The Lighthouse WORSHIP NOTES

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1 The Lighthouse A Publication of Salem United Methodist Church 2269 Seven Mile Ferry Road, Clarksville, TN Phone: (931) Fax: (931) Salem@salemumc.us January 2012 WINTER SCHEDULE Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 REMINDER: INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY Salem UMC will not hold meetings or functions if the Clarksville/ Montgomery County School System is closed or closes early. (The church office may & may not be open. Always call first!) On Sundays, despite weather or power outages, we will always strive to have worship at 10:30 a.m. In all cases, please use your personal discretion to determine if it is safe for you to leave your home and travel to church. Inside this issue: Missions Update Noteworthy Activities Wonderful Wednesdays Resume (Jan. 11-May 16th) Salem Church Council January Birthday s! Youth News Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible. His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could. One day the grandson asked, Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?' The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, Take this old wicker coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water. The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, You will have to move a little faster next time, and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the old wicker basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do WORSHIP NOTES this. You're just not trying hard enough, and he went out the door to watch the boy try again. At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, See Papa, it's useless! So you think it is useless? the old man said. Look at the basket.' The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old wicker coal basket, it was clean. Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out.' Moral of the wicker basket story: Take time to read a portion of God's word each day; it will affect you for good even if you don't retain a word. Do you long for a word from God? Do you wish you knew more about the Bible? Is one of your resolutions for the new year to spend more time reading your Bible? If you answered yes to any of these questions, prayerfully consider being a part of Salem s next DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY. This course gives equal time to both the Old and New Testament, emphasizing the wholeness of the Bible as the revelation of God. DISCIPLE aims at transformation, not just information, and calls on persons to submit themselves to examination by Scripture, to put themselves under the power of God s Word, and to be changed by God s Word. BECOMING DISCIPLES THROUGH BIBLE STUDY draws upon the work of scholars to aid understanding of the Bible. This study requires reading large portions of Scripture each week and is based on careful study and preparation. It will be led by Harriet and Ron Watson. During the course of thirty-four weeks, groups will move through the biblical stories of Creation to the New Jerusalem. Join us for an informational meeting on Sunday, Jan. 15th, at 4:30 P.M. in the Promise Seekers Room downstairs. Grace and peace, Harriet Our Staff Prayer for You! Stewardship Update 5 4 According to a recent article in Psychology Today, research has shown that, after six months, fewer than half the people who make New Year's resolutions have stuck with them, and, after a year, that number declines to around ten percent. In spite of these statistics, a number of us will make resolutions for Fortunately, we don t have to rely on our own efforts. St. John Chrysostom who lived hundred years ago offers us these words of hope: When we once begin to form good resolutions, God gives us every opportunity of carrying them out. Furthermore, God will help us keep our resolutions. Keeping that in mind, join us as we begin our next sermon series: RESOLUTIONS WORTH KEEPING. Sunday, January 1 I Will Accept Forgiveness Sunday, January 8 I Will Forgive Sunday, January 15 I Will Follow Jesus Sunday, January 22 I Will Not Let Little Things Get in God s Way

