First Presbyterian Church News (Clarksville, TN)

Easter Memorial Lilies The church will purchase memorial lilies for our Easter Service on April 17. Names of those in memory of (or in honor of) along with donors will be listed in the Easter bulletin. All you need to do is donate to the FPC Memorial Fund and let the church office know your loved one’s name. The deadline to have names listed in the bulletin is 1:00 pm on Friday, April 8.

We remember all those who have died before us at this time of year.  Bold font indicates those who have passed away; regular font indicates those who have requested the memorial. John Arrington Charles Keene   Bill Dillard Jane Arrington   Bob Gandy Jill Crow Bill & Barbara Hutton Charlotte Jolly David & Ellen Kanervo Virginia Lowe   Edith Hudson Charles Keene   Ruby Jean McLeod Bill & Barbara Hutton Steve & Diane Miner Mary Linn & John Sadler Vicki & Lew Wallace Hank Livingstone Sam & Pixie McCord – Mills David & Ellen Kanervo Charlotte Graves John & Geraldine Allensworth Don & Sarah Morgan Frank Childers Cecil & Mary Beth Morgan Jim & Mary Thomas Roger & Elynor Busler Maxine Nance     Memorials received after March 27 will be on the Newsletter dated April 3.

We are looking for people to represent our church at various downtown events and activities.  If you enjoy happenings in the Downtown Commons, Downtown Artists Co-op, The Customs House Museum and the Saturday Morning Market, we need you!  All that is required is a friendly face and a willingness to talk/interact with strangers.  Our immediate needs are the Earth Care Celebration in the Commons (April 30th), Dwell's Exam Week Coffee Relief (May 4), and the opening of the Downtown Saturday Market (May 14th) . We will make a volunteer group in Realm that can be easily emailed. We are looking for 2-3 persons per event in most cases. If enough people sign-up to be on the volunteer list, you'll only need to help out once or twice a year. The event details will dictate your "job," and we will equip you with whatever you may need. If you would like to represent FPC in this way, please contact the church office at 931-645-6551 or   fpcclarksville@gmail.com --thank you!

We would like to "spit and polish" our campus, in particular the sanctuary and fellowship hall, before our Bicentennial weekend. We will gather on Saturday, April 23rd from 9 am-2 pm, with lunch provided . We will purchase the needed supplies if you will show up with the "elbow grease".   Please let Kris know by text or call 931-216-7801 if you are able to participate.

This Sunday, we are fortunate to worship with the musical leadership of Emmalee Feldman , local singer-songwriter and leader at Living Hope Church in Clarksville. She will share a more contemporary style, blended beautifully with acoustic instrumentation, for a wholly refreshing musical experience.  Take notice of the balance between "traditional" hymns, modern congregational songs, and interwoven genres. This is extremely intentional! Emma and I do this to communicate that, no matter your age, musical preference, or background, "You are welcome here."  Every individual prefers a certain type of music over other types. Every individual's preference is influenced by their background and generation. For long-time Presbyterians, contemporary-style songs may sound out of place in the sanctuary. Singing praise choruses instead of hymn verses may feel somewhat uncomfortable. On the flip side, however, many youth and young adults feel just as uncomfortable singing hymn

  Calendar Sunday, March 27 9:00 a.m.   Women's Friendship Sunday School Class Men's Brotherhood Sunday School Class 10:00 a.m.  Morning Worship Emma Feldman Leading Music Elementary Children's Sunday School During the Sermon in the Parlor Middle School Confirmation Class/Sunday School During the Sermon in the Library 11:15 a.m. (or right after worship) Fellowship Time (in the Chapel) 11:30 a.m. Young Adult Book Discussion (at Sanctuary on Main) Tuesday, March 29 5:00 p.m.  Yoga (in Fellowship Hall) Wednesday, March 30 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. Hand Bell Rehearsal 7:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal Thursday, March 31 8:30 a.m. Yoga (in AOC)

  Prayers Please be in prayer this week for:   Sallie Armstrong, Rayna & Joey Williamson, Ruby Jean McLeod's family, Kim Smith (Kitty Boaz's daughter), Melanie Cobb (Steve and Diane Miner's daughter), Vicki Duncan's mother and father, Leo Adames, Tom Presler, Dick Pryor, and all those affected by Covid-19. Please continue to pray for: Don Atkins, Florence Bailey, Don Beck, Jay and Diane Bowland, Bessie Costanza, 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.  Praises We give prai se for: The baptism of Quinn and Nora Jones! All that volunteered and bought tickets to Empty Bowls! Because of your generosity all 3 benefitting agencies (Loaves & Fishes, Urban Ministries and The Food Initiative) received checks for $12,000!

