“Not Every Day is Good”

Today is the day known as “Good Friday,” the day when Jesus was crucified. The term “Good Friday” dates back to the 4^th Century, when a Spanish nun used the words Good, Holy, and Great interchangeably to describe a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and specific rituals and prayers she practiced in the week leading up to the day of Christ’s crucifixion.

I’ve been asked, and asked, many times why the term “Good” is applied to one of the darkest days in human history. There are a couple of different interpretations on the answer to this question. The first is that the outcome of the events of the day Jesus died led to such a good or great reward, that Christians have decided to call this day good as a way of redeeming it and recognizing the ultimate outcome.

The second interpretation of this question comes from the word Good itself. The use of the word “Good” here comes from the sense of “pious” or “holy.” The use of the word “Good” in this case is similar to when the Bible is referred to as the “Good Book.” Good is referencing the holy, sacred, and pious nature of what it is describing.

Regardless of why and how the word “Good” came to be known with this particular day, I feel like “Good Friday” is a reminder to us that not every day is a good day. We cannot expect each day we face to be filled with only positive, joyful, and pleasureful experiences. We know that our days, our lives, are filled with both ups and downs, positive and negative experiences. To expect every day of our lives to be good is an expectation that will nearly always lead to disappointment.

Tonight we will gather for our Good Friday service. One of the things that I appreciate about Good Friday service is that, traditionally, it is the only service of the year that ends without a benediction – a declaration of good news. On Good Friday, when Jesus is laid in that tomb, sealed in the bonds of death, there is no good news. Death, on this day, is victorious. But, as the late author Tony Campolo said, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming.”

Not every day can be a good day. We know this. But with our 21^st Century eyes we know that better days are coming.

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 celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our Scripture reading will be from John, Chapter 20, verses 1 and 2, and 11-18.

Early in the morning of the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb. She ran to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him.”

Mary stood outside near the tomb, crying. As she cried, she bent down to look into the tomb. Mary saw two angels dressed in white, seated where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head and one at the foot. The angels asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

She replied, “They have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they’ve put him.” As soon as she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she didn’t know it was Jesus.

Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him and I will get him.”

“Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabbouni” (which means Teacher).”

Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold on to me, for I haven’t yet gone up to my Father. Go to my brothers and sisters and tell them, “I’m going up to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”

Mary Magdalene left and announced to the disciples, “I’ve seen the Lord.” Then she told them what he said to her.“

Our services will begin with the song Glorious Day by Casting Crowns. Our opening hymn will be Christ the Lord is Risen Today followed by In The Garden, and we will close the service with Lord of the Dance. Our Choir (with a special guest) will sing Crown Him Lord This Day for our prelude at the 10:20 service.

Virtual Worship Information

In addition to in-person worship, our service will be live-streamed. We are moving our livestream to YouTube. Our YouTube channel is Nelson Memorial UMC, and can be found here. We will post a link to our Facebook page once the service begins. 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

Red Cross Blood Drive – Our next Red Cross Blood Drive is coming up on Monday, June 2 from 2 – 6 pm. Our goal is to have 20 units donated at this drive, and we need your help to meet this goal. To register to give or for more information you can go to the Red Cross’s website.

New Mission Opportunity – Join the Methodist Men on Saturday, April 19 at 9:00 am in the lounge for a conversation about partnering with Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP). SHP is an organization that is dedicated to providing beds and bedding for children. A Boonville chapter of SHP would be the result of a combined effort not just of the Methodist Men, but more in our congregation and community. Please join us April 19 as we discuss next steps in bringing this ministry to Cooper County. You can speak with Norm Richert, Mike Krohn, or Pastor Chris with any questions.

Youth Mission Trip this Summer – The Youth are planning a mission trip this summer to LifeWise St. Louis July 24-27. The deadline to sign up is April 27. If you or your youth are interested in participating in this trip or have any questions, please contact Chelsea Jackson, Jo Parker, or Sara Snyder.

Wednesday’s Ladies Bible Study – The Wednesday Ladies Bible Study group that meets at 10 am each Wednesday in the lounge will begin a new study on April 30th. If there is anyone who would like to join the group, please let Linda Gordon (816-769-4376) know and she will get a book ordered for you. We will be starting a new study called “Women of the Word” by Jen Wilkin and would love to have you join us for Bible study, prayer, and discussion.

Spring Cleaning – One of the Spring-cleaning projects being undertaken at the church is cleaning out the garage/shed/storage area on the northwest corner of our property. This space, as so often happens, has become a dumping ground for those items we don’t have a current need for, but “you never know.” With an idea for utilizing this space for a new missional purpose, we are looking to clean out many of the items that no longer have a need for our ministries. Please take a look at the pictures at this link to see if there is anything that you know needs to be saved or is used on a regular basis. Please contact Pastor Chris or Mike Krohn and reference which picture the item is in.

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.

Events this week:

Saturday, April 19: Methodist Men’s Meeting – 8:30 am, Lounge

Sleep In Heavenly Peace Conversation – 9:00 am, Lounge

Sunday, April 20: Easter Sunday

Monday, April 21: TOPS – 9:30 am, Lounge

Al-Anon Meeting – 6:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, April 22: Administrative Board – 6:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, April 23: No Women’s Bible Study

Al-Anon Meeting – Noon, Fellowship Hall

Thursday, April 24: Praise Band Rehearsal – 6:00 pm, Sanctuary

Friday, April 25: Sanctuary Reserved – 6:00 pm