I was ahead of my typical “schedule” this week and was working on this article earlier than I usually do.  I’m not sure exactly how that happened, but by mid-day Wednesday I was already starting to prepare the weekly update.  I was using this space to introduce our upcoming message series.  I felt really good about the article and was excited to share it with you…

Then I saw an alert on my phone.  “The US Capitol Building is under attack.”  I had watched earlier in the day as Congress gathered to begin their work and I knew they were debating and working through the election process.  I quickly turned the news back on and was horrified as I watched scenes that I had only previously thought possible in dystopian movies.  To see the United States Capitol Building breeched by a violent mob, to see people using symbols of our great nation to destroy the very symbol of democracy the Capitol represents, to hear reports of tear gas, flash bangs, and gunshots inside those hallowed halls… I was in shock. 

Throughout the afternoon as more unthinkable images continued to be shown, two thoughts kept going through my mind: “This is not who we are”, and “What can I do?” 

I took a break from the news and went outside for a walk.  Without intending to go there, I found myself on the lawn of the Cooper County Courthouse.  I stopped and prayed for few minutes, not knowing exactly what I praying for.  I prayed for safety for the law enforcement officers in DC.  I prayed for the woman who had been shot.  I prayed for the safety of our elected officials and their staff who were no doubt terrified as their workplace came under siege.  And I prayed for the nation.  “This is not who we are” kept swimming in my mind, and I prayed that God would help us to recover a true understanding of not only who we are as a nation, but who we are called to become. 

In Matthew 5 Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be children of God.”  This past Sunday we closed our service with words I would like to leave you with today as we seek to bring peace in a time when it is so desperately needed:

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me; let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.  With God our creator, children all are we.  Let us walk with each other, in perfect harmony.  Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now.  With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow; to take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.  Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. 

I encourage all of us (myself especially) to be those who seek the path of peace so that we can lead others. 

Blessings, Chris

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday, we will begin a new 6-week message series titled “Piecing it Together: Solving the Biblical Puzzle.”  This series will seek to introduce the major themes (or puzzle pieces) of the Bible and to show how they define the Word and work of God.  The first puzzle piece we will discuss is that of creation.  Our scripture readings for Sunday are selections from the Book of Genesis, chapters 1 & 2:

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (Genesis 1:1-3)

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” (1:26)

The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it…The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.  I will make a helper suitable for him.” (2:15,18)

We will begin our service with a video of the song Happy Dance by Mercy Me.  Our hymns for Sunday include: Thy Word, and This is My Father’s World.  Additionally, our video hymn this week is Great Are You Lord, by All Sons and Daughters.

COVID Precautions

It is a New Year, but we still need to remain vigilant in our COVID precautions.  Please, if you are not feeling well or for any reason believe you might have COVID, please worship with us virtually until you are feeling better. 

Please remember the new COVID precautions in place at the church: masks are now required for everyone over the age of 2, social distancing is expected, we will be disinfecting pews between services and we have modified our worship schedule to accommodate for having no more than 25% capacity (approximately 50 people) in our Sanctuary.  Our services are now at 8:00, 9:15 & 10:30.  We also request you not hang around too long after the service is over so we can have enough time to wipe down the pews and prepare for the next service.

We know there are many who do not feel comfortable attending worship at this time. 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 10:30 worship service on our Facebook page and the message on our website.  We hope this helps you feel connected until we are able to gather again without concern. 

Announcements

Help Needed Saturday – Following the United Methodist Men’s meeting (8:30 in the Fellowship Hall, all men are invited) at approximately 9:30 we will be putting away the Christmas decorations in the Sanctuary.  Many hands make for light work.  Thank you!

Blood Drive – With flu season beginning and COVID hanging around, blood donations continue to be essential to hospital patients.  Donors are needed to come together to help others in this time of need.  We will be hosting a blood drive the afternoon/evening of Monday, February 1 in our Fellowship Hall.  To schedule a time for donation, click here.

Scholarships Available – The Juanita Scott and Charles Edgar Whitten Memorial Scholarships are now open for applications.  These scholarships are for (respectively) high school seniors and 3^rd or 4^th year college students.  Please inquire with the Boonville Guidance Counselor or the church office for more information.

Inclement Weather Policy – As recent weather events have shown, our winter weather in Missouri can be challenging!  And while we encourage our members to attend worship as frequently as they are able, we also know that when it is treacherous to travel, the wiser long-term answer is to stay safely at home.  The Trustees do have a contract with a service to clear our sidewalks and steps when it snows, so if the city has cleared the roads, we will have worship services. 

If a decision is made to not hold Sunday services because of inclement weather, an email will be sent out to notify the congregation of a cancellation, we will notify the local television stations KMIZ and KMOU and have them add it to their reports.   Additionally, we will post the closing on our Facebook page and church website.  If you do not have access to email, or if you do not have access to the media (because of power outages), call a church friend before heading out. 

Celebration Alert – Leah, our pianist, has a little angel on its way and she will be needing lots of diapers, so we would like to have a diaper shower for her.  Since we are unable to have a baby shower for her at this time.  Please bring your diapers to the church by Sunday, January 17th, and place them on the refreshment table.   Thank you for celebrating Leah’s diaper shower with us.

Events this week:

Saturday, January 9: United Methodist Men, 8:30 am, Fellowship Hall,

Taking down Christmas Decorations, 9:30 am, Sanctuary

Monday, January 4: TOPS, 9:30 am

Al- Anon, 8:00 pm, Church Lounge

Tuesday, Jan 5: NAMI, 6:30 pm

Wednesday, January 6: Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Administrative Board Meeting, 6:00 pm

Closing Words of Wisdom:

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved, as to love.”  – St Francis of Assisi