Lambuth Memorial United Methodist Church www.lmumc.net 731-422-6558 ( fax) 731-422-6659 Emai l : Dr. Gary Morse pastor@lmumc.net

Tr ish Loyd of f ice@lmumc.net

SUNDAY WORSHIP 10:15 A.M.

Invite a Friend!

The Shining Beacon MISSION STATEMENT

We are “Love at Work” spreading the grace and truth of Jesus Christ in our witness to those in the Lambuth neighborhood, University of Memphis Lambuth Campus, our community, and the world in which we live.

January 1, 2018 Volume 1

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PASTOR

Dr. Gary Morse

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Trish Loyd

CHILDREN/YOUTH DIRECTORS

Adam and Beth Ann Simpson

WORSHIP & MUSIC LEADER

Mike Peery

PRAISE TEAM

Cindy Roberson, Donna Morse, Hazel Hunt,

Gina Dickey, Tera Hay, Shelby O’Brien,

Kendall Rezabek, Kevin Eberle, Bill Farmer,

Danny Laughlin, Adam Simpson

BULLETIN, A/V, GRAPHICS

AND PROJECTION

Jim Parish

MINISTRY CHAIRS

Church Council

Cathy Venable

Lay Leader

Joey Williams

SPRC

Robert Conder

Finance

Ann Evans

Church Treasurer

Martha Manuel

Stewardship

Tina Byford, Mike Peery

Trustees

Bill Farmer

Education, Spiritual Formation

Trish Loyd, Robert Conder

Witness/Evangelism

Alice Redding

Missions

George Dean, Willis Ward

Congregational Care

Shirley Adams

SEEKING WORSHIPERS –

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks” - John 4:23

What an amazing revelation that the omnipotent God of creation should actually be seeking those among his creatures who would freely come to love and worship Him! How could God actually seek anything? Yet, Jesus says that He does! Somehow, it satisfies the infinite heart of God when we respond to His sacrificial love in gratitude and worship.

Recall the experience of the 10 lepers. All 10 had been cleansed, but only one, a Samaritan, returned to give thanks to Jesus. Note the wistfulness in Jesus’ reply to the cleansed leper: “Were there not 10 cleansed? But where are the nine?” he asked. “They did not return to give glory to God, only this stranger” (Luke 17:17-18). The Lord takes note both of the few who truly appreciated Him and also of the many who take His blessings for granted.

In the house of Simon the Pharisee, the Lord took special note of the woman who washed His feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair, anointing them with the precious ointment in her alabaster box. But he also noted the self-righteous, critical Simon had provided no such services at all. Then He said, “Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven – for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little” (Luke 7:47).

1. We may not fully understand, but the Lord does seek those who will worship Him in spirit and truth. We are to avoid will-worship, which is arrogant and insubordinate. It reflects the self-inflated attitude of Jeroboam the son of Nebat who devised a worship format “of his own heart” through which he “made Israel to sin” (1 Kgs. 14:16).

2. Will-worship is a form of rebellion. It is reminiscent of those days of Israel’s judges when every man did what was right “in his own eyes” (Judg. 17:6).

3. Will-worship is enslaving; a sense of self-determination is corrupting, intoxicating, and ultimately destructive.

British scholar, Nigel Turner, suggests will-worship is a form of religion “which fails to maintain the true object of worship and in place of Christ selects its own objects.” He calls it an “uncontrolled worship.” It is a worship of “free choice” rather than that of divine choice (1982, 493). F. F. Bruce declared that such stands in contrast with the spiritual service which true Christianity enjoins in harmony with the will of God, “good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:1-2), this “would-be-religion” is a “self-made cult” (1984, 128).

Jesus said to ‘seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness’ (Matt. 6:33). A good place to seek God is in the sanctuary on Sunday morning, in worship, where we come together and ‘worship the Lord with gladness…we enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name’ (Psalm 100).

