Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
In This Edition
Articles:
Roy Stauffer, pg 2
Trey Flowers, pg 2
Andra Moran, pg 3
Classes/News, pg 4
WCC Kids/Youth, pg 7
Cares & Upholding Our
Church, back cover
NEW Areas of
Focus for 2016
Mission and
Outreach
Disciple's DNA
Relationships
Core Values
Welcoming
Outstanding worship
Outreach
Different traditions
Mission and ministry
On the move
Nurturing
Transforming
Mission
Statement
Growing
Disciples of
Christ by
Seeking God,
Sharing Love,
and
Serving Others.
2016 A Year of Prayer by Roy Stauffer
During this week in between
understood prayer and how to go about it. We will talk
Christmas and New Years is a great
about different methods and approaches to prayer. We
time to ponder your life (Luke 2:19). will get into some more contemporary understandings
Who are you really? What is your life
of prayer, as well as age-old practices. We will talk
all about? Where did you come from?
about praying the Scriptures, Labyrinth Prayer, 12-Step
And where might you be going?
Praying, the Serenity Prayer, Contemplative Prayer and
Although most people dont seem Centering Prayer.
to make New Years resolutions any
During the course of the class we will deal with
more, we still think about changes some of the questions people ask about prayer: Can you
we want and/or need to make in our change Gods mind through prayer? Why pray if God
lives. What are your goals in life? What is your ultimate already knows what you want before you pray (Matthew
purpose? Are you becoming a better person day by day,
6:8)? What does it mean to pray without ceasing (I
or something else? Are you living your life to the fullest Thessalonians 5:17)? Does God answer all prayers?
(John 10:10), and what does that even mean?
Every class session will end with a 5-10 minute time
In thinking about your life in 2016 and beyond, I have of learning how to relax, be still, breathe, meditate, and
one suggestion and challenge for you. What role does open yourself to the presence and will of God. Well
prayer play in your life? Really play? Do you believe in focus on letting God speak to you, rather than just your
the power of prayer, or do you honestly question it? As speaking to God.
one great theologian said, Prayer is either the primary
Throughout my ministry I have had countless people
fact, or the worst delusion.
say to me, I would really like to know the Bible, but they
If you wonder about prayer, if you have questions about
never come to Bible Studies. Ive also had many people
prayer, and/or if you want to enhance your prayer life (or
talk with me about their attempts at a prayer life, efforts
develop a prayer life), I invite you to participate in a class and failures Again, I wonder if they will take advantage
I will be leading during Lent on the Understanding and
of this class. Will you?
Practice of Prayer. It will begin on Wednesday night,
I cant think of a better New Years resolution or
February 17th and run for at least five Wednesday nights
commitment than to make 2016 a Year of Prayer. What
until the week before Holy Week. If participants would
do you think? I guess Ill find out when the class begins
like, we will continue after Easter and even start a weekly February 17th.
prayer time together.
Happy New Year!
The class will begin by sharing our earliest memories
Roy
and experiences of prayer. We will share how we have
New Beginnings for a New Year by Trey Flowers
Its hard to believe another year all places, that light continues to shine in the darkness;
has already come and gone! 2015
that hope continues to live on. Christian community is
has been a year of so many ups and
about looking for the stars in the midst of darkness
downs, but after watching the news about following the pillars of cloud by day and the pillars
on any given night it seems like an
of fire by night.
exceptionally dark and fearful time.
For most of us though, when fear sets in it effectively
In the shadow of terrorism, another clouds everything else (just watch the evening news
cycle of political bickering, and an or TV commercials to see how many use fear to scare
increasingly polarized society, there us into watching!). In this chaotic landscape, it is all
are a lot of tough hurdles ahead
too easy to fall into the unrelenting temptation to live
of our nation. In our own church
our lives in fear. Yet at the dawn of yet another new
community, so many have lost friends and loved ones during
year we are called as Christians to come together and
the Advent season and many more suffer from depression,
proclaim that Gods hope always trumps our own fear.
addiction, and crippling family situations. Indeed, these As we set new years resolutions, let us more importantly
for many are difficult days. As Thomas Payne once wrote,
summon our courageous passion for the possible. As
"These are the times that try men's souls."
we reset our calendars, let us also rest our mindsets. As
But it is also times like these in which the greatest
we begin a new year, let us also declare a new beginning.
