204 S. Ninth St. • Columbia, MO 65201-4818 • 573-443-3111 • www.moumc.

org • June 14, 2018 • Volume 31, Number 23

Worship Looking Ahead

Services • Work continues in Whittler Hall
Three unique Preschool classes moved to CLC 104
worship Nursery care moved to the Parlor
opportunities (across from the Sanctuary)
are offered on • Sunday, June 17: Reception for Revs.
Sunday. Joan DeBoe and Kim Parker after the
10:30am service. We will have cake and
8am punch and baskets available for notes
McMurry of appreciation for their service.
Chapel
• Sunday June 17: Festival of Sharing
Informal worship
Collection - UMW Sophia Circle will
with a personal
have an informational display in the Sunday, June 17 Sermon:
touch. Sharing
prayer concerns
Connector to collect for this month’s kit
“Paper Products.” We will accept kits
“Are You In Over Your Head Yet?”
is welcomed. There are times when we are called to make a total
you wish to assemble on your own and commitment of ourselves and get in over our heads,
bring to us, and monetary donations to trusting God to carry us along. Where are you in your
9:15am be sent to the church office. faith? Ankle deep? Knee deep? Waist deep? Or are you
Sanctuary • June 17-July 8: No Sunday School or all in? Join us this Sunday at 8, 9:15 or 10:30 as Pastor
Contemporary PreK-5 due to Whittler construction. Fred uses a passage from Ezekiel 47 to help us each
worship that Children’s Church at 9:15 will discern where we are spiritually in our current seasons.
includes a continue as normal.
children’s time,
Praise Band.
• Sunday, July 1: Commissioning of
the students going on the High School
Invitations and “Elbow Events”
Mission Trip during worship By Fred Leist, Lead Pastor
10:30am MUMC Blood Drive in the Atrium Some time back, a study funded by the Lilly Endowment
Sanctuary 8:30am-12:30pm focused on how congregations can do a better job of
Traditional Donut Sunday in Cornerstone Coffee reaching and equipping people to become new followers
worship with Shop of Jesus. The study confirmed that most Christian
music from the • July 8-14: High School Mission Trip to congregations struggle with reaching new people. And the
choir. Parsons, Kansas study lifted up four fundamental principles that should
• Sunday, July 15: Dessert with the guide our invitational outreach.
Pastor
• Most new Christians first attended church
• July 29-Aug. 3: Vacation Bible School
because they were invited. Almost 60 percent
Rolling River Rampage! Find more info
of new Christians attended church the first time
and registration at moumc.org/vbs
because someone invited them. And new Christians
• Sunday, Aug. 5: VBS Sunday
consistently said that the biggest barrier to
attending church was “not knowing anyone” in the
congregation. For that reason, the speaker at a recent
seminar I attended suggested that local churches have
as many “elbow events” as possible. He explained
that elbow events are relatively non-threatening
events (ice-cream social, comedy night, small group
backyard BBQ gathering, etc.) where church folks can
invite their friends and bring them in “on their elbow”
by accompanying them and helping them connect with
(continued on page 2)
(continued from page 1)
others. Great idea! An invitation to worship can also
be an elbow event when you not only invite someone,
but also offer to personally bring them or meet them
at the door. The assurance that you’ll be there to
walk through the new experience with them and to
help them make new friends is an important (and
often life-changing) act of hospitality.
• New people often connect with churches during
times of life change. Whether the change is good
or bad, people are most open to becoming involved
with Jesus and a congregation during seasons of
change in their lives, such as marriage, divorce, new
parenthood, change of career, relocation, etc.
• Guests return because of the pastor and the people.
“The people” and “the pastor” were the top two
reasons new people said they returned to church for a
second time. That highlights the importance of MUMC
being a warm, welcoming congregation from both the
pulpit and the pew. Nothing takes the place of human
touch when new guests are among us.
• Decisions to join the church family are motivated
by a search for real meaning in life. The study
noted that new Christians are looking for connections
with other people, but they are also thinking about
questions regarding meaning and purpose in their
lives. New people come with questions like, “How can
I find an enduring source of happiness?” or “What’s
missing in my life?” A lesson for churches is that
visitor follow-up plans need to build on fellowship
and relationships, but also must connect people with
opportunities to ask the big questions of meaning in
their lives.
Clearly, this study tells us that a simple, sincere,
personal invitation remains the most effective approach
to bringing someone into the family of faith. And
we should all be looking for those elbow events and
invitational opportunities, especially when our friends
and acquaintances are going through some life-changing
situations. May the God who welcomes and invites
all, help us to be both open and responsive to those
opportunities to reach out to others with love.
2 MISSOURI UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
New Summer Schedule for
Children’s Ministry
Our pre-school area is getting a face lift! Whittler Hall,
the Nursery Hallway and their adjoining classrooms are
all being refreshed to be safe, functional and welcoming
for all families. Many of these spaces will be getting new
furniture, cabinetry and flooring, while other spaces will
be refreshed with bright colors and directional signage.
As a result, there will be no Sunday School, PreK-5 from
June 17-July 8. However, Children’s Church during the
9:15am worship service will continue throughout the
renovations in CLC 104. During the 10:30am worship
