5/27/2020

Pastor’s Pen   In-Person Worship   Let me speak to the question I am most often asked these days, okay the second most; yes I am getting a haircut this week. But I digress. There is great interest in knowing when Crievewood UMC will open for in-person worship, which I very much appreciate. I too miss the gathered community experience. This has been an ongoing conversation since in-person worship was suspended after March 8th. Over subsequent weeks we have abided by instructions from our Bishop, the Mayor of Metro Nashville and Davidson County, and the Governor of Tennessee. We have also factored advice from the Medical Community. However, State level restrictions have eased, Metro Nashville is in Phase 2 of its protocol, and the Bishop has granted permission to restart in-person worship the third Sunday in June. It was time for us to make the best decision for Crievewood UMC regarding when we would re-open. Onn May 17th, the Church Administrative Council met (by zoom) to consider the matter. Attendance was good, conversation was robust, and a decision was made (unanimously). We will not begin in-person worship any earlier than July 12th. The Council discussed new realities for our worship life that will be adopted no matter when we open, such as no more passing of the offering plate. Yet what drove the conversation were the theological implications of opening sooner rather than later. Limiting the number who can be in a worship service, creating the necessary social distancing in the sanctuary, wearing masks, and encouraging a large demographic of our congregation to stay home, did not match the inclusive and welcoming message we seek to embody. Ultimately the Council voted to wait until masks are optional, all are able to come if they so choose, and social distancing is self-determined. I am confident that you will join me in thanking God for the strong lay leadership of this faith community. There are of course many other elements of our shared life that require action steps to re-start, such as Sunday School and small group ministries. So, stay tuned! I look forward to our “virtual community” worship this Sunday, Pentecost. Literally tune in for that (on Facebook live) as we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. Try not to let my haircut distract you. Peter van Eys

Welcome Sign Our lovely welcome sign will soon be on sale at the Farmers’ Market, unless a Crievewood member snatches it up first.  If you want to make the purchase, please contact Mary Bryan  (bryanmarym@yahoo.com).  Any donation received for the sign will be given to the church.  The item is offered on a first come basis.

Project Transformation A big THANK YOU to all who donated items for the “Summer Camp in a Bag”, the Project Transformation Summer reading program. We collected all the items needed for 50 bags, and the bags will be delivered to Antioch United Methodist Church Monday morning. This project will help children stay on reading grade level for the upcoming school year as well as provide them with indoor and outdoor activities and snacks. Crievewood always provides blessings to others.

The CHNA’s farmers’ market hosted by Crievewood UMC continues on Thursday evenings during the summer but with social distancing practices in place. The market has local produce including peaches and berries, meats, bread, baked goods, but right now, the market will not offer raffles or kids’ activities. The music is back, though, welcoming all to the market!   We hope you will come and support our local farmers and merchants. But, for the safety of all, please familiarize yourself with the new procedures before entering the market.  You can find an outline of those procedures at http://www.crievehallassociation.com/farmininthehall.

May 24, 2020

Streaming License Number: 20160536  Copyright License: 2880734  We will meet again this Sunday through an online worship experience through Facebook Live at 10:45 a.m.  You can access this service at https://www.facebook.com/CrievewoodUMC/ Prayer List  Ecumenical Prayer Cycle:  Angola and Mozambique Crievewood UMC:   https://crievewoodumc.org/prayer-list/ (password protected) Crievewood Prayer Most gracious God, thank you for all the gifts you have bestowed on Crievewood United Methodist Church over the generations. By your Holy Spirit, grant us the grace that welcomes all of your children.  Make us a community that reflects the full diversity of Christ’s body. Help us grow to love one another as You love us. Empower us to reveal Christ through worship and service.  In your holy name we pray.  Amen.   Accessing  Hymns  Lord I Lift Your Name on High    Verse 1 Lord I lift Your name on high Lord I love to sing Your praises I’m so glad Your in my life I’m so glad You came to save us Chorus You came from heaven to earth To show the way From the earth to the cross My debt to pay From the cross to the grave From the grave to the sky Lord I lift Your name on high Repeat the Chorus  Lord I Need You   Verse 1 Lord I come I confess Bowing here I find my rest And without You I fall apart You’re the one that guides my heart Chorus 1: Lord I need You oh I need You Every hour I need You My one defense my righteousness Oh God how I need You Verse 2 Where sin runs deep Your grace is more Where grace is found is where You are And where You are Lord I am free Holiness is Christ in me Where You are Lord I am free Holiness is Christ in me (Chorus 1) Bridge: So teach my song to rise to You When temptation comes my way And when I cannot stand I’ll fall on You Jesus You’re my hope and stay And when I cannot stand I’ll fall on You Jesus You’re my hope and stay Chorus 2: Lord I need You oh I need You Every hour I need You My one defense my righteousness Oh God how I need You My one defense my righteousness Oh God how I need You Victory in Jesus https://popularhymns.com/victory-in-jesus Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Tis_So_Sweet_to_Trust_in_Jesus/    Accessing Scripture Psalm 47 http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=457077250 Ephesians 1:15-23 http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=457077331 Luke 24:44-53  http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=457077392    Worship Order Instrumental Music:  Caleb Dinger Words of Welcome: Chelsey Hedglin Pouring of Water Psalm 47:  Hailee Hunt-Hawkins Opening Prayer                                                                  Songs:  Lord I Lift Your Name on High and Lord I Need You            Ephesians 1:15-23:  Chelsey Hedglin  Invitation to Confession  Prayer of Confession Lord Have Mercy (Kyrie) Words of Assurance                                                          Song: Victory in Jesus    Luke 24:44-53:  Patti van Eys                                                                         Sermon:  Peter van Eys Song:  He Knows My Name  Vocalists, Hailee Hunt-Hawkins and Patti van Eys Prayers of Intercession: Chelsey Hedglin Lord’s Prayer Invitation to Offer Tithes and Gifts: Peter van Eys https://onrealm.org/CrievewoodUMC/Give Song: Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus Benediction

