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The Spire
March 7, 2012
Belle Meade United Methodist Church
Reflections...As we enter the season of Lent, many families worry about how to observe this time in a meaningful and appropriate way with their children. Teaching children about Christmas is fun and easy compared to the challenge of teaching them about Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. Memories of the little baby born in Bethlehem are still fresh in their minds when the season of Lent begins; how do we explain that the little baby grew up to suffer and die? In a society of instant gratification, a season which emphasizes repentance and sacrifice can be a hard sell. It may be tempting to de-emphasize Lent, teach about Palm and Easter Sundays and forget the rest, but we’re doing our children a disservice when we take that route. The joy of Easter can’t be fully experienced without some knowledge of what happened on Good Friday, and learning about Lent is a valu-able lesson.It’s important to be aware of what is age-appropriate for children and be conscious of each child’s particular sensitivities and level of understanding. For preschool children, a simple explanation that Jesus died on a cross, was buried in a tomb, and then rose on Easter Sunday is sufficient. Younger elementary children can hear stories from the gospels without going into too much detail. Older elementary children can be exposed to more particulars of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Whatever we teach our children about the events leading up to Jesus’ death, it’s important to always include the story of Jesus’ resurrection and what it means for us today.In observing the season of Lent, it’s best to inspire, not require. Some children may find the practice of giving up a favorite food or TV show meaningful; others may prefer to add something, such as collecting money for the poor or being kind to others. Share with them how you observe Lent and what practices you find meaningful and invite them to decide what they would like to do. Take home a family Lenten calendar and offering box from the Children’s Wing and participate in simple daily activities to observe Lent and make it a focus for these 40 days. If you’re feeling motivated, try baking these “Resur-rection Rolls” to help tell the story of the empty tomb!
Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour
before you go to bed this Saturday night.
Resurrection Rolls1 can of refrigerated crescent rolls 8 marshmallows 1/4 cup melted butter 2 Tbs. ground cinnamon 2 Tbs. sugar
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease a baking sheet. 2. Separate crescent rolls into individual triangles. 3. Mix the cinnamon and sugar together in a small bowl. 4. Give each child a marshmallow and tell them it stands for Jesus. 5. Have the children dip their marshmallow into the melted butter and cinnamon/sugar mixture. The butter and cinnamon/sugar are like the oil and spices that were rubbed on Jesus’ body. 6. Give each child a crescent roll triangle and explain that this represents the cloth that Jesus’ body was wrapped in. Have the child completely wrap the triangle over the marshmallow and seal the edges together. 7. Place in the oven for 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Explain that the oven is like the tomb Jesus was placed in. 8. When the rolls have been removed and cooled, have the children open their “tombs” to see that they are empty inside. Jesus has risen! (The marshmallow melts but the roll remains puffed up—empty.) This may seem silly to an adult, but kids LOVE it, and what a great way for them to experience the story of Easter!
Lenten Calendars and Offering BoxesIf you have not picked up a Lenten calendar or offering box for your child, it’s not too late! They can be found on the table as you enter the Children’s Sunday School wing. There is a simple activity on the calendar for each day of Lent that families may do together. Also don’t forget to collect coins or dollars in the offer-ing box to bring back on Easter Sunday for our charity, A Cause for Celebration. This charity wants to ensure that every child, even those living in difficult circumstances, knows that they are celebrated. Currently, the fund provides birthday parties for chil-dren living at the Nashville YW’s Domestic Violence Shelter.
Easter EggstravaganzaSaturday, April 7 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Join us for a fun day of crafts, egg hunts, games, face painting and more! Currently we need volun-teers to help with lunch prep and service, egg stuffing, egg hiding, craft table, face painting and in-flatable monitor. If you would like to help, contact Erin Seay at [email protected]. We are also accepting donations for egg stuffers - small candy, toys, etc. to fill the 6000 eggs that we stuff! A drop box will be outside the Children’s Ministry office to collect donations.
