Clark Memorial United Methodist Church A community sharing God's love through learning, worship, witness and service Volume 15 Issue #4
APRIL 2017
THE CONNECTION
This Issue The Great Mistake ...p.1 The "Write" Reverend...p.1 New District Superintendent ...p.1 From the Editor... p.2 Clark Spotlight ... p.2 Prayer List...p.3 B'days APRIL...p.3 Lectionary/Bible Trivia...p.3 April Calendar...p.4 Announcements...p.4 Rehearsal Schedule...p.4 In Sympathy... p.4
will be available to purchase in honor/ memory of loved ones. It is a special recognition to those we cherish as well as an adornment for the church for Easter. Please note that flowers not picked up are shared with those who are in nursing homes or homebound and someone who needs to be uplifted. The Arts Guild thanks you for your continued support in this ministry!
The GREAT Mistake By Wanda Clay
It was quite a tumultuous week during Jesus last seven days on earth as a man…Jesus rides a donkey into town, making his triumphant entrance into the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday! The people lay down palm leaves and shout, “Hosanna!” The next day Jesus goes to the temple where he has to drive out the “money changers.” In celebration of the Passover Jesus got with his disciples in the Upper Room on Maundy Thursday. He washes their feet and has a final meal with them as they reminisce over the events that have already occurred. He also attempts to let them know what lies ahead and gives them another commandment... to love one another and eat and drink in his remembrance (we know this as Holy Communion). Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples, leaves to betray Jesus. Jesus is arrested. Another of Jesus’ disciples, Peter, denies knowing Jesus. He was tried in a “kangaroo” court and sentenced to death. Jesus was beaten, paraded through the streets, nailed to a cross and lifted between two thieves. That was a GREAT mistake! They lifted him up! Later he was taken down and put in a borrowed tomb. Early that Sunday morning, Easter…Mary Magdeline arrived at the tomb where he was buried to find that the stone had been rolled away and he was not there! Jesus lives! "And, If I be lifted up . . ." John 12:32 ~~~ Palm Sunday ~ April 9, 2017 @ 8am/10:45 am worship Maundy Thursday~April 13, 2017 @ 6 pm Easter Sunday ~ April 16, 2017 9 am Sunday School prgm Easter Morning Worship service ~ 10:45 am
Rev. Dr. Kennard Murray new District Superintendent for the Red River District
The decision was made at the 2016 Annual Conference to authorize moving from seven districts to five which will enable us to do the following: • Fewer districts will allow our District Superintendents, as missional strategists, to more easily collaborate in creating training and resources through categories of churches with similar context and size. • The District Superintendents will partner with Rev. Melinda Britt, Director of Connectional Ministries, to identify trained leaders who will walk churches through processes to help them better understand their contexts and create measurable outcomes for ministry. Phone: 615-329-4464 By identifying the assets and needs of congregations, we Fax: 615-321-0975 hope to help them leverage the gifts of each congregation Email:
[email protected] and envision new opportunities for ministry and missional web: www.ClarkUMCNashville.org engagement.
The "Write" Rev I don’t know about you, but I am constantly amazed at the lengths we humans go to in subjugating and discriminating against each other. Just look at the tools we use to measure an individual’s or a group’s humanity and worth: gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion or the lack thereof, socio-economic status, immigration status, education, political affiliation, skin color, hair texture. Just yesterday, I heard a man say he believes in freedom and equality for women, but this freedom must be contained within the boundaries of his religious tradition and his cultural heritage. Sounds like real freedom doesn’t it? And what about human rights? Is decent, affordable housing a right or a privilege; healthcare, a right or a privilege; quality education, right or privilege? I believe human kind is created in the image and likeness of God. Every person is a person of worth and dignity. I believe in the formative and transformative power of the way of life Jesus taught and personified. It’s reconciling and restorative, it’s positive and powerful, it’s liberating and lifegiving. It shapes our futures and shapes us for the future God has planned for us, despite present circumstances. How about you? Peace! Pastor Herbert
The Connection~APRIL 2017 p. 2
From the Editor . . .
