“It’s All Been Done Before”
I’ve shared previously that many of my childhood summer vacations revolved around visiting my paternal grandparents who lived about 20 minutes from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Punxy (as many of the locals call it) is most known for being the home of Punxsutawney Phil – the groundhog who predicts the weather every year on February 2 as part of Groundhog’s Day.
Groundhog’s Day was mostly a cute, regional celebration, perhaps mentioned on the news as part of the weather report, until the 1993 Bill Murray movie Groundhog’s Day was released. That movie centered around a frustrated meteorologist (named Phil, of course) who kept reliving the same day (February 2) over and over again until he finally made a change inside of himself.
Since the release of this film, “Groundhog’s Day” has become a term used in the English lexicon to refer to a monotonous, repetitive, or unpleasant situation. I’ve heard (and said) when asked about how my day is going: “It just feels like Groundhog’s Day” doing the same thing over and over.
It is very fitting that Groundhog’s Day comes in early February, a time where many people feel like their days are rather repetitive. It’s the time of year where we’re removed from the excitement and anticipation of the Holiday season in November and December, the weather is often grey and gloomy for long periods of time, and we often feel trapped indoors by artic temperatures.
It can be easy to find ourselves in a Groundhog’s Day feeling – even in our spiritual lives. We’re in that season between Epiphany (a celebration of light) and Lent (a time of intentional self-denial and focus) that feels like a holding pattern with nothing exciting to celebrate or look forward to. Often many of us who set exciting and ambitious New Year’s resolutions involving our faith (Scripture reading, prayer, or fasting related goals) have either found these now to be part of a routine or have fallen away from them. In our spiritual life, like in other parts of our life, it feels like we are just going through the motions, reliving the same day over and over again, not feeling anything new or exciting.
Just as Bill Murray’s character had to make changes in his life to see how rewarding it could be to open his heart to others, to helping others, and to living an others-focused life, perhaps that is the opportunity we can find for ourselves as we transition into February. What ways might you change up your routine to help you notice those around you more? What habit might you be able to tweak or add to help you become more aware of the needs in your community, or even in your own soul?
While obviously not a holiday on the church calendar, Groundhog’s Day offers us an opportunity to consider how we, like Phil (in the movie), can find a way to break out of that Groundhog’s Day feeling. The question is, will we?
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 5-week message series “Christian.” This week’s message is titled: “I’m Better Than You.” Our Scripture focus will be from The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 18, verses 9 through 14.
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people – robbers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’”
“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’”
“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Our services will begin with the song Redeemed, by Big Daddy Weave. Our opening hymn will be O How I Love Jesus. We will then sing As the Deer and close our services with Lord, I Want to Be a Christian. This Sunday, being the first Sunday of the month, will also include the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
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
Baby Grace – A big thank you to all who have recently donated items to Baby Grace. Your generosity is much appreciated. If you would like more information about Baby Grace or would like to donate, please contact Barbara Woodridge.
Join Us for Our Kids Valentine’s Spaghetti Dinner on Sunday, February 16th! – Make plans to attend the Annual Valentine’s Lunch hosted by Nelson Kids on Sunday, February 16th, following the 10:20 service. The kids are going to be serving a spaghetti lunch. We are asking the families of the Nelson Kids that attend Children’s Church to bring a dessert to share! This is a free will donation event that helps support children’s and youth ministry. Please make plans to attend, and share in love and fellowship with our church family. The youth will be selling chocolate covered pretzels and strawberries following each service and during the meal. There will also be a silent auction for beautiful flower arrangements donated by Stella’s Flowers.
Juanita Scott Memorial Scholarship – The intent of this scholarship is to provide one $500.00 scholarship per year for a high school senior, with preference being given for Nelson Memorial United Methodist Church members and/or those who are actively involved with the church. Boonville High School seniors will be provided an application as part of their Guidance Office “Local Scholarship Information”. For other than Boonville High School students, high school seniors may contact our church office at 882-6223 to request an application. Per scholarship policy “All scholarship applications with accompanying transcripts shall be received by the committee by April 7, 2025, during office hours.
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, February 2: Youth Group – 6:00 pm, Jackson’s Home
Monday, February 3: TOPS – 9:30 am, Lounge
Al-Anon Meeting – 6:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, February 4: Salvation Army Board Meeting – Noon, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, February 5: Women’s Bible Study – 10:00 am, Lounge
Al-Anon Meeting – Noon, Fellowship Hall
Congregational Care Team – 6:00 pm, Lounge
Thursday, February 6: Choir Rehearsal – 7:00 pm, Sanctuary
Friday, February 7: Al-Anon Meeting – 6:00 pm, Fellowship Hall
Saturday, February 8: United Methodist Men – 8:30 am, Lounge
Closing Words of Wisdom:
Your problem is how you are going to spend this one and precious life you have been issued. Whether you’re going to spend it trying to look good and creating the illusion that you have power over circumstances, or whether you are going to taste it, enjoy it and find out the truth about who you are.” ― Anne Lamott