01/20/21

451 Hogan Road, Nashville TN 37220 phone:  615-832-2897 website: www.crievewoodumc.org

Congregational Zoom Meeting Sunday, January 24 1:00 p.m. We invite you to the Project Thrive congregation-wide conversation. Click on the button below to join the Zoom meeting.  Join the Project Thrive Zoom MeetingPastor’s Pen   Crievewood, along with 17 other area churches, has partnered with the Center for Healthy Churches out of Belmont University to participate in Project Thrive, which is designed to create opportunities for our church to reflect on our strengths and ministry focus, our unique context, and specific thriving traits. In 2021, we will have a series of 3 congregation-wide conversations to talk about the past, present, and future of Crievewood. Our Thrive Team will host these conversations, listen intently, and then work together to form an action plan and strategies to help our church thrive in the 21st century.    This Sunday, January 24, at 1:00 is our first congregation-wide conversation as part of Project Thrive. We will meet on Zoom for approximately two hours. We’ll be together as a large group at first to receive an overview and then break out into smaller groups, led by members of our Thrive Team, for conversation. It promises to be a great way to connect with others, to reflect on the place of Crievewood in our lives together, to hear some wonderful stories, and to provide valuable information as we work to help Crievewood continue to thrive in the future.   Our goal is to have 75-100 people participating. As of Tuesday morning, we’ve had nearly 50 people RSVP to attend. We’d love for you to RSVP by clicking on the button below; it helps us to plan better if we know who is going to be there. But more importantly, we hope you’ll join us for the conversation on Sunday at 1:00 whether or not you’ve RSVPed. Anyone 7th grade to 107 years old with a connection to Crievewood is welcome to participate! Rev. John Hill  RSVP to Project Thrive MeetingEach Sunday morning at 10:45, we will livestream a worship service to Facebook from inside the sanctuary (with no in-person congregation).  You can access the livestreamed service at https://www.facebook.com/CrievewoodUMC/ We anticipate cold temperatures in January, so we are pausing outdoor worship for the month of January. Watch for updates as we head into February. If anyone would like to order get well, greeting, sympathy, birthday, thinking of you or Valentine or Easter cards, Mary Bryan would be happy to make them and deliver them.  Donations would go to UMW missions.  Contact Mary atbryanmarym@yahoo.com.Office Notes   Leadership Training is scheduled on Saturday, February 6 from 9:30 -11:30 am and on Sunday, February 7, from 1-3 pm.  If you are part of the 2021 Administrative Council, please plan on being present for these online (Zoom) sessions.  End of the Year statements have been sent out.  Please monitor your email or regular mail for this document as this statement is issued for tax purposes.We are offering the Crievewood Kids an opportunity to make some valentines for our shut-ins on Sunday afternoon, January 31. Yes…in person! All supplies will be provided, and masks will be required throughout the event.   Due to Covid restrictions regarding how many people may be in the building, the number is limited to 8 children per session. Ages 4 years-1st grade will create from 1-2 pm, and 2nd-6th graders can sign up from 2-3pm. We have divided the groups in to two age-groupings to help us with the instruction piece. 🙂   All participants must sign up using the link below. More detailed information, regarding drop-off/pickup and safety procedures will be sent the week of the event to those who are signed up. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D44A8A82BAB9-share   Questions: contact Leigh Ann!Planning for the Season of Lent   On Wednesday, February 17th we will offer an outdoor in person Ash Wednesday service (weather permitting) in conjunction with St. Mary of Bethany at noon in the CUMC upper parking.  A drive through imposition of ashes will be offered from 5-6 p.m., and a live-streamed Ash Wednesday worship service is planned at 6:30 p.m. During the season of Lent interactive Stations of the Cross will be available in the sanctuary for those who wish to participate. Also Leigh Ann Cate will lead a study on Zoom on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. using the book Embracing the Uncertain by Magrey deVega. This book will also be the basis for our Lenten sermon series. Please mark your calendar and plan on joining us for these Lenten activities and worship.  More details will follow in February. Jan. 20 – Dennis Hailey Jan. 21 – Kelly Cates Jan. 22 – Leigh Coppella and Knox Cortner Jan. 23 – Whitney Vincent Jan. 24 – John Jetton Jan. 25 – Dave McIntyre, Sheryl Roos, Griffin Thurman, Bill Tucker Jan. 26 – Cate Coppella, Charlie Coppella, Anne McBryde, Greg Webb Jan. 27 – Sam Hodgson Jan. 28 – Patti van Eys Jan. 29 – Barbara Frazier Jan. 30 – Tom Swinney Jan. 31 – Baity Noon Feb. 1 – Donna Binford, Josh McBryde, Hayden Morris   If you have a birthday between January 20 and February 2 and it does not appear in the list above, then it is not in our database.  