Missouri District Church of the Nazarene

Didn’t pre-register? No problem! Walk-ups are welcomed! Don’t miss out on this great day tomorrow! monaz.org/valuesconference

Attending the Values Conference this Saturday and want an advance look at the conference book? We’ve got you covered. Use the QR code or follow this link to view the book. l.ead.me/bc7yCU

Did you know there will be 3 separate workshops just for students at the Values Conference this Saturday? BE DO GO For Today’s Youth Groups & Students with Rev. Jana Burnham. Learn more at monaz.org/valuesconference

Discipleship is A Journey of Grace. In his workshop, Dr Scott Rainey will share a message of Hope for the Journey. For more details visit monaz.org/valuesconference

We have childcare and special programming planned for your kids at the Values Conference! Your kids will want to come!! Make sure to take a moment today to pre...-register your children so we can staff appropriately. For more details on kids programming at the Values Conference visit monaz.org/valuesconference. See more

We just concluded graduation and trustee meetings at MidAmerica Nazarene University. The Missouri District was well represented by Pastor Kim Purl and Philip Speicher. They both have served you with distinction during this term. Pastor Kim also brought devotions for the plenary session on Friday. Please keep our universities in prayer during these exciting and your challenging days. Also, we congratulate all of our Missouri district graduates! We are proud of you!!

"Turn us, O God of Hosts, show us your countenance, and we shall be whole. For wherever the soul of man turns itself, unless toward you, it is riveted on sorro...ws even if it is riveted on beautiful things that will pass away. Amen." Augustine, Bishop of Hippo See more

District Leadership Change - Sunday School & Discipleship Ministries International: The Missouri District welcomes Pastor Pat Garcia (Columbia Nazarene) who has been appointed as the new District SDMI Chairman. Pastor Pat will serve as the SDMI Chairman through the 2021-2022 church year. The Missouri District extends much thanks and appreciation to Pastor Jason Young (Hannibal First) for his passionate leadership this past year as SDMI Chairman.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come This is how one of our favorite Christmas hymns begins. As we enter into this sacred time of Advent, I pray the presence of Christ will be very real to you and your family! Beginning tomorrow, November 29th, we will focus on the coming of Christ. The word advent means come in Latin. Of course we celebrate the arrival of the Christ child as a baby and all of the things that means to us. Isaiah 9 is such an encouraging prophec...y of the coming of the One who would bring light to darkness and life to that which was dead. We also find some of the characteristics of Christ that are so important to us: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. My, do we ever need to hear this good news in the middle of the chaos of our world today? Which brings me to another great aspect of Advent. Not only do we celebrate his arrival as a baby in Bethlehem many years ago, but we also celebrate his arrival and presence in our daily lives, right now!! In the middle of our fear, uncertainty, loss, doubt and maybe even some anger, He has arrived to bring us hope, significance and confidence. Even though we don’t know what is going to happen with this pandemic and all of its far reaching implications, we DO know that He has promised to be with us in all situations, and to bring us hope. Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, My Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Psalm 5-6 Then, we also celebrate the final Advent.our Lord’s return again someday! What a day that will be! We look forward to it with great expectation and joy! So, Missouri Nazarenes, celebrate Advent 2020 with joy and hope! Spend time in his presence, enjoying his company and focusing on the difference He makes in our lives. Also, pray for those who don’t know him, that this would be a time in which they would experience his coming in a personal way in their lives. The next phrase of the first line of Joy to the World says, let earth receive her king. May it be so this year. You are loved and appreciated!! Pastor Mike

District Leadership Change - Nazarene Missions International: The Missouri District welcomes Shandra Clark as the District Nazarene Missions International President. Shandra Clark has been elected by the NMI Council to serve as the NMI President through the 2021-2022 church year. Shandra has served on the NMI Council in various roles including Deputation Coordinator. She is the wife of Pastor Teddy Clark at Clarence Church of the Nazarene and has recently received her district license this past Assembly year. The Missouri District extends much thanks and appreciation to Nazarene Missions International President Pam Sluder for her faithful service this past year.

Happy Thanksgiving from Mary and me to our great Missouri District family! We are blessed to be able to work alongside you during these days. We hope you have a wonderful day!

O God, I bind to myself today The strong name of the Trinity By invocation of the same, The Three in One, the One in Three.... I bind to myself today The power of God to hold and lead, His eye to watch, his might to stay, His ear to harken to my need, The wisdom of my God to teach, His hand to guide, his shield to ward, The Word of God to give me speech, His heavenly host to be my guard. Amen. Patrick AD 387-463 (trans. Cecil F. Alexander (1889)

For more information click this link: https://nazarene.org/service-of-thanks

"Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, 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....And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:5-9

It was an honor to install Pastor Mark & Sherry Czanderna at our Kirksville church. I’m thankful for God’s provision of this experienced and visionary leader. ...We look forward to what God has in store for the Kirksville congregation as they move into this new chapter of ministry. (Missouri Nazarenes will be interested to know that Sherry is Pastor Jami Kyonka’s sister.) See more

Congratulations to the Eldon congregation and Pastor Jerry and Karen Frye! This past Saturday the church celebrated their 100th anniversary. Pastor Frye was presented with commendations from several local and state officials. District Superintendent, Dr. Mike Palmer, gave greetings from the district, and General Superintendent, Dr David Graves, presented a resolution from the General Church. We thank God for the faithful ministry of this church over the past 100 years, and for the ministry of Pastor Jerry and Karen in Eldon for the past 43 years.

Mary & I enjoyed worshiping with St Louis Bridge of Hope this morning. I’m thankful for this congregation and the leadership of Pastor Shawen and Lori Farley. ...The dog park they’ve created next to the church is providing opportunities to connect and build relationships with individuals in their developing community. See more

Only two more days until the Virtual Ladies Retreat with Susie Shellenberger! Directions for logging into the Virtual Ladies Retreat via Zoom: Go to https://zoom.us/ Click: Join meeting (at the top)... On that page type in the meeting ID: 599-638-3913 Click Join Meeting (blue box) See more

Need ideas for ways to bless your pastor during Clergy Appreciation Month? Check out https://blessyourpastor.org/. Follow the instructions and your pastor can receive a $250 Amazon gift card. More ideas for expressing appreciation are available from the Shepherd's Fold Ministries Podcast: https://www.shepherdsfoldpodcast.com/.