First Presbyterian Church News (Clarksville, TN)

  Calendar 3rd Sunday of Easter, May 1 9:00 a.m.   Women's Friendship Sunday School Class Men's Brotherhood Sunday School Class 9:15 a.m.  Adult Choir Rehearsal (in Sanctuary) 10:00 a.m.  Morning Worship: Youth Sunday No Sunday School Classes; Children Stay for Worship! 11:15 a.m. (or after worship)  Youth Reception (Outside of the Chapel) in honor of our Rossview High School graduate, Jennie McNiel Tuesday, May 3 5:00 p.m.  Yoga (in Fellowship Hall) Wednesday, May 4 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  Dwell Ministries "Coffee Relief" (at APSU) 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.  Adult Choir Rehearsal Thursday, May 5 *** Yoga Canceled***

  Prayers Please be in prayer this week for:   Nicole Williamson (Greg and Denice Williamson's daughter-in-law), Justine Kaneris (works with "Seasons"), Jennifer Wallace (Learning Center teacher), Rayna & Joey Williamson, Diane Bowland's family, George Lowe's family, Kim Smith (Kitty Boaz's daughter), Melanie Cobb (Steve and Diane Miner's daughter), Leo Adames, Dick Pryor, and all those affected by Covid-19. Please continue to pray for: Don Atkins, Florence Bailey, Don Beck, Jay 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 praise for: All who turned out for Cleaning Day! Much was accomplished in Fellowship Hall, the Sanctuary and the stairwells. There are still tasks and smaller projects that need attention between now and May 20th. If you have an hour or two, Kris will

  MAY BIRTHDAYS Reg Lowe  Caroline Giles  Grace Briggs  Michael Cleghorn  Jon Harvey  Cannon Rice  Patty Orr  Gary Norris  Paul Havens  Tim Harvey  Will Arrington  Larry McLeod  Russ Orr  Bonnie Mackens  Tommy Burney  Megan Shingler  Seth Sitter  Greg Guinn  Micki Daugherty  Marshall Duncan  David Salyer  Daniel Ellis  Jeanne Salyer  Robert Grigsby  Mary Wright If you don't see your name on the list, please contact Anita @  fpcclarksville@gmail.com

We offer warmest congratulations and thank yous to Dr. Ellen Kanervo and to each of the authors who assisted in completing this fascinating account of our church's 200-year history. Purchase your copy online today! Following the Faith; A Bicentennial History of First Presbyterian Church, Clarksville: 1822-2022 Hardcover: Purchase on Amazon.com  ($25) Paperback: Purchase on Amazon.com ($20)

Let's talk! Join the congregation before worship on May 1 at 9:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Donuts and coffee provided.  Zoom Link here if you cannot make it in person. 

  Calendar 2nd Sunday of Easter, April 24 9:00 a.m.   Women's Friendship Sunday School Class Men's Brotherhood Sunday School Class Adult Choir Rehearsal 10:00 a.m.  Morning Worship Preschool Recognition Elementary Children's Sunday School During the Sermon in the Parlor Middle School Confirmation Class/Sunday School During the Sermon in the Library Tuesday, April 26 5:00 p.m.  Yoga (in Fellowship Hall) 7:00 p.m.  Worship Committee Meeting (via Zoom) Wednesday, April 27 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.  Adult Choir Rehearsal Thursday, April 28 8:30 a.m. Yoga (in AOC) 7:00 p.m.   Chapel Cinema Screening "The Woman Who Loves Giraffes" Saturday, April 30 7:00 a.m. Chi Alpha Pancake Breakfast (in AOC) 1:00 p.m. Rehearsal for Youth Sunday (in Sanctuary) 3:00 p.m. Earth Care Celebration (in Downtown Commons)

  Prayers Please be in prayer this week for:   Justine Kaneris (works with "Seasons"), Steve Hart (Mary Linn Sadler's brother), Jennifer Wallace (Learning Center teacher), Rayna & Joey Williamson, Diane Bowland's family, George Lowe's family, Kim Smith (Kitty Boaz's daughter), Melanie Cobb (Steve and Diane Miner's daughter), Leo Adames, Dick Pryor, and all those affected by Covid-19. Please continue to pray for: Sallie Armstrong, Don Atkins, Florence Bailey, Don Beck, Jay 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 praise for: A gorgeous and joyful Easter morning, from Sunrise Service with Trinity in the Downtown Commons to worship and music in the FPC sanctuary.  He is risen indeed!  Marshall Duncan and Charlie Foust as well as the entire property committee on the comp

Families, please notify us if you have someone who is graduating from high school or college so that the church can acknowledge them this spring!  Call, text, or email Rhonda Banasiak or the church office with the student's name and any other info you'd like to celebrate.

