Vine No 6

Volume XVIII

April 1, 2009

Number 6

[ Declaring the Love of Jesus & Sharing His Good News Through our Faith In Motion from the Heart of the City ] A Bimonthly Newsletter Look What God Is Doing!

Check out Page 2 where we feature a personal journal entry from THIRST Lay Leader Heather Marshall Page 2

McKendree Church - 523 Church St. - Nashville, TN 37219 Finding Christ in Easter Again

Children’s Ministry Preparation Day

McK staff’er Kevin Sparkman confesses that he’s let the world’s view of Easter get in the way of him focusing on the real meaning of this season of spiritual reflection and renewal

Check the special insert of this edition of the Vine to sign up for our upcoming preparation day for our children’s ministries

Easter Memorials

Check the special insert page for info about memorial contributions and Easter lilies Special insert

Special insert

New Website Lesson #1

Want to know how to access a version of the Vine in FULL COLOR on your computer? Check out how in this issue! Page 4

Page 2

McKendree United Methodist Church 523 Church Street Nashville, TN 37219 615.271.2600 Fax 271.2607

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Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Nashville, TN Permit No. 2855

the Vine - Apr. 1, ‘09

Look What God Is Doing! At the request of a spiritual mentor Heather Marshall started journaling her experiences in leading McKendree’s THIRST ministry. The following is an entry that she wanted to share with all of you. THIRST journal entry March 22, 2009

I almost could not catch my breath as I looked up and saw the girls staring at me. They were silent and in awe. It was I got chill bumps today while leading Bible study. I had six a God moment! He was standing next to me as I read to preteen girls wrist deep in clay, molding, forming, these six young ladies, and they became thirsty! I could reshaping, and generally having a blast. They were see it happening! I saw the Holy Spirit working in each instructed to make an oil lamp like a 12 year old Jesus may one of His children. have used. We talked about how He probably watched Mary as she made some items to be used around the house. Picture them sitting there with their hands covered and Perhaps Jesus observed the women in the marketplace dirty with clay. Maybe it was because their hands were throwing clay pots and vessels that were as beautiful as covered in clay that their hearts were open to the Word? masterpieces? - Heather Marshall/THIRST Lay Leader Then I read "Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter, we are all work of your hand." Isaiah 64:8

Finding Christ in Easter Again This year’s Easter egg hunt will come with great anticipation as we have just turned the one-year corner with a renewed emphasis on the children in our church and our community.

But after noticing the innocent delight on the children’s faces and seeing them spend the afternoon in the presence of Christcentered families like the Hooper’s, the Hattan’s, and Personally, I have only bore the Marshall’s just to name a witness to this event once few, I realized that I have (last year) as I am still allowed myself to be caught relatively new to McKendree. up in focusing on what’s I can say, however, that as I wrong with Easter instead of picked up the kids in the bus the risen Christ. from the Hooper’s house I Thank you Hooper’s, thank was extremely impressed with you Care & Prayer Partners, what I saw. thank you THIRST leaders, Easter is my favorite spiritual time of year and my least favorite holiday of the year. It’s my least favorite holiday because it has in fact become another one of those overcommercialized profit ventures for candy manufacturers and kidproduct moguls. 2

and thank you church for teaching our children what Easter is all about. Jesus has risen and He is alive!

Annual McKendree Easter Egg Hunt! Saturday, April 4 - 2:00p The Hooper’s House 736 Hill Road, Brentwood RSVP: 615.373.5076 Please bring COOKIES! Rain date scheduled for Sat., April 11 - 2:00p

- Kevin Sparkman

the McKendree Vine

the Vine - Apr. 1, ‘09

Weekly Bible Readings Mar. 30 - Apr. 5: Jer. 31:31-34; Psalm 51:1-12; Heb. 5:5-10; John 12:20-23

April Bus Drivers

April 6-12: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Phil. 2:5-11; Mark 14:1-15:47 or Mark 12:1-39 (40-47)

5 - Micah Padgett 12 - Allen Family 19 - Steve Kohl 26 - Andrew Skipper

April 13-19: Acts 10:34-43; Psalm 118:1-2; 14-24; 1 Cor. 15:1-11; John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-18

Thanks for praying for our Bus team each week!

