First Presbyterian Church News (Clarksville, TN)

Faith Focus presents FPC's Got Talent on Wednesday, May 21! Dinner starts at 5:30 followed by the program at 6:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Childcare is provided. This is a fundraiser for music ministry needs, such as paid singers. If you would like to perform (music, poetry, juggling, magic tricks, comedy, you get the idea!), please contact Carolyn Riggins/the office no later than May 4. 

Our April  Literary   Roundtable   selection is  Winter's Bone , a haunting, rural-Ozark novel by author Daniel Woodrell. The book follows Ree Dolly's search for her missing father, who has skipped bail, putting the family in danger of losing their house and the protection of their clan. The saga of this warrior-woman's quest unfolds at a rapid, suspense-building pace, with a poet's facility for stunning language and a storyteller's ear for backwoods vernacular.  Join APSU Prof. Joey Grisham and Pastor Greg to discuss the book on Thursday, April 24, 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. The book has been adapted for the screen in a Lionsgate movie by the same title, starring Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes, Kevin Breznahan, and Dale Dickey.

FPC is hosting the Gateway Chamber Orchestra on Sunday, April 13 at 3:00! Get your tickets here and bask in an afternoon of gorgeous music featuring string quartets and other small ensembles. 

A Good Friday service will be held this year at Madison Street UM (319 Madison St.) on April 18 at 6:00 p.m. All from FPC have been invited to attend this reading of the passion story! 

Faith and Fellowship will meet on Sunday, March 30, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Basham home. Please contact Lynda if you are interested in joining the group! We have a meal followed by Bible Study. 

Inspired by Matthew 25:35-40, Lavon Bracey looks forward to discussing how the Clarksville Home Repair Program reflects Christ’s call to care for those in need. Let’s come together to explore faith-driven service, community impact, and what it truly means to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Faith Focus with dinner and childcare is this Wednesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

The Cumberland Winds invite you to their Jazz Project concert on Friday, April 11, 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary! It is free to the public. Grab your seat early as space tends to fill up. 

The next Game Night for all ages is at Paul Cox's home on Monday, April 14. Bring your favorite game or just show up at 7 p.m.!

Our next congregational lunch is after worship on April 13, cooked by the Fellowship Committee. This is a great opportunity to get to know people at FPC!

At Faith Focus this Wednesday, the Tennessee Environmental Council and Harpeth Conservancy will visit us to talk about local creation care and faith. Please join us for dinner at 5:30 and program until 7 p.m. Childcare is available, and families are welcome. Thank you for supporting this ministry! 

The Irene Center for Hope is partnering with the City of Clarksville and other non-profits to help house students in the local schools who are homeless. For context, there are at least 1000 homeless students plus their family members. Here is a link to our Amazon Wish List. Purchases go directly to the Families in Transition office at CMCSS to help these families now. Thank you for your support! 

Children and their families are invited to our Easter Egg Hunt on April 19 at 10 a.m. in Glenwood Park!

We are excited for the youth to lead during 10 a.m. worship on May 4! Please encourage your youth to attend Youth Group on March 30, April 6, and April 27 where we will be preparing for the service. Our final practice will be on Saturday, May 3, at 10 a.m.

Youth and children are invited to our Summer Celebration on May 29 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the home of Paul and Nicholas Cox! Games, activities, and food! Talk to Emily Vaughn if you have any questions. 

All the children will process in with palms and sing a special song together on Palm Sunday, April 13! Please try to attend Sunday School hour after worship on March 23, 30, and April 6 to practice. Talk to Emily Vaughn for more details. 

All students in grades 4 – 12  are invited to join the FPC Youth Group. Our upcoming meetings will be on March 30, April 6, and April 27 from 12 – 2 p.m., following the Sunday School hour. Lunch is provided. Come join us for fun and fellowship!  Contact Emily Vaughn if you have questions. 

Families, please make note of these exciting upcoming events for youth and children! Contact Emily Vaughn if you have questions or need more information. April 13th at 10:00 a.m.  Children’s Choir and Palm Parade April 19 at 10:00 a.m.  Easter Egg Hunt (Glenwood Park) May 4th  Youth Sunday July 8th–10th  Vacation Bible School

This Wednesday, Ellen Kanervo will share the frustrations, joys, and laughs behind the process of editing  Following the Faith: A Bicentennial History of First Presbyterian Church, Clarksville (1822–2022) with 10 other volunteer writers. Dinner starts at 5:30 with the presentation/discussion from 6 to 7 in Fellowship Hall. Childcare is provided during Faith Focus. 

