Join us for our first Woodmont Social at Arrington Vineyards!

In just two weeks, we are having our first Woodmont Social at noon on Saturday, Oct. 15, at Arrington Vineyards and you're invited!

This is a churchwide fall event open to all ages!  Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy some food, lawn games, fellowship, and a beautiful setting on a Nashville fall day! A carpool option from Woodmont will be available.  

The event is hosted by our Young Professionals group as a way to bring everyone together. Click the button below to RSVP!

Our final church picture day is this Sunday, Oct. 2, in the chapel lobby

Our 2023 church directory is underway and we have one picture day remaining this Sunday. Our photographer will be moving to the chapel lobby and will be shooting from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM. Everyone is invited! Make time before or after church to get your family photo taken and learn about Realm, our online church directory app. 

This Sunday, Oct. 2: "Parables in Luke" series continues 

9:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. • Roy Stauffer • “Busy Sinners & Lazy Saints” • Luke 16:1-13

9:40 a.m. The Bridge • Jenny Simmons • “Rejoice With Me!” • Luke 15:1-10

9:30 AM – Informal service in the sanctuary with livestream

9:40 AM – The Bridge service in the chapel

11:00 AM – Traditional service in the sanctuary

Weekly churchwide breakfast returns next Sunday, Oct. 9

We are moving back to a weekly 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM Sunday morning breakfast hour in the gym beginning next Sunday, Oct. 9.

The Woodmont Board held its second meeting of the fiscal year on Monday night. Our church remains in healthy financial shape even though pledged giving tends to lag behind in July and August each year. A financial summary will be provided after September books are closed. 

Jay Hutchens provided an update of the discipleship and small group ministries. Over 170 people have signed up for dinners for eight this fall. We remain committed to our discipleship path of Seeking (Worship, Prayer, Bible Study), Sharing (Groups and Classes), and serving (using gifts to serve others). 

Breakfast will return on a weekly basis beginning Sunday, October 9. This is a great opportunity for fellowship and connection. Members are encouraged to donate to help cover some of the cost. 

The primary board discussion revolved around challenges with overcrowding at the earlier services (particularly the 9:30 AM). This is a nice problem to have but is still a challenge. Children are now coming down front to the steps after the first worship song to keep more seats available. 

We are getting bids on what it might cost to build out the missional café at South Hall. Woodmont leadership will have to decide in the coming months how much money is worth investing into the South Hall. The building is old and tired but serves an important purpose for our outreach ministries. It has significant mechanical, electrical, and plumbing issues due to its age, wear, and tear. 

This fall, the large shutters are being replaced on the outside of the sanctuary. The pickleball ministry continues to thrive so we are also getting bids on what it might cost to build outdoor courts. Trunk or Treat will happen on Sunday, October 30. 

The board is in favor of transitioning the deacon term to 2 years (40 each year) beginning in 2023. This will ultimately require a by-law change and congregational vote. This came out of conversation among the leadership visioning committee. 

We have had a good response to the “faith and civility” class this fall. People seem to appreciate hearing from multiple voices about how Christians can promote civility and dialogue in our culture. 

We continue to welcome new families into our church. The challenges that Woodmont faces seem to be good challenges that are tied to space and growth. 

Intro to Woodmont luncheon is next Sunday, Oct. 9

If you're new to Woodmont, we want to see you at our Intro to Woodmont luncheon on Oct. 9 at noon in the boardroom! This is a chance to meet with Clay and some of our leaders to learn more about Woodmont and if God is calling you to make this your church home.

Lunch is served and you are warmly invited! Childcare is available! RSVP to tammy@woodmontcc.org

"Faith & Civility" series concludes tonight, Sept. 28, with Gov. Bill Lee at 6:15 PM in the chapel

The 2022 Mother-Son Olympics

Sunday, Sept. 25

At a a family fun night for Lucy’s new school we met the parents of her new best friend, and through conversation learned that the little girl’s grandfather is one of the most famous songwriters in town. James and I, both musicians and lovers of music, completely geeked out and did what any rational human beings would do: went home, squealed (that was me), stalked his music, and pulled up all the documentaries we could find on him. 

In the midst of looking up documentaries we watched It All Begins With A Song, a documentary about the power and legacy of Nashville songwriters and their ability to stir the soul and tell us a truth that we know in our head but don’t yet have words for in our heart. It’s a deeply moving documentary and once again confirmed that, for me, music will always be one of God’s kindest mercies. Melodies that remind us of memories, harmonies that heal our maladies, lyrics that lead us to places we couldn’t find on our own. The great storytellers teach us by helping us make meaning from our lives, from our mistakes and regrets, our hopes and aspirations, and from the simple moments that feel mundane. A good song can challenge, inspire, comfort, or makes us laugh—it can hold a mirror up to what we see with our eyes and tell us what the story means in our hearts. Good storytelling patiently procures empathy, curiosity, and self-examination. Somehow, it’s entirely about our own journeys and simultaneously a confirmation that we are merely one in a sea of many who have known betrayal, joy, heartache, and love. One in a sea of many who might also be hard-headed and need to hear truth in another way, from another person, in a different form. 

