The Spire. Walk Thru Bethlehem Sunday, Dec. 9, 1 to 7 PM. Welcome our newest members! WOODMONT CHRISTIAN CHURCH JUNE NOVEMBER 5, , 2018

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1 The Spire WOODMONT CHRISTIAN CHURCH JUNE NOVEMBER 5, , 2018 Walk Thru Bethlehem Sunday, Dec. 9, 1 to 7 PM Welcome our newest members! RICK SLAUGHTER & HEIDI KESSLER ALAN GREENE ANN EWERS TRESHA & MCCLAIN JUNG KATHY GREENE ROBERT MCNEILLY & EMILY RAST

2 Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018 Photography by Steve Lowry MINISTERIAL STAFF Dr. Clay Stauffer, Senior Minister Dr. C. Roy Stauffer Minister of Adult Education & Church Life Rev. Justin Gung Minister of Children & Congregational Care Rev. Chris Cox Minister of Youth & Their Families Dr. Donovan McAbee Minister of Spiritual Formation Farrell Mason Minister of Family Life & Pastoral Care Dr. Ben Curtis Spiritual Director in Residence PROGRAM STAFF Michael Graham Music Ministry Director Abby McLean Children s Ministry Director Katie Sheridan-Gossage Assistant Youth Ministry Director Andra Moran Creative Director, The Bridge Stephen Daniel King Worship Leader, The Bridge Lauren Lucas Beuerlein Young Professionals & Couples Director Steve LaForge Missions Field Coordinator SUPPORT STAFF Chris Beck Business Administrator Martha Duff Preschool Director Sam Marsh Property & Facilities Manager Jan Anderson Administrative Assistant Amber Moss Executive Assistant Anne-Marie Farmer Small Groups & Connections Director Matt Diffenderfer Communications Director For the most up-to-date information, download Woodmont s Realm church directory app. Search for Realm Connect in itunes & Google Play. Woodmont Christian Church 3601 Hillsboro Pike Nashville, Tennessee pg 2

3 Moving Ahead by Clay Stauffer Our Capital Campaign this fall has been tremendously successful. Thank you to everybody who has helped us surpass our Eight Million Dollar Goal. To date, we have received 349 (3 Year) Commitments totaling $8,255,045. That is very exciting from both a financial perspective and a participation perspective. Here is the breakdown of the commitments: $1M+ $500k- $999k 2 3 $250k-$499k 4 CAPITAL CAMPAIGN GIVING PYRAMID CAMPAIGN TOTALS AS OF 11/19/2018: 349 Commitments for a total of $8,255,045 $100k-$249k 7 $50,000-$99, $25,000-$49, $15,000-$24, $8,000-$14, $5,000-$7, $3,000-$4, $1,500-$2, Under $1, Total: 349 On Sunday, December 2nd, we will have a congregational meeting at 10:40 a.m. in the sanctuary to vote on the following items: 1) Moving ahead with the construction project as proposed during the campaign 2) Giving the church the ability to borrow up to $5,000,000 from Pinnacle bank to complete the proposed addition while pledges are being paid. Funds will only be borrowed when needed. Since the campaign commitments will be coming in over a three-year period, construction loans will clearly be necessary. However, the more money we received in 2018 and 2019, the lower the amount we will have to borrow. At the end of this process, the church does not plan to have any lingering debt assuming the commitments are fulfilled. It is also important to remember that Woodmont continues to need operating money to sustain the mission and ministry of the church. The Capital Campaign is above and beyond the regular operating fund. Most people understand this but it is an important reminder. This is an exciting time in the life of our church! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! pg 3

4 Child Dedications Sunday, Nov. 18 JOSEPH GRIFFIN HARRIS SON OF JON AND LISA HARRIS WILLIAM BYRNE DRURY SON OF KYLE AND BETHANY DRURY IT S APPLICATION TIME! The registration period for the school year is taking place now. All current preschool families must apply for the following school year. The deadline to apply is December 14th! Please visit the preschool website at to fill out an application. You may also sign up for a tour on the website. Building for Our Future Congregational Meeting on Sunday, Dec. 2, at 10:40 a.m. Woodmont Christian Church has an expansion plan to allow the continued growth of it s mission. The budget estimate to effect the plan, which is anticipated to be complete in the first half of 2020, is approximately $8,000,000. To date, pledges in excess of $8,200,000 have been received, payable over a three year period. The Woodmont Christian Church Board has approved the construction project, capital campaign, time schedule and funding of the plan and requests and recommends approval of a construction loan in the amount of up to $5,000,000 in order to bridge the timing of pledge receipts and construction costs. There will be no long-term debt assuming the pledges are fulfilled. pg 4

