Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church

Not everyone feels like celebrating during the holidays. Grief, illness, aging, depression, loneliness, unemployment, and loss are magnified. Even those who are not struggling may feel the stress of preparations and expectations around Christmas.
Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church’s Stephen Ministers Invite You to Join Them for "Out of Darkness: A Service of Hope and Prayer for Healing and Peace" with Rev. Dr. Anne McKee on Wednesday, November 20, at 6:30 p.m., in the Sanctuary. RSVP for childcare (during the service) by Wednesday, November 13 to Mary Emily at [email protected]. Sign up for Thanksgiving Dinner and Food Drive in Barron Hall at 5:00 p.m. and join us for the service afterwards! Dinner sign up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_v-joag07_d0aOdNkuCGZqWurGEGz0DIvI7Vd05yLaQ3uFA/viewform

Lord, You are our refuge and strength an ever present help in times of trouble. In a world that seems increasingly unsafe and unpredictable, You are the Rock that provides a firm foundation for our lives.
Help us, Oh Lord, to remind ourselves of your ever presence, so that when we meet those daily challenges, we remember to call upon your mighty name. Give us discernment about our decisions great and small. Help us to always seek your will and not lean on our own understanding about anything. In the powerful and glorious name of Jesus we pray. Amen -SHPC Prayer Ministry

Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee; Take my moments and my days; Let them flow in ceaseless praise; Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

The lovely arrangements on Sunday, October 27, 2024, were designed by Amelia Daniels and Cheryl Kershaw.

On Sunday, November 3, the church around the world celebrates "All Saints' Day," a time when we remember loved ones who have entered the Church Triumphant. Please join us at either the 8:45 or 11:00 a.m. worship service this Sunday.
All Saints’ Day is a time to rejoice in all who through the ages have faithfully served the Lord. The day reminds us that we are part of one continuing, living communion of saints. It is a time to claim our kinship with the “glorious company of apostles … the noble fellowship of prophets … the white-robed army of martyrs” (Te Deum). It is a time to express our gratitude for all who in ages of darkness kept the faith, for those who have take the gospel to the ends of the earth, for prophetic voices who have called the church to be faithful in life and service, for all who have witnessed to God’s justice and peace in every nation.
To rejoice with all the faithful of every generation expands our awareness of a great company of witnesses above and around us like a cloud (Hebrews 12:1). It lifts us out of a preoccupation with our own immediate situation and the discouragements of the present. In the knowledge that others have persevered, we are encouraged to endure against all odds (Hebrews 12:1-2). Reminded that God was with the faithful of the past, we are reassured that God is with us today, moving us and all creation toward God’s end in time. In this context, it is appropriate for a congregation on All Saints’ Day to commemorate the lives of those who died during the previous year. -An excerpt from the Companion to the Book of Common Worship (Geneva Press, 2003, 150-151)

"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my whole being shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations." -Isaiah 61:10-11

Thanks to Janice Petrone and Ginny Lyon for assisting in worship on Sunday, October 27, 2024.

You can find information on our construction project, Stewardship Commitment Sunday, Women's Ministries' Advent by Candlelight (with special message from Frances Howell), JOY Fellowship events, Thanksgiving Dinner and Out of Darkness Service, Fall Fest and Chili Cook-off photos, Advent Family Workshop, a new Sunday school class, outreach opportunities, youth photos, plus much more in the latest edition of The Tower Newsletter on the homepage of sequoyahchurch.org. Direct link:https://www.sequoyahchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024TowerNovember.pdf

Youth SNF Pumpkin Carving Party in The Loft. Youth Ministries' Friendsgiving SNF is November 17 at 5:30 p.m. in The Loft. Mark your calendar and bring a friend!

Some SHPC friends took seats at "The Big Table," a day of community conversation. The Big Table event was hosted by Leadership Knoxville and focused on "The Art of Neighboring." How meeting new people around you, sharing lived experiences and actively listening to understand the crucial steps toward building a more kind, connected community where everyone has a seat at the table can truly transform a community. Co-Author of "The Art of Neighboring: Building Genuine Relationships Right Outside Your Door" Dave Runyan was the guest speaker at lunch.

