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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
December 11, 2007 Vol. 57, No. 49
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A Night in Bethlehem
A Hands-On Holy Land Experience. Hear festive music….visit the bakery and create projects in the Market Place shops….encounter a frantic census taker….and meet shepherds who can’t wait to share a remarkable story. Guests actually talk with shop-keepers, shepherds, and Joseph and Mary. Again and again families hear the beautiful story of God’s love….and a promise fulfilled.
[Note: everyone who will be in costume that evening, please wear shorts and a gray or white t-shirt. Be here at Sat., Dec. 15 at 10 a.m. for your costume fitting and a walk-through. Contact Donna, 588-6562, extension 105, if you have any questions.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE! Dec. 19 – Dinner, 5:30 p.m.; Program, 6:30 p.m.
Program: The trio of Kate, Nan and Linda (assisted by Brandon and Steve) cordially invite you to enjoy an evening of holiday music.
Menu: Beef stroganoff, noodles, green beans, bread and dessert.
Cost: $5.00 for adults; $3.00 for children; family maximum of $20.00; reservations: Monday, 4:30 p.m.
ADVENT OFFERING
This year our advent offering will be divided between Costa Rica Missions and Wesley House Community Center. Your advent gift will provide scholarships for children to attend Wesley House and supplement their cultural enrichment program. The Costa Rica gift will be used in conjunction with our 2008 International Mission Trip. We are called to minister not only at home but also to love and care for God’s children and to prepare for the celebration of the birth of Christ is by giving to the advent offering. We will be collecting donations through December 30, 2007. If writing a check, please designate on the check or envelope, “advent offering.”
LITTLE LAMBS. The 3 and 4 year olds (Little Lambs) will be performing during the prelude at the 11 o’clock worship service on Sun., Dec. 16. They will rehearse during Sunday School hour (10 a.m.)
ROTATION. Children’s Department teachers and shepherds will meet Sunday, Dec. 23 during the Sunday School hour (10 a.m.) in the library. The children will be in the Fellowship Hall for the “Happy Birthday Jesus” party.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
We will have candlelight communion service at 5 and 11 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The early service will be a special time for families and children.
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FROM THE PASTOR
It’s been a little while since I said anything in my article concerning the mission of Bearden UMC, too long. In Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Church, he speaks to this issue of communicating the purposes of the church. The sixth chapter begins by talking about the rebuilding of the Jerusalem wall. The people soon grew tired and lost the vision for what they were doing. Nehemiah had to recast the vision and reassure them they were doing the work of God. The wall only took fifty-two days to complete but after just twenty-six days the people were ready to quit. That’s when Nehemiah stepped in to renew the vision. Rick Warren says, “From this story we get what I call the “Nehemiah Principle”: Vision and purpose must be restated every twenty-six days to keep the church moving in the right direction. In other words, make sure you communicate your purpose at least monthly. It is amazing how quickly human beings – and churches – lose their sense of purpose.” With that in mind here is our mission and purpose once again placed before you.
The MISSION of Bearden United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. We make disciples by: · Sharing the good news of God’s grace; · Leading persons to commit their lives to Christ; · Nurturing persons through worship, the Sacraments, Bible study, fellowship and prayer; · Sending persons into the world as servants of Christ in ministries of love and justice.
Let everything we do as a church, whether in groups or as individuals, be measured against who we say we are. If what we are doing or saying does not connect to our mission then maybe we need to re-evaluate what we are doing. As you can see, a relationship with Jesus is at the heart of our mission. Therefore, before we can share anything with another we need to make sure our relationship with Jesus is solid. During this Christmas season as we celebrate the birth of Jesus let each of us recommit our lives to following this Savior. Let us surrender our will to God’s will in Jesus once again.
See you at the manger as we kneel before the King.