 WATCH: You are invited to Clarksville's first-ever " Earth Care Celebration" -- an interfaith response to climate change ! This event is sponsored by Tennessee Interfaith Power and Light ( TIPL ), a non-profit organization committed to upholding the sacredness of all life, protecting vulnerable communities, and caring for the Earth.  At this celebration in the Downtown Commons on April 30 at 3:00 , faith communities in Clarksville will pray, mourn, give thanks, and call for action together around the theme, " Sacred Trust: Our Children's Right to a Livable Future. " Look forward to offerings of art, music, and beyond from children and adults. Stay posted for an official list of participating communities in the next few weeks. We hope people of all ages will attend in support of a healthy future for our children, youth, and young adults. If you or your children would like to contribute to this celebration , please contact Hannah Cruse through the church offi

Watch the video below for more information!

  Calendar Sunday, March 20 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 Elementary Children's Sunday School During the Sermon in the Parlor Middle School Confirmation Class/Sunday School During the Sermon in the Library 11:15 a.m. (or right after worship) Fellowship Time (in the Chapel) 11:30 a.m. Young Adult Book Discussion (at Sanctuary on Main) 4:00 p.m. Youth Group (in the AOC) 6:00 p.m. Session Meeting (in Chapel) Tuesday, March 22 5:00 p.m.  Yoga (in Fellowship Hall) Wednesday, March 23 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. Hand Bell Rehearsal 7:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal Thursday, March 24 8:30 a.m. Yoga (in AOC) 7:00 p.m. Chapel Cinema Screening of "Youth V. Gov"

Prayers Please be in prayer this week for:   Rayna & Joey Williamson, the family of Bob Gandy, Kim Smith (Kitty Boaz's daughter), Melanie Cobb (Steve and Diane Miner's daughter), Vicki Duncan's mother and father, Leo Adames, Tom Presler, Dick Pryor, and all those affected by Covid-19. Please continue to pray for: Don Atkins, Florence Bailey, Don Beck, Jay and Diane Bowland, 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.  Praises We give prai se for: Quinn and Nora getting baptized this Sunday! The life of Ruby Jean McLeod, who passed away peacefully on March 14. Obituary here . Ruby Jean was a constant source of encouragement and joy to many, especially with her expansive birthday card ministry to the members of FPC. 

Get excited! Emma Feldman, local Christian singer-songwriter and contestant on the Voice, will be leading our music on Sunday March 27.  “I believe that music can be used to carry the prophetic word of God. When the word of God is proclaimed in song we release healing, deliverance, restoration, and we prepare hearts to receive the Holy Spirit. Music not only speaks to our minds but also to our spirits and what better tool to use to proclaim the powerful truth of God’s word?” Emmalee was born loving music and using that gift of music to reach others and glorify God. She moved from North Carolina to Tennessee when she was a child and quickly began writing and performing in Nashville and has never looked back! She started singing when she was three, began playing the piano at eight, and picked up the guitar to write songs at eleven. She began leading worship at the age of thirteen and attributes her experience leading worship as one of the most pivotal tools God used to shape her as a Chr

Shout out to the everyone in their 40's and under! We're hanging out at  Strawberry Alley  on Thurs, April 7, starting at 7:00 p.m. for their weekly Trivia Night ! We will need all the minds we can get to win this thing... so put it on your calendar today. ;-) Please contact Hannah Cruse (can get her number/email from the office) if you have any questions. Say you're GOING on the Facebook event page !

Check out our youth group events coming up this spring! See picture below.  The FPC Youth Group will be headed down to NaCoMe on March 26th for an overnight work trip ! All forms and payment are due on or before March 20th to Emily Vaughn or the church office. Please contact her for information and sign-up forms.  This will be a great time for fun, fellowship, and service! And you don't want to miss the surprise guest that is joining the group to lend a hand. ;-)

  Calendar Sunday, March 13 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 Elementary Children's Sunday School During the Sermon in the Parlor Middle School Confirmation Class/Sunday School During the Sermon in the Library 11:15 a.m. Second Sunday Lunch (in Fellowship Hall) 12:00 p.m. Young Adult Book Discussion (in the Chapel) ***Details Changed Due to Second Sunday Lunch*** 12:00 p.m. Christian Education Meeting  Tuesday, March 15 5:00 p.m.  Yoga (in Fellowship Hall) Wednesday, March 16 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. Hand Bell Rehearsal 7:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal Saturday, March 19 9:00 a.m.  Church-Wide Planning Day!

