the branch - latham umc · 2017-10-30 · from the pastor… rev. mike ratliff, senior pastor page...

Nov./Dec. 2017 Vol. 5 Issue 11/12

The Branch ADVENT CHRISTMAS EDITION

November 20th & 27th – Mondays

Hope for the Holiday @ 6PM

Grief Seminar

December 3rd- Sunday - “Hope”

Communion Service (8:30AM) – Readings and Hymns

Traditional Service (11AM)– Hanging of the Greens

December 4th – Monday

Child Development Center Pajama Drive all week

Hope for the Holidays @ 6PM

Grief Seminar

December 5th – Tuesday

Huntsville Concert Band Christmas

Concert @ 7PM

December 8th – Friday

Mountain Gap Middle School Choir Christmas Concert

6PM

December 10th – Sunday - “Peace”

Contemporary Service (9AM) – Children’s Christmas Radio Show

Christmas Program Cast Party @ 10AM

Calhoun Chorale

Concert @ 5PM

December 11th – Monday

Child Development Center Pajama Drive all week

Hope for the Holidays @ 6PM

Grief Seminar

December 17th – Sunday – “Joy”

Traditional Service (11AM) – Chancel Choir Cantata

Children’s Christmas Party & Caroling to Homebound @ 5PM

December 24th – Sunday - “Love”

Communion Service (8:30AM)

Contemporary Service (9AM)

Traditional Christmas Eve Service (11AM)

Family Christmas Eve Service (5PM) (all

offering at this service will benefit missions.)

December 25 – December 29 – The church office will be closed. End of year giving may be mailed to the church office or

dropped off at Child Development Center. These will

be collected daily.

December 31 – Special speaker for all services

Advent Schedule

From the Pastor… Rev. Mike Ratliff, Senior Pastor

One of my favorite books is a book of devotions entitled, A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants. In reading through it I found these words written for our reflection. “But how is one to find his/her true place in life? Is there any means whereby you may discover what it really is that God wishes you to do? You may feel inclined to say, ‘Even if it be true that God has some splendid thing that God wishes me to do, and to be, how can I possibly find out what it is?’ Perhaps you may even be tempted to add: ‘I am a very plain, everyday sort of person; my circumstances are extremely restricted; the conditions of my life are just drab and commonplace. How then can there be something wonderful, beautiful…awaiting me? Or even if there were, how could I possibly get to know about it?’ And the answer is Divinely simple – already in your past life from time to time, God has whispered into your heart just that very wonderful thing, whatever it is, that God is wishing you to be, and to do, and to have. And that wonderful thing is nothing less than what is called Your Heart’s De-sire. Nothing less than that. The most secret, sacred wish that lies deep down at the bottom of your heart, the wonderful thing that you hardly dare look at, or to think about – the thing that you would rather die than have anyone else know of, because it seems so far beyond anything that you are, or have at the present time, that you fear that you would be cruelly ridiculed if the mere thought of it were known – that is just the very thing that God is wishing you to do or to be for God. And the birth of that marvelous wish in your soul – was the Voice of God telling you to arise and come up higher because God had need of you. Words to think about from Your Heart’s Desire by Emmet Fox, as we celebrate the Thanksgiving, Advent/Christmas Season.

Board of Stewards Minutes Amma Barnes

Boy Scout Paper Drive

Mark Your Calendars for 2018!

Jan. 27, 2018

Apr. 28 2018

July 28, 2018

Oct. 27, 2018

The regular quarterly meeting of the Board of Stewards of Latham Methodist

Church was held on September 19, 2017 in the Choir Room.

Copies of the Budgeted Financial Report for the period ending August 31, 2017

were distributed. Rob Terry, Chairman of the Finance Committee, sent a report stating

that the church's finances overall are slightly better than budgeted.

Traci Harris, Director of the LUMCDC, reported that the staff is addressing some

issues that will be presented at the next Board meeting. The CDC remains a "top notch,

safe and loving place for children to learn and grow."

There was an extended discussion regarding the purchase/installation of a sign

structure similar to the one recently installed by Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Ac-

tion on this item was scheduled for the next meeting after some more work has been done

on the proposal.