service, there will be a children’s message, and PreK-
2nd grade are welcome in the Nursery. (The Nursery will
continue to be held in the Parlor, Room 205 across from
the Sanctuary.)
If you have questions, please visit with a representative
at the Family Connector Desk, or contact Linda Leist at
linda@moumc.org.
July 12: VAC’s Christmas in
July Event at MUMC
Volunteers are needed to donate food and help serve
at the Annual Christmas in July Dinner to be held this
July 12 at our church. This dinner provides food for low
income families from 5:30-7pm that day. Santa will visit
and children will be entertained with craft activities.
Donations of children’s activity books,crayons, and cash
are also welcome. If you would like to be involved, please
contact Suzanne McDavid at 474-4416 or suzmcdavid@aol.
com, Mary Ouart at 446-2490 or mandmouart@aol.com,
or Pat Martin at 445-5603. This is the 27th year MUMC will
host this event for Voluntary Action Center! The generous
donations of our members have provided dinner for 250-
450 and help Voluntary Action Center raise funds for basic
needs and emergency services for low-income citizens.
Lead Team Digest
moumc.org/resources
Keeping up with what the Lead Team is doing? You can
find the summary of the meetings online at moumc.org/
resources. Paper copies are available in the office.
June 14, 2018 - Vol. 31, No. 23
 Growing Deeply
a daily scripture guide
Week of June 18 — June 23
MONDAY: Ezekiel 47:1-12 Ankle Deep
Wading in the water can be very soothing. We can enjoy the water without
feeling threatened.
REFLECTION: What is your comfort level with water? Using an analogy of
water to life, what is your comfort level with your life?
TUESDAY: Ezekiel 47:1-12 Knee Deep
As we feel more comfortable in the water, we wade further in still feeling
in control and enjoying the water’s soothing properties.
CONSIDER: Consider the analogy. What causes you to begin to lose your
sense of security in life?
WEDNESDAY: Ezekiel 47:1-12 Waist Deep
Before we know it, we have wandered further into the water. At this
point, we either feel secure enough to continue or begin to experience the
insecurity of letting go of control.
REFLECTION: Reflect on a time when you felt that you were losing control
in life – a time when you felt you were getting in too deep.
THURSDAY: Ezekiel 47:1-12 Over Your Head
Water challenges us. If we are not able to swim, the insecurity of deep
water can be frightening. If we are swimmers, we can connect with the
security within.
REFLECTION: Continuing the analogy further, liken the challenges
encountered in life with your comfort or discomfort with water. Now
imagine a scenario in which God provides the security needed to navigate
through life with confidence.
FRIDAY: Ezekiel 47:1-12 Water of Life
Water nourishes. The passage in Ezekiel tells us that “The waters of this
stream will make the salty waters of the Dead Sea fresh and pure.” Just so,
God’s love, grace, and guidance nourishes all aspects of our lives.
REFLECTION: Reflect on your life. Reflect on times when you felt nourished
and refreshed by God’s love.
SATURDAY: Ezekiel 47:1-12 Stream of Consistency
Streams twist and turn; streams change flow as they encounter disruptions
in the path; the depth of a stream changes along its journey.
PRAYER: God of the stream, as physical streams encounter changes in path
and depth, help us to remember that you are with us as the stream of
our lives carries us to unexpected changes. Help us to know that you are
the consistency in our stream.
Sunday Sermon
“Are You In ‘Over Your Head’ Yet?” June 17
Scripture: Ezekiel 47:1-12 (NLT)
In my vision, the man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple.
There I saw a stream flowing east from beneath the door of the Temple
and passing to the right of the altar on its south side. The man brought
me outside the wall through the north gateway and led me around to the
eastern entrance. There I could see the water flowing out through the
south side of the east gateway.
Measuring as he went, he took me along the stream for 1,750 feet and
then led me across. The water was up to my ankles. He measured off
another 1,750 feet and led me across again. This time the water was up
to my knees. After another 1,750 feet, it was up to my waist. Then he
measured another 1,750 feet, and the river was too deep to walk across. It
was deep enough to swim in, but too deep to walk through.
He asked me, “Have you been watching, son of man?” Then he led me
back along the riverbank. When I returned, I was surprised by the sight of
many trees growing on both sides of the river. Then he said to me, “This
river flows east through the desert into the valley of the Dead Sea. The
waters of this stream will make the salty waters of the Dead Sea fresh and
pure. There will be swarms of living things wherever the water of this river
flows. Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will become fresh.
Life will flourish wherever this water flows. Fishermen will stand along the
shores of the Dead Sea. All the way from En-gedi to En-eglaim, the shores
will be covered with nets drying in the sun. Fish of every kind will fill the
Dead Sea, just as they fill the Mediterranean. But the marshes and swamps
will not be purified; they will still be salty. Fruit trees of all kinds will grow
along both sides of the river. The leaves of these trees will never turn
brown and fall, and there will always be
fruit on their branches. There will be a new crop every month, for they are
watered by the river flowing from the Temple. The fruit will be for food
and the leaves for healing.”
Read or subscribe to the weekly guide at moumc.org/grow
Printed copies are available at the Connector Desk.
Missouri United Methodist Church Periodical
204 S. Ninth St. Postage
Columbia, MO 65201-4899 PAID
Columbia, MO
573-443-3111 USPS No. 355460

