Tennison Tower November 2019 pg. 1

TENNISON November 2019

TOWER

Tennison Memorial United Methodist Church

313 N Church Street, Mount Pleasant TX 75455

903.572.5341 ~ www.tennisonumc.org

WORSHIP SERVICES

8:45 a.m. The Gathering Comfortable and casual Kid friendly Sing with the Praise Band Meets in the Gathering Hall 9:45 a.m. Sunday School Classes for all ages Meet in Education Building 10:45 a.m. Traditional Worship Service with Chancel Choir Meets in the Sanctuary www.facebook.com/tennisonumc

"Probable impossibilities are to be preferred to improbable possibilities.” ~ Aristotle

Most people know that Aristotle was very wise. But we need an Aristotle filter to understand some of that wisdom. So, I have taken his words above and applied them to the church — our church. What are “probable impossibilities? And just what are “improbable possibilities”?

Lots of us feel it is impossible to be ready, willing, and able to talk to a perfect stranger and invite them to church. Most often that is because we think that it’s all up to us. But if we learn to pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us, we will be led to the person God has already prepared for that in-vite! It is not only probable, but in my eyes and the point of view of Scripture, it is a certainty. It may seem impossible, but it is very, very proba-ble.

On the other hand, if we believe that doing noth-ing is the answer; or, that doing the same thing we’ve been doing is the most probable path for success, then we have found a very improbable possibility for growth. Martin Luther said, “How soon 'not now' becomes 'never'!”

There are numerous lists out there which describe why churches fail to grow. And while there are a lot of items on that list, there are two we should pay attention to. First, we are more in love with the past than we are with the future. The past is not where we live. It is meant to be cherished, learned from, reminisced about, but we do not live there anymore. The second, we are afraid to risk what is, for the sake of what could be.

Our church is very giving. We are being the church in more ways than any church I know. And that is saying a lot! Our debt is all but gone, our budgeting will be much easier now. We have been

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

Pastor Mike Cline

(cont’d. on pg. 3)

CALENDAR

Nov. 3 All Saints Sunday

Nov. 6 canceled —Trustees

Nov. 7 VBS Planning Mtg.

Nov. 10 Veterans Sunday

Nov. 18 Finance Committee

Nov. 19 XYZ trip

Nov. 20 Master’s Chefs

Nov. 20 Kids’ Thanksgiving

Nov. 24 Thanksgiving Luncheon

Nov. 27-28 Office closed

Acolytes Hannah Anderson and Madison Hargrove carry candle lighters as children sing for Children’s Sabbath.

Tennison Tower November 2019 pg. 2

PRAYERS NEEDED

Judy Barry

Amy Berkner

Bob Dunegan

Randy Dungan

Jeani Guest

Nancy Hairston

Pete Hairston

Randy Hodge

Kathy Huffman

Menhennett Family

Galand Nuchols

Kay Petty

Socorro Sausedo

Chris Shelton

Melba Spann

Confined at home:

Lucretia Alexander

Patsy Morrison

Bob Nuchols

Faynelle Taylor

Military:

Jeff Cody

Nicklaus Kirkham

Christopher Manchigiah

Lt. Charles Moler

LIZ SANDERS LEADS YOUTH GROUP

Liz Sanders, daughter of Kathy and Wayne Sanders, grew up in the

youth program at Tennison UMC. After graduating from Texas Tech

University with a degree in political science, she returned to Mt.

Pleasant with a desire to work with youth and nurture their growth.

Liz is keeping many parts of the Wednesday night program previ-

ously led by Sheri Cobb. She is recruiting new members by meeting

students at local sporting events and inviting them to attend.

“I love kids,” Liz said. “Youth Group gives them support, fun, a

break from home and a safe place to talk and learn about God.” She

remembers how much the program helped her as a teenager and

said, “My life would be totally different without it.” The encourage-

ment and counseling she got from mentors at Tennison gave her confidence to go to college

and dream of attending seminary.

The program is open to youth from 6th grade (12 years old) through high school. It will be

shaped by their goals for bible knowledge, service to others and ways to make a difference.

Liz Sanders

FALL FAITH FESTIVAL ATTRACTS A CROWD

Tennison Tower November 2019 pg. 3

good stewards of our facilities and we don’t have any major repairs now.

We have stayed true to our mission for God in our com-munity. We are always found at the very heart of car-ing for our community. The Health Fair, Card Art, Sew-ing Class, Backpacking Trip, Summer Lunches, Wheel-chair Ramps, Habitat, Parenting Classes, Grief Classes, Scouting Groups, Boys and Girls Clubs, and even more!

So many amazing gifts, all emerging out of your hearts and genuine desire to make a difference. We are learn-ing and growing in our spiritual lives and our under-standing of who Christ calls us to be. But there is still one piece missing.

We are called to make disciples. And that means reach-ing people who have never gone to church. That means teaching grace to people who believe God is harsh and angry. That means reaching out to people who have never known how good God is in this world.

We MUST invite people to be a part of what God has al-ready been calling them to do. There are people walk-ing around in Mount Pleasant who are future Sunday school teachers, future youth leaders, future pastors, future worship leaders, and future pot-puck meal plan-ners. The possibilities are spectacular! But only if we invite them. The dominoes are waiting for that one last push.

