"What the World Needs Now" book launch is Tuesday, May 13

Clay's new book What The World Needs Now is out soon and Woodmont is hosting a special book release event on Tuesday, May 13, at 6:00 PM in Carpenter Chapel with music and a dialogue between Clay & Vince Gill.

A few advanced endorsements:

“I am proud to call Rev. Clay Stauffer a treasured personal friend and my spiritual guru. You are about to discover what makes a full and complete life.” – Jim Nantz, CBS Sports

“I am grateful that Clay is one of the voices striving to remind all of us of the virtues of seeking justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly in a time when loving your neighbor as yourself seems to have gone out of style.” – Gov. Bill Haslam

“What the church needs now is practical wisdom in the manner of Aristotle and Jesus, that encourages virtuous living in these chaotic times. Clay has given us a wise, virtuous book full of contemporary, useful guidance for living better lives.” – Will Willimon

“As a dad of young boys, it is so encouraging to know there are people like Clay in the world to impart teachings that will shape how they handle challenges and triumphs of life.” – Eric Church

“In our era of uncertainty and division, Clay’s book gives us a compass of timeless wisdom and spiritual insight that illuminates our shared path forward.” – Sen. Bill Frist

Click the button below to RSVP!

Worship Night is Tuesday, April 29

Our monthly Worship Night is on Tuesday, April 29, at 6:00 PM in the chapel. This is a 30-minute, full-band, casual service meant to give you a midweek uplift and reset. Come for some encouragement, music, and fellowship! Questions? Contact moriah@woodmontcc.org

I hope you and your family had a wonderful Easter. Woodmont was certainly busy, vibrant, and full of life. You have probably seen that Pope Francis passed away after giving his final Easter address. He leaves a legacy of advocating for mercy and compassion. Prayers for the Roman Catholic Church at this time and all who mourn.

This Sunday, we will celebrate the baptisms of our Disciples Class at both 9:30 and 11:00 services. We are very proud of these young people who have worked hard, learned about the Christian faith, spent time with their mentors, made their confession of faith, and are being baptized into the church. Also, this Sunday will be the final week of our GENEROUS HEARTS stewardship campaign. We are asking for everybody to submit their commitment by Sunday so that we can begin to set our budget for ongoing mission and ministry. Thank you once again for your generosity and support! It makes a big difference. If you haven't already, you can click here to make your pledge online.

We are now being called to continue to live in the spirit of the resurrection. Easter is not just a day but a season. Christianity simply would not have survived this long if the Easter message were false. But why is it life-changing? Easter proves that Jesus was who he said he was because without the resurrection, Jesus would have gone down in history as a great teacher, a great healer, a great moral leader, but not as God’s Son. Easter reassures us that there is life after death. There is an alternative reality that awaits us after physical death that still remains a mystery. There have been many accounts published of “near-death experiences,” those on the operating table who leave their body for a short while and begin this incredible transition into a different realm. Perhaps just as importantly, Easter proves that there is also life before death, no matter what we may endure. Nothing that this world can keep us down forever – divorce, depression, mental illness, betrayal, addiction, unemployment, cancer, financial hardships, war, fear, worry, disappointment, infertility, the death of a child, suicide – none of these things have the final say.

Easter reminds us that hope remains and despite the many small deaths that we die in this world, we can go on living and find joy again. We have to believe that with all of our heart. We also have to make a conscious choice to press on. God gives us the strength to persevere and make it through the worst of situations. But perhaps most importantly, Easter reminds us to not live our lives in fear. Fear takes the joy out of life. Fear is a powerful force that easily overwhelms us. I closed the Easter message with the words Fred Craddock once preached, “Don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid to live and love and laugh. Don’t be afraid to give and serve and care. Don’t be afraid to speak and do. That’s the message of Easter. Don’t be afraid.” 

If we take nothing else from the Easter message, may we understand that living in a constant state of fear is not God’s desire for our lives. Not now. Not ever. Christ has risen! New beginnings abound!

Last year's budget

10-year stewardship history

Commitment & Baptism Sunday, April 27: "Go Change the World!"

Dr. Clay Stauffer •  Matthew 28:16-20 & Romans 12:9-18

Our worship schedule this Sunday is:

• 8:30 AM – Continental breakfast in the gym
• 9:30 AM – Informal service in the sanctuary
• 9:40 AM – The Bridge service in the chapel
• 9:40 AM – Middle school service in the youth room
• 11:00 AM – Traditional service in the sanctuary

"Faith Unfiltered: Transforming Lives at Woodmont"

Throughout the month of April, we're sitting down with several members of our community to hear stories, gain insight, and learn more about what brought them to where they are today. This week's edition is with Rich Sanderson and you can click the button below to watch!

