First Presbyterian Church News (Clarksville, TN)

Seasons is a unique ministry founded by FPC providing respite care for adults with special needs. Learn more about "Seasons" by watching the video below! Pics from the first event of our new program called "Seasons" for the special needs community. 

You are invited to Second Sunday Lunch on October 10 ! We plan to eat at the Commons after worship like we did on Rally Day.  Menu: Bratwursts with sauerkraut  Roasted chicken  Bills' red cabbage  Green beans  German potato salad  Apple Strudel Cobbler  We are looking forward to sharing a meal with you!

  The next monthly Young Adult Brunch is on  October 17, following the 10:00 service . Join the group and walk over, or meet us  at Strawberry Alley  restaurant around 11:15. From college students to young adults, come...and bring a friend! (Child care will be provided at the church--no charge.) Contact person for this month's brunch is Hannah Cruse (call the office if you need her personal number/email). Looking forward to hanging out!

A gift to the Peace & Global Witness Offering enables the church to promote the Peace of Christ by addressing systems of conflict and injustice across the world. Individual congregations are encouraged to utilize up to 25% of this Offering to connect with the global witness of Christ's peace.  We invite you to participate in this special offering on World Communion Sunday, October 3. M ake a note in the memo line of your check or cash envelope that says "Special Offering." The above picture shows the kitchen for the school in Bois Brulee, Haiti – the school we support through our mission dollars. As school started in September, the community asked if they could build a real kitchen. We don’t yet have an estimate, but we want to help! 93% of the students at the school in Bois Brulee scored PROFICIENT on the state achievement tests this year – and have endured COVID, the assassination of the President, and the aftershocks of a strong earthquake. (Students in CMCSS did

Worship Resources    Paperless Bulletin:  October 3, 2021 Scripture Reading:  1 John 2:28-3:24 Sermon Preview:  Letters from an Elder Online Invitation to Worship:  Youtube  or  Facebook Hymns & Music:  Music Spotlight Liturgy Explanations:  Why We Worship This Way Get Involved:  Events The Pink Sheet:  Prayers and Praises Give to the Church:  Make an Offering Special Offering on World Communion Sunday Support Presbyterian missions addressing conflicts and justice by donating to our "Peace and Global Witness Offering"  on October 3.   Learn More Here  about the work your dollars will be doing around the world.

Prayers & Praises Please be in prayer this week for:   David Kanervo, Bob and Roxanne Lueck, Leo Adames, Lee Persinger (niece of Larry and Charene Watson), Tom Presler, William Jennings (father of Perry and Dianne York's son-in-law, Patrick and Cayce Stephens Jennings), 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: All the special needs folks who have been having a blast at our new "Seasons" program. ( See pictures ) The volunteer teachers and dedicated students participating in Confirmation Class this year. ( See pictures )

Events Sunday, October 3 9:00 a.m.   One and Done Choir ! (in Sanctuary) Women's Friendship Sunday School Class Men's Brotherhood Sunday School Class 10:00 a.m.  Morning Worship Children's Church & Sunday School (after Scripture reading; nursery available) PreK-5 in Chapel MS Confirmation Class (in Library) Tuesday, October 5 5:00 p.m.  Yoga (in Fellowship Hall) 7:00 p.m. Night Circle (in the Library) Wednesday, October 6 10:30 a.m.  Bible Study with Pastor Greg Meet in the Library or Join on Zoom   (Meeting ID: 231 246 359; Passcode: 007472) 6:00–7:00 p.m. Bell Choir Rehearsal (in Bell Room, 2nd Floor of Education Wing) 7:00–8:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal (in Choir Room, 2nd Floor of Education Wing) Thursday, October 7 8:30 a.m.  Yoga (in AOC Gym)

Karla Posey  David Bailey  Jane Shelley  Samantha Bailey Jo Jenkins  Steve Miner  Katie Hildreth  Todd Harvey  Sarah Elizabeth Lindsay  Perry York  Bob Gandy  Maureen Harvey  Phil Kemmerly  Martha Richardson  Scott Sitter  C. David Elliott  Mary Linn Sadler  Ken Giles  Rod Wolfe  Allen Moser  Harvill Havens  Don Beck  Charles Wall  Molly Brown  Eleanor Hay  Kelly Duncan  Anna Neubauer Hannah Cruse  Leo Adames 

Help the Congregational Care Committee show love and welcome to our following members this month!  Bessie Costanza and Nell Harris (Find their addresses on Realm by signing in or call the church office.)