5 The Church s Thanksgiving Feast by Justin Gung What do you love most about Thanksgiving? Is it the presence of family and friends? The backto-back football and basketball games? The juicy turkey, mouthwatering greens, and Aunt Ruth s apple pie? Whatever your answer, Thanksgiving is one of society s best loved holidays. Perhaps the worst thing about it is that it has to end. But while Thanksgiving goes just as quickly as it comes, swallowed whole by Black Friday sales, the Church has its own sort of thanksgiving meal and it s one that does not end. This thanksgiving meal is lasting and enduring. What is this feast that does not fade? The New Testament was written in Koine Greek and subsequently translated into various languages, including English. The New Testament word eucharistein means to give thanks. (For example, in Matthew 26:27, Jesus famously gives thanks in the Upper Room while celebrating the Passover with his disciples.) From this one word, which is packed with meaning, the Church takes the name for its great common meal. Some call this meal Communion. Some call it the Lord s Supper. But many churches and traditions call it the Eucharist. The implication is clear: Every time we come to the table, we are to give thanks to God for his many blessings, which flow freely into our lives. Every time we break the bread, we are to give thanks to God for the greatest blessing of all: his only begotten son, Jesus Christ, in whom we have every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 1:3). Every time we lift the cup, we can do so with joy, knowing that God himself invites us to the party. The Eucharist is the true thanksgiving meal. It s a banquet to which everyone is invited. It s a place where the table is always long enough and the wine does not run dry. And here s the best part: This blessed meal is only a present-day sign of a future reality. No less a figure than Pope Francis claims that it acts as a sign that points to a world that is sure to come. The Eucharist, he says, gives us a foretaste of communion with the Father in the banquet of the King of heaven. It is a tiny preview of all that awaits those who trust in Christ for their salvation. In heaven, we will sit together with the Lord himself, as well as the heroes of our faith, as well as family and friends from whom we were temporarily separated by the veil of death. We will dine and dance dine on divine delicacies and dance to music that enraptures our souls. The Eucharist is all that is good magnified to infinity. For it, we can all give thanks! pg 5

6 Humble & Grateful by Roy Stauffer This week we celebrate Thanksgiving. Therefore I thought it might be helpful to prepare for this special Day from a Christian perspective. Several men s groups in our church have studied Richard Simmons book entitled The Power of A Humble Life. Humility is a fundamental spiritual characteristic of those who are truly Christian. (Matthew 5:3) And humility begins with an understanding of who deserves the credit for all that we are and all that we have. That, of course, is God. Therefore, humble people are grateful people expressing their heartfelt gratitude to God every day of their lives. Pride the way of the world wants us to forget God and think we did it all ourselves. Such pride and ungratefulness is linked to godlessness and evil. In the Bible giving thanks to God is inseparable from genuine faith. If you are truly a grateful person, you will express that deep gratitude to God, not only on Thanksgiving Day, but every day you live and move and have your being. First thing each morning you will do nothing else before you focus on what you re thankful for especially that you re alive. Throughout the day you will look for things for which you can give God thanks, rather than complain and grumble. And at night, you will prepare yourself for a peaceful sleep by giving thanks again for what the day has brought. True Christian gratitude doesn t just happen; it s intentionally developed. And, as Richard Simmons says, a heart of gratitude is the single most nourishing response that leads to good health. (p. 97) Gratitude influences how we experience life. According to Simmons: 1. Gratitude is the foundation of satisfying relationships. There is nothing more deadly than when people in a love relationship feel taken for granted. 2. Gratitude expresses appreciation. Human interaction flourishes when people feel appreciated. 3. People who are the most materialistic in our culture are very ungrateful and extremely unhappy. The relationship between materialism and gratitude run in the opposite direction. Ungrateful people are clearly unhappy people. 4. Gratitude acknowledges all the great benefits of life and enables us to savor all that is good in our lives. 5. Finally, and it should come as no surprise, a thankful heart is associated with a number of positive health benefits. Grateful people have stronger immune systems, report fewer symptoms of illness, and enjoy a better quality of sleep. They are also less reactive to stressful events. (p. 98) pg 6 Walk Thru Bethlehem Costume Checkout Dates: Sunday, Nov. 25-9:00 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Nov Chili supper 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2-9:00 a.m. to noon Thursday, Dec. - 5 to 7 p.m. Costume pickup is in the attic of The Mansion on the corner of Hillsboro & Woodmont. Calendar Sunday, November 25 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Boy Scouts Troop 92 Christmas Wreath Pick-Up, Porte Cocherre 9:30 a.m. Informal Worship, Sanctuary 9:45 a.m. The Bridge Worship, Drowota Hall 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship, Sanctuary 5:45 p.m. Youth Group Predators Game Monday, November 26 10:00 a.m. The Baby Bunch, Nursery 3:00 p.m. Geezers, Boardroom Tuesday, November 27 9:00 a.m. Women s Prayer Group, Campbell-Stone 9:30 a.m. Women s Bible Study, Room :00 p.m. GEMS, Room 105 6:00 p.m. Handbells Rehearsal, Choir Room Wednesday, November 28 6:15 a.m. Men s Small Group, Room 100 7:00 a.m. Original Men s Bible Study, Room 105 7:00 a.m. Younger Men s Bible Study, Boardroom 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. WTB Costume Checkout, Mansion 5:30 p.m. WTB Chili Supper, Drowota Hall 5:30 p.m. Grace Notes Rehearsal, Kids Commons 6:15 Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room Thursday, November 29 6:00 p.m. Youth Basketball Practice, Drowota Hall Friday, November 30 Room In The Inn, South Hall In the gospel we read about Jesus healing ten lepers. (Luke 17:11-19) But only one of the ten came back to Jesus to express appreciation for such an incredible gift. I ve always wondered why each of the other nine didn t come back. What excuses would they give? And which are you? Like the one, or the nine? A grateful heart must be intentionally developed. May you have such a heart and enjoy all the blessings of thanksgiving.

