First Presbyterian Church News (Clarksville, TN)

Choose from among you those who are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom… (Acts 6:3) Our church has a talented, intelligent, creative, dedicated group of leaders.  I have been deeply gratified and humbled by the opportunity to serve alongside the elders, committee chairs, and staff who serve our congregation.  As pastor, it is always a great joy to meet with the Nominating Committee to offer advice as they discern the leading of the Holy Spirit and do their crucial work on behalf of the congregation.  The Committee will begin meeting in early September to choose 6 persons to nominate to the congregation for election as Ruling Elders at our Annual Congregational Meeting on October 30.   The nominations include 4 elders for a three-year term, 1 elder to complete the remaining two years of an unexpired term, and 1 youth elder for a one-year term.  Our Elder Nominating Committee  for 2022-2023 ...

  TOWN HALL MEETING  Sunday, September 11 9:00 a.m. Mark your calendars for our upcoming Town Hall Meeting at 9am in the Chapel. This is a time to find out information and ask questions about upcoming plans and events here at First Presbyterian Church. Please join us for this time together.

  Events This Week Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, August 28 9:00 a.m.   Women's Friendship Sunday School Class Men's Brotherhood Sunday School Class  10:00 a.m.  Morning Worship Songwriting Workshop Presentations Children's Church Middle School Confirmation Class 2:00 p.m. Shower Love (at Loaves & Fishes) Tuesday, August 30 5:00 p.m. Yoga (in Fellowship Hall) Wednesday, August 31 10:30 a.m.  Bible Study with Pastor Greg Meet in the Library or Join on  Zoom  (Meeting ID: 231 246 359; Passcode: 007472) Thursday, September 1 8:30 a.m. Yoga (in Fellowship Hall during July) 5:00 p.m. Art Walk (Downtown Clarksville)

We will be joining with Trinity Episcopal for WORSHIP on Sunday,  September 18 at 10 am in the Downtown Commons! You are encouraged to bring folding chairs, blankets, and anything you might need to get comfortable outside.  Our annual PICNIC will follow! The Fellowship Committee will provide hamburgers, hotdogs, chips, drinks, plates, cups & eating utensils. If you are able, please bring a side dish that will serve 10-12. Thank you!

Choir begins soon! We hope to see long-time choir members as well as new faces join us! Anthems this season will explore a wide range of styles and difficulty levels. We typically rehearse at 7:00 on Wednesdays in the choir room and 9:15 am on Sundays in the sanctuary.  Come speak to the director, Hannah Cruse, if you are interested in participating, either in choir or in another musical way during worship.  Some Important Dates: First Official Rehearsal Wednesday, Sept 14, 7:00 First Official Performance Sunday, Sept 25, 9:15 am  Lessons and Carols Sunday, Dec 11, 4:00 pm Christmas Eve Service

Charles F. Freeman is a Presbyterian pastor in Gainesville, FL, with a flare for hymn writing. A lot of his writing comes hand-in-hand with preparing sermons. Usually, the hymns get matched up with tunes that are familiar to Freeman's congregation. However, "Do Not Pray for Peace," was very different in that respect. The meter of the text does not fit with any well-known tunes and is just begging to be set to original music!  As soon as I read Freeman's text for the first time, a melody washed over me almost instantaneously, and I knew I had to write it down. I jotted down the chords at that time and later devised the four-part harmonies.  Though Freeman's text works splendidly on its own, I strongly felt that, as a congregational hymn, it needed an additional section--a petition for God to "make us ready" for the peace we seek. Thus came the chorus, "Lord, make us ready now to heed your urgent call so they'll know we are Christians by our love,...