Meals for MommiesWhen a new baby is born at BMUMC, the family is invited to receive Meals for
Mommies. Meals for Mommies is a ministry of the church where you can take a meal to a family with a new baby. The online sign up is at www.takethemameal.com. (If you want to take meals, but don’t want to sign up on line, contact the church for assistance.) The user name is the family’s last name, and the password is BABY. Currently the Millers who just welcomed baby Ethan a few weeks ago are receiv-ing meals. There are still openings so please take a look and see where you can sign up! To take a meal to the Miller family go to http://www.takethemameal.com, enter username MILLER and password BABY. Mom and Dad are Celia and Patrick, and big brother Jacob. Many thanks to Libby Achee who has coordinated this ministry for several years.
She has decided to retire and Marthie Heath has agreed to coordinate this wonderful ministry for new moms and dads.
Church Spring Clean Up Date SetPlease put Saturday, March 24, on your calendar. From 9 ‘til noon that day we’ll clear away the winter’s debris and prepare our church property for Easter and spring. There will be inside tasks as well as outside. It’s a time of usefulness and fellow-ship. Y’all come!
Prayer Concerns
The church prayer list cannot be included on our website due to privacy issues. You can find the list in the church bulletin or in the emailed newsletter.
If you would like to receive the newsletter by email please contact the church office at 352-6210 or
sign up at the church website: www.bellemeadeumc.org under the newsletter and events page.
Opportunities for Older AdultsJ.O.Y. (Just Older Youth) LunchThursday, March 15th at 11:15 am
Please join us for the next J.O.Y. lunch as we welcome the Dulcimer Ensemble. To make a reservation, sign up at the front desk or call the church office at 352-6210. In order to have enough food, we’ll need to know how many are coming by Tuesday, March 13th at noon.
R.O.M.E.O. (Retired Old Men Eating Out)Friday, March 16th
Friday, March 16th is the next R.O.M.E.O (Retired Old Men Eating Out) Breakfast. Join us at 8:00 am at the Bellevue Shoney’s. All are welcome!
Easter Plant Memorials / Honoria
Order forms for the Easter Lilies and Caladiums are now available and can be found at the reception desk in the administrative wing. The deadline to purchase your plant(s) is Monday, April 2 nd. The cost is $12 per plant. You may write one check but please use one order form per plant.
MemorialsGiven for Mary Esther Ham by Agape Circle for the Memorial Fund and by Doris Solesby for the Music Fund.
121 Davidson Road, Nashville, TN 37205
NONPROFIT ORGU.S. Postage PAIDNashville, TNPermit No. 1002
Visit our web site: www.bellemeadeumc.orgfor information about our church.
Attendance forFebruary 26
8:30 Worship - 488:45 Communion - 910:30 Worship - 331
Total: 388
Attendance forMarch 4
8:30 Worship - 418:45 Communion -1310:30 Worship - 365
Total: 419
Jr. High Basketball Team Has Great Season!Congratulations to our junior high basketball team for making it all the way to the championship game of the West End Sertoma Church Basket-ball League. They were undefeated going into the championship game and only lost by a few points to secure a 2nd place finish in the league. We are grateful for our great coaches and appreciate all the men who worked with this junior high team -- Rob Eanes, Hubert Spears, Bruce Kauffman, and Jeff McCormick. The junior high boys team, made up of both church members and friends of church members, include Mar-shall Wilson, Cameron Eanes, Richard Barkley, Adam Newton, Peyton Anderson, Brayden Devault-Smith, Eli McCorkle, Preston Smith, Drew Eanes, and Reid Anderson (not pictured). Many thanks to all the fami-lies and everyone who supported the team!
“O Lord, give us minds to know you, hearts to love you, hands to do your work, and voices to sing your praises”
Our youth choir recently traveled to Beersheba Srings for a retreat and the prayer quoted above led our time to-gether. We sang, worshipped, played games, hiked, and enjoyed a time of rest and reflection. A huge thanks to every-one who came on the retreat. Also, we want thank everyone who spent time as a prayer partner for the youth and adults. We had a great time together and the re-treat was wonderful. We continue to pray together -
O Lord, give us minds to know you, hearts to love you, hands to do your work, and voices to sing your praises. Amen!