Blessings, Gary

Page 2 The Shining Beacon

Lay Leadership 2018 Church Council - Chair: Cathy Venable, catdancing18@hotmail.com Class of 2020: Cathy Venable, Sara Wallace, Hazel Hunt, Rebecca Cook Class of 2019: Linda Farmer, Merry Varnell, George Dean, Michael Varnell Class of 2018: Kendall Rezabek, Susan Williams, David Melton, Jim Parish At Large Members: Gabe Williams, Jane Cox Lay Leader: David Melton, jddent@click1.net Lay Members of Annual Conference: Robert Conder, Mike Peery At Large Delegate of Annual Conference: Donna Morse Trustee Chairs: Susan Williams, Phillip Evans, SPRC Chair: Robert Conder Finance Chair: Ann Evans, Church Treasurer: Martha Manuel Stewardship: Tina Byford, Mike Peery, Mission Chairs: George Dean, Willis Ward Education, Spiritual Formation: Trish Loyd, Sunday School Superintendent: TBD Witness/Evangelism: Alice Redding, Congregational Care: Shirley Adams Hannah’s Hope Rep: Kristi Rezabek, Church Historian: Ann Phillips Music & Worship Leader: Mike Peery Youth/Children’s Leaders: Adam Simpson, Beth Ann Simpson Lay Leadership Committee - Chair: Gary Morse, pastor@lmumc.net Lay Leader: David Melton Class of 2020: Alice Redding, Kendall Rezabek, Sally Neudecker Class of 2019: Robert Conder, Cathy Venable, James Swann Class of 2018: Sara Wallace, Bill Farmer Trustees - Chairs: Phillip Evans, scates54@yahoo.com, Susan Williams, jhwilliams74@gmail.com Class of 2020: Cindy Roberson, James Swann, Tim Adams Class of 2019: Matt Wallace, Susan Williams, Mike Peery Class of 2018: Michael Varnell, Brandon Byford, Phillip Evans, Deborah Smith SPRC – Chair: Robert Conder, rconder@eplus.net Lay Leader: David Melton Class of 2020: Robert Conder, Bebe Flack, Teri Freeman Class of 2019: Martha Dean, Scott Conger, Cathy Johnson Class of 2018: Tom Ladd, Betsy Kuper Finance - Chair: Ann Evans, annevans54@gmail.com Church Treasurer: Martha Manuel, Financial Secretary: Trish Loyd Stewardship: Tina Byford, Mike Peery At Large Members: Willis Ward, Howard Yates, Ann Phillips, David Melton Lay Leader: David Melton, Lay Member of Annual Conf: Donna Morse Church Council Chair: Cathy Venable, SPRC Chair: Robert Conder Trustee Chair: Phillip Evans Missions – Chairs: George Dean, ghdean@charter.net, Willis Ward, wnward61@eplus.net Howard Yates, Mike Freeman, Betsy Kuper, Charlotte Crockett Education, Spiritual Formation – Trish Loyd, office@lmumc.net Robert Conder, Mary Beth Eberle, April Hamm Witness, Evangelism – Chair: Alice Redding, alleyoop1948@hotmail.com Tera Hay, Charles Boykin, Mike Peery Congregational Care – Chair: Shirley Adams, Sadams@eplus.net Alice Redding, Virginia Bean, Mary Thompson, Carol Clement, Hazel Hunt, Laura Wooten, Kim Laughlin, Linda Farmer, Laurie Clark, Mary Lou Adams Children’s Coordinators – Beth Ann Simpson, Jake & Brittany Roberson, Nikki Conger, Ginger Rodgers, Tiffany Adams Youth Coordinators – Adam Simpson, Cathy Johnson, David Melton, Jan Melton, Sara Wallace Senior Coordinator – Virginia Stewart Transportation Committee – Frank Neudecker, Max Whaley, Charlotte Crockett, Carlos Sanders, Brad Roberson, Brandon Byford, Phillip Evans, Joey Williams SLT 1 – Joey Williams, Phillip Evans, Mike Freeman, Gary Smith, Gary Morse, Peggy Parish, Cindy Roberson, Cathy Johnson SLT 2 – Tim Adams, Scott Conger, Tom Ladd, Martha Manuel, Cathy Venable, Alice Redding, Marian Stephenson SLT 3 – Michael Odom, Jim Parish, David Melton, Robert Conder, Hazel Hunt, Debbie Watlington, Jean Odom, Trish Loyd SLT 4 – Brandon Byford, Willis Ward, Bill Farmer, Michael Varnell, Adam Simpson, Carol Clement, Linda Farmer, Jone Ward, Tina Byford, Beth Ann Simpson, Betsy Kuper SLT 5 – Teri Freeman, Charlotte Crockett, April Hamm, James Swann, Bebe Flack, George Dean, Martha Dean, Gina Dickey, Alix McLemore

