Eveyone is invited to our council meeting.  Please join us Sunday, April 12, immediately after the worship service.

Gritty sand
Help me move this rock.
Tasting the salt of the earth.
Thirsty, but thirsty for what?
Cool breeze washes away sadness.
More light, but where is that star?

A clock set for Kabul time
Already tomorrow morning there.
Cold and snowy in Kabul now.
I carry a soldier, now,
In my pocket,
But also in my heart.

A map with notes and prayer requests
Asking for Peace,
For people and places
With no sacred spaces.

Where is that star?

by Katelyn

As the youth were setting up this station, three deer were grazing in the playground. The kids were thrilled to see these graceful creatures, always reminders that even in our highly developed city, peaceful, beautiful, wild animals might appear, always reminders that God is the Creator.  But it was hard to see the stars.  So it was not clear what we should do.

How can anyone follow a star, if the sky is overcast?  What does it mean to follow Jesus when things are not clear? And what does it mean to follow a star in the 21st century? With our modern technology, scientists can see distant galaxies, planets similar to ours, and detect the evidence of black holes. We can look at these pictures on tiny phones that we carry in our pockets.  Yet, finding the star that God is calling us to follow is not as easy.  In fact, our technology may make it even more difficult to find our way. But certainly God is calling us on a journey. How should I follow God today?  How should Hickory Bend follow the star?  Where will it lead us?  What gifts do we bring?

As we pack up the sacred space on Awakening to an Epiphany, we can remember to carry the light with us.  Those of you who traveled through the sacred space are carrying a soldier with you.  You have put Kabul time and weather on your phone. You are listening for a bell and remembering that as the People of God, we exist, like the clapper of a bell, between our earthly homes and our heavenly home. You are returning, as the Wise Men returned by a different path.  You have been invited to return with a bag of food for the poor. You have tried to return to your own fields, like the shepherds, rejoicing and praising God for all that you have seen and heard.You have thought about the things in 2012 that you can give up and other things that you can increase.

So carry the light with you.

And follow that star. The star is certainly there, and God is certainly guiding us.  So often, on my own, life is so difficult and my path is so hard to find!  Then we gather to worship.  When I am with you, the sky is bright with stars.  The clouds lift.  I find my path again.  I believe that together, we will find our way to return to our fields rejoicing and praising God.  Together we can return by a different route.  Together.

AWAKEN TO AN

Come to Hickory Bend UMC
605 Stewarts Ferry Pike
Nashville, TN 37214

Walk through a Sacred Space and into your own Epiphany.

Youth, children, babies, and adults are most welcome.

January 8-15, 2012
6:00-8:00 each evening

Spend a few minutes, an hour, a lifetime, or an eternity.
For more information call 615-403-8455.

Join us for Christmas at Hickory Bend UMC!

Join us for a simple Christmas Eve service.

thinkBIG!

Join our UMYF group at Warmth in Winter!  WnW is the THE Tennessee Conference retreat for United Methodist Youth.  Great music, inspiring workshops, crazy dancing, and powerful worship.  Call Emalie for details 615-403-8455

Check it out on the official WnW website.

http://tnumcyouth.org/

This Christmas Eve, Summit Hospital will be almost empty.  The only people there will be patients in ICU, their families, a few families in maternity, and the faithful staff who work so hard to make sure they are given care. For several years, Hickory Bend has taken a holiday meal to Summit Hospital ICU on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Easter.  If you would like to be part of this ministry, speak to Jeannie, Gabby, or any of the Youth.  For more information, call 615-403-8455.