“Transformation: With Water”
A colleague and former classmate of mine, Heather, writes a devotion each week to go along with that week’s Lectionary (a seasonal Scripture guide) reading. A couple of weeks ago she shared a reflection on baptism and transformation that made an impression on me. I hope you will be as blessed by her message as I have been.
Blessings, Chris
In 1956, author Gene Zion and illustrator Margaret Bloy Graham teamed up to publish the first in a series about a dog named Harry. The first book, “Harry the Dirty Dog,” is still on the National Education Association’s Top 100 Children’s Books. Click here to watch actress Betty White read it.
In this book, Harry is a white dog with black spots who hates baths so much that he buries his bath brush in his backyard and runs away from home. He plays by the railyard, next to a construction crew, near a coal mine, and with other dogs. In these adventures, he gets so dirty that he becomes a black dog with white spots and completely unrecognizable to his family when he returns home. In fact (spoiler alert!), he has to dig up his bath brush, beg for and receive a bath in order for his family to recognize him as their dog.
There are times when life’s adventures make us unrecognizable to those who know us best. Sometimes, we can become unrecognizable even to ourselves. Sometimes, these changes can be good. I have a dear friend who loved the ‘90’s grunge look yet put away the flannel shirts and torn jeans and started wearing skirts in the 2000’s when she needed to cultivate a more professional look. Other times, though, these changes that make us unrecognizable can be because we compromised our integrity, or we failed to live into our values. Do you recognize yourself by your actions? We may find ourselves doing something that we swore we’d never do. It may somewhat value-neutral, like buying a minivan, or changing our hair style, or it may be an action that has a significant impact (positive or negative) on your overall well-being. We all change; it’s normal to change, and our values change, too. As you grow and change, it’s important to stay true to yourself and the values you currently hold. You may well be like my friend, who changed in such a way that her old self wouldn’t recognize her. I remember hearing a speaker once who said that if the you of five years ago wouldn’t consider the you of today heretical, then you’re not growing spiritually.
At the same time, you may find yourself more unrecognizable than you’d like, and there are spots and dirt that you need to wash off so that you feel like yourself again. We all pick up bad habits along the way; perhaps it’s time to shed some of them. Or, maybe habits which served you well in a previous season no longer work. In a different story, Harry could have a reason to intentionally cover himself in dirt and soot. Maybe he needs to hide.
The Sunday after Epiphany is Baptism of Our Lord Sunday, when we read about Jesus’s baptism by his cousin, John the Baptist, in the Jordan River and we remember our own baptisms. Water can cause transformation. Water washes away dirt and makes it clean. Water over a rock over a long period of time gradually wears away the rock. Water, in the form of rivers and streams, runs along the ground, creating inlets and riverbeds. Where I live is currently under a flash flood warning as I type this post.
Transformation caused by water can happen quickly, like a flash flood, or it can take years. Most research says that it takes about two months of consistently engaging in a new activity for it to turn into a habit. If you can keep your New Year resolution going until March, then it’s a successful new habit. So, as you create your new map for transformation, what do you need to wash off in order to make yourself recognizable to who you are today? And, can you do it for the next two months?
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 Cringe message series, which takes a look at a few of the more difficult teachings of Jesus. This week we will take a look at a statement Jesus makes when his biological family comes to speak with him. This can be found in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 14, verses 46-50:
While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”
He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Our Gathering Song for the 8:00 service this week is My God Can, by Katy Nichole. Our Opening Hymn at the 8:00 service will be We Gather Together. The Praise Band will lead us in 10,000 Reasons and Hold Us Together in the 10:20 service. Our final two songs will be Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone & Blest Be the Tie That Binds.
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
Annual Church Charge Conference – Our annual Church Charge Conference will be convened by our District Superintendent on Saturday, February 3 at 1:00 pm via Zoom. If you would like to participate in this year’s meeting, please let Pastor Chris know and he will share the Zoom information with you.
Join us for our Kids Valentine’s Spaghetti Dinner on Sunday, February 11th! – Make plans to attend the Annual Valentine’s Lunch hosted by Nelson Kids on Sunday, February 11th, following the 10:20 service. The kids are going to be serving a spaghetti lunch. We are asking the families of the Nelson Kids that attend Children’s Church to bring a dessert to share! Thank you so much! This is a free event. Please make plans to attend, and share in love and fellowship with our church family. Also, the youth will be hosting a bake sale! The treats will be homemade! Please come and buy some delicious treats! They will be available following the 8:00 service and during the meal.
Lenten Study – Have you ever wondered about God’s love for you, or if Jesus really understands what you’re going through? Have you ever worried if you have done enough to earn God’s love and if you truly are forgiven for ALL your sins? If these questions or other doubts have ever gone through your mind, you will not want to miss out on a new small group forming for the season of Lent. Rob and Linda Gordon will be hosting a 5-week group looking at Max Lucado’s bestselling book “He Chose The Nails: What God Did to Win Your Heart.” This group will begin Sunday evening, February 18, meeting at 6:30 pm in the Gordon’s home. Please contact Rob or Linda if you’d like to participate or if you have any questions.
BHS Silver Pirate Band’s World Famous Pie Auction – The bands of the Boonville School District will host their annual World famous Pie Auction on Sunday, February 4, beginning at 3:30 pm at the LSE Auditorium. This is the primary fundraiser for the band and supports numerous opportunities for students to grow and express themselves musically. Come and support our students, enjoy some sweet treats, hear some outstanding music, and celebrate the incredible talent we have in our #OnePirateShip community!
Adult Mission Trip – April 2024 – We are planning to return to the western Kentucky area during the week of April 14, 2024 for our adult work team to help with the continued recovery from a tornado. If you are interested in joining our group and wish for more information, please contact Bill Salyer, Tim VonEngeln or Larry Long for details. No one under the age of 18 will be allowed on the work sites without an accompanying parent or guardian
Blessing Bags – The Outreach committee have prepared Blessing Bags and invite you to pick some up and distribute them as you see a need. They are in various places around the church. Please take one or two (or more) and leave them in your car. As you see someone needing food or help, share this bag with them. This is a great (and easy) way to help people in need. Thank you to all involved for preparing these and giving us this opportunity!
Events this week:
Monday, January 29: TOPS, 9:15 am, Lounge
Al-Anon Meeting, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, January 31: Women’s Bible Study, 10:00 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, February 1: Choir Rehearsal, 7:00 pm, Sanctuary
Friday, February 2: Al-Anon, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Closing Words of Wisdom:
Beware of harking back to what you once were when God wants you to be something you have never been.” – Oswald Chambers