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

April 29, 2020

Pastor’s Pen

6 People + Cell Phone

A marvelous 19^th Century book, Three Men in a Boat: (to say nothing of the dog) by Jerome K. Jerome, came to mind over the weekend.  The story recounts a two week holiday boat trip on the Thames River to and from Kingston and Oxford. The novel is written with a nice blend of seriousness and humor.

Maybe it came to mind as an adventure tale of individuals navigating the currents aiding or challenging their movement from one place to another.  Maybe it came to mind as a study in human behavior when folks find themselves in defined experiences that require teamwork and problem solving.  Maybe it came to mind as a reminder that every journey includes the expected and the unexpected. Maybe it came to mind because the dog, Montmorency, emerges as a key character.

For seven weeks our worship story line might read “6 people in a sanctuary (to say nothing of the cell phone)”, and with the Bishop instructing us to “stay the course” through May (at least), this story will continue. I appreciate the Bishop providing leadership in accordance with medical experts.

I am also grateful to the team that gathers in the sanctuary each Sunday to lead and offer a virtual worship experience.  We have had quite the adventure! It seems that in our first two streamed services we spoke and sang in tongues. Aware that not everyone has the spiritual gift to interpret “tongues” we worked diligently to change that. Last Sunday we apparently offered the service with “Cathedral voices” that captured the reality of an empty sanctuary.  That brought mixed reviews; there is no spiritual gift of liking that echo feature. We did have those four weeks of good quality sound, but I think the other three Sundays had the best sermons I have preached in 41 years (or not) and they were either garbled or delivered in a tunnel; oh well.

Furthermore, there have been currents to navigate on the video side as well.  What is seen, who is seen, where to stand, monitoring movement, use of symbols and visuals….all while keeping proper social distance.  Again, I cannot overstate the commitment and effort of our worship team.

Jerome K. Jerome began writing his best known novel as a travelogue, but to his surprise it evolved into a funny, insightful adventure that connected with life in pre-Edwardian Britain.  The author once said in an interview, “I didn’t know I was a humorist”; well I didn’t know I was a “televangelist”. Life happens.

We have, and are surely moving (streaming) into a new place, a new understanding of being church, being disciples, and creating community.  Sometimes it feels as if we are going with the flow and other times paddling upstream. Yet every stroke stirring the water of grace.

Like the dog on the boat, a cell phone has emerged as a key character in our ministry.  It not only has enabled us to offer a live worship experience but also allows for instant comment and feedback.  We learn in real time how wide the audience, the quality of the audio/visual, and any points of connection with elements of the service.

So, I look forward to Sunday morning and the opportunity to worship together through the wonder of technology.  There will be 6 people in the sanctuary, not to mention a cell phone, prepared to lead a service and hoping to connect with life in this pre-post pandemic world.   You can be sure that God is, and will be, present too.

The new normal of streaming our services has expanded the reach of our worship life, a wonderful serendipity! Consequently, we are exploring equipment needs for developing this ministry into the future. This week? Well, some adjustments will be made to address sound and visual quality…but have your spiritual gifts at the ready.
 

Peter van Eys

Thursdays, starting May 7th, 4:30-7pm

Special Practices

The CHNA,s farmers’ market hosted by Crievewood UMC will open as originally planned but with social distancing practices in place. The market will have local produce, meats, bread, baked goods, and at least one food truck. (Food truck orders must be placed in advance.)  However, right now, the market will not offer raffles, music, or kids’ activities. We hope you plan to 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.

The Upper Room   Feeling blue or need a pick-me-up?  Paper copies of both the March/April and May/June issues of the The Upper Room are available at the church on the narthex table.  But because COVID-19 has complicated already stressful living 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.   You can also examine other uplifting items including several articles relating to the pandemic, Upper Room morning prayer on Facebook Live, the “New Every Morning” daily video, and other resources to help you keep a positive attitude throughout the day. Find these items at https://www.upperroom.org/covid-19.

A Letter of Appreciation KPEVE Senior High Technical School   On behalf of the Board of Governors, Management, Staff and Students of the school we wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to you for the kind gesture shown by donating footballs, volley balls and packets of markers to the school. Our school is a developing one that lacks a lot of sports equipment because of financial constraints.  We have a lot of students who are very good in the area of soccer, volley, table tennis, basketball and other games but could not train as a result of lack of these equipment. Mr. Kwame Orison, popularly known as Fo Kefa is a Citizen of Kpeve and honest.  This is about the third donation he has solicited for the school.  He is one of the indigines who left the community but continues to involve himself actively in helping to solve some of its challenges.  He is a good person to deal with so I will encourage you to provide him with the necessary support when needed. Am very proud to inform you that during the Inter-School Zonal Sports Competition held at Kpando last year our school took the first position in Boys’ Soccer, Girls’ Netball and Girls’ Cross Country.  With the presentation of the items we are going to train more sports boys and girls in order to defend maintain and win more first positions.  Like Oliver Twist, we will always ask for more and more of the items. Attached (below) are copies of the items that are need in the school. God Richly Bless you CUMC of Nashville, U.S.A. Matilda Dzotefe (MS) Headmistress