7 Prayers for our church family: CONGRATULATIONS TO: Nolen Bevill and Will Tuttle who were married Nov.16 here at Woodmont. SYMPATHY TO: Sarah and Joe Huffman, on the death of Joe s sister, Mildred Howard, on Sunday, November 18, 2018 in Easley, SC. Services scheduled for next Saturday. OCTOBER 28: NOVEMBER 4: NOVEMBER 11: NOVEMBER 18: SUNDAY SCHOOL: ATTENDANCE: UPCOMING ACTIVITIES Wednesday night classes return after Christmas break January 16 with Clay s 3-week Discipleship series Taught by Clay Stauffer with special guests, our annual Discipleship Classes are designed for new members, anyone thinking about joining Woodmont, and current members and leaders who want a refresher. Each week s class is formed around the three parts of Woodmont s mission statement: Jan. 16 SEEKING: Our core beliefs, what it means to be a Christian, how we understand God, and why the church matters. Jan. 23 SHARING: Spiritual growth and formation and how we share love with others. Jan. 30 SERVING: How we serve and give back to the community and the world. New in 2019! Our Discipleship classes will be based on content from Clay s upcoming book called Spiritual Reflections on Faith, Values, & Culture, which is scheduled for 2019 release with early copies available for Woodmont members in Dec. Please RSVP to Amber Moss amber@woodmontcc.org OPERATING: $123,538 $51,229 $28,385 $71,248 Jim Hendrick and family on the death of Betsy Hendrick, Tuesday, November 13, Visitation scheduled for Wednesday, November 21, 2018 from 9:00 am - 11:00 am. Funeral service at 11:00 am. A reception will following the service in the Gathering Hall. IN THE HOSPITAL: Charlotte Dukes, Janice Parker s granddaughter - at St. Jude CONTINUING CONCERNS: Rita Baldwin Everett Davis - Richland Place - Room 201 Bob Garrard - knee replacement Nov. 14 Jan Goans - Green Hills Rehab Room 235 Malcolm Lewis Alberta Martin - Richland Rehab Sheila Mathias JoAnn Patterson Maurice Pinson - at home Helen Schull Isse Waddey FAMILY OF MEMBERS - CONCERNS: Andra Moran s father - in California Lauren Beurlein s mother, Debbie Lucas The elders invite you to join them in prayer during this season of Thanksgiving, remembering: - It is good to give thanks to the Lord (Psalm 92:1) - To be thankful to Him and bless His name (Psalm 100:4) - To give thanks to the Lord for His goodness (Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31) - That with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God (Phil. 4:6) Mayberry Bible Study begins January 16 Featuring classic episodes from The Andy Griffith Show with relevant scripture, The Mayberry Bible Study uses them as modern parables on the teaching of Jesus. The series provides simple examples of ways Christians should live and teaches important lessons about service, peace, mercy and commitment. Led by Mike Shipp, the class will run four weeks Jan. 16, 23, & 30, and Feb. 6. pg 7

8 Nonprofit Org. US Postage Paid Nashville, TN Permit No.1204 First Sunday of Advent DECEMBER 2 WORSHIP AT 9:30, 9:45, & 11:00 AM TRUE GIFTS OF CHRISTMAS SERIES Isaiah 9:2-6 & Romans 5:1-5 Are You Ready? Dr. Clay Stauffer Music by the Brass Quintet HANGING OF THE GREENS AT 5:00 PM Woodmont s youth decorate the Sanctuary for Christmas while children, youth, handbell, and chancel choirs perform stirring renditions of beloved Christmas carols as special readings giving us historical insight into the significance of each one. THE TASTING PARTY AT 6:00 PM Tables of sweet and savory treats set up for your enjoyment in Drowota Hall. Bring something tasty to share and join this festive kickoff to Advent, a unique Woodmont tradition! Second Sunday of Advent DECEMBER 9 WORSHIP AT 9:30 & 11:00 AM TRUE GIFTS OF CHRISTMAS SERIES Isaiah 11:1-6 & Matthew 2:1-12 Finding Christmas Peace Dr. Clay Stauffer Music by Rebecca Norris DiNapoli and Melinda Norris-Munro and their children WALK THRU BETHLEHEM 1 PM TO 7 PM Each year thousands of people come to visit Woodmont s recreation of the village of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus birth. Begun as a youth project in 1982, Walk Thru Bethlehem has evolved into a major ministry for our entire church and is loved by many. Those who join us for the 11:00 a.m. worship service are invited to visit Bethlehem before it opens to the public.