M ATHEMATICS T eachable M oment as a T eachable M oment M eaning C hoice D iversity T rust T ime 1.
inister s oment
6
Minister’s Moment December 2017 Volume 49 Issue 12 Our Mission To grow and share our relationship with God through Christ Our Vision Reflecting the love of God through welcome, worship, and witness Our Core Values Welcoming Companionship Growth Respect Caring Our Bedrock Beliefs Open Communion No Creed but Christ Spiritual Environment Service Love God/Love Neighbor Our Staff Rev. Dr. Robert E. Mooty, Senior Minister [email protected] Rev. Ann B. Shepherd, Dir. Of Christian Growth [email protected] Dr. Ruth I. Foley, Music Director Mari W. Smallshaw, Handbell Director Melinda Floyd, Secretary [email protected] Dale Maddox, Custodian Kim Garrett, Nursery Attendant Aubrey Boas, Nursey Attendant Rev. Dr. John W. Johnson, Minster Emeritus Office Hours Melinda—Monday: 8:30am-12pm Tuesday: 8:30am-11am Thursday: 8:30am-1:30pm Friday: 8:30am-12:30pm Bob—Monday to Friday, 9am to 12pm Ann—Monday to Thursday, 9:15am– 12pm 1pm-2:45pm I’m anticipating good news on a couple of fronts. First, and most importantly, I’m anticipating our annual remembrance of the birth our Savior Jesus the Christ. The preparation for this observance begins on December 3, the first Sunday of Advent, and continues through the twelve days of the Christmas season, which ends on January 5. During that time we will prepare and celebrate, we will anticipate and rejoice. We will do our best to be ready to welcome the Christ child and give thanks to God for his arrival. Along the way we will light candles and sing well-known hymns. We will hear from John the Baptist and the First Testament prophets. It’s all very familiar, but somehow it is all new every year. Somehow, in spite of the fact that some of us have done it all for many years now, we look forward to doing it all again this year. Surely that’s how it should be. Surely the mercy of God in sending Jesus should be familiar to us by now. But hopefully we never tire of celebrating this most wondrous gift. Hopefully we are again filled with anticipation and expectation, as we make our way through this season toward a manger in Bethlehem. Hopefully, no matter how many times we have made this journey, we are filled with hope, hope that these coming days will help us remember that the light of God’s love never dims, never fails, never leaves us. Second, I’m anticipating good news about our facility improvement projects. The Implementation Team is in the process of finalizing plans and getting firm prices on the eight items on the list. And as we always do in a capital campaign, we have asked a small group of people to make advance gifts or pledges. Soon we will announce the total of those gifts/pledges, and then the rest of the congregation will be asked to make their gift or two year pledge. The Implementation Team is hopeful that the grand total will enable us to proceed with the projects early next year. Doing so would give us an exciting kick off to our 50 th anniversary, which will be September 8. Go ahead and circle the weekend of September 7-9 on your 2018 calendars, as we will be celebrating just about all weekend, beginning with a dinner on Friday evening. I can tell you that we in fact have already had generous donors step forward in response to the needs expressed in these projects, so I know there is excitement about adding an elevator, creating dedicated youth rooms, revamping our nurseries, adding storage space, creating a family bathroom, putting a computer and screen in the sanctuary, and moving the handbells upstairs. All together they will be a benefit to the whole congregation, and will add significantly to our welcome and hospitality for people of all ages. So this is an exciting time for us! Be sure to keep up with all the special events, like the cantata (which is early this year - the 10 th ), caroling, the Longest Night service, and our usual Christmas Eve services. I hope your days are filled with the anticipation of good news.
