Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
SPIRE
December 2, 2013
Child Dedications
Mission Statement
Growing Disciples of Christ by Seeking God, Sharing Love and Serving Others
Core Values:
Welcoming Outstanding Worship Outreach Different Traditions Mission & Ministry On the Move Nurturing Transforming 2013 Areas of Focus
Prayer - Presence - Peace
Dr. Lindsey & Kimberly Cooper Hanging of the Greens Harper Ann Hand
Parents: J.R. & Kailey Hand
woodmontchristian.org
Get Into the Christmas Spirit! by Rev. Clay Stauffer, Senior Minister
Advent season here at Woodmont. It takes a lot of work and volunteers to build the village and to put it on, but it's always worth it! Around 7000 people will come and experience what it was like in Bethlehem of Judea at the time when Christ was born. If you've never been a part of this wonderful event, it will blow you way. Remember, there will be special Christmas music and readings in the sanctuary on the hour beginning at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, December 14th at 7:00 p.m. Carols at the Bridge in Drowota Hall. The Bridge band and other Woodmont artists will sing our favorite Christmas songs and carols. This has become a new tradition. Sunday, December 15th at 11:00 a.m. Come and hear the chancel choir and orchestra perform significant portions of Bethlehem by Thom McHugh and Charlie Daniels. "Carols for Cancer" will be that afternoon at 4:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere you go. We have now entered the season of Advent. It happened fast! Christmas Day is THREE WEEKS away! In the sermon Sunday morning, I said that for as long as I can remember, I have always loved Christmas and everything that comes with it! I love the energy, the spirit, the decorations, the lights, the Christmas music, special services, Walk Thru Bethlehem, classic movies like Christmas Vacation and It's A Wonderful Life, parties, celebrations, families and friends coming together, rereading the birth narratives, and seeing the smiles on the faces of children as they ask over and over again, "When will Christmas be here?" Having two small children at home makes it exciting!
Christmas is by far and away the most wonderful time of the year. Some have a hard time with Christmas because Christmas Eve, December 24th Services at 5:00 p.m. they feel like it has become far too secularized and (Families with Children), 7:00 p.m., and 11:00 p.m. commercialized. I always respond to that by saying, "It's up (Lessons, Carols, Communion, and Candlelight). These to you what your focus will be." Will you turn your are truly some of the most beautiful services of the year. "holidays" into "holy days" or will you miss what Christmas is all about? We all have that choice to make every year. The Don't miss it this year. Jump into the Christmas prophet Isaiah said, "The people who walked in darkness have spirit. Don't wait until the end of December to celebrate the seen a great light. Those who lived in the land of deep birth of Christ! See you on Sunday at Bethlehem. darkness, on them light has shined." In the first chapter of his Gospel, John writes, "The light shines in the darkness and the Blessings, darkness did not overcome it And the word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory of a father's only son, full of grace and truth." Verses like these will allow us to focus and reflect upon the true meaning of Christmas. December can take on a life of its own. There are so many activities and events that calendars get crowded and people P.S. As you think about your end of year charitable giving, become worn out. All of us must work to find balance and don't forget to support the church. to carve out spiritual time to reflect upon the real meaning of Christmas. Over the years, Woodmont has earned a nickname: Woodmont "Christmas" Church. Throughout our 70 year history, this church has always celebrated Christmas well. That will remain true again this year. I challenge you to catch the spirit that comes when we celebrate the hope, peace, love, and joy that the Christ child brings. We had an exciting Hanging of the Greens service Sunday night followed by the traditional Tasting Party. Here are some other events that, I believe, will help you celebrate the real meaning of Christmas. This Sunday, December 8th Walk Thru Bethlehem A great tradition that continues to be the highlight of the
The Spire is published weekly by: Woodmont Christian Church 3601 Hillsboro Road Nashville, TN 37215 Visit our Webpage: www.woodmontchristian.org (615) 297-8563 fax: (615) 297-9319 email: wcc@woodmontcc.org Kim Adair, Editor Copyright 2013
Don't Postpone Joy by Farrell Mason, Minister of Family Life & Pastoral Care