We would like to celebrate with you.  If your birthday does not appear, please notify the church office at 615-832-2897.Still looking for more information?  Below are links that may help.   UM NewsLink to the Prayer ListCUMC Online GivingLive Stream Worship Sundays @ 10:45 a.m. 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.Copyright © 2021 Crievewood United Methodist Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up to receive the Crievewood United Methodist Church Newsletter. Our mailing address is: Crievewood United Methodist Church451 Hogan RoadNashville, Tn 37220 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Worship Materials and Bulletin January 17, 2021 Streaming License Number: 20160536  Copyright License: 2880734 Video License: 504308177  We anticipate cold temperatures in January, so we are pausing outdoor worship for the month of January. Watch for updates as we head into February.  Each Sunday morning at 10:45, we will livestream a worship service to Facebook from inside the sanctuary (with no in-person congregation).  You can access the livestreamed service at https://www.facebook.com/CrievewoodUMC/   Please share this bulletin with any members that you think might not see this email before Sunday.  Thank you.   Prayer List Ecumenical Prayer Cycle: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen Cumberland River District Prayer Cycle: First UMC Lafayette, Haysville UMC, Sadler’s UMC  Crievewood UMC:   https://crievewoodumc.org/prayer-list/ (a password is necessary) Crievewood PrayerMost 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.   Worship Order  Words of Welcome: Rev. John Hill  Centering Music: All Are Welcome: Caleb Dinger, Piano   Opening Prayer :  Rev. John Hill  Hymns: In Christ There Is No East or West  and  Gather Us InIn Christ There Is No East or West Verse 1 In Christ there is no east or west, in him no south or north;  but one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth.Verse 2 In Christ shall true hearts everywhere their high communion find; his service is the golden cord close binding humankind.Verse 3 In Christ is neither Jew nor Greek, and neither slave nor free; both male and female heirs are made, and all are kin to me.Verse 4 In Christ now meet both east and west, in him meet south and north; all Christly souls are joined as one throughout the whole wide earth. Gather Us In Verse 1 Here in this place new light is streaming, now is the darkness vanished away, see in this space our fears and our dreamings, brought here to you in the light of this day. Gather us in –  the lost and forsaken, gather us in –  the blind and the lame; call to us now and we shall awaken, we shall arise at the sound of our name. Verse 2 We are the young –  our lives are a myst’ry, we are the old  – who yearn for your face, we have been sung throughout all of hist’ry, called to be light to the whole human race. Gather us in –  the rich and the haughty, gather us in –  the proud and the strong; give us a heart so meek and so lowly, give us the courage to enter the song. Verse 3 Here we will take the wine and the water, here we will take the bread of new birth,  here you shall call your sons and your daughters, call us anew to be salt for the earth. Give us to drink the wine of compassion, give us to eat the bread that is you; nourish us well, and teach us to fashion lives that are holy and hearts that are true. Verse 4 Not in the dark of buildings confining, not in some heaven light years away, but here in this place the new light is shining, now is the Kingdom, now is the day. Gather us in and hold us forever, gather us in and make us your own; Gather us in –  all peoples together, fire of love in our flesh and our bones.  Apostles’ Creed (in unison):  Hailee Hunt-HawkinsI believe in God the Father Almighty,  maker of heaven and earth;  And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,  the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,  the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.  Scripture Reading:  Romans 15:7:  Hailee Hunt-Hawkins Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Sermon: Radical Hospitality: Rev. John Hill  Instrumental Reflection: A Place at the Table: Caleb Dinger, Piano  Pastoral Prayer: Rev. John Hill Invitation to Offer Tithes and Gifts: Rev. John Hill https://onrealm.org/CrievewoodUMC/Give Offertory Anthem: Welcome in This Place:  Steven Rackard, Vocalist / Caleb Dinger, Piano  Prayer of Confession:  Rev. John Hill    Kyrie Words of Assurance Hear the Good News: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. That proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. Glory to God! Amen.  