NEXT MEETING OF THE BOARD OF STEWARDS—SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12,

2017 AT 3PM AT ALDERSGATE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN CONJUNC-

TION WITH THE CHARGE CONFERENCE.

A COMPETE COPY OF THE MINUTES IS AVAILABLE IN THE CHURCH OFFICE.

Thank You Jennie Lowery

Out Reach Ministry Doug Seay

Those of you who know me, know that I have had the joy

of caring for my sweet Charles for the last three years. The past

seven months have been difficult, made easier by the loving

members of Latham UMC, starting with the Alzheimer’s Sup-

port Group, prayers, phone calls, and visits. Latham showed me

that we are a loving church serving God’s people. The quilting

group dedicated a prayer quilt for Charles, the Sunday School

classes volunteered to sit or walk with Charles as he was a fall

risk and had to have someone to keep his hands on the walker. So many volunteered after I

requested help, I could not use everyone. That was so uplifting for me, and Charles en-

joyed seeing his friends and getting the Alabama fans to say War Eagle! I felt so good

knowing that he was with fun, loving men and women. Thank you for being so generous

with your time.

After Charles came back home, the last month of his life, you visited, called, prayed

and brought food. I thanked God for having Charles and you in my life. Latham members

showed God’s love when they ministered to me and Charles; from the bottom of my heart,

I thank you. Jennie

In Reach Ministry Candy Trowbridge & Debbie Rose

The classes are for anyone grieving (time period is irrelevant), for anyone who

wants to understand the grief process or anyone who wants to be better equipped

to support those who are grieving.

*************************************************************************

Thank you to everyone that donated blood dur-

ing the Life South Blood Drive on October 8th

ten units of blood were collected. Donors are

LIFESAVERS!

Also, on October 8th, nineteen people received

their flu vaccine from Walgreens Pharmacy.

Stay healthy this winter Latham!

Samaritan’s Purse

Operation Christmas Child

Collection Week Nov. 13th - Nov. 20th

There are 4 drop off locations in our area. These locations are:

Aldersgate UMC (256-883-9062),

First Baptist Church in Huntsville (256-428-9400),

First Baptist Church in Meridianville (256-828-1607)

& First Baptist Church in New Hope (256-723-4056).

Sunday School Classes Jane Smith

The Live and Learn Sunday school class meets in room 322. Our class is made up of all

ages—from young adults to grandparents. We love this diversity in age as it leads to differ-

ent perspectives and informative discussions. Our study format is two-fold. We do a Bible

Study 6-8 weeks and then a contemporary study. We recently studied the Book of John

and are currently studying Adam Hamilton’s “Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White.”

This study includes a DVD where Adam Hamilton helps us deal with faith based issues

such as “Where Faith and Politics Meet,” “How Should We Live? The Ethics of Jesus,”

“What Would Jesus Say to America?” and several more topics as well. This study ends Oc-

tober 31st and we will begin to prepare ourselves for the Advent Season. In January, Edith

Pickens will lead us in the study of First, Second and Third John.

Our class is very mission minded. We recently collected l00’s of rolls of toilet tissue and

adult diapers for Manna House. We are currently making Health Kits for the Hurricane

victims. We will soon deliver 150 Health Kits to UMCOR. Each of these Health Kits re-

quires $1 for shipping. Our class will supply the funds for the kits.

If you are not currently attending a small group on Sunday mornings at 10:00, we hope you

will join us.

Jane Smith

Operation Santa Claus—A Mission Project Donna Whitacre

No, Santa is not going under the

knife...nor being anesthetized! He had a

great recovery after last year’s operation

and is up and running at full speed!

Those who helped him last year will re-

member the “operation!” It is a project

to deliver specific gifts to specific person!

November 26th—Operation Santa Claus

begins—pick up Wish Card in the Wel-

come Center.

The community has many mentally challenged individuals who live in assisted homes

with a very marginal income. Operation Santa Claus makes it possible for them to re-

ceive a true Christmas gift...one that they have wished for. Latham was most gener-

ous last year and filled over 70 of these requests… a true Christmas Spirit.

The operation is simple, choose a card in the Welcome Center the Sunday after

Thanksgiving. Then do your shopping and return the gift along with the card the fol-

lowing Sunday. No need to wrap, but you can enclose a cheery Christmas Card. It’s a

fast and easy project with many warm and “fuzzy” blessings!

