SUNRISE SERVICE!

7 AM EASTER SUNDAY

WOODMONT CHRISTIAN CHURCH APRIL 11, 2017

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

Josh Gulick & Emily Dyer

Anne & David Trainer with

Stone, James, & Browning

Andrew Frazer & Ellen Kington

Caroline Dwight
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.

OUR CORE VA LUES:

Welcoming
WHY WOODMONT ? Outstanding Worship
Outreach
Our commitment to the annual Stewardship drive at Woodmont over the
past 20+ years has provided us with opportunities to participate financially, Different Traditions
physically and spiritually in the lives of people less fortunate. Our hope is that Mission & Ministry
we have made others situations a little better, while always benefiting from On The Move
new friendships and a better understanding of our own faith and relationship Nurturing
with Christ. We have come to appreciate that receiving never happens unless Transforming
someone else is willing to give first.
- Bill & Robin Heyne WOODMONTS MINISTERIAL STAFF
Dr. Clay Stauffer, Senior Minister
Woodmont Christian Church serves as a foundation for our family. We Dr. C. Roy Stauffer Minister of Adult Education & Church Life
Rev. Justin Gung Minister of Children & Congregational Care
support Woodmont because of the opportunities for spiritual growth, the great Farrell Mason Minister of Family Life & Pastoral Care
youth programs, the commitment to the local community, Bethany Hills, the Rev. Chris Cox Minister of Youth & Their Families
great ministerial staff, and lifelong friendships. Michael Graham Director of Music Ministry

- Michael and Terri McConnell

Mary Clare Pyron Parish Nurse
Katie Sheridan Gossage Assistant Youth Ministry Director
Thom Schuyler Director of Young Adults, Missions & Outreach
We give to Woodmont because our gift to this church is used in so many Andra Moran Creative Director, The Bridge
Stephen Daniel King Worship Musician
valuable ways. Inside these walls we educate our children, worship our Creator Abby McLean Childrens Ministry Director
and support our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Outside the walls of our Anne-Marie Farmer Director of Small Groups & Connections
beautiful church, we reach out to those who are in need, we care for those who
are struggling and we strive to be the light of the world that God calls us to be. WOODMONTS SUPPORT STAFF
Each of our gifts can truly be used to further our mission to Seek God, Share Chris Beck Business Administrator
Love and Serve Others. Mandy Barton Brown Executive Assistant
- Alison & Tony Bueschen Russell Davis Accompanist
Martha Duff Director of Preschool
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
MEET & GREET FOR VISITORS AND NEW MEMBERS MAY 11!
If youve been visiting Woodmont or have recently become a member, www.woodmontchristian.org
youre invited! RSVP AT www.woodmontchristian.org/signup
pg 2
 Holy Week Jesus Final Days
by Clay Stauffer
There is a tendency in our culture to skip directly from the celebration of Palm Sunday to the
celebration of Easter. Actually, lets be completely honest: there is a tendency on the part of
many to simply celebrate Christmas and Easter and thats all. High Holy days are wonderful but
there is so much more to the Christian faith. A lot happened in Jerusalem the days between
Palm Sunday and Easter that should not be overlooked. The gospel of Mark dedicates six
chapters to these final days (ch. 11-16). On Monday, Jesus cleansed the Temple and drove out the
money changers. He was fed up with the corruption of the system, all being done in the name
of religion. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Jesus taught in Jerusalem using parables, challenged the
scribes and Pharisees, and predicted the destruction of the Temple. On Thursday, he gathered with his
disciples in the Upper Room and instituted the Last Supper. Following the Last Supper, he went to Gethsemane to pray
and reflect. He was betrayed by Judas. He was arrested, taken away, falsely tried, beaten and mocked. He was required to
carry his own cross to Golgatha where he was crucified. All of this happened over the course of a few days. Phillip Reif, a
psychologist at the University of Chicago, once said, Any church that keeps preaching on the cross is not going to grow
because in our culture, what we are interested in is success, not sacrifice. Perhaps this is why the Prosperity Gospel has
such a strong following. We dont do well with pain and suffering. Its inconvenient Former Westminster Presbyterian
minister KC Ptomey once preached a Palm Sunday sermon and said this:

