“A Pattern Developing”

Have you ever had one of those weeks where you knew God was trying to get your attention about something?  This week has been one of those for me.  It started off with a chapter in the book our Congregation Care Team is reading together.  Then I had a conversation with a colleague and the same topic came up.  Then I watched a television program that brought up the topic, too.  Even a game show I watch mentioned it.  Finally, I came across this comic strip and a reflection on depression. 

Mental illness, anxiety, depression, these are all serious topics that are so important to have a healthy understanding of.  Sometimes in the church we are taught that if our faith is strong enough, we won’t or shouldn’t encounter these feelings.  Cultural norms tell us that these feelings represent weakness and spiritual deficiency.  Friends, this is just not true. 

The above cartoon (depicting John & Charles Wesley as modern-day adolescents) was accompanied by the author’s reflection about his experiences with depression.  He included the following thoughts:

It’s important that we remember that even when they are situational in nature, anxiety and depression are illness, and we should take steps to treat mental illness just like we would to take care of our bodies with physical illness.  It’s interesting that John Wesley recognized this in his own day.  He said, ‘This is eminently the case with regard to those which are termed nervous disorders. And faith does not overturn the course of nature: Natural causes still produce natural effects. Faith no more hinders the sinking of the spirits (as it is called) in an hysteric illness than the rising of the pulse in a fever.’”

I wanted Charles to demonstrate what compassion looks like in being a friend to someone who has depression.  First and foremost, when you know someone is struggling with depression, listen to them!  Believe them.  Do not try to fix them or tell them it’s going to be okay.  Validate their feelings.  Encourage them to see a therapist and to stick with it.  Encourage them to see if medication will help (they’d need to see a psychiatrist for that)… In being a compassionate friend to someone experiencing depression, you have the opportunity to experience God’s grace yourself.” 

Charlie Barber, wesleybros.com

As someone who has been affected by depression and anxiety, both personally and through loved ones, I know how difficult these topics can be.  I encourage you to be intentional about learning potential warning signs of mental illness in others (and yourself) – signs like being withdrawn, no longer experiencing joy in day-to-day activities, excessive sleeping, dark or negative thoughts, and comments about self-harm – and letting people know you are concerned about them (or yourself).  By noticing a change in someone’s behavior, you may be the one safe person they have in their life, and could potentially change, or even save, their life. 

Often times, just like I noticed these patterns this week encouraging me to share with you about the topic of mental health, there are patterns in the behavior of others (and ourselves) that let us know a conversation would be helpful.  I invite you to be intentional about paying attention to these patterns and to be willing to act on them. 

It is an honor to be your pastor and to be in ministry alongside you to a God who never leaves us alone. 

Blessings, Chris

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday we begin a brief series titled “Reflections From the Road.”  This week our message is titled: “Formation.”  Our scripture reading will be from Philippians, chapter 3, verses 12-14:

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” 

We will begin our service with the song Less Like Me by Zach Williams.  Our hymns for Sunday include: Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing, and Take My Life, and Let it Be.  Additionally, our video hymn this week is Different, by Micah Tyler. 

COVID Precautions

The Church’s Administrative Board met last 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. 

Announcements

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.

Ice Cream Freeze Off – This Sunday, June 13, will be the annual Ice Cream Freeze Off.  We will begin at 4:00 in the Fellowship Hall.  All entries (everyone is encouraged to enter) are asked to have their ice cream at the church by 3:45 pm for judging.  Please contact Elvin Farquhar and tell him the flavor of your entry.  Winners will receive $25 for first place, $15 for second, and $10 for third.  We hope to see you there!

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.

Events this week:

Friday, June 11 – Sunday, June 13: Missouri Annual Conference, Virtual Sessions

Saturday, June 12: United Methodist Men, 8:30 am, Fellowship Hall

Sunday, June 13: Ice Cream Freeze Off, 4:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Monday, June 14: TOPS, 9:00 am, Foundations Classroom

Al- Anon, 8:00 pm, Church Lounge

Tuesday, June 15: Church Administrative Board, 6:00 pm, Church Lounge and Zoom

Wednesday, June 16: Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Friday, June 18: Youth Group, 5:00 pm, Jackson’s home

Closing Words of Wisdom

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” Leo Buscaglia