“On Lent and Justice and Slogging Through Both”
We are in the season of Lent–a time when many of us Christians give up or pick up habits in an effort to grow closer to becoming that person we believe (fingers crossed) God has called us to be. A few weeks ago, I read a devotion based on Isaiah 1:11-21 that lit a fire within me. If you haven’t read it, take a few moments to do so…I’ll wait.
In Isaiah 1, God has had it with the people of Israel. They’ve made worship a spectacle–kind of like the Super Bowl, but without T-Swift. They show up with their game-day gear, jump around, scream and cheer, get fired up and riled up, then go home feeling really good about themselves, secure in the knowledge that they’re part of team God and they will always bring home the bling. However…God’s not buying it. Look at what he says to the Israelites:
Yikes! I’m not going to lie, that kind of stings. That’s because I have a feeling, deep down, that Isaiah’s words are as true today as they were thousands of years ago. How often do we make our faith a performance–something we throw on Sunday mornings like a special-occasion dress so we can #church on social media? We tend make worship a bit of a spectacle, too, complete with loud songs, raised hands, and calls of “Amen” and “Praise Jesus!” None of this is wrong, per se, but God tells us that he wants more than the motions. In Isaiah, God’s not angry that the Israelites are worshipping emphatically–he’s furious that their so-called devotion doesn’t extend beyond the walls of the Temple.
While the Israelites are happy to bring sacrifices to God in worship, they most certainly aren’t doing so beyond that. They lie and cheat. They ignore those in need. They don’t defend the widows or help the orphans. And they oppress the immigrants. In fact, Isaiah goes so far as to say that the people of Israel have blood-stained hands. Maybe they haven’t physically hurt someone else, but their actions have perpetuated systems of injustice that have led to people being oppressed and neglected. When children are starving, who is responsible? God seems to say that we all are.
So, what does God want from us? Isaiah lays it out pretty clearly:
We are to be the people of hope–the feet that bring good news to the poor, sight to the blind, and release to the captives. Our acts of worship should fill us up with God’s spirit so that we can leave behind the walls of the church and bring God’s mercy and love to those on the streets…the hungry, addicted, enslaved, abused, grief-stricken, struggling, fearful, lonely people we meet every day.
God’s justice is different from the world’s justice. When the prophets speak of justice, they’re not always talking about retribution. Rather, it’s a reordering of priorities and practices. God’s justice is about freedom–breaking the chains of poverty, racism, sexism, ableism, violence, human trafficking, hunger, climate change so that all people can live into their God-given potential because all people are children of God.
God’s justice makes me want to move, to act, to sing the Good News into the world. Before Lent, I had a plan. I was going to make a justice calendar for myself that I could hang above my desk. There would be a daily act of justice, something small, but meaningful, I could check off each day. But as I considered this justice to-do list, I came to a daunting reality: You can’t schedule justice on a calendar.
The truth is, fighting oppression is a long slog through the bogs of humanity. Though we can give to the hungry, it takes a lot of time, effort, resources, and reordering of our systems of government and finance to ensure that every person can provide for themselves. Case in point, we once served a church that helped build a chicken farm in a community in Haiti. The farm was supposed to bring financial freedom to the people of the community and help their neighbors get sustenance, but these God-inspired goals were hit with the full force of political turmoil and economic oppression. The farm struggled, and though the people of the community are diligently trying to make it work, it’s an uphill battle.
Justice is hard, because it calls for a reordering of society. Justice is about relinquishing power, turning over our resources, making more room at the table for people who might make us uncomfortable. And honestly, I don’t always have the will or desire to do that. However, God is adamant that this is nonnegotiable. Remember when Jesus said: “Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me?” That’s justice. And it’s so hard.
Fortunately, when it comes to hard things, we’re not alone. We have a God who can do infinitely more that we could ever plan or imagine. He makes things possible, though not necessarily easy. This Lenten season, I feel like I’m at the start of something. There’s a road that God is inviting me to follow, and I know we’re going to wind our way through some steep hills and marshy valleys. I don’t know anymore what this focus on justice will bring, but I know it’s a journey I have to take. Because we are kingdom builders. Even if we have to start with one small pebble at a time.
Blessings and Peace, Sara
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 Lenten Message Series – Resilience: Forging A Stronger Faith. This week we focus on the discipline of self-examination and reflection. Our Scripture reading will be from Psalm 25, verses 1 through 9.
In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.
I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame; not let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame on those who are treacherous without cause.
Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is you all day long. Remember Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good.
Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.“
Our Gathering Song will be Don’t Stop Praying by Matthew West. Our Choir will provide a prelude at the beginning of the 10:20 service. Our other songs for this week include O How I Love Jesus, Open Me Eyes, That I May See; and I Am Thine, O Lord. This Sunday will also observe the Sacrament of Holy 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
Holy Week March 24 thru March 30
- Holy Week begins with our Palm Sunday worship on Sunday, March 24th .
- We will have a Maundy Thursday worship service on March 28th at 7:00 PM.
- Good Friday we will have a worship service on March 29th at 7:00 PM.
- On Easter Sunday, March 31st, worship times will be 8:00 AM and 10:20 AM.
