Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family
Week of October 26, 2022
Rev. Catherine Nance
Rev. Nance reminds us that our hymnal is full of prayers; mostly sung, some spoken!
Mountains Are All Aglow (United Methodist Hymnal, 86) seems appropriate this week!
Mountains are all aglow with autumn colors so bright;
rivers are filled with water, giving life to our days.
Golden fields wave their praise to God’s bountiful harvest;
gratefully, skyward arising, hear our joyous songs of praise!
Reaching far as earthly eyes can see,
Reaching far as humble hands can toil,
Every harvest is from our Lord; every blessing is from our God.
Praise for the harvest, thanks to our God.
God of creation, we imagine you with a paintbrush, touching up the colors this week. Had we noticed the dark reds earlier? When did our neighbor’s tree turn bright yellow? We are grateful for bursts of color that surprise us, take our breath away, and cause us to stop and bask in your glory. Open our eyes, widen our scope, and awaken our sight to how you are working in our world. Thank you, O God, for the beauty of the earth.
In the morning we saw the beautiful colors and then, last night, the strong wind gave an extra push to the leaves who were waiting perhaps another week before dropping to the ground. Swirling leaves are beautiful. (We pray for safety as people drive on slick leaves; Lord, may we not be in such a hurry!) We thank you for your Spirit that will sometime gently blow and encourage us to let go; you know the time when we need a more Spirited shaking to let loose of things we dearly cling to.
Sun and rain by the Lord’s design shall come at proper time.
Working hard, God has given us reasons for deep gratitude.
As we think back over the day, make us mindful – or heartful – of the reasons for deep gratitude. Perhaps we took them for granted earlier, but now at the end of the day, your paintbrush touches up our day, recalling the pleasant things, the good things. A kiss goodbye from partner or spouse heading off to work, sticky hands of children (why do we serve syrup before school?), the glorious sky, finding a lost coin, a kindness from a stranger, the just right cup of coffee, the text from an adult child, a shared meal with colleagues …. God has given us reasons for deep gratitude.
Praise the Lord as we’re planting God’s word deep in each heart.
God has sent sunshine and the rain so the seedlings may grow.
Desert lands which seem barren, flowers still might bloom;
trusting in God’s promises, our thanks to God we will show!
Before we close our eyes for the evening, our hearts turn to those we love and those around the world who are hurting; there are so many who are sick. We are grateful for technology that reveals a more accurate diagnosis when our body or mind is hurting, but with the technology comes the burden – and gift – of options and more tests and treatments and visits to the clinic. We know that our earthly bodies will not last forever! Just as the leaves change and drop, our bodies go through changes. Some because of illness and most because of aging. Our spirits ache for those who are hurting, O God. And our spirits ache for those who care for the hurting. Where desert lands seems barren, may we trust in your promises that your life-giving spirit is always present.
Trusting in God’s promises, our thanks to God we will show!
We pray for ….
- Families dealing with mental health issues
- Families dealing with chronic disease
- Husband and wife making decisions about next steps in their long journey with dementia and how children can help
- A church member in hospital recovering from an infection
- Continued healing for church member recently released from hospital
- Continued prayers for one who is in great pain; may rehab bring renewed strength and healing
- A member who is awaiting news from a retina specialist
- Healing of heart when feelings have been hurt and relationships bruised
We continue to pray for ….
- One who was in car wreck; prayers for strengthening of body
- A loved one dealing with addiction
- A church member experiencing back pain
- Caregivers; prayers particularly for a sister who lives out of town and is dealing with care of in-laws.
We offer prayers of thanksgiving for ….
- Friends who help out when I need a ride to doctor
- A grandchild who was born healthy
- All the ‘ladies in the office’ who do so much for us!
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
All are welcome at Church Street! We believe every person is of sacred worth and created in God’s image. We welcome and celebrate the gifts God has given to all persons without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, disability, status, economic condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religious affiliation. We respect diversity of opinion and expressions of Christian faith. We believe God loves everyone unconditionally! As God loves us, so let us love and serve in the name of Christ.
Youth Ministry at Church Street
Stewardship“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” – Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)
Last weekend at Spiritual Life Advance, or ‘SLA’ to our youth, about 50 middle and high school youth and adult volunteers retreated to the mountains to step away, lay their burdens down, spiritually reset, learn about carrying one another’s burdens, experience Holy Communion, and move back into the real world with intention and grace. The focus verse for the weekend was Matthew 11:28-30, posted above using The Message translation.