2 PAGE 2 THE LIGHTHOUSE JANUARY 2012 MISSIONS UPDATE Mike Bryant 2012 Guatemala Mission Team Rev. John Arnold Mike & Myranel Bryant Pam Byard Scott & Sharon Duncan Bob & Velda Fort DeWain & Harriet Harris Nita Heilman Benton Jackson Bryant Jackson Christine Lang Bryce Neblett Nathan Pearson Mark Pierce Nailon & Sharon Puckett Steve & Barbara Stinnett Tassi Trevathan Eric Watson Daniel Zahn Each of these team members is required to pay $1750 for traveling, room and board. If you would like to help sponsor any of these missionaries, please make your check to: Salem UMC and notate in the memo line whom you are assisting. Thank you for helping send us out in the name of Jesus, representing you, Salem United Methodist Church. Please begin praying daily for our team. Pray for our safety, health, and work with and for the people of LaToma, Guatemala. Other Ways to Assist Thanks to the children, parents, and teachers of our Vacation Bible School, we have collected an abundance of school supplies for the LaToma Elementary School. Other gifts and supplies we will need that you can help provide are: various tools (which we will post on the Guatemala board in the narthex), soccer balls, balloons, candy, tennis shoes, flip-flops, and children s summer clothing. The shoes and clothing do not have to be new, but should be clean and in good condition. Other 2012 Mission Opportunities SAINTS ALIVE! Mark your calendars for June as SAINTS ALIVE! mission camp returns to Salem. Once again, we will host outside youth groups to a week of work and worship. This year s theme is It Begins With Me. Registration information will be available this month. Consider how you might volunteer to help during the week of SAINTS ALIVE! Return to Guatemala We are seriously looking at taking a team back to Guatemala, July 7-21, Many Salem members have expressed a desire to go, but cannot go in March. The July mission would NOT be construction; we would strictly be working with the LaToma children through Bible study, character development, sportsmanship, and health and wellness. Start saving!!! Faith in Action Salem UMC will hold its annual Faith in Action day on Sunday, October 23. Plan to join us for a day of productive projects, reaching out to our community, and being the church. Lee Ann Herndon will be organizing all the Faith in Action activities. NOTEWORTHY ACTIVITIES The United Methodist Women will meet on Monday, January 9, at 7:00 P.M. in the Fellowship Class room (across from the church office). All women of the church are invited to attend. We need volunteers to help take down decorations in the Sanctuary on Saturday, January 7th at 10:00 A.M. SUPPER: 6:00 6:45 Supper (Multi-purpose room) Cost: Adults $5 (or) $20 per family. Children under 3 eat free! (Please sign-up in the narthex Sunday for that following Wednesday s dinner.) Each Wednesday: 6:00 7:00 P.M. Choir Practice 7:00 7:45 P.M. Praise Band Practice 7:00 8:00 p.m. Education/Spiritual Formation Classes Bible Study Lee Ann Herndon (Fellowship Class Room 201) Prayer Reflections Highlights of this class include short devotion and intercessory prayer. Deborah Morris & Carolyn Adams (Chapel) The Thursday Morning Bible Study will resume on January 5 at 9:30 A.M. Please contact Marianne Davidson ( ) or Carolyn Adams ( ) if you would like more information about this group. WONDERFUL WEDNESDAYS RESUME ON JANUARY 11th Our first quarterly prayer meeting for 2011 is at 7:00 P.M. on January 4. Our regular activity and class schedule will begin on January 11. MENUS FOR JANUARY JANUARY 11 TH Chili, grilled cheese, cinnamon rolls. cooked by: Mike Hendricks JANUARY 18 TH Chicken Cordon bleu, nippy potatoes, broccoli, tossed salad. cooked by: Tom Neville JANUARY 25 TH Homemade soup, cornbread. cooked by: Morris Stevens (Weekly menus will be posted in the church bulletin.) Infant & Toddler Care (If needed) Information for the newsletter is due by the 15th of the month; information for the bulletin is due every Wed. by 2:00 pm.

