First Presbyterian Church News (Clarksville, TN)

The Learning Center, Preschool, church events, and pickleball will take off for Fall Break on October 9-13. Enjoy some rest and relaxation in this gorgeous weather!  Note that all choir practices and Faith Focus are canceled. We will still have Mon. yoga and Wed. Bible Study.

We are bringing back our "Halloween Hunt" which was very successful and a ton of fun in the last two years! Ever seen the hidden nooks and crannies of our 19th-century building in the dark? Dress up in costumes (no face masks please) and bring the family to FPC for a team scavenger hunt, plus treats, on the spooky eve of Saturday, Oct. 28. Starts at 7:00 p.m. and wraps up at 9:00. You'll also be delighted by spooky pipe organ music. 👻 This is a perfect alternative to the craziness of Halloween night for families and children!

We had so much fun on the last float that some have requested we do it again! We're going to explore the Red River this time on Saturday, September 16 at 4 pm. Weather is looking clear so far. Backup date will be Sunday, September 17 at 4 pm if rained out. The Blueway is a roughly 2-mile section of Big West Fork Creek (a tributary of the Red River) running from Robert Clark Park (at the corner of Tiny Town Road and Broadripple Drive) to Billy Dunlop Park (on Trenton Road next to the Clarksville Speedway). We will put in at Robert Clark and take out at Billy Dunlop. The trip between the two parks is short, about 2 hours in an inner tube. Email/text Hannah Cruse or the church office to RSVP please!!!

Splash, slide, and swim into the last Sunday of summer! FPC children, youth, and families are invited to come party at the home of Emily and Eli Vaughn on September 17 from 12 to 3 pm. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to Emily no later than Sept. 13. 

Join us this Wednesday at 5:00 in Fellowship Hall for the next program, including complimentary dinner (fajitas), a presentation by Loaves and Fishes Director John Durnell , a hymn, children's activities, discussion, testimony, and a new "Practicing Our Faith Exercise" for your week! The exercise we are currently working on (from Rhonda's presentation last week) is:  As you go about your daily tasks this week, see if you can identify all four parts of purpose (passion, mission, profession, vocation). In which activities do they overlap? In which activities are some of them missing?

Children are invited to Faith Focus with their families each Wednesday! Dinner starts at 5:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. Then activities for children and youth follow on the fourth floor.  5:00 Dinner 5:30-6:00 PreK-2 Music and Movement                  3rd-5th/MS and HS Group Games 6:00-6:30   PreK-2 Group Games 3rd-5th Music and Movement MS/HS Guided Reflection/Bible Study

We're thankful for Paul and Nicholas Cox for hosting the Youth in Action Kickoff last Saturday night! A great time was had by all. Be on the lookout for the September youth newsletter for upcoming events.

Youth-in-Action Contact: Emily Vaughn Students in grades 4-12 are invited to participate in youth group activities. Our youth group focuses on serving our church and community, deepening personal faith, and engaging in fellowship opportunities to build and strengthen relationships with one another and Christ. Meeting schedules are posted in the weekly bulletin and newsletters.

Children's Sunday School Contact: Emily Vaughn or Brandi Goodwin Beginning in September, we will form two classes for Sunday School during the church hour, following the Children’s Moment.  The children will participate in a 20-minute lesson based on the liturgy read during the service. Lessons will include opportunities for children to learn about the Bible and apply their learning through hands-on activities and cooperative play. These classes will typically be structured in the following groups but could change based on attendance and the needs of the children. Developing Faith Class: Pre K - Second Grade  Strengthening Faith Class: Third - Sixth Grade  Confirming Faith Class: T his class will meet when there are children entering their Confirmation year and will be determined yearly based on children choosing to be confirmed.

