“Have a great story!”

A couple of days after we moved, I received this text out of the blue from the secretary at our previous church.  Those were the only words, and while it was strange, it wasn’t really out of character for her.  I thought it was some kind of encouragement that she had seen and wanted to pass along.  A few minutes later she texted back and indicated that I should call her so she could tell me a funny story.  I must admit, I was a little disappointed when I realized that I had read her words wrong and that she wanted to tell me a story, not that she was encouraging me to have a great story. 

A few years ago, I read a book titled A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller.  The book was a memoir that reflected on Miller’s process of turning a previous memoir he had written into a screenplay.  He discovered through the process of writing the screenplay that he didn’t live a very compelling story. Apparently, spending hours binge watching television shows or playing video games doesn’t exactly make for an interesting movie.  Miller challenged himself to actively seek to live a more compelling story. He wanted to live a life that, if made into a movie, would be something that was worth watching.  Living a compelling story meant that Miller had to do something.  But he couldn’t do just anything, he had to do something that would be worth knowing, emulating and maybe even something that would inspire others.  

The rest of the book tells about Miller tracking down his father with whom he had been estranged for years and beginning the process of reconciliation.  He also shares about how he learned to embrace adventure and ended up hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.  He then went on a cross country bike ride and encountered others who were living compelling stories.  Miller discovered that we can all live a compelling story, if we’re willing to make the effort.

I confess to you that my life probably isn’t a very compelling story.  I wake up, come to the church, do whatever it is I do, go home, hang out with the family and repeat the whole thing the next day.  Sure, I have my small adventures, shake things up every now and again, and hopefully help people along the way, but I’m not sure I’m really living a great story. 

It’s probably not practical or reasonable to expect to have amazing, exciting, heart-pumping adventures everyday (that would be exhausting).  But what would it look like to live a better a story, to live a story that is more about impacting others, helping others, and working for the kingdom of God?  I invite you to consider the story you are living and what it might look like to live a better story.

Have a great story!

Chris

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday we begin a new message series titled Disney – Messages From the Kingdom.  Over the next six weeks we will take a look at some beloved Disney movies and see what Biblical lessons we can find in them.  This week we begin with the modern-classic Beauty and the Beast.

Our scripture reading for Sunday comes to us from the book of First Samuel, chapter 16, verses 6-13.

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him.  The Lord does not look at the things people look at.  People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel.  But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.”  Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.”  Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered.  “He is tending the sheep.”

Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

So he sent for hm and had him brought in.  He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.” 

Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” 

So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.  Samuel then went to Ramah.“

1 Samuel 16:6-13 NIV

Throughout this series, we will begin each service with the song Build Your Kingdom Here by the group Rend Collective.  Our hymns this week will include “For the Beauty of the Earth,” “Lord, I Want to Be a Christian,” “The Gift of Love” and “Lord, Be Glorified.”  Our video hymn this week is the contemporary song “Give Me Your Eyes” by Brandon Heath.

As the COVID-19 numbers continue to increase in our community, it is understandable that many are still not ready to come to worship. Please know that even though we don’t get to see you weekly, we still want to minister to you.  Every Sunday afternoon we will post a recording of our 10:20 worship service.  We hope this helps some feel connected until we are able to gather again without concern. 

For those who are able to attend, please keep vigilant in our health practices as we protect one another.  We still encourage social distancing and wearing masks when distancing is not possible.  Remember, these practices are a way we show our love to our neighbor.   

A Few Words About Communion

It has been 5 months since I last celebrated the Sacrament of Holy Communion.  I dearly love that sacrament.  It is through that service I was able to clearly understand and respond to my call to ministry.   I miss celebrating Communion and I want to return to regularly observing that sacred meal. 

A couple of weeks ago the Worship Committee met and discussed when and how we would celebrate Holy Communion again.  We spent a fair amount of time talking about many different factors and variables and procedures we could consider.  Finally, one of our members reminded us that community health officials once determined that it would be time to reduce restrictions when cases in a community have seen a decline for 2 weeks.  We determined that this was a reasonable metric for us to use.  So, for the month of August, we will not celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion the first Sunday, or any Sunday until the number of new cases in our area is in a period of decline for 2 weeks.

Looking for Volunteers

We are blessed at Nelson Memorial to have several dedicated volunteers running the audio and video aspects of our services.  We are looking to establish a more formal rotation for this ministry and also to hold a training time.  If you’ve ever thought, “I could do that” and would like to learn more about “running the show” please join Pastor Chris at the booth following each worship service on August 2.  We will do a brief training and work on establishing a rotation. 

Other News

Marcy and Arliss Caldwell have decided that after many years (21+ for Marcy) they are ready to step aside from the nursery ministry.  Our entire congregation would like to share our gratitude to Marcy and Arliss for their dedication and faithfulness to this important ministry.  The number of lives you have touched over the past 21+ years is impressive.  Thank you!

If you or someone you know might be interested in helping with our nursery ministry, please reach out to Pastor Chris or Rob Gordon for more information. 

Get Acquainted with Pastor Chris

Pastor Chris is holding a series of “Get Acquainted sessions” as he begins his ministry at Nelson Memorial UMC.  These small group meetings consist of discussing 5 questions about what you love and what you don’t love about our church.  The next such meeting is this coming Tuesday, July 28, at 9:00 am in the Church Lounge.  If you would to attend a “virtual get acquainted session” over Zoom, please contact Pastor Chris (chrisksnyder@gmail.com) and we will set one up.

Events this week:

Monday, July 27: TOPS – 9:30 am

Tuesday, July 28: Get Acquainted Session – 9:00 am in the Church Lounge

Trustees, 7:00 pm

Wednesday, July 29: Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Small Group, 9:30 am in the Church Lounge

Closing Words of Wisdom

Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils. But if God be for you, who can be against you? Are all of them together stronger than God? O be not weary of well doing!”
― John Wesley