We’ve learned Paul Johnson died early Friday morning at the Alive Hospice residence. Paul was a part of Vine Street Christian Church for many years, often seen on a ladder working on a repair around our campus or singing in the choir. In the spring, Paul and Mary Ann, his wife, moved back to Nashville from Colorado. Please keep in your prayers this family—including the couple’s adult children Colleen, David and Paul Jr. and their families—along with all who love Paul. Funeral plans will be announced later.
Linda Edwards
Linda Edwards has a fractured sacrum and will be recovering for a few weeks. We pray she will heal well so that she may return to the way of life she loves.
A Sunday Update
In worship this morning we celebrated Christian education and asked for God’s blessing on teachers and learners. The congregation pledged, among other promises, to pray for our volunteer teachers, so please help to fulfill that promise this week and throughout the Christian education year. The fall 2016-17 Christian education opportunities begin next week, Aug. 21 at 9 a.m. Adults will meet in Fellowship Hall and children will meet throughout the church building.
We also shared prayers for teachers, students and their parents who have started school, college or university classes or will be soon. We pray the academic year will be enriching!
Finally, we hold in our prayers Paul Johnson and his family. Paul was transferred recently to the Alive Hospice residence. His wife, Mary Ann, and their family ask for our prayers, as Paul appears to be approaching the end of his life.
Andrew Reed & Jessica Faulkner
Andrew Reed will marry Jessica Faulkner Friday, Aug. 12 at the Christian Church in Anchorage, Alaska! Steve & Nina Reed ask for our prayers as this couple begins a new season together. We also offer prayers for traveling mercies as family and friends celebrate with Jessica and Andrew.
Gigi, Andrea & Tony
Katie McLaughlin asks for prayers for her friends Tony and Andrea and their newborn baby Gabriella Grace (“Gigi”). At just a few hours old, it was discovered that Gigi has hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare heart defect. She will have her first of three heart surgeries within the week and will remain hospitalized for at least month. We pray for healing mercies for baby Gigi and strength for mom and dad.
Allyn Maxfield-Steele Ordained
Congratulations to the Rev. Allyn Maxfield-Steele! Allyn was ordained to Christian ministry Sunday during a service at Vine Street. Family and friends, along with congregants from Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Springfield and Vine Street, were on hand to affirm God’s call. We celebrate this moment and ask God’s continuing blessing on Allyn’s ministry!
Congratulations, Linda & Tim
Congratulations to Linda Barnes and Tim Crenshaw! The couple was married Sunday afternoon. We extend our good wishes, too, to their children—Clare, Elizabeth, Emily, Fergus, Molly and Patrick! The Rev. Dr. Jim Crenshaw officiated the service.
Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson is in the hospital to receive care for ongoing pancreatic issues. Mary Ann and David Johnson, Paul’s wife and son, ask us to keep their family in our prayers.
Jessica Tuberty
Helen Trabue asks for prayers for her friend, Jessica Tuberty, who will continue cancer treatment with surgery on August 8 and radiation. "Please pray for her as she continues this fight and for her family as they continue to take care of her."
Orlan Lorton
Helen Trabue and Malinda Moseley ask for prayers for their dad, Orlan Lorton. He is scheduled for surgery on August 9 to remove a mass on his lung. We offer prayers for peace and healing for him and for his wife, Jean, as she cares for him.
Joy Steele
Joy Steele, the mother of Allyn Maxfield-Steele, had emergency surgery this past weekend to treat a subdural hematoma. She is feeling much better, and Allyn hopes the doctors will allow her to travel to Nashville for his ordination on August 7.
A Monday Update
Jan Volk asks that we pray for her friend Doug Hamilton, who is in the hospital undergoing tests.
Shirley Forstman asks that we pray for her friend Doris Farley. Doris fell recently and required surgery. She is now engaged in a long recovery process.
Julia Keith
Julia Keith asks for our prayers. She has been experiencing atrial fibrillation recently and will have a procedure this week to correct the issue.
Russell/Pilkinton Families
Steve Russell died in Chattanooga on Saturday. He was the nephew of Shelton and Betty Pilkinton and the son of Eva Lassie Russell, a Vine Street member who died in 2009. Betty died earlier this year. Shelton asks that we hold these families in our prayers. Arrangements are pending.
Chad and Melia McNatt
Lester McNatt asks that we pray for Chad and Melia McNatt. Chad is Lester’s nephew who serves as an administrator at a Christian school in Rwanda. Chad has been ill for several months, experiencing decreased energy. As he continues to work and function as best he can, we pray that doctors will discover the cause of Chad’s illness.
Ted Parks
We extend traveling mercies to Ted Parks and his Lipscomb University colleague Richard Goode. They are heading to Spain. We pray for a safe journey and a fruitful, educational experience!
Lord, Have Mercy
Part of our prayers in worship today included the events of last week. May God’s mercy continue to be especially present in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Falcon Heights and nearby St. Paul, Minnesota; and Dallas. And let us pray, too, for the peace of the world.
Diane Craver
Please keep in your thoughts Diane Craver, who is Roger Young’s friend. Diane is dealing with health issues and welcomes our prayers.
Linda Bussey
We offer prayers of comfort for Linda Bussey, our bookkeeper, and her family. Jenelle Heal, Linda’s mom, died on Monday. The obituary is posted here. We give thanks to God for Jenelle’s life and for all she means to her family and friends.
T.J. McLaughlin
Please offer prayers on behalf of T.J. McLaughlin. He is in the hospital with an infection. We pray for his comfort and healing as his doctors offer care, and we pray for Katie, Jack and Ellen as they provide love and support to T.J.