“There are No Duds in God’s Kingdom”
“I think we got a dud.” This has been my standard line when people tell me how amazing it must be to have a Great Dane. When we researched this dog breed, we learned that they are “gentle giants”. Goofballs, yes, but kind and caring friends who like to snuggle and lay around with you on the couch. Last night, I was laying around on the couch and got smacked in the face with a huge stuffed hippo that our “gentle giant” was whipping around. And though our Roxie does like to cuddle, it’s often accompanied by teeth, because apparently nothing says love like an attempted nip on the nose.
I’ve spent way too many of my waking hours stressing over this dog. So, last month, in the midst of graduating our eldest, preparing for trips and camps, and…you know…working, I decided I was done. Roxie might be a hot mess, but she’s our hot mess, and that’s okay. She is who she is…and she’s not a dud, even if others might look askance as she saunters by wearing her muzzle and e-collar as we make our way down the trail.
It’s pretty easy to look at ourselves and others and think: “There’s a dud.” Maybe we make a regretful decision, lose a job, blowup a relationship, or miss an opportunity. Perhaps we disappoint a loved one with our words or our silence, with a careless action or thoughtless inaction. If any of you have read any of my work for any amount of time, you know that I am a “pleaser.” I hate disappointing people…and I hate that I hate it. Being a “pleaser” is emotionally exhausting, and no matter how much I try to turn that switch off, it persists in staying on. The result is that I often feel like a dud. I look around at people who are more confident, more successful, who have more friends and more Instagram posts of themselves doing fun things, who have spotless houses and high-achieving kids, and I think: “Eeek…I’m a nobody…who are you? Are you Nobody too?” See what I mean…I can randomly quote Emily Dickinson!! This is not “normal” behavior.
But then I remember these words from Psalm 139….
“Body and soul, I am marvelously made!” It’s a powerful reminder that when God looks at me, he doesn’t see a dud. He’s not disappointed or regretful; instead, he smiles at his marvelously made creation. And there is an absolute freedom in knowing this truth because it releases us from striving to be more than who we are. Ever since I’ve allowed Roxie to be, well, Roxie, I’ve had so much more peace. I understand who she is and I make things work for her so she can be the sassy, goofy, sweet soul she is. And I think that’s what God wants to do for us. He wants us to look in the mirror, see the marvelous work of his hands, and confidently engage in the world as that person, regardless of what anyone else might say.
The truth is, you’re not a dud. I’m not a dud. Your kids aren’t duds, even if they’re driving you crazy with their apathetic approach to homework. Could we all use a little help? Of course! We’re human. We’re going to make mistakes…probably daily…and some will be doozies. People will give up on us. We will be underestimated, or even seemingly invisible. We’ll fail, sometimes spectacularly, and we’ll get things wrong. Some days we’ll feel like we don’t deserve the good stuff in life, because we’re duds. But consider this:
In all of the ups and downs, through all of the emotional loop-de-loops we experience, John reminds us that at our core, we’re children of God, and the marvelous miracle of our being is bathed in his marvelous love, which makes us, quite simply, marvelous. So today, go be your marvelous authentic self, because God doesn’t make a dud.
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, as it is Father’s Day, our message is titled “Lessons From Dad.” The Scripture focus for this week is from the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 1, verses 9 through 11:
At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
Our services will begin with the song a lil Church by Toby Mac. Our opening song will be Love Divine, All Loves Excelling. We will continue with You Are My King and conclude with Blessed Assurance.
Virtual Worship Information
In addition to in-person worship, our service will be live-streamed. We are moving our livestream to YouTube. Our YouTube channel is Nelson Memorial UMC, and can be found at https://www.youtube.com/@NelsonMemorialUMC/streams. We will post a link to our Facebook page once the service begins. 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
Introducing S.A.M. – We are pleased to introduce S.A.M. – Senior Adult Ministries. (While we aren’t brave enough to define senior, we encourage you to define it any way you want.) Our first S.A.M. event will be held Monday, June 23 at 10:00 am. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall for coffee, donuts, and other goodies. We plan to have a guest speaker share with us about other events and resources available to seniors in Boonville. We intend to hold these monthly events the last Monday of each month at 10:00 am. Other events being discussed include monthly sing-a-longs at a local nursing home and some outings such as going to the Lyceum together or even an overnight trip to Branson. Please join us June 23 as we kick off this new ministry. Please feel free to speak with Margene Farquhar, Karma Haller, or Pastor Chris if you have any questions.
Sagrada Bible Camp – We are once again looking for help providing transportation for Camp Sagrada. The camp’s mission is to reach children with the gospel, whose parents are incarcerated. Campers experience the love of Jesus, and that of camp staff/counselors, in a fun-filled natural environment. We are looking for help on the following dates: June 9 and 13, June 16 and 20, June 23 and 27, July 7 and 11, July 14 and 18, July 21 and 25. Please take a look at your schedule and see if you are willing to make a trip, and if so, which date? There is a sign-up sheet in the east narthex. If you have any questions, please contact Bill Salyer at (660) 888-8112. Thank you.
Women’s Wednesday Bible Study – Please note the Wednesday Women’s Bible Study group will leave the church at 9:45 to carpool to Sherry Baker’s house for our outdoor Bible study meeting.
VBS 2025 – June 30 – July 2, 9am – 11:30 am – Join us this summer as we turn VBS into a 3-day party – celebrating the Good News of Jesus Christ! All children from pre-K to 5th grade are welcome (older kids are welcome to join in helping us run this party!) Please help us get the word out to all kids – your kids, your friend’s kids, your neighbor’s kids, your friend’s neighbor’s kids, grandkids, etc. If you would like to help with VBS, please contact Heather Beach at 660-537-0084.
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: July 20 – Annual Ice-Cream Freeze-Off
August 10 – S’mores Night
August 24 – Pipe Organ Centennial Celebration – 10:20 service
Events this week:
Monday, June 16: TOPS – 9:00 am, Lounge
Al-Anon – 6:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, June 17: Administrative Board – 6:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, June 18: Women’s Bible Study – 9:45 am, meet to carpool to Sherry Baker’s home
Al-Anon Meeting – Noon, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, June 19: Baby Grace Distribution – 5:00 pm, Annex
Praise Band Rehearsal, 6:00 pm, Sanctuary
Friday, June 20: Al-Anon Meeting – 6:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Closing Words of Wisdom:
The most terrifying thing is to accept oneself completely.” ― C.G. Jung