Hi everyone! Once again it is time to plan for our summer program. This year's VBS will be held the week of JUNE 5-9 from 5pm to 8:30pm here at Clark Your contributions in 2016 were great and truly appreciated! Because of the date change it is imperative that we know whether you will not be available as we begin the recruitment process. Please let me know what days are not good for gathering for planning. I know Easter is just around the corner, but we need to gather as soon as possible. Thank you for your previous participation and I look forward to working with many of you again this year. Should you know of others interested please let me know. Yours in Christ, Grace Brady PS: I need a reply ASAP! Thanks.
VBS
"After the Rain" “April showers bring May flowers.” This is a saying that I remember hearing many years ago. However, these days, April and May just might bring rain, snow, sleet, hail and sunshine all in one week! Nevertheless, it is springtime. When the showers come it soaks the soil. During this season of frequent rain, there are gloomy days and days when we just don’t want to get out and deal with umbrellas, puddles and “crazy” drivers. And, then the sun begins to shine! After the rain, we begin to see the flowers bloom. The trees begin to sprout green leaves and soon there are lots of days that have beautiful sunshine and landscapes that are a colorful canvas of brightly colored flowers and greenery. And, such is life…we experience episodes of trials and tribulations much like rain and storms. Just as the soil is being prepared during the time of rain. We can’t see the work that is being done underground. We can’t see how the soil is moving the earth so that the seeds can grow and make not only beautiful flowers for our viewing pleasure, but the soil is being prepared so that it can make a harvest of foods to eat. These foods will nourish our bodies and help us to grow just as the sunshine is used to assist in the growth. It takes both…sunshine and rain. What we can’t see during life’s trials and
tribulations are often things that will make us better. They are life’s l e s s o n s a n d l i f e ’s cultivations. I would like to take this time to thank some people who have done some things that cultivate the lives of others. Of course, there are more than I can name and I hope to share others in the months to come. In February a group of people prepared and delivered meals daily for Meals on Wheels. Thank you… Melvin Kirk, coordinator, Michael Anthony, Evelyn McKinney, Betty Ogletree, Thurman McClenton, Ronnie Johnson, and Veronica Springer. And, thank you to Fred Fielder, who is the driver for Bethelehem Center for EVERY Church! Since December 2016 until the last week in March, Clark hosted visitors from Room In The Inn. Of course, we thank everyone who hosted each week and ALL of the participants. However, there were some volunteers that were with our RITI guest practically every week. Thank you…Travis Lloyd, Michael Anthony, Chris McKissack, Zero Elbrey and James Campbell who served as Inn Keepers; Austin Venzen, breakfast cook; Maxine Chandler-Auguste, Eddie Gray, III and Carlos Dade, Van drivers; George Breaux, photographer; Princilla Morris, photo interpreter and Harriet Rogers, coordinator. "You Caught Me At the 'Write' Time!" Wanda Clay
CLARK SPOTLIGHT CONGRATULATIONS Kim Goods . . . received Silver Star as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Inc.
CONGRATULATIONS Aumari Cowens . . . 2017 Grizzlies
CONGRATULATIONS Christopher White remains in
Basketball Championship Top Shooter!
number ONE position after bowling tournament!
The Connection~APRIL 2017 p. 3
Happy Birthday!
Community Darlene Anderson Grace Brady
Free Legal Advice
Helen Coleman
Bank Foreclosures Health Insurance Lost jobs/wages Evictions
William Douglas Dorinda Sheffield James and Birdie Brown Lena Pearl Farrell Willa Taylor Ruth Gadsden Thelma Clanton Sandra Hayden Katherine Chavis Lee Pennington C. Pat Sharpe Michelle Lee Edward Sadler David Pruitt
Please consult the church office to add names to the prayer list. See article from Nurture & Care in March 2017 issue of The Connection.
Clark Nursery Care is available during worship services
Ages 6 weeks 4 years old 7:45 am & 10:30 am Closes 15 minutes after each worship service Located on the 2nd floor
Justice For All is a website that is the result of a project of the Tennessee Supreme Court. This project has been created in hopes that everyone will get help from a lawyer for their legal questions. The best thing you have when facing legal problems is to talk with a lawyer. The court realizes that sometimes people cannot get help from a lawyer because they cannot afford one and/or they decide to represent themselves. Most of the people who cannot afford a lawyer and need legal help in civil cases will benefit most from this website. Civil cases are cases that do not involve a crime. The website can be used to find a lawyer to help you with your case or part of your case, to find an agency to help you with legal issues or find information to help you understand what you need to do to represent yourself.
