Loudon United Methodist Church April 2015 509 Mulberry Street P.O. Box 342 Loudon, TN 37774 865-458-3164 Fax: 865-458-2489 . Web Address: loudonumc.org E-mail Address: [email protected] Pastor: Rev. Walt Simmerman Parsonage Phone Number: 865-458-2737 Reaching out to all, the people of Loudon United Methodist Church will hear God’s call and respond with love and abounding faith. I enjoy watching the games of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. There is great excitement in the drama of which teams are going to make the key shot and live to play on in the tournament and which teams will lose and go home. Of course, every year there are a number of upsets, where a team emerges victorious from a game that very few expect them to win. Sometimes even the most loyal fans are surprised (and thrilled) with their team’s unexpected win. I wonder if the first Easter was like that to Jesus’ closest followers. Jesus told his followers on several occasions he would die and then rise from the dead on the third day. Yet none of them seemed to be able to believe the resurrection when they saw it. The women went looking for a body instead of a resurrection, and they weren’t sure what to think when Jesus’ body was missing. The disciples didn’t even go to the tomb; they were too busy hiding behind locked doors. When the women arrived with the news Jesus was alive, the disciples thought they were crazy – that their words were an idle tale. Maybe the news was just too good for them to believe! This good news is almost too good for us to believe. Jesus is alive. Death has been defeated. Good news indeed. As we prepare for another Easter, let us celebrate: He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Grace and Peace, Walt HOLY WEEK ACTIVITIES: Children’s Easter Fun – Wednesday, April 1, 5:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. Maundy Thursday - “Come to the Upper Room”, April 2, 6:30pm, 7:00pm, & 7:30pm in the chapel Tenebrae Service – Friday, April 3, 7:00pm. Sunrise Service – Sunday, April 4, 7:00am at Loudon Memorial Gardens. Quilt Ministry Meetings April 14 & 28 10:00 a.m. Church House HELPERS NEEDED!! Get This on Your Calendar VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! See Julie Dills to sign up. PAGE 2 2 – Buddy Swiney 3 – Carroll Tuck 6 – Jim Kirkpatrick 13 – Harrison Nelson 14 – Isaac Peters 16 – Alta Irving 19 – Jordyn Linsey 21 – Tammy Shipman 24 – Elizabeth Pangle 29 – Joe Mourfield 30 – Bradley Llumbet ANY HIDDEN TREASURES IN YOUR CLOSET? Start cleaning those garages, storage sheds, drawers and closets to find out. Before you trash, consider making a donation to the Youth Garage Sale scheduled for May 2. Thank you. United Methodist Women Deborah Circle Wednesday, April 8 Time/Place TBA Hannah Circle Saturday, April 11 9:00am Church House Breakfast will be served. 11:30 a.m. Church House Brown Back Lunch Book selection: IN THE SANCTUARY OF OUTCASTS by Neil White Reviewed by Harriette Buchanan Neil White wanted only the best for those he loved and was willing to go to any lengths to provident--which is how he ended up in a federal prison in rural Louisiana, serving eighteen months for bank fraud. The beautiful, isolated colony in Carville, Louisiana, was also the home to the last people in the continental United States disfigured by leprosy--a small circle of outcasts who had forged a tenacious, clandestine community, a fortress to repel the cruelty of the outside world. In this place rich with history, amid an unlikely mix of leprosy patients, nuns, and criminals, White's strange and compelling new life journey began. Next month, our book club selection will be: May – Pope Joan by Donna Woolford Cross. This is Mark, the young man from Moldova, who fell from a roof, shattered his lower spine, and both arms, and lost bodily function control just 6 months ago. Bill and Nora Watkins wish to thank our church family for their loving prayers on Mark's behalf. He has come a long way. He can even walk a few steps on a walker. Miracles happen through prayer every day. BE ONE OF THE TWELVE to COME TO THE UPPER ROOM Come and experience the history and tastes of Bible times. We will be seated in table groups of 12 at a time as Jesus and the Disciples were on that Thursday so long ago. Seating is limited. Each session will last about 20 minutes. Please bring your family and join us for reflection, meditation, and Communion at one of the times listed below. Loudon United Methodist Church Chapel Maundy Thursday April 2, 2015 6:30 p.m OR 7:00 p.m. OR 7:30 p.m. FLOWERING THE CROSS Once again, we will have the opportunity to embellish a plain wooden cross with beautiful flowers on Easter morning. This is a tradition that began at Loudon United Methodist Church many years ago. The wooden cross is made from a Christmas tree that was used in our church to celebrate the birth of Christ. Now we bring forth the cross and decorate it with live flowers to symbolize new life as we celebrate the risen Christ. We invite you to bring flowers from your yard or to use the flowers that will be provided. Prior to our Easter services, you can join with others in our congregation as we decorate this cross together. Then, following our 11:00 a.m. service, the cross will be displayed on our front steps as we proclaim to the world “Christ is Risen. He is risen indeed!” Loudon United Methodist Church has partnered with Knox Area Rescue Ministries, in their Corners of Your Field Program. Corners of Your Field, at its heart, is a plan to strategically help the poor. The concept of Corners of Your Field is taken from Leviticus 19:9-10, and it hinges on the themes of generosity and compassion. In this command, a plan was put in place where the poor and foreigner could find food. This plan is shown most notably in the story of Ruth. Corners of Your Field tells a modern-day version of the same story - our extra (be it in a closet, attic or garage) can be redeemed so the poor can have their needs met. And, with every donation, a portion of the value is credited to the church of the donor and is returned to church to be used in their own community. Corners of Your Field creates an opportunity for everyone to play a role in helping those in need and experience the joy it brings. Children’s Easter Fun Event Wednesday, April 1 5:30pm Fellowship Hall March 2015 LRFPC Report Damon Falconnier NCARB, LEED AP Damon Falconnier is a native of Knoxville and graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1983. Mr. Falconnier has over 9 years of field experience with an electrical contractor and over 29 years of experience with leading architectural firms based in Knoxville, Tennessee. Damon Falconnier established in April of 1992 what became Falconnier Design Company with a spiritual approach to the architectural profession. The foundation for the firm's work is believing wholeheartedly in the scriptural admonition to "Do all things to the glory of God." Damon continues to serve as President of Falconnier Design Company today. He has worked with over 50 churches in East Tennessee. We are pleased once again to bring you a fast forward report from the Long Range Facilities Planning Committee. During the fall of 2014 we sought and received excellent input from LUMC’s members about the priorities you determined that must be addressed to satisfy our needs of the church as we all move forward with planning for the future. With LUMC’S facility planning priorities, determined the committee turned its attention to securing a church planning consultant to help us develop a master plan for our facilities focusing not just on our immediate needs, but also with an eye to the future and the best possible use of our entire physical assets and property. Several church planning consultants were approached to work on our behalf and two church consulting firms located in Knoxville were asked to make formal presentations to the committee detailing their experience and range of services. Both firms had excellent experience in working with churches seeking the development of comprehensive facility master plans and both had equally impressive references. Deciding which firm to select was difficult for the committee because both were eminently well qualified. Our final decision was to select Falconnier Design Company and Damon Falconnier as our consulting firm. We are pleased to introduce Damon Falconnier to you. Damon has begun working on our master plan and will be spending a good deal of time over the next few months visiting LUMC as his work progresses. If you see a stranger taking notes in the church building it is likely going to be Damon, so please take time to welcome him and introduce yourself. He is interested in learning more about our members and will appreciate your contact. LRFPC was surprised to find that there are no blueprints of our church building available for planning use. Apparently over the 60 plus year history of our building the original blueprints were misplaced. Because blueprints are a critical part of determining exactly what is in place regarding room dimensions, elevations and utility location, the blueprints had to be reconstructed. This process produces as-built drawings and is the first step Damon is addressing in working on our facility plan. You can see the as-built drawing of the church on the display easel in the hall in front of the church office. Overall the planning process is projected to take approximately 12 weeks after which Damon will share the master plan with our membership. In the meantime Damon will be working with LRFPC and other church members to capture all of the input he can obtain to make LUMC’s plan relevant and workable for all involved. Included in the plan will be cost projections for implementing each of our priorities and will form the basis for making decisions about how we as a church want to proceed. LRFPC Members: Amy Millsaps, Adriance Guider, Chris Carr, Carl Offutt, Nate Gildersleeve, Jennie Norton, Pastor Walt Simmerman, John Theobald, John Watkins Jubilation 2015 A retreat for older adults (50+) who desire to explore and enhance their relationship with Christ. April 19-21 MainStay Suites, Pigeon Forge, TN The 2015 theme for Jubilation is “Our Story.” We have a great line-up of storytellers. Favorite activities you have come to expect at Jubilation include bingo, games, chair massage and other healthy living activities plus an opportunity to ask a pharmacist. Bring your medicines for a free consultation. There will be door prizes. Registration fees for the event cover the cost of your room and 4-meals (dinner on Sunday, Breakfast and lunch on Monday, and breakfast on Tuesday.) If you opt to stay at the motel, an optional catered dinner is available for an additional $20 which must be reserved and paid for with your registration. Reservation forms are available on the hall table outside the church office. Contact Gaye King, Associate Director of Connectional Ministries for Holston Conference at 865-690-4080 or email at [email protected]. Jerry & Norma Black extend an invitation to their home for some fun, food and fellowship. There will be roasting of hot dogs and other activities. More details forthcoming. Bring your lawn chair and join us at 4965 Roberson Springs Road. Directions will be available through the church office. * Rain Date is April 26 Loudon United Methodist Church 509 Mulberry Street PO Box 342 Loudon, TN 37774 Rev. Walt Simmerman, Pastor Paul Moseley, Choir Director Julie Dills, Secretary, Treasurer "Like" us on Facebook! We are going hightech! facebook.com/LoudonUnitedMethodist (Note: Using a BarCode Scanner App., point your smartphone at the image and you will be instantly taken to our Facebook page.)
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