Transcript of inister s oment
Minister’s Moment
December 2017 Volume 49
Issue 12 Our Mission
To grow and share our relationship with God through
Christ
Our Vision
Reflecting the love of God through welcome, worship, and
witness
Our Core Values
Welcoming Companionship
Growth Respect Caring
Our Bedrock Beliefs
Open Communion No Creed but Christ
Spiritual Environment Service
Love God/Love Neighbor
Our Staff
Rev. Dr. Robert E. Mooty, Senior Minister [email protected]
Rev. Ann B. Shepherd, Dir. Of Christian Growth [email protected]
Dr. Ruth I. Foley, Music Director
Mari W. Smallshaw, Handbell Director
Melinda Floyd, Secretary [email protected]
Dale Maddox, Custodian
Kim Garrett, Nursery Attendant
Aubrey Boas, Nursey Attendant
Rev. Dr. John W. Johnson, Minster Emeritus
Office Hours
Melinda—Monday: 8:30am-12pm Tuesday: 8:30am-11am Thursday: 8:30am-1:30pm Friday: 8:30am-12:30pm
Bob—Monday to Friday, 9am to 12pm Ann—Monday to Thursday, 9:15am– 12pm 1pm-2:45pm
I’m anticipating good news on a couple of fronts. First, and most importantly,
I’m anticipating our annual remembrance of the birth our Savior Jesus the Christ. The
preparation for this observance begins on December 3, the first Sunday of Advent, and
continues through the twelve days of the Christmas season, which ends on January 5.
During that time we will prepare and celebrate, we will anticipate and rejoice. We will
do our best to be ready to welcome the Christ child and give thanks to God for his
arrival.
Along the way we will light candles and sing well-known hymns. We will hear
from John the Baptist and the First Testament prophets. It’s all very familiar, but
somehow it is all new every year. Somehow, in spite of the fact that some of us have
done it all for many years now, we look forward to doing it all again this year.
Surely that’s how it should be. Surely the mercy of God in sending Jesus
should be familiar to us by now. But hopefully we never tire of celebrating this most
wondrous gift. Hopefully we are again filled with anticipation and expectation, as we
make our way through this season toward a manger in Bethlehem. Hopefully, no matter
how many times we have made this journey, we are filled with hope, hope that these
coming days will help us remember that the light of God’s love never dims, never fails,
never leaves us.
Second, I’m anticipating good news about our facility improvement projects.
The Implementation Team is in the process of finalizing plans and getting firm prices on
the eight items on the list. And as we always do in a capital campaign, we have asked a
small group of people to make advance gifts or pledges. Soon we will announce the
total of those gifts/pledges, and then the rest of the congregation will be asked to make
their gift or two year pledge.
The Implementation Team is hopeful that the grand total will enable us to
proceed with the projects early next year. Doing so would give us an exciting kick off
to our 50th anniversary, which will be September 8. Go ahead and circle the weekend of
September 7-9 on your 2018 calendars, as we will be celebrating just about all weekend,
beginning with a dinner on Friday evening.
I can tell you that we in fact have already had generous donors step forward in
response to the needs expressed in these projects, so I know there is excitement about
adding an elevator, creating dedicated youth rooms, revamping our nurseries, adding
storage space, creating a family bathroom, putting a computer and screen in the
sanctuary, and moving the handbells upstairs. All together they will be a benefit to the
whole congregation, and will add significantly to our welcome and hospitality for
people of all ages.
So this is an exciting time for us! Be sure to keep up with all the special events,
like the cantata (which is early this year - the 10th), caroling, the Longest Night service,
and our usual Christmas Eve services. I hope your days are filled with the anticipation
of good news.
Prayer List
The following people have been on our prayer list since the last newsletter: Linda Gogan; Donald Horning, Brian’s grandfather; Catherine McFall, friend of Nancy Cassidy; Garry Garner; Valerie Tyree, Stephanie Staton’s sister; Lois Whitehurst; Waldo Worsham, Jane Anderson’s cousin. Our sympathy is extended to Rita Hartless and family in the death of her mother, Myrtle Rice, and to Sarah Supernaw and family in the death of her brother.