For some, SLA ’22 was their first youth retreat, and for others, it is a grace-filled experience they welcome annually for spiritual growth, renewal, and fellowship with beloved members of their Church Street family. And you can be part of their experience by listening to their 2022 SLA Spotify playlist (click here)!
Enjoy hearing more in the video below from Youth Director Jenny Cross and 2022 graduates of our youth program Reece Wood and Sophia Thompson. They share more about how Church Street has played a big part in their spiritual formation and growth.
Youth Ministry serves 110 middle and high school students from all over the Knoxville area.
Mad in the City 2022As you heard in the video, part of what makes Church Street unique is that we welcome youth from a variety of middle and high schools in the region. Students connect with peers from around town; they worship and deepen their faith with adult supporters and peers; they mentor each other as they are in different stages of adolescence and spiritual growth; and they take on leadership positions at a variety of levels — from worship band and small group leaders to becoming paid college interns!
If you missed our MAD in the City summer recap, click here to enjoy learning about the mission work our youth do with community partners during the summer. Youth Ministry offers many missions and outreach opportunities throughout the year: Advent, Lent, this weekend for Thanksgiving Baskets, to name only a few of them!
We invite you to stay up-to-date with all that is happening in Youth Ministry at Church Street.
Click here to see more!
Weekly Prayer – November 16, 2022
Featured, prayer for todayWeekly Prayers for the Church Street Family
Week of November 16, 2022
Rev. Catherine Nance
We begin with thanksgiving God! So thankful for rain! Yes, the early November days were beautiful and we enjoyed being outside, but we know your earth and your animals and your plants need the rain. We need the rain!
May the thirsty ground soak up its goodness and may we, who have thirsty souls, soak up the goodness of your reign! May we feel you nourishing our spirits with your presence just as the rain enriches the earth.
We do care for this globe and the cosmos, O God, and we offer our confessions when we have said there is nothing we can do to ensure that our earth heals. We say that our little bit of pollution does not amount to much and we do not want to take responsibility. We pray for governments and businesses who are in position to make changes. We pray that we as individuals have the courage to demand change and then to conserve in our own lives. We pray for ourselves, our grandchildren, the butterflies and the bees, and all of your creatures. Help us care for each other. We pray for people around the world whose communities are being destroyed by flooding and other effects of climate change.
It is mid-week, O God, and the sounds of worship are growing dim from last Sunday. Sharpen our ears to hear the refrains from hymns and anthems. It is indeed Love that welcomed us; it is through humble service that we show we are neighbor to one another. We thank you for the words of Rev. Tillman who caused us to wonder if our neighbors know we are your followers. Let us take a deep breath and recall the spirit of unity but also conviction on Sunday. May it lead us to this Sunday where we will be renewed once more. We want our living to reflect the words we speak and sing on Sunday.
Our hearts skipped and we listened anxiously as we heard news of a rocket in Poland. Lord, have mercy. We pray for the families in Ukraine, Poland, and Russia. We are bold to pray for the violence to stop. May greed and pride not rule the day, but a desire for the wellbeing of all.
We are so blessed, Gracious God, to be a part of this church family and to be able to participate in the ministries here. We pray that our participation will make a difference in the lives of others. You are the head of the Church, holding all things together. Thank you, Welcoming Christ, for holding us all together.
We offer our prayer in the name of Christ and pray with one voice the words he taught us…
We pray for ….
We offer prayers of thanksgiving for ….
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
November Update
YouthSunday Schedule:
Worship – 8:30AM & 11:00AM
Sunday school – 9:45-10:45AM
NightLife – 5:00-7:00PM ($5 dinner)
Thank you to everyone who was a part of our Thanksgiving Basket project! We could not have done it without you. The food we packed together is going to serve people throughout the Knoxville community this weekend. What a gift to be able to love our neighbors in this special way.
Advent with Church Street Youth
This Sunday begins the season of Advent! A time in the life of the church where we intentionally prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ-child. There are so many opportunities to participate in Advent together this year. Mark your calendars!
Advent Study (during the Sunday School hour)
Sunday, November 27
Sunday, December 4
Sunday, December 11
REZ 2023
Each year, an event is held for Holston Conference Youth called Resurrection. Our group enjoys time together in a cabin in Pigeon Forge and attends worship sessions throughout the weekend.
