november newsletter
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Erin Pres Church, Knoxville tnTRANSCRIPT
The Beacon APUBLICATIONOFERINPRESBYTERIANCHURCH200LockettRd.—Knoxville,TN37919—(865)588‐5350—www.ErinPresbyterian.org
PASTOR
SESSION
Mr.CharlesSnodgrassClerkofSession
CONVENERSJoyBornhoeft,[email protected]
KelliCanan,Discipleship
DavidEggers,[email protected]
OutreachTeam
LouLTate,[email protected]
DaleWebb,Property
STAFFNancyBerry,Organist
JoeJaynes,[email protected]
Administrator
YouthDirector
November2011
A Message From The Pastor
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is
light." – Ma hew 11:28‐30
Dear Friends, We are living in tough mes, and I suspect that many of us, including me, are carrying burdens that are hard to endure. Life has its share of celebra ons and sadness, but some mes we find ourselves in an emo onal and spiritual wilderness that wearies and worries us. This year has seen many changes at our church with regard to our people and staff. In all of my years in ministry, I’ve never known of so many deaths of ac ve members in such a short me. It has taken its toll upon us, and the wind seems to have gone from our sails. And because I dearly love the people at Erin, I’m experiencing grief, loss, and pain, too. In mes like these, we all need God to carry and lead us. I am truly thankful that in Jesus we have Someone who can hold and embrace us through the most troubling events. I o en go back to the words of Ma hew’s Gospel that are printed above and rely upon Christ’s promise. He really speaks to me and, I am glad to say, He also speaks just as comfor ngly to all our people at Erin. As we head into the last part of the year, we will celebrate Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas. Things have changed for all of us, but God never changes, and Christ is s ll here to love and lead us. He is not only the Savior of the World who died for our sins, He’s also the Light of our Lives. When we are vulnerable, isolated, and weak, He reaches down to each one of us, like a shepherd looking a er his lambs, to li us up out of our gloom and to lead us to a new light, a new day, and even a new beginning. We are Erin. God has called us to be here to reach out to our community, our families, and our friends. They need Christ too, for they are also burdened by setbacks and issues, worries and problems. Life is never easy on our own, but with Christ beside us, life can be be er.
Rev.JohnStuart
Con nued on pg. 5...
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BIRTHDAYS
Nov.3—SherryDraperNov.3—LindsayPfeiferNov.4—HannaMatthewsNov.6—AshleyFourtuneNov.11—KayHarringtonNov.11—DustyPenningtonNov.11—MiaAveryQuinnNov.12—TomChesneyNov.15—ConnorBackousNov.15—MattCowenNov.16—NancyBerryNov.16—NolanSharpNov.17—RobCameronNov.17—SaraLeckieNov.17—JoeyWebbNov.18—BetteBrasherNov.18—ConnorQuinnNov.20—LorettaBreassealeNov.25—BillBrazeltonNov.25—SamPulsipherNov.26—TinaWebbNov.28—KylieBirdwellNov.28—EllieSimpsonDec.1—HeatherRitchieDec.1—AntonioVowellDec.2—RylanElliottDec.7—LionelSands
NEWSLETTER
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ChristianEducationNewsIn October, Planet Worship focused on the various seasons of the church calendar. The children worked on worship kits to use during the service. We laminated many things to make reusable, durable tools to help the children par cipate in worship. Book-marks to mark hymns and Bible read-ings were among the favored items to make. These kits are even "cool" enough for adults! So, don't be surprised if you see me using a kit during the worship service, too! Pioneer Club con nued to focus on Gi s of the Spirit. Children especially loved a Hide & Seek game where they had to find cards labeled with the Gi s of the Spirit hidden about the Family Life Center. The highlight of the month was when Heather Ritchie taught us sign language skills. We are so blessed to have talented members with their own gi s to share with our children. The Middle School Sunday School class is beginning a Dave Ramsey study focusing on learning responsible money management. As all that we have belongs to God, we must learn to be good stewards. A Materialism Maze event helped our youth to learn through reflec ve exercises. Thanks to Jus n Bornhoe for leading this beneficial series. I would like to thank the members of Erin Presbyterian for your support and the opportunity to serve as Interim Chris an Educa on Coordinator the past six months. I had so many eager and able volunteers that helped me every step of the way. Working side by side with the Discipleship Team, Session leaders, Kelli Canan, Charles Snodgrass, and Kim Jaynes made for an easy transi on into a temporary situa on. I look forward to mee ng our future CEC and helping him or her become part of the Erin family! —Karen Stump, Interim CE Coordinator
BreadbreakersDinnerBreadbreakers is a group for ALL ages, and everyone is invited! We meet once a month for dinner, fun, and great fellowship. During the fall months, dinners are held on 3rd Fridays, and in January, dinners begin mee ng on 3rd Saturdays. Breadbreakers are usually held in a member’s home. The host will provide the main course and drinks, and a endees bring a side dish to share. Our next dinner is Friday, November 18. Please call Suzanne Levering at 766-0909 for loca on info or to host an upcoming dinner.
