Happenings

March 13, 2020

PLEASE READ the entire email as we
have important updates for upcoming events.

This Week in Worship

This coming Sunday is the Third Sunday in Lent.  Please be with us as we worship God in spirit and in truth.  Click here to preview the text we will be using in worship for this Sunday.

Worship Leadership

Acolyte - Eva Pennell

Crucifer - Craig Grogan

Lector - Marcella Trotter

Assisting Minister - Andy Brown

Ushers - Nicole Pennell/Brett Trotter

Altar Guild - Samantha Trotter

Coronavirus Information

With all the issues surrounding the Coronavirus, we want to be proactive in making sure our services and facilities are safe places for people to gather.  We need to wipe down all the contact surfaces in our church and are asking anyone who can to stay after church this Sunday and help to disinfect the door handles, pews, etc.  If we all work together, we think we can get this done in a fairly short period of time.

Also, Pastor Joel met with the Bishop and other Middle TN pastors this past week and at the encouragement of the Synod we are making the following changes in worship:

• We will encourage people to sit in family groups and please leave about 3 feet between each group.
• We will not shake hands during the passing of the peace.
• We will serve only the bread during communion.  Please note that in our theology, Jesus if fully present in both elements.
• We encourage anyone who is not feeling well to please refrain from attending church events until well after you are feeling better.  If you would like Pastor Joel to bring you home communion just let him know.

At this time at the suggestion of the Synod office, we are NOT cancelling services or Sunday School.  But we will be updating our events as new information becomes available.

Storm Update

We continue to pray for all those impacted by the storms.  We sent a special ENews edition a few days ago with information about this.  If you missed it, you can read it here.

Belmont's Thrive Initiative Assessment - POSTPONED

NOTE:  Belmont has postponed all events for the Thrive program so we will NOT be meeting after church this Sunday for the assessment.

We are excited to be included in a new program being offered by Belmont University to help churches in the inner core of Nashville to thrive and grow.  Belmont's initial work will be to do an assessment of our church to determine a customized plan for how to move forward as a congregation in our efforts to do ministry in East Nashville.  This is great opportunity to have competent church leaders to come along side us over the next five years and help us to grow both numerically and spiritually.  

The assessment has been postponed but hopefully will be rescheduled in the coming weeks.  The Council will be present for this assessment but we need a few more adults to participate to get the best possible representation of our church in this crucial first step.  If you can participate, please let Pastor Joel know and come join us as we begin this important opportunity.  Note:  This program is funded by a Lilly Grant and requires no financial commitment on our part.

Lenten Sunday Morning Bible Study

Pastor Joel will be leading a Lenten Bible study on each of the Sundays of Lent at 9:00 a.m.  We will be using a wonderful video-based study entitled "How Lutherans Interpret the Bible."  The study features Dr. Mark Allen Powell, one of the most respected New Testament Lutheran scholars in the world.  He is one of the rare academics who is both funny and brilliant!  Come join us!

Our kids will be working with Judy each of these Sundays during this time as they launch their fund raising efforts for this year.

New Service at Azalea Trace Assisted Living

NOTE:  Azalea Trace has suspended all outside volunteers from entering the facility so we hope to begin these services again sometime in the future.

We are excited to be launching a new worship service at Azalea Trace Assisted Living on the second and third Tuesdays of each month at 10:00 am.  Pastor Joel will be leading this service of hymn singing, prayers, devotions and fellowship as a ministry of our church to these seniors in our neighborhood.  Anyone who would like to go with him can volunteer and help out.  If interested reach out to Pastor Joel.  

German Language Service

Our next service will be on April 5 at 4:00 with fellowship 45 minutes before the service starts..  You can learn more at https://stmang.org/.  (Hint, use Google translate if you want to see the site in English!  And you can print a German/English bulletin from the site as well.)

Conversations with Zion Lutheran on Shared Ministry

As was discussed at the Annual Meeting, our Council and the leadership of Zion Lutheran Church in Franklin, KY will begin a series of conversations exploring the possibility of a shared call for Pastor Joel between the two churches.  The first of these meetings took place on Saturday, March 7 at 10:30 at Zion.  And we feel we had a great initial conversation.

For over a year, Pastor Joel has been serving both as the Interim Pastor at Zion as well as the called Pastor here at Memorial.  Both calls are considered part-time.  These conversations will be led by Synod representatives and will be in consideration of one full-time call that will be shared between both churches.  These are very early stage conversations and will take some time to work through.  Please be in prayer for these important conversations as we seek God's will moving forward.

Children's Choir

Rehearsals are Sunday afternoon at 3:30 except the Sundays when they lead in worship.  If you have interested children or know of any in the neighborhood, please encourage them to come and join in the fun!  Please contact Lauren for the official rehearsal schedule each month as the calendar is subject to change. 

Worship Leadership

We have updated our worship leadership schedule for the new year.  Click here to check out the new schedule which begins this Sunday and be sure and mark your calendars accordingly if you are on the list for a specific Sunday.  And be sure and welcome our new leaders and thank them for their service to our church.

Council Information for the Congregation

In continuation of our efforts to be as transparent and engaging as possible, we have added an online source for Council information for viewing by the Congregation.  Click here to check it out and feel free to reach out to a Council member or Pastor Joel if you have any questions.