First Presbyterian Church News (Clarksville, TN)

Opening Hymn #625 "O Lord My God" (HOW GREAT THOU ART)  One of the most beloved hymns of Christendom, "How Great Thou Art" travelled the globe before it reached our American ears. Around 1886, a Swedish pastor penned nine stanzas.  ...Boberg's inspiration is said to have come one day when he was caught in a thunderstorm on the southeastern coast of Sweden. The violence of the storm followed by the return of the sun and the singing of birds left him falling to his knees in awe. Soon he penned the nine stanzas of the original version in Swedish beginning with “O Store Gud, nar jag den varld beskader.” Several years later, Boberg unexpectedly heard his poem sung by a congregation to an old Swedish folk melody... READ MORE. By 1927, the hymn had been translated into German and Russian. English missionary Stuart K. Hine (1899-1989) and his wife heard the Russian version sung as a vocal duet in the Ukraine. When war broke out, Hine and his wife were forced to return t

Prayers & Praises We mourn with those who mourn: For Don Beck, family, and friends at the passing of Marita Beck this past week. Marita's funeral will be on Saturday, September 4th at 12:30 with visitation prior at 11:30. Lunch will be provided in the Fellowship Hall afterward.  Obituary available here. For the families and friends of those who were killed in the bombing in Afghanistan. For our friends in Haiti as they recover from the most current earthquake.  Please be in prayer this week for:   Rhonda Banasiak, Maggie McGrady-Sumonka, and Dennis Moore. Please continue to pray for: Don Atkins, Florence Bailey, Don Beck, Jay and Diane Bowland, Sara Brooks, Melanie Cobb, Bessie Costanza, Vickie Duncan, Abigail Henson, Ruby Jean McLeod, Lew Metts, and Arch Shuler, the FPC Bicentennial and Capital Campaigns, the FPC Christian Ed Program, as well as those in LaGonave, Haiti, Rwanda, and South Sudan.  We give praise for: The birth of Bo Underwood Foust on Wednesday, August 18 to 

Worship Resources Paperless Bulletin: August 29, 2021 Scripture Reading: Psalm 46:1-11 ; John 14:1-14 ; Mark 4:35-41 Sermon Preview: Come and  Be Online Invitation to Worship:  Youtube   or  Facebook Hymns & Music:  Music Spotlight Liturgy Explanations:  "Why do we worship this way?" Get Involved: Events This Week Prayers & Praises: The Pink Sheet Give to the Church:   Make an Offering Special Offering Today We are collecting items to help those impacted by flooding in Humphrey’s County today. Items may be left in the Parlor this afternoon and evening. Please bring mops, push brooms, brooms, squeegees, soap and sprayers, cleaning rags, plastic buckets, water, and snacks for the workers. Items will be delivered to Humphrey’s County on Monday. If you would like to give toward flood relief through the church, please mark “Waverly flood relief” on your giving envelope or check memo.

Events Sunday, August 29 9:00 a.m.   One and Done Choir Practice (in Sanctuary) Friendship & Brotherhood S.S. Classes (3rd floor of Education Wing) 10:00 a.m.  Morning Worship Children's Church & Sunday School (after Scripture reading; nursery available) PreK-4 in Chapel 5th-8th Grade in Parlor Tuesday, August 31 5:00 p.m.  Yoga (Fellowship Hall) Wednesday, September 1 10:30 a.m.  Bible Study with Pastor Greg In-person (in the Library) Or on Zoom   Meeting ID: 231 246 359 Password: 007472  7:00 p.m. Choir Kick-Off Party (in Choir Room) Thursday, September 2 8:30 a.m.   Yoga (in AOC Gym) Friday, September 3 2:00 p.m. PLAN Legal Clinic (at AOC)

On October 23, we are partnering with Lifepoint Church and Loaves & Fishes and will be hosting Shower Love on Saturday. We will need a few more volunteers that day – and we will especially need hairdressers! If you are a hairdresser or if you think your hairdresser might be interested in providing free haircuts on Saturday, October 23 , please contact Ann Waddle or the church office. Monroe Carell Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt  tries to provide their patients (infants to 18 year-olds) with a toy during their stay. However, with all that has been going on lately, they are running short of toys! First Presbyterian Church Missions & Service Committee encourages you to bring a   new, unopened toy for any age child  to share with the hospital from now through the end of September. We will have a box in the vestibule where you can put your toy ! Many thanks for your support!