This year’s theme is One Faith, One Hope, One Lord. And we’re looking forward to this weekend away. Here are our details:
Earlybird: Due December 4 – $115
Regular: Due December 18 – $135
Event Date: January 20-22, 2023
Location: LeConte Convention Center | Pigeon Forge, TN
Lodging: King of the Mountain Lodge | Hearthside Cabin Rentals
Use the links to register with our group and learn more about Resurrection!
REZ23 Registration
Resurrection Website
High School Prayer Breakfast
This year, we are going to rotate locations of our High School Prayer Breakfast. Hopefully, this will allow more students to participate! We will begin after Labor Day. The first two dates & locations are:
If you are interested in a prayer breakfast near your neighborhood, let Jenny know!
Parent Sign-Ups
Meal Sign-Ups: Each Sunday, we serve our students breakfast and lunch. We ask families to volunteer to help make these meals happen! The sign-ups are below. If every family signs up for one breakfast and one dinner each, we will have nearly every week covered!
Breakfast Sign-Up
Dinner Sign-Up
Have you viewed our page on Church Street’s website? Check it out!
Deepening Faith through Music and Worship
StewardshipEach day this week, we will be sending an email with important information about the church’s budget, stories from church members about their ties here, what giving looks like here, and other information that shows us ‘The Tie that Binds” … to God and to our church family.
Today, hear from two long-time Church Street members — Verna McLain and Susan Dominick — who share more in the video below about how the music program at Church Street has formed a musical and spiritual foundation for them and deepened their connections to their church home.
Music Program by the Numbers:
Master Arts Series Upcoming Events:
More about these and the 2023 events at www.churchstreetumc.org/master-arts
Our Worship Services offer traditional worship and are planned carefully with our music program to give a full and connected experience each Sunday. In this ‘post-lockdown’ world, Church Street has continually seen in-person worship numbers rise and continued to see online worship numbers stabilize at an average of between 100-125 unique viewers per week. (All attendance metrics are noted each week in the Messenger.). Other worship highlights this year have included:
Every Sunday is a special Sunday to be in worship together! Other ‘Special Sundays’ celebrated in the life of our church this year included United Women in Faith Sunday, Children’s Sunday, Missions Weekend, Confirmation Sunday, Stephen Ministry Sundays, World Communion Sunday, Missions Weekend, Senior Sunday (pictured above), Promotion Sunday, Hymn Festival and All Saints’ Sunday.
This week, you should be receiving a letter and a commitment card in the mail for your 2023 pledge – please return it on Sunday, November 20 during worship. If you prefer to make your commitment online, you may do so securely by visiting www.churchstreetumc.org/stewardship. If you would like to discuss your pledge, please contact Kate Spencer, Church Administrator, at kspencer@churchstreetumc.org or 865-521-0268.
Where Our Gifts Go
StewardshipEach day this week, we will be sending an email with important information about the church’s budget, stories from church members about their ties here, what giving looks like here, and other information that shows us ‘The Tie that Binds” … to God and to our church family. Please be prayerful as you explore how this church is supported by you, its members and friends, and how making an annual financial commitment between now and Commitment Sunday, November 20, gives Church Street the opportunity to be in ministry and mission within our community.
Below, find three graphics that represent how we look at three larger buckets of Church Street’s expenses in 2022, with additional context provided about each graphic below.
Ministries at Church Street: Our ministries and missions make up just over 37% of our expenses in 2022. Many are noted in the graphic above, but the missions Church Street supports were too long to include in one graphic! Missions include:
Extension Ministries comprise nearly 13% of our annual expenses and include the Church Street Preschool, all expenses related to maintaining Sterchi Lodge — our church’s mountain retreat — and the myriad uses of the Church Street Kitchen.
Notably, on each school day the kitchen is in use by the Preschool for healthy meals. And every Thursday for more than three decades, church volunteers serve a warm lunch and a takeaway bag for guests who join us at Soup Kitchen in Parish Hall. In the first 10 months of this year, Soup Kitchen has served more than 3,700 meals.
Salaries and Benefits for our staff make up 50% of our expenses at Church Street. Guiding our mission and ministry work every day and helping to deepen our faith through our sacred worship setting and meaningful programming are:
Did you know… SIX of our full-time staff members have been employed at Church Street for more than 10 years? Administrative Assistant to the Senior Pastor Kelly Woods, with the longest tenure, began working at Church Street in her early adulthood and has served with 9 senior pastors, beginning with Rev. Toombs Kay.