In case confusion reigns, the card you pick up will have a number, a first name and the

item requested on it…..size, color, etc. See, it is easy! See you the Sunday after

Thanksgiving!

P.S. I have some 2018 calendars available at $8.00 each. They are spiral bound and

many folks use them as their diaries! Call me (256-881-5685) if you would like one!

Sunday, November 5th

Daylight Saving Time Ends

Be sure and turn your clocks

back 1 hour on Saturday night!

Latham UMC is one of the founding members of HAP (Huntsville Assistance Program) along with 7 other churches. When someone comes to our church for assistance we send them there. Here are some ways you can help HAP.

Kroger Community Rewards –Simply register your Kroger Plus card to

http://www.krogercommunityrewards.com HAP’s # is 17480. Use your Kroger Plus card when you shop, and HAP will receive rewards.

Amazon Smile - When shopping on Amazon, use this link:

http://smile.amazon.com/ch/56-2292453. HAP will receive 0.5% of the purchase price on eligible items.

PayPal - Donate with PayPal: go to HAP’s website,

http://www.huntsvilleassistanceprogram.org Then select “Ways to give” page to donate.

Belks is having a Charity Sale on Saturday, Nov. 4th, the Charity Sale Ticket can be pur-chased for $5.00 from Kim McFadden. Some of these proceeds will help HAP.

Call Kim at 256-883-0949 to get yours today!

Ways to Support HAP Kim McFadden

Elderberries Sherri Ryan

On November 16th at 12:30, the Elderberries will host "The Rocket City Sweethearts", as they present their Holiday music from the 40's 50's and 60's. We are so fortunate to have them and invite anyone to attend. What a great way to begin your holiday season.

I want to thank all of the Elderberries who serve in so many ways at Latham . Each one of them take part in any and all service areas they can and that means the world to me. Too often I feel we wait until the time, circumstances, people involved, etc. are just right in order for us to get involved in service for our church. The Bible says, "If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get any-thing done." Real servants pay attention to needs. I thank all of those who took on spe-cial tasks despite personal hardships or feel-ings because they truly believe what the Bible commands, "Whenever we have the opportunity, we have to do what is good for eve-ryone, especially for the family of believers."

Thanks to all who have continued to work positively to grow Latham United Method-ist Church. The Church, The Elderberries, Methodist Men and Women, Sunday School, and so many other parts that make up Latham have meant the world to my parents, and to me. God Bless you and thank you for allowing me to serve you as your president. You are all a blessing indeed.

To all Fabulous 50's and over: Please join us!!!! The third Thursday of every month beginning at 11:30. We promise you will be out by 1:00. For more information feel free to contact me, Sherri Hodges Ryan at 256-656-0156.

Member’s Moment from Our Youth Lauren Stiles

Charge Conference

SarahPenny Ryan is the daughter of Phil and Rhonda Ryan and is a very active member of our youth pro-gram here at Latham. She is in the 8th grade at Whitesburg where she is in all honors classes which includes Honors Geometry. SarahPenny is also the president of the entire school’s National Junior Hon-or Society and she is a member of the choir and Greenpower. When she isn’t spending time doing her school work she loves to read and also enjoys singing. One day SarahPenny hopes to be either a veterinarian or a zoologist; she has a very vast love for animals. She has been a member of Latham’s youth group since 6th grade which is the same year that she went through Confirmation and became an official mem-ber of our church. Her confirmation mentor was Gi-na Smith and she really enjoyed how the group was able to ask questions about their faith and the church and how they worked together as a group to help each other through confirmation. In our youth group she is involved with Sunday night activities, Behold

Retreat, Motion Retreat, our mission opportunities, and you can always count on her to bring a smile and fabulous attitude. She is always willing to help and is such a sweet girl. So if you see SarahPenny around Latham introduce herself to her! She will give you the best smile!

You are invited to attend the annual

Charge Conference for Latham U.M.C.

on Sunday, November 12th, 3:00 p.m.

to be held at Aldersgate U.M.C.