This is the time to thrive! Don’t be tempted to just ex-ist. Now is the time to say, “This is my church family and it is an ultimate priority. It is where I receive my spiritual nourishment. It is the place that challenges me to live beyond the voice of culture to the freer life of faith.”

Now is the time to say we will continue to make a differ-ence! We are blazing a trail. We are making a way. We are in the ongoing process of giving rest and hope for a world of people who aren’t here yet.

You are a congregation of generous people. May you give generously to the church’s ministry and mission this year. As you give, may you know the joy of offering living water, rest for the weary, and the bread of life to a hurting world.

— Mike

KIDS’ THANKSGIVING

DINNER — NOV. 20

Is it the food or is it the friends?

We all love something different

about Thanksgiving.

To make this holiday memorable

and meaningful for our children

and youth, Corey Mills and Liz

Sanders are coordinating a Kids’

Thanksgiving dinner.

The event will be Wednesday,

Nov. 20 from 5-7 p.m. in the

TMAC.

Kids are asked to bring a favorite

side dish from home to share with

friends. Corey and Liz will prepare

the meat. This is a time for kids

to show off their cooking skills or

just reflect on what they look for-

ward to at the annual feast.

There’s more than food for the

body at this meal. There’s also

food for the soul. Kids will discuss

the meaning of the holiday and

how it relates to their bible study.

From the Pastor’s desk (cont’d.)

ALL CHURCH THANKSGIVING

DINNER — NOV. 24

Celebrate with your church family

on Sunday, Nov. 24 when we sit

down to our annual Thanksgiving

dinner in the TMAC following a

combined worship service.

Turkey and ham will be provided.

Herschel’s will whip up the dress-

ing and gravy. All we need from

you is a salad, vegetable or des-

sert.

Jane Scharlach, 903.466.3221,

and Jan Cross, 903.577.2375, are

coordinating the event. Please let

the church office know if your

family will attend.

We are called to make disciples.

Tennison Tower November 2019 pg. 4

CONTACT US

Church office: (903)572-5341 Mailing address: PO Box 967, Mt. Pleasant TX 75456

Office hours: Mon-Thurs, 8:30-4:30, closed for lunch 12-1 Closed on Fridays

Pastor: Mike Cline, pastor@tennisonumc.org Administrative Assistant: Melissa Pearson, admin@tennisonumc.org Finance Secretary: Jeani Guest, finance@tennisonumc.org Music Director: David Mills, music@tennisonumc.org Children’s Director: Corey Mills, children@tennisonumc.org

BIRTHDAYS

TAYLOR, Tim 11/02

SPANN, Melba 11/04

GARRETT, Suzan 11/07

BROWN, Billie 11/10

HAMILTON, Judy 11/12

DAVEY, David 11/13

KIRK, Linda 11/18

O'CONNOR, Deloris 11/18

ROESLER, Aaron 11/18

WARD, Candy 11/18

MENHENNETT, Alex 11/19

REDFEARN, Samuel 11/19

SANDLIN, Joe 11/20

STRUBE, Ray 11/21

FARR, Susan 11/22

HARGROVE, Sandra 11/22

SANDERS, Kathy 11/22

FENDER, Alynda 11/26

SWOFFORD, Sandra 11/26

MCDANIEL, Lisa 11/28

COBB, Sheri 11/29

TAYLOR, Josephine 11/29

BOWERS, Junk 11/30

ANNIVERSARIES

LOVELESS, Rick & Julie 11/05

GUEST, Charlie & Jeani 11/16

SPEARMAN, Bobby & Mary 11/26

WORSHIP ATTENDANCE

Oct. 6 141

Oct. 13 107

Oct. 20 115

Oct. 27 126

HOW ONLINE GIVING HELPS OUR CHURCH

If you’re willing to try something new that improves our financial accuracy, you’re invited to make your do-nations through “GivePlus Church.” When you use this service, your contribution goes directly to the cor-rect place in the church’s ledger.

It’s okay if you don’t want to put this on your phone. You don’t have to. Financial Secretary Jeani Guest can help you switch your giving to this service without us-ing a smartphone. Please stop by her office and she’ll be glad to help you.

YANCEY BAPTISM

Harrison Scott Yancey was

baptized by Pastor Mike Cline

on Oct. 6. His parents, Cassie

and Jey Yancey, and big sis-

ter Lilly Jane helped with the

ceremony. A large crowd of

relatives and friends were in

attendance. Harrison was

born in Mt. Pleasant on April

20, 2019. Lilly Jane was also

baptized at Tennison UMC.

PHOTOS REQUESTED

All Saints Sunday: Loved ones who died during the

past year will be honored on Nov. 3. Please bring

framed photos to be placed on the altar.

Veterans Day: Veterans will be honored on Nov. 10

with a slideshow featuring their photographs. Please

submit photos to the church office as soon as possible

to be included.

Dear Tennison Family, We are now both at home, and we are grateful for the cards, food, visits and especially the prayers. In Christ’s name, Pete and Nancy Hairston