THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND BLOOD, AND MOVED INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD
JOHN 1:14
A Letter From Michael Rhodes
After our kids were born, Anna and I wanted to be sure we made time for traditions at Christmas. Some traditions passed on from our family and some new traditions for our family of five. Our Christmas traditions seem to revolve around food. Maybe your tradition is having cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning or reading the story of Christ’s birth before you open presents
Traditions shape
us.
This guide has ideas for you to use throughout Advent. Some of these may be new to you. Maybe it’s the start of a new tradition
You can also read about TCC’s 2024 Christmas Project. This long tradition of helping our neighbor has shaped us. We have learned to give beyond ourselves We have raised money to purchase a church van in Guatemala, dig wells in Haiti, and help people who were recently incarcerated with basic needs when they were released. This year . . . well . . . you’ll have to keep reading this guide to find out
You will also find the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Project for 2025, discover great gift ideas from local non-profits that make a difference, and opportunities to give to our neighbors on the Hill
Thank you for your generosity.
WITH LOVE, YOUR NAZARENE MISSIONS INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL
Michael Rhodes
Salama Edita
Carol Ann Eby
Larry and Sharon Buess
Bob and Shirley Aldrich
Becky Farley
Oileen Roberts
Alexander and Kennedy Ireland
Don Schrope
Erin Casler
Advent Practices
Make the Nativity come alive
We have a simple wooden set for our nativity, and throughout the season, our shepherds and angels and sheep move throughout our house. You’ll find an angel having a conversation with Mary or Joseph, shepherds chasing their sheep down the hall, and Joseph having a guys night with his shepherd pals throughout Advent. Only on Christmas morning will you find the whole set together in one place – and that’s when baby Jesus makes his first appearance!
Make the Nativity come alive!
Create an advent wreath
You can use five simple candles for this practice –three purple, one rose, and one white. We decorate our wreath with greenery from the back yard, but you can do this as simply as you choose Light a candle Read scripture Pray for hope, peace, joy, and love for your community.
Create
an advent wreath
Listen to Music
Check out this Spotify playlist from Pastor Jordan
Celebrate the Saints
We spend December 6 celebrating the Feast of Saint Nicholas – that’s right, Santa Claus! We make or buy inexpensive ornaments for our neighbors, and we sneak them over to their front doors while they’re not looking. We leave a note about the work of Saint Nicholas, and we pray a blessing over each gift we give There are several more Saint days to celebrate throughout Advent – a quick google search will give you lots of ideas!
The Saint Nicholas Center
hope, peace, joy & love
Advent is a season of anticipation We wait, brimming with hope and dancing in our seats with the joy that will come in the morning We wait, crushed by the darkness of uncertainty and crawling toward the promise of the dawn even when we ’ re not sure we have anything left
And God meets us in the waiting
December 1:
Even in the wilderness, we encounter the God who sees, offering a well of hope where none seemed possible. We light this candle in anticipation of that same hope, trusting that God meets us in the waiting.
December 8:
When we find ourselves in exile, we are met by the God of Shalom, calling us to seek peace not only for ourselves, but for the good of all. We light this candle in anticipation of that same peace, trusting that God meets us in the waiting.
December 15:
In our deepest longings, we encounter the God of great joy, whose unexpected blessings testify to His goodness and mercy. We light this candle in anticipation of that same joy, trusting that God meets us in the waiting.
December 22:
When our fear threatens to consume us, we are met by the God of Love, calling us to trust our own plans in His faithful hands. We light this candle in anticipation of that same Love, trusting that God meets us in the waiting.
JesseTree
Trevecca Church | Advent
The Jesse Tree is a way to prepare our hearts for Jesus throughout the season of Advent.
We reflect on the stories from Jesus’ family tree, remembering the faithfulness of God in stories of hope and redemption, of provision and grace. Each day focuses on a new piece of the Story of God - with each story, a new ornament is added to the tree to symbolize that story. As we decorate, we celebrate how God prepared the way for Jesus’ birth through many generations.
Resources for your family to participate in the Jesse Tree at home can be found in the Lobby.
*If you purchased Advent Blocks last year, the Jesse Tree resources will work handin-hand.
Please pick up 3 things f each household:
Jesse Tree 1. Daily Scripture Page 2. Baggie with this week’s st ornaments 3.
• Each day, read the Daily Scripture and place the sticker ornament on your Jesse Tree.
This tradition is based on Isaiah 11:1: A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of its roots.” Jesse, the father of King David, is an ancestor of Jesus - the promised branch from David’s line Each symbol on the Jesse Tree represents a significant moment in this family tree and a step toward the birth of Christ.
