“Lessons Learned”

Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet.  “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.

“How can I,” he said, “unless someone teaches it to me?”  So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 

Acts 8:30-31

One of the many lessons I have learned since COVID came and our daily lives changed is this: schoolteachers should make a million dollars a day.  I really don’t have a lot to complain about because Sara works from home anyway and therefore has borne most of the brunt of the “home schooling” duties.  But there have been times where I have (tried to) help out with the boys, primarily with math and science.  Trying to “teach” my kids reminds me that I am not called to be a schoolteacher. 

Being (at least a little bit) more engaged in the learning process again, I am reminded of the importance of having a good teacher.  Learning is a natural process.  We, as human beings, learn lots of things.  The trick is to make sure we are learning the right things.  When my kids spend more time watching conspiracy theory videos on YouTube than reading, I worry about what they are learning.  When they overhear Sara and I discussing the day’s news events and our personal views on politics, I remember that I need to be careful about the things the boys are learning.

I’ve been reading through the book of Isaiah this week and a verse in chapter 2 struck me.  “God will judge between the nations, and settle disputes of mighty nations.  They will beat their swords into plows and their spears into pruning tools.  Nation will not take up sword against nation; they will no longer learn how to make war” (Isaiah 2:4, CEB). While I’ve read and heard this verse many times, I’ve nearly always focused on the first three quarters of it, the proclaiming of an end to weapons and a time when they will no longer be used.  But the other morning, the final phrase stuck out in my mind– “they will no longer learn how to make war.”  What this implies is that war is not something that is innate within us.  Hatred, war, a need to punish or destroy is not something we all are born knowing how to do.  War, hatred, prejudice – these are all things that must be taught.  Isaiah prophesies of a time when nations are no longer taught how to war with one another. 

In Acts we hear the story of Philip being called to teach an Ethiopian man about the scriptures because, as the Ethiopian man says, “How can I (learn) if someone doesn’t teach me?”  These two scriptures, taken together, remind us that our children only learn that which someone teaches them.  These scriptures reminded me that it is so important that I be aware of the things my children are being taught – be it from YouTube or from overhearing my (supposedly) private conversations.  They learn what they are being taught.  If I don’t teach them about the things I want them to learn, how will they know?  Also, if we as adults stop teaching hate – in the manner we treat other people, the way we talk about groups of people, the jokes we tell, the news we consume and repeat – is it possible our children would never learn how to hate?

It is a pleasure to be your pastor and to be in ministry alongside you to an amazing God!

Blessings,

Chris

Worship This Sunday

This week is week three of our Disney – Lessons from the Kingdom series.  This week we turn our attention to the first all computer animated feature from Disney’s Pixar Studios – Toy Story. 

Our scripture reading for Sunday comes from the prophet Isaiah, chapter 43, verses 1-4.

But now, this is what the Lord says – he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.  Since you are precious in my sight, and because I love you …”

Isaiah 43:1-4a NIV

We will begin our service with the song Build Your Kingdom Here by Rend Collective.  Our hymns for Sunday include: This is My Father’s World, I Am Thine O Lord, He Leadeth Me, and Lord, Be Glorified.  Additionally, our video hymn this week is Hello, My Name Is, by Matthew West.

As the COVID-19 continues its presence in our community, we know that many of you 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 you 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.   

Get Acquainted Sessions:

Pastor Chris will hold 2 more “get acquainted” sessions in the coming week – Monday, Aug 10 @ 7:00 pm and Thursday, August 13 @ 9:30 am.  Both of these sessions will be in the Church Lounge.  Over fifty people have come out to these sessions so far to share with Pastor Chris what they love about Nelson Memorial, what their dreams are for Nelson Memorial, what they’d like to see improved and what should stay the same at Nelson.  Pastor Chris would love to hear your responses to these questions too.  If you haven’t had a chance to participate in one of these sessions yet, please consider joining him in the coming week.

Events this week:

Saturday, August 8: Methodist Men’s meeting, 8:30 am, Fellowship Hall

Methodist Men’s work project – building picnic tables for Boonville School District, 9:15 am in the church yard

Monday, August 10: TOPS – 9:30 am

Get Acquainted Session with Pastor Chris, 7:00 pm, Church Lounge

Tuesday, August 11: PEO – 4 – 9:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

NAMI – 6:30 pm

Wednesday, August 12: Ad Council Meeting, 6:00 pm

Thursday, August 13: Get Acquainted Session with Pastor Chris, 9:30 am, Church Lounge

Closing Words of Wisdom:

“I continue to dream and pray about a revival of holiness in our day that moves forth in mission and creates authentic community in which each person can be unleashed through the empowerment of the Spirit to fulfill God’s creational intentions.”
― John Wesley