“Holy Paperwork”
The Lord spoke to Moses in the tent of meeting in the Desert of Sinai on the first day of the second month of the second year after the Israelites came out of Egypt. He said: “Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one.” Numbers 1:1-2
The transition to Fall means many things: the leaves beginning their annual technicolor spectacle, temperatures being described as “crisp,” the smell of bonfires in the air, acorns and walnuts dotting the ground, the sun setting just a little bit earlier each evening, and Pumpkin Spice again being a part of the vocabulary of the masses.
In the United Methodist clergy world, another thing synonymous with this time of the year is “paperwork.” Each fall ushers in a mountain of reports that need to be filed telling about the leadership for the coming year, the salary and benefits for the appointed clergy, the numbers behind much of the work done in and through the local church throughout the year, and plans for ministry in the coming year. In addition to these reports, we also have a separate report asking for input into the next year’s appointive process.
As I was getting a start on some of this mountain of paperwork, the one at the top of my pile was the report called the “Care of Members Report.” This is the form where we list all of those people whose membership status in our congregation has changed since we last filled out the form.
Even though I don’t exactly love all this paperwork, the “Care of Members Report” is one I have come to find a certain affection for. I begin by thinking about all those folks who have become a part of our congregation over the past year, about the gifts and blessings each of them represent to our community. I think about the baptisms and those who have made that decision to accept God’s redemptive love into their lives. I think about the youth who, through the process of Confirmation, have made their own commitment to God, claiming for themselves the promises made on their behalf as children. Then I turn to those who have left our church – those who have moved away and those who have chosen to leave. I spend time thanking God for what they brought to this church in the time they were here and praying they find a new congregation where they can both grow and be as much of a blessing as they have been to Nelson Memorial. Finally, I turn to the list of those who have moved to their heavenly home – I give God thanks for their life and witness. I think about their legacy and the way they live on through their family and those in our congregation who were blessed by their lives.
God instructed Moses and the leaders of the Israelite Community to care for those in their midst. To know who was there, to think of them often, and to consider each of them as they went about their leadership. Maybe, just maybe, there can be kingdom work even in paperwork and reports.
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 “Facing Our Giants.” In this series, we will look at some of those giants that appear in our lives, those battles we face where it feels like the odds are anything but in our favor. This week we continue looking at internal giants, specifically the giant of apathy. Our Scripture focus will be from the Revelation of John, chapter 3, verses 14-22.
Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God’s Yes, the Faithful and Accurate Witness, the First of God’s creation, says:
I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’ oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.
“Here’s what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that’s been through the refiner’s fire. Then you’ll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You’ve gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see.
“The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!
“Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That’s my gift to the conquerors!
“Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”
Our services will begin with the song Still, by Crowder. At our 10:20 service, our Choir will provide Down to the River to Pray as our Prelude. We will open our singing with Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee, followed by Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. We will conclude our services with the spiritual I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me.
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
Sunday School Celebration – On October 6th there will be a celebration of Sunday School, awarding of Bibles to 3rd grade students, and recognition of Sunday School leaders.
Family Outing Shryocks Calloway Farm Corn Maze Event – October 6th – Nelson Kids, families, and the entire church family are invited to Shryocks Corn Maze. The corn maze opens at 12:00 noon and we will leave after the 10:20 worship service. We hope you can make it to enjoy the life-size corn maze, group hayride, roaring campfire, pumpkins, and the famous gumball coaster! The address is 2927 County Rd 253, Columbia, MO 65202.
Help Wanted – We are looking for new Nursery Director for Sunday mornings to work with our youngest members. The Nursery Director works Sunday mornings from 7:30 – noon and must be at least 21 years old. Safe Gatherings background training will be required. If you or someone you know are interested in this position, please speak with Pastor Chris or Karma Haller for more information.
Feeling Social? Are you a Snapchat, Tik Toc, Facebook and Instagram user? Do you like to post pictures and updates on social media platforms? We are looking for some help expanding out social media presence and develop a social media strategy. If you have gifts or passions in the world of social media and would like to help us grow in this area, please let Pastor Chris know.
Kid’s Hope Back to School Pizza & Pumpkin Carving Event – KHUSA families and mentors will be having an afternoon of pizza and pumpkin carving, at our church, on Sunday, October 20th from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Thanks again for your support of this ministry!
Save The Date – The Outreach Team will be hosting our annual Mission Extravaganza on Saturday, November 9! Teams will gather at the church for a morning of missions, including leaf raking and delivering of goodies to our community helpers. The extravaganza will conclude with a luncheon as we break bread together and give God thanks for the work he is doing. Make plans to join us on November 9!
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, September 29: Youth Group, 6:00 pm, Jackson’s Home
Monday, September 30: TOPS, 9:30 am, Lounge
Al-Anon Meeting, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, October 1: Congregational Care Team, 6:00 pm, Lounge
Wednesday, October 2: Women’s Bible Study, 10:00 am, Lounge
Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall
“Being United Methodist” Study, 6:30 pm, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, October 3: Choir Practice, 7:00 pm, Sanctuary
Friday, October 4: Al-Anon, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Saturday, October 5: Methodist Men, 8:30 am, Lounge
Closing Words of Wisdom:
God comes to us disguised as our life.” – Paula D’Arcy