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A Safe Sanctuary Church
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The Bearings
Bearden United Methodist Church 4407 Sutherland Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37919 [Mail: P. O. Box 11065, Knoxville, TN 37939]
Michael Sluder, Pastor
October 16, 2007 Vol. 57, No. 41
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WALK IN FAITH 2008 - PRESENCE
I am a travel junkie. I love to visit other places and oftentimes on these trips I find myself visiting churches of all description. Some are historic and grand while others are stark in their simplicity. I am sometimes very moved by the thought of the faith of those who built these structures and I almost always find myself moved to prayer. And yet I find myself yearning and needing to return to my church home. What makes presence such a meaningful component of the Christian life?
It has been my experience that transformation into the kind of life that Christ requires can only come from being part of a community of faith. Let me begin by saying that I know (as many of you know also) that I am not the perfect example of a Christian. But what I have found is that our Lord is also aware of this but loves me anyway.
What I have learned is that if I come to church and I listen, and I learn, and I pray and I serve, and I try… Christ will make me a better Christian. Not a perfect one, but a constantly changing, growing, and improving one.
And if I am present in church I find myself among others who are trying to follow the same path. I get to know men and women who are examples of what I hope to be. Others who face life’s many challenges with a Christ filled steadfastness and joy that is infectious as well as inspiring.
If I am present in church I find myself cared for, prayed for, and supported by those I have come to know and love. Anne Lamott in her book “Traveling Mercies” speaks of the people of her church “throwing her a rope” when life became so difficult that she was barely hanging on. I have had that same rope thrown to me by this church family. She speaks of her church as being “spiritual chemotherapy” for her. I agree in the sense that it is very strong medicine, which in the case of our God can always heal us. And save us.
If I am present in church I am reminded that I am forgiven. I hear scripture and hymns and a message which reinforces what I believe and calls me to do more.
If I am present in church I become part of something larger than myself. I become part of “We”. The “We” that can foment change on a larger scale. The “We”that can feed folks at Volunteer Ministries and house homeless families; that can build Habitat for Humanity Houses, and wells in Sudan. Our presence in church can fill us with the desire and power to accomplish tasks that alone we could never dream of.
If “We” are present in church we can do something miraculous. “We” can be transformed by the love of God and His Son Jesus Christ. Why would you not be present? Nancy Cooper
We will not have WNL! on October 24th due to it being Fall Break for Knox County Schools. |
FROM THE PASTOR
Late in the year of 1739 John Wesley was approached by eight to ten persons seeking his advice on how to flee from the wrath of sin and to have prayer with him. John began to meet with them weekly forming what became known as class meetings. These class meetings were to be “a company of men having the form and seeking the power of godliness, united in order to pray together, to receive the word of exhortation, and to watch over one another in love, that they may help each other to work out their salvation.” The only condition of membership in these classes was “a desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their sins.” However, Wesley believed that being a part of these classes should be evident in one’s life. He therefore wrote what we now know as the General Rules of the Methodist Church. The following is the first of the three rules as written by John Wesley in 1808. Over the next few weeks we will look at the others as well. For today let’s focus on this one.
It is therefore expected of all who continue therein that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation, First: By doing no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which is most generally practiced, such as:
· The taking of the name of God in vain. · The profaning the day of the Lord, either by doing ordinary work therein or by buying or selling. · Drunkenness: buying or selling spirituous liquors, or drinking them, unless in cases of extreme necessity. · Slaveholding: buying or selling slaves. · Fighting, quarreling, brawling, brother going to law with brother; returning evil for evil, or railing for railing; the using many words in buying and selling. · The buying and selling goods that have not paid the duty. · The giving or taking things on usury – i.e., unlawful interest. · Uncharitable or unprofitable conversation; particularly speaking evil of magistrates or of ministers. · Doing to others as we would not they should do unto us. · Doing what we know is not for the glory of God, as: · The putting on of gold and costly apparel. · The taking such diversions as cannot be used in the name of the Lord Jesus. · The singing those songs, or reading those books, which do not tend to the knowledge or love of God. · Softness and needless self-indulgence. · Laying up treasure upon earth. · Borrowing without a probability of paying; or taking up goods without a probability of paying for them.
Mike
OPPORTUNITIES GALORE! There are still many opportunities to serve as evening host, overnight hosts, prepare a meal, help with set up & take down, wash sheets & towels, and help the kids with homework or assist with other activities during the Family Promise (IHN) host week. Our church host 11/4-11/11. Please consider giving an evening or a couple or hours to serve families without homes. They are our guest for the week. The sign up board is posted in the atrium or give Charla Sherbakoff a call at 450-5078. There will be an informational and training class this Thursday, 18th at 6 p.m. Come learn about this ministry.