Member’s Moment Lynn McCarter

You may only know him as the guy who plays the guitar in the Praise Band but this interesting fellow is Jim Gatherer. Jim was born in Chicago and moved to Atlanta at 8 years of age with his parents and three sisters. Jim has led a rather in-teresting life and each time you talk with him you learn some-thing else. Jim started out as a child crashing model airplanes and building short wave radios. Does anyone see engineer in Jim's future? In high school his musical talent blossomed. He just knew he was going to be a great jazz trumpet player. Jim has had some interesting experiences such as rescu-ing people from broken Six Flags rides, having Dan Rather at his high school during the race riots, bowling with Steve Mar-tin, and even being robbed as a McDonald's shift manager. Jim started college at Georgia Tech not really working to his full potential and eventually transferring to a smaller college where he says he grew up and finished his degree. This led him to meeting the love of his life, Midge, whom he married and moved to Huntsville with in 1983. He started working as an electrical engineer at SCI and then on to Chrysler. In 32 years of work Jim has worked as electrical, software, and systems engineer. He is currently senior project manager responsible for electric power and energy projects and products. His work benefits our soldiers and he enjoys his contri-butions in this area. Jim and Midge have two children. Jimmy, who lives in Phoenix and is an engineer for Intel, and Amy, who is married to Nick. She lives in Bradenton, Florida where she designs landscapes for fancy homes. Jim and Midge love family life and spend time traveling visit-ing family members from Florida to Seattle, Washington. Jim loves playing a variety of mu-sical instruments, hiking, working around the house, and spending as much time outdoors as he can. Jim was raised Catholic and was in church every Sunday and participated in Catholic education (like Sunday School). Midge was raised Methodist and Jim was ready to try something new in his faith. Steve Smith, Jane's son. was a co op student of Jim's and invit-ed them to Latham. 34 years later they are still here. Jim is active in the praise band, teach-ing Sunday School, and has served on several committees, and volunteers as his time al-lows. Jim is full of interesting stories. Go ask him and I can bet he will invite you to his lovely backyard for a cool drink or hot chocolate and regale you with his interesting life.

Or just sit and enjoy listening to him play his guitar.

“Every good and perfect gift is

from above, coming down from the

Father of the heavenly lights, who

does not change like shifting shad-

ows.” -James 1:17. The youth pro-

gram at Latham has had a year of

transition, but it has been one that is

a good and perfect gift from above

that only God Himself could have

given our church. While the world

around us has been one full of

change and shifting shadows the

youth group of Latham United

Methodist church has had gift after

gift delivered to us from our Heaven-

ly Father. We have had such a won-

derful year that has been full of spir-

itual growth and development, mission opportunities, fellowship, and probably hundreds of pizzas

and hot dogs. Some of the most memorable opportunities that we have had this year have been

different ways that we have been involved with the church and its members. We are so grateful for

all of the gifts that our church members have given us this year; not just monetary but also snacks

purchased for the Back to School Bash, letters written to our students on their mission trip, crock-

pots of soup made for our Super bowl party and so much more.

One of our favorite things we did this year was hosting the church-wide Palm Sunday lunch because it was a wonderful way to serve our church and to strengthen our bond with all of the members who attend different services on Sundays. Another wonderful thing we did to get to know our church members was a progressive dinner that was hosted by 4 different families in our church; we stopped at each home and had a different course and got to hear about their faith jour-neys and stories about Latham. We have also spent a lot of time being more missions oriented this year by doing monthly missions nights during youth. We have spent a lot of time reaching out to members of our church and our community and spreading God’s love with them through our acts of kindness by helping with a Peer Modeling group this summer, being more present at back pack packing parties, and making care packages for several different groups of people in need. Our mission trip this summer was to the Gatlinburg, TN area to work for a week with Team Effort Missions which was a wonderful week of serving and an opportunity for our youth to grow closer to God and each other.

Continued on page 13

Youth Ministry Lauren Stiles

Another main focus of our youth this year has been worship and growing our amazingly talented youth praise band. We continued the tradition of the youth-led Sunrise Service on Easter Sunday followed by a breakfast in the youth room, our praise band leads worship in the Orchard Service every 5th Sunday of the month, and we hosted a Back to School Bash in Farley Hall in Au-gust to kick off the school year. If you have not had the pleasure of experiencing the gift that our youth praise band has you are truly missing out; they have had a wonderful year and our church is so blessed to have them be a part of our worship team.

