“What Defines You?
When Jesus saw him lying there and he learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” John 5:6
While making his way to the Temple on a visit to Jerusalem, Jesus happened to be passing by the pool at Bethesda. This is not a pool like you and I think of pools—a place where people would go swimming or try to cool off. In fact, this particular pool was likely an overflow reservoir from a nearby dam, designed to help provide irrigation and drinking water.
This pool was special for another reason too – it was believed that from time to time an angel would dip its wing into the water and stir it up. Once stirred up, the water was thought to have healing powers, and that the first person to enter the pool would be healed. For this reason, many people would gather around the pool, hoping to witness the stirring of the water and to be the first to enter.
As Jesus was passing by the pool, he noticed a man laying there. This man is described as being paralyzed and 38 years old. While there is no report on how long he had been paralyzed, it is believed he had spent many days, possibly years, waiting by this pool for healing. But because he was paralyzed, he couldn’t move himself to the water once it was stirred up. Jesus asked the man, “Do you want to get well?”
While it is easy to read this question and to think, “Jesus, you’re out of your mind—of course this man wanted to get better! He’s been waiting for an opportunity to receive healing for who knows how long. Why would you even ask this question?”
All of us define ourselves be certain things. I’m a parent. I’m a student. I’m a lawyer. I’m a pastor. I’m a child. Often, we allow these aspects of ourselves to define as a whole, and we struggle to see ourselves as anything but a ________. I wonder if this man Jesus encountered had difficulty seeing himself as anything but a paralyzed man needing healing. “If I’m not a paralyzed man, what am I? What will I do once I am healed? I’ve never known a life other than this”
As I consider this story, it makes me wonder if Jesus wasn’t asking a deeper question. Instead of just wondering if this guy wanted healing, perhaps Jesus was asking this man if he was ready to be defined by something else. Are you ready to no longer be defined by these situations, and instead, to be defined by one who has had an encounter with me and received a new life?
That’s the thing Jesus offers all of us. Not just healing from a physical ailment or freedom from an addiction. It’s so much more than that. It’s an opportunity to no longer be defined by anything other than being a child of God. So the question I leave you with is: “Do you want to be made well?”
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 our message is titled “Reaching Out To God.” Our Scripture focus will be the Gospel of Mark, chapter 5, verses 21 through 34.
When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” So Jesus went with him.
A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, “Who touched me?”
But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
Our services this week will begin with the song My God Can, by Katy Nichole as our Gathering Song. Our Opening Hymn will be To God Be The Glory. Our other songs for the morning will be As The Deer, and He Touched Me.
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 with our Gathering Song. Additionally, we post a recording of our messages to our website by early Sunday afternoon.
Announcements
VBS Pre-Party BBQ – Everyone is invited to our VBS kickoff event – the Pre-Party – June 30 at 6:00 pm. Everything will be provided, but you might want to bring a lawn chair. This is going to be a time for all of us to Celebrate the Good News.
VBS News – VBS is next week! There is still time to register for VBS by clicking here. Please help us continue to spread word and invite everyone to the party.
Sagrada Bible Camp – We still need help for transportation of campers for Camp Sagrada. The dates open are: July 8 and 12 (Driver only), and July 22 Driver and Support. If you are free any of these dates, please considering helping with this important ministry. There is a sign-up sheet in the east wing narthex. If you have any questions, please contact Tim VonEngeln at (660) 882-3348.
Upper Room Devotional Books – Spend time each day in God’s Word with thought-provoking devotions to strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ. “Upper Room” devotional books have arrived, please help yourself to one in the back of the sanctuary.
Giving Through Venmo – We can be found on Venmo at @NelsonMemorialUMC. If you don’t know what Venmo is and would like to learn more, information about giving through Venmo can be found on our webpage at https://nelsonmemorialumc.org/give/venmo/
Save The Date:
- Sunday, July 21, 2024 – Ice Cream Freeze Off at 4:00 pm
- Saturday, August 10, 2024 – S’mores Night 7:00 pm
- Sunday, August 18, 2024 – Church Picnic at 6:00 pm
Events this week:
Sunday, June 30: VBS Pre-Party, 6:00 pm, Church Lawn
Monday, July 1: VBS, 9:00 am
Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, July 2: VBS 9:00 am
Wednesday, July 3: VBS, 9:00 am
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, July 4: Happy Independence Day! Office Closed
Friday, July 5: Office Closed
Al-Anon, 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 Nouwen