NASHVILLE UMC Offering Better Life Through Christ

Connecting Point - April 2020

Oh, how hard it is to wait…

I am so used to instant gratification, that I struggle to wait.

I am struggling to wait. I want this quarantine to be over. I want to shake hands. I want to hug. I want to gather together. I want to praise and worship God together. While we are doing our best to worship together on Sunday mornings at 9:30 through the internet, there is nothing like gathering together to worship.

While I am struggling to wait…my heart is longing to gather back together and worship. I am sure that our first week back together will be incredibly joyful. The wait will be worth it. I will appreciate the smiles and the hugs more than I ever have appreciated them in the past. I long to worship together with you.

Scripture teaches us that we need to learn to wait. One of the fruit of the Spirit is patience. God’s people had to wait while they were in slavery in Egypt. God’s people had to wait in the wilderness and while they were in exile. God’s people had to wait for the Messiah. God’s people are now waiting for Jesus’ triumphant return. We have to learn to wait patiently.

The season of Lent can help teach us about waiting. We are in the season between Ash Wednesday and Easter. We are pondering our own mortality as we are waiting for the celebration of Easter.

The better we wait…the more we are patient…the better the celebration.

I long to celebrate our Risen Savior. I long to celebrate that Jesus has conquered death and to celebrate the eternal life that Jesus offers to all those who believe and confess in Him.

And when we consider heaven, and basking in the Glory of God forever…shouldn’t we long for heaven?

Please continue to love the Lord and love your neighbors as we all wait…for the quarantine to be over; to worship together; for Easter; for heaven.

I love you and miss you. Grace and peace, Pastor Scott

Social Distancing Does Not Mean Relational Distancing

We have officially entered into a very unusual season. Extra-curricular activities are cancelled, classes look a bit different, restaurants are “take-out” only, toilet paper has become a rare find, Netflix bingeing has skyrocketed, and leisurely Target runs have sadly ceased. Our once normal routine is no longer familiar to us.

COVID-19 has forced us into a new routine - one that has pulled us away from our most-cherished social interactions. Many of you probably have a great deal of questions running through your head regarding this pandemic; however, the only question that truly matters is this: How are you going to respond? Our perspective on this situation will influence our attitude and actions. Circumstances are always changing, but thankfully, we serve an unchanging God who is worthy of the highest praise. God is still good and we always have reason to rejoice in Him!

Let’s be a people who choose to rejoice in the Lord. Instead of complaining because you don’t know how to use all this extra time and you find yourself bored, be grateful the Lord has allowed you this opportunity to slow down. Use this season as a time to re- prioritize as you consider who (or what) you are giving first place to in your life.

Though it may seem like you’re on house arrest and forced to embrace social distancing, you’re certainly not forced to embrace relational distancing! Remember, we were not created to live in isolation, but rather in community. Our community may look a little different these days – but that’s ok! Continue to encourage one another, celebrate one another, support one another, and have fun with one another.

Ephesians 4:27 encourages us to “give no opportunity to the devil.” Don’t allow the enemy to use this season of “social distancing” to pull you away from meaningful relationships with your friends, with your family, or with the church. Most importantly, don’t let this season be one that pulls you away from Jesus Christ. Rather, use this season as an opportunity to dive deeper. Truthfully, we have been blessed with even more time to devote ourselves to God and His Word.

Choose to STAY CONNECTED to those important relationships in your life. Get creative and get intentional!

As we wait for our church activities to begin again (hopefully in May), we bring you this special edition of our Connecting Point with articles of encouragement from your pastors and staff.

We will continue offering devotions and worship throughout the month on our website and social media. Paper copies and emails are also being sent. If you have not been receiving these and would like hard copies or to be on our email distribution list, contact the office at 459-7178 or info@nashvilleumc.net.

Dear Parents,

Intentionally growing in the Word is a vital part of spiritual development for Christians, regardless of age. For children, NUMC offers weekly discipleship opportunities like Children’s Church, Sunday School, and King’s Kids to deepen their knowledge of Biblical truths. During this time of “social distancing,” we will continue to utilize technology to make these weekly resources available to your family through the church website. You can also email me to sign up for Children’s Ministry emails. I encourage you to dedicate time each week to leading your children in discipleship. Using familiar resources like those listed below will offer your children a sense of consistency as it reminds them of our weekly time together at church.

