“From Henri Nouwen”
Recently, I signed up for a daily devotion from Henri Nouwen – an author, professor, and pastor who wrote numerous books about spending time with God, contemplation, and prayer. The devotion yesterday was about understanding time spent with God not as wasted time, but as essential. It touched me and I share it with you with the hope it will touch you too.
Blessings, Chris
“Waste Some Time With God”
In our utilitarian culture, where we suffer from a collective compulsion to do something practical, helpful, or useful, and where we feel compelled to make a contribution that can give us a sense of worth, contemplative prayer is a form of radical criticism. It is not useful or practical. It is simply to waste time with God. It cuts a hole in our busyness and reminds us and others that it is God and not we who creates and sustains the world.
Henri J. M. Nouwen
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 “There’s No Place Like Home” message series. This week’s message is titled “Returning Home.” Our Scripture focus will be from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 15, verses 11-24.
Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in the whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
“The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. So they began to celebrate.
Our services will begin with the song People Like Us, by Micah Tyler. Our opening hymn will be God of Grace and God of Glory, followed by In Christ Alone and Victory In Jesus. Our choir will bring the song Sing For Joy, as our prelude at the 10:20 service.
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
Deck the Halls November 24 – Sunday, November 24th after the 10:20 worship service, we invite all to come help us deck the halls and hang the greens throughout the Sancutary to bring out the Christmas joy. Carry, haul, fluff, and decorate till your hearts content, lending a helping hand to beautify the church.
2024 Angel Tree – Our Angels have arrived and they are hanging on our Christmas tree. Please write down your name and phone number next to your angel tree number on the clip board provided in the front pews. We will need the gifts no later than Sunday, December 8th. The Angel Tree Party will be held at the church on Saturday, December 14th at 11:00 a.m. We are asking for donations of cookies from the congregation. Everyone is invited to join with us in fellowship with our “angels”.
Annual Community Thanksgiving Service November 26 – The Boonslick Ministerial Alliance will hold their annual Thanksgiving Service on Tuesday, November 26 at 6:30 pm at Christ Episcopal Church. There will be a free-will offering to benefit the work of the Ministerial Alliance. Please join in this community service sponsored by our local churches.
Puzzled About the Perfect Gift? A jigsaw puzzle featuring our beautiful stained-glass window is being developed. This is a great idea for a Christmas gift for anyone who loves puzzles, stained-glass, or Nelson Memorial UMC. Stay tuned for more details.
Christmas Parade December 7 – Christmas Parade Saturday, December 7th at 2:00. Meet at church at 1:00 on west side of the church to get ready for the Christmas Parade. Everyone is welcome to ride. Please bring a bag of candy to throw.
Order Christmas Poinsettias by December 9 – Those of you that would like to purchase a poinsettia in memory of or in honor of a loved one, please pick up one of the forms located on the table back in the refreshment area. The list will be in the December 24th bulletin. Please deliver the form to the church by Monday, December 9th or drop it in the offering box on Sunday. Please make checks payable to Nelson Memorial, UMC, in the amount of $15.00, and in the memo line write poinsettia. Thank you!
Salvation Army Bell-Ringing December 14 – We are scheduled to “ring the bells” at Walmart on Saturday, December 14, 2024. We still need volunteers for one-hour time slots from 2 PM – 5 PM. Please help to make a difference with every ring. A sign-up sheet will be in the East Wing narthex (where we serve refreshments after worship).
Mark Your Calendars – The Living Nativity is returning Sunday, December 22. This year, it will feature NMUMC children and youth. Rehearsals will take place Sunday mornings during children’s church beginning November 3.
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/
Events This Week
Sunday, November 24: Deck the Halls – After 10:20 Worship Service
Youth Group – 6:00 pm, Jackson’s Home
Monday, November 25: TOPS – 9:30 am, Lounge
Al-Anon Meeting – 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, November 26: Community Thanksgiving Service – 6:30 pm, Christ Episcopal Church
Wednesday, November 27: Women’s Bible Study – 10:00 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, November 28: Thanksgiving Day – Office Closed
Friday, November 29: Office Closed
Al-Anon, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Closing Words of Wisdom:
I have so many things to do today, I dare not ignore my time with God.” – Martin Luther