Visit the website for upcoming free legal advice events www.justiceforalltn.org
Lectionary Scriptures
Lent/Easter April 2-John 11:1-45-Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8:6-11 April 9-Liturgy of the Passion Matthew 26:14-27:66 or Matthew 27:11-54; Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Philemon 2:5-11 Liturgy of the Palms-Matthew 21:1-11;Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 April 16-John 20:1-18 or Matthew 28:1-10; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Colossians 3:1-4 or; Jeremiah 31:1-6 April 23-John 20:19-31; Acts 2:12a, 22-32; Psalm 16; 1 Peter 1:3-9 April 30-Luke 24:13-35; Acts2:14a, 36-41; Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19; 1 Peter 1:17-23
April Bible Explorer: What was the chief priests’ response to the news that Jesus was no longer in the tomb?
Who is J.B. Smith? "Im a chosen servant of the most high God who is happy and free while serving for such a time as this!" Jethro B. Smith Be Encouraged!
APRIL 2nd
3rd 4th 6th 9th
12th 13th 16th 17th 18th 19th 20th 22nd 23rd 24th 27th 29th 30th
Gayle Houston Kaye Chavis Johnathan Leeper James Croom Marilyn Talbert Lavoneia Steele Dianne Brown Katherine Chavis Sorena Street Pat Sharpe Ira D. Thompson, Jr. Victor Davis Shannell Brown George Howard, Jr. Zachary Jones Susanne Tropez-Sims Deborah Freeman Helen Houston Elizabeth Williams Sharon Smith Rosie Phelps Tommie Morton -Young Penne Leeper Zachary Pope Felicia Holcomb Carlo Dade Derek Fleming Cheryl Seay Jada Carroll Dorothy Smith
Happy Easter
Submitted by Grace Brady Announcements for Sunday bulletin and overhead projector are due prior to 12 noon on Wednesdays! Deadline for MAY newsletter is April 15th! Don't see your submission this month? ...read next month. Submissions must be under 200 words. Connection submissions:
[email protected] THE CONNECTION Clark Memorial United Methodist Church 1014 14th Ave. N. Nashville, TN 37208-3099
Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Nashville,TN PERMIT #1765
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2017 APRIL CALENDAR
Note: Meeting dates and times are sometimes subject to change
3 6 9 11 14 16
17 18 20 22 27 30
Church Council mtg @ 5:30 pm Maundy Thursday Service @ 6 pm Palm Sunday Youth mtg @ 12:30 pm Stewardship mtg @ 4:30 pm Good Friday Office will be CLOSED Easter Sunday 6 am Sunrise Service 9 am Sunday School program 10:45am Worship Service Office will be closed Committee on Finance mtg @ 5:30 pm Board of Trustees mtg @5:30 pm UMM General Meeting at 10 am Freedom School mtg @ 5:30 pm Staff Parish mtg @5:30 pm Advocacy for Inclusiveness @ 12:30 pm
2,9,16,23,30 4,11,18,25 5,12,19,26
Sunday worship @ 8am & 10:45 am Liturgical Dance @ 5:30 pm Morning Manna @ 7 am UMW Lenten Service @ 12noon Bible Study @ 6 pm
Choir/Music Rehearsals Male Ensemble Wednesdays @ 6 pm Sanctuary Choir Wednesdays @ 7 pm Agape Singers Thursdays @ 6:30 pm Hand Bells Saturdays @ 10 am Youth Choir Saturdays @ 11:30 am Imani Choir Saturdays @ 2 pm
ANNOUNCEMENTS Check and share our website www.ClarkUMCNashville.org
IN SYMPATHY The Clark family extends deepest condolences to members in the loss of their loved ones... Sam Houston and family, Maxine Chandler-Auguste & family Pastoral Team Rev. Dr. Herbert L. Lester, Jr., Senior Pastor Rev. Elizabeth Williams, Associate Pastor Rev. Richard Stewart, Pastoral Care Support Team Grace Brady, Council Chair Marilyn M. Talbert, Spiritual Formation Coordinator, Staff Parish George A. Breaux, Worship Coordinator Rebecca Lytle Hall, Lay Leader "The Connection" Wanda Clay, Editor Helen Houston Carrell Horton Vivian Fielder Rosie Phelps Janice Johnson, Adm. and Pastor's Asst. Edna McDaniel, Church Secretary