Our youth attended both Behold Retreat at Camp Sumatanga and Motion Conference at the BJCC. Both of these weekends of worship and praise have become staples in our group and they are such wonderful experiences to spend with each other and immersed in God’s word and love. These two trips are vital for our youth to grow in their faith and love for their Creator and it strengthens their bond as a group so much; it is so powerful to experience. We have had a lot of fun Sunday night youth nights this year too; full of lessons, small groups, mission nights, Destina-tion Unknown nights, and of course nights full of fun games, pool parties, and lock-ins. There are so many great things that our youth are involved in at our church and in our community and so much of that has to do with the love and support we receive from our church. THANK YOU for being so present and loving during this year of transition. We have had a year full of wonderful memories and blessings and have felt your love and support surrounding us the whole way through. If you ever have a doubt that younger generations of this world aren’t followers of Jesus Christ you don’t need to look any further than your own church. This group of youth love the Lord and it is a joy to be able to watch their faith grow and be shared with others.

Jo Walton Literary Group Helen Mazur

Youth Ministry Continued

Our founder was Jo Walton to whom we are all dedicated as she was the first president. Her dedication must be remembered as she continued in her role for seven years. Amma Barnes was the second president for seven years also and she is still an active member. I take great pride fol-lowing in her footsteps as the third president. There are many people who have been in the club a long time and participate and give of themselves by helping with refreshments or act as facilita-tors by leading discussion groups about the book of the month. We have laughter and some-times cry because books open our hearts and our minds. Guest authors come to speak, too. 11/13/17 at 2pm we will read "The Whole Town Is Talking," by Fanny Flagg, the famous author of "Fried Green Tomatoes." Come early for refreshments. 12/11/17 at 2pm is our Christmas party and everyone will bring refreshments or ornaments and we will sing Christmas carols. If we're lucky, Jackie Shivers, will be there and play the piano to keep us in tune. All are welcome each month, the second Monday. Sincerely, Helen Mazur

Nov.1

Virginia Campbell

Nov. 2

Drew Mooty

Nov. 3

Nancy Connell

Kent Lyman

Nov. 4

Erin Brahm

Alan Teed

Nov. 5

Donna Freese

Nov. 6

Jane Lessley

Nov. 7

Heather Vatter

Donna Whitacre

Jason Sutherland

Nov. 8

Kathy Fleming

Nov. 9

Mack Savage

Marie McCutcheon

Millie Byram

Betty Langhout

Nov. 10

Harold Patton

Mike Duncan

Charles Rowden

Nov. 11

Kathryn Springer

Jim Gillespie

Carolyn Glaese

Ralph Green

Pennie Kirsch

Nov. 12

Shannon Putnam

Alexis Eberhardt

Nov. 13

Amanda Clark

Jim Cape

Nov. 14

Trillis Weems

Brenda Zimmerman

Happy Birthday

David Angle

Nov. 15

Brendon Martin

Eric Vosahlik

Meredith Tidmore

Nov. 16

Lisa Minor

Nov. 18

June Kidd

Becky Vosahlik

Nov. 19

David Ekstrom

JuliaAnna Ryan

Nov. 20

Doreen Fulcher

Nov. 21

Richard Broughton

Stacy Pickens

Jackie Simpson

Nov. 22

Jackie Langhout

Monica Kruse

Blake Schmitt

Lucia Torstenson

Nov. 23

Linda Sutinen

Nov. 25

Sarah Haynes

Nov. 26

Jean Wood

Jackie Shivers

Nov. 27

Judy Moore

Nov. 28

Mary Ellen Vaughn

Jim Springer

Nov. 29

Braylan Lasseter

Betty Vaughan

Nov. 30

Bette Selby

Barbara Hockenberry

Dixon Tidmore

Bobbie Lambert

John Barron

****************************

Dec. 1

Betty Booth

Genette Stephens

Doris Owen

Dec. 2

Elfriede Schlumpf

Mike Wilkinson

Peggy Holmes

Charles Hester

Dec. 3

Margaret Pearson

Shannon Briggs

James Brahm

Dec. 4

Linda Morre

Danny Braswell

Christian Hanson

David Parson Jr.

