“The Nature of Witness”
So, for those of you who don’t know me well, I have a confession to make: I LOVE a good disaster or dystopian story. If meteors are barreling toward Earth, there’s been a nuclear meltdown, or society has been disrupted by an alien invasion–I’m totally in! For me, these stories are kind of like riding a roller coaster. They bring you to the brink of terror, then ease you safely back into the familiar. Beyond that, I find these stories to be an interesting study of humanity. As you watch or read, you’re confronted with real questions about who we are and why we behave the way we do.
That said, when a new dystopian-esque movie released last week, my boys and I didn’t hesitate before hopping in the car and driving the 30 miles or so to see it. The premise of the story is pretty simple–America devolves into another civil war and chaos and violence ensue. The story follows a group of journalists covering the horror show that is war, and explores the role journalists play in society. But for me, the overarching question that has continued to bump around my brain after seeing this film is: What does it mean to bear witness?
For journalists, bearing witness means to document and share what is happening in any given situation–both awful and awesome. Good journalists don’t make themselves a part of the story. They don’t enter into the fray. Rather, they record what they see so that they can share it with the public, allowing people to form their own conclusions and make informed decisions based on that information. I think the same is true for our Christian witness. We share the truth of who God is and what he has done in our lives, and allow others to, like Joshua, choose for themselves this day whom they will serve.
But what does that look like?
In the liturgical year, we are approaching Pentecost–the day when we remember the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples, allowing them to spread the news of Jesus’s death and resurrection to thousands of people at one time. This was the fulfillment of Jesus’s prophecy to them in Acts 1:8.
With wind and fire the Holy Spirit breaks down all barriers to faith–enabling the apostles to share what they saw and experienced while living and walking with Jesus. Moreover, they share this witness in every language represented by the people listening. In this way, more witnesses are made. Those who saw the power of God that day had to have returned home talking about this extraordinary event. But it didn’t stop there. This was no feel-good news segment that airs once and then is forgotten. No, this was a movement–a surge of the spirit that would not be contained.
The disciples continued to be witnesses to Jesus, meeting daily at the Temple, preaching and teaching, healing and restoring, feeding and supporting. They lived out their faith in a way that helped others come to know the extravagant love of God.
And then some of them hit the road–compelled to chance their safety and security in places foreign and sometimes hostile to share the story of what Jesus had done in their lives. They went to synagogues and public meeting places, entered the homes of both the poor and the powerful, worked alongside people making goods to sell, sat on the riverbanks where people were doing laundry. In short, they entered into people’s daily lives, building relationships and meeting the needs of others to demonstrate the nature of God.
Some were imprisoned. Others were beaten. Stephen was stoned. John was exiled. It wasn’t easy, but they were compelled. They had a story to tell. And they chose to tell it wherever they went to whoever might listen. As Christian witnesses, that is our call, too. God has given each of us a story to tell, and we are to tell it wherever we go and to whoever might listen. That might be the grocery store checkout line, a hospital waiting room, or even a fast-food restaurant. God has given me opportunities to be a witness in each of these places.
I feel like I would be remiss if I didn’t express my opinion that being a witness doesn’t mean badgering people, or making them feel ashamed and inferior. For me, being a witness is like being a journalist. It’s about observing what’s going on around you–looking for inroads to spread the message of God. Like the disciples, we need to go into our communities and work alongside people. We need to build relationships and offer support to those in need. We need to recognize what God has done in our lives so that we can bear witness to that with others.
I think the psalmist sums it up pretty eloquently in Psalm 66:
As witnesses, we attest to what we have seen and experienced God doing. In this way, we join the great multitude of saints who have gone before us, proclaiming the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
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 conclude our “Moving Forward With Hope” message series. This week’s message is titled “Always Serving,” and our Scripture focus is from the book of James, Chapter 2, verses 14 through 19, and verse 26.
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and be well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is only one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder.
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.
Our services this week will kick off with a video slideshow with highlights from the recent disaster response mission trip. Our songs for this week include: Jesus Calls Us, Mighty to Save, and Here I Am, Lord.
This Sunday, in our 10:20 service we will celebrate Confirmation with 10 of our youth, have 2 baptisms, and welcome a total of 13 new members into our congregation. Following worship, we will have a cake and punch reception in the East Wing lobby. Please join us for this wonderful celebration!
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
Thank You! – We have now established a rotation of 6 people to help in our nursery. Each of these volunteers will be Safe Gatherings trained and certified as part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all children and vulnerable adults. This rotation of volunteers will serve until we are able to hire a new Nursery Coordinator. If you or someone you know might be interested in that position, please speak with Pastor Chris or Karma Haller.
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.
UMM Fundraiser Breakfast – The United Methodist Men will hold a fundraiser breakfast the morning of Sunday, May 5th from 8:00 am – 12:30 pm. There is no cost for the meal, but freewill donations will be accepted and benefit various mission projects of the United Methodist Men.
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:
Sunday, April 28: Confirmation Service, 10:20 am, Sanctuary
Monday, April 29: TOPS, 9:15 am, Lounge
Al-Anon Meeting, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, April 30: Salvation Army Board Meeting, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, May 1: Women’s Bible Study, 10 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Simple Suppers, 5:30 pm, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, May 2: Choir Rehearsal, 7:00 pm, Sanctuary
Friday, May 3: Visitation and Memorial Service for Charles (Mac) McGruder
Al-Anon Meeting, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Closing Words of Wisdom:
To call yourself a child of God is one thing. To be called a child of God by those who watch your life is another thing altogether.” – Max Lucado