2018 COMMITMENT CARDS On Sunday, Nov. 19 we celebrated Consecration Sunday. If you missed this special worship service, you still have the opportunity to complete your commitment card for 2018. Cards are available in the church office and on the tables at each entrance to the sanctuary. Complete your card, sign it, and seal it in the envelope provided. Please put your name on the outside of the envelope too. You can place it in the offering plate or mail or bring it to the church office.

YOUTH/CHILDREN SCHEDULE

Wednesday Night Programming (PreK - 12th grade) will begin on January 10 and end with Senior Night on May 2. We will not meet during Holy Week/Spring Break on March 28.

Youth (6th - 12th grade) will meet on Sundays for small groups beginning January 14 and run through May 6, with the exception of Spring Break/Holy Week on March 25 and April 1.

More details to come about special programs this Spring!

Thank you,

Beth Ann & Adam

WEDNESDAY NIGHT ADULT BIBLE STUDY

“One Faithful Promise” The Wesleyan Covenant for Renewal

by Magrey deVega

Wednesday’s, 6:00PM, Library

The next most important document that John Wesley delivered to the rapidly expanding societies and congregations was The Wesley Covenant Prayer and Renewal Service from 1755, which are crucial to Methodist identity. This service, a liturgical event in 1755, was preceded by several mornings of teaching from Wesley about “the means of increasing serious religion.” Charles Wesley also wrote a hymn supporting the prayer – “Come, Let Us Use the Grace Divine.”

WEDNESDAY FAMILY NIGHTS RESUME JANUARY 10

Family Night Meal 5:30PM, Townsend Hall

Programming for All Ages

6:00 – 7:00PM, Classrooms

The Shining Beacon Page 3

CHURCH CALENDAR 01/06/17 – 01/19/18

DATE

TIME

EVENT

LOCATION

SAT 01/06

SUN 01/07

8:30AM 8:45AM 9:00AM 10:15AM 5:00PM

Praise Team Prayer Time Sunday School Morning Worship CREW

Sanctuary Whitestone MB Church Classrooms Sanctuary Townsend Hall

MON 01/08

9:30AM 5:30PM

Disciple IV Zumba

Library MFLC

TUE 01/09

5:30PM 7:30PM

Zumba GOD Group Narcotics Anon

MFLC MFLC

WED 01/10

5:30PM 6:00PM 6:00PM 7:00PM 7:30PM

Family Night Dinner Youth/Children Small Groups Adult Bible Study Praise Team GOD Group Narcotics Anon