3 JANUARY 2012 Hello to all during this Holy Season. I want to tell you that you are so important to the life of Salem Church and that you are among a great and long line of people who have shared in the faith to lead others in the work of Jesus. Another year has gone by and God s grace has been passed on from you to others in very special ways. God has purposed you to be the ministers for giving away the wonderful gift that is inside you, across the church pew, across the community, and even across the globe. You have sacrificed for the well being of others and are a testimony of extending God s great love. Your gift, your calling, your prayers, and your service have let you see the vision of continuing to spread the gospel within and outside God s church. I thank God and praise God for you. THE LIGHTHOUSE SALEM CHURCH COUNCIL Richard Hayes, Chair Looking ahead to the new year, there will be new faces serving on the church council and I am excited as we will begin again, preparing, planning, and working together in ministry, and seeing God s plan unfold. I thank those who have served on ministry teams last year and will pray for you and your new area of service. 1 Peter 2:9 tells us, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. God Bless You All Richard Hayes Salem Church Administrative Council Chair January Birthdays Please submit additions or corrections to the church office Church Council Training Event PAGE 3 When: Saturday, January 7 Beginning at 8:30 A.M.-11:00 A.M. Who: 2012 Ministry Chairs Where: We ll meet in the Promise Seekers Room. Why: To help us live into God s vision for Salem UMC Please mark your calendars & make every effort to attend this event. 1 Ben Morrison Tom Neville Katie Watson 3 Ken Howell Taylor Shepherd Shane Swift Jerry Wright 4 Margie Hite 5 Dan Via 6 Carlie Carmon 7 Renee Brewer Hunter Brewer Michelle Kirby Christine Lang Dickie Trotter 9 Gene Griffey Billie Joe Swift 10 Micah Herndon 11 Sean Averett Ashley Short 12 Mark Pierce Steve Seay Betty Wall 13 Seth Carter 14 Amy Mackens 15 Beth Mackens 16 Carson Brown Jamie Schmid Winifred Stapp Kellen Walker 17 Susan Austin Henry Penna, Sr. 18 Mike Abernathy 19 Barry Bellamy Brian McElroy 20 Chris Hilliard 21 Michael Rodriguez Cory Thomas Ben Wickham 22 Josh Baggett Briley Morgan 23 Kim Griffey Brittnye Mayes Susan Reyes Laura Zahn 25 Jackson Morris Garrett Austin 26 Brandi Yarbrough Charlie Davis 27 Barbara Morgan Zach Hodges 29 Gabe Burkman 30 Scott Mullins Traci Smithson THANK YOU Thank you all for the plants, prayers, and many cards and for expressions of kindness at the loss of our precious son. Sincerely, Robert Earl and Carolyn Yarbrough & family Thank you for the Thanksgiving and Christmas boxes. I am truly blessed to be a part of this church. God Bless you all for everything that you do. Sincerely, Rolande Holt Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness. -Seneca

4 PAGE 4 THE LIGHTHOUSE JANUARY 2012 YOUTH GROUP NEWS Myranel Bryant WARMTH IN WINTER Warmth in Winter is an annual retreat sponsored by the Tennessee Conference Youth Council. The weekend of January 27-29, Salem s youth will travel to Murfreesboro to participate in this 30-year old event. The program takes place at the new Embassy Suites and Convention Center. Youth may continue to register up until the time of the retreat, but will have to pay more closer to the time. Featured speaker, Megan Hutchinson, will develop the retreat theme, Think Big 320, while award-winning UnNamed Servant, lead us in music and worship. All Salem youth are urged to turn in paper work and fees today. Don t miss this opportunity to renew your spiritual life and make new friends. GIRLS CHRYSALIS There will be a Girls Chrysalis weekend, January 14-16, at the Fellowship United Methodist Church in Murfreesboro. Girls in grades are invited and urged to participate in this intense spiritual growth experience. The registration fee is $75, but the UMYF will pay half your way, if you sold stock in Check out the website where you can also download a registration form (or get one from Nonnie): The deadline for registering is Sunday, January 1. It is best to order your Warmth in Winter t-shirt in advance, to be assured of getting one. The long-sleeved black shirt is $15; the short-sleeved black or purple t-shirts are $10. If you wear XXL, add $2. Bring your money and size to Nonnie this Sunday night. We will be renting three vans to transport our youth to Warmth in Winter. We will return Sunday afternoon, January 29, around 1:30. It would be extremely helpful if we had four adult drivers (25 or older) to take the rented vans back to Nashville. By this time, counselors are exhausted. If you are available and willing to drive, please contact Myranel at or Thank you! A special thanks to all who participated in this year s Emmaus/ Chrysalis Coffee Can Project, especially to those who volunteered their goodies. Once again it was a successful annual event, as we made $ If you think you might be interested in attending an Emmaus and/or Chrysalis weekend or have questions, please feel free to contact Carol Ussery or Myranel Bryant (for Chrysalis) or anyone who has attended this spiritual growth weekend already. Remember these dates! Girls Chrysalis January 14 16, Boys Chrysalis February 18-20, Spring Men s Emmaus Walk March 8-11, Spring Women s Emmaus Walk March There is an application process that must take place so if you re interested, please let someone know and we ll get that process started it s never too early! DeColores & Fly with Christ, Carol Ussery Walk 115 Our Staff s Prayer for You May God make your year a happy one! Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain, But by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes; Not by making your path easy, But by making you sturdy to travel any path; Not by taking hardships from you, But by taking fear from your heart; Not by granting you unbroken sunshine, But by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows; Not by making your life always pleasant, But by showing you when people and their causes need you most, and by making you anxious to be there to help. God s love, peace, hope and joy to you for the year ahead. Harriet, Teresa, Myranel, Lance, Mike, and Patti THOUGHT FOR A NEW YEAR Let nothing disturb thee; Let nothing dismay thee; All things pass; God never changes. Patience attains all that it strives for. He who has God finds he lacks nothing: God alone suffices. St. Teresa of Avila

5 JANUARY 2012 THE LIGHTHOUSE LEAVING THE CITY OF REGRET Submitted by George Ford PAGE 5 I had not really planned on taking a trip this time of year, and yet, I found myself packing rather hurriedly. This trip was going to be unpleasant and I knew in advance that no real good would come of it. I'm talking about my annual "Guilt Trip". I got tickets to fly there on "WISHIHAD" airlines. It was an extremely short flight. I got my baggage, which, I could not check. I chose to carry it myself all the way. It was weighted down with a thousand memories of what might have been. No one greeted me as I entered the terminal to the Regret City International Airport. I say international because people from all over the world come to this dismal town. As I checked into the Last Resort Hotel, I noticed that they would be hosting the year's most important event, the Annual Pity Party. I wasn't going to miss that great social occasion. Many of the town s leading citizens would be there. First, there would be the Done family, you know, Should Have, Would Have and Could Have. Then came the I Had family. You probably know ol' Wish and his clan. Of course, the Opportunities would be present, Missed and Lost. The biggest family would be the Yesterday's. There are far too many of them to count, but each one would have a very sad story to share. Then Shattered Dreams would surely make an appearance. And It's Their Fault would regale us with stories (excuses) about how things had failed in his life, and each story would be loudly applauded by Don't Blame Me and I Couldn't Help It. Well, to make a long story short, I went to this depressing party knowing that there would be no real benefit in doing so. And, as usual, I became very depressed. But as I thought about all of the stories of failures brought back from the past, it occurred to me that all of this trip and subsequent "pity party" could be canceled by ME! I started to realize that I did not have to be there. I didn't have to be depressed. One thing kept going through my mind, "I can't change yesterday, but I do have the power to make today a wonderful day". I can be happy, joyous, fulfilled, encouraged, as well as encouraging. Knowing this, I left the city of Regret immediately and left no forwarding address. Am I sorry for the mistakes I've made in the past? YES! But there is no physical way to undo them. So, if you are planning a trip to the city of Regret, please cancel all your reservations now. Instead, take a trip to a place called Starting Again. I liked it so much that I have now taken up permanent residence there. My neighbors, the I Forgive Myself and the New Starts are so very helpful. By the way, you don't have to carry around heavy baggage, because the load is lifted from your shoulders upon arrival. You too, can find this new town, just ask the Lord to show you the way. Now I live on ICANDOIT street. -- Author Unknown But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 3:13b,14 A YEAR OF TIME From Though even thinking on the subject of time may prove discomforting, it is not a bad idea especially at the beginning of a new year. As we look into 2012 we look at a block of time. We see 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8,760 hours, 525,600 minutes, 31,536,000 seconds. And all is a gift from God. We have done nothing to deserve it, earn it, or purchased it. Like the air we breathe, time comes to us as a part of life. The gift of time is not ours alone. It is given equally to each person. Rich and poor, educated and ignorant, strong and weak every man, woman and child has the same twenty-four hours every day. Another important thing about time is that you cannot stop it. There is no way to slow it down, turn it off, or adjust it. Time marches on. And you cannot bring back time. Once it is gone, it is gone. Yesterday is lost forever. If day is lost, tomorrow is uncertain. We may look ahead at a full year s block of time, but we really have no guarantee that we will experience any of it. Obviously, time is one of our most precious possessions. We can waste it. We can worry over it. We can spend it on ourselves. Or, as good stewards, we can invest it in the kingdom of God. The new year is full of time. As the seconds tick away, will you be tossing time out the window, or will you make every minute count?