The Green Team at FPC will host a Faith+Climate Forum from 1 to 3 pm on Sunday, April 27. The afternoon will be complete with virtual teachings and in-person discussions and activities about what communities of faith can do to aid our local and broader environment. Please register for free at this link !

  All adults in the 20's-40's age range are invited to brunch after worship on April 27. Take a short drive to Casa Blanca on Riverside Drive. The church will provide childcare until 12:45 so parents can fully enjoy this time with friends. We encourage newcomers to join us! We hope you can come back to the church for our Faith+Climate Forum from 1 to 3 as well! 

A few times a year, we carve out a special moment on Sunday to bless those who seek healing or wholeness. Our pastors will offer anointing with the sign of the cross and prayers for anyone who would like to come forward, either for themselves or a loved one, during worship on March 16.

The season of Lent will come to a close with Holy Week when we retell the crucifixion and resurrection story of our savior Jesus Christ. Special services that week: Palm Sunday (April 13 at 10 a.m.), Maundy Thursday (April 17 at 6 p.m. in Fellowship Hall with a light dinner), Easter Sunrise (April 20 at 6 a.m. in the Downtown Commons) and Easter Worship (10 a.m. in the sanctuary). Our friends at Madison Street Methodist Church have invited us to their Good Friday Service at 6 p.m. on the 18th. 

The FPC Learning Center pre-registration is now open. The FPC Preschool registration is now open to all. The Preschool is scheduling tours for new families M-F after 2:15. If you would like to reserve a spot (spots can be reserved up to 2 weeks) or schedule a tour, please contact Jessica Hyde.

Enjoy a free concert at FPC by the Cumberland Winds on Friday, March 21st, at 7:30 pm! Sarah Queen is the guest vocalist. 

Seasons has opened as a licensed adult day center! This week, the crew got re-acquainted, went to a painting class at Kleeman Rec Center, baked cookies and delivered them to Loaves & Fishes, and visited the public library! Currently, there are 7 crew members. Deeanna Coleman, assistant director, and Louis Fiore, aide, are doing a great job. Please contact us to register or get involved!

Young adults, you are invited to read a short devotional in preparation for The Trek Discussion Group on March 16. The Trek meets weekly after worship until noon in Fellowship Hall (childcare provided). Several of you have expressed interest in knowing what the church is doing and what the church can do to positively impact our rapidly changing world. This PCUSA literature will help us have a conversation around advocacy and discipleship. If you enjoy this topic, we can discuss the other three devotionals in the series together over the next few months.

Do you love singing? No matter your level of "training," you are invited to sing with the choir on Easter Sunday, April 20! Rehearsal is at 9 a.m. in the sanctuary. Choir members are also available for one-on-one assistance with our special piece, "O Happy Day!" You may also attend a Wednesday rehearsal at 7:30 p.m. to see what regular choir is like. Talk to Hannah Cruse if you need any other accommodations. SHEET MUSIC: https://api.fluro.io/download/67d2f7942ff09b00363acfc3?withoutToken=true PRACTICE TRACKS: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm63QVM1EDp0l6zgzy2aC1SVI_TpI9zga&si=mg5Wl1FGo5sdqJrw

The Presbytery of Middle Tennessee (our local ruling body) wants to hear from young members about how the church could serve you better and what your hopes or concerns may be for the church's future. Our younger members need to be heard, and their collective voices deserve a seat at the table as decisions are made for the evolving church in the 21st century! Please lend your voice to the Young Adult Roundtable (suggested age range 25-45) on Saturday, April 12 from 12 to 1 pm Central (Zoom link forthcoming). If you cannot make it, let Hannah Cruse know that you are interested in contributing to the visioning process so that she can follow up.  Thank you in advance! Please start pondering these questions: 1. What should local churches continue doing or do differently to reach young people like yourself better?  2. What internal issues does our denomination or local church need to acknowledge and address to be the kind of organization that serves young people well?  3. Given...

Volunteers will be unloading compost in the Teaching Garden as soon as we are done eating during 2nd Sunday Lunch. Anyone who would like to get involved, please bring what you need, ie. a shovel and gloves. Please let Hannah Cruse know if you'd be willing to purchase any plants for us, as we plan to turn the garden into a pollinator/native plant area this year. Thank you in advance! 

Young adults (suggested age range: 20's-40's) are invited to an evening of food, karaoke, and games on Saturday, April 5 from 5 to 8 pm in Fellowship Hall. Childcare will be provided. Chat with Hannah Cruse for more details!