First Presbyterian Church News (Clarksville, TN)

Janet Renfro Huson Jennifer Griffey James Grigsby Scott Giles Edward Douglas (Doug) Hildreth Samuel (Sam) Sitter John Towell Sarah Moser Grace Glover Annabeth Lee Julia Adames-Purdue Kristi Kimmell Mackenzie Kelly

At our Session meetings each month, different committees report to the Session about what they accomplished the previous year and some goals for the upcoming year. We also share our areas of greatest need. These were the last committees to report in 2024. Hospitality Committee :   -Responsible for welcoming new members and visitors and getting them involved with the life of our congregation. -We are currently looking for new ways for our current members to get to know new members and visitors as well as them all getting to know each other. -We are in need of individuals who would be interested in greeting visitors and sharing information with them about FPC on Sunday mornings. Communications Committee : -Has been working hard this past year on the live and recorded worship services.  Our services can be found on our Facebook page and on YouTube. -We could always use people who are interested in learning the sound board and how to record our services.  -Always lo...

Find wisdom, song, and spiritual practice to nourish your life’s journey in sacred community with our ancestors and each other during this Faith Focus experience led by musician poet duo, Hannah Cruse and Joey Grisham. Join us for Faith Focus on Wednesday, February 5, from 5:30 to 7 with dinner and childcare!

Seasons is gearing up and can use your help! We need a walker, wheelchair, popcorn, oil, games, jigsaw puzzle (100-300 pieces), hula hoops, paper towels, art paper, gift cards for supplies, snacks, movies, groceries! Please leave gifts in the workroom across from the office or contact Ann Waddle for further information. Thanks for your patient support!

Local rocker Kenny Settle, friend of Anita Randolph, will grace us this Wednesday with some music and his faith story that has grown since losing his family years ago in an accident. Please join us for Faith Focus at 5:30 in Fellowship Hall, with dinner and childcare.

A Psalm Singing Companion Written by Hannah Cruse, FPC Director of Music & Creative Arts The story of Psalm singing is inseparably intertwined with that of congregational singing. That is how strongly music of Christian worship is tied to Psalmody. In 1721, Cotton Mather, minister of Boston's original North Church, raised the issue of the purpose of Psalm singing in worship. He answered that singing the Psalms helps the worshiper commit Scripture to memory and to apply it to Christian living because "there is a natural aptitude in singing to compose and unite the thoughts, to engage and fix the attention." Singing together shapes our belief and then how we live out our belief. Singing together witnesses to the solidarity of the Church across time, space, and circumstance. We also understand from experience that singing together has the mystical power to heighten or reveal emotions that might be hard to communicate otherwise. And then of course, if you’re still unconvi...

The next Game Night for all ages is at Paul Cox's home on Monday, February 10. Bring your favorite game or just show up at 7:00!

All adults in the 20's-40's age range are invited to lunch after worship on February 16. We will walk to Black Horse Pub and Brewery. The church will provide childcare until 12:45 so parents can fully enjoy this time with friends! The church would also like to cover the cost of appetizers since eating out can be pricy. We encourage newcomers to join us! Contact Hannah Cruse if you have any questions.

Come through the FPC Chapel from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 6th, for First Thursday Art Walk! Carolanne Nadeau and Kris Lee have collaborated on this duo show called "Double Vision" to display their own interpretations of several images from Carolanne's travels.

 To learn more about or give to La Gonave Haiti Partners, click here. 

If you feel led to help LA families affected by the fires at this time, we recommend giving through any of these organizations. Click on each organization's title to visit their website.  Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Knox Presbyterian Church Deacons Assistance Fund  (pastor and nine families lost their homes), along with six additional pastors in the San Gabriel Presbytery. Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church Fire Relief Fund San Fernando Emergency Recovery Growing Together Fund  100% goes to people who have been directly impacted La Canada Presbyterian Church fire relief  (20 families lost homes) Fuller Seminary Emergency Fund  for students, staff and faculty

Faith and Fellowship will meet on Sunday, Jan. 26 from 1-3 pm at the Basham home. Please contact Lynda if you are interested in joining the group! We have a meal followed by Bible Study. 