Closing Hymn: Go Forth for God   Go Forth for God Verse 1 Go forth for God; go to the world in peace; be of good courage, armed with heavenly grace, in God’s good Spirit daily to increase, till in his kingdom we behold his face. Go forth for God; go to the world in peace. Verse 2 Go forth for God; go to the world in love; strengthen the faint, give courage to the weak; Help the afflicted; richly from above God’s love supplies the grace and power we seek. Go forth for God; go to the world in love. Verse 3 Go forth for God; go to the world in strength; hold fast the good, be urgent for the right; render to no one evil; Christ at length shall overcome all darkness with his light. Go forth for God; go to the world in strength. Verse 4 Go forth for God; go to the world in joy, to serve God’s people every day and hour, and serving Christ, our every gift employ, rejoicing in the Holy Spirit’s power. Go forth for God; go to the world in joy,  Benediction:  Rev. John Hill                                   This Sunday we are observing Human Relations Day which is one of the six UMC Special Sundays. You may donate online by selecting the Miscellaneous option and writing Human Relations Day in the memo block or by check with Human Relations Day in the memo line.

During the challenges of the past year, we saw how inequality affects the most vulnerable people. When neighbors experience poverty and live in communities that have less access to community resources, we may find ourselves wondering, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” This Sunday, January 17th we have an opportunity to make an impact in communities where people struggle because they don’t have the tools or resources to reach their God-given potential. One of the wonderful aspects of The United Methodist Church is that we can do so much more together than we ever could do on our own. This Sunday we join with other congregations to receive the Human Relations Day Special Sunday offering. Our gifts are part of building beloved community through faith-based volunteer programs, community developers and programs that work with at-risk teens. As society begins to recover from this health and financial crisis, these programs are vital in strengthening communities that are most affected.Copyright © 2021 Crievewood United Methodist Church, All rights reserved.  You are receiving this email because you signed up to receive the Crievewood United Methodist Church Newsletter.  Our mailing address is:  Crievewood United Methodist Church451 Hogan RoadNashville, Tn 37220 Add us to your address book

01/06/21451 Hogan Road, Nashville TN 37220 phone:  615-832-2897 website: www.crievewoodumc.orgBecause of the Titans playoff game and our desire to maximize participation in our event, we are going to change the Project Thrive congregation-wide conversation on Zoom to Sunday, January 24, at 1:00 pm. Here is a link to a new RSVP form for the rescheduled meeting, or you can use the button under the Pastor’s Pen.   Pastor’s Pen The Titans are in the playoffs! It is fun to celebrate the success – sporting and otherwise – of our city. I’m reminded that when some of the people of Israel were sent into exile by Babylon, Jeremiah sent a letter encouraging them to “seek the welfare of the city” (29:7) where they were going. I think those same words apply to us today – to work to make the communities where we live to be the best that they can be. So, along with lots of other work we are called to do to alleviate suffering and seek justice, I’ll be rooting for the Titans on Sunday at noon.    We were scheduled to have a congregation-wide conversation this coming Sunday as part of our participation in Project Thrive. Because we want to maximize participation in the conversation, we are going to postpone it until Sunday, January 24, at 1:00. The conversation will take place on Zoom, will mostly be done in small groups, and will focus on our past experiences with Crievewood. It is super helpful to our planning to know how many to expect to participate, so we are asking everyone to RSVP for the conversation. This is a new link for the new date, so if you already RSVPed for the previous one, please do so again with this link.   As 2021 begins, we have the opportunity to recommit ourselves to the work of God in our church and our communities. This coming Sunday during worship on Facebook Live at 10:45, we will hear the story of Jesus’ baptism and be reminded of our own baptisms and how they call us to this good work. We invite you to have some water with you (in a small bowl or dish) as you watch the worship service so that you can more fully participate in the congregational act of remembering our baptisms. Because of cold temperatures, we will not have outdoor worship during the month of January, so we hope you’ll make plans to join us online each Sunday at 10:45.   Grace and peace, John HillRSVP to Rescheduled Project Thrive MeetingOngoing Missions  Crievewood ServesSouth End UMC is extending their Food Program into January, and they are still in need of volunteers during multiple time slots on Wednesdays. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer! Here is the Sign-up link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0D4DAEA62DAAFF2-south   Norman Binkley Food Packs Our Crievewood Youth and Kids grades 3-6th will continue to create bags of food for children at Norman Binkley Elementary School throughout the school year.  You can help collect the food donations to put in the gallon bags by supplying the following: canned fruits, vegetables, or beans, canned tuna fish, canned soups, boxes of rice, pasta, or mac n cheese, breakfast bars or protein bars, boxes of raisins, fruit cups, or applesauce. Donations can be brought to the church anytime. Altar Flowers If you would like to enhance Sunday worship or celebrate God’s blessings in your life, consider donating flowers for the altar.  The altar flower calendar for 2021 is now posted in the church office.  To offer the gift of altar flowers, just sign the chart for the week that you want or call the church office.Each Sunday morning at 10:45, we will livestream a worship service to Facebook from inside the sanctuary (with no in-person congregation).  You can access the livestreamed service at https://www.facebook.com/CrievewoodUMC/ We anticipate cold temperatures in January, so we are pausing outdoor worship for the month of January. Watch for updates as we head into February. Tuesday Bible Study  Tuesday Bible Study has resumed this week. The members are continuing their discussion of the book “Short Stories by Jesus” where they left off at CHAPTER 3: The Kingdom of Heaven Is Like Yeast. At the last class, the group decided that their next upcoming study will be the book that the church Lenten sermon series will be based upon called Embracing the Uncertain by Magrey DeVega. Those study books are currently being ordered so they are available when Lent begins. New participants are always welcome.  If you would like to join the group now or when they begin the Lenten study, please contact Chelsey for materials.  The first Tuesday of the Lenten study will be February 23rd.  Administrative Council and Finance Committee Report  Our church has some great financial news to celebrate. As those of you who took part in Sunday’s online worship service know, we retired our debt at the end of 2020 and also paid 100% of our Connectional Giving (formerly known as annual apportionments). The Finance Committee would like to express its deep appreciation to the congregation for enabling a successful conclusion to a challenging year. The Finance Committee and the Administrative Council approved a plan in mid-December to pay off remaining debt from Crievewood’s $1.45 million renovation. The balance of $58,948.48 was paid last week. The plan also provides for ongoing funding of a capital reserve to cover unexpected costs. Given the age of the church and parsonage, the bodies deemed this a prudent course. The past year presented many financial challenges, but December proved to be an extraordinary month for giving, especially in the final week. Several members made large donations beyond normal pledges, allowing us to pay all our Connectional Giving (apportionments)—payments that support the work of our district, annual conference, regional jurisdiction, and The United Methodist Church around the world. Crievewood has been good about paying apportionments over the years, but in 2019 we were able to pay only 59%. Financial struggles in the early parts of 2020 were eased by a forgivable Payroll Protection Program loan of $44,741, which covered staff salary and other operational costs for a couple of months. All federal conditions were met, and that loan is in line to be converted to a grant. Longtime members will recall that in the last 30 years, three notes have been paid off—on the parsonage in the early 1990s, the adjoining Manley property (the later sale of which helped fund the church renovation), and now the renovation, which was planned 10 years ago and received many generous donations along with bequests from several estates. Thanks to our current and past generations of members, we have outstanding facilities to enjoy with no debt. Happy New Year! If there are any questions, please feel free to reach out to Adele White, Joe Buffler, or Steve Curry.Other Notes  Leadership Training is scheduled from 9:30 -11:30 am on Saturday, February 6 and on Sunday, February 7, from 1-3 pm.  If you are part of the 2021 Administrative Council, please plan on being present for these online (Zoom) sessions.  Boxed envelopes for 2021 are now available in the narthex for those who requested them. End of the Year statements will go out sometime in the next two weeks.  Please monitor your email for this document as this statement is issued for tax purposes.Jan. 6 – Laura Benson Jan. 7 – Mark Hattan, Lloyd Shular, and Brandon Sitter Jan, 8 – Meredith Sasser Jan. 9 – Michael Villines Jan. 10 – Emilee Williams Jan. 11 – Addie Bean Jan. 16 – Janet Bozeman   Jan. 18 – William Edwards, Jeanne Gardiner, and Ava Parkes  If you have a birthday between January 6 and January 19 and it does not appear in the list above, then it is not in our database.  