Dear Woodmont, The road of Life is set before us. There is a beginning and an end. There are only so many breaths permitted in the gorgeous order of creation. Every story is written with prophets and demons, straight paths and dead ends, holy signs and devil's curses, great love and painful sacrifice, terrific fear and unyielding hope each essential to stretching one's heart toward its salvation. The art is in finding a way in the darkness and in the light, in the valley of the shadows and high on the mountaintop, to live in the province of joy. My heart has been heavier than usual these last weeks. I have prayed for three friends, barely forty, who are all bravely fighting breast cancer. I have wept for a mother of a six month old baby who just heard those words that still haunt my dreams, "your child has cancer." And then Mother Nature proved awfully cruel, sending a typhoon to the Philippines to shake the very ground of our being. Every single one of you reading this today has a story. You know fear, you know grief, you know hurt, you know pain, you know doubt, you know loss, you know disappointment, and you know darkness. that last niggling five pounds around the girth, or getting the next work promotion, or waiting until the kids fly the coup, or getting the house of our dreams, or securing that safety net of silver dollars for the future. To postpone joy is pure negligence with the gift that is our life. And I am not talking about happiness. Happiness is fleeting and of this world. Happiness is a new tube of lipstick or oatmeal chocolate chip cookie or a good hair day. Joy is an experience of transcendence where you are drawn out of your flesh and bone and you have a poignant feeling that there is something more. Joy happens when the soul, that most beautiful, noble, divine part of you, is offered a gulp of grace and a peek at heaven. Joy is getting a little glimpse of God's glory. There is an art to living in the province of joy. People filled with joy are mysteriously and divinely-lit from the inside out. They glow. Even when all around them, there is darkness and suffering, they have this incredible gift of locating joy. You could say they aim for a higher, more holy experience of living here on earth. The secret: Never postpone Joy!
Walk the path of life, trusting in the intuition of your soul with your eyes full of wonder and your heart open and tuned in to where God is breaking through our midst. Remember, a But, do you know JOY? life spent searching for joy is not without its sorrows, but it is I recently heard a beautiful quote by Mark Nepo, "to be sacred every step of the way. broken does not mean to see all things as broken." The Live in hope, Divine Hourglass shows no mercy. We are only blessed with Farrell this moment. Shame on us if it requires a crisis, a diagnosis, a heart break or a blue day to wake us up to the potential for joy P.S. Speak your joy! Joy is contagious! in our lives. We are naive if we believe joy requires losing
Adult Education
Wednesday Night - December 4th
6:30 p.m. DivorceCare (Room 105)* Led by Anne Alexander Stauffer and Janet Wall *Note room change tonight
Stephen Ministry will meet in the Boardroom, Library and Campbell Stone Room.
Classes that will not meet this Sunday but will resume the following week, December 15th: 9:30 a.m. Disciples Class (105) Challenge Class (200) Spiritual Journeys Class for Women (The Bay) Young Adult Class (Boardroom) 11:00 a.m. Reflections Class (200) Points of View (105) Pathways Class for Parents (Boardroom) College & University Aged Young Adults (107)
11:00 a.m.
2nd Hour of the Spiritual Journeys Class for Men & Women - Led by Anne Alexander Stauffer This class will meet in South Hall due to WTB. The class will meet back in The Bay on the following Sunday, December 15th.
WCC Youth
Youth Group This Week
Wednesday, December 4th 6:00-8:00 p.m. - Youth Group - Youth Led Worship (Youth Wing) Sunday, December 8th 9:30-10:30 a.m. - Worship in the Sanctuary 10:30-11:00 a.m. - Jubilation Youth Choir (Youth Wing) 11:00 a.m.-Noon - Sunday School (CYF/Chi Rho Rooms) Noon-1:00 p.m. - Youth Lunch (Off-Campus) 1:00-7:00 p.m. - Walk Thru Bethlehem
For more information visit www.WoodmontccYouth.com or follow us on Twitter @WoodmontCCYouth
Tuesday, December 10th 6:30-7:00 a.m. - CYF Guys Bible Study at Bread & Company in Green Hills
Sponsor Spotlight
We have 14 amazing youth sponsors signed up to lead the youth group this year. Please join us in thanking our youth sponsors as they give their time and talents to the 6th-12th grade youth in our church. This week, please take some extra time to celebrate and get to know John Stauffer. John is originally from Memphis, TN and attended college at Texas Christian University. John moved to Nashville from London, England in 2008 and joined Woodmont Christian soon after. He now works as a Certified Financial Planner at Quinn Financial Partners, LLC. In his free time, he enjoys cycling, skiing, woodworking and fly fishing as well as just spending time with friends.