Townsend Hall Classrooms Library Sanctuary Townsend Hall

THR 01/11

5:30PM 6:00PM

Zumba Disciple IV

MFLC Library

FRI 01/12

SAT 01/13

SUN 01/14

8:30AM 8:45AM 9:00AM 10:15AM 5:00PM

Praise Team Prayer Time Sunday School Morning Worship CREW

Sanctuary Whitestone MB Church Classrooms Sanctuary Townsend Hall

MON 01/15

9:30AM 5:30PM

Disciple IV Zumba

Townsend MFLC

TUE 01/16

5:30PM 7:30PM

Zumba GOD Group Narcotics Anon

MFLC MFLC

WED 01/17

5:30PM 6:00PM 6:00PM 7:00PM 7:30PM

Family Night Dinner Youth/Children Small Groups Adult Bible Study Praise Team GOD Group Narcotics Anon

Townsend Hall Classrooms Library Sanctuary Townsend Hall

THR 01/18

5:30PM 5:30PM 6:00PM

Trustees Zumba Disciple IV

Phillips Classroom MFLC Library

FRI 01/19

2017 YEAR END FINANCIAL REPORT

Budgeted Income Received to Date $258,171.62

WELCOME VISITORS

December 10 – Chris Davis, Amanda Fisher, April Hamm, Inge Poole, Tim Poole, Zoe Poole, Joy Wilkerson

December 17 – April Hamm, Brooke Kihzet, Inge Poole, Zoe Poole, Montellas Whiteside

December 24 – Robert Dodson, Amanda Fisher, April Hamm, Carson Hamm, Labina Maxwell,

Lucy Maxwell, Virginia Moore December 31 – Jeremiah Greer, April Hamm,

Virginia Moore, Jan Neely, Kimberly Neely

2018 OFFERING ENVELOPES Offering envelopes for 2018 are available on the table in the sanctuary foyer. Boxes are not numbered or addressed, so you may take any box. Please contact the church office if you would like to have a box mailed to you.

LM Men’s Group, Saturday, January 20 8:00AM, Townsend Hall

Breakfast • Devotion • Business Meeting

MEMORIALS AND HONORARIUMS

Memorial Fund In memory of Mildred Shivers, mother of Tom Hay

Given by Martha Manuel Oxley Sunday School Class

FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING Thursday, January 25

5:30PM, Phillips Classroom

TRUSTEE COMMITTEE MEETING Thursday, January 18

5:30PM, Phillips Classroom

JANUARY USHERS AND GREETERS Dave Cox, Jane Cox, Joey Williams, Susan Williams

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01/07 Cathy Johnson 01/14 Cathy Johnson ─ • ─ • ─ • ─ • ─ • ─ • ─ • ─ • ─ • ─ •─ • ─ • ─ • ─ • ─ • ─ • ─

ALTAR FLOWER DELIVERY

01/07 Alice Redding 01/14 Sally Neudecker ─ • ─ • ─ • ─ • ─ • ─ • ─ • ─ • ─ • ─ •─ • ─ • ─ • ─ • ─ • ─ • ─

MEALS ON WHEELS 01/08 McKenzie 01/15 Dean/Whaley

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JANUARY BUS DRIVER - Brandon Byford

DISCIPLE CLASSES Daytime class resumes, Monday, January 8

Evening class resumes, Thursday, January 11

FIRST LIGHT COMMUNION 2

rd, 3

rd & 4

th Sundays, 8:00AM Sanctuary

RUTH ANN ATNIPP 1094 N. Main St. Dyer, TN 38330

PRAYER AT THE CROSS, SUNDAYS, 8:45AM (at Whitestone church next door during cold weather)

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

Merry Varnell – 4th Max Whaley – 7th Ginger Rodgers – 8th Glen Vanderford – 13th Joey Williams – 14th Cindy Roberson – 19th Norris Todd – 21st Sara Wallace – 23rd

Terry Kuper – 24th Howard Yates – 25th Nancy Hawks – 26th Alice Redding – 28th Frank Neudecker – 29th Dave Cox– 31st Ann Phillips – 31st

Page 4 The Shining Beacon

PRAYER CONCERNS OUR CHURCH FAMILY Charles Boykin Lucy Hawks Donna Ladd Kristi, Kendall & Kylie Rezabek JT Smith Tina Byford Nancy Hawks John O’Brien Everett Roberson Marian Stephenson