Paperless Bulletin:  August 22, 2021 Scripture   Reading :  Matthew 19:16-22 ;  John 12:20-26 Sermon   Preview :  Come and F ollow Online Invitation to Worship :   Youtube  or  Facebook Hymns & Music :  Music Spotlight Liturgy Explanations :  "Why do we worship this way?" Give   to the Church :   Make an Offering ;   Haiti Disaster Relief Get Involved:  Events This Week Prayers & Praises:  The Pink Sheet

  Prayers & Praises We mourn with those who mourn:   For our friends in Haiti as they recover from the most current earthquake.    Please be in prayer this week for:   Rhonda Banasiak, Maggie McGrady-Sumonka, and Dennis Moore. Please continue to pray for: Don Atkins, Florence Bailey, Don and Marita Beck, Jay and Diane Bowland, Sara Brooks, Melanie Cobb, Bessie Costanza, Vickie Duncan, Abigail Henson, Ruby Jean McLeod, Lew Metts, and Arch Shuler, the FPC Bicentennial and Capital Campaigns, the FPC Christian Ed Program, as well as those in LaGonave, Haiti, Rwanda, and South Sudan.  We give praise for: Happy kids and parents as school started this past week at the Learning Center!  Pictures Here.

We are so thankful for a happy start to the school season this week! If you are interested in the FPC Learning Center or Preschool, check out our website . 

  Sunday, August 22 9:00 a.m.   Friendship & Brotherhood S.S. Classes (3rd floor of Education Wing) 10:00 a.m.  Morning Worship Children's Church & Sunday School (after Scripture reading; nursery available) PreK-4 in Chapel 5th-8th Grade in Parlor 11:00 a.m. (or after worship) Young Adult Brunch  (at Strawberry Alley) 2:00 p.m. Shower Love (at Loaves and Fishes) Tuesday, August 24 5:00 p.m.  Yoga (Fellowship Hall) Wednesday, August 25 10:00 a.m.  Bible Study with Pastor Greg In-person (in the Library) Or on Zoom   Meeting ID: 231 246 359 Password: 007472  10:30 a.m.  PLAN Legal Clinic (at AOC) 6:00 p.m. Worship Night (at Downtown Commons) Thursday, August 26 8:30 a.m.   Yoga (in AOC Gym) 7:00 p.m. Chapel Cinema Friday, August 27 6:00 p.m. Youth Community Night (at AOC) Saturday, August 28 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Session Retreat (in Fellowship Hall)

Special Music This week, we are performing  "Flourishing" by Sandra McCracken --as requested by popular vote on social media!  Look forward to hearing this performed by talented musicians in our congregation, including Allister Banasiak, Doug Young, Leo Adames, and Charles Anderson. Sandra McCracken is a contemporary singer/songwriter who navigates among folk, religious, and adult alternative material. Hailing from St. Louis, Missouri and eventually relocating to Nashville, Tennessee, she pursued a career in music after graduating from Belmont University in the late '90s. She currently lives in Nashville with her husband and kids. Teach me, oh God to follow your decrees Give me understanding, your word, I want to keep Direct me in the path, of your commands For there I find delight, my will is in your hands Turn my heart away from worthless things Preserve my life, according to your ways Take away disgrace You hold me in my place--flourishing. Fulfill your promise to the

All Young Adults are invited to Brunch at Strawberry Alley every 3rd Sunday, each month-right after worship! Walk over with the group around 11:00, or meet us there (directions Here ).  All young singles, families, students, etc. are welcome! Come on over, whether you're familiar with FPC or not. We would love to get to know you better. Childcare will be provided at the church.  Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. Church office:  (931) 645-6551 or fpcclarksville@gmail.com