Our Fellowship Ministries Committee, the Men of the Church, our Local Missions and Benevolence Committee and our Stephen Ministers hope you will join us for a Thanksgiving Dinner & Holiday Food Drive and the Out of Darkness Service with Rev. Anne McKee on November 20. The Dinner and Food Drive are at 5:00 p.m. in Barron Hall followed by the service at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
Bring boxes of mac and cheese, jars of peanut butter, cans of green beans, applesauce and soups for the families we serve through the Backpack Program at Pond Gap, Roses Creek, and our FISH program. We will sort and sack the food to be delivered to these families as the Advent season draws near. Children are encouraged to come help!
Sign up at sequoyahchurch.org or use the direct link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_v-joag07_d0aOdNkuCGZqWurGEGz0DIvI7Vd05yLaQ3uFA/viewform

Fun times at the October Fall Fest and Chili Cook-off! A big thank you to Laura Thomason, Ashley Reed, Emily Hullander, Bridgette Cassell, and Laura Simmons of Fellowship Ministries for an evening of fall fun. Congratulations to our Chili Cook-off winners: 1 | Johnson Brownlow with his Elk Chili, 2 | Kyri Tombras with her Brisket Chili, and 3 | Frances and Jay Howell with their Coffee Chili. A special thanks to all who brought chili to share and to those who contributed boots and coats for Local Missions!

The lovely arrangement on Sunday, October 20, 2024, was designed by Elizabeth Clark and Frances Howell.

"When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, 'Surely his anointed is now before the Lord.' But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him, for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.' Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. He said, 'Neither has the Lord chosen this one.' Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, 'Neither has the Lord chosen this one.' Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, 'The Lord has not chosen any of these.' Samuel said to Jesse, 'Are all your sons here?' And he said, 'There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.' And Samuel said to Jesse, 'Send and bring him, for we will not sit down until he comes here.' He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. The Lord said, 'Rise and anoint him, for this is the one.' Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah." -1 Samuel 16:6-13

Thanks to Susan Hyde, Kent Keobke, Dan Daubas, and Elizabeth Clark for assisting in worship on Sunday, October 20, 2024.

We were so honored to have Grey Steed as the Church and Community Luncheon speaker for October. He shared some intriguing stories about his 25 years with the FBI. Thank you so much Grey, for sharing and for your service. We look forward to hearing from our own Chris and Donna Kinney about the new baseball stadium, enjoying Petro’s and fellowship with one another in November. Reserve your lunch - and remember to invite a friend! -Rev. Janna Preston

September Girl’s Small Group "Pottery Night" with Janet Harper and Guy’s Small Group "Parking Lot Pickle Ball"

Join us for our Stewardship Dinner on Sunday, November 3 at 5 p.m. Childcare is provided. Come and learn more about our hopes for ministry in 2025 and the 2025 Budget with a word from Pastor Jay. Sign up for dinner at sequoyahchurch.org under Latest Information or with direct link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScGMnB641kfPaXKhlA5tgiPpMGBClWJ7rgQAk3MJpHF6_nlhA/viewform

The Annual Camping Trip to Big South Fork’s Bandy Creek Campground is this weekend. The deadline to register is today. Direct sign-up link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdxtTbjlGiI3jnVgu5YpggR2QVkBxR8Ik6ACqKtB1l1ar25JA/viewform
Join us for Thursday through Sunday, just for the weekend or only for the day. All are welcome!
Cost: $60 per family to reserve site, firewood, and include dinner on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, Saturday and Sunday breakfasts, (lunches are on your own). Contact Robyn and Nick Doiron at mailto:[email protected] with questions.

The flowers in the sanctuary on Sunday, October 13, were given to the glory of God in loving memory of Jess Mitchell, his parents, and her parents from Sis Mitchell and family. Kathryn Callaway and Gail Grossman designed the lovely arrangements.

Our next Table Talk is Thursday, October 24 at Bogartz in Bearden, 4705 Old Kingston Pike | Join us for a wonderful time of fellowship for women who have lost their spouse. We meet on the fourth Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m. for dinner and fellowship at different restaurants in town (Dutch Treat). Questions, call Becky or Rev. Janna Preston at 865-522-9804.

"I will give them one heart and put a new spirit within them; I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, so that they may follow my statutes and keep my ordinances and obey them. Then they shall be my people, and I will be their God." -Ezekiel 11:19-20

Thanks to Elle Hall for assisting in worship on Sunday, October 13, 2024.