We would like to celebrate with you.  If your birthday does not appear, please notify the church office at 615-832-2897. Thank You Dear Friends at CUMC,  As we look back on 2020, we couldn’t end the year without again expressing our deep gratitude to you for our partnership in ministry.  While not what we originally planned, we were able to pivot quickly together this year to meet critical needs due to the pandemic. Your generous support ensured that Project Transformation’s mission could continue, even when the world seemed to stop.  Together, we distributed daily meals, supplies and “summer camps in a bag” so children could continue to learn from home.  And volunteers provided a sense of care and connection to students through pen pal letters. Thank you on behalf of our children and young adults.  Wishing you a Merry Christmas and trusting the best is yet to be!  Praise be to God. With joy, Courtney Larson Still looking for more information?  Below are links that may help.  UM NewsLink to the Prayer ListCUMC Online GivingLive Stream Worship Sundays @ 10:45 a.m.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.Copyright © 2021 Crievewood United Methodist Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up to receive the Crievewood United Methodist Church Newsletter. Our mailing address is: Crievewood United Methodist Church451 Hogan RoadNashville, Tn 37220 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

12/23/20

451 Hogan Road, Nashville TN 37220 phone:  615-832-2897 website: www.crievewoodumc.org

Pastor’s Pen On Christmas Eve, we plan to gather in the parking lot (with masks and social distancing) around 4:45 to sing some Christmas carols to celebrate. We’ll conclude our time with the traditional lighting of candles and then singing “Silent Night.” Likewise, our 5:30 worship livestream will end with sharing the light of Christ and singing “Silent Night.” There is something almost magical – supernatural, at least – about that Christmas carol and its ability to invoke God’s presence with us.   On Christmas Eve in 1914, Europe was still being ravaged by the first World War. Pope Benedict XV had called for a temporary armistice, but world leaders had ignored him. That night, as the two sides were huddled down in their respective trenches, the German soldiers started to sing “Stille Nacht.” When they finished, the British responded by singing “Silent Night.” Rather than trading volleys of shots, they traded volleys of song.   In the morning, the soldiers from both sides laid down their arms and wandered into the no-man’s-land between trenches. They embraced, sang more carols, exchanged small gifts, played soccer, and set aside the things of war on Christmas Day. May the same power of God’s love and the Incarnation that inspired their truce bring you peace this Christmas. John Hill  Christmas Memories   A couple of the photos of Christmas past that were sent to the church by Dave McIntyre are posted below.  Do you recognize anyone?  More Christmas Memories . . . .   One of my favorite Christmas memories is of our last Christmas in the house we lived in for over 25 years.  Mother and Daddy were downsizing.   All of my sibling and I had moved out of the house 6-16 years prior, but as is often the case we left “stuff” behind.   When we arrived home that Christmas the tree was loaded with wrapped presents, just like when we were little. As the unwrapping began it became apparent that Mother had lovingly wrapped everything we left behind:   Legos, Overton Letter jacket, baseball cards, Nancy Drew books, match box cars, and much more. It was a wonderful way to clean out the house and relive past Christmas memories.      ~ Sharon Ferrell  On Christmas morning I like to get up at 7 am and wake my parents, though they don’t want to get up that early. 🙁   Then I open all my presents, eat French toast with the family, and go to church!  It’s my favorite day of the year!!!!!~ Paisley Darrell Christmas Eve services are always such a blessing.  My sister and her husband come and we are able to worship the birth of the Christ Child together.  A very special way to continue the Advent journey!     ~ Tandy Taylor When I was growing up, most of my extended family all lived in the same town – both sets of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. For Christmas every year, my mom’s side of the family would get together to open gifts on Christmas Eve at my Nanny’s house. We would take turns, going from youngest to oldest. Afterwards, we would go to the Christmas Eve service at church. We would regather at Nanny’s house on Christmas morning after opening gifts at our own homes for breakfast and to open our stockings – 15 or so all hung in front of the fireplace. Then we would go to my Mammaw’s house for lunch and more gifts. Christmas was always a special time growing up to be with family.   ~ John Hill Many years ago, I was asked to build a life size manger scene for our Youth Group at CUMC. This was a drive thru or park and visit situation for all of the church and proud parents. Lasted 10 days before to Christmas.  We were all so proud and became closer to each other.  That made my Christmas!  Merry Christmas to all!☮️✝️❤️   ~ John Jetton The time my sister gave me a bible for Christmas.  It was a very thoughtful gift.  It is one that can be used often.  ~  snecats@bellsouth.net My favorite is attending the Christmas Eve service and seeing all the candles lit by each one present as the church lights are dimmed.  Then going to a friend’s house to share Christmas Eve with six of us.  ~  Judy Simpson If I have the option, I always choose to attend the 11pm Christmas Eve service.  There is something special about the peacefulness of that service.  All the hustle of Christmas is finished and behind, and the meaning of Christmas is front and center. I was attending such a Christmas Eve service about a decade ago. The night was stormy, but the faithful gathered anyway stashing our umbrellas in the narthex as we entered.  The service had just started when a clap of thunder was heard, and the electricity was gone.  All that could be seen were the silhouettes of the vocalist and pastor revealed only by the light of the altar and Advent candles.  While we could vaguely see our closest neighbor in the pew, we could sense that other beings were with us in the sanctuary.  It was a reminder of what the first Christmas must have been like with perhaps only the stars or an oil lamp to attend the baby and mother and with the animals presence felt but not necessarily seen.  A few of us had a small pocket flashlight that could be used to see the words in the hymnal, but most of the service was in darkness until those final candles were lit.  The next Sunday service the congregation was in conversation about what happened on Christmas Eve, but what we were asking was whether all of our Christmas Eve services should be conducted that way.  My wish this year is that your Christmas Eve service will be as meaningful.  ~ Jan Bassett  On December 24th the sanctuary will be open for individuals to spend time in reflection from 8-10 a.m. and from 2-4 p.m.  Please practice COVID safety protocols. A greeter will be in the narthex to insure that there are no more than 10 people gathered in the sanctuary at a given time. Then at 4:45 p.m. there will be a short in-person gathering in the upper parking lot to sing carols and share the light of Christ. Please dress for the weather. Our online Christmas Eve service will begin at 5:30 p.m. starting with an interval of musical meditation led by Caleb and Hailee.  The service welcome and announcements will commence promptly at 5:40 p.m.  You can access the livestreamed Christmas service at https://www.facebook.com/CrievewoodUMC/Ongoing Missions  Giving Tree The CUMC Missions Team has set up the Methodist Mission Giving Tree in the church narthex. Operating similar to an angel tree, the Methodist Mission Giving Tree gives you the opportunity to choose a Methodist Mission to support through a financial gift by picking out an ornament from the Giving Tree. Each ornament will have a description of a specific Methodist Mission from around the world to tell you a bit about the organization and the amazing ministry they provide. Gifts may be made online through umcmission.org. Instructions for how to do this will be provided when you choose an ornament from the tree. Feel free to stop by the church weekdays during office hours to select an ornament from the Methodist Mission Giving Tree! The tree will remain in the narthex through January 1st. TP Sunday January 3rd is the next TP Sunday.  You may bring toilet paper donations to the the narthex or drop them off during drive-up communion.  Your gifts are always appreciated and greatly aid CCF’s mission to the homeless in Nashville. Norman Binkley Food Packs Our Crievewood Youth and Kids grades 3-6th will continue to create bags of food for children at Norman Binkley Elementary School throughout the school year.  You can help collect the food donations to put in the gallon bags by supplying the following: canned fruits, vegetables, or beans, canned tuna fish, canned soups, boxes of rice, pasta, or mac n cheese, breakfast bars or protein bars, boxes of raisins, fruit cups, or applesauce. Donations can be brought to the church anytime. Crievewood Serves  South End is in need of some extra hands on Tuesdays to help with their Food Program. Please click on this link to sign up for a volunteer slot  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0D4DAEA62DAAFF2-southCrievewood, along with 17 other area churches, has partnered with the Center for Healthy Churches out of Belmont University to participate in Project Thrivewhich is designed to create opportunities for our church to reflect on our strengths and ministry focus, our unique context, and specific thriving traits. In 2021, we will have a series of 3 congregation-wide conversations to talk about the past, present, and future of Crievewood. Our Thrive Team will host these conversations, listen intently, and then work together to form an action plan and strategies to help our church thrive in the 21st century.    