In Christ, you are a New Creation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
At our annual goals-setting retreat in the Fall of 2022, the church’s Administrative Board established a goal of developing and implementing an updated and unique graphic identity for Nelson Memorial. The idea was to agree upon one graphic identity – one logo – to represent Nelson Memorial UMC across the board. This new identity will be used on our website, our social media accounts, all printed materials (including our worship bulletins), and anywhere else the church’s name is used.
The Board appointed a small group to work on this project. The work was conducted in an environment of prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to guide our conversations and deliberations as we sought to understand how God was calling us to be visually represented as the people called United Methodists in Boonville. We researched logos used by other United Methodist Churches, non United Methodist Churches, and other not-for-profit organizations. After lengthy discussions about identity, symbols, our unique identity, the feelings of colors and fonts, and many other considerations, we landed on a finished product.
Much of our identity is intertwined with our building, so we decided it was only appropriate to feature our church building prominently in our new logo. Additionally, we felt it important to include the Cross and Flame logo of the United Methodist Church. For the colors of the logo, we liked the option to include a gradient (a transition from one color to another) as a way of representing the process of growth and transformation we undergo as disciples of Jesus Christ. Finally, for the fonts, we felt it important to emphasize our historic name of Nelson Memorial while also including our connection and identity as a United Methodist Church.
I would like to thank everyone on the Church Board over the past nearly 2 years for their contribution to this project, and specifically to Jo Parker, Laura Burnett, and Linda Gordon for their time discerning this new logo. Additional thanks go to our graphic designer, Sariana Barbarotta of Sariana B Designs, for her excellent work and patience with us. I am excited about this updated logo – a new way of representing the same mission God has given to Nelson Memorial for more than 200 years.
We unveil this new identity at this time – in conjunction with Easter – as a way of acknowledging the new identity we receive in the Resurrected Christ. We have made magnets and cards with this new logo and other basic information about Nelson Memorial for you to both display and to share with others. You may pick these up in the back of the Sanctuary and in the East Wing.
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 celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our Scripture focus will be the resurrection account as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 28, verses 1-10.
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Our Gathering Song at the 8:00 service will be Glorious Day, by Casting Crowns. The 10:20 service will be kicked off by Caleb Salyer singing In The Garden (but not the one you think of). Our opening song will be Christ the Lord is Risen Today, followed by In Christ Alone, and He Lives. Additionally, at our 10:20 service, our Choir will sing Christ is Arisen, Indeed!
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
Church Cleanup/Work Day – Everyone is invited to join in for some Spring cleaning around the church this 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 am. Donuts will be provided.
A Night of Praise
How does an hour of singing your heart out to God sound? Our Praise Band will host their first “Night of Praise” on Sunday evening, April 7 at 7:00 pm. Invite your friends and family to join us as we gather to praise God in song. You will not want to miss this holy moment.
Help Wanted – While we are searching for a Nursery Coordinator, we are looking for a group of 5 or 6 volunteers who would be willing to help in the nursery on a rotating basis. Requirements for this position include being 21 years old or older and participating in our Safe Gatherings training and background screening. If you or someone you know are interested, please contact Pastor Chris for more information or to apply.
Outreach Opportunities:
- We are writing notes of encouragement to ALL of the students at LSE as they take the annual state assessment in early May. Packets of notecards will be placed in the back of the church. If you’d like to write a note, simply take a packet–write a few words of encouragement, and return by April 14.
- We are also collecting prepackaged and individually-wrapped snacks for LSE students for their testing days. Think granola bars, PB crackers, Goldfish, etc. These can be left at the church by April 28.
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.
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.
Events this week:
Friday, March 29: Good Friday Service, 7:00 pm, Sanctuary
Al-Anon, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Saturday, March 30: Church Cleanup/Work Day, 8:30 am, Lounge
Sunday, March 31: Easter Sunday Services – 8:00 am & 10:20 am
Monday, April 1: TOPS, 9:15 am, Lounge
Al-Anon Meeting, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, April 2: General Municipal Election, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, April 3: Women’s Bible Study, 10 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, April 4: Praise Band Rehearsal, 6:00 pm, Sanctuary
Friday, April 5: Lounge Reserved, 9:30 am
Al-Anon Meeting, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Closing Words of Wisdom:
Jesus came to announce to us that an identity based on success, popularity and power is a false identity- an illusion! Loudly and clearly he says: ‘You are not what the world makes you; but you are children of God.” ― Henri J.M. Nouwen