“Throwaway Comments”
I’ve just returned from a week in Mitchell, South Dakota at the orientation for the Practical Church Leadership program I am enrolled in for the next year. I gathered with about 25 or so other pastors from throughout the Midwest to explore utilizing technology, developing resilience, and leading in difficult times. We packed a lot of learning into 3 days – it often felt like trying to drink water from a firehose.
Our Wednesday afternoon session was led by a writer/speaker/comedian named Meg Soper. Her presentation came at a good time, in the afternoon when we were worn out and close to overload. Meg was engaging, funny, and insightful. Part of her speaking style (one in which I find myself doing a lot too) included using what I call “throwaway comments.” These are comments that are just thrown out there quickly and quietly before moving on with the topic. Yet one of the things I’ve learned is that often the strongest truths come out in these asides.
Meg laid one of these throwaway truth bombs on us as she was talking about the importance of reflection on how we use our time and what we have accomplished on any given day or week. While discussing the pace of life, Meg said (under her breath), “time flies, and we’re the pilot.”
I wrote this down and was distracted for most of the rest of the afternoon as I considered this statement. Time-management has often been an area where I struggle. While I always have high hopes of super productive and efficient weeks, inevitably distractions happen (mostly self-induced ones) and all of a sudden, I have the thought “where did the time go?” or “how is it already so late in the day?”
Someone asked me this week where I was going to find the time to add yet another commitment. My response, perhaps a bit too honest, was that I probably waste at least one hour a day that could be used to engage in that commitment, I just have to grab the controls and become the pilot of my time.
Quick question for you– have you ever said the phrase: “I’d do X (read more Scripture, be more devoted to my prayer life, serve the church more, join a Bible Study, help with whatever) if only I had the time”? We all have things we would like to do, or know we should do…we just don’t make the time for them. We allow our time to control where we go and what we do, rather than being the pilot. To those of you out there who wish you had the time to do something you know you should do, I invite you to consider how you might grab the controls of your time, looking to our heavenly pilot to direct us in how we should best spend the precious gift of time he has given us.
As always, it is a blessing to be your pastor and to be in ministry alongside you to an amazing God.
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 will conclude our message series “Upon Further Review.” Our message this week looks at the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. The scripture this week will be from the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 16, verses 19-31.
There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
“’No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Our services will begin with the song Build Your Kingdom Here by Rend Collective. Our hymns for the morning include Leaning on the Everlasting Arms, Open the Eyes of My Heart, and God of Grace and God of Glory.
Virtual Worship Information
In addition to in-person worship, each Sunday we will live-stream our 10:20 worship service. The service can be viewed on our Facebook Page. The service will start at 10:20 with the Gathering Song. Additionally, we post a recording of our message each week to our website by early Sunday afternoon.
District News
July 1 is the beginning of the new year in United Methodism. With the beginning of the new year comes some changes to our Annual Conference’s organizational structure. Previously we were organized into 9 geographic areas called districts. Starting this year, we are divided into 5 districts. Nelson Memorial is now part of the North Central District. While the name is new, we will continue to have Rev. Dr. Mi Hyeon Lee as our District Superintendent and her office will continue to be in Columbia. To mark the launch of this new district, Rev. Dr. Lee has shared a video welcoming everyone to our new district and sharing some upcoming events. I encourage you to take a few minutes to view the video and be blessed by her words. The video can be viewed here.
Announcements
Vacation Bible School News – “Make Waves” drew around 70 children from our community each day for crafts, music, games, and Bible study. Our mission’s project benefitted Soles4Souls through a very successful shoe drive. 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! Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God!
Sagrada Bible Camp – The Methodist Men would like to thank all the volunteers who either drove or assisted in the transportation of children to the Sagrada Bible Camp. Sagrada Bible Camp ministers to children who have a parent in prison. The United Methodist Men have supported the camp for many years through maintenance work, transportation of children to camp, and donations.
Ice Cream Freeze Off – Start thinking about what flavor ice cream you will be bringing to the annual Ice Cream Freeze Off contest which will be held in the Fellowship Hall at 4:00 o’clock, on Sunday, July 31st. This year’s activity will be no different, with lots of exotic flavored home-made ice cream. All entries (everyone is encouraged to enter) are asked to have their ice cream at the church by 3:45 for judging. Please contact Elvin Farquhar and give him the flavor of your entry. Winners will receive $25.00 for 1st place, $15 for 2nd place, and $10.00 for 3rd place. We hope to see you there!
Card Shower – Our friend Helen Taylor’s birthday is July 29 and you are invited to shower her with birthday greetings by sending cards and good wishes to her at 106 Osage Trail, Boonville, MO 65233. Thank you for your participation.
Planning Ahead – Dates for Your Calendar
July 31, 2022: UMM Ice Cream Freeze Off
August 10, 2022: National S’more’s Day
August 15, 2022: Red Cross Blood Drive
August 28, 2022: Church Picnic
Pack the Bus – Boonville Kiwanis members and other volunteers will be at Wal-Mart on Saturday, August 6th from 9 am to 1 pm. Please stop by and help us back the bus with school supplies. Donations benefit children kindergarten-5th grade. They will also accept monetary donations.
New Way to Give – As we continue to pursue virtual ministry and ministry in our modern times, we have found we need to keep up with digital technology trends. We are excited to announce that in addition to being able to give to Nelson Memorial by check or Vanco (automatic withdrawal from your bank account), we now are accepting offerings via 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:
Monday, July 18: TOPS, 9:00 am, Foundations Classroom
Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, July 20: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, July 21: Baby Grace Distribution, 5:00 pm, Church Annex
Friday, July 22: Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Closing Words of Wisdom:
It’s not enough to be busy, so are the ants. The question is, what are we busy about?” — Henry David Thoreau
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