Pumpkin Moons
Last night, I saw a pumpkin moon. Well, I’m sure it wasn’t technically called a pumpkin moon, and it wasn’t actually last night because we were in the wee hours of the morning–but in my itchy-eyed newly yanked from dreams state, leading a giant horse of a puppy with an upset tummy around the yard in my bathrobe, the moon looked like a giant pumpkin in the sky. And it was cool. Though I was tired and annoyed and hot because it’s summer in Missouri, I paused for a moment to give God thanks for letting me see that remarkable moon (no joke–it was pumpkin orange!).
However, the next two times the pup woke me up I was not as grateful to be roaming the yard and gazing at the sky. Honestly, at one point, I thought about just opening the side door and letting her fend for herself. Raising this puppy has been exhausting–much more like caring for my children when they were toddlers than any other dog I remember having. We have moments of pure bliss, when she is cuddly and sweet and a marvelous companion. Then there are the other moments, when she’s jumping and nipping, or when you come home and see that she’s thrown a massive party in your absence, complete with special piles of mess you then get to clean up. In my worst moments I think: We should never have gotten another dog!
But then God sends me a message, like the quarterly email I got from our dog training place, where someone much more experienced with puppies than I am had the foresight to say: Enjoy the dog you have, even if it’s not the dog you envisioned it would be.
Well…that’ll preach. As I think about my life, I realize that this little nugget of truth applies on so many different levels. How many times have I thought that if only things were different, then I would be content. If my kids were more driven, or if I were more organized, or if we had a different house, or if we took more trips, or if I was more generous, or if we lived closer to family, or if I could just get one non-interrupted night of sleep.
I think many of us live on the “if only” side of life. We look around at the images others choose to share of their existence and think–that’s what I need to do in order to be fulfilled! We keep looking ahead to the next season and ignore the beauty God wants to show us through the season we’re in. We miss the pumpkin moons because we’re waiting for the sun to rise on a new day, rather than reveling in the miracle that the present day we’re living in is.
As I journey farther into middle age (another “if only”…), I’m realizing the importance of embracing the season I’m in, rather than wishing it away so I can get to something better. Because the reality is, there isn’t a better out there. We will never crest that hill or round that bend into our #livingmybestlife season because it doesn’t really exist. Life is a series of seasons, each with its highs and lows. And as God’s created ones, I think we need to embrace all of it as it comes, rather than seeking the “if onlys” of our imaginations.
The apostle Paul wrote a lot about contentment. By the time he was sharing his wisdom in the epistles, he’d learned to cultivate a life of peace (or, at least that’s what he said!). But Paul’s contentment was hard-won. He sacrificed the life he had built for himself in order to follow Christ. Paul gave up his hopes and dreams–his actual home–to travel the Mideast seeking to share the good news with others. He walked and walked, slept outdoors, encountered angry mobs, had his name slandered, was unjustly imprisoned, and wasn’t ever really accepted by the elite disciples. Paul likely had a long litany of if onlys going through his mind…but he chose to push them aside and find the wonder of what God was working through each season of his journey. Paul told the early church:
This week, I’m going to make a concentrated effort to follow Paul’s example. I’m going to shove away the “if onlys” that will invariably come to mind and, instead, look for something in this season for which I can be grateful. Today is all we are ever promised, so let’s not waste it wishing it would be something different. Instead, let’s choose to see the pumpkin moon and give thanks that we were awake to witness it.
Blessings and Peace, Sara
Board Update
The Nelson Memorial UMC Board met this past week (Tuesday, June 18) and revisited the topic of the recent decisions from the United Methodist General Conference. After taking some time to think, pray, and listen to guidance from our Bishop, the Board felt no official action needed to be taken at this time. Feel free to speak with any of the Board members or Pastor Chris if you have any questions.
Nelson Memorial UMC Board Members: Jessica Brownfield, Laura Burnett, Stuart Clark, Linda Gordon, Karma Haller, Jo Parker, Nancy Schler, Michael Thomas, & Philip Wooldridge (Chairperson)
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 “There’s Work To Be Done.” Our Scripture focus will be the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 9, verses 35 through 38.
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Our services this week will begin with the song Lead On, Good Shepherd, by Patrick Mayberry as our Gathering Song. Our Opening Hymn for the 8:00 service will be I Love to Tell the Story. At the 10:20 service the Praise Band will kick us off with I Will Follow. Our other songs for the morning will be Gather Us In, and We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations.
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 10:20 am with our Gathering Song. Additionally, we post a recording of our messages to our website by early Sunday afternoon.
Announcements
Omaha Mission Trip – We have 5 slots left for the family mission trip to the Big Garden in Omaha August 4-7. If you are interested, please let me (Jo Ellen Parker) know as we would love for you to join us. This is a great way to experience a mission trip if you have been curious!
Now Hear This – If you have difficulty hearing during our worship services, we have listening assistance devices available for your use. They are located near the sound booth and are easy to use. Please ask Pastor Chris if you need help locating one.
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 – Help us spread the word that VBS is July 1-3. All that fun is just a month away! Please register for VBS by clicking here. If you have any questions about registration, please visit with Chelsea Jackson. Also, we are looking for some large cardboard boxes – television size, or maybe even refrigerator size. If you have or know of any that could be donated, please let Heather Beach know.
Are you ready to Start the VBS Party? – Kids of all ages can join their friends for a JOY-filled Sunday school experience as we get ready for VBS. In June, we’ll focus on celebrating what God is doing through games, Bible reading, crafts, and mission activities. Don’t miss out on this special Sunday morning party. The class meets upstairs in the 3-5 classroom each Sunday at 9 AM. See you there!
Sagrada Bible Camp – Camp Sagrada has reached out to us requesting our help with transportation of campers. We are looking for help on the following dates: July 8 and 12 (Girls), July 15 and 19 (Boys), and July 22 (Girls). Each day we will need a team of 2 adults, one of which can drive the Sagrada van, the other to assist. You can volunteer for one day, or one week. There will be a sign-up sheet in the east narthex. If you have any question, please contact Tim VonEngeln at (660) 882-3348.
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
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!
Events this week:
Sunday, June 23: Youth Group, 6:00 pm, Jackson’s Home
Monday, June 24: TOPS, 9:30 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, June 25: Salvation Army Board Meeting, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, June 26: Women’s Bible Study, 10:00 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Friday, June 28: Al-Anon, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Closing Words of Wisdom:
He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.” ― Socrates