Perhaps my love for the brilliant storytelling of a song is rooted in my love for the parables of Jesus. I deeply admire the brilliance of Jesus. He provoked deep-thinking, curiosity, and self-examination and he did so in multiple forms during his earthly ministry. The parable being the most creative. If Jesus the Christ is the reflection of God the Father, then it seems we have a master storyteller running the universe. A storyteller who teaches by way of lost coins and lost sheep, mustard seeds and fig trees, narrow gates and buried treasure, bandits and a bloody body and the unlikely hero who stepped in to take care of a stranger in distress. Jesus gives it to us like a song. Knowing that we can see some things with our eyes, and hear some things with our ears, and know somethings in our head that we just can’t make out in our hearts yet. 

Every Sunday night when I leave our youth gatherings I drive by the BlueBird Cafe on my way home from work and see the line of people wrapped around the parking lot. One night I’d like to stop and go in too. Maybe I’ll catch the next Tom Douglas or Tony Arata or Taylor Swift. I like to think if Jesus were here today, in this town, he’d go in too. He’d sit in the back, smile on his face, enthralled and quietly proud of the storytellers who have taken up the job of modern-day-parable-writing. Proud of the storytellers who teach us to listen and feel and make our way through this life with our hearts and not always our heads. Maybe they know Jesus too. And maybe they’d thank him for giving it to us like a song. 

Our Sunday sermon series on the parables from the gospel of Luke continues this Sunday. I invite you to come with an open mind, but mostly, an open heart.  

Racial Bridges The Fight to Vote screening next Wednesday, Oct. 5

WHAT:

Screening of NPT's The Fight to Vote: Black Voter Suppression in Tennessee.  The screening will be followed by a panel discussion and Q & A. Please note the documentary is under 30 minutes. 

Panel members:

• RaCarol Woodard, Equity Alliance
• Bob Freeman, State Representative
• Rahim Buford, Unheard Voices

WHEN:

Wednesday, Oct. 5, at 6:15 p.m. in the chapel

Dinner at 5:15 p.m., RSVP to church office

*Please let us know if you will require childcare.

The Bridge Fall Picnic Saturday, Oct. 8

The Bridge is hosting its first annual Fall BBQ picnic for all ages! Our very own Woodmont Grilling Ministry will be grilling burgers and hotdogs for us! If you are able, bring your favorite picnic dish or dessert to share! Or if you feel more comfortable bringing your own picnic, that’s ok too! Blankets or camping chairs are encouraged. 

Woodmont Christian Preschool Fall Fest is Saturday, Oct. 22

Woodmont Leadership Breakfast with Mike Glenn Saturday, Oct. 22

Also on Saturday, Oct. 22, Mike Glenn will be speaking at our Fall Leadership Breakfast from 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM in Carpenter Chapel!

Mike Glenn became the Senior Pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church in 1991. Under his leadership, the church has grown to a membership of over 11,000 people across eight campuses located throughout Middle Tennessee. With Mike’s vision to reach and partner with regional communities and churches, Brentwood Baptist Church began the Middle Tennessee Initiative by addressing needs and issues related to poverty, education and healthcare.

Mike has written three books, In Real Time, The Gospel of Yes, and Coffee with Mom. His latest book, Coffee with Mom, is about a mom’s fight with dementia and the struggle of a son who wanted to help but didn’t always know how. He also has a free downloadable e-book, “Marriage Tips: 170 Ways to Love Your Spouse.”

Mike has received rave reviews for his dynamic, informative and storytelling abilities as a keynote speaker across the world on subjects ranging from marriage enrichment, racial reconciliation, mental health, and revitalizing and repurposing churches.

Our team just returned from a weekend at Morgan-Scott Project. The weather was very comfortable, and we are so excited to have had a few of the youth join in! Everyone worked hard, but Bruce Thompson went above and beyond! I’ll let you ask Bruce all about it! And our younger members tackled the removal of a significant stump, digging it completely out of the ground so that we could add a new deck & stairs to the back door. We worked on the home of a young woman with special needs and has lost both parents recently. Her family, neighbors and friends have been helping with cleaning up the home and asked Morgan-Scott Project to help with some repairs. There is still more work to be done but our team made a HUGE difference!