FPC will have a Fall Cleaning Day on Saturday October 30th 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.  Weather permitting, we plan to gently wash all the entryways into the church (to include the garden), the Fellowship Hall windows inside and out, the sanctuary pews, and the choir loft. Lunch will be provided. If you are able to work all or part of the time, please let Kris Foust know by calling the church office. Also, plan to bring your own rubber gloves and a bucket or two!

Presbyterian Women will be selling FPC Bicentennial Christmas Ornaments this fall !  These are a replica of the Rose window, hand-crafted by Rev. Jay Banasiak.  They are made from beautiful cherry wood and are 4” round.  The cost is $15 per ornament with the proceeds of the sale going to FPC’s Service Committee.  Note :  At this time, we are only doing pre-orders, and your order is not complete until payment is received.  Please fill out the Google form provided below to initiate your order.  Someone will be in-person at worship on October 3, 10, and 17 to take payments or in-person orders.  You may pay by check (made payable to FPC) or exact cash (unfortunately, we will not have change).  All ornaments ordered by October 17 will be here before Christmas. FPC Bicentennial Ornament Order Form - Google Forms We appreciate your support of our Bicentennial and hope you enjoy these special ornaments for years to come!

  Worship Resources Paperless Bulletin:  Scripture Reading: 1 John 2:1-27 Sermon Preview: Letters from an Elder Online Invitation to Worship: Youtube or Facebook Hymns & Music: Music Spotlight Liturgy Explanations: Why We Worship This Way Get Involved: Events The Pink Sheet: Prayers and Praises Give to the Church: Make an Offering

  Events Sunday, September 26 9:00 a.m.   Choir Rehearsal (in Choir Room) Women's Friendship Sunday School Class Men's Brotherhood Sunday School Class 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, September 28 5:00 p.m.  Yoga (in Fellowship Hall) Wednesday, September 29 10:30 a.m.  Bible Study with Pastor Greg Meet in the Library or Join on Zoom   (Meeting ID: 231 246 359; Passcode: 007472) 6:00–7:00 p.m. Bell Choir Rehearsal (in Bell Room, 2nd Floor of Education Wing) 7:00–8:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal (in Choir Room, 2nd Floor of Education Wing) Thursday, September 30 8:30 a.m.   Yoga (in AOC Gym) 7:00 p.m. Chapel Cinema Friday, Oct. 1 – Sunday, Oct. 3 NaCoMe Youth Retreat

  Prayers & Praises Please be in prayer this week for:   David Kanervo, Bob and Roxanne Lueck, Leo Adames, Lee Persinger (niece of Larry and Charene Watson), William Jennings (father of Perry and Dianne York's son-in-law, Patrick and Cayce Stephens Jennings), 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: A new group of yo ung people beginning their confirmation journey this fall. The soft opening of " Seasons ," a program for the special needs community.

This week, we are shining a light on two pieces of music in our worship service--a sub-Saharan freedom song and an anthem made popular by the movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" Special Music :  "Down to the Water to Pray" Arr. by Pepper Choplin, sung by the Choir While it is hard to pinpoint the exact origins of the song, “Down to the River to Pray” has been referred to as a hymn, a spiritual, and an Appalachian song. Some believe it was a Native American tribal song that was adapted to include Christian lyrics. It is attributed to George H. Allan in the Slave Songbook of 1867, and Alison Krauss popularized it in the 2000 film, O Brother, Where Art Thou ? The song also is known by alternate titles such as “Down in the Valley to Pray,” “Come, Let Us All Go Down” and “The Good Old Way.” Whatever the title might truly be, the deeply spiritual song is about keeping the faith in a time of darkness. [ Source ] Closing Hymn : #853 "We Are Marching in the Light of God

Singing hymns is one of the most joyful and healing activities we do together!  You are invited to come sing favorite hymns from the hymnal with choir members on Saturday, October 9th . We will gather at Loaves and Fishes (825 Crossland Ave, Clarksville, TN, 37040) to sing with lunch attendees, from 10:30 to 12:00 .  Come and go as you please during this event. We will have a stack of Glory to God hymnals available for you in the main hall. FPC and L&F regulations require vaccination and masks for singers. Talk to Hannah Cruse, our music director, if you have any questions! 

