All of us have been impacted by the economy.  Many people are hurting financially.  As a church, we want to encourage, help, and offer opportunities that can provide the tools to help us navigate through these turbulent times.  We’re creating a unique opportunity for you to preview one of the most exciting programs about matters pertaining to money.  You’re invited to attend a free preview of the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University program on April 6 at 7:00 PM in our state-of-the-art media room (Chumley Hall).Come to the free preview and judge for yourself whether the program will meet your needs. Bring your spouse, friends, and co-workers.  If you have any questions, contact me at 292-6679.

G. Scott Gleaves, Minister

What is Financial Peace University?

FPU is the most important step to changing your financial future. It is your Total Money Makeover Program. It takes the knowledge from God and turns it into real action in our lives through a step-by-step process taught by best-selling author and financial counselor Dave Ramsey.

FPU is a 13-week life-changing program that empowers and teaches you how to make the right money decisions to achieve your financial goals and God’s plan for your life. The course includes practical lessons on eliminating debt, building wealth, giving like never before, and much, much more!

Who is Financial Peace University for?

It’s for EVERYONE!…from the financially secure to the financially distressed. Over 650,000 families and individuals have attended Financial Peace University.

Applying God’s Word radically changes your life. On average, FPU graduates have paid off over $5,300 in debt and saved $2,700 during the 91-day program!

What Will I Learn?

In this life-changing program you will learn:

1. Step-by-Step Cash Flow Planning

Luke 14:28: “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it.”

2. Debt Snowball Plan Technique to Eliminating Debt

Proverbs 22:7: “The borrower is slave to the lender.”

3. How to Invest Wisely

Ecclesiastes 11:2: “Give portions to seven, yes to eight, for you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.”

The Granny White congregation has made vital enhancements to its already highly successful Children’s Bible Hour ministry.  Every Sunday morning our children participate jointly in our worship assembly for the first fifteen or so minutes.  After we observe communion, our children from age three to grade four are dismissed to their “Sonshine” Bible class in order to receive biblical instruction on their level.  The Sonshine Bible class consists of singing, skits, puppet shows, and various kinds of crafts.   Our Family Life Minister, Jeff Wilson, will be implementing a new team approach that will open up the opportunity for more people in the congregation to be involved on a rotating basis in the Sonshine Bible class. 

Another new enhancement will be the change that will occur every fifth Sunday.  Instead of dismissing our kids to the Sonshine Bible class, all children will be invited to sit around the stage in the front of the auditorium, giving me and the song leader an opportunity to talk and sing briefly with our children.  Afterwards, the children will return to their parents and remain with all of us as we continue to worship God together.

The Sonshine Bible class is just one of many ways we as a congregation are investing in the spiritual welfare of our children.  We will continue to provide outstanding Bible classes for our young people on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM and Wednesday nights at 6:30 PM. 

Our Mothers Day Out Ministry meets every Wednesday from 9:00 AM to Noon.  Contact us if you have interest in learning more about it.

Our youth group continues to be challenged spiritually.  Currently our teen’s class on Sunday mornings is divided into two groups–male and female–for gender specific instruction and encouragement.  We believe that there are biblical issues and studies that are better addressed in a separated class rather than a combined one.  Scott Tillman, our Youth Ministry, has also planned a Youth Lock Out for February 26-27.   The Lock Out will be filled special activities designed to promote faith, friendship and fun!  Again, contact us if you’d like more information about our youth ministry.

This has been an unusual winter for us in Nashville–lots of snow and ice!  However, spring is right around the corner.   Seek God and discover His will for your life.  Join us as we continue to touch hearts, change lives, and praise our Creator.  God is good all the time; all the time God is good!    

Scott Gleaves, Minister

Join us as we begin taking some bold moves in 2010.  On Sunday mornings, I’ll be sharing a series of biblical messages on the theme of Bold Moves.  We will be appointing additional elders to join our leadership team as we seek to touch hearts, change lives, and praise God.  Our Missions Sunday will be January 31.  On Missions Day you will be introduced to our present foreign and local missionaries and learn more about what drives us to reach the world for Christ.  We will also begin reading together as a congregation the twelve books in the Old Testament commonly referred to as the Minor Prophets.  So, a lot is happening at GW, and we encourage you to check us out! If you need additional information on any of our ministries or simply have something you’d like to ask, please contact me.