Prelude: "Pasticcio" by Jean Langlais I remember the moment I fell in love with this little piece. My professor, Chris Anderson, played it as the prelude during chapel one afternoon during my Perkins Seminary years. He played it much slower and quietly than the organist in the recording below. His delicate, articulate interpretation evoked such mystique and simple joy for worship. The experience made me think of God's humble creatures--like caterpillars, garden spiders, or birds--commencing their lifecycles in spring. Right after chapel, I bolted to the music library to find a copy. Of course, the one and only copy was checked out...by Prof. Anderson. Thus, I had to wait my turn. [Langlais] dedicated [ Organ Book , 1957] to Jacqueline Marchal, the only daughter of his first teacher, André Marchal, on the occasion of her marriage to the Swiss avant-garde composer Giuseppe Englert. “Pasticcio,” the final piece in the collection, celebrates the newlyweds with a delightful pa

All are welcome here at FPC! We are excited about the opportunity to serve you and those in our community. We have put together the following resources to help you prepare your hearts and minds for worship. Paperless Bulletin: August 15, 2021 Scripture   Reading : Isaiah 28:9-13 ;  M atthew 11:25-30 Sermon   Preview : Come and Rest Online Invitation to Worship :   Youtube  or  Facebook Hymns & Music :  Music Spotlight Liturgy Explanations :  "Why do we worship this way?" Give   to the Church :   Make an Offering Get Involved: Events This Week Prayers & Praises: The Pink Sheet ; August Memorials

We mourn with those who mourn: For Jane Coate and Tamara Long, as they mourn the loss of son and brother Kyle Darnell. For Sharon Falvey, and for her husband Bob and her daughter and son as they care for her. And for our friends in Haiti as they recover from this weekend's earthquake.  Please be in continued prayer this week for:   Don Atkins, Florence Bailey, Don and Marita Beck, Jay and Diane Bowland, Sara Brooks, Melanie Cobb, Bessie Costanza, Vickie Duncan, Abigail Henson, Ruby Jean McLeod, Lew Metts, and Arch Shuler, the FPC Bicentennial and Capital Campaigns, the FPC Christian Ed Program, as well as those in LaGonave, Haiti, Rwanda, and South Sudan.  We give praise for: The Blessing of the Backpacks last Sunday and positive start of school for all our kiddos!

   Sunday, August 15 9:00 a.m.   Friendship & Brotherhood S.S. Classes (3rd floor of Education Wing) 10:00 a.m.  Morning Worship Children's Church & Sunday School (after Scripture reading; nursery available) PreK-4 in Chapel 5th-8th Grade in Parlor 11:15 a.m. Choir Planning Day (in Choir Room) 5:00 p.m. Missions/Service Committee Meeting (in Fellowship Hall) 6:00 p.m.  Session Meeting (in the Chapel) Monday, August 16 FPC  Preschool  and Learning Center Start! Tuesday, August 17 2:00 p.m. Church Directory Pictures ( Sign Up Here ) 5:00 p.m.  Yoga (Fellowship Hall) Wednesday, August 18 10:00 a.m.  Bible Study with Pastor Greg In-person (in the Library) Or on Zoom   Meeting ID: 231 246 359 Password: 007472 2:00 p.m. Church Directory Pictures ( Sign Up Here ) Thursday, August 19 8:30 a.m.   Yoga (in AOC Gym) Sunday, August 22 11:00 a.m.   Young Adult Brunch following 10:00 service. Meet up to walk to a downtown restaurant. Childcare available.

Have you ever--even briefly or flippantly--considered joining the choir? (If yes, keep reading...) Are you worried about the long-term commitment? Do you struggle to find extra time between work and family responsibilities? (If yes, keep reading...)  Your concerns have not gone unnoticed. The choir and I have discussed this problem and decided to try out a different kind of rehearsal schedule. This new, flexible choir schedule builds in opportunities for both participation and breaks.  Before I explain the schedule, I want to emphasize why choir matters. We believe at FPC that community music-making is transformational. When you lead from the choir (or in any musical way), you are… Teaching our faith to others Inspiring discipleship in the world Building a supportive community Challenging closed mindsets Speaking up for the silent or silenced Comforting the suffering Growing our critical listening muscles And more…  Why does choir matter to you? If you can think of even one reason,