Prayers Please be in prayer this week for:   Libby and Ralph Stewart, Wade Rudolph, Hunter Daniel, Nicole Williamson (Greg and Denice Williamson's daughter-in-law), Justine Kaneris (works with "Seasons"), Jennifer Wallace (Learning Center teacher), Rayna & Joey Williamson, 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, the FPC Christian Ed Program, as well as those in LaGonave, Haiti, Rwanda, and South Sudan.  Condolences to Rebecca Spencer (Season’s Director) and her family as they mourn the sudden loss of Rebecca’s younger sister, a mother of three, this week. The family and friends of Eloise Vaughn, who passed away at the age of 96. Eloise was the bookkeeper at FPC for many years. Obituary here. Praises We give praise for: A delicious breakfa...

  Prayers Please be in prayer this week for:   Libby and Ralph Stewart, Wade Rudolph, Hunter Daniel, Nicole Williamson (Greg and Denice Williamson's daughter-in-law), Justine Kaneris (works with "Seasons"), Jennifer Wallace (Learning Center teacher), Rayna & Joey Williamson, 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, the FPC Christian Ed Program, as well as those in LaGonave, Haiti, Rwanda, and South Sudan.  Condolence to the family and friends of: Anita Hart , who passed away last week. Praises We give praise for: All those with birthdays in August! We invite you to shower these folks with birthday cards:  Florence Bailey, Charlyne Harvey, and Maxine Nance. Addresses can be found on Realm or by calling the church office. 

FPC is excited to announce all of the programs and announcements available this year! Come to the complimentary breakfast at 9:00 on Rally Day, August 21, to learn more. ADULTS Conversations on the Porch at 9:00 on Sundays - Class for adults of all ages about how our faith relates to current day topics, located in the Chapel (Contact David Kanervo) Friendship Class at 9:00 on Sundays - Women’s Study Group (Contact Jen Griffey or Millie Armstrong) Brotherhood Class during Worship - Men’s Study Group (Contact Craig Shryver) Choir  - Rehearsal of anthems and hymns for worship every Wednesday and Sunday (Contact Hannah Cruse) Bell Choir - Rehearsals every Wednesday, led by Carolyn Riggins Martha’s Circle - Women’s group, meeting monthly on 2nd Tuesdays in the morning (Contact V icki Wallace) Night Circle - Presbyterian Women's study group, meeting monthly on 2nd Tuesdays in the evening (Contact Rhonda Banasiak) Bible Study and Dinner Group - Available to adults at Lynda Bash...

Events This Week Rally Day, August 21 9:00 a.m.   Congregational Breakfast & Announcements about FPC Programs (in Fellowship Hall) 10:00 a.m.  Morning Worship Blessing of the Backpacks! 11:30 a.m.   (or after worship)  Children and Youth Picnic  6:00 p.m. Session Meeting (in Library) Tuesday, August 23 5:00 p.m. Yoga (in Fellowship Hall) Wednesday, August 24 10:30 a.m.  Bible Study with Pastor Greg Meet in the Library or Join on  Zoom  (Meeting ID: 231 246 359; Passcode: 007472) Thursday, August 25 8:30 a.m. Yoga (in Fellowship Hall during July) 6:00 p.m. Chapel Cinema: " God Knows Where I Am " Friday, August 26 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Songwriting Workshop (in Sanctuary)   Saturday, August 27 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Songwriting Workshop (in Sanctuary) ***Lunch Provided*** 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  Session Retreat ***Lunch Provided***

On   Thursday ,  September 1st ,  11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. , Seasons will host an "End of Summer Bar-b-que" in the parking lot at the AOC. This event is open to LC & Preschool parents/kids, staff, and church members. They will be serving hamburgers, hot dogs, and lemonade. Donations will be accepted for the bar-b-que. Beginning on  September 7th,  Seasons will be offering baked goodies to the Bible study class and staff here at the church. This is an outreach ministry to bless the staff and members each Wednesday with some delicious baked treats. They will be located on the table in the hallway of the Education Building. Please feel free to enjoy!

All are invited to participate in a Birthday Card Shower for the following members who have August birthdays: Florence Bailey Charlyne Harvey Maxine Nance Addresses can be found in Realm or by calling the church office. 