MINISTRIES Wednesday Night Faith Focus Contact: Hannah Cruse or Dianne York " Faith Focus ", funded by a Lilly Endowment grant through the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, aims to be a congregational boots-on-the-ground laboratory for connecting our worship and work. We will explore together what it means to put our faith into action. Come out on Wed, Aug. 30 from 5 to 6:30 pm in Fellowship Hall for dinner, a presentation from the Steering Committee, group discussion, and a "Practicing Our Faith" send-off exercise! Music Ministries Contact: Hannah Cruse or Carolyn Riggins We believe that music-making is transformational. Musical participation expresses our love for God, affirms and teaches our beliefs, strengthens faithful relationships, exposes our strengths and growing edges in a safe space, and inspires discipleship beyond these church walls. All ages are welcome to join us in choir, bell choir , or come talk to our director about contributing your artistic

Young adults ages 20's-40's are invited on the Dunbar Cave Trip on August 20! We will be taking the 3:00 Spray Hall Tour. Really looking forward to taking this tour and hope many of the FPC young adults/parents can come! Get tickets soon before they run out. Make Reservations Here .  Let Hannah Cruse know if you have any questions. SPRAY HALL Cross the River Styx, navigate the narrow Domes Passage, and squeeze through the fissure to reach Spray Hall. Where you may get misted by water spraying from the ceiling. This tour is rugged, with uneven, slippery floors. Extensive crouching is necessary. Some tight squeezes and crawling. Flashlights (no cellphones are required. Children must be at least 8 years old to participate. Duration: 1 hour Cost: $18 per adult (ages 13 years or older) $13 per child (ages 8 - 12)

Preschool Open House -  on August 10th at 10 am in the sanctuary. Rally Day on August 13 Blessing of the Backpacks  - A ll  children, youth, college students and educators are invited to bring their   backpacks or workbags to be blessed during   10 am worship .  This is a wonderful tradition and a great   way to set the intention at the beginning the year with positivity and   prayer.  Second Sunday Lunch  - Enjoy a complimentary picnic-themed lunch in Fellowship Hall around 11:15 am and learn about exciting opportunities for children and adults to fellowship in Christ in the coming year. First Full Day of Classes -  for both the Learning Center and Preschool on August 14.

We invite all of our children and youth, college students and educators to bring their backpacks or workbags on Sunday, August 13 to be blessed during the Children’s Moment. This is a wonderful tradition and a great way to set the intention at the beginning the year with positivity and prayer.

Join us on Rally Day Sunday, August 13, to discover exciting opportunities for children and adults to learn, grow, and fellowship in Christ this coming year at FPC. Events include One and Done Choir (rehearsal at 9 am in the sanctuary), Blessing of the Backpacks (during 10 am worship Children's Moment), and Second Sunday Lunch (in Fellowship Hall around 11:15). 

Students grades 4 through 12 are invited to the home of Paul and Nicholas Cox on Saturday, August 19th from 5:30-8:30pm. An exciting, fun filled evening of games, food, and fellowship has been planned to kick off the upcoming year of FPC’s Youth in Action! Big thanks to Paul for hosting. Please let Emily Vaughn know if you plan to attend. Hope to see you there! 

We are so excited to be growing our Sunday School class that meets during the 10:00am service. Volunteers are needed to better serve the needs of all our children in order for them to grow and learn. The class meets for about 20 minutes and all lessons and materials are provided. Please consider volunteering to support our youngest and most enthusiastic learners. Contact Emily Vaughn for more information. Thank you! 

We are still taking registrations for our Kindergarten Readiness camps! They're coming up fast, so contact us now at reports.alc@gmail.com or (931) 648-BOOK (2665)! Kindergarten readiness is specifically structured to ease the transition between preschool and kindergarten. Students will learn how to speak in complete sentences, use fine motor skills, listen and identify, express emotions, play with others, and more. The first camp runs from July 17 to 20, and the second from July 24 to 27. Times are 9 am to 12:30 pm every day. Costs vary for one week or two weeks, depending on how many students you're signing up.

F irst Presbyterian Preschool has over 70 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. Register your child for the 2023-2024 school year by calling 931-645-0313 or emailing preschoolatfpc@gmail.com.

FPC Learning Center, a homeschool program 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. Register by calling 931-648-2665 or emailing reports.alc@gmail.com. Plan a tour before classes are full!

Dwell (20's through early 40's group) is invited on a Harpeth River Float! It will take place on Saturday, July 15 from 10am to 12pm. Our weather backup date will be Sunday, July 16 from 4 to 6pm. Bring your own tube (about $7 at Walmart) and meet us on the Harpeth in Pegram for an easy 1.5-2 hour float! Prepare for getting wet and being out in the sun. We'll bring some snacks and drinks to enjoy at the final swimming hole destination. No charge. Contact Hannah Cruse or fpcclarksville@gmail.com or (931) 645-6551.