Youth group & Jubilation are back this Sunday at new times

Our youth activities return this Sunday, March 26, with Jubilation rehearsal in the Choir Room at 5:00 PM and then the whole group gets together at 5:30 PM in Carpenter Chapel.

Parents and students alike are invited to have dinner and join us for fellowship! We will share a meal together and then our parents will head to the chapel to meet with Pastor Clay and our students will split into Chi-Rho and CYF groups to do some fun activities. 

Discover Your Spiritual Gifts class April 12

Beth Pattilo, Jay Hutchens, and Tammy Morgan are launching a new Wednesday night class with two parts designed to help you identify and understand your spiritual gifts and ministry strengths. During the class, they will work closely with you to discover ways you can nurture and resource your gifts and strengths as well as activate them to serve others! 

• Part 1: Three Wednesday nights - April 12, 19, & 26 on Discovering your Spiritual Gifts

• Part 2: Three Wednesday nights - May 3, 10, & 17 on Activating Your Ministry Strengths using the Clifton Strengths Finder

The class will meet on the Wednesdays above at 6:00 PM the Boardroom. You may take one part or both parts of the class. 

To register, click on the button below!  

Maundy Thursday service April 6

Ecumenical Good Friday service April 7

Join us as ministers and members of five nearby churches come together for an ecumenical service at noon on Good Friday, April 7, at noon in our sanctuary.

Please welcome Dr. Rubel Shelly who has served at Woodmont Hills and Harpeth Hills Church of Christ, Dr. Mike Glenn, Senior Pastor of Brentwood Baptist, Dr. Nathan Parker, Senior Pastor of Woodmont Baptist, and Rev. BJ Brack, Senior Pastor of Calvary Methodist.

We will also have a livestream available.

Easter Egg Hunt April 8

The annual Easter Egg Hunt is on Saturday, April 8, at 10:00 AM at Campbell West. In addition to inflatables, Friends Life Treat Truck is back with yummy treats, Coffee Cart Nashville will be there with caffeine for parents, and, of course, an egg hunt for littles and the big kids! We will have lunch immediately after and hope you plan to stay and fellowship with one another. 

Easter services April 9

In his book The Road to Character, David Brooks raises the following questions in the final chapter:

• Toward what should I orient my life?
• Who am I and what is my nature?
• How do I mold my nature to make it gradually better day by day?
• What virtues are the most important to cultivate and what weaknesses should I fear the most?
• How can I raise my children with a true sense of who they are and a practical set of ideas about how to travel the long road to character?

Asking the right questions is important in life, especially as followers of Christ. These are significant questions, important questions. Many people ask the wrong questions in life, more shallow and superficial questions. 

I can grow frustrated with the superficiality and lack of depth that permeates much of our culture. What do I mean by this? I mean that many people are unwilling or unable to get past superficial conversation, surface-level stuff. Yet all of us long to go deeper, to connect on a deeper level. But this requires trust and vulnerability, and many people are not willing to be vulnerable. It requires a deep sense of humility, an admission that we are all flawed and don’t have it all together. The biblical word for this is “sin”. We are all broken, to some degree – it’s part of the human condition. 

Brooks says this about humility, “In the struggle against your own weakness, humility is the greatest virtue. Humility is having an accurate assessment of your own nature and your own place in the cosmos. Humility is an awareness that you are an underdog in the struggle against your own weakness. Humility is an awareness that your individual talents alone are inadequate to the tasks assigned to you. Humility reminds you that you are not the center of the universe, but you serve a larger order.” 

Of course, pride and ego get in the way. Wanting to be important, wanting to feel important. Wanting others to think highly of us. Pride is a very complicated topic. Jesus echoed this sentiment in Mark’s gospel when he said, “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.” 