The first of these conversations will be on Sunday, January 10, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm on Zoom. We want as many members of the Crievewood family to participate as possible from youth group age on up. We value your input, your stories, and your relationship with Crievewood and want to take as many perspectives into consideration as possible. We are asking everyone to use this form to RSVP with yes, no, or maybe for the conversation and to let us know via the same form if you need any help connecting via Zoom.Any monetary gift that you wish to be counted as a 2020 contribution should be in the church office by December 31. If you have ordered boxed giving envelopes, they will be available in the narthex on December 28th.UMW Cookbooks   The UMW thanks you for all your support and purchases of Sue Bean’s cookbook. If anyone would like to order additional copies, we have a master copy and will be happy to run off more cookbooks when preordered. I will not be able to have more cookbooks prior to Christmas, but if you email me at lauracbenson@aol.com, I will add your name to my list and make more copies as needed. The cookbooks are $10.00 per copy.  Please make your checks out to Crievewood UMW or you may leave cash in an envelope in the church office. Once again, thank you for all your support.  Laura C. Benson Thank YouThank you to our Crievewood family for all of the cards, prayers and kind words during the recent passing of my mom, Zelma Stroud. Love, Brenda and Keith Head Dec. 23 – John Stevens Dec. 25 – Blake Leyers and Rebecca McCloud Dec. 28 – Braxton Booth, Kensington Fuller, and Morgan Morrison Dec. 29 – Karla McVey and Kinsley Woodard Dec. 31 – Delores Sternenberg Jan. 1 – Bobby McCloud and Adam Lewis Jan. 2 – Ruth Shular     If you have a birthday between December 23 and January 5 and it does not appear in the list above, then it is not in our database.  We would like to celebrate with you.  If your birthday does not appear, please notify the church office at 615-832-2897.Still looking for more information?  Below are links that may help.   UM NewsLink to the Prayer ListCUMC Online GivingLive Stream Worship Sundays @ 10:45 a.m. 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.Copyright © 2020 Crievewood United Methodist Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up to receive the Crievewood United Methodist Church Newsletter. Our mailing address is: Crievewood United Methodist Church451 Hogan RoadNashville, Tn 37220 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

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Worship Materials and Bulletin January 3, 2021 Streaming License Number: 20160536  Copyright License: 2880734 Video License: 504308177  Weather permitting (clear and temperature above 45 degrees), we will offer an in-person, outdoor worship service at 9:30 Sunday morning. We will do our best to communicate via Facebook by 9:00 on Sunday morning if the outdoor service will not happen.  Each Sunday morning at 10:45, we will livestream a worship service to Facebook from inside the sanctuary (with no in-person congregation).  You can access the livestreamed service at https://www.facebook.com/CrievewoodUMC/ Communion will be offered at outdoor worship and through drive-up communion at 1:00 p.m.   Please share this bulletin with any members that you think might not see this email before Sunday.  Thank you.   Prayer List Ecumenical Prayer Cycle: Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine Cumberland River District Prayer Cycle: Providence UMC, Seay Chapel UMC, Statesville UMC  Crievewood UMC:   https://crievewoodumc.org/prayer-list/ (a password is necessary) Crievewood PrayerMost 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. Sympathy is extended to Jim and Karen Fuller, Jamie and Kristin Fuller, Nancy Rosdeutscher and Naomi Derryberry, and their families on the loss of Roberta Partin who died on December 29, 2020.   Worship Order  Words of Welcome: Rev. Chelsey Hedglin  Centering Music: Savior of the Nations, Come: Caleb Dinger, Piano   Opening Prayer:  Rev. John Hill  Hymns: Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies and We Three Kings Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies Verse 1 Christ, whose glory fills the skies, Christ, the true, the only light, Sun of Righteousness, arise, triumph o’er the shades of night;  Day-spring from on high, be near; Day-star, in my heart appear. Verse 2 Dark and cheerless is the morn unaccompanied by thee; joyless is the day’s return, till thy mercy’s beams I see; till they inward light impart, cheer my eyes and warm my heart. Verse 3 Visit then this soul of mine; pierce the gloom of sin and grief; fill me, Radiancy divine, scatter all my unbelief; more and more thyself display,  shining to the perfect day. We Three Kings Verse 1 We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.  