2
Christmas Cantata Sunday, Dec. 10
11am
Lead Me Back
to Bethlehem Presented by the Chancel Choir
Let’s go Christmas Caroling! Sunday, Dec. 10
4:30pm Followed by snacks & Hot Cocoa
Contact Ann if you would like to attend
A World of Christmas Customs
A children’s program with a
global perspective
Sunday, Dec. 17
6:30pm
Followed by Christmas Treats & Hot Cocoa
Family Service 5pm
Fellowship Hall
Candlelight Service 11pm
Sanctuary
3
3rd Annual Walter M. Fore, Jr. Congregation Open
House Looking for something fun to do this holiday season in Lynchburg? Join us on Sat., Dec. 16 from 10am-2pm for IOA’s 3rd Annual Walter M. Fore, Jr. Greater Rivermont Congregation Open House. Cost for the open house is $20 per person and proceeds benefit IOA’s Emergency Assistance Program. There will be 10 congregations that will be open for the public to view. Tickets can be purchased at the Downtown Lynchburg Visitor’s Center, Boonsboro Gladiola Girls, and Aylor’s Farm Store. Tickets will also be available at the host congregations the day of the event. Cash or Check only. For more information, call the IOA office at 434.846.6098 or follow IOA on Facebook.
CIVIL WAR CONVERSATIONS at The American Civil War Museum in Appomattox
The Civil War’s Most Notorious Guerrilla 6:30PM, Thursday, December 14TH
No Civil War guerrilla cut such a wide swath as Champ Ferguson. He claimed to have murdered 120 men by the War’s end, and soon after, was convicted and executed for killing 53 men. Discover how his story survived and found its way into our modern consciousness. With Brian McKnight, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise. Contact Richard Jones or John Hicks if you are interested in attending. Those attending will be carpooling from the church parking lot, leaving at 4pm to have dinner at Bull Daddy’s BBQ in Appomattox before the lecture. Feel free to invite friends and neighbors.
Cost: $10 Adults, Members of ACWM: Free.
Christmas Offering
Did you know that 100% of the Christmas offering that our congregation receives on December 10th and 17th comes back to the Region of Virginia? Perhaps that may sound strange, for the Region to be a recipient of this Special Day offering, but in fact, what better way can we live into our commitment to one another, to live together as the Body of Christ? From Christ’s love for us, and our love for one another, we can strengthen all the marvelous ministries that happen around the year in Virginia, by participating prayerfully and generously in this year’s Christmas offering. What does Regional Ministry do that is valuable to us?
Equipping leaders for service in all types of ministry
Serving Congregations in the good & bad times, including when searching for new ministers.
Building relationships wherever we can—congregations, clergy, campers at Craig Springs, and so much more.
Consider giving generously to the Christmas Special Offering.
A Few Thank Yous TEAM Food
Pantry Needs
meals in a box, pancake mix
syrup
Thank you for your support!
Austin Pankey, who writes, “Thanks to all for the cards, calls, and well wishes when I recently had an eye problem.”
Donna Vincent, Executive Director of Greater Lynchburg Habitat for Humanity (and Joanne Cole’s daughter, by the way), saying, “Thank you so much for your recent contribution of $298.65. Your gift will provide a hand up to low-income families who work hard to provide for their needs. Because you acted, another opportunity is available to ease a family’s stress and financial struggles.”
Patrick Haley, Executive Director, and Tashan Gillum, Director of Camp Kum-Ba - Yah, who say, “Thank you for your generous gift of $247.55. Your gift will enable children to grow, explore and engage in nature. Camp Kum-Ba-Yah is a unique place that allows children to discover who they are, all while having fun.”
Kids’ Haven’s Development Director, Deirdra Flavin, who writes, “We received your donation of $298.50 and are extremely grateful for your support of our programs. You gift helps us offer free peer support groups to our area’s grieving children, aged 3-18. The groups offer a safe haven for children to feel normal, express their sadness, fear, anger, and relief while engaging in activities and conversation led by trained volunteer facilitators.”
Thank you to everyone who has helped with our Advent/Christmas decorations for this year, including everyone who has made new Chrismons for our trees in the Fellowship Hall and Sanctuary.
Save the Date Annual
SATURDAY JAN. 27th, 2018
Don’t Forget...
1.The choir will be presenting the Christmas cantata on December 10 at the 11:00 service.
2.All are invited to go Christmas caroling to our homebound members on the 10th at 5:00.
3.The carol sing and Christmas play will be on the 17th at 5:30.
4.Christmas Eve will be a busy day! We will have our regular morning services and the Christmas Eve services at 5:00 and 11:00.