Maintaining a deep sense of humility is important as we journey through life. In one of his Enneagram presentations a few years ago, Hunter Mobley made it clear that we all struggle with something. We all have a vice or tendency that we constantly wrestle with. It might be anger, pride, deceit, envy, greed, fear, gluttony, lust, and sloth – these challenges are real sins and must be acknowledged. These things greatly affect our relationships with others. But these behaviors do not need to define us. These are simply obstacles on the human journey that we must work to overcome. 

The Apostle Paul writes in Romans about our inner struggle: “I do not understand my own actions, for I do not do what I want but I do the very thing that I hate.” Growing in discipleship involves making a conscious effort to do better and to be better. What we all must do is be honest about where we struggle, pray to God for guidance, and seek to keep growing every day.

P.S. - If you are the parent of a fifth – twelfth grader, we are actively seeking your input on how we can best serve and support our young people in the future.  Click here to take a brief survey designed just for you.

Welcome, new member!

Sarah Belsito Allen

Young Professionals & Couples Lenten Bible Study Sundays at 10:45 AM at Campbell West

Youth Moms Group moved to Thursday, March 23, 6:30 PM due to Spring Break

Typically meeting on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM at Campbell West, our Youth Moms Small Group is a time for all moms with youth of sixth through twelfth grade to come and enjoy appetizers and drinks, talk about life, and talk about the ups and downs of raising teens. Contact Tammy Morgan for questions or more info tammy@woodmontcc.org

Child dedications

Sunday, March 19

Mackenzie Elizabeth Jordan, daughter of Zach & Sarah Jordan

Everett Matthew Cornett, son of Nathan & Kara Cornett

"Jesus, Elon, & Us" this Sunday

 Dr. Clay Stauffer

"Why Jesus?" series

Mark 10:17-27

Our Sunday schedule is:

• 8:30 AM – Breakfast in Drowota Hall
• 9:30 AM – Informal service in the sanctuary with livestream
• 9:40 AM – The Bridge service in the chapel with livestream
• 11:00 AM – Traditional service in the sanctuary

Woodmont has authorized a new mission group for assistance to individuals who have been affected by natural disasters called Houses of Hope.

We will need approximately 12 to 15 volunteers on Saturday, April 22, to build pre-fabricated exterior walls for homes destroyed by tornadoes, hurricanes, and flooding. One home typically takes approximately four hours to build and we are hoping to complete two homes for our first build. If you are interested, contact Beth Sowell at bethsowell@comcast.net or (615) 512-2242.

In addition to construction volunteers, our grilling ministry needs 3-4 volunteers to help serve lunch on April 22 for the Houses of Hope team.  We need 3-4 volunteers and anyone is welcome! Please email Rob Smith at robeycotton@gmail.com to volunteer for food service.

Guatemala mission trip

March 4-11

Bethany Hills camp is open for summer registration!

Send your child to one of the world’s most Christ-filled places to be surrounded by other Disciples of Christ youth from across the state! Visit tndisciples.org/bethany-hills for more information and to sign up.

• Discovery Camp Grades K-2 May 30-June 2
• JR Camp Grades 3-5 May 30-June 3
• Chi Rho Camp Grades 6-7 July 23-27
• Eighters Camp Grade 8 June 11-17 (held in conjunction with the Kentucky region at their camp, Wakon’ Da-Ho)
• CYF Camp Grades 9-12 June 5-10
• Post High Weekend 1st -2nd Year of College July 14-16

Do you love Bethany Hills Camp? Do you want to ensure these sacred spaces are kept up for future generations? Please consider helping at a work day at camp on Saturday, March 25. RSVP and for more information, contact Joan Hale at the Disciples of Christ regional office, joan@tndisciples.org.

Recent CWF service projects

The women of Circle #5 treated the students at the Disciples of Christ Vanderbilt Divinity House to a home-cooked dinner and treats.

CWF also recently collected dish towels for the Divinity House, Campbell West, and our church kitchen. CWF's next meeting will be in the evening on April 4 at 5:45 PM.