May 17, 2020

Streaming License Number: 20160536  Copyright License: 2880734   We will meet again this Sunday through an online worship experience through Facebook Live at 10:45 a.m.  You can access this service at https://www.facebook.com/CrievewoodUMC/ Prayer List   Ecumenical Prayer Cycle:  Indian Ocean Islands:  Comoros, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles Crievewood UMC:   https://crievewoodumc.org/prayer-list/ (password protected) Crievewood Prayer Most gracious God, thank you for all the gifts you have bestowed on Crievewood United Methodist Church over the generations. By your Holy Spirit, grant us the grace that welcomes all of your children.  Make us a community that reflects the full diversity of Christ’s body. Help us grow to love one another as You love us. Empower us to reveal Christ through worship and service.  In your holy name we pray.  Amen.   Accessing  Hymns   There’s Within My Heart a Melody    https://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh380.sht   Spirit of the Living God   https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-spirit-of-the-living-god Trust and Obey verses 1, 3, 4, and 5 https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/582 Gravity of Love Verse 1 I lift my eyes up to the hills This my morning song Where my strength comes from I lift my eyes up to the hills This my evening song Where my help comes from Chorus This is the gravity of love Just as the moon follows the sun You’re all around me You’re holding everything This is the hope of every land Just as the universe expands Your love is reaching You’re holding everything Verse 2 We lift our eyes up to the hills When will our help come Lord we cry how long We lift our eyes up to the hills Even as we run Hope is chasing us (Chorus 2x)   The Bond of Love Verse 1 Love through Christ has brought us together Melting our hearts as one By God’s Spirit we are united One through the blessed Son Chorus 1 We are one in the bond of love We are one in the bond of love We have joined our spirit With the Spirit of God We are one in the bond of love Verse 2 Now dear Lord we join in worship Thank You for all You’ve done Thank You for this love You gave us Thank You for making us one Chorus 2 Let us sing now everyone Let us feel God’s love begun Let us join our hands So the world will know We are one in the bond of love Chorus 1 We are one in the bond of love We are one in the bond of love We have joined our spirit With the Spirit of God We are one in the bond of love   Accessing Scripture Psalm 66:8-20 http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=456489004 1 Peter 3:13-22 http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=456489073 John 14:15-21  http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=456489127 Worship Order   Instrumental Music:  Caleb Dinger Words of Welcome: Chelsey Hedglin Pouring of Water Psalm 66:8-20:  Hailee Hunt-Hawkins Opening Prayer                                                                  Songs:  There’s Within My Heart a Melodyand Spirit of the Living God            1 Peter 3:13-22:  Chelsey Hedglin  Invitation to Confession   Prayer of Confession Kyrie Words of Assurance                                                          Song: Trust and Obey    John 14:15-21:  Patti van Eys                                                                         Sermon:  Peter van Eys Song:  Gravity of Love  Prayers of Intercession: Chelsey Hedglin Lord’s Prayer Invitation to Offer Tithes and Gifts: Peter van Eys https://onrealm.org/CrievewoodUMC/Give Song: The Bond of Love Benediction

