First Presbyterian Church News (Clarksville, TN)

One Great Hour of Sharing invites us to join together in expressing our gratitude for what we have and generosity towards others in need. May these daily prompts guide you in joyful giving this Lent.  Download the sharing calendar here. Ash Wednesday 14th: Read Isaiah 58:6–8, 12. What are we asked to do? Who helps meet those same needs for you (v. 12)? Say a prayer of gratitude for them. Thursday 15th: Our Gracie Fish coin boxes will hold many gifts of money this season, but what other kinds of gifts can we give? What gifts can share? Friday 16th: Sunday is PDA’s Blue T-Shirt Sunday. What does PDA do to show God’s love? Choose something blue to wear or share with your congregation. Sunday 18th: God, open our eyes to your face in every person. Let us see the ways we are all connected with all of Creation. May we as your Church, together, seek love, justice and peace with all. Amen.  Monday 19th: Over 23 million Americans live in a food desert, far from ...

  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...

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...

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...