Mike
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. |
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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 December 13 11:00 AM Senior Aerobics, Fellowship Center 6:00 PM Fellowship Forum Party, Mandarin House 7:00 PM Odds & Ends Party at the Houser’s Saturday December 15 10:00 AM A Night in Bethlehem Walk Through 3:30 PM Youth Council 4:30 PM Youth Progressive Dinner 7:30 PM New Beginnings Class Party, Wes & Melissa Cate’s Sunday December 16 9:00 AM Worship 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Worship 5:30 PM A Night In Bethlehem 6:00 PM Crossroads I & II will not meet. Monday December 17 11:00 AM Senior Aerobics, Fellowship Center Tuesday December 18 11:30 AM Prayer Warriors, Prayer Chapel 6:30 PM Line Dancing, Fellowship Center 7:00 PM Staff Parish Team, Conference Room Wednesday December 19 6:30 AM Rise & Shine Bible Study meets with Charla Sherbakoff 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 20 11:00 AM Senior Aerobics, Fellowship Center 6:00 PM Caroling (meet at the church) 6:00 PM Searchers Class Party, The Justice’s Saturday December 15 4:30 PM Youth Progressive Dinner
ANNIVERSARIES & BIRTHDAYS
16—Eunice Boget, Lou Breazeale, Kenny Burns, Pam Reeves 18—Janette Burgin, Judy McKenzie, Greg & Amber Classon 19—Shanna Cunningham, Bob Long, Mark Wall, Kent & Judy Tilley
KIDS TO KIDS HEIFER PROJECT
Our Children’s Ministry Department is raising money for Heifer International. The 2, 3, & 4 year old classes want to purchase a flock of chickens for a family and the kindergarten thru 5th grade classes wish to purchase a sheep. Parents, please encourage your children to donate to the Kids to Kids Heifer Project. Bring special offerings to Sunday School on Dec. 9, 16 and 23. [Anyone can participate in this as well. Just make your check payable to the church on the memo line put “Kids to Kids.”]
ALTAR FLOWERS. If you wish to place the flowers on the altar during 2008, please see the gray notebook in the church office to choose a Sunday. The cost is $40.00 This is a wonderful way to remember your loved ones. |
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), Jimmy Crabtree (Jerry & Judy McKenzie’s brother-in-law), Joanne Hill, Charles Lee (Charla Sherbakoff’s Dad), Jim & Peggy Longmire (Susan Yanno’s parents), 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 December 9 9:00 a.m. 96 Sunday School 160 11:00 a.m. 163 Total Worship 259
By Our Gifts . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . For December 9 Operating $ 12,871.15 Sunday School 73.00 Heifer Project 30.00 FISH 2.00 Building 35.00 Beta Home 95.00 Costa Rica Mission 1,946.00 Staff Christmas 645.00 Jubilee 104.00 Memorial 100.00 TOTAL: $ 15,926.15 As of December 10, 2007 Received YTD $ 680,139.16 Expenditures YTD $ 674,463.68 Net YTD $ 5,675.48 Prepaid Pledges $ 41,158.16 Annual Budgeted Expenses $ 805,899.00 Building Loan Balance $1,582,237.69
2008 Walk in Faith
Date Pledges Amount 11/11/07 87 430,022 11/19/07 104 481,032 11/26/07 108 517,892 12/02/07 111 529,092 12/09/07 116 541,692
By Our Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For December 16 Ushers 9:00—Wade Mitchell (lead), Rob & Kathy Houser, Robert Hahn; 11:00—David Dickey (lead), Mark Bledsoe, Joe Burns, Tommy Edwards, Betty McDow Acolytes 9:00—Harrison Mitchell; 11:00—Elizabeth Corallo Children’s Sermon—Janette Burgin Children’s Church—Donna Lewis Nursery: Team C: Shawnda & Donnie Ernst, Beth & Cale Lawson, Patty & Brian Murphy, Cayce & James Smith Coffee Stewards—Ginny Pletz Class Altar Flowers—Poinsettias
CELEBRATIONS OF THE SEASON
The Fellowship Forum Class will meet at the Mandarin House on Thurs., Dec. 13 at 6 p.m.
Wes & Melissa Cate will host the New Beginnings Class on Sat., Dec.15 at 7:30 p.m. at their home, 305 Corby Lane. Feel free to bring a re-wrapped gift and participate in the gift exchange.
The Searchers Class will meet on Thurs., Dec. 20 at 6 p.m. at the home of Ginger & Jim Justice, 5316 Whitehorse Road.
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