First Presbyterian Church News (Clarksville, TN)

Rescheduled for 12:00 on 4/10 in the Chapel (instead of 11:30 at Sanctuary on Main) due to Second Sunday Lunch right after worship! Watch our 2 min. video above for all the details! ATTN. Young Adults (college-age through early 40's)! If you are yearning for deeper spiritual discernment, connection with your faith community, and ways to take action in your life, this upcoming study series is for you. During the season of Lent, we will dive into the book Practicing Our Faith . Each week, we will read one chapter and come together for discussion on Sunday. The chapters stand alone, so you won't get behind if you have to miss a discussion (although you'll get the most out of this series if you attend regularly).  We will meet around 11:15 am at "Sanctuary on Main"--a cafe and yoga venue just a block from the church. It's a really comfortable, quiet space with lots of coffee and tea options. On nice weather days, we can even sit out on the porch. Parents -- child...

Please be in prayer this week for:   Ruby Jean McLeod,  Kim Smith (Kitty Boaz's daughter), Ken Giles' family members, Tamara and David Foust, Melanie Cobb (Steve and Diane Miner's daughter), Diane Lee's daughter-in-law and newborn twin grandbabies, Bob Gandy, Vicki Duncan's mother and father, David Kanervo, Howard Bradley, Leo Adames, Tom Presler, and all those affected by Covid-19. Please continue to pray for: Don Atkins, Florence Bailey, Don Beck, Jay and Diane Bowland, Sara Brooks, Melanie Cobb, Bessie Costanza, Vickie Duncan, Lew Metts, and Arch Shuler, the FPC Bicentennial and Capital Campaigns, the FPC Christian Ed Program, Seasons Respite Care, as well as those in LaGonave, Haiti, Rwanda, and South Sudan.  We give prai se for: Service Day at Loaves and Fishes, where the young adults got to serve lunch to those in need, stock the food pantry, and hand out blessing bags. 

Sunday, January 30 9:00 a.m.   One and Done Choir Rehearsal (in Sanctuary) Women's Friendship Sunday School Class Men's Brotherhood Sunday School Class 10:00 a.m.  Morning Worship  Elementary Children's Sunday School During the Sermon in the Parlor Middle School Confirmation Class/Sunday School During the Sermon in the Library Tuesday, February 1 4:30 p.m. Yoga (in Fellowship Hall) Wednesday, February 2 10:00 a.m.  Bible Study with Pastor Greg Meet in the Library or Join on   Zoom  (Meeting ID: 231 246 359; Passcode: 007472) 6:00 p.m. Bell Choir Rehearsal 7:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal Thursday, February 3 8:30 a.m. Yoga (at AOC)

Our three hymns this Sunday require us to use a little "imagination" (which is what the sermon will be all about!) The first hymn is "For the Beauty of the Earth," a favorite of this congregation. For the beauty of the earth,  for the glory of the skies,  for the love which from our birth  over and around us lies. In the first stanza, we are told that there's "beauty" in the earth and glory in the skies. British hymnologist J. R. Watson suggests that this hymn “is said to have been inspired by the view of Pierpoint’s [the author's] native city of Bath on a spring day.” [ Read More ] On a warm, peaceful day, beauty is easy to spot. Beauty becomes more elusive when we're in pain or surrounded by reminders of suffering. We wonder, is the earth inherently beautiful? What is beautiful about it? Why exactly is it beautiful? The hymn answers. We find beauty everywhere in "the love, which from our birth over and around us lies." Raising our ...

The  Chapel Cinema Series  is an intimate screening of the finest international, independent, and documentary films, many premiering for the first time in Tennessee.  We showcase movies that creatively address the most important religious, cultural, and social aspects of human life with passion and inspiration. This month, we are showing "Midnight in Paris," a 2011 Woody Allen film. GET YOUR FREE TICKETS HERE! When: Thurday, February 24, 2022 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM CST Where: First Presbyterian Church 213 Main Street Clarksville, TN 37040

Our next Young Adult Brunch is on Sunday afternoon,  February 20, following the 10:00 service . Join the group outside of church to walk over, or meet us  at Strawberry Alley Ale Works  around 11:15.  College-age through early 40's adults are all welcome! Feel free to invite a friend. (Childcare will be provided at the church--no charge.) Hannah Cruse is the young adult director. Please call the church office and ask for her contact info if you have any questions. Looking forward to hanging out!

