The Woodmont Word E-Newsletter

The Woodmont Word

E-Newsletter

A Family of Faith on Mission

January 2017

Thompson's Text

When Choosing a Church

A recent study revealed some interesting information for churches and church leaders for those seeking to find a new church home.

About half of adults in the United States have gone shopping for a new church home or other religious congregations at some point in their lives, according to Pew Research.

The most common reason: Moving . One in 3 shoppers for a new place of worship (34 percent) went looking because of a move. One in 10 disagreed with a former pastor or other clergy. Seven percent had problems with their old place of worship. Five percent had a change in personal beliefs.

Steve

Reese's Pieces

The days following Christmas always find me in a state of melancholy. The fun, the excitement, the family togetherness of Christmas--a day toward which I literally start counting down on December 26--gives way to bittersweet nostalgia, thoughts of uncertainty about the coming year, utter disbelief at how freakishly fast one year fades into the next, and the painful reminder that I am moving in the opposite direction of younger.

Many are considering 2016 to have been a particularly discouraging and unsettling time, for various reasons. And, for various reasons, I have to agree with them. It's been a pretty dark year.

But lo and behold, in the midst of that darkness, a baby boy brought light and joy beyond belief into my world and turned an otherwise rather dismal chunk of history into what I will forever remember as the year I became a grandfather...more specifically, a Pop-Pop.

I can't help being reminded of that other Baby Boy who brought light and joy to the world. In fact, today I've been listening to songs about His victory over death and the grave...songs that our choir and orchestra will share with you in a few months...songs about new life and second chances...songs that resurrect our tattered hope and assure us that the best is yet to come.

So, this is the stuff that pulled me up out of my post-Christmas blues this year: two baby boys who changed my life and the determination that I will help them become forever friends.

Kevin

Praises from Personal Ministries

The Value of a Voucher

Can a gasoline voucher be worth more than its cash value at the pump?

One of our clients has been battling kidney disease since 2004 and began receiving assistance from our Personal Ministries Department in January of 2015. This past November we received a request from his dialysis center for assistance with transportation expenses for an annual transplant evaluation in Nashville. We were able to provide him with a gas voucher which allowed him to keep his appointment for this important medical exam.

On December 1st, he came into the Church office with a handwritten "Thank You" letter and an exciting story to share. Here is part of his note to us: "I am so thankful, because that voucher enabled me to keep my position on the transplant waiting list, and today I have received an offer for a donated kidney."

We are delighted to report that he received his new kidney on December 3rd and is scheduled to be released from the hospital to a rehab facility the last week in December!

Our favorite quote on the bulletin board in our office is so applicable here:

"Ministry takes place when divine resources meet human needs through

loving channels to the glory of God." Warren Wiersbe

Praising God for the opportunities God provides for us to show His love to those in need.

Becky and Loretta

Singles' Ministry

Singles Leadership Retreat - January 6 & 7

Smoky Mountain Singles Retreat- January 13-16

DivorceCare & DC4K- begins on January 30th

This encouraging seminar will meet weekly for 13 weeks

on Monday nights in B-hall at Woodmont.

Workbooks for adult program are $10.

No cost otherwise.

DC4K - divorce recovery for kids ages 5-12 years
Childcare for younger children may be available with advanced registration.

Belinda

Children's Ministry

A s I reflect on 2016 it has been one of the most trying times of my life, but I do know this, that God was with me every step of the way. Never have I been to two baby's funerals and a child's funeral in one year. I want to emphasize that God has truly shown Himself to me through this year.

Belinda and I attended a conference to further our education of our ministries. She had some classes that she attended and I did too. One of my classes was how to minister to hurting families. Boy I sure could use this this year. I learned more about being patient with families and letting them start the conversation and me not overtake their thoughts or tell them how to feel. I learned some things that will be with me for the rest of my life.

2016 was a trying year for me personally, with a diagnosis again of cancer and traveling to and from Vanderbilt. It can be tiring and overwhelming. The first day I got there one of my friends that works for Lifeway met me there. She had finished her treatments the exact place I was going. To have a friend walk you through what to do and where to go is invaluable.

I absolutely love my church family. Never did I have to be out of pocket for gas to and from Vanderbilt because of the generosity of several of my brothers and sisters in Christ. My family didn't starve, and we are so thankful for the many meals that were brought to us. I don't know what the future holds for this cancer, but I do know the One in control. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for loving and caring for me in 2016. Now let's have a good 2017.

God Bless You All!

Denise

55 and Older Join Us For These Upcoming Events...

Game Days - Thursday, Jan. 5, and Jan. 26, East Campus. Bring a "Finger Food" and join us at 12:30 p.m. for lunch and games.

Monthly Luncheon - Thursday, Jan. 19, at 12 noon. Our speaker will be Gary Green who is always entertaining and interesting. Our meal will be pot luck so bring a dish to share and join us for a wonderful meal and enjoy great fellowship. The sign-up sheet for the luncheon will be in the breezeway.

***NOTE: We are changing the time to 12 Noon to give our food and decoration committees more time in the morning to prepare.***

We invite anyone who has not attended one of our Luncheons to visit and experience this nice event. It is a great way to meet Primetimers in our church and to get better acquainted with the ones you know. Watch the bulletin for trips, Game Days, and special events during 2017.

Happy New Year!

Frances Moore