McKENDREE MINISTRIES!

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES  are regularly at 9am and 11am.  (On Fifth Sundays we have one combined worship service at 10am.)  Our December Sermon Series is “Unbreakable Gifts for Christmas!”  Every Christmas we will spend money on those right gifts.  Many of these gifts will get broken or no longer work.  What if this year we gave Unbreakable Gifts for Christmas?  Imagine giving Hope, Love, Joy and Peace to family, friends and especially strangers.  The gospel offers insight in preparation for our Savior Jesus coming into the world.  As we prepare this Advent Season for Jesus, what gifts are we expecting and what gifts are we giving this Christmas?  Let’s follow Jesus’ example and give Unbreakable Gifts!

McKENDREE FAMILY CHRISTMAS, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10!
— 9am – Worship Service, Sanctuary

— 10am – Children’s Christmas Program, Fellowship Hall

— Covered Dish Fellowship Meal.   McKendree is providing turkey, ham and rolls.  Please bring side dishes and desserts to share.

— Pastor Stephen will share a message, and we will sing carols.

We invite everyone to come and enjoy this Christmas time with us!

BAPTISM  If you are interested in being baptized, please contact Ruth in the church office at mckendreeinfo@gmail.com or 615-271-2600.

ENCOUNTER MINISTRY   We invite you to join us on Sunday afternoons at 12:30pm at the offices of the United Methodist Publishing House on 2222 Rosa L. Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN.  The Encounter is an alternative service for those who feel “church” is not for them.  We are disrupting the passive model of Christian gathering and building bridges of hope around tables where we encounter God in and with our neighbor and engage the neighborhood.  For more information on our Encounter Ministry, you may contact Rick Quinn at mckendreerick@gmail.com.

REFRESH! is our mid-week gathering.  We meet in the first floor chapel each Wednesday, 12:00-12:30pm.  Our worship includes prayers, music, a message and Holy Communion.  Everyone is invited to attend.

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McKENDREE GROUP MINISTRIES!

UMW NEWS  YOU ARE INVITED:
WHAT: United Methodist Women

WHEN: December 2, 2017 at 10:00

WHERE: Home of Debbie McCormick, 2084 Traemoor Village Dr., Nashville, 37209 (directions below)

PROGRAM PRESENTERS: Karen Maynard Lelia Beasley

FOOD: Provided

BRING: (as able or desired) A gift for Bethlehem Center of Nashville (suggestions listed below)

REQUEST: Carpool, if you can, as parking is limited.

Directions to Debbie’s home: To 2084 Traemoor Village Drive take I-40W toward Memphis.  Take exit 199 (Old Hickory Blvd exit).  Turn right onto Old Hickory Blvd.  Cross over Charlotte Pike intersection; go straight ahead past Dollar General.  Turn left into Traemoor Village Community.  Turn left inside the townhouse community.  Go straight ahead and her home is slightly right in front of you.  Extra parking to the right by the pool house.

YOUR CHOICE OF SOME ITEMS ON PANTRY LIST FOR BETHLEHEM CENTER OF NASHVILLE:

Cleaning supplies – disinfectant wipes, dust mops, Pine Sol, liquid laundry detergent

Kitchen supplies – paper towels, oven gloves, salt/pepper shakers, kitchen towels, pot holders, dishwashing liquid, hands free can opener, kitchen rugs/mats, measuring cups, healthy snacks, scented candles, clock with big numbers, flashlights with batteries, batteries (AA, AAA)

Personal items – toilet paper, hand sanitizer, soap, shampoo, washcloths, Kleenex, deodorant, Depend (adult diapers), women’s socks

Craft items – construction paper, art paint, tissue paper, puzzles, big print books, coloring books for adults, crossword puzzle books, picture frames, storage bins, file folders

YOUTH FUNDRAISER   Do you like tea – Organic Green Tea, Earl Gray or English Breakfast Tea?  How about chocolate – Caramel Crunch with Sea Salt, Dark Chocolate with Almonds, Ecuadorian Dark Chocolate?  Or coffee – Ethiopian, French Roast, Organic Decaf?

Our youth are selling items from Equal Exchange Co-op – coffees, teas, and chocolate.  The money raised will be used for our youth to participate in Warmth in Winter (youth retreat) in January.  This Sunday (December 3) is the last day to place an order!  Items will be here and distributed on Sunday, December 17.  (You pay for them at that time.)  Check out this link to see the entire catalog: http://equalexchange.coop/sites/default/files/communitysales/fundraising/catalog.pdf.  These coffees, teas and chocolates make excellent Christmas gifts.

Your purchase supports more than just McKendree Church; it helps support farmers worldwide! Equal Exchange trades fairly and directly with over 40 small farmer co-operatives to bring you delicious coffee, chocolate, tea and more.   Their partners receive pre-harvest credit, above-market prices for their crops, plus an additional Fair Trade premium that can be invested in social programs, farm renovation, and other essential projects.  Your support helps promote a more equitable, sustainable and democratic food system.  Thank you!

Be sure to see our youth this Sunday to place an order!

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE!

BUENA VISTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE  For several years, McKendree Church has done Angel Tree gifts for the students at Rose Park School.  Our Pencil Partner School this year, Buena Vista Elementary, does not need that type of assistance.  They do need food to send home with the families to help out over the winter break.  Last year the school had 150 families that took home food bags.  You can purchase these items and bring them to the church.  Or you can order them on Amazon and have them delivered to the school.  Their address is 1531 9th Avenue North, Nashville, TN  37208.   Wednesday, December 6th will be the last day to bring items to the church or have them arrive at the school if shipped by Amazon.

The food items most needed are: crackers, juice boxes, fruit snacks, granola bars, cereals, pretzels/chips, Easy Mac & cheese, Goldfish crackers, fruit cups, microwaveable pasta bowls (Ramen noodles, ravioli, etc.)

CLOTHES CLOSET NEEDS!   We are in great need of help to fold, sort and put away the clothing!  This can be done in the morning or afternoon, works with your schedule, when the closet is NOT open to the public.  Please contact Ruth at 615-271-2600 or at mckendreeinfo@gmail.com if you can help.

We also need:  plastic bags  (Walgreens, Kroger, Publix, etc.) and men’s winter clothing!  Donations may be brought to the church on Sunday or during the week (call Ruth before you come).

CLIMATE SERVICE AND CANDLELIGHT VIGIL  In support of the Paris Climate Accord, there will be a Candlelight Vigil Service on Thursday, December 7 at 5pm in front of the Federal Building, 801 Broadway, in downtown Nashville.  An Interfaith Service will follow at 6:30pm at Christ Church Cathedral, 900 Broadway.  Everyone is welcome to attend and participate.

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CHURCH FAMILY NEWS

PRAYER WALL  Our prayer wall is located on the table at the back of the church.  You may take a tag (in a box on the table), write out your prayer need, and place it on a nail in the wall.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays the Lead Team and Prayer Team pray over all the concerns submitted.  We welcome people from our congregation to submit concerns and to read and pray over the concerns of our church body.

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McKENDREE GIVING  Your financial gifts and donations are always appreciated.  Consider adding McKendree UMC to your bill pay account.  Our address is: 523 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37219.  Online giving is available at www.McKendreeNashville.com/give/financialgifts/.

As always, remember God’s will for us is good, we must do the rest!
Pastor Stephen