Please be in prayer this week for:   Kim Smith (Kitty Boaz's daughter), Ken Giles' family members, Tamara and David Foust, Melanie Cobb (Steve and Diane Miner's daughter), Diane Lee's daughter-in-law and newborn twin grandbabies, Bob Gandy, Vicki Duncan's mother and father, David Kanervo, Howard Bradley, Leo Adames, Tom Presler, and all those affected by Covid-19. Please continue to pray for: Don Atkins, Florence Bailey, Don Beck, Jay and Diane Bowland, Sara Brooks, Melanie Cobb, Bessie Costanza, Vickie Duncan, Ruby Jean McLeod, Lew Metts, and Arch Shuler, the FPC Bicentennial and Capital Campaigns, the FPC Christian Ed Program, Seasons Respite Care, as well as those in LaGonave, Haiti, Rwanda, and South Sudan.  We give prai se for: the progress of our sanctuary lighting project so far! the choir, who has started rehearsing the commissioned anthem for our Bicentennial celebration in May.

Sunday, January 23 9:00 a.m.   Women's Friendship Sunday School Class Men's Brotherhood Sunday School Class 9:15 a.m. Choir Rehearsal (in Sanctuary) 10:00 a.m.  Morning Worship  "Arts & Worship" Sermon Series We start our Congregational Art Installation! Elementary Children's Sunday School During the Sermon in the Parlor Middle School Confirmation Class/Sunday School During the Sermon in the Library 2:00 p.m.  Shower Love (at Loaves and Fishes) Tuesday, January 25 4:30 p.m. Yoga (in Fellowship Hall) Wednesday, January 26 10:00 a.m.  Bible Study with Pastor Greg Meet in the Library or Join on   Zoom  (Meeting ID: 231 246 359; Passcode: 007472) 6:00 p.m. Bell Choir Rehearsal 7:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal Thursday, January 27 8:30 a.m. Yoga ***CANCELED*** 7:00 p.m. Chapel Cinema  Double Feature Saturday, January 29 10:00 a.m. Young Adult Service Day (at Loaves and Fishes)

Psalm-Singing... New yet Ancient by Hannah Cruse, Music Director & Organist ---- You will notice this Sunday something rather unusual pasted in the middle of your bulletin... a Psalm refrain. Some of you may wonder why it's there.            "We never sing Psalms. Why are we singing them now?"  During the forthcoming Arts and Worship Sermon Series, we hope to bring at least two ideas to your attention--that witnessing art often reveals awe-inspiring, transformative beauties of our Great God , and that participating in the creation of art parallels the work of the Holy Spirit, mobilizing us as the Body of Christ.  Psalm-singing is one of the most obvious ways--from a historical and Biblical standpoint--to engage with our creative gifts. We will get to "practice" listening and responding to the Spirit with a new Psalm each Sunday during this series. Since the practice is all new to us, I'd like to spend the rest of this article layi...

Jennifer Yarbrough  Linda Wall  Mark McNiel  Graham Duncan  Millie Armstrong  Robin Mealer  Carolyn Riggins  Craig Schryver  Cathy McLeod  Chip Connell  Marissa Pryor  Missy Keen  Lesa Goder  Ellen Kanervo  Sharon Duncan  Susan Marks  Chuck Render  Briana Larsen  Elwyn Patch  Annelle Gracey  Makenzie Pryor  Sallie Allen  Cleve Guinn  Jeff Shepherd  Sam Mills  John Sneed 

Online Bulletin: 1/16/22 Scripture Readings: Exodus 28:1-13 ; Mark 14:1-9 Full Worship Services Online: Youtube Favorite Hymns & Songs: Playlist Liturgy Explanations: " Why We Worship This Way " Get Involved: Events This Week Prayers and Praises: The "Pink" Sheet Give to the Church: Make an Offering In the Event of Bad Weather: We encourage members to evaluate dangerous road conditions and decide whether or not to drive to worship. Should it be necessary to cancel any events scheduled for Sundays, we will send out notification through a voicemail/text message, and it will be posted on Facebook and on the church website. Also, on the days that the public school system closes for dangerous road conditions, the church will be closed for evening activities. As you know, the weather can change hour to hour, so please contact your group leader for class/group cancellations.