Jimmy Dyer Skippy Hawks Steve O’Neal Graham Simpson Jone Ward Jenny Hamilton Tera Hay Christine Parish Gary Smith Marie Yates

Sympathy is extended to the family of Betty Broderick who died 12/27 Sympathy is extended to the family of Robert Warmath who died 12/12

HOMEBOUND FAMILY AND FRIENDS Sara Dickerson Celestine Ramsaur Robert Shackelford Arrie Edwards Juanita Roberts Darren Wood

FRIENDS & FAMILY OF MEMBERS Angel Abbott (relative of Cathy Venable) Barbara Bean (stepmother of Cindy Roberson) Helen Billingsley (mother of Alice Redding) GG Bray (friend of Carol Carnell) Jacob Carkuff (brother of Beth Ann Simpson) Jeff Carkuff (brother of Beth Ann Simpson) Savannah Conley (niece of George & Martha Dean)

Donna Dickey (friend of Cathy Venable)

Ronnie Dorris (friend of Sara Wallace)

Mary Duncan (friend of Jenny Hamilton)

Debbie Fullington (sister of Bebe Flack) Shirley Garrett (roommate of Juanita Roberts) Lynn Gay (uncle of Sara Wallace) Beverly Hall Brenda Hawkins (mother of Kim Laughlin)

OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR WORLD our community The United Methodist Church those who don’t know Christ, persecuted Christians the homeless, the hungry Wesley Covenant Association all agencies for helping those in need our troops, our nations and leaders U of M Wesley Foundation those in nursing homes and assisted living healing of racial tensions in our country our neighbors at Whitestone church

The Shining Beacon Page 4

Ted Hicks (son of Sue Hicks)

Shelia Hopkins (friend of Martha Dean) Brian Hutt & Family, Christian Schools in China

Olivia Johnson (niece of Jim & Cathy Johnson) Terry King (brother of Peggy Parish)

Gipsey Maxwell (Lucy Hawks son-in-law’s father)

Barbara Mayeaux (mother of Velma Mayeaux)

Bobby Mayo (friend of James Swann) Marcie Mills (friend of Bill & Judie Fenner) Debbie Moody (sister-in-law of Max Whaley) Virginia Moore (mother of Deborah Smith)

Charles & Evelyn Morse (parents of Gary Morse)

Ruth & Tom Oliver (friends of Shirley Adams) Robert Osborne III (brother of Melinda Stewart)

Mark Pace (brother of Tina Byford)

Frank Parker (cousin of Kim Laughlin)

Phillip Pickens (cousin of Danny Laughlin)

Shining Beacon (USPS 965840) is published biweekly

(except Christmas & New Year’s weeks) by Lambuth

Memorial United Methodist Church, 160 Campbell St.,

Jackson, TN 38301. Volume 1.

Periodicals Postage Paid at Jackson, TN 38301.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to

Lambuth Memorial United Methodist Church,

160 Campbell St., Jackson, TN 38301.

Megan Pinter (daughter of Brandon & Tina Byford) Rusty & Mary Price (brother & sister-in-law of

Laurie Clark) Deborah Redmond (Tina Byford’s daughter’s

fiancé’s mother) Dan Reynolds (brother of Peggy Parish) Joe & Melanie Rogers (friends of April Hamm) Larry Scallion (friend of Matt & Sara Wallace) Joe Smith (son of Gary Smith) Tanzania Missionaries Eric and Elizabeth Soard Doug Thompson (husband of Mary Thompson) Becky Ward (sister of Melinda Stewart) Brother John Washington’s mother Suzanne Wehner (friend of Mary Lou Adams) Amanda Wildermuth (niece of Peggy Parish) Ginger Wildermuth (sister of Peggy Parish)

Joan Willyerd (cousin of Sara Wallace) Charles Boykin’s Son