Time to Order Easter Lilies – Those of you that would like to purchase an Easter Lilley in memory of or in honor of a loved one, please fill out a form that is located on the table in the refreshment area or by the front doors. Please deliver the form to the church by Monday, March 18th or place it in the offering box. This will give Marcey from Stella’s Florist and Gifts plenty of time to order the lilies. Please make checks payable in the amount of $15.00 to Nelson Memorial, UMC, and in the memo line write Easter Lily. The lilies will help beautify the sanctuary for Easter and will be displayed at the Easter services. You may take your lily home after the 10:20 a.m., Easter service.
Easter Cards for Elders & Friends – This year again we are asking the congregation to mail out Easter cards or other greeting cards with your own personal Easter greeting. The addresses for the names listed below will be located on the refreshment table or the counter next to the front entrances.
Jack Bell, Frances Bradley, Virginia Brownfield, John Chipley, Ada Gingrich, Margaret Hopkins, Elise Langkop, Virginia Littwiller, Phyllis Otis, Gene and Donna Reagan, Bart Riley, Carol Schenck, Leona Schmidt, Helen Taylor, Hessie Watts, and Dorothy Whitten.
We know all the recipients will experience a special Easter blessing because of the thoughtfulness of all those who participate in this endeavor. Thank you for remembering these special people.
Daily Devotional Guides: – The new “Our Daily Bread” devotional guides for March, April, & May are available. The March and April edition of The Upper Room has not yet arrived, but we will make it available as soon as we can.
Library News – The library now has The Baxter Family Collection by Karen Kingsbury. They are stand-alone books and they are ready for you to enjoy.
Methodist Men’s Sagrada Work Retreat – The Methodist Men are planning on their annual retreat/workday at Sagrada Bible Camp March 22 – 23. The group will meet Friday afternoon/evening to carpool and plan to return Saturday mid-late afternoon. The time away will include spiritual development, fellowship, meals and projects preparing the property for the summer camping season. All men are invited, as are all youth (with a parent or approved guardian). A signup sheet is in the East Wing Narthex. For more information, please talk with Tim VonEngeln (314-833-0984).
Adult Mission Trip – April 2024 – We are planning to return to the Western Kentucky area to continue with cleanup help from a tornado that hit that area in 2021. The trip will take place during the week of April 14, 2024. 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.
Palm Sunday Dinner – The Education Team will be hosting a carry-in dinner for Palm Sunday, March 24th, after the morning worship services. There will be an Easter egg hunt for the children while the food is being put on the serving tables and readied for the dinner. Each child who participates will be given a bag of wrapped candies.
To ensure a good variety of foods, we request the following distribution:
- Family names A to H: Dessert
- Family names I to Q: Side Dish
- Family names R to Z: Salads
Church Cleanup/Work Day – Everyone is invited to join in for some Spring cleaning around the church on Saturday, March 30th. We are going to wipe down the pews, straighten up the common areas and get the church ready for company on Easter Sunday. Please join us at 8:30. Donuts will be provided.
Simple Suppers – We are bringing back Wednesday Evening Meals at Nelson Memorial this Spring and Fall, and we’re calling them Simple Suppers. Acts 2 tells us that every day the church gathered together and broke bread and shared fellowship. The focus of these Simple Suppers is going to be on following this pattern. For 8 Wednesdays in a row, beginning April 10, we will gather in the Fellowship Hall for a simple meal – soups, sandwiches, etc. Following the meal a small group growth opportunity will be offered. Everyone is welcome to participate. Please speak with Cindy Koch if you have any questions or would like to help with these meals.
Save the Date: A Night of Praise – Our Praise Band is working on hosting a “Night of Praise” on April 7 at 7 pm in our Sanctuary. This will be about an hour or so of praise and worship music. Everyone is welcome. Invite your friends and neighbors and come ready for a night of joy. Save the date now!
Charles Edgar Whitten Memorial Scholarship – This scholarship provides one $500.00 scholarship per year for 3rd and 4th-year college applicants, with preference given to Nelson Memorial United Methodist Church members and/or those who are actively involved in the church where they attend a university or college. The scholarship may be used for tuition, books, lab fees, or living expenses, as needed to help the scholarship winner continue their studies. To request an application please contact the church office at 882-6223. All scholarship applications must be received by our committee by April 15, 2024, during office hours.
Events this week:
Sunday, March 3: Youth Group, 5:00 pm, Jackson’s Home
Lenten Study, 6:30 pm, Gordon’s Home
Monday, March 4: TOPS, 9:15 am, Lounge
Al-Anon Meeting, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, March 5: Congregation Care Team, 6:00 pm, Lounge
Wednesday, March 6: Women’s Bible Study, 10:00 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, March 7: Praise Band, 6:00 pm, Sanctuary
Lounge Reserved, 6:00 pm
Friday, March 8: Lounge Reserved, 9:30 am
Al-Anon, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Saturday, March 9: Methodist Men to CoMo Christian Men’s Conference
Sunday, March 10: Daylight Saving Time Begins (Don’t forget to Spring Forward)
Closing Words of Wisdom:
Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” ― Robert F. Kennedy