Reservations *Please make your reservations by Friday, December 6th, by calling Rebecca Vaughan at 297-8563, or by emailing her at rvaughan@woodmontcc.org.
Visitors are welcome, so bring a friend or two. *(Dont forget: A Door Prize will be given away. Must be present to win!)*
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A Caroler with Spirit: $50 per person A Whole Family of Carolers: $100 Singing off the Charts: $250 or more
RSVP: kelsey@studionow.com Pay by check upon arrival at the event or mail your check made payable to: Carols for Cancer to:
Carols for Cancer c/o Farrell and David Mason 5738 Hillsboro Road Nashville, TN 37215 100 % of all proceeds are donated to the Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC, Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital in Nashville, and St. Jude in Memphis. Please make your reservation by December 9th or surprise us at the door!
Woodmont Christian Church is truly a wonderful family. Cards, phone calls, visits, hugs, wonderful bread, healthy meals and untold prayers, have helped me through these past few weeks of surgery and recovery. There are no words other than a heartfelt "Thank You" to express my appreciation for all your gracious kindness. ~Carol Parsons
SHARING CLASS - Wednesday, January 22nd This class will focus on spiritual practices such as--Bible Study, prayer, worship, stewardship, tithing, meditation, service, reading, and many others. We will also talk about We offer a series of three classes which align to our mission how we share love with other people every day. What is statement. Members and visitors alike are encouraged to "agape love?" Christianity is more than just showing up on participate in these classes as they are offered. Sunday. It is a way of life and a way of treating others. We will also talk about what it means to find balance in the midst They will meet in the Boardroom on Wednesday nights of busy schedules. A spiritual gifts inventory will also be a part of this class, similar to the one in Leadership Woodmont, after the 5-Star Dinners at 6:30 p.m. to help members identify their spiritual gifts and strengths. th SEEKING CLASS - Wednesday, January 15 th This class will focus on our core beliefs as Christians. We SERVING CLASS - Wednesday, January 29 will discuss what the church is and is not. We will talk about This class will focus on ministry and mission. At Woodmont, why we need the church. We will also talk about the we believe that everybody should be involved in a ministry Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), how it emerged, on a regular basis. Ministry is not just something that the where it started, and what it is. Why is the unity of the church pastoral staff does. It is something that God is calling all of important? We will identify some biblical images of the us to do. We have all been given spiritual gifts and we need church. We will discuss the theology of the Lord's Supper to identify them. We will talk about why we serve and give and Baptism. We will talk about Woodmont's many back. Tallu Schuyler, our Mission and Outreach Minister, ministries and programs and how you can get involved. What will help lead this class and we will discuss the many is expected of church members in terms of time, talent, and different mission opportunities that we have here at treasures? We will discuss the ways that God is present in our Woodmont. lives each and every day and how faith and spirituality is an ongoing journey. 7
9:30 Hour ChristQuest Ronda Hirst Stars (2 Yrs) Advent Claire Drowota Jane Clay & Porter Meadors Pandas (3 Yrs) Advent Christi Williams Helper Needed
9:30 Hour Frogs (4 Yrs) Mary & Joseph Show the Way Kim Sheridan Gloria & Joy Jackson Monkeys (5 Yrs/K) Mary & Joseph Show the Way Betty White Helper Needed
11:00 Hour Children's Church Kaitlyn Asher Sarah Drury 4th/5th Grade Class Topher Endress Donuts & Coffee Still Needed