April 20-26: Acts 3:12-19; Psalm 4; 1 John 3:1-7; Luke 24:36b-48 Sunshine Group April outing: The group will meet on Wednesday, April 8, at 11:00 a.m. at Home Depot Expo Design Center on Powell Avenue for lunch at Rafferty’s. Following lunch a trip to the Adventure Science Center and Planetarium is planned where we will have time to look around the museum before a 2 p.m. show in the planetarium. The cost of the museum and show is $6.00. Planning ahead for May... On May 5th, the group will go to Red Boiling Springs for lunch at the Thomas House. Please call Mary Alice Miles (292-3814) if you’re interested in going.

A Special Note... Dear Friends,

Prayer Concerns Odell Carmack (Somerfield Healthcare, Rm 128) Mary Ellis (home)

Thank you for all the cards, calls, and especially the prayers. Yours In Christ, Nell Spencer

Did you know? Ben Rhodes will be our interim organist for the 11:00a Sunday services. If you’re able, please come to the traditional worship service on Sunday and get to know Ben! the McKendree Vine

Betty Dawson passed away March 14. Her funeral was held Tuesday, March 17 at W. Harpeth Funeral Home

We have received a gift in memory of Jane L. W. Morris from John Morris. We have also received a gift in memory of Betty Walker from Allen and Pam Pressnell. 3

the Vine - Apr. 1, ‘09

Upcoming Special Events:

The PB&J Party Hip Hop on the Rooftop This is the third year in a row that our rooftop venue The Loft has hosted this event! This happening has not only become one of the most anticipated & highly attended events during GMA Week, fans from all over the southeast come to see one of the biggest Christian hip hop show of the year - right here at McKendree! 4/19 @ 7p Benefit concert for Bethlehem Center Saturday, May 16 - 5:00p The Nashville Praise Symphony has offered to provide special music and lead in an evening of worship and awareness of this ministry we all at McKendree are responsible for supporting. Please be in prayer about this important special event. A reception and tours of the Bethlehem Center facility will immediately follow the concert. Shuttle available.

New Site Lesson #1: Want to know how to access a version of the McKendree Vine in FULL COLOR on your computer? Follow these simple steps and get to know our new website! Soon, back issues of the Vine will eventually be available and directions on how to access those will be also online. Step 1: Log on to http://www.mckendreetoday.com Step 2: After the page has loaded, locate the navigation menu just beneath the “McKendree Today!” logo Step 3: Click on the “the Vine” navigation button [ this will take you to the Vine’s page ] Step 4: After the page has loaded, read the Vine at your leisure! Within the page you will also see reading and command options in the menu bar. Hold your cursor over these options to find out what they do. If you prefer to use this method to receive the Vine, please notify the church office so we can take you off of the mailing list. Thank you, and enjoy using the new website - more additions and lessons coming soon!

Weekly Events & Activities * all events at 523 Church St./Worship Center unless otherwise noted

Wednesday

Sunday

6:00p Program/Bible study

8:30a Prayer Team (McKendree Room)

7:00p Community Groups Bible study (Library Cafe)

9:00a New Wine @ McKendree

Thursday

9:30a THIRST/Youth ministry

11:00a Jubilate choir rehearsal (Choir room)

10:00a Adult Bible Study

Noon Kairos Bible Study (bring a brown bag lunch)

11:00a Worship Service (communion every 1st Sun. ea. month)

4:00p Transient meal (Fellowship Hall)

Monday

Saturday

9:30a Ladies’ home Bible study

9:00a Saturday Morning fitness ministry

(The St. Paul, Hillsboro Rd., Nashville)

(CLC, 520 Commerce St.)

Tuesday

5:00p Mosaic Downtown Fellowship

9:30a Art Group (Rm 304)

(every 2nd Sat. ea. month)

the McKendree Vine

5:30p Dinner (Fellowship Hall, covered dish every 1st Wed.)

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