Holy Moly! is our Sunday morning Children’s Church curriculum. Each Tuesday you will receive a 10-minute devotional that parallels our Sunday morning Children’s Church Order of Worship. This includes a Scripture passage, lesson, story, video link, and activity suggestion.

King’s Kids, our Sunday night children’s program, has been studying the Faithful Hall of Fame. We’ve been learning more about the faithful believers listed in Hebrews 11 like Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, and Joshua. Each Tuesday you will also receive a 10-minute devotional that includes an adult devotion, children’s lesson, video link, and activity suggestion.

If you are interested in accessing our Whirl Sunday School curriculum, please email me and I will create a user account for you that will allow you to log in to the curriculum. From there you can follow along with our age-graded material that includes a weekly Lectionary lesson and video until we resume meeting face-to-face.

Additionally, as our congregation is unable to fellowship together in person, many older adults within our church are experiencing extreme social isolation. Because they are at-risk during this time, most social interaction for them has stopped. As a church we’d like to suggest an “Adopt-a-Senior” program where younger families adopt an older adult/older couple within the church to pray for, call, write, etc. Please contact me or Kira Lanfranchi (kira@nashvilleumc.net) for information on how you can help. It’s important we find ways to be the church despite our separation.

Don’t forget to tune in weekly as a family to our online service for a Children’s Moment! The altar rails are mighty empty without those sweet faces. Prayerfully, we’ll be together again soon.

In His Love and Peace,

Dr. Nichole Huff Director of Children & Family Ministries nichole@nashvilleumc.net

Made for a Reason

You and I were made for relationships. Introverts were made for relationships. Extroverts were made for relationships. Everyone on the Myers Briggs or Enneagram spectrum were made for relationships. Yes, those relationships play out in unique ways depending on the God-given personalities we have, but all of us are in need of relationships. Like “Wilson,” Frank Nolan’s trusty sidekick from the movie Castaway, we all just need someone to talk to. We all need relationships.

We recall that the first “not good” of the Bible occurs because man is alone. Think about that. Man is in paradise with a mango fresher (that’s what our team gets in Costa Rica), he can wrestle with a lion, and ivy has yet to become poisonous.

Yet, there is still a “not good” because man is alone and no perfect helper is to be found. Even dogs, who we call “man’s best friend” will not suffice for the relationship that is needed of the freshly made human.

During this quarantine, many of us are still in relationship with other brothers and sisters in Christ—but it’s different. We aren’t hugging like we used to. We aren’t giving high fives like we used to. We aren’t running into people like we used to at restaurants. Our relationships continue, but they are different.

I’ve heard reports from Kira and others about new relationships that have blossomed from people calling each other. The most elderly in our church family are speaking to some of the youngest in our church family. Relationships are forming despite social distancing. Praise be to God. One of the greatest gifts God has given Nashville is that every single generation is represented in our church family. Now that’s great, but when those generations enter into relationships with each other, oh how beautiful is the body of Christ! For it is our relationship with Christ that propels us into relationship with others in the body of Christ.

I think the psalmist said it best, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1).

Throughout this unexpected season of our life, may we, as God’s people, continue to live together in unity. Keep calling each other. Keep praying for each other. Keep in relationship with each other. Let new relationships form. Let’s be, for the world, the unity that the world longs for, that is found only in the love of God.

God Bless, Pastor Luke

Luke is Pastor of Discipleship to the community of saints, in Christ, at Nashville UMC.

Bereavement: The family of Mayo Boddie, Sr. (grandfather of Bill Boddie); The Rumbaugh family at the death of Deidre’s maternal and paternal grandmothers; The family of Rob Brewer (friend of Philip and Alice Brown); the family of Louis Sakell (brother of Cathy Sykes); the family of Asher Sheets (great-nephew of Wesley & Linda Sheets).