“We exist to connect all people with Jesus Christ.

We do this by welcoming enthusiastically, growing deeply and serving courageously.” /MissouriUMC

Guest Wi-Fi: MUMC - Guest (Password: password)

Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-noon, 1-4:30pm

Points of Prayer
Here are a few specific things to pray for during this time:
• Pray that the realigned schedule will free up
additional people who are willing to serve in two
of our core ministry areas: (Sunday School and Have You Registered Yet?
Children’s Ministry). A considerable group of people Vacation Bible School, July 29-August 3
attending our Town Hall Meetings indicated a desire
moumc.org/vbs
and willingness to re-connect, or to serve for the first
Kids and Adults, VOLUNTEERS and PARTICIPANTS, it’s
time, in those ministry areas. Pray that this becomes
time to register and invite your friends to register!
a reality.
• Pray that each of our Sunday worship services become Inspiring Bible Stories | Amazing Science
places where new people experience an affirming Fun Music | Creative Crafts
connection with others and a life-changing encounter Rowdy Recreation!
with God.

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The church provides bus transportation to the 10:30am Sunday worship service.
Call 443-3111 before noon on Fridays. Bus service is available to all.
The Messenger (USPS No. 355460) is published weekly except the last week of the year by Missouri United Methodist Church at 204 S. Ninth St., Columbia, MO. Periodical postage paid at Columbia, MO.
POSTMASTER: for change of address, send to Missouri United Methodist Church Messenger, 204 S. Ninth St., Columbia, MO 65201-4818, June 14, 2018
Staff: Lead Pastor Fred Leist. Laura Bentley, Administrative Assistant; Adam Bordoni, Facilities; Tim Coday, Director of Music Ministries; Dawn Davis,
Full-Charge Bookkeeper; Joan DeBoe, Pastor of Worship & Administration; Adriene Floyd, Office Manager; Courtney Gaunt, Director, Discovery Days;
Teressa Gilbreth, Director of Communications; Charity Goodwin, Pastor of Discipleship; Jacqui Jamieson, Assistant Director, Discovery Days; Katja Jones,
Director of Youth Ministries; Linda Leist, Children’s Ministry Coordinator; Jo Lee, Events Coordinator; Gabriella Miller, Nursery Coordinator; Kim Parker,
Pastor of New Generations; Preston Williams, Tech & Facility Steward; Music Staff: Craig Datz, Organist; Kaye Miller, Director of Wesleyan Ringers;
Rochelle Parker, Associate Organist; Marilyn Rowe, Serendipity Choir; Rachel Blomquist, Grace Notes Choir