The Pharisee and the Publican

The Pharisee and the Publican
The Pharisee and the Publican, baroque fresco in Ottobeuren Basilica.

Our final Sunday in this parables series takes us to the Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, who both went to the temple to pray. Who do you most identify with in this story? Jesus has just finished telling his disciples a parable about a persistent widow and an unjust judge and immediately follows it up with this parable, suggesting that the two are linked together. What connections do you notice? Join us for our final sermon in the series on the Stories from a Jewish Rabbi (with much thanks to Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, professor of New Testament studies at Vanderbilt, and her book Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi). Join us Sunday as we explore Luke 18:9-14.

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday

Lent begins next week. Join us Wednesday, 10 February at 7:00pm for our Ash Wednesday worship service as we begin our Lenten journey together.

Women's Group

Women's Group

Women's Group meets tonight (Monday, 1 February) at 7:00pm.

Congregational Meeting

Congregational Meeting

The Session has set a congregational meeting for Sunday, 7 February at 10:45 for the purpose of receiving the annual report from 2015 and electing 3 members to serve on the 2016 Nominating Committee. You can view and print a copy of the annual financial report here. The report will be presented on the screen Sunday, and a limited number of printed copies will be available as well. If you are interested in serving on the Nominating Committee for 2016, or know of someone who might be, we need 3 members of the congregation to join Session members John Morrell and Sandra Carter.

Theologian in Residence

2016 Theologian in Residence

Theologian in Residence starts this Tuesday (2 February) at Tusculum College. This year Dr. Travis Williams will discuss the Dead Sea Scrolls, one of the most important archeological discoveries in the 20th century. Lectures take place each Tuesday in February beginning at 10:00am at Niswonger Commons on the Tusculum College campus. Attendance is free and lunch is included, but registration is requested for the college to plan accordingly. To register please call or email Eugenia Estes as 636-7304 or eestes@tusculum.edu.

Weather Schedule

Winter Wonderland

I love the snow. Like most of you, I'm ready to see it go by the time spring rolls around, but I love it when it snows - everything is beautiful and bright. But along with the snow comes the occasional difficulty of navigating icy or snowy roads. Just as a reminder this season:

In every case, please use your own best judgment when deciding whether or not to get on the roads. For information about other activities (committee meetings, choir practice, women's group, etc.) please contact the individual facilitating that activity (committee chairperson, choir director, PW moderator, etc.)

Ferbuary Collection Items

Food Bank January Items: Canned Soup

Please remember the Greene County Food Bank and Samaritan's Purse collections for the month of February when you're doing your shopping. February collection items are:

February Samaritan's Purse Item - Soap, washcloths, and soapboxes

Coming up at Timber Ridge...

Committee Opportunities

The Session had its first meeting last week, and elders are working on filling church committees for 2016. We need your help with the various activities and ministries we hope to accomplish this year. A brief list of the committees is below. Please prayerfully consider which one(s) might interest you, and let the committee chair or Brian know.

  1. Building Committee maintains and repairs the church physical facilities (Doug Roberts)
  2. Cemetery Committee oversees maintenance of the cemetery and grounds, and works with the funeral home and pastor in the event of a death (John Morrell)
  3. Christian Education Committee works with Sunday school and Vacation Bible School programs (Marilyn Brumley)
  4. Evangelism Committee strives to engage with members of the community outside of the church (Lisa Balabas)
  5. Mission Interpretation and Stewardship (MIS) Committee is responsible for the financial wellbeing of the church and special offerings throughout the year (Paul Burkey)
  6. Nurture Committee seeks to care for members of our church family, especially shut-ins and the sick, and plans our annual Fall Retreat in Banner Elk, NC (Kimra Crocker)
  7. Worship Committee works with the pastor to plan worship leadership, ushers, communion, pulpit supply, and our spring and fall picnics in the pavilion (Charlie Harmon)
  8. Youth Planning Committee is responsible for our Wednesday evening and other special Youth activities throughout the year (Amy Cobble)

Please prayerfully consider where God is calling you to serve this year, and let the pastor or an elder know by February 10.