You dont even notice what you miss by skipping Maundy Thursday and Good Friday until a loved one is walking in the
valley of the shadow of death; until you are going through a divorce, or a child falls desperately ill or a friend betrays you, or
a spouse gets cancer, or you pay attention, really pay attention to whats going on in Zimbabwe or Darfur. You dont notice
what you miss until the world seems or you personally feel God-forsaken. Then you need something more than an empty
tomb and a basketful of chocolates. You need a God who more than anyone, even the one who is the very closest person to
you in all this world, knows your pain, your loss, your heartache, your terror at seeing your own life ebbing away or worse,
the life of a loved one in the grips of an illness about which the doctors can do nothing. Over the years the theologians have
tried to understand just why Jesus had to go through suffering and such an agonizing death. A view that has come to mean
much to me is that Jesus suffered and died because he loved as God loves and to love as God does is to be vulnerable; to
love as God does is to dare to enter into the pain and the heartache of the world. (Ptomey Whats Passion Got to do with It?,
April 5, 2009)

Easter only makes sense when we first experience Maundy Thursday and the agony of Good Friday. So dont just skip to
Easter. Come and experience the power and meaning of Holy Week.

Maundy Thursday, April 13th at 6:30 p.m.

Come to DROWOTA HALL again this year for dinner at 5:45 p.m. followed by a service at 6:30 p.m. to see a live reenactment
of the Last Supper. Hear the words of Jesus. See the curiosity of Peter. Watch the actions of Judas. Experience what it was
like in the Upper Room as the Disciples gathered to celebrate the Passover meal when the Lords Supper was instituted.
There will be special music and time for prayer and reflection. You will get a visual image of what the Last Supper might
have looked like. Thom Schuyler will give a brief homily as John Mark. All families are invited to bring a cup from home
to share in the Lords Supper. Come and worship as we share together in this very holy meal which is absolutely central to
who we are as members of the Christian Church.
Good Friday, April 14th at 5:30 p.m.
At 5:30 p.m. in the sanctuary, we will have our annual Service of the Cross focusing on the Seven Last Words of Christ
as we remember Jesus final hours on the cross. Meditations will be given by the Woodmont Ministers and a few special
guests. The chancel choir will be singing. This is always a very powerful and emotional service but one that we should not
overlook. Remember, the Christian faith is incomplete without Good Friday.
Family Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday April 15th at 10:30 a.m., East Lawn
This is one of the best events of the year for families and children and it will happen rain or shine. Come and be a part of
this very special tradition! See the excitement in our children as they anticipate Easter.

Easter Sunday, April 16th

Come and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord! Easter is the greatest day of the year for Christians all over the world. The
sunrise service will be at 7:00 a.m. at our outdoor chapel and the other services will be at 9:30, 9:45 (Bridge) and 11:00 a.m.

Blessings,
pg 3
 New Videos!
Cherub Choir Hosannah! Jesus Comes!
& Grace Notes Praise and Honor
www.youtube.com/WoodmontCCSermons
Important dates!
Confessions of Faith this Sun., April 16!
Baptism Sunday is April 23!
VBS Registration coming soon...
be on the lookout!
April Memory Verse:
When the centurion and those with
him who were guarding Jesus saw
NEW FROM ANNE! the earthquake and what had just
happened, they were filled with awe and
said, This was certainly Gods Son.
- Matthew 27:54
Birthdays April 16-30th:
Louisa Harris 4/16
Baron Pride 4/17
Ava Demastus 4/18
Olivia Amrhein 4/20
Henry Green 4/21
Xander Bowman 4/22
Hank Smith 4/23
Henley Duvall 4/24
Lauren Rush 4/26
Elizabeth Steele 4/27
Addison Hartle 4/29
Virginia Mansfield 4/29
Anna Thomas 4/30

pg 4
 Do You Have the Church Life App?
by Anne-Marie Farmer
The church directory has long been an important component of church life.
Do you need to call a fellow member, or need to know where to deliver a casserole to a new
mother? Consult the directory!