Dr. David Kanervo, retired APSU professor of political science, will offer his educated opinion on "the church's role in civic life." This very timely presentation and discussion comes to you on January 22, just after the presidential inauguration. Please join us from 5:30 to 7 pm on Wednesday in Fellowship Hall. Dinner and childcare provided. 

All members of the congregation are invited to the Town Hall meeting on Sunday, February 2 at 9 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. This is a great time to ask questions and learn about what's going on in the life of the church. Coffee and snacks will be provided.  

Join us after worship around 11:15 am on February 9 for lunch in Fellowship Hall. This month Second Sunday Lunch will be in combination with the annual Empty Bowls meal. Empty Bowls raises awareness about hunger in the community and supports local agencies addressing food insecurity. A ny contributions received on the 9th will be donated to Empty Bowls, and if you also want to take a painted bowl home with you, you may purchase a ticket through Kris Foust. https://clarksvilleurbanministries.networkforgood.com/events/80857-empty-bowls-2025

Those in their 20's through 40's are invited to The Trek Discussion Group after worship each Sunday (unless otherwise notified). We meet around 11:15 am in Fellowship until noon to share our ups and downs, talk about faith questions, and encourage each other in our spiritual journeys. Childcare provided. We will choose two discussion questions to guide our conversation, bringing our highs and lows back to God. No need to prepare in advance. "HIGHS" What's one way you brought help or hope to someone this week? What's one way someone brought hope to you? How did God bring joy into your life this week? Where did you witness God working in the world this week? "LOWS" What were you afraid of this week, and what did you do about it? What did you pray about this week, and/or what do you need prayers for? How did God challenge you this week? What's one doubt or question you have about following Jesus?

Faith Focus is back for 2025! Christina O'Brien, owner of Yoga of Dickson, will speak about unity, connection, and relationship on Jan. 15. She has 20 years of experience in mindfulness, meditation, and yoga. Please support her and soak up her wisdom this Wednesday. Dinner is at 5:30 with the program afterward until 7 pm. We offer childcare.

In Memory of: Jane Shelley David & Ellen Kanervo Charles Keene Steve & Diane Miner Rick & Ivy Prall Don & Sarah Morgan Vicki & Lew Wallace Morgan Contractors     David Morgan Hershel & Lynda Basham Charlie & Kris Foust     Annette Marks David & Ellen Kanervo   Marita Beck David & Ellen Kanervo   Heidi Hedstrom Vicki & Lew Wallace

Literary Roundtable returns in February, featuring the Pulitzer Prize winning poetry of Emory professor Natasha Trethewey (Poet Laureate of the United States, 2012-2013).  Trethewey's  Native Guard  is an elegiac honoring of her mother alongside a confrontation of her own fraught childhood amid the racial history and legacy of the Deep South.  Her verse offers a haunting conversation between personal experience and national history.   Join APSU Prof. Joey Grisham and Pastor Greg to discuss the book on Thursday, February 20, from 6:30 to 8 pm at Hudubam Booktraders. Copies are available to borrow outside the church office on a first come, first served basis.

Seasons has passed all inspections and hired an intern assistant director, hurray! Before they can open, extensive background checks and state-provided safety training for staff is needed. They are aiming to open by January 21. All former crew members are welcome in addition to a few new members! Hours are Monday-Thursday, 9:00-2:00. Tentative upcoming events are listed on their  calendar . Some planned activities include making snacks for the PW Circles, packing FUEL bags, and partnering with Hilldale Kiwanis and local high school Key Clubs. If you would like to help out with the crew, ask questions, or sign someone up, please contact Jessica Hyde at jessicahydefpclc@gmail.com. 

Ordination and Installation of Newly Elected Elders “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.” (1 Timothy 4:14) This Sunday has been set apart for the consecration of newly elected elders for a lifetime of leadership and service, and for a three-year, active term on Session. The Presbyterian process for choosing our leadership is a joint exercise of the whole congregation (through election) and the council of elders (through examination and approval). This Sunday marks the final stage in that process, in which the newly elected elders are ordained (for life) and installed for a three-year term on our Session (2025-2027). The new elders will affirm their commitment by answering the following constitutional questions: W-4.0404: Constitutional Questions   The moderator of the council of those to be ordained, installed, or commissioned shall ask them to face the body of members...