miracles take place (Dr. King: only when it is dark
Can we, as a free society and a community rooted in
enough can you see the stars). It was a time like ours in
the love of Christ for all people, venture through 2016
which an angel appeared to a young woman with good without forsaking our values and our unshakable spirit
news of great joy. It was a time not altogether different
of hope? Perhaps it is an impossibly tall order. But
full of uncertainty and political unrest in which three
recall the reaction of a young woman upon finding out
wise men took a different way home after they had
she would give birth to our savior: For nothing will be
been in the presence of a child who would change their
impossible with God. Let us begin anew!
lives and the entire world. Through all times and in
- Trey
by Andra Moran
newborn baby, making us feel like we have something
to offer, giving us a chance to love him. Emmanuel, God
with us. God who receives the first round of human
adoration from a very young unwed mother, an alongfor-the-ride father who secured a stable as a reasonable
place to stay the night, and a rag tag bunch of shepherds
and curious kings.
God must know how hard it is to receive help from
someone who has all the answers, who has the whole
thing figured out. The world does not value vulnerability,
yet, the most valuable gift we Christians ever receive is
offered to us at Christmas, wrapped in swaddling clothes
and total tenderness, lying in a manger, vulnerable.
Until now, the version of Jesus that has resonated most
with me is the teaching, healing Jesus. That grown up
Jesus was fantastic! He knew just what to say and how
to say it. He accomplished great things, and made a
difference in the lives of all who he encountered. Baby
Jesus had a far different approach in how he connected
with people: coos, cries and cuddles coincide with his
humble entrance to the world. Maybe he let himself need
us so that we could let down our guard and trust in being
able to need him.
One of the biggest gifts I have received this year is
a new understanding of what it means to need (and
receive) help. I would certainly rather offer help to
someone else than admit to needing it myselfbut Baby
Jesus is teaching me how powerful it is to let myself
receive help and care. Each time I have let down my
guard and admitted a need this year, there has been a
friend, church member or family member at the ready.
What a gift to have such a caring community of support
and encouragement, and what a gift it is to get to know
Jesus better! It is my hope that this Christmas, we are all
drawn a little nearer to Christ.
- Andra
Candlelight Services
Christmas Eve
at Woodmont
3
Sally
Chris
Ben
Eva
2 Cynthia
Rebecca
3 Jean
Suzanna
4 Bob
Bill
Hannah
Mary Ellen
5 Michelle
6 Sarah
7 Emily
8 Greg
Alice
Matt
Caroline
10 Jessica
Tyler
Greg
11 Pam
Amy
Harrison
Ramsey
Hendrick
Miller-McLemore
Brady
Schmitt
Arnholt
Short
Ramsey
Dever
Herrick
Tucker
Johnson, Jr.
Clayton
Kim
Perry
Webb
Walker
Arnemann
Miller-McLemore
Buck
Hardin
Sinks
Guilfoy
Hardin
Wright
Mason
Eric
12 Lillian
13
14
15
16
18
19
20
Park
John
Thomas
Graham
Drew
Garrison
Bill
Bette
Massey
Darden
Kirke
Madison
Georgann
Lillian
Molly
John
Ann
J. R.
Pat
R. W.
Tammy
Oscar
Evans
Liam
John
Koestner
Hartle
Meadors
Jackson
Bacon
Reynolds
Walker
Bowers
Christofersen
Pack
Copeland
Martin
Jones
Rising
Douglas
Bugg
Crawford
Griffin
Hand
Nichols
Groom
King
Bell
Anderson
Anderson
Reeder
21
22
23
25
26
Elizabeth
Matt
Beth
Jackie
Sandy
Emma Cate
Taylor
Sue
Jim
John
Donna
David
Joey
Stella
Julia
B. Gail
Marcie
Sallye
Michele
Moulton
John
Richie
Elizabeth
B. James
Linda
Quinn
Drake
Bacon
Sowell
May
Smith
Gasaway
Glascock
Montgomery
Hendrick
Collins
Joyner
Rumsey
Smith
Malnofski
Allen
Reese
Anderson
Galloway
Robinson
Farrar
Henderson
White
Piercy
Lowry
Flowers
Jenkins
27 Malcolm
28
29
30
31
David
Sean
Laura
Bob
Lowell
Wendall
William
Tyler
Trudy
Tessa
Maurice
Hale
Caroline
Melissa
Andrea
Margie
Bryan
Cathy
Kathy
Martha
Madison
Anna Patton
Sophie
Terry
Kasey
Baird
Reynolds
Johnson
Reynolds
Faricy
Stokes
Holder
Steele
Dimit
Carpenter
Williams
Pinson
Hooper
Dinker
Potter
McIntyre
Martin
Sargent
Williams
Davis
Galyon
Haile
Mayes
Bugg
Cheek
Smith
NEW Class for 2016: "Right, Left, Christian" - Last Few Spots Open!
Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in the Boardroom led by Clay Stauffer beginning January 20th
Some Christians are Democrats.Some Christians are Republicans.Some Christians are Liberals.
Some are Conservatives. As we prepare for an eventful presidential election year, we can all
acknowledge that polarization is a growing issue in our culture.Clay Stauffer will lead a five week
series beginning January 20, 2016, focusing on issues related to faith and politics.The series will
include presentations and discussions.
Reserve your spot by emailing Sara: sara@woodmontcc.org or by calling 615-297-8563
Schedule of Wednesdays - January and February
Selected Readings From:
Jan. 20 Faith, Politics, Polarization & the Need for
The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided Over
Respectful Dialogue
Religion and Politics (Jonathan Haidt)
Jan. 27 The Formation of Liberals & Conservatives
Hijacked: Moving Beyond the Partisan Church Divide
Feb. 3 The Politics of Jesus
(Slaughter, Gutenson)
Feb. 10 Ash Wednesday Service (no class)
Seeing Gray In A World of Black and White (Adam
Feb. 17 Hot Issues: Abortion, Same Sex Marriage, Death
Hamilton)
Penalty, etc..
Preaching Politics: Proclaiming Jesus in an Age of Money,
Feb. 24 Room for All at the Table Disciples DNA
Power, and Partisanship (Clay Stauffer), Chalice Press
Clay Stauffer's New Book, Available in March, 2016
Preaching Politics: Proclaiming Jesus in An Age of Money, Power, and Partisanship
Religion, politics, and money. Three things youre never supposed to discuss in
polite company. But what if youre a pastor? Forget red state/blue state divisions,
what happens when your church members disagree about politics? In this age of
prosperity preaching, how do you preach, You cannot serve God and money?
Clay Stauffer addresses the challenges that preachers face when serving a politically
diverse congregation in Preaching Politics.
Money, materialism, and their effects on modern-day faith and spirituality are
viewed through the teachings of Jesus, as well as the works of Methodist pastor
Adam Hamilton and Duke ethicist Stanley Hauerwas.
Visit http://bit.ly/bookbyclay (Chalice Press) for informaiton
including book ordering details and formats.
4
UPCOMING DATES:
ANNOUNCEMENT:
JANUARY
BIRTHDAYS:
As we look ahead to 2016, here are some dates to ink into yoursummer
calendar!
Attention all CYF Youth and Parents! Please save the following
date for an INITIAL INFORMATION/INTEREST MEETING RE:
GUAT TRIP 2016 - January 17, 2016 at 12pm in the Youth
Lounge!
go preds!
pics from our
lock-in
at the preds game
= fun times!
#wccyouthsmiles
How much will it cost? - Final pricing will depend upon airline availability,
which will be confirmed in early January. As a frame of reference, the
Guatemala trip of 2014 cost each student $875, after a $350 subsidy
from the Pumpkin Patch fund. Additional scholarship money is available
upon request.
Anyone interested in participating in the Guatemala trip should plan to
attend this meeting. If unable to attend, please contact Trey or Katie.
CYF June 5-11, 2016 8er's July 3-9, 2016 Chi-Rho July 10-15, 2016
Communion Prep:
David Todd
Service Coordinator:
9:30 - David Todd 11:00 - Open
Video Camera:
9:30 - Open 11:00 - Jim Hester
9:30 a.m.
Faye Tevebaugh
and
Fran Stewart
9:30 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
5:15 p.m.
Billy Crawford
Ray Dickerson Sara Kate Hooper
Tim Perry
Sandy Dickerson Tami Buchanan
Jerry Johnson
Patricia Taylor Kristen Newman
Shane Douglas Darden Copeland Christy Brown
Hope Walker
Open
Heather Douglas Jenny Holder
Joel Hymith
Stuart Lackey
Laura Stephan
Jennifer Lackey
11:00 a.m.
Emmie Thomas
and
Donovan McAbee
Hospital - Pat Malone
5:15 p.m.
Mark Drury
Sara deBettencourt, Communications Director Martha Duff, Director of Preschool Mandy Barton Brown, Executive Assistant
Maddison Grigsby, Childrens Ministry Coordinator Katie Sheridan Gossage, Assistant Youth Ministry Director Chris Beck, Finance Manager
Sam Marsh, Property & Housekeeping Manager Stephen Austin, Housekeeping Shirley Taylor, Housekeeping