This week, you should be receiving a letter and a commitment card in the mail for your 2023 gift – please return it on Sunday, November 20 during worship. If you prefer to make your commitment online, you may do so securely by visiting www.churchstreetumc.org/stewardship. If you would like to request more detailed budget information, or have other questions, please reply to this email and Kate Spencer, Church Administrator, will be glad to speak with you. You may also call: 865-521-0268.
Catherine’s Corner: Photo of the Week
StewardshipNovember 11, 2022
Haven’t you loved the “photo of the week” on the banner of our MESSENGER newsletter? This is something we started doing on August 19, 2022. Instead of the same picture for a season – which were beautiful – you get a snapshot of a ministry moment that happened that week! These pictures are indeed worth a thousand words! I’m going to write a little less than one thousand, though, as I share with you how these pictures are possible and what they mean! (If you want to go back and see all the Photos of the Week, you can go to www.churchstreetumc.org/messenger to see them all.)
In Catherine’s Corner last week, I shared with you about The Tie That Binds and all the ways the Holy Spirit connects us to God and to each other. There is always an ‘each other’ component when we talk about our relationship with Christ. Our response to Christ’s love for us is often manifested in our relationship with others – those in our family, our community, our church, and around the world! You see that connection in all the pictures.
Your offerings to Church Street United Methodist Church are one way to respond to Christ’s gift of salvation and love. No, we cannot pay for or buy our salvation! But we respond with thanksgiving! Our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness are disciplined practices that connect us to God and to each other. When much in our world seems to be unraveling, the Holy Spirit is a tie that pulls together, shores up, strengthens, and reinforces our dependence on God and each other. It indeed binds us together!
Each day next week, we will be posting ‘snapshots’ of information about our church and see samples of the tie that binds. Through emails and social media, you will learn more about how we use your gifts and offerings to provide ministry and programs that are meaningful. You will not want to miss seeing the videos – they are precious! I hope that as you see how the Spirit is working and connecting, you will respond faithfully by filling out the pledge card you will receive in the mail and bring it with you to worship on Sunday, November 20. If you are not able to be present, you can mail it, or follow the instructions to pledge online or to talk to Kate Spencer, Business Administrator, directly.
I am thankful that you take time to read my Friday morning musings! It is one way we stay connected.
Looking forward to being with you in worship on Sunday!
-Catherine
Weekly Prayer – November 9, 2022
Featured, prayer for todayWeekly Prayers for the Church Street Family
Week of November 9, 2022
Offering a “Prayer at the Close of the Day,” written by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
(copied from UMC Hymnal 689)
O Lord my God, I thank thee that thou hast brought this day to its close. I think thee that thou dost give rest to body and soul. Thy hand has been over me guarding me and preserving me.
Forgive my feeble faith and all the wrong I have done this day, and help me to forgive all who have wronged me.
Grant that I may sleep in peace beneath thy care, and defend me from the temptations of darkness. Into thy hands I commend my loved ones, I commend this household, I commend my body and soul.
O God, thy holy name be praised. Amen.
We pray for ….
We offer prayers of thanksgiving for ….
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
SLA Info 2022
YouthSLA Info
On November 11-13, we are heading to the mountains for a weekend of intention worship, fellowship, study, and prayer. It is one of the highlights of the year for many of us! Please use the info below to prepare your hearts and minds for the days ahead.
Church Street Youth Annual Release Form
Locust Springs Waiver
Preparing for SLA
Our prayer for this weekend is that it would be one of restoration, connection, and hope. SLA stands for Spiritual Life Advance, and we are believing that God will grow our faiths as we spending time with Him away from the pressures of everyday life. Here are some ways your can intentionally prepare your hearts and minds for this special time.
Weekly Pray – November 2, 2022
Featured, prayer for todayWeekly Prayers for the Church Street Family
Week of November 2, 2022
Rev. Tim Best
God of all the saints,
In the midst of this week of remembering those holy people that have come before us, we give you thanks for those saints that have shaped our own lives. For parents and friends, grandparents and mentors, and for all those we have loved that have gone on from this life, we give you thanks. Where our hearts remain heavy, lift us up by your love and grace.