Founded by FPC in 2021, Seasons is a unique ministry that provides respite care for adults with special needs. This spring, they have been working hard to get ready for the Earth Care Celebration in the Downtown Commons on April 30th! See pictures below. For more information about Seasons, watch this video or contact the church office at  (931) 645-6551. Stay up to date on Seasons activities by following their Facebook page.

We are so grateful to Marshall Duncan and Charlie Foust as well as the entire property committee for the completion of the Sanctuary Lighting! The process began over 5 years ago with an extensive study and consultation from Shanna Snow and culminated last week with Accurate Electric, literally turning on the lights! What a delight to be able to see and read the pew bibles and hymnals on a cloudy rainy Sunday morning! Not to mention being able to see and fully appreciate the beauty of our sanctuary ceiling.

Join us on Sunday, April 24 to celebrate the families in our preschool and to recognize Mary Linn Sadler and Bonnie Parker as they plan to retire. We wish them the best as they begin a new chapter in their lives.  

Come early on Easter--music will begin 10 mins before 10!  Easter begins with J.S. Bach's "Prelude and Fugue in F minor, BWV 534." In my imagination, this prelude sets the stage for the Gospel story after Good Friday. The disciples still believe, at this point, that Christ is gone, dead and buried. Bach repeats the opening musical motive over and over in a downward spiral, "descending into hell," so to speak.  You'll hear these descending patterns many times throughout the piece. Bach wraps up the prelude with a crunchy chord and downward propelling flourish (a compositional nod to Italian and French harpsichordists).  Bach follows with a fugue. From my Easter-oriented perspective, the fugal theme, introduced in the tenor voice on the keyboard, fights firmly against the downward pull of the prelude. While not all sadness has been dispelled by the fugue--evidenced by the continued minor key especially--the melody wants to rise and soar. Listen in the first p

  Calendar Easter Sunday, April 17 6:00 a.m.  Easter Sunrise Service with Trinity Episcopal (at Downtown Commons) 9:00 a.m.   Women's Friendship Sunday School Class Men's Brotherhood Sunday School Class Adult Choir Rehearsal 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, April 19 5:00 p.m.  Yoga (in Fellowship Hall) Wednesday, April 20 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 ***Adult Choir Rehearsal Canceled*** Thursday, April 21 8:30 a.m. Yoga (in AOC) Saturday, April 23 9:00 a.m.  FPC Cleanup Day

  Prayers Please be in prayer this week for:   Justine Kaneris (works with "Seasons"), Steve Hart (Mary Linn Sadler's brother), Jennifer Wallace (Learning Center teacher), Rayna & Joey Williamson, Ruby Jean McLeod's family, Kim Smith (Kitty Boaz's daughter), Melanie Cobb (Steve and Diane Miner's daughter), Leo Adames, Dick Pryor, and all those affected by Covid-19. Please continue to pray for: Sallie Armstrong, 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 praise for: Bicentennial rehearsals in full swing! Scaffolding coming down in the sanctuary, and our beautiful new lighting! The children who blessed us with their voices last week on Palm Sunday!

Parents-- Planning ahead for the Fall?  The FPC Preschool and Learning Center have a few spots open. Please reserve your child's spot now! School hours will coordinate between programs to allow for families with multiple children to have a child in the preschool and another child in the Learning Center.  Call or email to schedule a tour or get more information! Preschool: 931-645-6551 or  dyorkfpc@gmail.com Learning Center: 931-648-2665 or  reports.alc@gmail.com

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 and purchased the lily. You can see these beautiful lilies, in honor of loved ones, displayed in the sanctuary on Easter morning.  Dr. George & Margaret Ackley, Guy & Katherine Watson, Howard & Irene Hiett  Larry & Charene Watson Ann Arnold Scott & Julie Giles William Baynas Pixie McCord Mills Zachary Davis Gail & Bob Hudson Buddy & Shiela Foust, Scott W. Hedstrom, Heidi   Kathleen   Hedstrom & Mitcheal K. Ostlund the Foust, Hedstrom & Neuman families Marie & Chet Freels and Bob & Sheila Schryver Candy & Craig Schryver Tom & Sarah Goder David, Lesa, Matthew & Megan Goder Karen Goggin Rhonda Banasiak & Liz Thomas Tom Graves Charlotte Graves & family Aubrey and Cindy C. Harvey the Harvey family Rebecca & Frank Hutton and Jean Dale Kleeman Bill H