Birth: Emma Ruffin, daughter of Ben and Kaitlin Ruffin; Sevilla Lee Strong, grandchild of Mike and Amy Elks.

Medical/Other: Pete Nethercutt (Barry Nethercutt’s father), Jordan Foreman (friend of Jackie Swindell), Lawson & Layton Atkins (infant twins of a friend of Katherine McKeel), Ashley and Bry Long, Pattie Mercer, Ed Bass, Julie Whitehead (Pastor Luke’s mother), Raymond Batchelor, Kirby Winstead, Thomas Hathaway, Jr., Brandon Hill (Jeff and Elaine Beal’s son), Nancy Bidwell, Scott Braswell. (*Medical/Other prayers remain listed for a maximum of 4 weeks. Please contact the office if prayers are needed longer.)

Homebound/Retirement Homes: Mike Jackson, Carolyn Pappas.

Those Serving in the Military: Austen Bowling, Ray Benitez, MacGyver Nethercutt, Nigel Briggs, Donnie Mosley, Matthew Pope, Laura Collier, Codie Younger, Chellie Cannon, Steve Speares, Trey Matthews, Adam Moore.

All Prayer Requests with detailed information are sent out via email and voicemail. Contact the church office to be added to either distribution list.

Building Relationships That Last

Webster defines a relationship as “the way in which two or more people are connected.” People are made for relationships. People yearn for a connection with someone else. When we attend Worship Services or Sunday School, people come together with the same idea of strengthening their relationship with God and forming a bond with like-minded people.

As we go through this time of quarantine, relationships are more important than ever. In a matter of days, we went from worshipping together in one place, high-fiving our friends, and hugging each other, to worshipping together via technology. As technology has changed, so have relationships. A telephone that has once been considered archaic is now being used to form relationships across generations that may have never been formed before.

I recently learned of one simple telephone call that was made to check on someone in our church family. That call turned into an hour long conversation between two individuals across generations. They shared things from their childhood, asked each other questions, and enjoyed the conversation from a distance. This contact that has taken place is the start of a beautiful relationship between two people that have never met in person. I am pretty positive that once we are able to return to church, there will be a joyful meeting between the two people.

Another special relationship has formed with different members of our church family. One person attends the Traditional Service and the other family attends the Contemporary Services. This relationship started before social distancing and has only gotten stronger via weekly conversations. These families rest in knowing that once this is all over, they will make plans to fellowship with a meal together at one of their favorite places…Wendy’s!

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (NIV)

Throughout this time of uncertainty, I would encourage you to pick up the phone. Continue to call each other, check on each other, pray for one another, and continue being the hands and feet of Christ. Keep forming those relationships that will last.

In His Love, Kira Lanfranchi Director of Welcoming Ministries

We are collecting donations to help those in our community with some of the greatest needs. Volunteers are organizing and distributing donations to Peace Keepers and Ripple Effect Ministries. We are also sending donations to Nashville Elementary for families in need to pick-up at the school.

Drop off your donations at the church office anytime. If you have items that need refrigeration, call Dana at 252-314-1118 to schedule a drop-off time. Contact Anna Whitehead at anna.b.whitehead@gmail.com if you have any questions. We thank God for your servant hearts as we care for our brothers and sisters right here around us!

Whole grain cereal Oatmeal Grits Raisins Granola bars Fruit pouches Pasta with meat

Canned soup Canned tuna Canned beans Canned fruit (no heavy syrup) Canned vegetables Juice boxes (100% juice)

Items needed for Nashville Elementary

Sandwich bread Cheese and lunchmeat Healthy Cereal Non-perishable microwavable meals Bars of soap Small bottles of laundry detergent Rice Peanut butter and jelly Potatoes Hot dogs Pasta

Pasta sauce/other jar sauces Mac & cheese Flour Dry beans Canned milk Canned goods Granola bars Bottled/canned juice Boxes Household cleaners Toilet paper

Items needed for Peace Keepers & Ripple Effects Ministries Items in italics are in high demand

During this time of social isolation, we have expanded our online sermon page.

Visit WWW.NASHVILLEUMC.NET/SERMONS for audio and live streamed services.

