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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
November 27, 2007 Vol. 57, No. 47
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WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE! Dec. 5 – Dinner, 5:30 p.m.; Program, 6:30 p.m.
Program: TBA Menu: Chicken tetrazzini, green beans, bread, & dessert
Cost: $5.00 for adults; $3.00 for children; family maximum of $20.00 Reservations: Monday, 4:30 p.m.
PARENTS NIGHT OUT. The Youth are sponsoring a night in the Fellowship Center for parents to do early Christmas shopping, dinner and/or a movie this Friday, Nov. 30th, 6 to 9 p.m. Children ages 2 through 5th grade (and the Youth, too) need to have dinner before their arrival. Snacks will be provided.
Evening of Jubilee Praise and Worship Service
Join us Sunday, December 9th at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Center as we worship through music, drama, scripture, prayer and communion. Bring a friend!
APPRECIATION. As we celebrate the gifts of Peace, Love and Hope given to all of us this Christmas, we rely on the church staff to make our Advent season (and every day at church) calm and centered on Christ. Our staff nurtures our visions, keeps our ministries and missions on track, and serves as agents of God’s love and caring for us. Staff-Parish encourages all who want to thank staff members for their service and dedication to offer a special gift of Love. Please mark your gift as “Staff Christmas” and the SPR team will make sure all our folks receive a special gift for the holiday. We will collect “Staff Christmas” through December 16th. Remember to designate your gift as “Staff Christmas.” You may drop it in the collection plate, mail or bring to the church office. Thank you for sharing the gift of Love.
A NIGHT IN BETHLEHEM – Sunday, Dec. 16, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The church will be open on Saturdays, Dec. 1 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for groups to work on their specific projects related to A Night in Bethlehem. We will be sewing costumes at this time, too. Bring your sewing machines, scissors, pins, etc. and join us in the Fellowship Center. If you don’t have a machine, that’s fine; there are many ways you can assist. The following items are needed: lots of baskets, oil lamps, low wooden table, wooden cart, wooden barrels, old paint tarps, feather pens, and rugs. Please call Donna, 588-6562, ext. 105, and leave a message if you can provide hay and/or straw. Please put your name on any item that you want returned to you.
2008 WALK IN FAITH
Pledges thru 11/26/07: $ 517,892 No. of Pledges: 108 Proposed Budget: $ 832,058
Wreaths can be picked up this Sunday, Dec. 2.
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FROM THE PASTOR
Many radio stations have gone to their 24/7 Christmas music programming. The stores have their Christmas decorations up. Christmas tree lots are popping up all around town. ‘Tis the season. Christmas is on the way. However, before we get to Christmas there is Advent. In the life of the church Advent consists of the four Sundays prior to Christmas. Yes, this time is to prepare us for the celebration of the birth of Christ but not solely that. Advent is also a time that reminds that we, as Christians, are awaiting Christ’s second coming. We begin the church year looking forward to the birth of Christ and the return of Christ. It plunges us into the tension between the “already” of Christ having come in the flesh and the “not yet” of the consummation of all things in Christ at the end of time as we know it. We begin by focusing on the birth, life, death, resurrection, and return of Christ.
My challenge to us is that we not lose this focus as we move through the year. In everything we do we need to be focused on Jesus. Peter found that as long as he was focused on Jesus he was able to walk on the water through the storm. It was when he looked away that he began to sink. So listen to the music this Christmas season, put up your decorations, give the gifts, and share the joy. Only through it all never forget why we do all this. We have a God that loves us so much we were given the greatest gift of all, a Savior. Mike
ADVENT OPPORTUNITIES
The Worship Team reminds the church family of the following activities for the 2007 Advent season:
Wednesday, Nov. 28, 7:30 p.m. Meet in the sanctuary to share in the beautifying God’s house for the season. We will be decorating both the sanctuary and other areas of the church. Sunday, Dec. 2, 6 p.m. Christmas Party! especially for our friends visiting from the Beta Home. If you need anything to bring the spirit of Christmas to your 2007 heart this will do it! ALL in the church family are welcome to the event … you may have chosen to buy a gift or not … your presence at the party is indeed a present! Supper begins at 6 o’clock. (Please call the church office for your reservation.) There are still opportunities to be a gift bearer; you may read these from the wish list in the Atrium. Sunday, Dec. 9, 9 & 11 a.m. Please bring your gifts wrapped in white and labeled (for baby boy/girl with size; for mother-to-be) and present them as the altar at the appropriate time during the 9 or 11 a.m. service of worship. These gifts