We're grateful for all the ministry and fun we've shared this year. Getting ready to celebrate Advent, here are the announcements for the week.
It's the Season
Click here for all the holiday events at Vine Street, including Christmas Eve.
Advent Begins Dec. 3
Our annual Hanging of the Greens service will be next Sunday during the 10 a.m. worship service. In this service for all ages, we will tell stories, sing carols and hymns and spiritual songs, and decorate our Sanctuary for Advent, anticipating the coming of the Christ child. Most of all, our worship this season will stir us to again punch holes in the darkness—injustice, sickness, racism, wars and rumors of war, sexual harassment, poverty—to let in the light of Christ. Advent and Christmas remind us we need not accept the world as it is. With the coming of Jesus, God is always creating something new, a world we long to share.
Advent Prayers to be Shared
This December you can be part of groups praying for our world, our city and our church during the Advent season. We’re calling this approach “Longing in the Heart” because, especially this time of year, our hearts can long for greater connections to God and to one another. For three weeks beginning Tuesday, Dec. 5, you may pray with a leader Tuesday mornings (time to be announced); Wednesdays at noon; and/or Thursdays at 6 p.m. We’ll gather in the Chapel for about 30 minutes. Contact Greg Rumburg if you have questions (greg@vinestreet.org).
In the News
• Thomas Kleinert is leading a travel group in Germany and will be out of the office through Dec. 5. If you need pastor care assistance, please contact Hope Hodnett or Greg Rumburg.
• Monday Men are meeting for food, beverages and conversation on Dec. 11—one week later than usual in December. Let’s meet at M.L. Rose on Charlotte Ave. at 6 p.m.
• Christmas Elves and Merry Makers, save the date: The TNT Christmas Party will be Sunday, Dec. 10 from 2-3:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. How about sharing in the festivities?
• Please note that the Official Board meeting has meeting changed from Nov. 29 to Wednesday, Dec. 6.
Next Week: Adult Christian Education
What are the thoughts and prayers of your fellow Vine Street Christian Church participants as they approach the Advent season? Join adult Christian education during Sunday mornings in December as we hear from the 2017 Advent Devotional booklet contributors, discovering the stories behind their creations. Everyone gathers at 9 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.
More Inn Crowd
Many thanks to these caring folks who helped out with Room in the Inn but were accidentally omitted from our list last week: Shirley Forstman, Judi Sachs, Reggie Hill and Angie Washington.
Tomorrow: Luke 14:12
Volunteers are needed tomorrow as we serve with Luke 14: 12. Can you join us? We will serve lunch with this ministry from 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m. To sign up, contact Jeff Miller (jeff.miller@img.com). We’ll meet on the Room in the Inn campus, 705 Drexel Street, 37203.
New Taking Poinsettia Orders
We are now taking poinsettia orders to help decorate our Sanctuary during Advent. These locally-grown plants are $10 each and may be purchased in memory or in honor of friends and loved ones. Forms are in the Sanctuary windowsills by the doors. Deadline: Noon, Monday, Dec. 11.
Step Into Christmas
The Brass Band of Nashville will perform their final concert of 2017 on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. in our Sanctuary. They will perform the “Hallelujah Chorus” by G.F. Handel, a traditional march, and will salute firefighters and first responders by performing “Elegy for a Fallen Firefighter” by Jeremy S. Martin of the USAF. This concert will also feature Alfred Reed’s masterpiece “Russian Christmas Music” as the grand finale. The piece will include Julia Callaway on Vine Street’s pipe organ and an antiphonal brass ensemble. The Brass Band of Nashville is conducted by Andy Corum. The concert is free and open to the public.