  Prayers Please be in prayer this week for:   Rayna & Joey Williamson, the family of Bob Gandy, Ruby Jean McLeod, Kim Smith (Kitty Boaz's daughter), Melanie Cobb (Steve and Diane Miner's daughter), Vicki Duncan's mother and father, Leo Adames, Tom Presler, Dick Pryor, and all those affected by Covid-19. Please continue to pray for: Don Atkins, Florence Bailey, Don Beck, Jay and Diane Bowland, 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.  Praises We give prai se for: Alex and Charlie getting baptized this Sunday!

Why We Are Singing the Kyrie during Lent During this penitential time of Lent, we will sing the words, " Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy on us " each Sunday. Where does this phrase come from?  This phrase has ancient roots. Scripture shows a long history of supplication to the God of Abraham--particularly in the Psalms , but also in the Old and New  Testaments. [ Source ] In Isaiah 33:2, " Have mercy on us, Lord, that wait for thee so patiently " and in Matthew 9:27, " Lord, Son of David, have pity on us. " Supplication for mercy became a formalized part of Christian worship in the first 500 years AD. The "Lord, have mercy" we sing is actually a translation of the Greek "Kyrie eleison." The word Kyrie was used in the Septuagint, the earliest Greek translation of the Old Testament, to translate the Hebrew word Yahweh (Lord), and then again to describe Christ in the New Testament.  In its pre-Christian context, the

"Dwell Ministries seeks to provide a refuge to young adults from the struggles and pressures of everyday life." We want to meet you where you are. That starts with connection. So let's build a relationship with each other...  Loading… LEARN MORE on the website , or watch:

  Calendar Sunday, March 6 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 and Communion Elementary Children's Sunday School During the Sermon in the Parlor Middle School Confirmation Class/Sunday School During the Sermon in the Library 11:30 a.m.  Young Adult Book Discussion (at Sanctuary on Main Cafe) 4:00 p.m. Organ Concert (at Grace Lutheran Church) Monday, March 7 ***CMCSS Spring Break All Week*** Tuesday, March 8 12:30 p.m.  Martha Circle Women's Bible Study (in Library) 5:00 p.m.  Yoga (in Fellowship Hall) Wednesday, March 9 10:00 a.m.  Bible Study with Pastor Greg Meet in the Library or Join on   Zoom  (Meeting ID: 231 246 359; Passcode: 007472) 7:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal

  Prayers Please be in prayer this week for:   Charlotte Jolly, Rayna & Joey Williamson, the family of Bob Gandy, Ruby Jean McLeod, Kim Smith (Kitty Boaz's daughter), Melanie Cobb (Steve and Diane Miner's daughter), Vicki Duncan's mother and father, Leo Adames, Tom Presler, Dick Pryor, and all those affected by Covid-19. Please continue to pray for: Don Atkins, Florence Bailey, Don Beck, Jay and Diane Bowland, 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.  Praises We give prai se for: Arts for Hearts and everyone in the congregation who contributed to our beautiful mosaic artwork!!!

All youth grades 6-12 are invited to join us on our work trip !  We will depart on Saturday March 26 at 1:00pm for NaCoMe .  While there, we will perform various tasks around the camp to help clean and fix it up as well as have fun fellowshipping with one another. We should return around 6:00pm Sunday evening.  To sign up, fill out this form!   Permission forms due to Emily Vaughn or the church office by March 20.

You are invited to   Second Sunday Lunch on March 13 ! Right after the 10:00 worship service. Dine in or take out options available. More info coming soon.

Our annual Youth Sunday is coming up in a few months on May 1st. The theme:  Make a Joyful Noise! In preparation for Youth Sunday, we are asking for donations of items like paper towel or toilet paper cylinders, empty plastic water bottles, pie plates, and any other household items that can be used to create a "musical instrument" . There will be a basket placed by the front doors of the sanctuary to collect these items. Drop them off any time between now and late April.  We look forward to filling the sanctuary with joyful noise on May 1st!