Sending party invitations or Christmas cards to church friends?

Again, check the directory! With changing times and new technology,
our directory has taken a new form, but remains just as important in
helping members connect to one another. Our new online directory is called Church Life.
Its available for use on your computer, and even as an app on your smart phone.

Why should you create a Church Life account? Because it ensures that your church family can
connect with you, and you with them. It also provides a convenient way to register for events
such as Wednesday night dinners, VBS, and special classes. You can pledge and give online
through Church Life, important to remember during our stewardship campaign. If you move,
or change your phone number or email address, you can update your contact information via this system. Best of all, if
you dont like your directory photo, you can replace it yourself with any photo of your choosing!

To get started with Church Life, you need to first set up your account via the website, before getting the app. Instructions
are available at the church website: https://woodmontchristian.org/member-login/how-to/ If you need help with
the process, please email me at annemarie@woodontcc.org and Im happy to assist. The more people that create
their Church Life accounts, the more useful and complete our directory will be. Please do so today!

Outreach Grants
Awarded this Quarter
Bethany Hills
Bravo Creative Arts Center
Building Lives Foundation
Communities in Schools of TN
First Steps, Inc
Insight Counseling Center
Leaving the Cocoon
Nashville Food Project
Nashville Rescue Mission
Preston Taylor Ministries
Rejoice School of Ballet
Safe Haven Family Shelter
Siloam Family Health
Ministers Discretionary Fund

Thank You
To say thank you seems so very inadequate to express the
deep gratitude Al and I feel for all you have done for us over
the past few months. From the food to the flowers to the
cards and notes to the visits, there has been an outpouring
of love and service from so many of you to us and our family.
Many of you continue to remember Al and me in your daily
prayers, and it a comfort to know you are asking God to
give us strength, courage, and healing. Special thanks to
the Geezers, the Heavenly Helpers, the Ladies Prayer Group,
Centre, our small group Bible study members, the Elders,
and the WCC Ministers; we could have never made the many
transitions weve recently made without your support and
encouragement. Thank you for loving us and praying for us
and offering to help us in any possible way. God has richly
blessed us even in this season of trial, and one of His greatest
blessings is our Woodmont family.

In Christ,
-Pam Richardson
pg 5
 I Believe In Miracles!
by Farrell Mason
Once upon a time there was a little boy named Ferlando. He lived on a little island that is known for its sorrow. At first glance, it would
appear that this little boy who sings in creole has very little in the world. No mother, no father, no left eye. Not to mention, a cancer that
is chasing his shadow. No hope, you might think?
But then there is his smile. Could it be Gods smile? It is large and it draws people to him. First one, then another and then another.
Suddenly the life of a little boy with one eye, no parents, who sings in creole and with a smile that must be Gods-----begins to shimmer.