FPC would like to bring back our Sunday 9:00 a.m. "Conversations on the Front Porch"  in the Chapel!  This Sunday School group, led by Dr. David Kanervo, would focus on current events and Scripture.  A specific event from the previous 2-3 weeks would be presented with prepared questions and/or statements intended to help generate healthy conversation--not to be confused with conflict or confrontation. On many topics we might find that we agree to disagree, and that’s okay!  There needs to be a minimum of 6 people willing to attend regularly before we can pick a starting date and officially put it on all church calendars. If you are interested, please call the church office 931-645-6551 or call or text Kris Foust at 931-216-7801. 

  Events This Week 10th Sunday After Pentecost, August 14 9:00 a.m.   Women's Friendship Sunday School Class Men's Brotherhood Sunday School Class 10:00 a.m.  Morning Worship 11:30 a.m.   (or after worship)  Dwell "Practicing Our Faith" Discussion (at Sanctuary on Main) 4:00 p.m. Youth Group Activity (in Fellowship Hall) Monday, August 15 ***First Day of School for LC & Preschool 10:30 a.m. Learning Center Open House Tuesday, August 16 5:00 p.m. Yoga (in Fellowship Hall) Wednesday, August 17 10:00 a.m.  Bible Study with Pastor Greg Meet in the Library or Join on  Zoom  (Meeting ID: 231 246 359; Passcode: 007472) Thursday, August 18 8:30 a.m. Yoga (in Fellowship Hall during July)

Prayers Please be in prayer this week for:   Wade Rudolph, Hunter Daniel, Nicole Williamson (Greg and Denice Williamson's daughter-in-law), Justine Kaneris (works with "Seasons"), Jennifer Wallace (Learning Center teacher), Rayna & Joey Williamson, 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, the FPC Christian Ed Program, as well as those in LaGonave, Haiti, Rwanda, and South Sudan.  Condolence to the family and friends of: Anita Hart , mother of Mary Linn Sadler, who passed away on Wednesday, August 10.  Praises We give praise for: All those with birthdays in August! We invite you to shower these folks with birthday cards:  Florence Bailey, Charlyne Harvey, and Maxine Nance.

Join us for "Rally Day" on August 21 ! We will celebrate the beginning of school and all the programs available to different age and interest groups at FPC this year. 9:00 a.m. Breakfast in Fellowship Hall (No Sunday School classes) Hear about the programs and opportunities at FPC this year. Meet the leaders and volunteers. Contact Emily Vaughn or Dianne York if you'd like to learn about ways to volunteer. 10:00 a.m. Worship Service Children come forward for " Blessing of the Backpacks " during the Children’s Moment. 11:30 a.m. (or after worship) Children and Youth Picnic  K-12 (plus parents and friends) are invited to lunch and outdoor games at 650 Southside Rd. RSVP to Emily Vaughn.

Announcing a new Adult Fellowship and Bible Study Group!  Starting on August 28, the group will meet every 4th Sunday at the house of Lynda and Hershel Basham (1749 Jim Kim Rd Cunningham TN 37052) from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Please RSVP by contacting Lynda or the church office.

  Events This Week 9th Sunday After Pentecost, August 7 9:00 a.m.   Women's Friendship Sunday School Class Men's Brotherhood Sunday School Class 10:00 a.m.  Morning Worship and Communion 11:00 a.m. Service and Missions Committee Meeting (in Library) Tuesday, August 9 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  Preschool Planning Day (in Fellowship Hall) 10:00 a.m. Congregational Care Meeting (in Library) 5:00 p.m. Yoga (in Fellowship Hall) Wednesday, August 10 10:00 a.m.  Bible Study with Pastor Greg Meet in the Library or Join on  Zoom  (Meeting ID: 231 246 359; Passcode: 007472) Thursday, August 11 8:30 a.m. Yoga (in Fellowship Hall during July) 10:30 a.m. Preschool Open House (in Sanctuary and School Rooms)