Scott Gleaves, Minister

Come and welcome the New Year with us on Thursday, December 31 at 8:00 PM ’till midnight.  You’re free to come and go.  Many of us are gathering for a bluegrass jam session and game night.  We’ll be in the fellowship hall on the north side of the church building.  If you have an acoustic instrument, bring it and join in on the jam.   We typically have our bluegrass jam sessions and game nights on the 4th Thursday of each month.   Many who attend also  bring games to play and enjoy the fellowship.  Call if you need more information.

Are You Ready for the New Year?

I always get excited about the prospects of a new year.  I’ve developed slogans each year to keep me focused and motivated— “Come Alive in 2005”; “Taking the Licks in 2006”; “Be Brazen in 2007”; “Open the Gate in 2008”; and “Cross the Line in 2009.”  Each of these slogans reminded me of my goals through the year and helped me stay on course.  And so my slogan for next year is:  “Bear It and Grin in 2010.”  The purpose of this slogan is to remind me to rejoice always, be content, be patient, and be positive about life while remembering that I “can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).

As I look back over the year of 2009, I see many personal successes, many failures, many joys, and many sorrows.  I’ve felt strong, and I’ve been weak.  I’ve been a good example and at times a poor one.  I could have encouraged more, loved more, and served more.  But I’m not disappointed.  I’ve walked with God, I’ve worshiped, read His word, and preached His gospel.  God, if He is willing, will bless me and you with another year filled with opportunities.  And so “forgetting what lies behind, and reaching for what lies ahead,” let us all “press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14).

Scott Gleaves, Minister

On Saturday, November 14, we distributed in our community around 5,000 coats, religious reading material, and boxes of food.  We were able to serve about 1,000 people.   We not only had great participation from our congregation, but other congregations also pitched in to help!  Our sponsors from H. G. Hill and Firestone were present.  Channel 4 interviewed a number of people.  We saw a lot of smiling faces and many expressed appreciation for our efforts to serve. 

On behalf of the Granny White Congregation, I’d like to thank all our sponsors and all of the people throughout Nashville who donated coats and their time to support the Warm Coats from Warm Hearts ministry. 

Click on the link below to see the Channel 4 News video (you’ll need a Flash Player to view it.  You can download a free player at  www.adobe.com.) 

www.wsmv.com/video/21654476/index.html

Scott Gleaves, Minister

We are in the midst of our annual Warm Coats from Warm hearts coat drive.  This is our twelfth year to lead this effort in our community.  We have collected and distributed over 50,000 coats.  

You’ll find collection points throughout the Nashville area.  Coats may be dropped off at Price Point Furniture in Rivergate, H. G. Hill food stores, Bridgestone and Firestone auto centers, channel 4, many schools and churches, and of course here at the Granny White Church of Christ.  Call us to find a collection center near you.  If you wish to donate, please be sure coats are clean and on hangers.  If you’re in the area, drop by and we’ll give you a tour of the whole process. 

We anticipate collecting around 5,000 coats this year.  This year may be especially important because of the economy.   Our distribution day will be on November 14.   Second Harvest food bank will also be present to distribute food boxes.  

Our motivation for Warm Coats from Warm Hearts comes from the words of Jesus:  ”Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’  Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?   When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’  The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me’ (Matthew 25:34-40).

What a wonderful opportunity it is to serve others and glorify God in the process!

Call us if you need more information.

G. Scott Gleaves, Minister

I’ve been a minister here for a little over two years now, and have seen and have been a part of this inspiring community of believers. You’ll also see how we’re touching hearts through ministries like the Warm Coats from Warm Hearts, Inner City classes, Martha’s Kitchen, and Room in the Inn.

Changing lives comes naturally because we’re committed to biblical truth, to one another, and to serving our neighbors.

Our greatest joy is praising God for the transformation He causes in our lives. Our passion is not to build a great church for God; but to build a church for a great God!

I hope you’ll join us.

Don’t hesitate to contact me.

Scott Gleaves