“What are you wearing?”

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.  Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.  Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

Colossians 3:12-14 (emphasis mine)

Yesterday I was looking through some articles and found one on a pop culture website that I rarely ever pay attention to.  This time the headline grabbed my attention enough to read it and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since.  The article is titled “Why People Stopped Believing in Organized Religion” and includes 19 different people sharing their stories about why they have made the decision to no longer participate in church.  Below are just a few of the stories included in the article (not to mention the 200 plus additional stories shared in the comments section).

My father was caught cheating on my mother. When my parents went to the pastor for counseling, he told my mom that she could not file for divorce, and that it had to be my dad’s decision. Of course, he wanted to work it out but she wouldn’t have it. She filed for divorce and left the church. My brother and I left with her.”

I ended up getting pregnant at 18. The pastor and most of the older congregation looked down on me because I was a ‘sinner.’ As if that wasn’t bad enough, about 3 months later, the pastor’s unwed daughter got pregnant, but she was never snubbed, and his new grandson was the best thing on Earth. I just couldn’t stand to be around hypocritical Christians anymore.”

I was raised Christian, and the main thing that turned me away from it was the fact that I was sexually abused as a child. When anyone found out, they would say things like, ‘Oh, God was just making you stronger,’ or ‘Read the story of Job, sometimes God just tests you.'”

My great-grandfather was a very prominent Southern Baptist preacher, so I was raised in a very religious household. When we moved across the country, we found a new church. I told the youth pastor how I wanted to become one. They straight up told me — as I was cleaning the church voluntarily twice a week — that women have no place in church leadership. I was good enough to clean the windows, and give them money, but nothing else. Haven’t been to a church since.”

We didn’t have enough faith because my husband died of cancer. That was the beginning of the end for me.”

At the Last Supper in the Gospel of John, Jesus tells his disciples “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)  Paul instructs the community at Corinth to “clothe themselves with love.”  I don’t know any of the folks in the above stories or the people who said the hurtful things to them, but I can say with certainty that they were not clothed in love.  As believers we rejoice in the knowledge that no matter our sin, because of the grace of God, we are forgiven.  Why are we – and when I say we I am referring to the Christians in the stories above and to all those who do not speak against them – so eager to hold what we deem as the sins of others against them? 

I tried to force myself to read all of the stories of the people who were sharing the ways their faith had been destroyed by those within the Church.  But after a while, I found myself so sad, so upset, so angry, and so embarrassed by all these stories.  Friends, if we desire to be witnesses for Jesus in our world, if we want represent Jesus to others, we must love them – no matter what! 

Jesus accepted everyone into his presence and let them know they had value.  It didn’t matter what mistakes they had made in the past, it didn’t matter what their nationality was, who they loved, how they voted, where they lived or how much money they had.  Jesus’ emphasis was on the unending and amazing grace of God who seeks to welcome all people into God’s kingdom.  Jesus did not spend his time telling people what he was against, who he was against, or how bad they were.  Jesus wanted people to know that despite their flaws, they were loved.  As members of sinful humanity, this is our only hope.  This is what we should tell others.  You’ve gone through a divorce – God loves you and wants to heal you.  You are unmarried and pregnant – God wants you to know there are people out there who will support you and your baby and that both of you are good.  You’ve been victimized in the past – God did not will that upon you and cries with you in the pain.  You feel called by God to serve in the church – great!  God has uniquely gifted and prepared you for something amazing.  Thank you for answering God’s call.  You have suffered loss – Jesus cried with Martha and Mary when their brother Lazarus died.  He cried with you too in your loss. 

Occasionally people who are planning on worshipping with us for the first time ask me about what they should wear when they come to worship.  I’ve always said God doesn’t care what we wear in worship.  But, clearly we need the reminder that as those who call ourselves children of God, everywhere we go, we must always clothe ourselves in love. 

I thank you for the honor of being your pastor and working alongside you to show God’s love to a world desperate to see it.

Blessings, Chris

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday we begin a new message series “Restart.”  This series will focus on the Old Testament book of Nehemiah and the story of the rebuilding and reclaiming of Jerusalem for God’s purposes.  This week our message is titled: “Remember.”  Our scripture reading will be from the Nehemiah, chapter 1, verses 1-4:

The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah:

In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.

They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace.  The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”

When I heard these things, I sat down and wept.  For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

We will begin our service with a video of the song Build Your Kingdom Here by Rend Collective.  Our hymns for Sunday include: Standing on the Promises, and O God, Our Help in Ages Past.  Additionally, our video hymn this week is Remind Me Who I Am, by Jason Gray.  With this Sunday being the first Sunday in May, we will also celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion in both of our services.

COVID Precautions

Reminder: We have resumed our previous Sunday morning schedule – Worship Services at 8:00 & 10:20 with Sunday School at 9:00. 

Even with our return to this schedule and Sunday School, please remember the COVID precautions in place at the church: masks are required for everyone over the age of 2, social distancing is still expected (every other pew will continue to be closed), and we will continue disinfecting pews between services. 

We know there are some who are still not feel comfortable or able to attend 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 10:20 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

Community Work Day – The Methodist Men and Youth Group are joining together for a service project at Hain House on Saturday, May 8.  The fence around the property is in need of some love, and we plan to provide it.  We plan on starting work around 9:15-9:30 (following the regularly scheduled Men’s meeting at 8:30 am).  Everyone is welcome.  If you have them, please bring wire brushes, paint scrapers, and maybe some paint brushes.  All materials will be provided.

Honoring Graduates – We will honor our graduates in worship Sunday, May 16.  Please contact the office (boonvillemethodist@gmail.com) to let us know about your graduate so we can be sure they are included!  We are excited to honor these special people and their achievements!

Breakfast Anyone? – The Methodist Men will hold a fundraiser breakfast the morning of Sunday, May 16 from 8 am – 12:30 pm.  There will be plenty of food available for all and the freewill donations will go the various mission projects of the Methodist Men.

Vacation Bible School – VBS is back!  This year we will host Vacation Bible School the mornings of June 28 – 30 at the church.  Our theme is “Keep Running the Race Set Before You.”  We will kick off VBS with a fun event at the Boonville High School track on June 27.  If you’d like more information or to volunteer to help, please contact Risa Venable.

Scam Warning – There have been increasing reports of people receiving scam emails and text messages from people pretending to be pastors asking church members to donate iTunes and Amazon gift cards.  I will not reach out to you via email asking for donations, and will not ask for gift cards unless it is part of a mission project.  Please, if you see a message asking for money and it seems a little unusual, reach out to the church or wait until Sunday morning and ask in person.  Chances are, if something seems fishy, it probably is. 

Events this week:

Friday, April 30: Methodist Men Retreat to Camp Sagrada

Saturday, May 1: Methodist Men Retreat and Work Day at Camp Sagrada

Monday, May 3: TOPS, 9:00 am, Foundations Classroom

Al- Anon, 8:00 pm, Church Lounge

Tuesday, May 4: Congregation Care Team Meeting, 7:00 pm, Church Lounge

Wednesday, May 5: Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Saturday, May 8: Methodist Men, 8:30 am, Fellowship Hall

Methodist Men & Youth Community Work Day at Hain House, 9:15 am, Hain House

Sunday, May 9: Mother’s Day

Closing Words of Wisdom:

One who has been touched by grace will no longer look on those who stray as “those evil people” or “those poor people who need our help.” Nor must we search for signs of “loveworthiness.” Grace teaches us that God loves because of who God is, not because of who we are.”  ― Philip Yancey