“I Thought It Was Just Me”

Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.“

Ephesians 4:25

Do you ever feel anxious or alone, like you are not living up to your potential while everyone else around you is achieving great things?  Do you ever feel like you are not good enough, pretending to have it all together while you are surrounded by people who have it all figured out?

I follow several authors on Facebook or Instagram.  In doing so, I can know when a new book they are working on might be coming out, or I can be inspired by their words of wisdom and positive thoughts.  One of the authors I follow, Jon Acuff, announced last week that he would be leading a week-long online “class” addressing the topic of overthinking.  After giving it way more thought than was appropriate, I decided to sign up. 

During the first lesson, Jon encouraged participants to participate in a private Facebook group which was described as a community of folks going through the program who would offer one another support and encouragement.  He urged us to join in conversations, share our own thoughts and lift one another up.  I was very uncomfortable with this idea.  I’m not one who likes to open up about my feelings and private thoughts to lots of others, especially strangers.  I decided that I would join the group, but just read the thoughts of others, not necessarily share my own.

The first time I started reading through the comments, I was amazed.  Here was an entire community of folks, over 9,000 people, sharing their anxieties, insecurities, and fears.  People were discussing the negative thoughts that play through their minds and keep them from feeling like they are equal to others or even valuable. 

I spent probably 30 minutes reading through what people had shared, and I kept thinking to myself, “I thought I was the only one who thought these things.”  That’s the trick Satan plays on us.  He wants you to think that hard thing you are going through, those negative thoughts you have, the anxiety you feel, the insecurities you experience, are yours alone. He wants you to think that you’re the only one going through it, that no one else will understand and that you should be ashamed. 

The truth is you are not alone.  I learned through that message board everyone worries they aren’t enough.  We all compare ourselves to others in ways that assure we will never measure up.  Everyone battles negativity, anxiety and fear.  In finding the courage to admit it, not only can we find help, but we can also offer help to others and let them know they aren’t alone.  The gift of letting others know that they aren’t alone in their battles can change their lives and give them courage to inspire others.

Eventually, I decided to share some of my thoughts and insecurities.  The support and community I received, from these total strangers, was amazing. While not being a specifically Christian group, this was truly Christian community.  This was a place where I could put off the falsehoods of negativity and anxiety.  A place to be reminded that I have neighbors going through the same struggles and that we are all members of one body.  I encourage you to avail yourself to opportunities where this type of community happens. 

It is a pleasure to be your pastor and to participate in Christian community alongside you.

Blessings, Chris

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday, we will continue our Lenten message series “Entering the Passion of Jesus.”    This week we will look at entering Jesus’ Teachings.  Our scripture reading will be from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 22, verses 15-22:

Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words.  They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians.  “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.  You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are.  Tell us then, what is your opinion?  Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”

But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?  Bring me the coin used for paying the tax.”  They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this?  And whose inscription?”

Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” 

When they heard this, they were amazed.  So they left him and went away.

We will begin our service with a video of the song Less Like Me by Zach Williams.  Our hymns for Sunday include: God of Grace and God of Glory, and I Surrender All.  Additionally, our video hymn this week is a medley of Above All/You Are My King, by Caleb and Kelsey.

COVID Precautions

The Church Administrative Board is continuing to monitor the COVID infection rates, hospitalization rates, and vaccination numbers for our area.  We are cautiously optimistic about the progress being made in all three of these areas.  We will continue to monitor these numbers, follow the direction of state and local leaders, and get opinions from medical authorities about when and how to resume our previous Sunday morning schedule. 

Until that time, please remember the COVID precautions in place at the church: masks are 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

Lenten Focus – Pastor Chris has invited us to focus on intentional relationships this Lenten Season.  How have you reached out to someone this week?  Take time now to reach out to that person you’ve been thinking about and let them know they are on your mind. 

Happy Birthday Baby Grace – Our Baby Grace ministry is turning ten years old!  My how our baby has grown fast!  We will be holding a birthday party for Baby Grace on Sunday, March 21. The congregation is invited to consider giving a birthday gift to Baby Grace in recognition of this momentous occasion.  Your donations of diapers, baby wipes, lotion, and baby wash will not just help a young mother or provide for a small child.  It will be a visible sign of God’s love.  Look for the crib that is set up in the main entrance vestibule, because this will be the starting point for making something holy happen!  

Upper Rooms & Daily Bread Available – The March & April edition of the Upper Room and March, April, & May edition of the Daily Bread devotional guides are available now!  These daily devotional guides are provided by our United Methodist Men and are available to anyone who would like to develop this daily discipline.  They offer a scripture reading, a reflection, a prayer and a prayer focus for the day.  Pick up your copy now as the new month is about to begin.

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. 

Events this week:

Monday, March 8: TOPS, 9:30 am, Foundations Classroom

Al- Anon, 8:00 pm, Church Lounge

Tuesday, March 9: Outreach Team, 7:00 pm, Church Lounge

Wednesday, March 10: Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Saturday, March 13: Methodist Men, 8:30, Fellowship Hall

Closing Words of Wisdom:

Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It’s about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen.” – Brene Brown