First Presbyterian Church News (Clarksville, TN)

  Sunday, February 26, 2023 First Sunday in Lent Matthew 4:1–11 (ESV) Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “ ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All th...

On Saturday, March 18, all of the committees and teams of the church will gather from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. to plan the church's activities for 2023-2024. Planning Day is a wonderful opportunity to check out any area of church life. Anyone in the congregation is invited to participate in this day.   Schedule for Planning Day 8:30 a.m. Coffee House open with coffee and breakfast foods 8:30-9:00 a.m.  Q&A with Pastor Greg regarding the topics raised at the February Town Hall Meeting 9:30 a.m. Committees will gather in break-out rooms. 11:30 a.m. Lunch provided. Our church is very blessed to have such strong volunteer leadership in every facet of our life together.  A full list of committees and their mission statements, along with their meeting rooms, will be available on Planning Day. Please consider joining one of the committees on this day to “observe” as members evaluate the year just past and begin  to plan the ministries and event...

We are having "Open Mic Night" for Wednesday Family Fellowship on April 12!  Contact Pastor Greg if you would like to get on the schedule to share a reading, a personal triumph, a poem or short story that you've written, a piece of art you've created, a piece of music you've prepared, or just a subject that you are passionate about. We'll even give you a soap box! We hope that every second Wednesday each month will become "Open Mic Night." Come enjoy dinner and stay to learn more about the amazing people who worship at FPC.

Church members plus friends are invited to this week's Wednesday Family Fellowship! Alex Adames will host Trivia Night on March 1, starting at 5:45. Dinner, preceding at 5:15, includes a salad bar, mac n cheese, and dessert. Donations appreciated. As always, childcare is provided with music and activities planned for the children.

FPC Learning Center, a school with over 20 years' experience, is registering students for 2023-2024! We offer small group instruction, time for individual help, a chance to advance at your own pace, and caring, qualified instructors in a stress-free setting.  Preregister to reserve your spot by calling 931-648-2665 or email reports.alc@gmail.com. Plan a tour before classes are full!

Seasons' Respite Care, an FPC Ministry, is growing, and we are looking for a part-time staff person. To discuss, please contact Dianne York or Ann Waddle!

First Presbyterian Preschool has over 50 years' experience with meeting the needs of young children ages 1 through PreK in Clarksville! We are state licensed with a qualified staff who meets all state standards.  Now registering all FPC preschool, learning center, and church families. Open to all new families March 15.  Make plans and reserve your place for 2023-2024! Call 9316450313.

Most of you know that we, First Presbyterian Church, participate monthly in the Downtown First Thursday Art Walk. We feature a different artist each month with the “opening” of their show taking place on that 1st Thursday from 5-8pm. Most of the time the featured artist stays and greets visitors and can provide light appetizers and drinks, but not always. We are looking for volunteers to help host this monthly event and be on hand to supervise and keep our space secure. Staff will always set up the show and room beforehand but cannot be present every 1st Thursday for the main event. If you would like to assist with one or more of these events, please let Kris Foust know or email/call the church office. Thank you!

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.  We will make a volunteer group 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!

Sunday, February 19, 2023 Transfiguration of the Lord Matthew 17:1–9 (ESV) And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.  And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no on...

Thankful for the 2023 Confirmation Class's trip to the West End Synagogue in Nashville! It was a great trip enjoyed by all and a great way to expand the students' knowledge about their faith as they explored the faith of others.

Young people need a place to rest and recharge... During "The Trek" Discussion Group each Sunday, share your weekly wins and woes with spiritually like-minded companions. No prep or curriculum required. Make space to spiritually recharge THIS SUNDAY! When: 11:15 a.m. (or after worship) Where: Fellowship Hall

The FPC Chapel will feature art by Larry Richardson during March. Come and see it on March 2 during Art Walk from 5 to 8 pm!  Born in rural western Kentucky, Larry Richardson’s love of the outdoors led to a career that included an advanced degree in biology, work in parks and wildlife, art publishing, U.S. Senate and currently “a painter of where I like to be.”  Larry has also written several books, the latest “Tennessee Wilderness – A Legacy Endures.”   Larry and his wife, Roberta, live in downtown Clarksville, Tennessee, within a few blocks of the Cumberland River. Many of his paintings are inspired by his surroundings, In fact, he continues to expand a series featuring the river. He is serving on the Board of Trustees at the Customs House Museum and will assume chairmanship in January 2024. He is a member of Oil Painters of America and has served as judge for numerous art contests. In 2021, he was selected as a judge for the Federal Duck Stamp contest, an honor wh...

FPC supports the Goat Project along with schoolteacher salaries, lunches for students, micro finance loans, medical care, etc. in La Gonâve. Roughly $20,000/year goes to these missions from us. We have beautiful friends there and hope to visit again when the violence in Haiti subsides. Claire Barry would like to share the latest report on the La Gonâve Goat Project. ---- I can’t help but smile … a BIG smile … when I look at the picture above! These are students and families in Bois Brulé. At the first of the new year, Jean Thony and Frantz Toussaint selected students at St. Jacques to be trained and then to receive their own pregnant goat to raise and rebreed.  Pere Vil said in his report accompanying the picture, the La Gonâve Goat Project is changing lives by teaching school children the “entrepreneurial spirit.” These young students are experiencing first-hand the importance of hard work, perseverance and responsibility. They are are learning about vocations in goat hu...

  Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and Scripture-based study with other FPC couples at the Basham's house from  2:00-4:00 p.m . on  February 26 . Talk to Lynda Basham if interested in attending the  Faith and Fellowship Group ! 

Ted Atkinson                          Chip & Mary Ann Connell   Lucy Gonyea Napolitan Tim & Maureen Harvey       Betty Lambert            Don & Sarah Morgan   Richard Nuckolls Vicki & Lew Wallace   Jeff Nuckolls Vicki & Lew Wallace     Memorials received after February 19 will be  on  the Newsletter dated March 5.

Sunday, February 12, 2023 Sixth Sunday after Epiphany Matthew 5:21-26 (ESV) You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.  Prayer prompt:  Jesus doubles down.  The laws and traditions that were codified a long...