ReachingOutwithCoats Koats for Kids and Parents is our second effort to share with the children and adults at Morgan Sco . Last year we delivered 96 coats in me for the Annu-al Christmas Fes val. This year we hope to include children's jackets, as well. As you purchase new winter wear, please know that the outgrown items will find a good home! They can be brought to church between Nov, 20 and Dec. 4. Thanks so much for your generosity. — Outreach Team
ANoteofThanksTo my special Erin Church family: Our many thanks for you all being there for me and my family during the me of Charles’ death. For all the prayers, cards, calls, visits, food, and many other special ways you have shown us your love! We love you. — Mary Scarbrough
Let’s Do Dinner!
Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 5:15 pm Calhoun’s at Kingston Pike &
Pellissippi Parkway Contact Mary Scarbrough at
691‐8658 or Barbara Brazelton at 693‐3749.
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ErinMOPSNews:OperationChristmasChild Through November 9 MOPS is gearing up for the annual Opera on Christmas Child project. Since this project began in 1993, more than 85 million shoe box gi s have been delivered to boys and girls in some 130 na ons. You can par cipate in this project by dona ng some of the follow-ing items: *shoe boxes or small plas c storage containers with lids (shoe-box size) *small toys: cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, harmonicas, jump ropes, etc. *school supplies: pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, wri ng pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring books *hygiene items: toothpaste, bar soap and washcloths, socks, t-shirts *other: hard candy and lollipops, sunglasses, watches, flashlights (with extra ba eries) *gi s of money will be used to cover the cost of shipping the boxes ($7 per box)
This year, dona ons are being collected
now through Nov. 9. Look for the large
box in the Narthex to collect dona ons.
Boxes will be packed during the regular
MOPS mee ng on November 10 at 9:30
am. Look for more informa on in the
November newsle er and in bulle ns.
Ques ons? Contact Stacie Armsworth at
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BlessedtobePartoftheErinFamilyofFaith:ATestimonialfromtheBornhoeftFamily Jus n and I, along with our daughters Anna and Kathryn, first came to Erin Church five years ago. At the me, Anna was 3 years old and Kathryn was just 5 months. We were looking for a Presbyterian Church and found Erin through the church's website. We were drawn to the cap on on the homepage: “Big enough to make a difference, small enough to know your name.” How true those words are! From the start, you welcomed us to Erin and made us feel at home. Over the last five years, we have become more involved in the church. As a family, we regularly a end Sunday School, worship, Wednesday Night Dinner, and numerous fellowship ac vi es. Our girls a end Vaca on Bible School every summer and now are old enough to par cipate in the Crea ve Expressions programs. Through the years, we have watched our girls grow in all the usual ways, but we also have witnessed them growing in faith. Let me share a short, true story: recently, I overheard Anna and Kathryn talking about school and their friends (Kathryn just started Kindergarten this fall.) Kathryn declared, “I love my friends most of all!” Anna said, “Well, Kathryn, I think you are supposed to love your parents and your family most of all.” To which Kathryn replied, “Actually, I think you are supposed to love God most of all.” I could see Anna studying me, wai ng for my reac on. I told my daughters that is was good and right to love God most of all. And I assured them that Jus n and I knew that they loved us and their family, too. With a smile and somewhat teasingly, I asked Kathryn, “How did you get to be so smart?” Without hesita on, Kathryn raised her hands like an open book and said with confidence, “The BIBLE!” If you have ever wondered if our children are paying a en on in Sunday School, Planet Worship, or VBS, well I know that they are. For me and my family, the me that we spend at Erin Church, in worship and in fellowship, is having an impact on our lives. We truly feel that Erin is a family of faith – because that is how you have treated us, just like family, and we have witnessed that faith growing in all our lives. How blessed we are to be part of the Erin Church family! – Joy Bornhoe
PW–SunsetGapChristmasProjectFor more than 80 years, Erin PW has supported the Sunset Gap Community Center through financial gi s and material dona ons. Each November, our PW col-lects items for the “Children’s Christmas Shop” at Sun-set Gap, a shop where kids can buy gi s for their fami-ly for 25 cents. All types of dona ons are needed: gi s for moms, such as soaps/lo ons, photo frames, and jewelry; gi s for dads, such as coffee mugs, photo frames, gloves and scarves; and gi s for children, such as small toys,
puzzles, cra supplies, and books. New or “good as new” items are accepted. A collec on box will be available in the Narthex No-vember 13, 20, and 27.
PWThankOffering–November20“For God sa sfies the thirsty, and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:9
Since 1888, the Presbyterian Women’s Thank Offering has provided much-needed financial assistance to programs around the world. Worldwide collec ons from the 2010 Thank Offering totaled $724,780 and funded 26 projects (14 na onal and 12 interna onal). These projects included providing health care for women and children, building a safe residence for high school girls, educa ng people with physical challenges, improving food and water supplies, and allowing women increased economic opportuni es. Your generosity to the 2011 Thank Offering will support similarly impressive programs in the future.
With thanksgiving, we celebrate that we have been abundantly blessed and have these gi s to share. Please consider giving to the PW Thank Offering on Sunday, November 20.
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PRESBYTERIANWOMEN:PleasenotethatErinwillnotbedoingtheCakesforLakeshoreProjectthisyear.Duetoliabilityreasons,Lakeshoreisnolongerprovidingcakestotheirpatients.WemaysupportLakeshorewithanewprojectintheSpring.LookforinformationintheMarchnewsletter.EnjoyaMealwithUsatWednesdayNightDinners!Join us for a Wednesday Night meal! We do request that you make reserva ons by noon on the preceding Tuesday by calling the Church Office at (865) 588‐5350. Dinner is served promptly at 5:45 pm with a suggested dona on of $4.00/adult and $2.00/child. — Dan & Be y Gibbs Nov. 2: Chicken parmesan, penne w/tomato sauce, green beans, salad, rolls, dessert Nov. 9: So tacos, nachos, brownies Nov. 16: Tomato braised pork chops, rice, lima beans, gela n salad, rolls, pumpkin crumb dessert Nov. 30: Chili, cornbread muffins, pasta salad, dessert
This inspiring story imagines the future of the woman caught in adultery that Jesus saves from stoning in John 8. How would she live in a society based on tradi on and strict rules? How could her father, a Pharisee, come to terms with what his daughter had done? How would her decisions affect her younger sisters as they pursue their own dreams and desires? Having saved her from her past, could Jesus now also save her from her future?
SUNDAY,NOVEMBER6
6:30pmErinPresbyterianChurch
Sign‐Upforapre‐showpotluck
dinnerintheNarthex.
Pastor’s Message ...(Cont.frompg.1) CometochurchonSundaysandbringyourlovedones,too.ThroughthegraceofGodandthegiftsofChrist,Erinhaslotstoofferinthewaysoffaithfulfriendship,welcomingworship,andfollowingChrist.Comeandseeforyourselves;lifeisindeedbetterwithGod.MayGodblessyouandallyourlovedones.
—Pastor John Thank You, Erin! ItiswithmixedemotionsthatIwritetotheErinfamily.Asyoumayknow,October25wasmylastdayworkingasthechurch’sAdministrator.Mytimewithyou—justfourmonths—wasshort,butIdobelievethatGod’spurposewasgreat.Myhusbandhasbeentrans‐ferredbacktotheAtlantaarea,andwewillbere‐turningtoallourfamilyandfriendsweleft iveyearsagotocometoKnoxville.Atlantaishometome,butthankstothelove,kindness,andencour‐agementofeachofyou,Erinishometome,aswell.IpraythatIhaveblessedthischurchinsomeway—thatIhaveleftitbetterthanwhenIarrived.Thankyouforhavingme.Work‐ingwithyou,fortheLord,hasbeenajoy.Blessings,Jenny Dell
ConnectionsClass,Sundays@9:45amLedbyRev.Stuart,Noah’sArkRoom
November: “Faith of Our Presidents”
Pastor Stuart con nues his popular annual series of looking at the faith of our past U.S. Presidents and discussing how their religious convic ons affected their White House administra on. Throughout each Sunday in November, a different President will be highlighted. Short biographies will be handed out to the class, along with faith statements, quotes, and declara ons that each par cular President may have made while in office. Everyone is welcome to a end the classes. This year, we’ll be looking at the following U.S. Presidents: Nov. 6 — Chester Arthur Nov 13. — Grover Cleveland Nov. 20 — Benjamin Harrison Nov 27. — William McKinley
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PrepareforAdvent,11/27The first Sunday of Advent falls on November 27. Prepare your home and your heart with these simple ideas. Decora ng your home inside and out with lights, candles, na vity scenes, and ornaments tells all who visit that Advent for you is about awai ng the Light of the World, the Christ Child who came to make Himself at home in our lives. Spending me in Scripture and prayer during Advent keeps our hearts in touch with the heartbeat of God, who is pour-ing out His love to us in Jesus Christ. Set aside me in your daily schedule during Advent to read the Bible and pray. Some suggested readings for Advent include: Ma hew 1:18-25 John 1:26-56 Ma hew 3:1-12 1 John 1:5-7 Zephaniah 3:14-17 1 John 4:7-10 Jeremiah 31:31-35 Luke 1:26-56 Hebrews 1:1-4 Isaiah 40:1-5 Isaiah 11:1-6 Isaiah 52:7-10
SAMMovieDay,Nov.17The Senior Adult Ministry (SAM) would like to invite you to our 1st Annual Old-Fashioned Movie Day. Join us on Thurs-day, November 17 at noon for the show-ing of “Amazing Grace.” Bring a sack lunch. Popcorn, dessert, and so drinks will be provided.
Yarnovers All kni ers, croche ers, or wanna-bees! Put us on your calendar for the 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 6:30 pm in the Erin Parlor. We’ll exchange pa erns and knowledge. Be not concerned; we welcome all levels of exper se. For more informa on, please contact Sonja DuBois at 691-8530.
FallGameNightsBack by popular demand… Game Night at Erin! Reserve Friday, November 4 for fun and fellowship, and feel free to ask a friend to come along. Bring a favorite game to teach others; join in a rousing card game of Hand and Foot; or try a round of Mexican Train dominoes. Novices are welcome! The fun starts at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall and lasts un l the games are done! Popcorn and so drinks provided. If nursery care is needed, let the Office know by Wednesday of game week.
OURVISION:To be a hearth of faith; a lighthouse in our community; a beacon of God’s Word.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
7, 14, 21, 28 Body Recall
4:00 pm
AA 7:30 pm
14
PW Circle IV 7:00 pm
1 Presbytery Mtg.
9:30 am
Let’s Do Dinner 5:15 pm
Discipleship, Fellowship, & Property Teams
7:00 pm 8
PW Circle II 10:00 am
Staff Mtg. 6:15 pm
Stewardship
7:30 pm 22
Worship Mtg. 7:00 pm
2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Body Recall
4:00 pm
Handchimes 5:00 pm
Chess Club
5:00 pm
Wednesday Night Dinner
5:45 pm
Adult Handbells 6:30 pm
SonShine Co.
6:30 pm
Pioneer Club 6:30 pm
Oasis Worship
6:45 pm
Choir 7:30 pm
23
Dayspring @ Fantasy of Trees
No WND
10 MOPS
9:15 am 17
SAM Council 10:30 am
SAM Lunch 12:00 pm
Session 7:00 pm
24
Thanksgiving Church Office
Closed
4, 11, 18 Bulle n Team
10:00 am
Body Recall 4:00 pm
AA
8:00 pm 4
Game Night 7:00 pm
18
Breadbreakers 6:30 pm
25
Holiday Church Office
Closed
5 Red Cross First Aid/CPR Class
12
Men’s Breakfast 8:30 am
Furniture Ministry
6, 13, 20, 27 SS & Nursery
9:30 am
Worship, Nursery, &
Planet Worship 11:00 am
DaySpring 3:30 pm
Journey 7 4:15 pm
EPC Youth 5:00 pm
Such Is The Kingdom 5:00 pm
Right Spirit
6:30 pm 6
Communion 11:00 am
CEX & Outreach
Teams 12:30 pm
Personnel Mtg.
4:00 pm
Alabaster Jar 6:30 pm
13
Stewardship Sunday
Convener Mtg.
12:30 pm
November 2011
ERINPRESBYTERIANCHURCH200LockettRoadKnoxville,TN37919‐4808Ph:(865)588‐5350 Fax:(865)584‐7775www.ErinPresbyterian.org RETURNSERVICEREQUESTEDPOSTMASTER:D M .P D B N 1,2011.
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