Vol. 83 + No. 50 December 16, 2021 |
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Happening at Church Street |
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Please note: On Sunday, December 26, there will be only ONE in-person worship service (11 AM) and NO Sunday school. Online worship service will also be at 11 am. |
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Thank you to all who dedicated poinsettias to loved ones this season! See this week's insert to view the 2021 Poinsettia Memorials and Honorariums. |
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Service of Healing and Hope - Dec. 19, 4 pm |
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Hope – Peace – Joy – Love … Those are the words on which we focus during Advent as we look toward Christmas. We know that this year will be very different for some of our church family, a bittersweet season for some. You may not feel quite like singing Joy to the World, but perhaps you can find solace in familiar scriptures and carols. We are offering a service of gathering with others who are mourning this Advent and Christmas season on Sunday, December 19 at 4 pm in the Chapel. Please know that you are in our hearts and prayers as you continue to grieve, but also as you continue to live into the hope, peace, joy, and love of Christ. |
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In our worship on Sunday morning, Pastor Catherine invited us to remember and pray for those devastated by last Friday’s tornadoes. Through our connection, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is already mobilizing to respond to and lead disaster relief efforts. First United Methodist Church of Mayfield, KY, was destroyed while their pastor, the Rev. Joey Reed, took refuge in the church’s basement. Rev. Reed gave a wonderful interview about holding onto the joy of Advent while also working with UMCOR to rebuild the community. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V4PSaxw66I. If you would like to support relief efforts through UMCOR, you can donate through the church by sending a check to the office and designating your gift for UMCOR/Disaster Relief. To learn more about how you can participate in UMCOR’s disaster relief efforts, contact Pastor Palmer. |
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Warm Up Willow Mission Project Begins this Sunday |
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Part of our Missions funding at Church Street goes to support missionary partners across the globe. The Revs. Joe-D and Christina Dowling-Soka serve Willow UMC in Willow, Alaska. Willow UMC serves over 180 families each month through their food pantry and supplies firewood to local families who rely on a wood stove to cook and heat their homes.
In preparation for a cold winter, let’s help “Warm Up Willow” by sending hats, gloves, scarves and socks! Please bring new hats, gloves, scarves, and socks to the Welcome Center through Sunday, December 26. These will be shipped to Willow UMC by the Missions Team.
During Thanksgiving week, it was -40 degrees in Willow, Alaska. Please choose gloves that are rated for cold weather, as opposed to thinner knit options. |
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On Sunday, January 9, Holston Conference Bishop Deborah Wallace-Padgett will visit and preach at Church Street! She will preach at both the 8:30 and 11 am services and will be in Parish Hall during the Sunday School hour for a time of greeting and learning more about Church Street from its members. We hope you will join us to meet and hear from our new bishop! The in-person sermon will be recorded and made available online for those unable to attend.
Bishop Wallace-Padgett is inviting every Holston United Methodist member to join her in a plan to read the entire bible in one year. The reading plan splits up the readings according to the day of the week, so that each week you read Gospel lessons, Psalms, prophets, histories, etc. Many “Bible in a year” plans have you read the books in canonical order, from Genesis to Revelation. Such a reading can be helpful, but it can also be challenging to stay focused. This plan will continuously give diverse readings throughout the year. Join us in accepting our Bishop’s challenge to “Read Together” in 2022. If you would like the front office to send you a print out of the reading plan, please call to request that at 865-524-3048. |
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Holiday Gifts Available this Sunday |
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Give the gift of compelling history, storytelling, and imagery this holiday season! Copies of Unfinished Journey by Dr. Dwight Wade will be available for purchase in the Welcome Center on Sundays, December 12 and 19. Dr. Wade will be on site to sign books and discuss! All proceeds benefit the Church Street Building Fund. Cost: $75 cash or check, $78 credit
Also, we have new packages of Church Street notecards adorned with the beautiful stained glass imagery published in Unfinished Journey. Each pack of notecards features 15 different images and are blank inside for your messages. Each pack comes with 15 blank white envelopes and a key with information about each image title, memorial info, location in the church, and installation date. This is the perfect stocking stuffer; supplies are limited. If you would like to reserve your pack(s) of notecards, you may email communications@churchstreetumc.org or simply reply to this email. Cost: Each pack is $15 cash, check, or credit card
Both Unfinished Journey and the packs of notecards are available by calling the church office as well at 865-524-3048.
