First Presbyterian Church News (Clarksville, TN)

Matt Shaw is presenting on "A Spiritual Solution to a Physical Problem" this Wednesday at 5 pm. Join us for dinner, the presentation, and discussion in Fellowship Hall. Nursery and parallel children's activities provided.

Come start your Lenten journey with FPC at our Ash Wednesday Service, complete with the Imposition Ashes, in the sanctuary on Feb. 14 at 6:00 pm. Dinner will take place beforehand at 5:00 in Fellowship Hall. 

At Faith Focus on Wednesday, Jan. 17, Hannah Cruse will talk about "Joy, Play, and Gratitude"--how playfulness as an adult can lead us to appreciate the present moment more and find our joy in the Lord. Join us for dinner, the presentation, and discussion at 5:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. Nursery and parallel children's activities provided.

Did you know that we offer Childcare and Children's Church every Sunday at FPC? Infant through Pre-K children can check-in starting at 9:45 at the Playroom on the 2nd floor. Childcare is available through 12 pm so that parents can go to "The Trek" Discussion Group or out to lunch.  Children may also go to Children's Church right after the Children's Moment during 10 am worship. They come back into worship around 10:45.  If you have any questions, please let us know! We want parents and kids to feel welcome and served. 

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.

Join us at Faith Focus on Jan. 10 from 5 to 6:30 pm for dinner and a presentation entitled "Set Meaningful Resolutions through Silence and Creativity." APSU Prof. and FPC member Joanna Grisham will lead us in a creative writing exercise partly inspired by poet CAConrad’s "Equinox Eve, Silent Meeting Group" to help us develop New Year's Resolutions.

Look forward to the first sermon series of 2024, entitled "Our Plastic Brain," running from Jan. 14 through Feb. 11!  We sometimes forget how malleable our brains are and how susceptible we are to outside influences. Our subconscious thoughts and beliefs, if left unexamined in the light of faith, can sabotage our desires for a vibrant spiritual life.  However, it is also possible for us to take advantage of this “plastic” quality of our minds to enhance our understanding and transform our lives for the better. That is why the Scriptures are so full of encouragement and frequent exhortations to be renewed in the spirit of our minds (Ephesians 4:23), to resist conformity to the thought patterns of this world (Romans 12:1) and not to let our minds be “set” on the flesh (Romans 8:6-7). The key to a Christian mindset is to allow our minds to be molded into the image of Christ (Philippians 2), to set our minds on the Spirit, and to love God with all our mind (Mark 12:30). In this s

Join us during worship on January 7 as we ordain and install Linda Marchant, Loy Duncan, Mary Kaylyn Primasing, and Ella Hay as elders. This is an important event for the congregation and elders as we lay on hands and pray for the Holy Spirit to lead and guide their decisions for the church in the next three years.

All are invited to an Epiphany Celebration on Wednesday, Jan. 3 from 5 to 6:30 pm! We'll provide catered dinner, live music by the Red River Breeze band, lighting ambience by Morgan Adames, and a special presentation from members of the Faith Focus Steering Committee. Start off the new year with a party at FPC! Please RVSP FOR DINNER HERE .

On December 24, we will collect the Christmas Joy Offering. When you give to the Christmas Joy Offering, you share your love with the leaders of our Church – past, present, and future – who point us to God. Your gifts provide assistance for current and retired church workers and their families with critical financial needs and provide support to Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color.

Join us at 6:00 pm on Dec. 24 to hear Scriptures, sing favorite carols, worship by candlelight, and celebrate Christ's birth. All are welcome to attend, so please invite your friends and family. Regular Sunday worship will be held that day as well at 10 am. 

We can't believe that we're almost halfway through this grant project called Faith Focus! Come and experience this unique program where we put faith into action starting with dinner at 5:00, followed by a presentation and discussion. This Wednesday, Mary Johnson will speak about personality types, communication styles, and how to work with people better.