  Prayers Please be in prayer this week for:   Anita Hart (Mary Lynn Sadler's mother), Wade Rudolph, Hunter Daniel, Nicole Williamson (Greg and Denice Williamson's daughter-in-law), Justine Kaneris (works with "Seasons"), Jennifer Wallace (Learning Center teacher), Rayna & Joey Williamson, Kim Smith (Kitty Boaz's daughter), Melanie Cobb (Steve and Diane Miner's daughter), Leo Adames, Dick Pryor, all those affected by Covid-19, and Participants of "Seasons" (FPC's care program for adults with special needs) Please continue to pray for: Don Atkins, Florence Bailey, Don Beck, Jay Bowland, Bessie Costanza, Lew Metts, the FPC Christian Ed Program, Seasons Respite Care, as well as those in LaGonave, Haiti, Rwanda, and South Sudan.  Condolences to the friends and families of: Forest C Ratchford III , who passed away in July. Obituary here. Allen Hall , Diane Miner's father.  Obituary here. Robert K. Ehly , Robin Mealer's father. Obituary h...

If you yearn for deeper spiritual discernment, connection with a faith community, and ways to take action in your life, these group discussions are for you. Our topic this Sunday will be "shaping communities." If you have the book by the same name, take a look at the chapter. Otherwise, no need to prepare. Just meet at 334 Main St. for coffee or tea and a great conversation. Contact Hannah Cruse for more info. Practicing Our Faith Discussion @ Sanctuary on Main Cafe Sun, August 14, 11:30am-12:30pm  

  Please  click here  to view an update regarding the flooding in Eastern Kentucky from our neighbors in Transylvania Presbytery, Philip Lotspeich, General Presbyter and Jerry Utt, Stated Clerk. Please keep our siblings in Eastern Kentucky and those personally affected by the flooding in your prayers. If you would like to send financial support: To support the relief effort in Transylvania Presbytery, you can make a donation here:   https://transypby.org/paypal/  Please note that it's for KY Floods.  You can also give electronically to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance at this site.  https://pma.pcusa.org/donate/ make-a-gift/gift-info/ DR000191/  This is the PDA designated account for flooding. Please reference Eastern Kentucky July Flooding or you may send checks to: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) P.O. Box 643700 Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700 DR000191 Eastern KY Flooding

“Grace Is God Embracing”  Music by Hannah Cruse  Text by Hannah Cruse and Leo Adames  We don’t often broach the topic of secular work in worship, but we should. My aim in writing this song was to express the woes and salvation of working people. Each verse talks about something we do poorly or struggle with in our capacity as workers. After each verse, there’s an implied “BUT” which leads into the Refrain. The Refrain then assures us of reconciliation, hope, and healing. Our lives in Christ do not end in sorrow, but joy. Despite our misdeeds and misgivings, we are still loved and made whole through God's Work.  The text is inspired by Ephesians 2:8-9, “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.” Thank you, Leo, for opening my mind about this text and offering excellent critiques.  Refrain Grace is God embracing all our broken pieces. We praise your Holy wor...

The LORD God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it... -Genesis 2:15 God intends for us to respect and care for Creation. We are interconnected with and dependent on all other living and nonliving things. As we freely receive bounty from the Earth, we are called to nourish the Earth in turn. "Give, and you shall receive" -Luke 6:38. This year, FPC hopes to form a "Green Team" -- a group of you willing to encourage and implement environmentally friendly missions on our church property, in the community, and in our individual homes. The Green Team might head up projects like a) building a community garden, c) planting trees, d) composting organic waste, e) recycling plastics, paper, and metal--etc.  Since we've still got a few more months left in the growing season, one of the first things we could do together is clean out and plant up an area on church property ! A few benefits of building a garden... Growing organi...