If youʼd like a DVD of our live streamed services or paper copes of devotions, call the church office at 459-7178.

The following article and prayers are from Jen Pollock Michel, the author of Teach Us to Want, Keeping Place, and Surprised by Paradox. This piece was adapted from her recent blog at JENPOLLOCKMICHEL.COM.

In recent weeks, COVID-19 has been declared a global pandemic and countries have taken urgent measures to stem the spread of infection, The crisis is urgent, and I feel powerless. But perhaps feeling small is the best reminder to pray. Prayer is how we actively practice believing, so simply, so confidently, that God has the whole world in his hands. It’s where we “let petitions and praises shape our worries into prayers, letting God know our concerns” (Phil. 4:6–7, The Message). Prayer is never the last resort of God’s people. It is our first point of action.

With that in mind, I’ve put together a list of prayers to pray during this pandemic. Each one addresses the specific needs of a specific community. I’m fortunate to be a part of a church with many medical professionals, some of whom gave me advice on how best to pray for them at this time. I’ve included their responses here. I’ve also tried to think broadly about how the rest of us are impacted by the current crisis.

This list isn’t comprehensive, of course, but it’s a good place to start. My hope is that it can provide words for us as we pray collectively (if also virtually!) as a church body. We believe there is a God who bends his ear to listen, and so we pray:

− For the sick and infected: God, heal and help. Sustain bodies and spirits. Contain the spread of infection. For our vulnerable populations: God, protect our elderly and those suffering from chronic disease. Provide for the poor, especially the uninsured. For the young and the strong: God, give them the necessary caution to keep them from unwittingly spreading this disease. Inspire them to help.

− For our local, state, and federal governments: God, help our elected officials as they allocate the necessary resources for combatting this pandemic. Help them to provide more tests.

− For our scientific community, seeking to understand and communicate its gravity of this disease: God, give them knowledge, wisdom, and a persuasive voice.

− For the media, committed to providing up-to-date information: God, help them to communicate without causing panic.. For consumers of media, looking to be well-informed: God, help us find the most helpful local information to equip us to be good neighbors. Keep us from anxiety and panic, and enable us to implement the recommended strategies, even at a cost to ourselves.

− For those with mental health challenges who feel isolated, anxious, and helpless: God, provide them every necessary support.

− For the homeless, unable to practice the protocols of social distancing in the shelter system: Protect them from disease, and provide isolation shelters in every city.

− For Christian missionaries throughout the world, especially in areas with high rates of infection: God, provide them with words of hope, and equip them to love and serve those around them.

− For workers in a variety of industries facing layoffs and financial hardship: God, keep them from panic, and inspire your church to generously support them.

− For families with young children at home for the foreseeable future: God, help mothers and fathers to partner together creatively for the care and flourishing of their children. For single mothers and fathers, grow their networks of support. For parents who cannot stay home from work but must find care for their children: God, present them with creative solutions.

− For those in need of regular therapies and treatments that must now be postponed: God, help them to stay patient and positive.

− For business leaders making difficult decisions that affect the lives of their employees: God, give these women and men wisdom, and help them to lead self-sacrificially.

− For pastors and church leaders faced with the challenges of social distancing: God, help them to creatively imagine how to pastor their congregants and love their cities well.

− For students, whose courses of study are changing, whose graduation is uncertain: God, show them that while life is uncertain, their trust is in you.

− For Christians in every neighborhood, community, and city: May your Holy Spirit inspire us to pray, to give, to love, to serve, and to proclaim the gospel, that the name of Jesus Christ might be glorified around the world.

− For frontline health care workers, we thank you for their vocational call to serve us. We also pray:

− God, keep them and their families safe and healthy. Deliver them from anxiety for their own loved ones and give them compassion for every patient in their care.

− God, help them to be knowledgeable about the diagnosis and treatment of this disease, as well as the changing protocols. Help them to stay clear-minded in the midst of the surrounding panic.

− God, God, help Christians in health care to exhibit extraordinary peace, so that that many would ask about the reason for their hope. Give them opportunities to proclaim the gospel.

