“Software Update”

On the seventh day God rested from all his work.  Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” 

Genesis 2:2-3

The other morning, I was working my way through some emails that needed responses and a message popped up on my screen.  This message informed me that some vital updates were ready to be installed on my computer.  Truth be told, I had seen this message repeat for several days, but instead of addressing it, I just kept hitting the remind me later button. I didn’t really see any need for the updates, the computer was working just fine as far as I could tell (other than freezing up once in a while and running a little slower than normal) and I didn’t have the time to run the update. 

I know from previous experience with software updates that they take time (anywhere between 5 minutes to an hour or more).  So, I try to wait until a time where I will not need to work on my computer for that amount of time to run the update.  Well, later came around again and the computer was starting to get more insistent about completing these updates. 

Finally, I closed all the programs on the computer, checked my email one last time, and clicked the necessary buttons to begin the update.  And then… I waited.  After what felt like an eternity (probably one or two minutes) the estimate came up of how long the update would take – “58 minutes remaining.”  Frustrated, I picked up a book I had been meaning to start and read. 

Sometimes, like my computer, I need a little bit of a software update – my system starts to run a little slow, my applications lag a bit and I freeze up at inopportune times.  Usually these issues come when it has been too long since I last shut down my system and allowed my creator to reboot and refresh me.  I just keep going from meeting to meeting, school event to school event, Scout meeting to Scout meeting, sporting event to sporting event, and on it goes.  None of these applications I am running are in and of themselves bad things, but as I keep going from one task to the other and forget to slow down and update my system, I hurt my overall operating system. 

How do you “update your operating system”?  What are the practices you have in your life to slow down, find some much needed rest, and restore your soul?  We all need these updates, these pauses in the midst of all the applications of our life so we can return to optimal performance.  We, just like my computer, need occasional updates.  How long have you been hitting the “remind me later” button on updating your system?

Thank you for the honor of being your pastor and being in ministry with you to a God who knew the importance of an occasional software update.

Blessings, Chris

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday, we will continue our Lenten message series “Entering the Passion of Jesus.”    This week our message is titled: “Entering the Dining Room”.  Our scripture reading will be from the Gospel of Mark, chapter 14, verses 3-9:

While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard.  She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. 

Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume?  It could have been sold for more than a years’ wages and the money given to the poor.”  And they rebuked her harshly.

“Leave her alone,” said Jesus.  “Why are you bothering her?  She has done a beautiful thing to me.  The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want.  But you will not always have me.  She did what she could.  She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.  Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

We will begin our service with a video of the song Broken Things by Matthew West.  Our hymns for Sunday include: I Love to Tell the Story, and I am Thine, O Lord.  Additionally, our video hymn this week is titled Nobody, by Casting Crowns.

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. 

Don’t Forget to Spring Forward – Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday (3/14) morning.  Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed Saturday night. 

Welcome Back and Thank You! – Leah Gumbel will be back this Sunday after her 4 weeks of maternity leave.  A big thank you to Judy Powell and Cheryl Salyer for volunteering in Leah’s absence, and to Mason McGruder for a beautiful Prelude at the 8:00 service.

Happy Birthday Baby Grace – Our Baby Grace ministry is turning ten years old!  My how our baby has grown fast!  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!  On March 21 we will have a “birthday party” for Baby Grace, complete with cupcakes.

Easter Cards for Elders & Friends –  This year due to the Covid-19 virus, we are asking the congregation to mail out Easter cards or other greeting cards with your own personal Easter greeting rather than drop them off at the church.   The addresses for the names listed below will be located on the refreshment table or on the counter next to the front entrances.       

Florence Banion, Guree Beam, Frances Bradley, Virginia Brownfield, Mary Margaret Browning, John Chipley, Ada and Wes Gingrich, Ann Hartmann, Margaret Hopkins, James & Dixie Lloyd, Carolyn McFarland, Ruby McNew, Bart Riley, Carol Schenck, Leona Schmidt, Helen Taylor, Hessie Watts and Dorothy Whitten.

We know all the recipients will experience a special Easter blessing because of the thoughtfulness of all those who participate in this endeavor.  Thank you for remembering these special people.

Flipz USA Outing – The Nelson kids and youth are planning an outing to Flipz USA in Columbia on Sunday, April 11th from 2:00 – 4:30. We will have the gym to play in from 2:00-4:00, and then eat pizza from 4:00 to 4:30.  Everyone is welcome, bring a friend too!  Please RSVP to the Jacksons or the Bakers.

Blood Drive Coming – The next Red Cross Blood Drive will on Wednesday, April 14 from 1-6pm in our Fellowship Hall.  The need for blood remains great.  We currently have over 30 appointments still available on April 14.  You can sign up to donate blood by clicking here.

Events this week:

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

Sunday, March 14: Daylight Savings Time Begins (Spring Forward)

Youth Group, 5:30 pm, Fellowship Hall

Monday, March 15: TOPS, 9:30 am, Foundations Classroom

Al- Anon, 8:00 pm, Church Lounge

Tuesday, March 16: Administrative Board, 6:00 pm, Church Lounge

Wednesday, March 17: Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Thursday, March 18: Baby Grace, 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Annex

Closing Words of Wisdom:

Stop for one whole day every week, and you will remember what it means to be created in the image of God, who rested on the seventh day not from weariness but from complete freedom. The clear promise is that those who rest like God find themselves free like God, no longer slaves to the thousand compulsions that send others rushing toward their graves.” – Barbara Brown Taylor