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BEARDEN UNITED METHODIST CHURCHP. O. Box 11065 Knoxville, Tennessee 37939-1065 Telephone (865) 588-6562; Fax (865) 588-6989 E-Mail: info@beardenumc.org Web Page: http://www.beardenumc.org
Michael Sluder, Pastor msluder@beardenumc.org Bill Balch, Minister of Counseling, 558-8150 Donna Lewis, Director of Children & Family Ministries Janice Blair, Church Secretary janice@beardenumc.org Nan Proctor, Financial Secretary nan@beardenumc.org Brandon Loveday, Director of Music Steve Johnson, Organist/Accompanist Barry Wallace, Director of Drama Jennifer Somerville, Dir., Early Enrichment Program, BEEP, 588-1492 Micki Suffridge, Dir. School Age Program, 588-6717
CHURCH CALENDAR
Thursday October 18 11:00 AM Senior Aerobics, Fellowship Center 6:00 PM Family Promise Training, Pathfinders Class Room Friday October 19 7:00 PM Scrap Booking, Fellowship Center Sunday October 21 9:00 AM Worship 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Worship 4:00 PM Beginning Handbells, Choir Room 5:00 PM Rings of the Lord, Choir Room 5:00 PM Living Well Bible Study, Odd & Ends Class room 5:00 PM Dare to Be Daniel, grades 2-5, Holy Ghost Stories Work Station 6:00 PM Youth Snack Supper 6:00 PM Crossroads I, Odds & Ends Classroom 6:00 PM Crossroads II, Ginny Pletz Classroom Monday October 22 11:00 AM Senior Aerobics, Fellowship Center 6:00 PM Child Care Training, Fellowship Center Tuesday October 23 11:30 AM Prayer Warriors, Prayer Chapel 6:30 PM Line Dancing, Fellowship Center Wednesday October 24 6:30 AM Rise & Shine Bible Study meets with Charla Sherbakoff 5:30 PM WNL! will not meet. 7:30 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room Thursday October 25 9:00 AM Staff Meeting, Conference Room 11:00 AM Senior Aerobics, Fellowship Center 6:00 PM Walk in Faith Captains Banquet, Fellowship Center Saturday October 27 10:00 AM Team 5 prepares & serves lunch at Volunteer Ministry Center.
ANNIVERSARIES & BIRTHDAYS
21—Justin Gardner 22—Tom & Gay Rose 23—Linda Binkley, Frances Herbert, James Ogle, John & Sue Calhoun, David & Connie Dickey 24—Shannon Bell, Tessie Oliver, John Staley, Jr., Ron & Stefanie Houser 26—Jim & Stacey Rivers 27—Jay Fraser, Jim Rivers
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
The United Methodist Women's Fall Annual Meeting has been scheduled for Monday, October 29 at 7:00 pm. We are delighted that the Rev. Patricia A. Clendenen will be presenting our program "Music and Mission." Her program will discuss the "passion brought to mission work by our forebears and expressed in the hymns of then and now.” There will be a dessert reception after the one hour program.
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Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Knoxville,TN Permit No. 39
WE SUPPORT BEARDEN
By Our Prayers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For Our Church Family Pat Orr, Home Paul Sherbakoff, Home Chloe Flaherty, Home Lauren Lawson, Home By Our Presence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For October 14 9:00 a.m. 76 Sunday School 158 11:00 a.m. 167 Total Worship 243 Jubilee 60 By Our Gifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .For October 7 Operating $ 24,069.57 Sunday School 66.25 Helping Hand 122.00 FISH 110.00 Tape Ministry 5.00 Building 45.00 TOTAL: $ 24,417.82 By Our Gifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For October 14 Operating $ 11,535.35 Sunday School 73.50 Heifer Project 10.00 FISH 202.00 Building 100.00 Jubilee 86.00 TOTAL: $ 12,006.85 As of October 15, 2007 Received YTD $ 580,759.49 Expenditures YTD $ 560,759.09 Net YTD $ 20,000.40 Prepaid Pledges $ 41,158.16 Annual Budgeted Expenses $ 805,899.00 Building Loan Balance $1,589,293.24 By Our Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .For October 21 Ushers 9:00—Wade Mitchell (lead), Rob & Kathy Houser, Bob Smith 11:00—David Dickey (lead), Joe Burns, Tommy Edwards, Wanda Moody Acolytes 9:00—Mattea Sanders; 11:00—Chris Cantor Children’s Message—Nancy Mitchell Children’s Church—Donna Lewis Youth Snack Supper—David & Natalie Broyles Nursery: Team B: Abby & Greg Blackmon, Kelly & Scott Forester, Tracy & George Hefliln, Stacey & Jim Rivers Coffee Stewards—Fellowship Forum Class Altar Flowers—Margaret Fisher & Bunny Browder
FISH REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER
Total Calls Received 24 No. of Food Deliveries Made 23 No. of Food Requested Picked Up at Church 1 No. of People Helped (40 adults, 48 children) 88 No. of Bearden Volunteers (22 adults, 10 youth) 32
FISHfact: Several months ago, before the September SPRE (Significant Pantry Restocking Effort), we here identified some “instant celebrities” – volunteers who’ve joined our group to take telephone calls, or deliver groceries, on the first Wednesday of every month. Today we’re recognizing a team – Ken & Tammy Knight. They’ve delivered in September and October during their lunch time, and plan to become “regulars.” Helping FISH was a logical extension of what they were already doing – delivering hot meals to shut-ins under Mobile Meals, the Knox County Meals on Wheels Program. When asked, Ken said that their FISH participation was “rewarding”, and that they found the recipients “grateful.” If you’d like to help in this win/win endeavor, talk to Charla Sherbakoff (450-5078) or Nancy Mitchell (691-8026). Oh, and thank Ken and Tammy when you see them.
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