God, we trust that you are good and do good. Teach us to be your faithful people in this time of global crisis. Help us to follow in the footsteps of our faithful shepherd, Jesus, who laid down his life for the sake of love. Glorify his name as you equip us with everything needed for doing your will. Amen.

Do You Have an Upcoming Event?

Schedule events using the Church Event Form in the workroom or online: NASHVILLEUMC.NET/RESOURCES.

Additions to the bulletin should be sent to the church office by Mondays at noon. Newsletter dead-line is the 10th. You can also find finance guide-lines, bus reservation information, and more—all on the RESOURCES webpage.

2020 YTD Average Attendance

8:30 Contemporary Worship: 263 11:00 Contemporary Worship: 96

11:00 Traditional Worship: 87 Sunday Night Youth Worship: 55

Sunday Night Children’s Worship: 101

Average of all Services: 676 Includes special services (including Revival)

and those on retreats & mission trips.

prayers Do you have a prayer request or want to pray for those in need? Join our Prayer Chain.

Contact our office at 459-7178 or info@nashvilleumc.net to be added to the email or phone distribution list.

Submit prayer requests to 252-459-7178 or info@nashvilleumc.net. Join our Prayer Warriors on Tuesday mornings at 7am in the Parlor for Prayers with the Pastor. They pray for our community, country, and all prayer requests in the church.

Nashville United Methodist Church

@nashvilleUMCNC

get connected Get schedules for Children, Youth, and Adults at our Information Centers located at both entrances. You will also find brochures on various ministry groups, Church Council Minutes, and more.

Save a tree and postage costs by receiving your newsletter via email or view the newsletter anytime at www.NashvilleUMC.net.

To schedule a church event, complete the church event form at WWW.NASHVILLEUMC.NET/RESOURCES and submit to info@nashvilleumc.net

I love our church for many reasons. One of the reasons I love the Body of Christ called Nashville Methodist Church is because of the faithfulness of people that form this church. Please continue to support the church with your prayers, your presence (on line and over the phone), your gifts, your service and your witness. While many churches are struggling financially, we are in a solid financial position because of your faithfulness. Please continue to financially support the church as we weather this storm.

AND if you need financial help please contact me at 252-908-7177 or email me at Scott@NashvilleUMC.net. We love you and are here for you.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Scott

Staff D

ot Binkley, Director of Finance (dot@

nashvilleumc.net)

Denise C

alloway, W

DS/KidSpace D

irector (school@nashvilleum

c.net) Scott D

odson, Senior Pastor (scott@nashvilleum

c.net) D

r. Nichole H

uff, Director of C

hildren and Family M

inistries

(nichole@nashvilleum

c.net) Kira Lanfranchi, D

irector of Welcom

ing Ministries

Melissa Lum

pp, Nursery and Preschool M

inistries Coordinator

(m

elissa@nashvilleum

c.net) D

ana Nethercutt, D

irector of Operations (info@

nashvilleumc.net)

Gary R

app, Minister of M

usic & Worship (gary@

nashvilleumc.net)

Jackson Rollins, W

orship Leader (jackson@nashvilleum

c.net) Tina Schrader, M

ultimedia C

oordinator (tina@nashvilleum

c.net) Kaitlyn Stocks, Youth Pastor (kaitlyn@

nashvilleumc.net)

Jackie Swindell, R

eceptionist (jackie@nashvilleum

c.net) Pat Taylor, O

rganist (pat@nashvilleum

c.net) Ellen W

ard, Mem

bership Secretary (ellen@nashvilleum

c.net) Luke W

hitehead, Pastor of Discipleship (luke@

nashvilleumc.net)

Connect:

E-mail: info@

nashvilleumc.net

Website: w

ww

.NashvilleU

MC

.net Phone: 252-459-7178 (O

ffice) 252-459-7636 (W

eekday School)

Nashville U

nited Methodist C

hurch

@nashvilleU

MC

NC

Nashville U

MC

209 E. W

ashington St. P. O

. Box 86 N

ashville, NC

27856

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Non-Profit O

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ashville, NC

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