5/13/2020

Rev. John Hill, Becca and James

The Staff-Parish Relations Committee is pleased to announce that the Rev. John Hill has been appointed senior pastor of Crievewood UMC, effective July 1. He has served as pastor of Blakemore UMC for the past five years, and we hear good things about him. John has been active in the United Methodist Church since boyhood in Kentucky and received his divinity degree from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. Immediately prior to his tenure at Blakemore, he served as associate pastor at Christ UMC in Franklin. He has an 11-year-old daughter, Becca, and a 7-year-old son, James, and will live in the parsonage. John is fortunate, as is Crievewood, that Chelsey Hedglin has been reappointed as associate pastor and will make his transition easier. The pandemic continues to present challenges to our church life, but we hope to give John an appropriate welcome soon. We will also plan a fitting farewell, even if it has to be postponed a few months, for Peter and Patti van Eys, whose dedication, kindness and friendship over the past 10 years have made this a better church and community. Ed Cromer Chair, SPRC

Pastor’s Pen Watchword Since 1722 Moravians have had the practice of a Biblical text serving as a daily watchword to guide reflection and conduct.  At first shared house to house each morning, eventually put to print in an annual publication.  The element of surprise gave way to the wonder of the printing press.  Though it took a minute. Watchwords can be understood as passwords or mottos or guiding principles, or words that sum up attitudes and approaches to life.  With that in mind, I submit that our current watchword is “transition”. We all know that life has shifted for the global community.  We have transitioned into new understandings of what it means to be in community together.  We wear masks, keep social distance, wash our hands more, travel less, and try not to touch our faces so often (maybe). Medical advice and government restrictions against large gatherings, as well as our love for one another, led faith communities to suspend being physically together. Thus, old and new ways of staying connected shape covenant life: virtual worship, zoom meetings, texts, emails, snail mail, and phone calls. The word transition absolutely sums up our current reality, it may not read like a motto, but “the One who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new’” (motto-ish).  As a guiding principle, well we Methodists have this marvelous doctrine of sanctification that affirms our commitment to becoming more and more like Christ each day. Here doctrine guides faith and practice, transition being the operative experience.  We can rightly understand transition as a password into the future. Let me touch on two very particular ways we at Crievewood will embrace this meaning of our watchword.  First, the Church Leadership is preparing for a return to In-Person worship. Plans are being made in accordance with guidelines from our Bishop and the phased approach outlined by the Mayor of Metro Nashville. The Church Office will send out and post this information next week. Second, Crievewood will have a transition in its pastoral staff. Steph Dodge and I have been serving with this congregation since 2010.  I am retiring and Steph is being appointed the Lead Pastor of Glendale UMC.  Both of us will say more about our time with Crievewood as June 30th approaches. Last Sunday in the worship service Ed Cromer, Staff-Parish Relations Chair, announced that Chelsey Hedglin will continue as the Associate Pastor and John Hill will be coming as the Senior Pastor.  Make sure and read Ed’s article in this newsletter. Let me simply say I am excited for Crievewood and look forward to facilitating a smooth and positive transition.  After all, transition is our watchword. Peter van Eys

Project Transformation Project Transformation will look different this summer.  No volunteers will be sitting with children reading one on one, rather there will be “Summer Camp in a Bag”.  Crievewood has agreed to fill 50 bags with requested supplies to be given to the children the first week in June.  Other churches will be responsible for the following weeks.  We at Crievewood can help by donating supplies and new children’s books, volunteering to be a pen pal for the summer, and praying for the children and leaders of the programming. Needed: New children’s books 1st-5th grade reading level (total of 34 needed-16 have already been donated).  Small pencil sharpeners (50 needed) Crayons (25 small boxes needed-25 have already been donated) Snacks (2-3 servings per bag)  Examples are, but not limited to: pretzels, microwave popcorn, fruit snacks, granola bars, fruit cups (servings for 50 bags).  No peanuts, gum or candy.  Other supplies have been donated and are ready to be bagged for the children.   Please bring your donations to the church between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to noon on Monday, May 18, or Monday, May 26, or Wednesday, May 27. If you are willing to volunteer handing out lunches and Summer Bags the first four days in June at Antioch UMC, please contact Charlotte at sswor78861@comcast.net, and she will get sign-up information to you.  Volunteers must be between the ages of 18 and 64.

The CHNA’s farmers’ market hosted by Crievewood UMC continues on Thursday evenings during the summer but with social distancing practices in place. The market has local produce, meats, bread, baked goods, but right now, the market will not offer raffles, music, or kids’ activities.   We hope you will come and support our local farmers and merchants. But, for the safety of all, please familiarize yourself with the new procedures before entering the market.  You can find an outline of those procedures at http://www.crievehallassociation.com/farmininthehall.