are then offered to the Florence Crittenton Agency for distribution to those girls in their supervised care. How appreciative they are! The Bearden Church family has responded generously in the past … let’s be generous and loving again! Thursday, Dec. 20, 6 p.m. Meet in the Fellowship Center for caroling. While musical ability may be a bonus, it is not a requirement! If you enjoy “making a joyful noise” this outreach opportunity is for you! Carolers from previous years will encourage you to be among the group spreading joy and Christmas love. Plan to be among the group going out to eat together following caroling. Dec. 24, Christmas Eve, 5 & 11 p.m. Gather for a candlelight communion service as we anticipate the birth of the Christ Child. Rev. Mike Sluder will lead the congregations in both services on Christmas Eve. |
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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 November 29 9:00 AM Staff Meeting, Conference Room 11:00 AM Senior Aerobics, Fellowship Center 6:30 PM Jubilee Praise & Worship Team, Choir Room Friday November 30 6:00 PM Parents Night Out, Fellowship Center Saturday December 1 10:00 AM Ring Bell for Salvation Army, West Town Mall, Ruby Tuesday Entrance [until 8 p.m.] 10:00 AM A Night in Bethlehem Work Day [until 2 p.m.]; Sewing in Fellowship Cen. 12:00 PM Chancel Choir Cantata Rehearsal, Sanctuary 6:00 PM Pathfinders Class Party, Blackmon’s Sunday December 2 9:00 AM Chancel Choir Cantata “Gloria Deo” 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Chancel Choir Cantata “Gloria Deo” 4:30 PM Youth, Third Floor 5:00 PM Rings of the Lord, Choir Room 5:00 PM Dare to Be Daniel 5:30 PM Shepherds of the Word Party, Plantation Springs 6:00 PM Youth 6:00 PM Crossroads I & II will not meet. 6:00 PM Beta Home Party, Fellowship Center Monday December 3 11:00 AM Senior Aerobics, Fellowship Center 6:00 PM UMW Executive Board, Conference Room Tuesday December 4 11:30 AM Prayer Warriors, Prayer Chapel 6:30 PM Line Dancing, Fellowship Center 7:00 PM UMW Installation of Officers, Sanctuary Wednesday December 5 – FISH Work Day 6:30 AM Rise & Shine Bible Study meets with Charla Sherbakoff 8:30 AM FISH Staff Arrives, Choir Room 12:30-1:30 PM FISH Deliverers Arrive 4:00 PM Vestal Boys & Girls Club Ministry 5:30 PM WNL! meal & program, Fellowship Center 7:30 PM Chancel Choir, Choir Room Thursday December 6 9:00 AM Staff Meeting, Conference Room 11:00 AM Senior Aerobics, Fellowship Center 6:30 PM Jubilee Praise & Worship Team, Choir Room Friday December 7 7:00 PM Odds & Ends Party at the Houser’s Saturday December 8 10:00 AM A Night in Bethlehem Work Day [until 2 p.m.]
ANNIVERSARIES & BIRTHDAYS
1—Marilyn Edwards, Ruth Phillips 2—Bill Hamilton, Karen Simmons, Wes Worley 5—Aaron Hanna 6—Beverly Simons, Bob & Eva Pletz 7—Nita Pearson 8—Dale & Doris Magnuson
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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 Selmer Bergerson (Tammy Knight’s father), Iris Broughton, Faye Burns, Jimmy Crabtree (Jerry & Judy McKenzie’s brother-in-law), Misty Graham-Stapleton (Shawnda Ernst’s sister), Joanne Hill, Charles Lee (Charla Sherbakoff’s Dad), June Phillips, Dot Steed, & Ruth Stulting. If you have someone you would like your church family to pray for, contact Rev. Sluder or the church office, 588-6562.
By Our Presence . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . For November 25 9:00 a.m. 77 Sunday School 155 11:00 a.m. 122 Total Worship 199
By Our Gifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For November 25 Operating $ 5,498.17 Sunday School 69.50 BEEP Donations 7.00 FISH 5.00 Memorials 70.00 TOTAL: $ 5,649.67
As of November 26, 2007 Received YTD $ 650,667.71 Expenditures YTD $ 630,600.39 Net YTD $ 20,067.32 Prepaid Pledges $ 41,158.16 Annual Budgeted Expenses $ 805,899.00 Building Loan Balance $1,585,851.08
By Our Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For December 2 Ushers 9:00—Ralph Beeler (lead), Ed Anderson, Wade Mitchell, John Whited 11:00—Ben (lead) & dale Rivers, Andy Middleton, Paul Sherbakoff, Haynes Smith Acolytes 9:00—Grant Mitchell; 11:00—Abbey & Ally Blackmon Children’s Church—Donna Lewis Nursery: Team Abby & Greg Blackmon, Kelly & Scott Forester, Tracy & George Heflin, Stacey & Jim Rivers Coffee Stewards—Ginny Pletz Class Altar Flowers—Janet Gryder, Helen & Joe Cox
CELEBRATIONS OF THE SEASON
The Pathfinders Class will meet at the home of Greg & Abby Blackmon, 7914 Mountain Brook Rd., on Sat., Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.
The Shepherds of the Word Class will meet Sun., Dec. 2 at 5:30 p.m. at Plantation Springs Manor House. Bring your favorite appetizer and gift for gift exchange. For directions, call Audrey Carroll, 691-5429.
The Odds and Ends Class will meet Rob & Kathy Houser, 1708 Cove Creek Lane, on Fri., Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.
Al & JoAnn Matz joyfully invite you to attend their Annual Christmas Open House at 1120 Live Oak Circle on Sat., Dec. 8 from 3 to 8 p.m.
The Friendship Class will meet Wed., Dec. 12 at 11:30 a.m. at the Meadows Club House. Lunch will be at Noon.
The Fellowship Forum Class will meet at the Mandarin House on Thurs., Dec. 13 at 6 p.m.
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