**Stay tuned in the coming weeks for information about ordering Church Street apparel and goodies! Short-sleeved shirts, long-sleeved shirts, tumblers, and tote bags. |
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Beacon of Hope Director Search |
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With the announcement of Dona Bunch's retirement at the end of this year, the Beacon of Hope (BOH) seeks a new Director. The Director of the BOH ministry provides oversight to Church Street UMC’s ministry arm in South Knoxville. This person will manage a multi-faceted outreach ministry designed to build community and relationships, while serving the needs of those experiencing poverty in South Knoxville. They also will work to establish and maintain a relationship with the minister and/or staff of the new Vestal United Methodist Church.
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Thank you to all who have made a pledge to support ministry through the 2022 operating budget. To date, we have received 211 pledges, totaling $1,428,956 -- a wonderful blessing as we begin to dream about and plan for ministry and mission together for the coming year. If you have not yet made your commitment, it's easy to do so. Either make a pledge securely online, fill out a pledge card (in the pews in the nave or sent by mail to members), or call Kate Spencer, Church Administrator, to discuss your pledge (521-0268).
A reminder that the church will be open on December 31! To have your year-end gift count toward the 2021 fiscal year, please make sure your gifts are received by Dec. 31 or postmarked by the 31st (online gifts can be made until 11:59 pm on the 31st). |
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Christmas Eve Greeters and Ushers Needed! |
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If you plan to worship in person at Church Street on Christmas Eve, your smiling eyes and warm welcome are needed, as we greet members and visitors to our nave at each service. Greeter times are as follows:
- 12 Noon service: 11:35 AM - 12:05 PM (10 volunteers needed)
- 3 pm family service: 2:35 - 3:10 pm (10 volunteers needed)
- 5:30 pm traditional service: 4:45 - 5:45 pm (20 volunteers needed)
- 10:30 pm traditional service: 9:45 - 10:45 pm (20 volunteers needed)
Click the button below to sign up for a slot -- this is a great opportunity for a Sunday school class or small group to "adopt" a service at which to greet!
Contact Kit Brown, greeter coordinator, with questions you have about greeting or if your small group or class would like to help out: kit_brown@bellsouth.net
+ More ushers are needed for the Noon, 3 pm and 10:30 pm Christmas Eve services -- If you are available to help, please email Judy Thompson ASAP! Judy will give you a quick Ushering 101 to make sure you know what to do! Email her at vironttn@gmail.com to sign up. |
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Sunday, December 19 Fourth Sunday of Advent
8:30 am & 11 am at 900 Henley Street
10 am on Rejoice! WBXX-TV
11 am on YouTube
*** Master Arts Series Presents The Music of Advent and Christmas Parish Adult Choir and Tennessee Brass
Music In the Nave, 8:30 am & 11 am Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, arr. Gerald Near The Shepherds' Farewell, Hector Berlioz Sussex Carol, arr. June Nixon This Endris Night, arr. Kevin Robison Shout the Glad Tidings, Ned Rorem Parish Adult Choir
Prelude by the Tennessee Brass Quintet
Online at 11 am and Rejoice! at 10 am Gabriel's Message, arr. William Llewellyn Parish Girls Ensemble
Songs of the Shepherds, arr. Lloyd Larson Virtual Parish Handbell Choir
Away in a Manger, arr. Mark Hayes Isabella Johnson, Soprano
Lectionary Readings for this week: Micah 5:2-5a, Luke 1:46b-55, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45, (46-55) |
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Sunday School / Education News |
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All are invited to join the Open Door Sunday School class for the following Advent & Christmas programs at 9:40 am in Parish Hall on: - December 12: If you missed Bishop Carder's talk on Sunday the 12th, you can view it by visiting www.youtube.com/churchstreetumc
- December 19: Holiday readings with special guest Steve Roberts
Call in: 1-929-436-2866, meeting ID: 816-1904-8930, passcode: 12345 |
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Testimonial from a Stephen Minister Care Receiver |
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"I was at a low point in my life and was uncertain how I would make it in the years ahead. Then I remembered the Stephen Ministry and called and requested a Stephen Minister. Shortly I got a call and this began a yearlong fellowship. When I needed someone to help me with a difficult decision, my Stephen Minister was there to help." -Submitted by Jim Boehms If you are going through a difficult time in your life and need a spiritual friend to walk alongside you, contact Rev. Pat Clendenen at (865) 406-3854 or pclendenen@churchstreetumc.org. |
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To all donors, volunteer sale workers, and buyers who came out on a terribly rainy Saturday -- thank you! Our Advent Gifts and Goodies sale was a success!