Sanctuary and chapel open for reflection beginning March 22

During the season of Lent, we commit ourselves to growing our relationship with God and nurturing the promises we have made to our faith. Many of us find this by being alone and present with God in places of quiet through reflective and contemplative prayer.

Woodmont will be opening the church for members to come to our quiet and spiritual space in the sanctuary and chapel for the last three weeks of Lent. The Worship Committee would like to encourage you to find personal time to spend with God... alone in silence... praying... listening for the grace of faith renewal.

The sanctuary or chapel will be open from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM on the following days:

• Wed, March 22 - Chapel
• Thurs, March 23 - Sanctuary
• Fri, March 24 - Sanctuary

• Wed, March 29 - Chapel
• Thurs, March 30 - Sanctuary
• Fri, March 31 - Sanctuary

• Wed, April 5 - Chapel

Doors will be open at each of the respective locations at the times above. Questions? Contact Rich Sanderson, Chair of the Woodmont Worship Committee, at rjsanderson22@gmail.com

Wednesday night dinner continues at 5:30 p.m. followed by 6:15 p.m. classes

Dr. Ben Curtis is offering a class on Getting Involved with God which will focus on a book of the same title by Ellen Davis in the Boardroom. “This is a book about getting, and staying, involved with God – what it takes, what it costs, what it looks and feels like, why anyone would want to do it anyway,” says Davis.

Rev. Jay Hutchens is offering a class focusing on the familiar question, “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?” in Room 200. Using Dr. A.J. Levine’s short and accessible book Witness at the Cross as a springboard for conversation, Jay is exploring and discussing the backgrounds of many who were present the day Jesus died. Each of the perspectives will help inform and shape your understanding of the significance of Jesus’ death and how we live today as “people of the cross.”

Dr. Roy Stauffer is leading a class offering a realistic look at spirituality in our daily living in the modern world in Room 105. Beginning with an understanding of what spirituality means, the class will discuss how we know and experience God, different ways of praying, and how we relate to others spiritually. How does our everyday life, including even how we talk to or with others, express our spirituality... or lack thereof? This class is intended to not just discuss spirituality but to experience it.

Fisk University Tour presented by Woodmont's Racial Bridges Ministry March 25

On Saturday, March 25, you're invited to tour Fisk University, a key element of African-American and Nashville history for more than 150 years! The visit will include the Carl Van Vechten Art Gallery, Jubilee Hall, Memorial Hall, as well as a discussion about Fisk and social justice. Karen Woolridge will also speak about her connection to Fisk through multiple generations of the Work family, notable faculty, and musicians. The group will meet at Woodmont in front of the mansion at 10:20 AM for group transportation. After the tour, the group will have lunch in the Fisk area.

First "Apawstles" meeting March 26

Our new "Apawstles" group is having it's first meeting Sunday, March 26, at 11:00 AM at Campbell West.

This group explores how we experience the presence and power of God in “non-human species” as creatures with a role in the kingdom of heaven who are endowed with the capacity to help resolve unresolved emotions in humans. The goal is to increase understanding of God’s providence and interaction with creation through his furry, four-legged messengers. The group will meet for eight weeks and discuss the book Your Dog is Your Mirror by the late Kevin Behan, a veteran police dog trainer. There is no need to be a pet owner - curiosity and an open mind are sufficient! Contact David (Tito) La Rosa at dr_larosa@hotmail.com

G.E.M.S. March 28

Our next G.E.M.S. luncheon is Tuesday, March 28, at noon in Room 105.

David Ewing will speak about the conversion of Tom Ryman by Rev. Sam Jones and why he built the Union Gospel Tabernacle, which is now the Ryman Auditorium.

Ewing is a ninth-generation Nashvillian, historian, tour guide, and history consultant.  The Nashville Scene referred to him as "the esteemed unofficial Nashville historian" and The Tennessean recently said he is "known for uncovering cool and important bits of Nashville history."