O star of wonder, star of light,  star with royal beauty bright,  westward leading, still proceeding,  guide us to thy perfect light.  Verse 2 Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain,  gold I bring to crown him again,  King forever, ceasing never,  over us all to reign. O star of wonder, star of light,  star with royal beauty bright,  westward leading, still proceeding,  guide us to thy perfect light.  Verse 3 Frankincense to offer have I;  incense owns a Deity nigh;  prayer and praising, voices raising,  worshiping God on high. O star of wonder, star of light,  star with royal beauty bright,  westward leading, still proceeding,  guide us to thy perfect light.  Verse 4 Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume  breathes a life of gathering gloom;  sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,  sealed in the stone-cold tomb. O star of wonder, star of light,  star with royal beauty bright,  westward leading, still proceeding,  guide us to thy perfect light.  Verse 5 Glorious now behold him arise;  King and God and sacrifice:  Alleluia, Alleluia,  sounds through the earth and skies. O star of wonder, star of light,  star with royal beauty bright,  westward leading, still proceeding,  guide us to thy perfect light.   Apostles’ Creed (in unison): Rev. Chelsey HedglinI believe in God the Father Almighty,  maker of heaven and earth;  And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,  the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,  the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Scripture Reading:  Matthew 2:1-12:  Rev. Chelsey HedglinIn the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.”When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. Sermon: The Characters of Christmas – The Magi: Rev. John Hill  Instrumental Reflection: Emmanuel, God Incarnate: Caleb Dinger, Piano  Pastoral Prayer: Rev. Chelsey Hedglin Invitation to Offer Tithes and Gifts: Rev. Chelsey Hedglin https://onrealm.org/CrievewoodUMC/Give Offertory Anthem: Carol of the Epiphany:  Hailee Hunt-Hawkins, Vocalist/Caleb Dinger, Piano    Carol of the Epiphany Verse 1 I sought him dressed in finest clothes,  where money talks and status grows; but power and wealth he never chose: It seemed he lived in poverty. Verse 2 I sought him in the safest place, remote from crime or cheap disgrace; but safety never knew his face: It seemed he lived in jeopardy. Verse 3 I sought him where the spotlights glare, where, crowds collect and critics stare; but no one knew his presence there:  It seemed he lived in obscurity. Verse 4 Then, in the streets, we heard the word that seemed, for all the world, absurd:   That those who could no gifts afford were entertaining Christ the Lord. Verse 5 And so, distinct from all we’d planned, among the poorest of the land, we did what few might understand: We touched God in a baby’s hand.    Invitation to the Table:  Rev. John Hill Prayer of Confession:  Rev. John Hill    Kyrie Words of Assurance:Hear the Good News: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. That proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. Glory to God! Amen. The Great Thanksgiving:  Rev. John Hill and Rev. Chelsey Hedglin Holy Communion Closing Hymn: The First Noel The First Noel  Verse1 The first Noel the angel did say  was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;  in fields where they lay keeping their sheep,  on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.  Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,  born is the King of Israel. Verse 2 They looked up and saw a star  shining in the east, beyond them far;  and to the earth it gave great light,  and so it continued both day and night. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,  born is the King of Israel. Verse 3 And by the light of that same star  three Wise Men came from country far;  to seek for a king was their intent,  and to follow the star wherever it went.  Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,  born is the King of Israel.  Verse 4 This star drew nigh to the northwest,  o’er Bethlehem it took its rest;  and there it did both stop and stay,  right over the place where Jesus lay.  Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,  born is the King of Israel.  Verse 5 Then entered in those Wise Men three,  full reverently upon the knee,  and offered there, in his presence,  their gold and myrrh and frankincense.  Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,  born is the King of Israel.   Benediction:  Rev. John Hill

Copyright © 2020 Crievewood United Methodist Church, All rights reserved.  You are receiving this email because you signed up to receive the Crievewood United Methodist Church Newsletter.  Our mailing address is:  Crievewood United Methodist Church451 Hogan RoadNashville, Tn 37220 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.