Special Music "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" by Thomas A. Dorsey, Arr. Jack Schrader Known as the "Father of Black Gospel Music," Thomas A. Dorsey   (1899-1993)  combined African American church hymns with blues and jazz--a "worldly" combination that fired up controversy at first but set the tone for gospel music for decades to come. "Precious Lord" was written in 1932 out of tragedy. "Back in 1932 I was 32 years old and a fairly new husband. My wife, Nettie and I were living in a little apartment on Chicago’s Southside. One hot August afternoon I had to go to St. Louis, where I was to be the featured soloist at a large revival meeting. I didn’t want to go. Nettie was in the last month of pregnancy with our first child. But a lot of people were expecting me in St. Louis. . . . ". . . In the steaming St. Louis heat, the crowd called on me to sing again and again. When I finally sat down, a messenger boy ran up with a Western Union tele

Please join the Congregational Care Committee in sending cards of warm wishes to our following members this month: Vickie Duncan Betty Lambert You may find their addresses on Realm (by signing in) or by calling the church office. Thanks for participating in our Card Shower!

Worship Resources Paperless Bulletin: September 19, 2021 Scripture Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5 ; 1 John 1:1-10 Sermon Preview: Letters from an Elder Online Invitation to Worship: Youtube or Facebook Hymns & Music: Music Spotlight Liturgy Explanations: Why We Worship This Way Get Involved: Events The Pink Sheet: Prayers and Praises Give to the Church: Make an Offering

  Prayers & Praises Please be in prayer this week for:   Bob and Roxanne Lueck, Leo Adames, Anita Randolph, Lee Persinger (niece of Larry and Charene Watson), William Jennings (father of Perry and Dianne York's son-in-law, Patrick and Cayce Stephens Jennings), 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: A new group of yo ung people beginning their confirmation journey this fall. The soft opening of " Seasons ," a program for the special needs community.

  Events Sunday, September 19 9:00 a.m.   Choir Rehearsal (in Choir Room) Women's Friendship Sunday School Class Men's Brotherhood Sunday School Class 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 5:00 p.m. Missions and Service Committee Meeting (Fellowship Hall) 6:00 p.m. Session Meeting (in Chapel) Tuesday, September 21 5:00 p.m.  Yoga (in Fellowship Hall) Wednesday, September 22 10:30 a.m.  Bible Study with Pastor Greg Meet in the Library or Join on Zoom   (Meeting ID: 231 246 359; Passcode: 007472) 6:00–7:00 p.m. Bell Choir Rehearsal (in Bell Room, 2nd Floor of Education Wing) 7:00–8:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal (in Choir Room, 2nd Floor of Education Wing) Thursday, September 23 8:30 a.m.   Yoga (in AOC Gym) Friday, September 24 6:00 p.m. Youth Community Night (AOC)

Join us on  Sunday, September 26, at 2 p.m.   at Loaves and Fishes to help guests get showers, haircuts, and lunch. We can also use donations of sample size toiletries as well as razors, nail clippers, and bug spray. Drop off donations in the chapel or arrange for pickup.  Call Ann  Waddle or the church office at 931.645.6551 to get involved!    

  Singing with the choir would be fun, but... I don't have time. I'm not good enough. I missed too many rehearsals. I don't know where to start....  If you resonate with any of these statements, then keep reading! The choir and I have discussed these problems and decided to try out a different kind of rehearsal schedule. This new, flexible choir schedule builds in opportunities for both participation and breaks.  Now is your chance to try choir during the month of October--only a 4 week commitment. After the four weeks are over, you may choose to sign up for the next choir period in November, or take a break! Click Here to RSVP Caveat: VACCINATIONS ARE CURRENTLY REQUIRED TO SING WITH THE CHOIR. It is OK if you must miss a practice or performance during the 4 week period, but do try to attend as much of the month as possible, both for your own enrichment and in support of other choir members. Our October Schedule: Sept 29, Wed: First Rehearsal Oct 3, Sun: One and Done Choir