Memory Verse: They shall name him Emanuel, which means 'God is with us. Matthew 1:23
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Bulletin Board
Opportunities at Woodmont
Wednesday, December 4 6:15 a.m. Men's Small Group (107) 7:00 a.m. Men's Bible Study (105) Younger Men's Bible Study (BR) 6:00 p.m. Youth Group (Youth Wing) 6:30 p.m. Choir Practice (CR); DivorceCare (105)* Stephen Ministry (BR*, Library, Campbell Stone Room) *Note Room Change Thursday, December 5 Library Workday 7:00 p.m. Restore Classes (200 & Youth Rooms) Sunday, December 8 Second Sunday of Advent Walk Thru Bethlehem Sunday 9:30 & 11:00 a.m. Sunday School (Children & Youth) 9:30 & 11:00 a.m. Worship (Sanctuary) 1:00 - 7:00 p.m. Walk Thru Bethlehem 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Special Bridge Christmas Music (Sanctuary - 3:00/4:00/5:00/6:00 p.m.) Monday, December 9 4:00 p.m. "The Geezers" Men's Group (BR) 6:00 p.m. CWF Circle 5 Meeting (105) Tuesday, December 10 6:30 a.m. CYF Girls Bible Study (Off-Campus) 9:00 a.m. Women's Prayer Group (Campbell Stone Room) 10:30 a.m. CWF Circle 2 (105) Circles 1, 3, 4, & 7 (Off-Campus) 6:00 p.m. Handbell Practice (Choir Rm)
Those who are hurting or lonely Successful preparation for Walk Thru Bethlehem and that all who visit
will leave blessed and full of the Christmas message Volunteers for remaining Room In the Inn needs All to enter Advent season mindful of the true reason we celebrate
NEW CONCERNS: Betsy Gerringer, friend of Richard Lowe SYMPATHY TO: Ann Erwin, friend of Patricia Taylor Anna and Davis Reese on the death of their grandfather, Jack Lancaster, on CONTINUING CONCERNS: Sunday, November 24, in Houston, TX. Mike Wright A memorial service was held on Penny Stelling Tuesday, December 3, in Houston. Gary Thompson Maddie Murphy GIVE THANKS: Ellis Stokes Robert Mathews, The Meadows Yot Williams Jeannette Miller, Claiborne-Hughes Carol Parsons Health Center Lindsey Cooper Deb & Steve LaForge, Disaster Relief in the Philippines Roger Dale Brown, friend of Park & Mary Welsh Owen Jennifer Ward, daughter of Janice Ward, Oxford, MS Dr. David Moore, friend and former WCC Sr. Minister, Cookeville Jack King, brother of Doug King, Atlanta, GA Dottie Swatek, friend of Faye Tevebaugh MILITARY PRAYER LIST: Wade Gossett, brother of Becca Gossett Clay Perry, son of Tim & Diane Perry Dan King & wife, Ashley King, brother and sister-in-law of Stephen Daniel King THOSE SERVING ABROAD: Jesse Garrison, Peace Corp in Armenia Courtney Valk, Peace Corp in Republic of Georgia
David Kline, friend of Don Rollins Jimmy Gurley, friend of Clay Stauffer Justin Johnson, son of Anona Johnson
If life is getting you down and you need a Christian friend to listen, that is just what Stephen Ministers are trained to do. Please call Kathy Patten at 838-4957 to discuss the possibility of this being the help you need.
Let Us Know: Have information about someone in the hospital or with another ministry need? Please notify the church office during the week (297-8563) and Let Us Know. PLEASE - NO FOOD OR DRINKS IN THE SANCTUARY
DEACON SCHEDULE
December 8, 2013
Communion Prep: Service Coordinator: Video Camera: Nicole Clayton 9:30 - George Keith 11:00 - Rich Sanderson 9:30 - Barbie Howell 11:00 - B. James Lowry
9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Rev. Clay Stauffer, preaching Sermon Title: "Finding Peace at Christmas" Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-6; Matthew 1:18-25 5:45 p.m. - The Bridge No Service - Walk Thru Bethlehem Special Bridge Christmas Music in the Sanctuary (3:00, 4:00, 5:00 and 6:00 p.m.) Weekly Prayer Partner
9:30 a.m. David Reynolds Grant Smothers Marcella Derryberry Jack Derryberry Milly Moore Terri McConnell Scott Holley Liz Holley
11:00 a.m. 5:45 p.m. Cynthia Beck No Service Dennis Beck WTB Roy Jordan Cathy Williams Watt Crockett Monte Good Bob Garrard Meredith Hollomon
9:30 a.m. Chip Phinizy and Kathy Patten 11:00 a.m. Anne Mitchell and Gene Regen 5:45 p.m. No Service - WTB