In 2016 David served as a historical consultant for the Ryman Auditorium and worked with them to successfully remove the old confederate gallery sign from the balcony, which had been there since 1892. He is currently writing a book on the history of the Ryman Auditorium.

Lunch will be Cracker Barrel and RSVP must be in by 10:00 AM on Monday, March 27.  Make reservations by calling the church office (615) 297-8563, emailing jan@woodmontcc.org, or signing in to onrealm.org

Unbound Guatemala Zoom event In the Loop March 30

You’re invited to an exclusive opportunity to hear directly from Unbound staff in Guatemala! Join us for a special online Zoom event called "In the Loop: Guatemala" on Thursday, March 30, at noon. Click here to reserve your spot today!

Join Unbound team members in Guatemala and from our world headquarters via Zoom for the latest updates including:  

• Status of program operations in Guatemala
• Real-life examples of the resilience of the families in our program  
• How correspondence between sponsors and sponsored friends works 
• A sneak peek into what our staff in Guatemala is most looking forward to

Join The Bridge band in studio April 2

Andra Moran and Teddy Morgan are extending an open call to whoever would like to join them to sing together on a track in a historic studio in Nashville on Sunday, April 2, from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM. No previous experience or serious musical ability is required - just joy and a willingness to share your spirit and voice with this creative undertaking.

The band is limited to the number of people that can be in the tracking room at one time, so contact Andra at andra@andramoran.com to reserve your spot.

Watch sermon "Self-Denial in a Self-Centered World"

Church calendar

Sunday, March 26

8:30 AM Breakfast, Drowota Hall

9:30 AM 21st Century Class, Boardroom

9:30 AM Disciples Class, Room 105

10:45 AM Young Professionals Lent Bible Study, Campbell West

10:45 AM Reflections Class, Room 200

10:45 AM Connections Class, Room 100

11:00 AM Points of View Class, Room 105

3:00 PM Pickleball, Drowota Hall

4:00 PM Disciples Class, Room 200

4:45 Jubilation Ensemble, Choir Room

5:00 PM Disciples Class Dinner, Drowota Hall

5:00 PM Leadership Woodmont, Campbell West

5:00 Youth Group, Carpenter Chapel

Monday, March 27

3:00 PM "Geezers," Boardroom

Tuesday, March 28

9:30 AM Women's Prayer Group, Boardroom

12:00 PM G.E.M.S. Luncheon, Room 105

6:30 PM Alateen (ages 12-19), South Hall

6:30 PM Parents Al-Anon Group, Room 105

8:00 PM AA Meeting, South Hall

Wednesday, March 29

6:00 AM Men's Small Group, Room 107

7:00 AM Younger Men's Bible Study, Boardroom

8:00 AM "Original" Men's Bible Study, Room 105

4:00 PM WTB Committee Meeting, Room 107

5:30 PM Wednesday Fellowship Dinner, Drowota Hall

5:30 PM Grace Notes Rehearsal, Kids' Commons

6:00 PM DivorceCare, The Bay Room

6:00 PM GriefShare, Room 107

6:15 PM Ben Curtis "Getting Involved with God," The Boardroom

6:15 PM Jay Hutchens "Witness at the Cross", Room 200

6:15 PM Roy Stauffer "Spirituality in the Modern World," Room 105

6:15 PM JYF, Kids' Commons

6:30 PM Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

Thursday, March 30

10:00 AM Sit & Stitch, Gathering Hall

1:00 PM Mahjong Group, Gathering Hall

5:30 PM Handbells Rehearsal, Choir Room

6:30 PM Andra Moran Virtual Vespers, Zoom

6:30 PM Nar-Anon, Room 105

8:00 PM AA Meeting, South Hall 

Friday, March 31

Room In The Inn

3:00 PM Pickleball, Drowota Hall

Saturday, April 1

Room In The Inn

10:00 AM Al-Anon, Drowota Hall