“Ordinary Time”
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.” Romans 12:1 The Message
Recently I had someone ask me about the current liturgical season the church finds itself in. While you may not be that familiar with the idea of liturgical seasons, you probably know a few. The liturgical seasons include Lent, Advent, Christmas, and Eastertide among others. The longest of the liturgical seasons, the one in which we currently find ourselves, follows Pentecost and runs until Advent begins. This liturgical season is called ordinary time.
The person I was speaking with was surprised that this season would be called something like ordinary time, because the name is, well, ordinary. We would expect the seasons to have more special names, meaningful names that indicate their value to the process of becoming well-rounded disciples. “Ordinary time” seems to be anything but. However, here’s the thing—not only is most of the year spent in ordinary time, most of our lives are spent in ordinary time too. That doesn’t mean, however, that our lives can’t be extraordinary.
This morning I came across an NPR article about the catholic Church preparing to name a young man, Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint. Carlo died of leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15. While his life was too short, he made the most of those 15 years. Carlo, like many his age, was an avid video gamer and taught himself how to code. He became known as “God’s influencer” and the “patron saint of the internet.” Carlo combined his faith and his gifts in helping his parish and school develop high-quality websites, and then went on to develop a site that documented “Eucharistic miracles around the world.”
“Computer genius, Carlo made his computer an instrument at the service of God and the Internet a way to evangelize, spreading his love for the Holy Eucharist,” reads the website of the 2023 World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, of which Acutis was named a patron.
My guess is Carlo never set out to become a saint. Carlo probably considered himself a very ordinary person. Just another follower of Jesus who took his “everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life” and placed it before God. And in so doing, thousands of people became aware of the miracles of God in their world. In the midst of doing the ordinary, Carlo was able to do the extraordinary, because he put what he had in the hands of God.
I hope you find Carlo’s story as inspiring as I do. It is a story of someone who took his interests and passions, and devised a way to use those to serve God. This isn’t rocket science. He asked himself “what do I love, what am I good at?” and “how can I use that for the Kingdom?” Imagine all the extraordinary work that could be done if we all did the same.
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 begin a new message series titled “Upside Down: A Look at the Beatitudes.” This Sunday’s message is titled “Blessed Are: The Poor in Spirit.” Our Scripture focus will be the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 5, verses 1 through 12.
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.
He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Our services this week will begin with a video recap from VBS. Our Opening Hymn at the 8:00 service will be O How I Love Jesus. The 10:20 service will begin with our Praise Band leading us in the song Church (Take Me Back). Our closing song for the morning will be What A Friend We Have In Jesus.
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 after our Gathering Song. Additionally, we post a recording of our messages to our website by early Sunday afternoon.
Announcements
Vacation Bible School News – “Start The Party – Celebrate the Good News” drew around 50 children from our community each day for crafts, music, games, and Bible study. Hearts were filled with love for Jesus and His light shined through all our volunteers and kiddos. A huge shout out to all our volunteers and especially our Nelson Memorial, UMC education committee! Our guiding verse for the week was from Acts 2:28: (You always show me the path that leads to life. You will fill me with joy when I am with you.”
Ice Cream Freeze Off! – What’s better than a nice bowl of ice cream on a hot summer day? How about a whole bunch of flavors of homemade ice cream and fellowship with friends? If this sounds good to you, then make plans to join us July 21 at 4:00 pm for our Annual Ice Cream Freeze Off. As always, this event is open to everyone who would like to enter their favorite home-made ice cream – the more exotic the flavor, the better! If you’re not an Ice Cream chef, we’d love to have you come and be one of our judges.
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/
Concert – Matt Maher and Zach Williams are coming to Independence on October 20, 2024 on their Revival Nights Tour. We’ll be ordering group tickets for those interested in attending this live concert event. Tickets will be around $30.00 each. Look for a sign-up soon!
Save The Date:
- Saturday, August 10, 2024 – S’mores Night 7:00 pm
- Sunday, August 18, 2024 – Church Picnic at 6:00 pm
Events this week:
Monday, July 8: TOPS, 9:30 am, Lounge
Leadership Development Team, 6:00 pm, Lounge
Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, July 9: Salvation Army Training, Noon, Fellowship Hall
PEO, 5:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, July 10: Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, July 11: Baby Grace Size and Sort, 1:00 pm, Annex
Friday, July 12: Al-Anon, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Saturday, July 13: Methodist Men, 8:30 am, Lounge
Closing Words of Wisdom:
When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me’. – Erma Bombeck