“Clarity”
Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now – and never to be equaled again.” Matthew 24:18-21
Have you ever been confused by something, and when looking back on it, you realize how silly your mistake was? I just had one of those moments. I was filling out a grant request, and I was confused by one of the lines on the form. It said the cost of the material I was requesting came to $50. Below this was a box that had a required field note above it. I first typed the word yes into this box, indicating that I was willing to pay $50. But when I tried to submit the form, I received an error message. Apparently, I was supposed to put a number in that particular box. So, I typed the number 50, indicating the price of the item.
I happily hit submit and was relieved to see that the application was correct and ready for review. Within a few minutes, I received an invoice–for $2,500! Unknowingly, I had indicated that I desired 50 units of the item at $50 each. This was not what I intended. Upon further review, I realized that I was supposed to enter the number 1, indicating the number of $50 items I wished to receive. (I have since called for support and am waiting to hear back on how to best resolve this error.)
I am sure that whoever put together this online form believed it to be very clear. But, for whatever reason, my mind could not comprehend what was being asked of me, and it took two failed attempts and a potentially $2,450 mistake before I completely understood the expectation.
Have you ever felt like you were being completely clear about something only to have whoever you were talking with, teaching, training, coaching, or otherwise leading end up completely confused? Clarity in communication can be difficult.
Have you ever said or heard the phrase, “The Bible clearly says …”? The scripture at the top of this message is one of those passages in Scripture that, to me, is anything but clear. It is in the midst of a speech Jesus is giving to his disciples about being ready for God to act and for the Messiah to return. While I understand the overarching message, the words used and the lesson being taught are anything but clear to me. It is only through a thorough reading and some study that we are able to truly “see” what Jesus (and the Holy Spirit) are trying to communicate to us.
Not everything is clear the first time we look at it. I would have been much better off asking for assistance in filling out that form this morning. It could have saved me extra time, frustration, and mental energy. But my insistence on doing things myself (once again) turned out to be a mistake and created a bigger mess.
If something isn’t clear to us, be it an online form or a teaching of Jesus, it isn’t because we aren’t smart enough to understand it or because something is lacking inside of us. It just means the way it was communicated wasn’t effective for us. I encourage you to recognize those times when you need further clarity, to be willing to ask for help, to pray for guidance, and to ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten you and give you the clarity you need to face whatever it is that is ahead of you.
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 continue our message series titled “Upside Down: A Look at the Beatitudes.” This Sunday’s message is titled “Blessed Are: The Peacemakers.” Our Scripture focus will be from the letter to the Colossians, chapter 3, verses 15 through 17.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.“
Our services will begin with the song If I Got Jesus, by Ben Fuller. Our opening hymn will be Standing on the Promises followed by Into My Heart, and we’ll close the services with Let There Be Peace on Earth.
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
Pre-K/K/1-2 Sunday School Class – This Sunday, August 18, we will restart our Sunday School class for our youngest kids. Chelsea Jackson is excited about leading this class and planting seeds of faith. This class will meet in the room across the hall from the nursery during our Sunday School hour, starting at 9:00 am.
Church Picnic August 18 – Time for Some Food and Fun – The United Methodist Men are hosting our Annual Church Picnic Sunday, August 18 at 6:00 pm. We will gather in the church yard. UMM will provide the meat and drinks. Please bring a dish to share and also a (lawn chair or blanket). Feel free to invite friends, family and neighbors to join in on the fun.
Big Surf Water Park Event – Our Nelson Church family is invited to enjoy a fun afternoon at Big Surf Water Park at the Lake of the Ozarks on Sunday, August 25th. We are planning on meeting in the Big Surf parking lot between 1:30 or 2:00. Be sure to sign up on the clipboard if you are interested. We will have a potluck dinner. Bring a side dish or dessert to share. Sandwiches and drinks will be provided. We hope you can join us for some end of summer fun!
Kids Hope USA – As we gear up for the start of a new school year we will soon be starting our KHUSA mentoring program at David Barton. If you have a tug at your heart to mentor a child, please give Karma Haller a call and she would love to share more.
Blood Drive – Our next Red Cross Blood Drive is coming up on Monday, August 26th from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm in our Fellowship Hall. As happens most summers, the supply of blood available is in short supply and donors are greatly needed. We have 18 appointments set already, and room for more. To schedule a time for donating blood go to: redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive. Thank you!
Matt Maher & Zach Williams LIVE in Independence October 20 – Matt Maher and Zach Williams are bringing their Revival Nights tour to Missouri on Sunday, October 20! Want to participate in this night of praise and worship? NMUMC will be ordering group tickets for the event. Tickets are $35.00 each. Please use the sign-up sheet in the East Wing to order. Checks can be made out to NMUMC with “concert” in the memo line. You can also use cash or Venmo.
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:
Saturday, August 17: Methodist Men, 8:30 am, Lounge
Sunday, August 18: Church Picnic, 6:00 pm, Church Lawn
Monday, August 18: TOPS, 9:30 am, Lounge
Missions/Outreach, 6:00 pm, Lounge
Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, August 20: Administrative Board, 6:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, August 21: Women’s Bible Study, 10:00 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, August 22: Praise Band Rehearsal, 6:00 pm, Sanctuary
Friday, August 23: Al-Anon, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Closing Words of Wisdom:
“Always, everywhere God is present, and always He seeks to discover Himself to each one.” A.W. Tozer