Even as we remember the love and example of the saints and look with hope towards that day where all creation rejoices, we are mindful of the needs of our world today. Those whom we refer to now as saints are people who during their lives sought to be faithful to you despite the challenges of the world. Make your grace and presence known to those who suffer and those who feel far from you.
In our observance of All Saint’s we proclaim that those who rest in you, rest in your peace. We pray for your peace to come near us now. As an election nears, we pray that the temptation to violence would be overwhelmed by your love. We pray for a peaceful transition of power in Brazil. We pray for peace in Ukraine. We long for the peace you promise to your saints to fill our world. Help all those who profess to be your disciples become peacemakers. We may not be able to end the war in Ukraine, or to solve political uncertainty abroad, but we can be peacemakers. When we disagree with one another, let the grace that binds us to you and to one another guide us to be forgiving, patient, and humble.
When we look upon all the saints that you have set before us we see your love that stretches across all the sorts of people you have made. You have used the young and the old, the rich and the poor, the powerful and the powerless. Your Spirit works within folks of every nation. Your Word is known to peoples of every language. Break down the barriers that we set between each other and draw us into the community of saints from across all time and space.
We pray for ….
We offer prayers of thanksgiving for ….
Unite us in purpose and prayer as we join together in that prayer that Christ taught us, praying:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Weekly Prayer – October 26, 2022
Featured, prayer for todayWeekly Prayers for the Church Street Family
Week of October 26, 2022
Rev. Catherine Nance
Rev. Nance reminds us that our hymnal is full of prayers; mostly sung, some spoken!
Mountains Are All Aglow (United Methodist Hymnal, 86) seems appropriate this week!
Mountains are all aglow with autumn colors so bright;
rivers are filled with water, giving life to our days.
Golden fields wave their praise to God’s bountiful harvest;
gratefully, skyward arising, hear our joyous songs of praise!
Reaching far as earthly eyes can see,
Reaching far as humble hands can toil,
Every harvest is from our Lord; every blessing is from our God.
Praise for the harvest, thanks to our God.
God of creation, we imagine you with a paintbrush, touching up the colors this week. Had we noticed the dark reds earlier? When did our neighbor’s tree turn bright yellow? We are grateful for bursts of color that surprise us, take our breath away, and cause us to stop and bask in your glory. Open our eyes, widen our scope, and awaken our sight to how you are working in our world. Thank you, O God, for the beauty of the earth.
In the morning we saw the beautiful colors and then, last night, the strong wind gave an extra push to the leaves who were waiting perhaps another week before dropping to the ground. Swirling leaves are beautiful. (We pray for safety as people drive on slick leaves; Lord, may we not be in such a hurry!) We thank you for your Spirit that will sometime gently blow and encourage us to let go; you know the time when we need a more Spirited shaking to let loose of things we dearly cling to.
Sun and rain by the Lord’s design shall come at proper time.
Working hard, God has given us reasons for deep gratitude.
As we think back over the day, make us mindful – or heartful – of the reasons for deep gratitude. Perhaps we took them for granted earlier, but now at the end of the day, your paintbrush touches up our day, recalling the pleasant things, the good things. A kiss goodbye from partner or spouse heading off to work, sticky hands of children (why do we serve syrup before school?), the glorious sky, finding a lost coin, a kindness from a stranger, the just right cup of coffee, the text from an adult child, a shared meal with colleagues …. God has given us reasons for deep gratitude.
Praise the Lord as we’re planting God’s word deep in each heart.
God has sent sunshine and the rain so the seedlings may grow.
Desert lands which seem barren, flowers still might bloom;
trusting in God’s promises, our thanks to God we will show!
Before we close our eyes for the evening, our hearts turn to those we love and those around the world who are hurting; there are so many who are sick. We are grateful for technology that reveals a more accurate diagnosis when our body or mind is hurting, but with the technology comes the burden – and gift – of options and more tests and treatments and visits to the clinic. We know that our earthly bodies will not last forever! Just as the leaves change and drop, our bodies go through changes. Some because of illness and most because of aging. Our spirits ache for those who are hurting, O God. And our spirits ache for those who care for the hurting. Where desert lands seems barren, may we trust in your promises that your life-giving spirit is always present.
Trusting in God’s promises, our thanks to God we will show!
We pray for ….
We continue to pray for ….
We offer prayers of thanksgiving for ….
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.