Maundy Thursday service

April 17

Good Friday

April 18

Easter Egg Hunt

April 19 • Photos by Erin Douglas

When I tell people that I work with Middle School students, it is not rare to get a laugh or comments about my 'triumphant' patience. Middle School is a chaotic time of life. So much energy, attention span of 6 seconds, confusion, did I say energy? I am not going to lie, "Why would I speak if they won't listen anyway?" has crossed my mind.

But, here is my why.

I had a Middle School teacher of mine consistently say Psalm 139 over my class. Between classes, writing notes, talking with friends, this chapter of scripture was whispered into our school, casually, time and time again, with the same vengeance and truth each time.

Over 10 years later, "You have searched me, and you know me" still rings in my soul. "I am fearfully and wonderfully made" is something I have carved on my heart because someone took the time to tell me, and whisper truth to me, even when it did not seem like it would stick.

Youth are so worthy of the time and the attention it takes to ensure that they know they are fully loved, truly seen, worthy of being heard and believed in. I question if my words matter, if they will remember anything I say. But then I have to remember my own experience and how the volume of the once whisper has turned up with years that pass. Words sunk into the cracks of my soul and took years to sprout up.

All because someone had to take the time to plant the seed.

On that note, I wanted to take a minute and recognize the Chi Rho Youth Sponsors who give so freely and willingly of their time. They not only see but are convicted by the importance of being present in your students' lives. Thank you to Will Crawford, Lockwood Barr, Grace Todd, Whit Hagan, Mary Beth Meador, Jake Mulholland, Laura Bowling, and Liza Davis for pouring time and attention into our youth. We could NOT do this ministry without you.

Things coming up!

• Only two more Youth Groups of the semester: April 27 and May 18
• Youth Sunday Service - Chi Rho volunteers needed!!!
• 8th Grade Dinner & Pool Party May 4
• 2 weeks of Light Up Music City (June 2-6; June 16-20)

George Keith pickleball tournament raises money for youth missions

Eighty Woodmonters of all ages gathered at Sequoia Country club on Saturday, April 12, to play pickleball, raise money for youth missions, and honor long-time Woodmont member (and pickleball player), George Keith! Over $8,600 was raised through registration fees, “mulligans”, and sponsorships. We’d like to recognize this year’s tournament sponsors:

Tony & Alison Bueschen

Jay & Susan Hutchens

Polly Keith

Bitsy & Buzzy Keith

Allen & Lynn McDonald

Jeremy & Margaret Organ

The team winning the overall team competition was the “Blue Team,” captained by David Reynolds and Kemp Presley! Team members included Don Hart, Bill Heyne, Lin Cisney, Jane McCracken, Susan Batson, Louis Aden, Gordon Aden, Lisa Hadley, Betsy Hartwright, & Finn White.

Special thanks to those serving on the event planning team - Allen McDonald, Lynn McDonald, Jay Hutchens, Tony Bueschen, Katie Gossage, & Abby Akers!

Easter 2025

7:00 AM sunrise & 9:30 AM sanctuary services

Easter 2025

9:30 AM Drowota Hall, 9:30 AM Bridge, & 11:00 AM sanctuary services

Easter egg fundraiser

Thanks to all the families who supported your youth during our Easter egg fundraiser - we raised over $1400!

Vacation Bible School 2025 registration is live!

VBS is June 24-27, 9 AM to noon, and it is for children and students from rising pre-K4 through rising 5th grade. Click the button below to register. We can't wait to go road trippin' with you!

Calendar

Sunday, April 27

Commitment & Baptism Sunday

8:30 AM Continental Breakfast, Drowota Hall

9:00 AM Grace Notes Rehearsal, Kids' Commons

9:30 AM 21st Century Class, Boardroom

9:30 AM Disciples Class, Room 105

9:40 AM Middle School Service, Youth Room

10:45 AM The Life Class, Bay Room

10:45 AM Reflections Class, Room 200

10:45 AM Connection Class, Room 232

11:00 AM Points of View Class, Room 105

3:00 PM Pickleball, Drowota Hall

4:00 PM Youth Group, Carpenter Chapel

5:00 PM Launch Pad Parents, Campbell West

Monday, April 28

3:00 PM "Geezers" Group, Boardroom

5:30 PM Spiritual Gifts & Strengths, Room 105

Tuesday, April 29

6:00 PM Worship Night, Carpenter Chapel

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, April 30

6:00 AM Roy Stauffer’s Men’s Group, Room 105

7:00 AM Clay Stauffer’s Men’s Group, Boardroom

8:00 AM Men’s Bible Study, Room 105

6:00 PM GriefShare, Campbell West

6:00 PM DivorceCare, The Bay Room

6:15 PM Disciples Women's Bible Study, Room 200

6:30 PM Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

Thursday, May 1

10:00 AM Sit & Stitch, Gathering Hall

10:30 AM "Journey to the Heart" Women's Bible Study, Boardroom

1:00 PM Mahjong Group, Gathering Hall

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, May 2

3:00 PM Pickleball, Drowota Hall

Saturday, May 3

10:00 AM Al-Anon, Drowota Hall