Sports Items Needed: Handball  Handball Goal Post Netball Table Tennis Board Table Tennis Racket  Stop Watch Knee Cap Hose/Stockings Javelin Boys/Girls Discus Boys/Girls Shotput Boys/Girls High Jump Equipments Netball Jersey Volleyball Jersey Spike Running Verse Soccer Jersey

Other Missions   Gift a Gallon With the COVID-19 virus spreading worldwide Uganda has also had to adopt new procedures of social distancing and increased hygiene in spite of the lack of clean water, food, and health products available. Raise the Roof Academy has addressed this challenge by canceling classes at the school, erecting hand washing stations on campus, providing first responders to check on students and their families, and keeping the medical clinic open. The Gift a Gallon program is facing hurdles as well.  Collection sites in churches in America and elsewhere are currently closed, and volunteers cannot gather to work.  In Uganda packages are normally distributed in July through a week of celebration that may not occur this year. Raise the Roof is encouraging its supporters to purchase a gift a gallon online so that supplies may be purchased, assembled, and distributed in Uganda to circumvent some of the problems (https://www.raisetheroofacademy.org/gift-a-gallon). Bags that have already been packed can be sent through USPS to Raise the Roof Academy’s PO Box 92216 in Nashville (zip code 37209) where they will be delivered to a sponsored child as soon as the organization is able to do so.    Project Transformation Project Transformation plans on continuing their summer program to help children improve in their literacy, social-emotional, and spiritual development, a program that will be desperately needed this year. Like other businesses and non-profits, Project Transformation will need to adjust procedures because of COVID-19. Please look for information on how that will be done in upcoming newsletters.   Nashvile Rescue Mission The Rescue Mission is seeing an uptick in persons needing help due to unemployment and natural disasters at the same time they are trying to incorporate social distancing practices because of the COVID-19 virus.  They need more space, money, and supplies. If you would like to help, check out their website at https://nashvillerescuemission.org/ways-to-give/gifts-in-kind/

May 3, 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:  India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka Crievewood UMC:   https://crievewoodumc.org/prayer-list/ (a password is necessary) 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   Great Is Thy Faithfulness     https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Great_Is_Thy_Faithfulness/   You Are Mine   https://www.google.com/search?q=lyrics+for+you+are+mine+hymn&rlz=1C1GGRV_enUS752US752&oq=lyrics+for+You+Are+Mine&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l7.30474j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Savior_Like_a_Shepherd_Lead_Us/ Rest Verse 1 Oh my Lord You are my Shepherd and I shall not want Oh my Lord Beside still waters You repair my heart I trust in You oh I trust in You Chorus Even though I walk through the valley of death You restore my soul and You give me rest Oh the memories of Your faithfulness You restore my soul and You give me rest You restore my soul and You give me rest You give me rest Verse 2 Oh my Lord You’ve prepared a table for You and me Oh my Lord In the middle of a fire with my enemies I trust in You oh I trust in You (Chorus) I will fear no evil for You’re here with me Your goodness and Your love They will never leave Just a closer walk with Thee just a closer walk Just a closer walk with Thee just a closer walk Lead Us God Verse. 1 Lead us God to the mountain where you reign on high where the cloud of your presence will fill our skies where Your law and Your love will give us life lead us God to Your mountain high Refrain Lead us God on our journey home where you welcome the broken ones where your love is our banner song lead us God on our journey home Veres 2 Lead us God in the desert by your holy light with your cloud through the day and your fire by night where we’ll carry each other o’er the trials of life lead us God by your holy light Refrain Verse 3 Lead us God to the river that will wash us clean where your Spirit will fill us and set us free where we’re bound with each other in that flowing stream lead us God to your river deep Refrain

Accessing Scripture Psalm 23 http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=455279633 Acts 2:42-47 http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=455280245 John 10:1-10  http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=455280698

Worship Order   Instrumental Music:  Caleb Dinger Words of Welcome: Chelsey Hedglin Pouring of Water Psalm 23:  Hailee Hunt-Hawkins Opening Prayer                                                                  Songs:  Great Is Thy Faithfulness and You Are Mine            Acts 2:42-47:  Chelsey Hedglin  Invitation to Confession   Prayer of Confession Lord Have Mercy (Kyrie) Words of Assurance                                                          Song: Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us    John 10:1-10:  Patti van Eys                                                                         Sermon:  Peter van Eys Song:  Rest  Prayers of Intercession: Chelsey Hedglin Lord’s Prayer Invitation to Offer Tithes and Gifts: Peter van Eys https://onrealm.org/CrievewoodUMC/Give Song: Lead Us God Benediction