Sunday, January 16 9:00 a.m.   Women's Friendship Sunday School Class Men's Brotherhood Sunday School Class 9:15 a.m. Choir Rehearsal (in Sanctuary) 10:00 a.m.  Morning Worship  "Arts & Worship" Sermon Series We start our Congregational Art Installation! Elementary Children's Sunday School During the Sermon in the Parlor Middle School Confirmation Class/Sunday School During the Sermon in the Library 4:00 p.m. Taco Game Night (in the AOC) 5:00 p.m. Missions & Service Committee Meeting (in Fellowship Hall) 6:00 p.m. Session Meeting (in the Chapel) Monday, January 17 ***Office Closed***  6:00 p.m. Martin Luther King Unity Service ***Note: This service will now be virtual, not in-person, due to inclement weather and rising virus cases. Please watch for the Zoom link to be posted on our social media platforms. Tuesday, January 18 4:30 p.m. Yoga (in Fellowship Hall) Wednesday, January 19 10:00 a.m.  Bible Study with Pastor Greg Meet in the Library o...

Please be in prayer this week for:   Ken Giles' family members who have COVID, Tamara and David Foust, Melanie Cobb (Steve and Diane Miner's daughter), Diane Lee's daughter-in-law and premature newborn twin grandbabies, Bob Gandy, Vicki Duncan's mother and father, David Kanervo, Howard Bradley, Leo Adames, Tom Presler, the people of Dawson Springs and Mayfield, KY recovering from the tornadoes, and all those affected by Covid-19, those struggling to find adequate housing, food and health care. Please continue to pray for: Don Atkins, Florence Bailey, Don Beck, Jay and Diane Bowland, Sara Brooks, Melanie Cobb, Bessie Costanza, Vickie Duncan, Ruby Jean McLeod, Lew Metts, and Arch Shuler, the FPC Bicentennial and Capital Campaigns, the FPC Christian Ed Program, Seasons Respite Care, as well as those in LaGonave, Haiti, Rwanda, and South Sudan.  We give prai se for: the ordination of elders last week. the start of the lighting project which will brighten ...

Our mission is to transform communities by engaging children, college-age young adults, and churches in purposeful relationships. First Presbyterian Church participates with Project Transformation to  1) meet the academic, physical, social-emotional, and spiritual needs of children, 2) provide meaningful ways for college-age young adults to explore ministry opportunities and develop as young leaders for the church and the world, and 3) help churches connect with their communities. If all goes as planned, Project Transformation will be back in-person meeting Monday through Thursday at New Providence Methodist Church . The volunteer dates for First Presbyterian Church will be announced after the Clarksville Partner Church meeting at the end of March. In the meantime...  We need your help recruiting college-age young adults for our summer internship!   Do you know a dynamic young adult who is eager to make an impact by running our summer day camp for children? Please share o...

As we begin our series on Arts & Worship, we will begin expanding arts activities during worship! For the next six Sundays, we will be creating a congregational art installation – that means you get to create a part of the background each week. At the end of the series, Jane Olson and Arts for Hearts will piece together the installation and add a 3D representation of flames to symbolize the Holy Spirit. We hope to display the installation somewhere prominent in the church for all to enjoy! Our inspiration image What to Expect: For the next 6 Sundays, you will receive an art packet as you enter the sanctuary along with your bulletin. Adults and children alike are encouraged to participate!  Each art packet will contain a square of mat board as well as 2 or more markers. ***Please note: the colors of your markers were selected specifically for this project, so this is one time we ask that you not share – use only the markers in your packet. Your task is to fill the mat board com...

Online Bulletin: 1/9/22 Scripture Readings:  Isaiah 43:1-7 ;  Luke 3:15-17; 21-22 Music Background & Texts: Spotlight Article Full Worship Services Online: Youtube Favorite Hymns & Songs: Playlist Liturgy Explanations: " Why We Worship This Way " Get Involved: Events This Week Prayers and Praises: The "Pink" Sheet Give to the Church: Make an Offering In the Event of Bad Weather: We encourage members to evaluate dangerous road conditions and decide whether or not to drive to worship. Should it be necessary to cancel any events scheduled for Sundays, we will send out notification through a voicemail/text message, and it will be posted on Facebook and on the church website. Also, on the days that the public school system closes for dangerous road conditions, the church will be closed for evening activities. As you know, the weather can change hour to hour, so please contact your group leader for class/group cancellations.

