The Sermon Title: Shifting Our Focus

Rev. Harriet J. Bryan

The Scripture Lesson: Numbers 21: 4b-9

The Gospel: John 3: 13-17

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HURRICANE RELIEF

As the devastation in the hurricane's path continues to unfold, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is moving to respond. Along with our prayers, the most immediate need is for funds, which can be given directly to UMCOR (Advance #901670) by clicking here  or you can give online through Madison Street by  clicking here . Just be sure to put in the comments "Hurricane Relief."

Donations can also be made during worship through MSUMC by noting Hurricane relief on your gift check or envelope.

Thank you for concern and desire to offer Christian care to these neighbors in the storm's wake. Since this will be a long-term recovery, we'll stay on top of relief efforts and share information as it becomes available.

THRIVE: FOOD, FELLOWSHIP & STUDY  

Menu for September 20th: Lasagna, cucumber & tomato salad, garlic bread, and brownies with ice cream. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for children 6-12, $2 for children 3-5, and free for children 2 and under. No family pays over $20. Come enjoy a fabulous dinner and wonderful study! There are activities for all ages.

SUNDAY MORNING SMALL GROUP STUDY OPPORTUNITY 

Beginning Sunday morning, October 22 through November 26, (6 weeks) the study of Islam will be presented during the 9 o'clock hour. Two guest speakers, experts, have been secured, various sources have been identified, and quite a few adults have shown interest in participating. 

And there is still room for more. During October, you will have the opportunity to sign up so that we will have enough space for everyone. Keep watching this newsletter for information.        

If you are interested or have questions, email Jenny Parris or call 931.553.0433.

Upcoming Student Ministries Event

Students in grades 5-12 are invited to participate in the next Student Ministries event—an outing to Clarksville Zombie Hunters on Oct 7th, 5-8 pm. The cost is $22/per person and must be paid online at the time of registration. To register for this event, click here. Deadline to register is Sunday, October 1st. If any parents wish to attend, please email Grant Perry, to see if you need to register.

Third & Fourth Grade Celebration!

All third and fourth graders are invited to attend a Back to Sunday School Celebration at the home of Aaron & Katy Olita on Sunday, September 17th from 12:00-2:00. Children will be served lunch and have a swimming party.

Family Pumpkin Palooza!

Join in a day of Fall Family Fun on Saturday, September 30, from 10:00-2:00 for the Pumpkin Palooza at Patterson Place Farm. Families and children of all ages are invited on this fellowship outing for fall in which children will enjoy fun activities and pumpkins galore! Church families will meet at 10:00am at 2480 Patterson Road in Woodlawn, Tennessee, and enjoy an afternoon together exploring and playing. The admission price for Pumpkin Palooza is $5.00. This includes pony rides, hay ride, zoo, campfire cooking (which is always delicious) and live music. At the end children or adults can pick out a pumpkin. They droppable-1505486267606usually start at $1.00. No registration is required, and we hope to see you there!

Wellness Wednesdays

6:00 pm-7:00 pm

Join us on Wednesdays evenings for some fitness & fellowship!

Men's basketball - gym

Women's fitness - CLC Activity Room (next to the gym)

    Sept 20 ~Tabata

    Sept 27 ~Kickboxing

F.U.E.L. has moved!

The F.U.E.L. ministry room is now in a bright and clean new space! Come and visit the new location in the Fellowship Hall and bring donations of peanut butter crackers. Many thanks to Tom Perry, Mark Hodges, Tom Rives, John Wamble and Luke Brockett for construction work. We also give thanks for Judy & Gary Smith for serving as the moving team as well as the ongoing F.U.E.L. coordinators! Monetary donations are always accepted and greatly appreciated.

Reading Buddies

A new ministry opportunity will kick-off on October 16! Reading Buddies is a chance to join with our school partner, Moore Magnet Elementary, and help build literacy skills and confidence in young readers. You will meet each week one on one with a child to read and/or listen in an effort to promote a strong literacy foundation while offering the care and encouragement each student needs to thrive!

The Reading Buddy orientation will be held on Wednesday, October 4th at 9:00 a.m. at the school, 1350 Madison Street. Online registration will be available September 25. For more information, contact Katy Olita.

Christmas for Kids ~Save the Date

December 3rd ~Christmas gift collection during worship

December 9th ~Christmas for Kids Store in the gym

We will need lots of volunteers and gifts!

How You Can Support our Partner Schools

Norman Smith Elementary School

Moore Magnet Elementary School

All donations will be received at the Commerce Street Entrance. Thank you!

Louisiana Saturday Night

Loaves & Fishes Fundraiser

First Presbyterian Activities Center

(corner of Foster and 3rd St.)

Saturday, October 7th, 4:30-7:00 pm

Dine in or Carry out

Tickets are $10 each and includes chicken & sausage gumbo, slaw, roll, praline and a drink. For more information email [email protected] or call 931.645.9020. Go to www.eventbrite.com for online tickets.

Feeling led to help out in the area of Congregational Care?

Thinking about Serving From the Heart? There are a variety of ministries to engage in. Driving folks to church who need transportation, visit the homebound, share Holy Communion, arrange and deliver flowers to homebound members, knit or crochet a prayer shawl, join with the Prayer Chain who offer immediate, confidential prayer, cook meals to freeze for later delivery, send packages and notes of encouragement to our deployed soldiers. If your heart is leading you to engage in any of these ministry activities, please email Laurie Hynson or call 931.647.0221 for more information.

SERENDIPITY OUTINGS PLANNED

We have two events planned for September. The first is a trip to Murfreesboro to attend a conference featuring Retired Bishop Kenneth Carder. Many of you may know and love him. The conference is entitled The Ministry of the Local Church to Those Living With Alzheimer's and Dementia. It will be held at St. Marks UMC on Thursday, September 21, from 9:00am - 2:30pm. We will leave the church parking lot at 7:30am and arrive home around 4pm. The cost is $15.00, but includes a buffet lunch. To register call Pam Carlson at 502.320.4699. 

On Saturday, September 23 we will head to Cumberland City and feast on schnitzel, raising money for the Cumberland City fire station. More details will follow as to time and address of the event. Come and enjoy an evening out.