“Letting Go”

No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse.  And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.” Mark 2:21-22

“Well, it’s official, Dad’s 30-year-old truck has been declared ‘totaled’ due to the hailstorm this week.”

I received this text from my mom last Friday.  In September of 1994, my dad bought a GMC Sonoma – a light pickup truck –to drive to and from work (about 3 miles each way) and to do some light hauling.  This has been a nice little truck for my dad – it’s hauled all kinds of stuff including landscaping pavers, gravel, mulch, dead deer, a concrete deer, mattresses, a fireplace mantel, brush, all manner of furniture, and who knows what else.  With all that I’ve described, you’re probably picturing one of those pickups with 300,000 plus miles. 

But no, Dad’s nearly 30-year-old truck has about 84,000 miles on it.  The paint on the hood and roof has been burned off by the sun over the past 30 years.  The fenders and wheels have rust on them, mostly from lack of use.  Dad took the truck to get its oil changed annually, even though it was usually nowhere close to 3,00 miles from the previous one, but figuring once a year was a good idea.  For the past 5-10 years we’ve been joking about that truck lowering the property value of my parent’s house – but the truck just kept on going.  It’s not much to look at, but it’s there when you need it, ready to go.  We’ve mentioned to Dad a few times about replacing it or getting rid of it, but Dad didn’t ever entertain the idea.  Now, after its 3rd major hailstorm, the insurance company has declared it is time to let it go.

In the scripture passage above, Jesus is teaching a lesson about new and old things.  To be perfectly honest with you, I’ve heard many lessons using this passage, and have read about it extensively, but I’m still not sure exactly what we are supposed to take away from it.  What I do know is that change is hard.  Changes we choose are one thing, but none of us like forced change.  What I hear Jesus telling us is that we need to use discernment to understand when we should preserve the old ways and when we should look to and accept change.  Letting go of the familiar, the comfortable, the tried-and-true can be difficult, but sometimes, new things aren’t all that bad.

My dad hasn’t decided yet if they are going to replace his truck or not.  I’m optimistic that whatever they decide, some good will come from it.  (At the very least, that eyesore is no longer in their driveway.) I encourage you, if you are going through a time of change – chosen or forced – to look for the positive.

It is a pleasure to be your pastor and to be in ministry alongside you to an 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 our message series titled “Moving Forward With Hope.” This week’s message is titled “Scripturally Literate,” and our Scripture focus is form the Second Letter to Timothy, Chapter 3, verses 14 through 17.

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you have learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-inspired and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.“

Our Gathering Song will be Strongholds, by Chris Tomlin.  Our opening song will be Wonderful Words of Life, followed by I Love to Tell the Story, and Thy Word.  Our choir will provide the Prelude at our 10:20 service with a piece titled For God So Loved the World.

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

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. 

New Family/Youth Mission Opportunity – If you have been thinking about a mission trip but don’t know where to start, please consider joining us at the Big Garden in Omaha, Nebraska this summer (August 4-7). The Big Garden was started by United Methodist Ministries in 2005 to create community gardens in urban settings. We will experience 2-days of hands-on work, educational opportunities, and small-group learning around issues of hunger, poverty, and food security. The minimum age requirement is only 5 years old so kids are welcome to join! Please contact Jo Ellen Parker (573-289-2473) to sign up or learn more. 

Prayer for our Mission Team – Sunday afternoon a group of 6 men – Rob Gordon, Bob Koch, Larry Long, Bill Salyer, Mike Thomas, and Tim VonEngeln – will travel to Fulton, Kentucky.  Throughout the week they will participate in the continuing work of recovery from a tornado that hit that area a couple of years ago.  They will make their way back to Boonville following their work on Thursday (April 18). Please hold our mission team in your prayers as they travel, work, worship, and are inspired by God.  

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 21.
• 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.

Simple Suppers – Simple Suppers have begun.  We had a great first week and appreciate everyone who came out to join us.  There is still room for more.  Join us Wednesday evenings, beginning at 5:30, for a time of food, fellowship, and fun.  Following the meal small group growth opportunities are being 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:

Saturday, April 13: Methodist Men, 8:30 am, Lounge

Sunday, April 14: Mission Team Leaves for Kentucky

Monday, April 15: TOPS, 9:15 am, Lounge

Al-Anon Meeting, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, April 16: Administrative Board Meeting, 6:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, April 17: Women’s Bible Study, 10 am, Lounge

Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall

Simple Suppers, 5:30 pm, Fellowship Hall

Thursday, April 18: Baby Grace Distribution, 5:00 pm, Annex

Praise Band Rehearsal, 6:00 pm, Sanctuary

Friday, April 19: Al-Anon Meeting, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Closing Words of Wisdom:

Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” ― John C. Maxwell