Can I Get A Witness?

Mornings. You know what they’re like. There’s the mad rush to make lunches, pull clean clothes out of the dryer, round up masks, fuss over messy hair, and get the kids safely ensconced on the school bus. I pray them off as I watch them walk to the bus stop, and after they’ve boarded I retreat to the sanctity of a now quiet house. As the coffee brews, I sit on my trusty little step stool and open my Bible to spend a few minutes in Scripture before logging into work. It’s blissful…the eye of the hurricane in some ways. This morning, however, my quiet contemplation was interrupted by the sound of our Newfie frantically barking outside. Worried that he was barreling after some poor unsuspecting neighbor, I dashed out only to find him exactly where he was supposed to be. The commotion was coming from the fact that our Bassett hound was not. He was standing on point a yard over trying to engage a yellow lab further down the street. I called for him to come home, but if you’ve ever seen a Bassett on point, you know it’s a completely useless endeavor. That dog was not coming home until I went and got him. So off I went jogging down the street in the early morning light calling for my stupid dog.

A short while later, he came bounding back to me like it was a happy coincidence we both happened to find ourselves strolling down the same street on such a fine morning. I waved in a “What can you do?” sort of way to the yellow lab’s mom. Then, I looked down at myself. I should mention that, as writer, I have the privilege of working from home. And most days, it looks like it. Today I was in a bright blue t-shirt over lavender gym shorts with ruby red house slippers to round it all out. And there, in the crook of my elbow, was my Bible. Apparently in my rush to chase down my dog I had carried it with me. Anyone looking out their window at that moment would see a fashion backward crazy lady running after a dog in slippers and carrying a Bible. Yikes, I thought. What kind of a witness am I making?

The idea of witnessing has always been a difficult one for me. As Jesus people, I recognize that we are commissioned along with the disciples to be Christ’s witnesses to the world. But what does that look like? Do we have to walk up to complete strangers and ask them if they know Jesus? Do we march into people’s communities and demand that they follow our beliefs? Do we insist to those who follow a different faith that they are wrong and we are right? If so, I’ve failed miserably.

My faith isn’t something I want to force on someone. It’s not a weapon, although it has been weaponized over the centuries in some pretty awful ways. Rather, being a witness means telling someone else how you, personally, have seen God working and moving in your life. Look at how the Psalmist puts it:

 

This description of witnessing is intimate. It’s a conversation about how you’ve seen God moving through your life. In this way, the act of witnessing becomes an invitation and not a demand. We speak of what we know of God, and the listener can choose what to believe.

But being a witness isn’t simply about words. It is all-encompassing. It’s about how we act, too. In Matthew, Jesus gives this wonderful definition of witness to a man he has just healed.

 

What a beautiful verse! This makes witnessing so much more approachable to me. Your cleansed and grateful life will bear witness to what I have done. Imagine that for a moment. What does a cleansed and grateful life look like? I think it is one that manifests the fruits of the Spirit. It is a life where love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control flow from us to all of those we encounter. And people can’t help but wonder at the source of it. There is so much power in the witness of a cleansed and grateful life. It is a flame that radiates the warmth of God’s love and draws all those who come near it ever closer.

I’m probably not going to lead many people to Christ running down the street early in the morning carrying a Bible. But I might be able to share something of my walk with Jesus by how I choose to interact with others. If I can get beyond myself enough to let God have more room, then I can live that cleansed and grateful life that bears witness to Jesus. What about you? How are you being a witness for Jesus?

Blessings and Peace, Sara

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday we conclude our message series “Restart.”  This series focuses on the Old Testament book of Nehemiah and the story of the rebuilding of Jerusalem for God’s purposes.  This week our message is titled: “Recommit.”  Our scripture reading will be from the Nehemiah, chapter 8, verses 1-3:

When the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns, all the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate.  They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel.

So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the men and women and all who were able to understand.  He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand.  And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.“

We will begin our service with the song Lifesong by Casting Crowns.  Our hymns for Sunday include: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee, and Have Thine Own Way, Lord.  Additionally, our video hymn this week is Called Me Higher, by All Sons and Daughters. 

Next Sunday, May 30, Rev. Dan Faust will be our guest preacher.  Pastor Dan’s message is titled “Open Our Eyes.”  The Scripture reading for May 30 will be from the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 24, verses 28-35:

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. 

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 

They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us^[a] while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.“

Music on May 30 will begin with the song House of The Lord by Phil Wickham.  Hymns will include O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing and Open My Eyes, That I May See.  Our video hymn that had will be Open the Eyes of My Heart performed by Paul Baloche. 

COVID Precautions

The Church’s Administrative Board met this week and considered the updated advice from the CDC on COVID precautions.  In accordance with new CDC guidelines, masks are no longer required in the church for those who are fully vaccinated.  Social distancing will still be encouraged and practiced, as will enhanced cleaning procedures.  The Administrative Board will continue to monitor pertinent numbers and information and update our practices accordingly. 

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. 

Special Note: The service on Sunday, May 30 will not be available online.  We apologize to those who use this as their primary connection with Nelson Memorial.  We will work to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

Announcements

No Weekly Update Next Week – Pastor Chris and family will be on vacation next week and he will not be sending out a weekly update May 28.

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.

Would you like to lend a helping hand with VBS?? – Even if you are not available during VBS, we have opportunities to help us get ready.  If you have hands that want to help, we have a place for them.  There are sign-up sheets located in the church on the counter by the front doors or back in the refreshment area.  If you have any questions please contact Risa Venable or Melissa Baker.

Technology Upgrade Coming – After much research and conversation, the Church’s Administrative Board voted to approve a plan to update and upgrade some of the technology capabilities at the church.  The approved plan includes the purchase and installation of 2 remote-controlled video cameras and other video components which will allow us to produce a high-quality video worship service livestream.  The total cost of this project is approximately $14,000 and the funds for this will be provided from a few already received donations and through the use of some memorial funds. 

In conjunction with this upgrade, and to give us the network capacity to broadcast a livestream, the Board also approved an upgrade to our internet service.  We have contracted with Socket to provide Fiber internet service and this change will take place in the coming weeks.

The Board also received a bid to upgrade the projectors and visual quality in our Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall.  The total for this project was an additional $8,500.  This update/upgrade would provide for a clearer, easier to read image through the projectors used in our worship services.  After much deliberation and discussion, the Board did not see the funds on hand to approve this purchase at this time.  However, the Board would like to ask you to consider helping with the funding for this project.  If you are able to make a gift to this project, over and above your giving to our general fund, please consider doing so.  Checks can be made to Nelson Memorial with “A/V update” in the memo line.  Thank you for considering helping to fund this important update to our technology.

New Foundations Sunday School Summer Study: Beginning in June, the Foundations Sunday School class will be doing a video study based on Bob Goff’s bestselling book, Everybody, Always. During this study, we will reflect on how we can Be Love in in a world full of setbacks and difficult people. Feel free to come along on this journey of love with us each Sunday morning at 9:00 A.M. in the Foundations classroom.

Events this week:

Friday, May 21: Youth Group, 7:00 pm, Jackson’s home

Monday, May 24: TOPS, 9:00 am, Foundations Classroom

Al- Anon, 8:00 pm, Church Lounge

Wednesday, May 26: Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Sunday, May 30: Guest Preacher – Rev. Dan Faust

Monday, May 31: Memorial Day (Church office closed)

Wednesday, June 2: Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Closing Words of Wisdom:

The Pessimist Sees Difficulty In Every Opportunity. The Optimist Sees Opportunity In Every Difficulty.” – Winston Churchill