Palm Sunday is a Sunday of transition. It often carries us on an emotional rollercoaster from jubilation to contemplation. In the first half of worship, we celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, one week before His resurrection. In the second half, we shift our gaze towards the cross, and prepare our hearts and minds for the crucifixion.  We begin worship with an outburst of adoration, "Hosanna!"--appropriate for the arrival of Jesus.  Hosanna, Loud Hosanna" is like our Palm Sunday theme song! You'll hear it in the children's anthem, "Blessed Is He" by Tom Fettke, and you will get to sing it as the opening hymn.  The English author Jenette Threlfall (1821-1880) had a positive outlook on life despite many struggles. At an early age, her parents died, leaving her in the care of various relatives. Two accidents severely disabled her and eventually led to bed confinement. In spite of hardship, Threlfall praises Christ as Redeemer in her hym

  Calendar Palm Sunday, April 10 9:00 a.m.   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 11:15 a.m. (or right after worship)  Second Sunday Lunch (in Fellowship Hall) 12:00 p.m. Young Adult Book Discussion (in Chapel) Tuesday, April 12 10:00 a.m.  Congregational Care Committee (in Library) 12:30 p.m. " Martha Circle" Women's Bible Study (in Library) 5:00 p.m.  Yoga (in Fellowship Hall) 7:00 p.m . "Night Circle" Women's Bible Study (in Library) Holy Wednesday, April 13 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 (in Bell Room) 7:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal (in Sanctuary) Maundy Thursday, April 14 8:30 a.m. Yoga (in AOC) 6:00 p.m.   M

  Prayers Please be in prayer this week for:   Justine Kaneris (works with "Seasons"), Steve Hart (Mary Linn Sadler's brother), Jennifer Wallace (Learning Center teacher), Sallie Armstrong, Rayna & Joey Williamson, Ruby Jean McLeod's family, Kim Smith (Kitty Boaz's daughter), Melanie Cobb (Steve and Diane Miner's daughter), Leo Adames, 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 praise for: Dwell Young Adult Ministries and volunteers showing up at APSU's "First Friday" event to meet students!

Your gifts to  One Great Hour of Sharing  are shared with the ministries of the Presbyterian Hunger Program, Self-Development of People, and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. To learn more about how your gift to One Great Hour of Sharing makes a difference visit  pcusa.org/oghs . First Presbyterian Church is asking you to contribute on EASTER Sunday by dropping a check in the plate or anytime during Holy Week by giving online at  this link.

Come join us for a weekend of helping NaCoMe get ready for summer camp!  This is a great opportunity for men, along with their older children, to help out. When :  May 13-15 Travel :  We will take the church bus. We will leave from the AOC at 4:30 pm on Friday, 5/13 and return about 3:30-ish on Sunday. Cost :  $60 (includes 6 meals and lodging) Contact :  Mark Banasiak or the church office Register by:  Sunday, May 8 - To reserve your spot, please give Mark cash or a check (made out to NaCoMe).

Come participate in youth-led worship based on the Book of Psalms on May 1! Upcoming Youth Group Meetings: 4/24 Youth Group, 4-6pm, in the AOC  4/30 Youth Sunday Rehearsal, 1-3pm, FPC Sanctuary  4/30 Youth Group participation in Earth Care Celebration at Downtown Commons, 3pm

REQUESTING VOLUNTEERS: We need  2 more people to listen to children read on Monday, July 18th and Wednesday, July 20th from 9:50-12:15. Call Margaret Adames if you want to help!  We are excited to announce that Project Transformation will be back in person this summer at New Providence United Methodist Church!  If you are not familiar with this program, click here:  https:// projecttransformation.org/ tennessee/ . Our mission is to transform communities by engaging children, college-age young adults, and churches in purposeful relationships. Want to get involved? Anyone can  Donate  or  Volunteer .  If you would like to contribute in another way, Project Transformation has an Amazon wish list of supplies that are needed for this summer program. Click here to see the list:  https://tinyurl.com/45ptderb .  Students of all ages, consider  Interning  this summer (scholarships available)! Local volunteer opportunities:  During the week of July 18-21 , you can be an  onsite reading mentor at

Calendar Sunday, April 3 9:00 a.m.   Women's Friendship Sunday School Class Men's Brotherhood Sunday School Class 10:00 a.m.  Morning Worship with Communion Elementary Children's Sunday School During the Sermon in the Parlor Middle School Confirmation Class/Sunday School During the Sermon in the Library 11:15 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 & Elementary Night  (at AOC) 4:00 p.m.  Concert (at Grace Lutheran) Tuesday, April 5 5:00 p.m.  Yoga (in Fellowship Hall) Wednesday, April 6 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, April 7 8:30 a.m. Yoga (in AOC) 5:00 p.m.   Art Walk (in the Chapel) 7:00 p.m.   Trivia Night for Young Adults (at Strawberry Alley)