Still available: There are a limited number of Palestinian organic olive oil available for $15 per bottle in the church office. Contact the office to reserve your bottle while supplies last: 865-524-3048 or nkeen@churchstreetumc.org. |
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See the calendar listings below. Meetings occur on Zoom, unless otherwise noted as an in-person event. If you would like a link to one of the following Zoom meetings, or if your group would like to set up a Zoom meeting, please contact Kate Spencer at kspencer@churchstreetumc.org or 865-521-0268, she will help set you up on the church account! |
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Ongoing Worship, Sunday School, Children, Youth & Music Meetings: - Worship: Sunday at 8:30 & 11 am, Nave; Rejoice! at 10 am (WBXX); YouTube at 11 am
- Sunday School Classes meeting In-Person, at 9:40 am Sundays:
- Covenant - room E-01
- Epworth - CLC 122
- Discovery - CLC 124
- Friends in Christ - room 202
- Isbell - room E-01 (temp.)
- Followers - room 310
- Murphy Builders - room 204
- Partners - Parlor
- Pathfinders - CLC 120
- Potter's Wheel - Chiles room
- Youth (CLC)
- Children (Children's classrooms)
- Sunday School Classes Meeting in person and online (hybrid) currently, at 9:40 am on Sundays:
- Open Door - Parish Hall
- Parables - room 118
- Crossroads - room 201-A
- Seekers - room 201-C
- Parish Adult Choir Rehearsal: Wednesdays, 6:30 pm, Choir Rehearsal Room
- Christmas Eve Services: Friday, 12 Noon, 3 pm, 5:30 pm, 10:30 pm, Nave and 7 pm, online
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Upcoming Meetings & Events:
- Service of Healing and Hope: Sunday, 4 pm, Chapel
- Advent Study - John and Ted Lasso: Sundays, 4 pm, 201-A
- Discovery Sunday School Class Christmas party: Sunday, 5:30 pm, CLC 120
- Advent Study - Isaiah during Advent: Mondays, 10 am, Zoom
- Singles Bridge: Monday, 6 pm, 201C
- BOH Benevolence Team: Tuesdays, Noon, Vestal UMC
- BOH Food Co-Op Shop: Thursday, 9:30 am, Vestal UMC
- Soup Kitchen: Thursdays, 11 am, Parish Hall
- Covid Task Force: Thursdays, 3 pm
- Parish Health Ministry: Thursday, 5 pm
The Church Street office will be closed December 24-28. |
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Christian love and sympathy to: The family and friends of Peggy Bunch, sister of Janice Britt, who died on December 8.
New Arrival: Daniel Leonard Bellingrath, son of Will and Cecilia Bellingrath, was born on December 10 in California. Paternal grandparents are Pat and Len Bellingrath. |
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December 12 Online Worship - 144 In-Person Worship - 326 8:30 am - 292 11 am - 358 Nursery - 18 |
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December 12 Operating Budget - $39,147.65 Building Fund - $11,975.00 Other - $7,103.00
Church Street UMC P.O. Box 1303 Knoxville, TN 37901 |
Memorials Philip H. Carrier Chancel Enhancement Fund: Len & Pat Bellingrath Dr. James R. Carroll, Jr. Memorial Fund: John Rose Benjamin Goodson Chancel Enhancement Fund: Len & Pat Bellingrath Music Fund: Bill & Janie Dempster James Langford Building Fund: Bill & Sandra Roberts Lois Jean Murdock Building Fund: Anonymous Herman Sain Music Fund: Bill & Sandra Roberts John Scott Chancel Enhancement Fund: Len & Pat Bellingrath Soup Kitchen: Bill & Sandra Roberts, Frank Word Marcia Shipley, Paul E. Shipley Memorial Fund: Barbara Shipley Nancy Starnes Building Fund: Anonymous Preschool Fund: Anonymous Memorial Fund: Len & Pat Bellingrath, Debbie Charles Reynolds
Honorariums Dona Bunch Beacon of Hope: Tresa Childs All Who Make the CSUMC Master Arts Series Possible Master Arts Series: Nancy & Barry Christmas Edie Johnson & Tim Ward Music Fund: James & Caroline Lamar Powell Richardson Chancel Enhancement Fund: Ed & Valerie Nicholson Ann Marie Tugwell Chancel Enhancement Fund: Youth Fund and the Youth Choir |
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Advent Wreath The Advent Wreath is given in loving memory of Edward and Kathleen Crawford and Wilmer and Jo Loveless by Mike and Mary Crawford. |
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All are welcome at Church Street! We believe every person is of sacred worth and created in God’s image. We welcome and celebrate the gifts God has given to all persons without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, disability, status, economic condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religious affiliation. We respect diversity of opinion and expressions of Christian faith. We believe God loves everyone unconditionally! As God loves us, so let us love and serve in the name of Christ.
Church Street United Methodist Church P.O. Box 1303, Knoxville, TN 37901 Office: 865-524-3048 Fax: 865-521-0288 Pastor On-Call: 865-320-9100 Please call the church office to reach a specific member of our staff. |
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