Our team included Jack Derryberry (Jack is the current chairman of the board at Morgan-Scott Project!), Henry & George Farmer, Catie, Jeremy, Eva & Miles Pratt, Jeff Rush, Bruce Thompson and Deb & myself. Polly Keith provided a wonderful dinner for Saturday night, and she as well as Anne Mitchell and Judy Davis provided some wonderful treats. And of course we had Smores around the bonfire! Jack has definitely earned his Master Certification in Bonfire Building during his years of service at Morgan-Scott!

I also need to recognize Everett Davis for his years of support of MSP. Everett helps with the collection and loading of furniture and other household items donated to Morgan-Scott. They sell those items in their thrift store to fund home repairs, food distribution and pantry, educating young people in trades and helping meet the needs of the underserved, including single parents. These are just some of the many missions of Morgan-Scott Project. Go to morganscottproject.org for more information. Judy Davis served for several years as the chairman of the board at Morgan-Scott Project as well and is still heavily involved with fundraising as well!

Many thanks to all of you for your support and your prayers for your team! We would love to have you join us in the Spring of 2023!

Meal calendar for Lucy Simmons

Lucy Simmons, daughter of Jenny Simmons Tealy, is being treated for a rare medical condition called Juvenile Dermatomyositis. Her treatment includes a daylong visit to the hospital on the third Tuesday of every month. Please join the church in blessing this family! Providing a delicious, nutritious meal will be a great practical help on these hard days each month.

Please deliver meals to Woodmont's office, the large house on the corner of Hillsboro Pike and Woodmont Blvd. Jenny and Lucy will pick up meals from there as they drive from Vanderbilt Children's Hospital to their home in Franklin.

DivorceCare continues tonight, Sept. 28, at 6:00 PM in The Bay Room

Divorce, separation and relationship crisis bring about a complex set of emotions such as depression, anxiety, fear, anger, grief, loneliness and more. Our doors are open to lead you through a 13-week healing process offering education, recovery and peer support. You will experience understanding and encouragement through professional videos and honest discussion.

Thank you from Pam Groom

I want to deeply thank this beautiful church family for all the support with the loss of my brother and father. What would one do without a church like Woodmont? People came to my brother's service, to visitation, to my home with food, called me, texted me , sent poignant words on cards, brought flowers , delivered mini loaves of banana bread, and mostly ....prayed for and encouraged me not just now but for many months. They helped me set the Lord before me. "I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." Psalm 16:8

With love and immense gratitude,

-Pam Groom & family

Watch sermon "Pride, Humility, & Self-Righteousness"

Church calendar

Sunday, Oct. 2

Church Picture Day, Chapel Lobby

9:30 AM Peace, Grace, & Truth Class, Room 200

9:30 AM 21st Century Class, Boardroom

9:30 AM Disciples Class, Room 105

10:45 AM Reflections Class, Room 200

10:45 AM Connections Class, Room 100

11:00 AM Pathways Class, Boardroom

11:00 AM Points of View Class, Room 105

2:00 PM Pickleball, Drowota Hall

5:00 PM Leadership Woodmont, Campbell West

Monday, Oct. 3

3:00 PM "Geezers", Boardroom

6:00 PM CWF Circle 5, Room 200

Tuesday, Oct. 4

9:30 AM Women's Prayer Group, Boardroom

10:00 AM CWF Board Meeting, Room 200

11:00 AM CWF General Meeting, Carpenter Chapel

12:00 PM CWF Luncheon, Drowota Hall

6:00 PM Young Professionals & Young Adults Dinner & Discussion, Campbell West

6:30 PM Alateen (ages 12-19), South Hall

6:30 PM Parents Al-Anon Group, Room 105

8:00 PM AA Meeting, South Hall

Wednesday, Oct. 5

6:00 AM Men's Small Group, Room 107

7:00 AM Younger Men's Bible Study, Boardroom

8:00 AM "Original" Men's Bible Study, Room 105

5:15 PM Wednesday Fellowship Dinner, Drowota Hall

5:30 PM Grace Notes Rehearsal, Christ Quest

6:00 PM DivorceCare, The Bay Room

6:00 PM "The Fight to Vote" screening, Carpenter Chapel

6:30 PM Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

Thursday, Oct. 6

10:00 AM Sit & Stitch, Gathering Hall

1:00 PM Mahjong Group, Gathering Hall

4:30 PM Walk Thru Bethlehem Committee, Room 107

5:30 PM Handbells Rehearsal, Choir Room

6:30 PM Andra Moran Virtual Vespers, Zoom

6:30 PM Nar-Anon, Room 105

8:00 PM AA Meeting, South Hall

Friday, Oct. 7

3:00 PM Pickleball, Drowota Hall

Saturday, Oct. 8

10:00 AM Al-Anon, Drowota Hall

11:00 AM Bridge Picnic, Campbell West