A way is made out of no way. The impossible becomes possible. The word miracle begins to sound sweet on the tongue.
The biography of Jesus of Nazareth is chock full of miracles: the blind man who sees, the paralytic who walks, the leper made clean,
even the dead brought back to life. These narratives feel marvelous, extravagant, otherworldly. But do we believe them? Even after
Jesus had just cured a multitude in St. Peters living room, there were those who tried their best to explain away the miraculous. Why
are we so skeptical of the workings of grace? I dont know if it is because we humans dont like anything that we cannot hard prove
or manifest ourselves. Or do we not believe in miracles out of self-protection? What if we never
experience a miracle, especially if we have prayed fervently for one? What does that say about us?
What does that say about God?
Ill be the first to say that I dont understand exactly how miracles work. I have witnessed what I
would call many a miracle in my lifetime: the inexplicable and stunning hand of God in a given
situation. I have also stormed the heavens for a miracle and been met with silence. Or was I?
In our depths, we want to believe in miracles because that means there is a power or
supernatural force out there, greater than ourselves and our capacities, working to help us. If
miracles are true, then we are not confined by the boundaries of our material existence, natural
laws, even death. At any moment, or in every moment, there is the possibility of supernatural
involvement in the plot of each of our stories.
Miracles lend our earthly reality its supernatural shimmer!
At Vanderbilt Divinity School, my studies focused on healing and the operation of miracles in
Jesus ministry. I studied each of Jesuss healing pericopes with a fine-tooth comb. Jesus was all
about defying the odds and doing what we humans would deem the impossible. But for Jesus
the miracle was so much more than the evidence of a physical transformation such as the blind
man who is given sight. For Jesus is was about using love to transcend the cellular and touch the
heart. It was an experience of the body, but more of the soul. And Jesuss miracles had a ripple Thank you Rachel and Aaron White,
effect acting upon every heart in some illumined way within the radius of love.
Miriam, Jesnel and the angels of New
I received a call in early January from a friend wondering if I could help a three and half year old Life orphanage in Haiti, Elizabeth
orphan in Haiti who has cancer. I receive many calls about children with cancer. I happily open Hasselbeck, Bob Goff, Karris, Tracie
my rolodex of contacts in the pediatric cancer world and try to offer any bit of wisdom to those and Scott Hamilton, Representative
in need as so many did for me when my son had cancer. But this case was a little different. There Jim Cooper and his team, Anne Clark,
was the smile. I decided to take a risk. A risk of my time, my heart, even my faith in miracles. Carissa Perreira, Dr. Hudocort in Haiti, Dr.
Paraphrasing the words of the poet Mary Oliver, I made room in my heart for the unimaginable. Friedman at Vanderbilt and especially,
Sometimes the greatest miracle is our willingness to take a risk on love and grace----And God! Ferlando for taking a risk on love! It is the
message of Easter!
What I have realized in my limited time on this planet is that often the miracle doesnt come in
a lightening bolt, burning bush, angel visitation, poof-you-are-cured kind of event. Miracles manifest in subtle tugs on the heart, soul
stirrings, revelations at crossroads, words of encouragement, doors opened that were triple bolted, surprise yess when the answer
should have been no, destined hearts brought together, creative solutions that could only have been conceived in the mind of God,
and remarkable displays of sacrificial love that confirm an incandescent reality here. Or, as Elizabeth Barrett Browning once said, Earth
is crammed with heaven!
Was water changed to wine? A blind man given sight? A paralytic made to walk? Jesus resurrected from the dead?
The risk for me is too great not to believe.
Especially, since I have seen with my own eyes a little boy with no mother or father, no left eye, who sings in creole, and with a smile
that must be Gods miraculously eating a chocolate cake on his fourth birthday at my kitchen table!
Will I keep praying for a big miracle that Ferlando is cured? Of course! But I am also going to pray for the little miracles of love that keep
me moving forward arms outstretched, risking my heart, hope in my breast, and pinching myself every time I witness a shimmer of God
at work.
Live in hope,
Farrell
Interested in learning about foster parenting? The April meeting of the WCC Book Club will be on
Join us for an information session at Monroe Harding! Tuesday, April 18th, at 10:30 in Room 107.
Wednesday, April 19th 7-8 pm
1120 Glendale Lane Doris Dark will lead a discussion of Elizabeth Georges
Nashville TN 37204 615-298-5573 book, A GREAT DELIVERANCE. Everyone is invited!
pg 6