This Sunday, we commemorate Jesus' baptism in the river Jordan. Not only that, but we remember or look forward to our own baptisms--that moment when our lives are renewed by the Holy Spirit in front of the priesthood of believers.  At the beginning of this new year, many of us are setting fresh resolutions. Baptism can be a powerful metaphor in our lives for "starting fresh." Through baptism, God, freely gives us the opportunity to truly live- -no strings attached! Ephesians 2:8-9 communicates it best:  "It is by grace that you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast."  As you encounter music and worship this Sunday, reflect on the significance of holy waters in your life , whether you've been baptized yet or not. In fact, try this meditation right now... Close your eyes. What images of water come to mind? Are the waters peaceful, violent? What emotions do you feel about ...

Please be in prayer this week for:   Tamara and David Foust, Melanie Cobb (Steve and Diane Miner's daughter), Diane Lee's daughter-in-law and premature newborn twin grandbabies, Bob Gandy, Vicki Duncan's mother and father, David Kanervo, Howard Bradley, Leo Adames, Tom Presler, the people of Dawson Springs and Mayfield, KY recovering from the tornadoes, and all those affected by Covid-19. Please continue to pray for: Don Atkins, Florence Bailey, Don Beck, Jay and Diane Bowland, Sara Brooks, Melanie Cobb, Bessie Costanza, Vickie Duncan, Ruby Jean McLeod, Lew Metts, and Arch Shuler, the FPC Bicentennial and Capital Campaigns, the FPC Christian Ed Program, Seasons Respite Care, as well as those in LaGonave, Haiti, Rwanda, and South Sudan.  We give prai se for: The children and teachers of FPC's Preschool, Learning Center, and Seasons as they begin their journey in the new year. Kaitlyn Hardin, our IT specialist, on her graduation from APSU. We wish ...

Sunday, January 9 9:00 a.m.   Women's Friendship Sunday School Class Men's Brotherhood Sunday School Class 9:15 a.m. Choir Rehearsal (in Sanctuary) 10:00 a.m.  Morning Worship - Baptism of the Lord Sunday Installation & Ordination of New Class of Elders Elementary Children's Sunday School During the Sermon in the Parlor Middle School Confirmation Class/Sunday School During the Sermon in the Library Monday, January 10 Learning Center, Preschool, & Seasons Resume Tuesday, January 11 10:00 a.m. Congregational Care Committee Meeting (in Library) 12:30 p.m. Martha Circle Women's Bible Study (in Fellowship Hall) 4:30 p.m. Yoga (in Fellowship Hall) 7:00 p.m. Night Circle Women's Bible Study (in Library) Wednesday, January 12 10:00 a.m.  Bible Study with Pastor Greg Meet in the Library or Join on   Zoom  (Meeting ID: 231 246 359; Passcode: 007472) 6:00 p.m. Bell Choir Rehearsal 7:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal Thursday, January 13 8:30 a.m. Yoga (in the AOC)

Ladies, join us for our Annual Women's Retreat this spring!  Where : NaCoMe Camp and Retreat Center When : Friday, March 25 - Sunday, March 27 There will be a sign-up sheet available on the bulletin board outside the church office. For questions, contact Rhonda.

  Heading into a new year that marks the 200th anniversary of our congregation, we will spend time both marveling at the works of our predecessors and envisioning our path to a thriving future. Creativity has historically been a vital organ in our church's life. Undoubtedly, creativity will continue to preserve our good health and propel us forward--another 200 years we hope!  Join us for a 6-week sermon series on " The Arts & Worship " as we view artistic expression from Biblical, historical, and present-day angles. Look forward to practicing your creativity as a congregation through various artistic exercises during worship each week. On "Transfiguration of the Lord" Sunday (Feb. 27), we will unveil our completed congregational work of art !  Dates and Sermon Titles: January 16   - "Truth and Beauty"     January 23  - "The Creative Act" January 30  - "Imagination" February 6  - "Goodness and Value" February 13  - ...