We’ve learned Susan Doyle Leap died Friday. Susan grew up in this church and was especially active in the Christian Youth Fellowship (CYF) program. Please keep this family in your prayers.
Lillian McKenzie
Julia & Roy DeHart ask for prayers for Lillian McKenzie. Lillian is a dear friend of the family who has been diagnosed with lung cancer.
Update: Sylvia von Dohlen
We’ve learned David von Dohlen’s mother Sylvia died Saturday evening, Dec. 17. Arrangements are pending. Please keep David and all who care for Sylvia in your prayers. And may God be with all who watch or weep or mourn this day.
Norman Hall
Longtime Vine Street member Norman Hall died on Dec. 15. A celebration of life will be held at Richland Country Club on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017 from 4-6 p.m. We pray for comfort and peace for Margaret and for all who love Norman. Read the obituary here.
Laura Ashby
Laura Ashby's father, Kenneth Ashby of Hopkinsville, KY is under hospice care and in his last hours of life. She ask that we pray for a peaceful transition as the Lord calls him home.
Arrangements Announced for Elizabeth Lawrence
The community will gather to give thanks to God and to celebrate the life of Elizabeth Lawrence on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017. The memorial service will take place at Vine Street Christian Church at 3 p.m. Visitation will be at the church prior to the service from 2-2:45 p.m. Elizabeth died in her home Dec. 16. Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens, Funeral Home and Cremation Center is handling the arrangements.
Update: Fourth Sunday of Advent
We remembered several folks in our prayers during worship today, including Richard & Shannon Fairchild, who are friends of Lester McNatt. Richard is undergoing cancer treatment.
Jackie Halstead’s father, Walter, is in the hospital today undergoing tests.
We’ve learned, too, that longtime church member Normal Hall died on Thursday; let us keep his family and friends in prayer.
Drawn near to us, Emmanuel....
Update: Elizabeth Lawrence
We’ve learned Elizabeth Lawrence died earlier this morning. Arrangements through Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens, Funeral Home & Cremation Center for a memorial service at a later date are pending. We give thanks to God for Elizabeth’s life, and we offer prayers of comfort for Risley and all who love Elizabeth.
Elizabeth Lawrence
Please keep in your prayers Elizabeth & Risley Lawrence, along with their family and friends. Elizabeth became quite weak recently. Her health has taken a turn and she may be nearing the end of her life. We’re grateful she is receiving hospice care in the assisted-living apartment she shares with Risley. May we pray for Elizabeth’s comfort; for strength and courage for Risley and all the family; and may we offer gratitude to God for all that Elizabeth & Risley mean to Vine Street Christian Church.
Sue Trueman
Marjorie Taggart asks us to pray for her friend Sue who just had surgery. She is in pain, which we all hope will soon subside, but she must also learn to live with the side effects of the surgery. We pray for strength of body and soul.
Tom Shinness
Jan Volk asks that we pray for her friend Tom Shinness. He was recently diagnosed with lymphoma. Folks may remember Tom as he plays harp guitar and has accompanied Jan at Vine Street.
Sylvia von Dohlen
Betsy & David von Dohlen ask for prayers for David’s mother, Sylvia. She appears to be approaching the end of her life, and we are grateful she is receiving hospice care now. Let us offer prayers for Sylvia’s comfort and hope; and prayers for strength and courage for her family and friends. You may recall that it was nearly two years ago, Dec. 23, when Priscilla Hutton, Betsy’s mother, died, so this, of course, stirs complex emotions, especially at the holiday season.
Ed Cole
Cheers to Ed Cole! The Council on Aging of Middle Tennessee presented Tuesday its annual Community Catalyst Award to Ed and the Senior Transportation Leadership Coalition. The award recognizes that group’s work to create Senior Ride Nashville, slated to launch in 2017.
Michael Lee
Sondra and Ted Lee ask for prayers for their son, Michael, who grew up in our church, and his family. Michael was diagnosed recently with leukemia and is in an Atlanta-area medical center receiving treatment.
Mark and Erica Pilkinton
Shelton Pilkinton asks for prayers for his family. Mark Pilkinton, Shelton’s grandson, and his wife, Erica, experienced a miscarriage last week. Margaret Ann will be buried Dec. 9 at Harpeth Hills on Highway 100.
Prayers and Support for East Tennessee
Earlier this week you became aware of the campaign by Tennessee Disciples and friends to provide emergency assistance items for folks affected by the wildfires in East Tennessee. Thanks to a generous response, relief items are being transported across I-40 east now—thank you!
The struggle there goes on, so please continue to keep those communities in your prayers. And if you haven’t had a chance yet to pitch in on the relief efforts, you may still do so by making a financial donation. Week of Compassion stands ready to receive your contributions by clicking here.
Welcome, Isla!
It's another amazing day for the Dixons! Isla Belle Dixon was born this morning at 1:03 a.m. to Cory and Matthew Dixon. She is the sister of Roman and Gia. Paternal grandparents are Rachel & Bryce Dixon. Congratulations to this family!
Thank you, Jeff Miller
Congratulations to Jeff Miller, who was named the 2016 Steward of the Year at the Harvest Luncheon on Sunday! He is recognized for his commitments to church leadership, local outreach and children’s education. Thank you, Jeff!
Prayers for Our Leaders
Writing on her blog today, the Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, our general minister and president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada, says, “As we awake to this day after the election, some things have not changed. Whether we are rejoicing or we are feeling stunned and disappointed, the Gospel still calls us to love God first of all with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. It calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves.”
She continues, “On this day, our job as disciples of Christ, is still the same as it was yesterday, as it will be tomorrow—to proclaim by what we say and what we do that God is a God of love, and we are people of love—for all God’s children. Our call is to work together for the common good, to welcome all to the table, people of all races, ages, gender identities, abilities, religions, and yes, politics, and to find ways to work together to extend to each other—across the whole human family—the abundance of a generous God.”
We offer prayers for all leaders today, as we do throughout the year. To read Dr. Watkins’ entire post, click here.
Weekend Chi Rho Retreat
Several people from Vine Street are participating in this weekend’s Chi Rho retreat for 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. Heading out to Bethany Hills are campers Elijah W. and Duke C.; TCYF cabinet member Molly L., providing leadership; and counselors Miles Kleinert, Clare Crenshaw and Rev. Hope Hodnett. We pray the weekend will be rich for all!