The Youth of Belle Meade UMC Present“The Magic of Music & Missions” An evening of fun and fellowship
Saturday, April 28, 2012, 5:30 – 8:00 pm
Many of you are well on your way to confirming your summer plans – camps, vacations, home improvement projects, etc. The Youth of BMUMC are also busy making plans for the summer. Plans that include sharing the love of Christ through music and good old-fashioned hard work.On Saturday, April 28, our church family will come together for the annual silent auction and dinner. The goal of this spe-cial night is to not only raise money for our youth to participate in these amazing ministries, but to also enjoy one another in a time of fun, fellowship, music and a little “magic” for all ages. If you have never attended this event, you have missed out on an incredible evening! In addition to the auction and dinner, this year special children’s activities and dinner are also planned.
Along with your presence, we need your help collecting and/or donating new (un-used) items for the auction. We are hard at work securing an impressive variety and quality of auction items. We will have great gifts for anniversary, mother’s day, birthdays and many other special occasions. Many church members have already donated services, restaurant gift certifi-cates, artwork and event tickets. Ticket sales for “The Magic of Music & Missions” will begin soon. Advanced Tickets will be $8 for adults/$4 for children.If you have questions or items to donate, please contact me at [email protected] or 579-6253.
Sincerely, Melissa Wilson, 2012 Chair, “The Magic of Music & Missions” Silent Auction & Dinner
LENT AT BELLE MEADE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Our Lenten devotional book, with daily readings from the writings of Henri Nouwen,is available in the administrative lobby and the Narthex.
Each Tuesday in Lent at 12:15 pm in room 123DISCUSSION OF READINGS IN LENTEN DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Led by Rev. Danny Rhodes
Bring your own lunch, church will supply water and coffee.
Each Wednesday in LentDinner served 5:00 to 6:00 pm; reservations needed, $7.
LENTEN VESPERS, 6:15 pm YOUTH/PARENT BIBLE STUDY, 6:15 pm
JOYFUL NOISE CHILDREN’S CHOIRS, 6:15 pm
HOLY WEEKNo Wednesday evening dinner or other offerings.
MAUNDY THURSDAY WORSHIP – 6:15 pm
Dinner will be served beginning at 5:00 pm ($7) Reservations are needed.We remember the Last Supper of Jesus and prepare for Good Friday.
GOOD FRIDAY WORSHIP – 6:15 pm
Join us as we remember through scripture and music the gift of Jesus on the cross.
Easter Eggstravanganza - Saturday - 10:00 am Children from our church and the community are invited to our annual Easter egg hunt and activities.
EASTER SUNDAY – two identical worship services in the sanctuary at 8:30 and 10:30 am.Fellowship time in the Fellowship Hall, 9:30 to 10:30 am.
Confirmation for Older Youth Confirmation is a rite of passage in which all of the 6th grad-ers of the church learn about the Christian faith, the United Methodist beliefs, and membership vows of the church. It is a special time and our hope is that everyone that goes through this process would be confirmed. We also know that, for various reasons, many youth don’t go through Confirmation during that 6th grade year. Some youth didn’t start coming to our church until 8th or 9th grade or possi-bly they or their family were not ready for this experience. Whatever the reason--we are hoping any youth (7th - 12th grade) would consider being a part of a condensed Confir-mation class this Spring. The class will be held from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm on Sunday afternoons starting in April. Youth who decide to be confirmed will do so on May 13th with the current 6th grade Confirmation class. If you have questions, please contact Jeff McCormick at [email protected] or 615-678-9082.
New Art Exhibit in Connections Gallery
The new exhibit in our Connections Gallery (located in the administrative offices wing) features art by watercolor artist Wendy Latimer. The title of the exhibit is “Animal Crackers.” Prints are available in smaller sizes. Contact Ms. Latimer at 661-6377 or [email protected] for purchases.
