First Presbyterian Church News (Clarksville, TN)

During our "Blue Christmas" 10 a.m. worship service on December 15, we will offer anointing with the sign of the cross and prayers for healing and wholeness for anyone who would like to come forward, either for themselves or a loved one.

All elementary students are invited to participate in the third annual Candy Cane Olympics following Second Sunday lunch on December 8th. Families are always invited to stay or can sneak away to do some shopping! We will conclude the games with closing ceremonies at 2pm. Our FPC Youth Group will be Christmas shopping after the Olympics until 4:30pm. All youth, grades 4th-12th are invited to shop and wrap gifts for our families.

With the First Sunday of Advent quickly approaching, our new church year will begin. You will find in our sanctuary a set of paraments that change color as the church year progresses. Each color marks the seasons and festivals of the Christian year. Purple will be on display in Advent and Lent and reminds us of penitence and preparation. Some churches will use blue in Advent in lieu of purple. In our church, you will see red for Pentecost, Palm Sunday, and anytime there is an ordination service. Red reminds us of the Holy Spirit and the blood of Jesus Christ. White, a symbol of purity, will be used for significant days such as Epiphany, Baptism of the Lord, Transfiguration, and Ascension Sundays. It is also used for the seasons of Christmas and Easter to honor the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. It will also be present for Sundays such as Trinity Sunday, All Saints’ Day, and Christ the King Sunday. Green will be around for the rest of the liturgical year when there is no special festi...

In realizing that the holidays can be difficult for some, the church is once again providing literature that we hope will help guide you through the season. We have subjects ranging from grieving during the holidays to holiday depression. These pieces of literature are located on the table outside the church office. Feel free to take what you need free of charge. Please reach out to us if you need support. 

Please join the Congregational Care Committee in sending cards of warm wishes this month to Bessie Costanza and Tim & Suella Arrington. You may find their addresses in the online directory or by calling the office.

We invite you to stay after our Service of Lessons and Carols during 10 am worship on December 8 for Second Sunday Lunch with the whole congregation in Fellowship Hall! Instead of bringing a dish for the lunch this year, you may bring requested items from the Food Basket list, including canned goods and peanut butter, for this Christmas mission!

Our very own Mary Johnson will grace us as the presenter again on December 4 to talk about mental health and faith. Please join us for dinner at 5:30 and the program until 7:00 p.m. Children's activities are provided.

We will be traveling with a small group of FPC folks from March 7 to March 16 to visit several Presbyterian churches and the hospital that we support in Remera, Rwanda. More info is coming. Please talk to Jennifer Ellis if you have interest or questions.