Other Notes
  After consultation with Conference leadership the Beersheba staff has decided to keep our mountain retreat site closed until mid-July.  The staff will use the time to deep clean and make needed repairs to the facility while continuing to monitor COVID-19 developments. 
    Feeling blue or need a pick-me-up?  Paper copies of the May/June issues of the The Upper Room are available at the church on the narthex table.  But because COVID-19 has complicated life and not everyone can get out to retrieve a pamphlet, Upper Room is temporarily making resources available free online.  Through June 30th, you can find the daily devotion at https://www.upperroom.org/devotionals. Look toward the top of the web page to locate a “click here” command to access the current, daily meditation.

Currently Pastor Peter can be contacted at the church office throughout the week, but the rest of the church staff is working from home through the end of May unless it is absolutely necessary to be in the church building. During this time please contact Jan Bassett through the church’s Comcast email at administrator@crievewoodumc.comcastbiz.net or by her home landline phone at 615-371-8476.

Cora Lane and her new baby brother, Victor Craig Lane, born on May 4th weighing 7 lbs. 14 oz. and measuring 20 1/2 in. long.

May 10, 2020

Streaming License Number: 20160536  Copyright License: 2880734   We will meet again this Sunday through an online worship experience through Facebook Live at 10:45 a.m.  You can access this service at https://www.facebook.com/CrievewoodUMC/ The flowers on the altar are given by Mike and Tandy Taylor in honor and appreciation of Peter and Patti van Eys and their ministry together at Crievewood. The rose on the altar is placed in honor of Victor Craig Lane, son of Peter and Lauren Lane, who was born on May 4, 2020, weighing 7 pounds.14 ounces and measuring 20 1/2 inches long. Prayer List   Ecumenical Prayer Cycle:  Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal Crievewood UMC:   https://crievewoodumc.org/prayer-list/ (password protected) Crievewood Prayer Most gracious God, thank you for all the gifts you have bestowed on Crievewood United Methodist Church over the generations. By your Holy Spirit, grant us the grace that welcomes all of your children.  Make us a community that reflects the full diversity of Christ’s body. Help us grow to love one another as You love us. Empower us to reveal Christ through worship and service.  In your holy name we pray.  Amen.   Accessing  Hymns   Blessed Assurance     https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Blessed_Assurance/   Step By Step   O God You are my God And I will ever praise You O God You are my God And I will ever praise You I will seek You in the morning And I will learn to walk in Your ways And step by step You’ll lead me And I will follow You all of my days  O God You are my God And I will ever praise You O God You are my God And I will ever praise You I will seek You in the morning And I will learn to walk in Your ways And step by step You’ll lead me And I will follow You all of my days  I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/i/w/a/n/iwanwalk.htm That Where I Am Verse 1 In my Father’s house There are many many rooms In my Father’s house There are many many rooms And I’m going up there now To prepare a place for you That where I am there you may also be  Verse 2 If I go prepare a place for you I will come back again If I go prepare a place for you I will come back again You know I am the Way The Truth the Life Keep My command That where I am you may also be  Chorus 1 That where I am there you may also be Up where the truth The truth will set you free In the world you will have trouble But I leave you My peace That where I am there you may also be  Verse 3 Remember you did not choose Me No I have chosen you Remember you did not choose Me No I have chosen you The world will show you hatred The Spirit show you truth That where I am there you may also be  Verse 4 I’ve come down from the Father Time for Me to go back up Oh I’ve come down from the Father Time for Me to go back up One command I leave you Love as I have loved That where I am there you may also be  (Chorus 2x)  I Believe in Jesus Chorus 1 I believe in Jesus I believe He is the Son of God I believe He died and rose again I believe He paid for us all I believe He is here now Standing in our midst Here with the power to heal now And the grace to forgive  Chorus 2 I believe in You Lord I believe You are the Son of God I believe You died and rose again I believe You paid for us all And I believe You’re here now Standing in our midst Here with the power to heal now And the grace to forgive I believe in Jesus    Accessing Scripture Psalm 31:1-5,15-16 http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=455957717 1 Peter 2:2-10 http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=455957805 John 14:1-14  http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=455957892   Worship Order   Instrumental Music:  Caleb Dinger Words of Welcome: Chelsey Hedglin Pouring of Water Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16:  Hailee Hunt-Hawkins Opening Prayer                                                                  Songs:  Blessed Assurance and Step by Step            1 Peter 2:2-10:  Chelsey Hedglin  Invitation to Confession   Prayer of Confession We Will Run (Kyrie) Words of Assurance                                                          Song: I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light    John 14:1-14:  Patti van Eys                                                                         Sermon:  Peter van Eys Song:  That Where I Am  Prayers of Intercession: Chelsey Hedglin Lord’s Prayer Invitation to Offer Tithes and Gifts: Peter van Eys https://onrealm.org/CrievewoodUMC/Give Song: I Believe in Jesus Benediction