“It’s All Been Done Before”
Today is February 2, Groundhog Day. My family has always had something of a connection to Groundhog Day. My dad grew up in a small “town” (really a ¼ mile stretch of road between 2 hills with about 10 homes) about 15 miles from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Most summers, one of the highlights of our annual summer trip to visit my grandparents included a stop at the Groundhog Zoo located inside the Punxy (what locals call Punxsutawney) library.
Back in 1993, the Bill Murray movie about Groundhog Day came out and introduced a whole new audience to Groundhog Day. For those not familiar with the movie, Bill Murray plays a Pittsburgh meteorologist (conveniently named Phil) sent to Punxy to cover Groundhog Day. Throughout the movie, he relives February 2 over and over again. Since this movie came out, people have used the phrase “Groundhog’s Day” when they feel like they are experiencing the same day on repeat. (This was a very common expression during the Covid shutdowns in 2020.)
Have you ever felt like your days are on some kind of endless loop? You get up, go to work, come home, do this or that with the kids, (maybe) relax for a few minutes, go to bed, and then do it all over the next day. Sometimes, when we’re in the midst of our busy lives, it can feel like this (or is it just me?).
In the movie Groundhog Day, Bill Murray’s character Phil tries everything to stop reliving the same day over and over again. Eventually (spoiler alert, although the movie is 31 years old) he changes his attitude, stops living for his own selfish desires, and starts to care about the people and the world around him. Once Phil starts caring more about others than about himself, he stops reliving February 2 and moves into a new phase of his life.
In reflecting on those times when I feel like my life is one repeating day, it is through living for and caring about others that I get out of my fog. When I start to notice others, do something out of my routine that serves or prioritizes another, or even just acknowledge someone who is often overlooked, my day becomes unique and more meaningful.
On this Groundhog Day (and I neither know nor care if that rodent saw his shadow), I encourage you to do something today to make this day special, to make it other-focused. You could pay for a stranger’s lunch, hold the door for someone you don’t know, write a note to a friend, or in some way do something to acknowledge and appreciate those in your orbit. In acknowledging others, prioritizing our neighbor, and caring for others, not only do we experience a new kind of day, but we extend the welcome and love of Christ.
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 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 that causes many people to desert him. This can be found in the Gospel of John, chapter 6, verses 47-58:
Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”
Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the Living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”
Our Gathering Song will be All Because of Mercy, by Casting Crowns. Our Opening Hymn will be My Hope Is Built. Our final two songs will be In Christ Alone & Victory In Jesus. Our Choir will bring the song Bread Of Heaven as our prelude at the 10:20 service.
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
Annual Church Charge Conference – Our annual Church Charge Conference will be convened by our District Superintendent tomorrow, Saturday, February 3 at 1:00 pm via Zoom. If you would like to participate in this year’s meeting, a group will be meeting in the church lounge and viewing the conference together.
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.
Ash Wednesday – Join us on February 14 at 7:00 pm for our Ash Wednesday Service. This will be a simple service of meditation, contemplation, confession, and receiving ashes.
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!
Boonville Baby Grace Needs Your Help – They are in need of highchairs, playpens, strollers, bouncy seats, and girls’ winterclothes sizes NB-5. Our supply has recently been depleted and any donations would be greatly appreciated! Call Barbara at 660-888-2059 or the church office at 660 882 6223. Thank you!
Contribution Statements – Contribution statements for the year have been emailed and mailed out. If you do not receive one by Monday February 5, please contact the church office. Thank you.
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.
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, February 5: TOPS, 9:15 am, Lounge
Al-Anon Meeting, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, February 7: Women’s Bible Study, 10:00 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, February 8: Baby Grace Size & Sort, 1:00 pm, Annex
Praise Band Rehearsal, 6:00 pm, Sanctuary
Friday, February 2: Al-Anon, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Saturday, Feb 10: United Methodist Men, 8:30 am, Lounge
Jesus and Justice Small Group, 9:30 am, Lounge
Closing Words of Wisdom:
The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson