FOUR SERVICES CHRISTMAS EVE!

The Spire

one service christmas morning!

WOODMONT CHRISTIAN CHURCH

New Members!
December 18, 2016

DECEMBER 20, 2016

WE WIS H YOU A

Merry Christmas!

Greg and Julie Mangus

YOUR WOODMONT STAFF

Olivia McGehee, Jim Schleicher,
and Mary McGehee

FIRST ROW: Andra Moran, Mandy Brown, Katie Sheridan-Gossage, Beverly Honeycutt
SECOND ROW: Abby McLean, MacKenzie Baldwin, Justin Gung, Chris Beck
THIRD ROW: Michael Graham, Clay Stauffer, Roy Stauffer
BACK: Thom Schuyler, Farrell Mason, Chris Cox, Matt Diffenderfer, Cliff Browning, Sam Marsh

Woodmont Christian Church 615.297.8563 www.woodmontchristian.org 3601 Hillsboro Road Nashville, Tennessee 37215

OUR MIS SION:

Growing Disciples of Christ by Seeking God,
Sharing Love, and Serving Others.

Woodmonts 2017 Nominating Committee is now accepting

Woodmonts
2017 Nominating Committee
nominations for the following leadership positions:
Treasurernominations
/Secretary(1)
is now accepting
for the
Board Members at-large (3)
Elders (6)
following leadership
positions:
Deacons (30)

Treasurer /Secretary(1)

OUR CORE VA LUES:

Welcoming
Outstanding Worship
Outreach
Different Traditions
Mission & Ministry
On The Move
Nurturing
Transforming
WOODMONTS MINISTERIAL STAFF

QUALIFICATIONS TO CONSIDER
Board Members
at-large
(3) own understanding and practice of
Dr. Clay Stauffer, Senior Minister
Leaders must be active in the congregations
life and seek to
grow in their
Elders
(6)selection of persons for leadership positions: Dr. C. Roy Stauffer Minister of Adult Education & Church Life
a Christian life. The following shall be considered
in the

Deacons (30)

Does the nominee:

- continually serve Woodmont with faithful devotion,
- seek andQUALIFICATIONS
share opportunities for TO
spiritual
growth with others,
CONSIDER
give
of
his/her
time,
talent,
and
treasure,
Leaders must be active in the congregations life
and seek to grow in their
- regularly attend worship services,
own understanding
and
practice
of
a
Christian
life.
The following shall be
- sustain being actively involved in a Small Group or Sunday School class,
considered
in
the
selection
of
persons
for
leadership:
- possess the ability to lead from a Christ centered and compassionate
heart without judgment,
- exhibit commitment to living generously and changing lives,
Does
- live a mission-centered life
that the
Seeksnominee:
God, Shares Love and Serves Others.

- continually serve Woodmont with faithful devotion,

SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS! VISIT www.bit.ly/nom2017
- seek and share opportunities for spiritual growth with others,
- give of his/her time, talent, and treasure,
- regularly attend worship services,
- sustain being actively involved in a Small Group or Sunday School class,
- possess the ability to lead from a Christ centered and compassionate heart
without judgment,
- exhibit commitment to living generously and changing lives,
- live a mission-centered life that Seeks God, Shares Love and Serves Others.
WOODMONTS 2017 NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Mark Clymer (Chair) - mclymer@clymermd.com
Rich Sanderson - rjsanderson22@gmail.com
Robin Heyne - robinheyneInteriors@comcast.net
Jeremiah Pyron - jeremiahpyron@gmail.com
Laurie Hester - lmiercmu@yahoo.com
Kathy Patten - kathy.s.patten@gmail.com
Talbott Ottinger - tottinger@mckenzielaird.com
Steve Mchugh - bbmchugh@ourblakeford.com
Liz Smith - liz.smith@vanderbilt.edu

SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS! VISIT www.bit.ly/nom2017

pg 2

Rev. Justin Gung Minister of Children & Congregational Care

Farrell Mason Minister of Family Life & Pastoral Care
Chris Cox Minister of Youth
Michael Graham Director of Music Ministry
Mary Clare Pyron Parish Nurse
Katie Sheridan Gossage Assistant Youth Ministry Director
Thom Schuyler Director of Young Adults, Missions & Outreach
Andra Moran Creative Director, The Bridge
Stephen Daniel King Worship Musician
Abby McLean Childrens Ministry Coordinator

WOODMONTS SUPPORT STAFF

Chris Beck Business Administrator
Mandy Barton Brown Executive Assistant
Russell Davis Accompanist
Martha Duff Director of Preschool
MacKenzie Baldwin Administrative Assistant
Sam Marsh Property & Facilities Manager
Matt Diffenderfer Communications Director

For assistance, please call the church office at

615.297.8563 or email info@woodmontcc.org
Get the most up-to-date information at
www.woodmontchristian.org
Woodmont Christian Church
3601 Hillsboro Road
Nashville, Tennessee 37215
615.297.8563
www.woodmontchristian.org

Christmas Joy
by Clay Stauffer

On Saturday morning, December 17th, I took my oldest two kids (Montgomery and Clayton)
along with the Leach Family to continue a long tradition of the Downtown Rotary Club called
Feed the Need.
Every year in December, in partnership
with Second Harvest, Rotary packs and
delivers hundreds of food baskets to Nashville
families who are in need, many of them living in
government subsidized housing. Justin, Kerry, Megan, and I believe it is
very important for our kids to be fully aware that there are many in our
community who are hungry, many who live with very little, many who
cannot give their children any kind of Christmas because they have zero
means.
Sometimes we will walk in to one of these apartments and see that there
are 10 family members sharing 250 square feet. As Nashville continues
to grow and expand at a rapid pace, affordable housing is a challenge
and our Mayor is very aware of that fact.
On our final stop on Saturday, Montgomery and I went to an apartment
where an older lady lived with her sixteen-year-old granddaughter of
whom she has custody. She is currently battling throat cancer. She told
me that two weeks ago, somebody broke into her apartment and took
most of her possessions. I didnt have to verify it because I was standing
there looking at her bare apartment. Her granddaughter looked sad.
They obviously had very little. She told me that she didnt know how
she would be able to get her granddaughter a gift for Christmas.
I gave her a small sum of money and made her promise me she would
use it to buy her granddaughter a nice Christmas present. Whether she
does or doesnt is beside the point. In the midst of what can become
a materialistic season, let us remember that there are so many who
struggle to make ends meet. There are so many who live in hopeless
conditions. There are so many who feel as though the world has passed
them. This is why as a church we serve the least of these in every way
we can.
When we give our time and money, we experience joy. When we open our hearts to others, we experience joy. When we stop
thinking about ourselves and start thinking about others, we experience joy. May this be the case this Christmas and beyond.

DISCIPLESHIP CLASSES START JAN 11!

All classes meet at 6:30 p.m. in The Boardroom

SEEKING

SHARING

SERVING

Wed., Jan. 11

Wed., Jan. 18

Wed., Jan. 25

This class will focus on our core beliefs

as Christians. We will discuss what
the church is and is not. We will talk
about why we need the church. We
will also talk about the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ), how it emerged,
where it started, and what it is. Why is
the unity of the church important? We
will identify some biblical images of the
church. We will discuss the theology of
the Lords Supper and Baptism. What is
expected of church members in terms
of time, talent, and treasures? We will
discuss the ways that God is present in
our lives each and every day & how faith
and spirituality is an ongoing journey.

This class will focus on spiritual practices

such as Bible Study, prayer, worship,
stewardship, tithing, meditation, service,
reading, and many others. We will also
talk about how we share love with other
people every day. What is agape love?
Christianity is more than just showing
up on Sunday. It is a way of life and a
way of treating others. We will also talk
about what it means to find balance in
the midst of busy schedules. A spiritual
gifts inventory will also be a part of this
class, similar to the one in Leadership
Woodmont, to help members identify
their spiritual gifts and strengths.

This class will focus on ministry and

mission. At Woodmont, we believe
that everybody should be involved in a
ministry on a regular basis. Ministry is
not just something that the pastoral staff
does. It is something that God is calling
all of us to do. We have all been given
spiritual gifts and we need to identify
them. We will talk about why we serve
and give back. Some Woodmont
members active in various ministries will
come and share what they do and how
you can get involved.

pg 3

Away In A Manger
by Thom Schuyler

A typical Nativity scene includes a small shelter, some cattle and sheep, a star and a little, wooden
crib. Most will also have an angel hovering over the entire scene. And, of course, there is a curious
collection of human beings gathered in that humble place.
In most of the manger scenes I have encountered in my sheltered life the people in the photos,
paintings and pageants have looked a lot like me. As we approach the end of a tumultuous year in
America and prepare to celebrate the Greatest Miracle in the history of humankind, we would be wise
to consider who those folks really were:
Mary and Joseph were poor Jews far away from home lacking resources to secure adequate housing
The shepherds were poor Jews working the night shift for low wages
The local onlookers were refugees from all over The Middle East and Mediterranean
Those strange and mystic Wise Men likely came from Persia, Africa and The Far East
A typical Nativity scene includes a small shelter, some cattle and sheep, a star and a little, wooden crib. Most will also have an
angel hovering over the entire scene. And, of course, there is a curious collection of human beings gathered in that humble
place: poor and wayward Jews, a handful of low-paid laborers, an assortment of refugees and some Arabs, Africans and
Asians. And Jesus
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. - Luke 2:10
Merry Christmas! - Thom

Walk Thru Bethlehem 2016

Photos by Steve Lowry

pg 4

Walk Thru Bethlehem 2016

Photos by Jim Thomas

pg 5

Something for Nothing

by Andra Moran

The first Sunday in Advent, I was heading to church for an early rehearsal. It was one of those
frosty mornings, and I had our baby bundled up in the carseat with Christmas carols playing on
the radio.
As we stopped at the light at the intersection closest to our house, our neighborhood Contributor
salesman waved. He looked coldnose red, gloves with holes in the first two fingers.
I could say that I felt flooded with compassion, but if Im honest, its probably more accurate to say
I felt a combination of gratitude and guilt: gratitude for my cozy life, and guilt that I didnt have much
more to offer at that particular moment than the purchase of this mans newspaper. I rolled down my window greeted him,
and held out a $5 bill. God bless you, he said, taking the money from my hand, and then stepping back, Have a good day.
I was confused. He hadnt given me the paper I had paid for. Wait a second, I said, Can I get a paper, please? He shook his
head, Im all out. Sorry!
At this point, the light changed, and the person behind me honked, and it was time to go. As I drove on to church, I felt huffy.
Here, Id paid more than double the price of the paper this man was selling, and got nothing in return! That just didnt seem
right! My charitable feelings devolved into me feeling cheated. Humph! I sulked in the front seat while Calla cooed along with
the radio.
As I turned in to the church parking lot, I felt my soul gently chiding my indignation: every moment of our lives, God gives
us extravagant love with no expectation of a return on that investment in us. Our world works on a system of exchanges
something for somethingbut our relationship with God is so different.
With God, its something amazing for nothing, really. God showers us with gifts of hope, peace, joy, love and mercy without
requiring so much as a thank you note in return. How could I begrudge another child of God anything at all? In the end, what
I received from my encounter with that salesman was worth far more than the five dollars I paid. I think I owe him a thank
you, dont you?

HILL YEAH! 5K RUN/WALK 100% OF PROCEEDS GO TO ROOM IN THE INN NASHVILLE!

Just down the road in West Meade, this event was created by two high
school girls who combined their love of running with their passion to
help the homeless of Nashville.
Saturday, Dec. 31, 8:30 AM
Brook Hollow Baptist Church
678 Brook Hollow Road, Nashville, TN 37205
Register at: www.hillyeah5k.com - $35 thru 12/28/16, $40 on Race Day.

News & Updates

From around Woodmont

A Thrill of Hope

A Healing Service at Christmas - Hosted by The Bridge

HELP MOBILE MEALS NEEDS A NEW DIRECTOR

Contact food service, notify Coordinators, keep in
touch with recipients. Call Judy Davis 615-297-3049
SEEKERS CLASS - MARK YOUR CALENDARS.
..for Mark! Beginning January 8th, the Seekers
group will begin a study of the gospel of Mark.
The text Mark: 20 Studies for Individual and Groups
by N.T. Wright is available in the Spire Bookstore and
also through Amazon.
Seekers gather at 8:15am on Sunday mornings
in Room 105 for coffee, breakfast snacks and
fellowship. The discussion begins at 8:30 and is open
to all adults. (Childcare is provided.) Come grow
in faith with us as we look to Gods Word for the
lessons it teaches us about our own lives.
pg 6

Christmas Eve Services & Next Weeks Calendar

Saturday, Dec. 24
4:00 p.m.
Sanctuary Service, Children & Families
5:00 p.m.
Sanctuary Service, Children & Families
7:00 p.m.
Sanctuary Service, Candleslight &
Communion
11:00 p.m.
Sanctuary Service, Candlelight &
Communion
Sunday, Dec. 25
11:00 a.m.
Worship in the Sanctuary (Dress casual)

Monday, Dec. 26
MERRY CHRISTMAS! CHURCH OFFICES & BUILDING CLOSED

Tuesday, Dec. 13
9:00 a.m.

Womens Prayer, Campbell-Stone

Wednesday, Dec. 28
6:15 a.m.
7:00 a.m.
7:00 a.m

Mens Small Group, Room 100

Original Mens Bible Study, Room 105
Younger Mens Bible Study, Boardroom

Thursday, Dec. 29
6:00 p.m.

Youth Basketball Practice, Drowota Hall

Fri., Dec. 30 & Sat., Dec 31 Room In The Inn, South Hall

Upcoming Special Events

MONDAY, JAN. 2, HAPPY NEW YEAR! CHURCH OFFICES & BUILDING CLOSED
TUESDAY, JAN. 3, CWFs first meeting of 2017 at 11 AM in Room 105. Luncheon to follow in Drowota Hall at noon.
RSVP FOR CWF LUNCHEON ON OUR SIGNUP PAGE! www.woodmontchristian.org/signup
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 11, Wednesday Night Dinners resume at 5:35 p.m. and Clay Stauffer begins a 3-week Discipleship Class in the
Boardroom at 6:30 p.m. The Discipleship Class begins with discussion on core beliefs as Christians, what the church is and is not, and
why we need the church. RSVP FOR DINNER ON OUR SIGNUP PAGE! www.woodmontchristian.org/signup
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 11, Join certified Holy Yoga instructor Brooke Lovelace for week one of this 5-week class. Did you know the
physical postures of yoga predate the Hindu adoption and promotion of the practice? Holy Yoga will complement your efforts to
worship, to meditate on the Word of God and create Christian fellowship (and maybe point someone to church!)
To register or ask questions, email Brooke at Brookelovelace@me.com or visit her website www.gospelandyoga.com

Birthdays December 16-31:

12/16 Audrey Talbert 12/22 Neilly Thompson
12/16 Sarah Kate Faber
12/24 Gigi Bowman
12/22 Caroline Wills
12/25 Jesus Christ
12/22 Jack Thompson
12/30 Tate Maggart
To better accommodate our growing families, weve added an additional Christmas Eve service this year!*
4:00 P.M. FAMILY SERVICE
Carols, Candlelight & The Christmas Story
Music by Abby McLean, Jamie Huling,
and Michael Graham
Napkin Nativity

5:00 P.M. FAMILY SERVICE

Carols, Candlelight & The Christmas Story
Music by Catie & Jeremy Pratt, Grace Notes,
and Michael Graham
Napkin Nativity

*Children traditionally bring a can of food to donate as their gift to baby Jesus

Christmas Day there will one service at 11:00 a.m. and NO Sunday school classes or nursery care!
pg 7

PRAYERS FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

SYMPATHY TO:
The family and friends of Gene and Elizabeth Regen. Elizabeths
sister, Ophelia passed away December 15th in Danville, VA.

CONTINUING CONCERNS:
Ed Kelly
Al Richardson
Jan Goans
Wilbur
Sensing
IN THE HOSPITAL:
Randy Smith and Beth Pattillo for Beths mother, Molly Pattillo,
Christy Hardin McDonald, sister of Paul Hardin,
Lubbock, TX
Summer Regional Medical Center
Lee Ann Hawkins
Barbara Lynch, daughter of Bob and Peggy Bruce, Tallahassee, FL
Pete Kyne
Lynn Bowers
Beverly Small
THE ELDERS ASK YOU TO JOIN THEM IN PRAYER FOR:
Edwyna Griscom
The victims in Aleppo.
Luann Brent
Thankfulness for the birth of our Savior.
Gus Stranch, son of Gerard and Patty Stranch
Those who are traveling during the holidays.
Joyce Stanley, Jan Andersons sister
Our new members that we help them find their place in our church.
Carol Parsons
Anne Marie Farmer as she assumes her new position as
Clay Perry, son of Diane and Tim Perry, grandson of Betty and Bill
Director of Small Groups and Connections.
Johnson, Seattle
Ben Cherry

By Our Presence and Our Gifts

December 25, 2016 Elders and Deacons Serving

Deacons Serving

Date
Sun. School Total Atd.
November 27
314
811
December 4
414
982
December 11
WTB
1291
December 18
315
933

Operating
$18,652
$105,345
$72,476
$136,190

Worship Services December 25, 2016

11:00 a.m.
ALL OF WOODMONT TOGETHER FOR
ONE SERVICE ON CHRISTMAS DAY!
Homily: The Greatest Gift of All
Clay Stauffer Matthew 1:18-2:12
Dress casual

Thank you to all who gave their time and talents to help
make Walk Thru Bethlehem 2016 a success. We are
blessed to be able to provide such a wonderful event
to the community. We appreciate those who provided
meals and snacks. We are grateful to those who were
shopkeepers for the various shops.
We want to offer a special thanks to the following:
The Mulch Company
Seth Norman & the Drug Court
Sonic (Hal Tevebaugh & John Collins)
Littles Critter and Mobile Barnyard
Smart Scapes, LLC
Boy Scout Troop #92
Littles Fish Market
Charlie Brinkley
Woodmont Christian Church Choir
Woodmont Christian Church CWF Circle Groups
Woodmont Christian Church Board
Woodmont Christian Church Staff
Walk Thru Bethlehem Volunteers
We look forward to seeing what Walk Thru Bethlehem
2017 has in store and the wonderful volunteers who are
eager to serve. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
- The WTB Leaders: Paul Hardin, Nick Small, Jan Anderson,
Beth Sowell, Steve Smith, and Pam Hardin

Elders Serving

Communion Prep: Ellen Cochran

Service Coordinator: 9:30 - NO SERVICE
11:00 - Linda Webb
Video Camera: 9:30 - NO SERVICE
11:00 9:30 a.m.
NO SERVICE
- MERRY
CHRISTMAS!

9:45. a.m.
NO SERVICE MERRY
CHRISTMAS!

11:00 a.m.
Patricia Taylor
Neil Kunkel
David Schmutz
Jim Batson
William Liles
Jim Hester
Laurie Hester

9:30 a.m.
NO SERVICE
9:45 a.m.
NO SERVICE
11:00 a.m.
Jack Derryberry
Marcella Derryberry
Hospital -

Sandra Kyne

STAY TUNED! AN UPDATE FROM

WOODMONTS ELDERS
One of the most important charges of your Elders is the responsibility of
providing spiritual guidance to the members of our congregation. In an
effort to best reach out to the entire Woodmont community, each of the
Elders has been given forty of our congregations families to shepherd.
Shepherding includes lifting up each person in daily prayer, helping
each member find ways to best utilize his/her spiritual gifts, celebrating
successes and joys, and assisting in times of need and sorrow.
In the coming weeks, you will receive a letter or email from your
shepherding elder introducing him or her to you. The letter will provide
the Elders contact information. We encourage each of you to contact
your Elder whenever you have questions or need help. We are here to
serve you. We pray God will bless you during this holiday season.
In Christ,
The Elders of Woodmont Christian Church