The next day, Jesus decided to leave for Galilee.  Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”  John 1:43

I can still remember it vividly.  We were sitting in chairs under the shade of an old oak tree in Sam’s backyard.  It was a warm summer afternoon. Sam’s son and daughter were running around the yard, gleefully enjoying playing in the sprinkler and going down the slide.  I don’t remember what it was I needed to talk about that day, but I remember that I was immediately invited over and given as much time as I needed. 

This was not a unique event.  I remember being welcomed into Sam and Julie’s home throughout my teenage years.  If I needed help with something I was facing, if I was frustrated or even just wanted to talk to an adult who wasn’t one of my parents – I knew I could always turn to them.

Sam had been my Sunday School teacher, a volunteer with our youth group, and a fun person to be around.  He taught me about faith, life, fatherhood, and all kinds of other things.  When I was in confirmation, it was a natural choice for me to ask Sam to be my mentor.  He was one of my favorite people and lived his faith in a way that made sense to me.  He wasn’t boring, listened to music other than “Jesus Rock” (what I called Contemporary Christian Music), and just seemed real to me. 

This is the approach to sharing faith we find modeled throughout the biblical story.  From Abraham and Lot to Moses and Joshua, Naomi and Ruth, Eli and Samuel, Samuel and David, Elijah and Elisha, Elizabeth and Mary, Paul and Timothy and on and on, we see that teaching is best when it is taught by being caught (that is seen, not just heard).  This is exactly the way Jesus mentors his disciples.  When calling each of them, he says “follow me,” not “sit down and listen to me.” 

This weekend we will begin a confirmation program for 9 of the youth at our church.  I am excited about this program this year (partly because our boys will be participating) as we are trying something new.  Confirmation is a time for youth (typically 12-15 years old) to explore their faith and learn what it means to be a disciple of Christ in the real world.  This year, instead of me teaching a class for a bunch of weeks and trying not to bore a room full of teenagers, we are using a mentor-based approach.  Our youth have each picked someone in our church who they consider a disciple to be their mentor.  For the next 13 weeks these youth and their mentors will meet and discuss what it means to follow God.

I ask you to hold our confirmation program in your prayers – both the youth and their mentors.  I also invite you to think about those who have been mentors in your life. Who modeled faith for you and helped you understand what it means to follow God?  Finally, I invite you to consider whose life God might be calling you invest in as a mentor.  Each one of us has life-experiences that others can learn from.  Who might God be calling you to share your faith story with to help them grow?

It is a blessing to be your pastor and to be in ministry alongside you to a God who both shapes us and uses us to shape others.

Blessings, Chris

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

This Sunday in worship we will continue our message series titled “Becoming More – Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit.”  Each week we will look at one or two of the “Fruits of the Spirit” names in Galatians chapter 5.  This week we will focus on the fruit of the spirit of Joy.  Our scripture lesson will be from Philippians chapter 4, verses 4-9:

Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it gain: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and you minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.“

We will begin our service at 8:00 with the song House of the Lord by Phil Wickham.  Our 10:20 service will begin with our Praise Team leading us in Blessed Be Your Name.  Our hymns for the morning include Victory In Jesus, Amazing Grace My Chains Are Gone, and The Trees of the Field. 

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 at 10:20 with our gathering song.  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.  If you are ill or not feeling well, please consider staying home and worshiping with us through our live-stream. 

Announcements

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.  We recently began a new session of Financial Peace University.  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 until March 6.  For more information or to register for FPU, you can click here or speak with Sam or Katy Giroux. 

Blessing Bags – The Youth have prepared 100 Blessing Bags and invite you to pick some up and distribute them as you see a need.  They are in various places around the church.  Please take one or two (or more) and leave them in your car.  As you see someone needing food or help, share this bag with them.  This is a great (and easy) way to help people in need.  Thank you to the youth group for preparing these and giving us this opportunity!

Juanita Scott Memorial Scholarship – The intent of this scholarship is to provide one $500.00 scholarship per year for a high school senior, with preference being given for Nelson Memorial United Methodist Church members and/or those who are actively involved with the church.  Boonville High School seniors will be provided an application as part of their Guidance Office “Local Scholarship Information”.  For other than Boonville High School students, high school seniors may contact our church office at 882-6223 to request an application.  All scholarship applications with accompanying transcripts shall be received by the committee by March 14, 2022, during office hours. 

Charles Edgar Whitten Memorial Scholarship – The intent of this scholarship is to provide one $500.00 scholarship per year for 3rd and 4th year college applicants, with preference given to Nelson Memorial United Methodist Church members and/or those who are actively involved in the church where they attend a university or college.  The scholarship may be used for tuition, books, lab fees, or living expenses, as needed to help the scholarship winner continue their studies.  To request an application please contact the church office at 882-6223.  All scholarship applications must be received by our committee by April 11, 2022, during office hours. 

Events this week:

Sunday, January 16: Financial Peace University, Noon, Church Lounge

Confirmation Mentor Meeting, 3:30 pm, Fellowship Hall

Confirmation Kickoff Meeting, 4:00 pm, Sanctuary

Monday, January 17: Martin Luther King Day – Office Closed

Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, January 18: Administrative Board Meeting, 6:00 pm, Lounge and Zoom

Choir Rehearsal, 6:00 pm, Sanctuary

Wednesday, January 19: Women’s Bible Study, 10:15 am, Church Lounge

Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Thursday, January 20: Baby Grace Distribution, 5:00 pm, Annex

Friday, January 21: Al-Anon, 7:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Closing Words of Wisdom:

A mentor is not someone who walks ahead of us and tells us how they did it.  A mentor is someone who walks alongside us to guide us on what we can do.” ― Simon Sinek