Next Weeks Calendar
Sunday, April 16 - EASTER SUNDAY
7:00 a.m. Easter Sunrise Service, Outdoor Chapel
8:15 a.m. Seekers Bible Study, Room 105
9:30 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary, Sun. School
9:45 a.m. Worship at The Bridge, Drowota Hall
11:00 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary, Sun. School
Monday, April 17
3:30 p.m. Geezers Mens Group, Boardroom
11:30 a.m. Visitation Group, Room 105
Tuesday, April 18
9:00 a.m. Womens Prayer Group, Campbell-Stone
9:45 a.m. Womens Bible Study, Room 200
10:30 a.m. WCC Book Club, Room 107
6:00 p.m. Handbell Practice, Choir Room
7:30 p.m. Womens Babylon Bible Study Week 1
Wednesday, April 19
6:15 a.m. Mens Small Group, Room 100
7:00 a.m. Original Mens Bible Study, Room 105
7:00 a.m. Younger Mens Bible Study, Boardroom
5:30 p.m. Grace Notes Practice, Kids Commons
5:45 p.m. Wednesday Fellowship Dinner, D.H.
Bistro Tomato Soup, Beef & Vegetable Soup,
Pork Loin Sliders with Blackberry Mustard, Leadership God explores Christian leadership principles.
Mediterranean Orzo Salad, Chess Squares
6:30 p.m. Choir Practice, Choir Room
6:30 p.m. Leadership Gold Week 1 with and take ownership? What is spiritual formation?
Clay Stauffer, Boardroom
6:30 p.m. Essentials of the Faith Week 1,
Roy Stauffer, Room 105
Thursday, April 20
10:00 a.m. Sit and Stitch, Gathering Hall
New Womens Bible Study: Babylon
Tuesdays at 7:30 PM, starts April 18
Journey with us through Babylon! 8-Week study
To attend, email alexis@woodmontcc.org
The city of Babylon bookends the Bible, playing a significant
role in both Genesis and Revelation and it shows up
many places in between. This city often has a negative
connotation, but why? It is a large territory in Biblical times,
it is the birthplace of civilization, its alive. And yet from its
first appearance, God is calling people out of Babylon.
pg 7
Do you have a
graduating senior?
Woodmont is recognizing all its
graduating seniors by featuring
their photo on the cover of The Spire
newsletter on April 25 and hosting a
banquet in their honor on May 7th - Youth Sunday!
If you have a graduating Senior and want their photo
included on the cover of The Spire, send photo attachment
to matt@woodmontcc.org by Friday, April 21. Be sure to
include your seniors name as it should be printed on the
cover as well as the school they are graduating from.
New Wed. Night Classes
LEADERSHIP GOLD
April 19 - May 10, 6:30 PM
Led by Clay Stauffer in the
Boardroom
Leadership Gold is a new class specifically designed for
newly-nominated Elders, Board Members, Deacons and
returning Elders, Board Members, & Deacons. The class is
also open to others who RSVP.
What is leadership? What does it mean to be a leader in
the church? Why was Jesus the greatest leader of all time?
What is expected? What is required? How do you sacrifice
The class is based on Make Today Count by John Maxwell.
RSVP at www.woodmontchristian.org/signup
ESSENTIALS OF THE FAITH
April 19 & 26, 6:30 PM
Led by Roy Stauffer in Room 105
Our church has the historical saying, In essentials unity, in
non-essentials diversity, but in all things love.
This class will be a group effort to determine what are the
essentials of our Christian faith. What is always true in all
times and places, and never just relative.
Come join what should be an interesting discussion.
Cities are not bad places, but as we see in Genesis, Babylon
is more than a city, it is the temptation for Gods people to
worship a creation of their own making. To prioritize their
own power. To be who you want to be, whatever the cost.
But guess what: God isnt afraid of Babylon. God moved
among Gods people to bring about their redemption,
and God is moving in our culture today. As we continue to
explore Babylon - then and now - well begin to see Gods
character of love, and how this character requires our
faithfulness.
 Thank you!
STEVEN RETIRES AFTER 9 YEARS AT WOODMONT
Every Wednesday night, after playing on the playground, the kids of JYF complete an
act of Christian service: they clear all of the dinner tables and stack all of the chairs in
Drowota Hall. They even organize the salt and pepper shakers. Mrs. Brit, Mrs. Laura,
and Mr. Justin tell them that Mr. Steven would have to do this all by himself if they didnt
help, which is true. The kids are always eager to help!
April 5th was Mr. Stevens last Wednesday night at the church. After the kids completed
their act of Christian service, Mr. Steven came down to the Kids Commons to thank
them for their help week after week.
WE WILL MISS YOU, STEVEN!