5.The office will be closed the 25th and 26th.
Christmas Party
Tuesday
December 12th
6pm in the
Fellowship Hall.
Bring a snack and join in
the fun.
December 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
Daily Bread
2
10:00 Rise Against
Hunger
3
8:45am Worship
10am Sun. Sch.
11am Worship
5:30 Youth Groups
4 5
7pm Bluegrass
7:15pm Chancel Choir
6
6:15pm Bell Ensemble
7pm TCC Ringers
7
Fellowship hall
reserved 6-9pm
8 9
8am Men’s Group
Breakfast @ Country
Cookin’ on
Timberlake Rd
10
8:45am Worship
10am Sun. Sch.
11am Cantata
12:15 Elders
4:30 Christmas Caroling
6:15 Play Practice
11 12
9am Recycled Youth
Breakfast at Famous
Anthony’s
6pm Bluegrass
Christmas party in
fellowship hall
7:15pm Chancel Choir
13
6:15pm Bell Ensemble
7pm TCC Ringers
14
4pm Museum Lecture
6:45pm Recycled
Youth to A Christmas
Carol
15
Daily Bread
16
17
8:45am Worship
10am Sun. Sch.
11am Worship
4:30 Facilities Imple-
mentation team mtg
6:30 Christmas Play
18
Gateway
19
7pm Bluegrass
7:15pm Chancel Choir
20
6:15pm Bell Ensemble
7pm TCC Ringers
21
7pm Longest Night
Service
22
23
24
8:45am Worship
10am Sun. Sch.
11am Worship
5pm Family Xmas Eve
Worship
11pm Candlelight
Xmas Eve Worship
25
Office Closed
26
Office Closed
27 28
29 30
31
8:45am Worship
10am Sun. Sch.
11am Worship
5:30pm Family Night
1 Chris Stinnett
6 Greg Engledove
Kim Falinski
7 Randy May
Kristin Wagemaker
10 Curtis Wade
11 Janice Campbell
14 Lois Ferguson
15 Brenda Ferguson
Cathy Truxell
17 Ryan Briggs
18 Jonathan Williams
20 Becky Rosser
John Hicks
21 Betty Springer
Grace Supernaw
22 Keith Hudson
24 Corey May
28 Pam Stinnett
30 Katie Mays
31 Jimmy Green
15 Kent & Cathy Truxell (1984)
Fred & Kathy Englund (1979)
16 Rudy & Betty Jean Stinnett (1950)
20 Ed & Jane Parrish (1996)
26 Scott & Beth Briggs (1998)
31 Curtis & Marie Wade (1954)
Timberlake Christian Church
20261 Lynchburg Hwy
Lynchburg, VA 24502
Phone: 434.525.2167
www.tccdoc.org
www.facebook.com/tccdoc
Scripture Readings and Sermon Texts for November
sermon texts are underlined
3 - First Sunday of Advent - Isaiah 64.1-9, Psalm 80.1-7, 17-19,
1 Corinthians 1.3-9, Mark 13.24-37 - Keep awake!
10 - Second Sunday of Advent - Isaiah 40.1-11, Psalm 85.1-2, 8-13, 2 Peter
3.8-15a, Mark 1.1-8 - There’s more to come. (8:45)/cantata (11:00)
17 - Third Sunday of Advent - Isaiah 61.1-4, 8-11, Psalm 126 or Luke 1.46b
-55, 1 Thessalonians 5.16-24, John 1.6-8, 19-28 - God isn’t finished.
24 - Fourth Sunday of Advent/Christmas Eve - 2 Samuel 7.1-11, 16, Luke
1.46b-55 or Psalm 89.1-4, 19-26, Romans 16.25-27, Luke 1.26-38 -
God makes strange choices.
31 - First Sunday of Christmas - Isaiah 61.10-62.3, Psalm 148,
Galatians 4.4-7, Luke 2.22-40 - Ann preaching
Miracle Jars
In December we will be collecting for Greater Lynchburg Habitat for Humanity. November we have raised $ 305.00 for Christmas Baskets– Campbell County Social Services.