Dec. 5

Roy Lewis

Kathy Brown

Tom Parker

Rose Battle

Dec. 6

Sue Reid

Dec. 9

June Young

Dec. 11

Clara Conley

Fran Nicholson

Sara Jane Childress

Dec. 12

Zella Hope

Derek Wells

Dec. 13

Bella Och

Dec. 14

Dawson Angle

Debbie Rose

Dec. 15

Scott Rose

Jim Kirsch

Pat Morris

Dec. 16

Gerri Cogburn

Marvella Prevatte

Gippa Kendall

Dec. 17

Nan Favor

Aidan Hernandez

Dec. 18

Doreen Foster

Dec. 19

Kathy Smith

Mary Jane Speake

Glenda Dempsey

Dec. 20

Precy Lewis

Dec. 21

Cookie White

Nat Hurford

Kendra Lee

Dec. 22

Melissa Bachman

Dec. 25

Christy Worsham

Rebecca Schultz

Amy Angle

Dec. 27

Don Beaver

Dorothy Wendt

Pat Sinopole

Dec. 28

Dorthy Rowe

Andrew White

Dec. 29

Dan Speake

Gabriel Wood

Jan Weaver

Dec. 30

Austin Duncan

Caitlyn Cope

Jeremy Och

Dec.31

Carol Wells

If your birthday was not listed in the appropriate month or date, please

contact the church office to make sure we have your correct birth date.

We’d like to honor you during your special month!

Heifer International For more information call 1-855-848-6437 or visit www.heifer.org

109 Weatherly Road

Huntsville, AL 35803

Phone: 256-881-4069

Fax: 256-880-0305

On the web: lathamumc.org

Connect with the Staff

Rev. Mike Ratliff, Senior Pastor

Matt Jones, Associate Pastor

Tyler Henderson, Music Director

Susan Terry, Minister of Connect & Children’s Ministries

Youth Ministry

Jim Geisinger, Associate Music Director

Marvene Borntrager, Staff Coordinator for Inreach

Anita Banks, Business Administrator

Traci Harris, Director of Child Development Center

Eleanor Hollobaugh, Pianist

Rachel Misheff, Organist

Michael Bryant, Custodian

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

Latham United Methodist Church

Gifts were given to the Memorial fund in memory of…

Charles Lowery by Herschel & Judy Moore

Charles Lowery by Margaret Pearson

Charles Lowery by Jeff & Jackie Langhout

Charles Lowery by Bob & Nina Senn

Charles Lowery by Jim & Mary Jane Williams

Charles Lowery by Frank & Carla Varela

Charles Lowery by Bill & Amma Barnes

Don Bowden by Jim & Mary Jane Williams

Don Bowden by Bill & Amma Barnes

Charles Lowery by Greg & Brenda Perkins

Don Bowden by Dot Coombe

Don Bowden by Cal Blevins

Charles Lowery by Cal Blevins

Don Bowden by Ramelle Holder

Charles Lowery by Kathy Brown

Charles Lowery by Connie & Bud Smith

Charles Lowery by Kiersten McCort

Charles Lowery by Ann Livingston

Charles Lowery by George & Betty Cook

Memorial Contributions Gifts were given to the Buchanan Scholarship…

Charles Lowery by Ralph & Ginny Green

Don Bowden by Ralph & Ginny Green

Charles Lowery by Joe & Jan Sturbois

Charles Lowery by Wes & Gina Smith

Gifts were given to the Lillie Latham Scholarship..

Charles Lowery by John & Carolyn Glaese

Gifts were given to the Hurricane Relief Fund

Rosemary Bishop by Sam & Liz Hall Zeman

Gifts were given to the Latham Ramp Fund….

Charles Lowery by John & Debbie Rose

Gifts were given to the Hands of Christ Fund….

Charles Lowery by Otha & Betty Vaughan

Gifts were given to the Music Fund…..

Charles Lowery by Harold & Jean Johnson

Gifts were given to the U.M.W.’s Fund….

Charles Lowery by Stanley & Violet Nemec

Gifts were given to the Ramp Fund….

Charles Lowery & Don Bowden by Carolyn Peters

mailto:[email protected]




the branch - latham umc · 2017-10-30 · from the pastor… rev. mike ratliff, senior pastor page...

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