TCC Christmas Project
PROJECT GOAL: $7,500
SUPPORT THIS PROJECT AT TREVECCA.CHURCH/GIVE
In East Tennessee, Newport Church of the Nazarene has become a vital support system for their community following Hurricane Helene. Severe flooding destroyed the town’s only food pantry and damaged other essential services In response, this congregation of 45 members stepped up by distributing food, water, supplies, and clothing to their neighbors. Partnering with other churches and individuals, they’ve received donations and a shipping container for storage, allowing them to continue providing care for the community.
The church has also been preparing and serving meals for approximately 300 people multiple times a week.
After listening to the pastor share how the church was helping the community, I asked him how they were able to accomplish so much The pastor said his previous experience as a retail manager helped him with organizing and distributing donations and the associate pastor has restaurant management experience which has equipped him to lead volunteers who prepare hundreds of meals for the community each week.
Beyond meeting physical needs, the church recently hosted a Trunk or Treat event in collaboration with nearby Nazarene churches Over 1,200 people attended, offering a moment of joy to families amid hardship. The event was held on the property the church had recently purchased which had been a dream for 9 years. After the event, one family visited the church the following Sunday, and the father was moved to re-dedicate his life to Christ after feeling God’s presence and the welcome of the congregation.
While most other churches in Newport have paused their disaster responses, Newport Church of the Nazarene remains committed. The people of the church have become a beacon of hope in Cocke County.
I am grateful for the work of our brothers and sisters in Newport This year, Trevecca Community will help by raising money so they can continue to provide assistance and a place of welcome to their community Our goal is $7500
As a way to remember the Newport congregation and their community we have created a special ornament to hang on your tree It reminds us of our missional practice of Bridging and Binding Communities and that TCC loves the people of Newport!
Intentional Giving
As we begin our intentional annual giving campaign, let's remember how you can support and partner with these ministries through your contributions
Good Hope Farms
GOODHOPEFARMSORG
One of the ministries we support is Good Hope Farms, which serves as the Hope Enterprise and Workforce Empowerment pillar of the residential restoration program of Rest Stop Ministries. Every purchase from Good Hope Farms promotes the economic empowerment of survivors of trafficking both locally and globally.
Thistle Farms THISTLEFARMS.ORG
Another mission we partner with is Thistle Farm. Their mission emphasizes that when we invest in women, entire communities are healed Thistle Farm provides women survivors with free housing, healthcare, counseling, and job readiness training for two years The women involved create products ranging from candles and body care items to essential oils. Thank you for considering supporting these important initiatives.
Humphreys Street HUMPHREYSSTREETCOM
Humphreys Street provides leadership development opportunities to teens in under-resourced communities through workplace readiness programs. When you purchase any of our products, you create more jobs, provide mentorship opportunities and teach skills that empower youth to be our next generation of leaders
Giving Beyond
Project Glean: Neighbor Stand treveccachurch/give
Since 2022, the Neighbor Stand has enabled Trevecca Tower residents access to healthy food without regard for the ability to pay They accomplish this year round in cooperation with Second Harvest Food Bank, local farmers, and donations from you.
Many of the residents have pets, which as you may know, the unconditional love of a pet can do more than keep you company. Having a pet can provide physical, emotional, and mental health benefits
Our neighbors need help taking care of the animals that provide such great benefit to them. You can donate cat or dog food through the QR code or bring your donation to church throughout the month of December.
KidPOWER
CROSSBRIDGEINC.ORG/KIDPOWER
Mission: KidPOWER provides programming to help students make positive life choices and overcome the toxic stress of Adverse Childhood Experiences How to help: Become a mentor!
Impact #1 - $625 sponsors a student for half a year of KidPOWER programming.
Impact #2 - $1,250 sponsors a student for a year of KidPOWER programming.
Impact #3 - $2,500 sponsors two students for a year of KidPOWER programming.
Rebecca’s House
Rebecca’s House is an initiative aimed at increasing food security across our TNU student body (undergraduate and graduate) by providing free groceries and fellowship activities on a monthly basis at Trevecca Community Church. Through the support of local partners, TNU students are provided fresh produce, shelf-stable groceries, and personal hygiene items Scan the QR to make a gift or bring non perishable items to the church.
thankyou
TREVECCA COMMUNITY CHURCH
REV. SHAWNA SONGER GAINES
MICHAEL RHODES
KAYLA SMITH
ANDREA VALLADARES
ANNA RHODES
LAUREN GUTHRIE