“Thoughts on Christmas”

With Christmas less than 48 hours away, I thought I would use this space to share some thoughts from some very well-respected voices about the importance and meaning of Christmas.  I hope you are as blessed by these thoughts as I have been. 

Blessings and Merry Christmas, Chris

It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you… yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand.” – Mother Teresa

How many observe Christ’s birthday! How few, his precepts! O! ’tis easier to keep holidays than commandments.” – Benjamin Franklin

Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” – Calvin Coolidge

The Son of God became a man to enable men to become the sons of God.” – C.S. Lewis

Off to one side sits a group of shepherds. They sit silently on the floor, perhaps perplexed, perhaps in awe, no doubt in amazement. Their night watch had been interrupted by an explosion of light from heaven and a symphony of angels. God goes to those who have time to hear him–and so on this cloudless night he went to simple shepherds.” -Max Lucado

Into this world, this demented inn in which there is absolutely no room for him at all, Christ comes uninvited.” -Thomas Merton

On the first Christmas, God didn’t merely send humanity a principle or a doctrine or an ethical system. He sent His only Son. It’s personal.” – Richard Blackaby

If we could condense all the truths of Christmas into only three words, these would be the words: “God with us.”  We tend to focus our attention at Christmas on the infancy of Christ.  The greater truth of the holiday is His deity.  More astonishing than a baby in the manger is the truth that this promised baby is the omnipotent Creator of the heavens and the earth! – John MacArthur

Christmas is built upon a beautiful and intentional paradox; that the birth of the homeless should be celebrated in every home. – G.K. Chesterton

For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.” —Charles Dickens

He was created of a mother whom He created. He was carried by hands that He formed. He cried in the manger in wordless infancy. He, the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute.” —Saint Augustine

Mission

To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Vision

Nelson Memorial UMC seeks to be a place where all God’s broken, hurting, and imperfect children discover wholeness and community while experiencing the warm and welcoming love of Jesus Christ.  We seek to connect with one another to grow in our knowledge and love of God, to encourage each person to live out their unique calling to serve God, and to make a difference in the Boonville community and throughout the world.

Priorities

Developing and Nurturing Faith in Children and Youth

Fostering Growth and Community in Worship and Small Groups

Provide Opportunities to Serve God in Boonville and Beyond

Worship This Week

Christmas Eve

We will have two services this Christmas Eve at 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm in person, and the 7:00 service will also be livestreamed.  The offering at these services will go towards the Boonslick Ministerial Alliance who helps those in need in our community. 

Our Scripture reading for Christmas Eve will be the familiar words from Luke chapter 2, verses 1-20

And so it came to pass that in those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of entire Roman world.  (This was the first census to be undertaken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.). And everyone was to go to their home town to register.

And so Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, the City of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was great with child.  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be for all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising, and saying: “Glory to God on the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

When the angels had left them, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.”

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.  And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning the child.  And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.” 

Our music will include the songs Joy to the World, O Come All Ye Faithful, and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.  We will also have special music from the Choir, a solo by Sara Snyder and a duet from Leah Gumbel and Sara Snyder.  Our services will also include the Sacrament of Holy Communion and conclude with singing Silent Night by candlelight.

December 26 Worship

This Sunday in worship we will celebrate the songs of Christmas in our 10:20 service (reminder, we will not have an 8:00 service on 12/26).  Our Praise Band will lead us in two songs – The Little Drummer Boy and O Come All Ye Faithful.  Our Choir will bless us with a piece titled Memories of Christmas.  Additionally we will join in singing The First Noel, Angels We Have Heard on High, Good Christian Friends, Rejoice, and Go, Tell It on the Mountain.

I will share a short reflection on a passage from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 2, verses 7 through 12:

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.  He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child.  As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  On coming to the house, they saw the child and his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.  Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.“

Virtual Worship Information

In addition to in-person worship, each Sunday we will live-stream our 10:20 worship service. The service can be viewed on our Facebook Page.  The service will start approximately 10:20 with our gathering song provided by our Praise Band.  We will continue to post a recording of our message each week to our website by early Sunday afternoon.  We are excited to be able to extend our worship services in these ways.

COVID Updates

COVID cases are on the rise again in Cooper County and throughout our region. We will continue to keep all pews open in our Sanctuary, but encourage all worshipers to follow healthy practices – hand sanitizing, mask-wearing, and social distancing. Worshipers are encouraged to wear masks if they prefer or if they are not feeling well.  Masks remain optional for everyone and encouraged for those who are not fully vaccinated.  The Board is committed to continuing to monitor the latest COVID conditions and will discuss any further changes at upcoming meetings.

Announcements

Living Nativity – We are planning on have actors present following the 3:00 pm service 5:00 pm, and then another group from about 6:15 pm until our service begins at 7:00 pm.  The animals will remain following the 7:00 service.  Please come and share in this special time!

December 26 Worship Service – Reminder – We will hold one worship service on December 26 at 10:20 am.  There will not be an 8:00 service that day, and Sunday School classes will not be meeting.

Year End Giving – Thank you for the offerings you have made and are making to Nelson Memorial, UMC.  Your offerings, of your time, of your God-given talents, and of your gifts, help support all that we do.  Nelson Memorial could do nothing without the faithful offerings of all who call Nelson home.  As you consider your final contributions for 2021, please note that the church office offerings must be received by Sunday, December 26 for them to be credited on your 2021 giving statement.  Thank you.

Blood Drive Coming Up –

Our next Red Cross Blood Drive is scheduled for Monday, January 24 from 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm in our Fellowship Hall.  As happens most winters, the blood drive is in very short supply.  All donations are appreciated.  You may make an appointment to donate or find more information here.

Financial Peace University –

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to be healthier with your finances, we have a program to help you.  Beginning Sunday, January 9, we will be offering a opportunity to learn from Dave Ramsey his lessons on financial stewardship.  Financial Peace University (FPU) is a 9-week program with practical, Biblically-based lessons on financial management.  FPU classes will begin with an included lunch and run from Noon till 2:00 pm each week from Jan 9 – March 6.  For more information or to register for FPU, click here or speak with Sam or Katy Giroux.

Christmas Program – This year’s Christmas Program, “Stories of a Savior,” was wonderful!  Thank you to Risa Venable, Chelsea Jackson, Melissa Baker, Jessica Caszatt, Gayle VonEnglen and everyone who had a hand in this wonderful production.  Also, a big thank you to all the children and youth for your hard work and dedication.

Christmas Families – Thank you to everyone who helped us provide Christmas for some families in our community.  Your generosity was a great blessing!

2021 Angel Tree – Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2021 Angel Tree program a success!  To everyone who donated a gift, made soup, helped with the crafts, and spent time with our angel Tree families – Thank You!

Events this week:

Friday, December 24: Christmas Eve – Office Closed

Christmas Eve Worship Services and Living Nativity – 3:00 pm, 7:00 pm

Sunday, December 26: Worship service at 10:20 am, no 8:00 service or Sunday School

Monday, December 27: Office Closed

Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, December 30: No Women’s Bible Study

Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Friday, December 31: New Year’s Eve – Office Closed

Sunday, January 2: Worship services at 8 & 10:20, Sunday School at 9.

Closing Words of Wisdom:

Once in our world, a Stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world.” C.S. Lewis