmas Service – The Boonslick Area Ministerial Alliance will hold its annual Community Christmas Service on Tuesday, December 19 at 6:30 pm at the Saints Peter & Paul Church. A special offering will be taken to support the ministry of the Ministerial Alliance. The Ministerial Alliance will also be receiving donations of stocking hats and gloves, and gently used coats. These will be distributed to those in need throughout the winter.
Angel Tree Program – Thank you all so much for your generous donation of gifts for the Angel Tree Program. The children, along with our own Nelson Memorial children, had a great time at the Angel Tree Celebration as you could tell by all the smiles and laughter on their faces. We would like to thank the Education Committee and their wonderful children for all of their help!! We could not have done it without them and our wonderful congregation. We believe everyone who participated felt loved by our Nelson Memorial family. Thank you again. Karma Haller and Debra Windsor
Coats for Kids – Thank you everyone who gave so generously of their time and money to Coats for Kids. Blessings, Heather Beach.
Salvation Army Bell Ringing – Thank you all who donated time on Saturday, December 17th, to bell ring for the Salvation Army. The money raised will help those in need living in the Cooper County area.
Events this week:
Saturday, Dec 16: Jesus & Justice Small Group, 9:30 am, Lounge
Sunday, December 17: Children’s Christmas Program, 10:20 service, Sanctuary & Online
Choir Rehearsal, following Worship, Chapel
Monday, December 18: TOPS, 9:30 am, Lounge
Be Still Small Group, 6:00 pm, Lounge
Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, December 19: Community Christmas Service, 6:30 pm, Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church
Wednesday, December 20: Women’s Bible Study, 10:00 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, December 21: Choir Rehearsal, 7:00 pm, Sanctuary
Friday, December 22: Office Closed
Al-Anon, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Sunday, December 24: Morning Worship Service: 8:00 am, Choir Christmas Cantata: 10:20 am
Christmas Eve Services: 4:00 & 7:00 pm
Living Nativity, 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Church Lawn
Closing Words of Wisdom:
The Son of God became man to enable men to become the sons of God. — C. S. Lewis