Walk the Labyrinth 2017 Easter Prayer Vigil

During Holy Week, an indoor Labyrinth is setup
and available in the Youth Wing.
The labyrinth is a spiritual tool designed to awake
in us a deep rhythm that unites us to ourselves
and to the God who create us. As Christians, we
may choose to surrender to this winding path
allowing our souls the opportunity to experience
healing and wholeness.
Each year during Easter, Woodmont holds a
special Prayer Vigil from 7 PM Good Friday to 7
AM Easter Sunday as we prepare our hearts to
celebrate the resurrection of Christ.
If youd like to participate in our 2017 Prayer
Vigil, visit www.woodmontchristian.org/vigil
to reserve a 30-minute slot and sign up! You can
pray anywhere youd like - at home, the Sanctuary,
the Labyrinth - you choose!

PRAYERS FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY: THIS WEEK, THE ELDERS OF

CONGRATULATIONS TO:
Cory and Beth Short on the birth of their
son, Porter Earnest Short, born April 8.
He was born at 27 weeks. Please keep
them in your prayers.
IN THE HOSPITAL:
Dale Herrick
NEW CONCERNS:
Meg Smith, Beth Pattillos daughter
Marilyn Gardener
Jay and Sarah Ramseys daughter Helen
CONTINUING CONCERNS:
Bill Meadors
Jane Main
LuAnn Brent WOODMONT ASK YOU TO
Tammy Regen, daughter in law of Gene JOIN THEM IN PRAYER FOR:
and Elizabeth Regen, Knoxville, TN
Jan Goans Victims of gas attacks in Syria.
Donnie Creighton Norman
Kay Butterworth Victims of flooding in Columbia.
Vicki Phillips
Al & Pam Richardson Victims and families of victims of tornados
Ed Kelly and flooding in the US.
Lee Ann Hawkins
Beverly Small Our Stewardship Campaign.
Gus Stranch, son of Gerard & Patty
Stranch Prepare our hearts for the celebration of the
Joyce Stanley, Jan Andersons sister Resurrection of Jesus.
Clay Perry, son of Diane & Tim Perry,
grandson of Betty & Bill Johnson, Seattle
Ben Cherry
April 16, 2017 Elders and Deacons Serving

By Our Presence and Our Gifts Deacons Serving Elders Serving

Date Sun. School Total Atd. Operating Communion Prep: Joel Hysmith 9:30 a.m.
March 19 276 684 $54,842 Service Coordinator: 9:30 - Tom Dovan and J. Farmer Sandy Smith
March 26 357 896 $24,180 9:45 - Mari-Kate Hopper 11:00 - Linda Webb John Hobby
April 2 384 838 $62,773 Video Camera: 9:30 - Benson Hadley 9:45 a.m.
April 9 378 995 $31,946 Pam Richardson
11:00 - Christy Crider
Worship Services April 16, 2017 9:30 a.m. 9:45. a.m. 11:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m.
Jim Batson Anne Arney Patricia Taylor Tim Perry
Nick Holscher Jeff Kinman Tom Woodard Robin Heyne
7:00, 9:30, 9:45, & 11:00 AM Worship John Weldon Ellen Cochran Christy Brown
Be Not Afraid! Shane Douglas Rob Cochran Emily Carpenter Hospital -
Clay Stauffer preaching Heather Douglas Darden Copeland
Sandra Kyne
Mark 16:1-8 & Romans 14:7-8 Tom Woodard Katherine Donelson
Mike Jobe Nick Forlidas
Laura Stephan