Join us for a service of  Lessons and Carols  on  Sunday, Dec. 10 at 4:00 .  Dinner  will follow in the fellowship hall!  Meats, dressing, rolls and drinks will be provided by the church. We ask the congregation bring side dishes that can serve 10-12.  If your last name begins with  A-L , please bring a  dessert . M-Q , please bring a  salad . R-Z , please bring a  vegetable dish . Bring all dishes pre-cut  so that our servers don't have to do extra prep work. Put your name on every   item you bring because folks frequently have identical bake ware, etc. Thank you, and we look forward to this delicious meal! 

Take note of the new parking policy!  The Irene Center, through Metropolis, will start collecting parking fees after the New Year. Parking is FREE on Sunday mornings. You will need to setup a Metropolis account on your phone for free parking at other times. When you attend a meeting, Bible Study, choir practice, or just stop by for a while, please scan the QR code in the parking lot. Then before you leave, scan the QR code in the office. If you have trouble with QR codes in general or can’t get it set up, please reach out to Ann Waddle or the church office.

The Annual Children's Christmas Pageant is coming up on December 10th during the 10:00am service. The Sunday School classes will practice during worship on Dec. 3 and then warmup on Dec. 10 at 9:30 in the Chapel. Contact Emily Vaughn with any questions. 

Join us on December 13th from 5 to 6:30 pm for a multigenerational Christmas play and dinner during our Faith Focus Wednesday night event. No prior experience or practice needed. Show up, get a part and dress the role to share the Christmas story in a new and fun filled way.

  With the holidays fast approaching, we are aware that these next several weeks can be difficult for some individuals and families.  Blue is a reminder that some people experience heartache and pain, even at Christmas.  The Christmas season can be a time of deep sadness and loneliness for those who feel cut off from the feeling of joy and happiness typically associated with the holidays. This feeling of loss may result from the death of a loved  one, divorce, illness, job loss, or any of a number of other reasons.  During our "Blue Christmas" service on December 17 ,  we will offer anointing with the sign of the cross and prayers for healing and wholeness.  For each person who comes forward--either on their own account or to request prayer for someone else--we will offer prayers for a joy that surpasses all understanding, a source of comfort that is substantial enough to sustain us during the most difficult times of life. 

You are invited to join FPC in our worship services and events during the Christmas 2023 season!  Sunday, Dec. 3, 10 am - First Sunday of Advent Sunday, Dec. 10, 10 am - Children's Christmas Pageant during Worship Sunday, Dec. 10, 4 pm - Service of Lessons and Carols with Dinner afterwards Wednesday, Dec. 13, 5 pm - Multigenerational Christmas Play with Dinner in Fellowship Hall Sunday, Dec. 17, 10 am - Blue Christmas Service Sunday, Dec. 24, 10 am - Worship Sunday, Dec. 24, 6 pm - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 

Sermon Series: "Immanuel" Advent is about waiting, and we find it very hard to wait. But Advent is also about preparation while we wait. Beyond the busyness of Christmas preparation, the most important preparation is the preparation for God's presence that goes on in our hearts. As Tish Harrison Warren reminds us, "Throughout its history, the church has observed Advent as a preparation not only for the first coming of Christ in his incarnation but also for his second coming at the last day. It's also about a third coming: the coming of Christ to meet us in our present moment, to make us holy by his Word and Sacrament." For Advent 2023, FPC is exploring all the "tenses" of Advent preparation, recognizing that God has been present with us in our past, that God is present with us now, and that God will be present with us in the future. Most of all, this year we will approach Advent as a prayer for God's promised presence:  "God....be with us.

On Nov. 15 at Faith Focus, Pastor Greg will lead a conversation with past Confirmands and Confirmation Class teachers about how their faith has evolved, when they feel most thankful, and their top tips for living gratefully. Don't miss this chance to soak up collective wisdom from our church members. Dinner is at 5 with the presentation and discussion around 5:45 in Fellowship Hall.