First Presbyterian Church News (Clarksville, TN)

Founded by FPC in 2021, Seasons is a unique ministry that provides respite care for adults with special needs. This spring, they have been working hard to get ready for the Earth Care Celebration in the Downtown Commons on April 30th! See pictures below. For more information about Seasons, watch this video or contact the church office at  (931) 645-6551. Stay up to date on Seasons activities by following their Facebook page.

We are so grateful to Marshall Duncan and Charlie Foust as well as the entire property committee for the completion of the Sanctuary Lighting! The process began over 5 years ago with an extensive study and consultation from Shanna Snow and culminated last week with Accurate Electric, literally turning on the lights! What a delight to be able to see and read the pew bibles and hymnals on a cloudy rainy Sunday morning! Not to mention being able to see and fully appreciate the beauty of our sanctuary ceiling.

Join us on Sunday, April 24 to celebrate the families in our preschool and to recognize Mary Linn Sadler and Bonnie Parker as they plan to retire. We wish them the best as they begin a new chapter in their lives.  

Come early on Easter--music will begin 10 mins before 10!  Easter begins with J.S. Bach's "Prelude and Fugue in F minor, BWV 534." In my imagination, this prelude sets the stage for the Gospel story after Good Friday. The disciples still believe, at this point, that Christ is gone, dead and buried. Bach repeats the opening musical motive over and over in a downward spiral, "descending into hell," so to speak.  You'll hear these descending patterns many times throughout the piece. Bach wraps up the prelude with a crunchy chord and downward propelling flourish (a compositional nod to Italian and French harpsichordists).  Bach follows with a fugue. From my Easter-oriented perspective, the fugal theme, introduced in the tenor voice on the keyboard, fights firmly against the downward pull of the prelude. While not all sadness has been dispelled by the fugue--evidenced by the continued minor key especially--the melody wants to rise and soar. Listen in the first p

  Calendar Easter Sunday, April 17 6:00 a.m.  Easter Sunrise Service with Trinity Episcopal (at Downtown Commons) 9:00 a.m.   Women's Friendship Sunday School Class Men's Brotherhood Sunday School Class Adult Choir Rehearsal 10:00 a.m.  Morning Worship Elementary Children's Sunday School During the Sermon in the Parlor Middle School Confirmation Class/Sunday School During the Sermon in the Library Tuesday, April 19 5:00 p.m.  Yoga (in Fellowship Hall) Wednesday, April 20 10:00 a.m.  Bible Study with Pastor Greg Meet in the Library or Join on   Zoom  (Meeting ID: 231 246 359; Passcode: 007472) 6:00 p.m. Bell Choir Rehearsal ***Adult Choir Rehearsal Canceled*** Thursday, April 21 8:30 a.m. Yoga (in AOC) Saturday, April 23 9:00 a.m.  FPC Cleanup Day

  Prayers Please be in prayer this week for:   Justine Kaneris (works with "Seasons"), Steve Hart (Mary Linn Sadler's brother), Jennifer Wallace (Learning Center teacher), Rayna & Joey Williamson, Ruby Jean McLeod's family, Kim Smith (Kitty Boaz's daughter), Melanie Cobb (Steve and Diane Miner's daughter), Leo Adames, Dick Pryor, and all those affected by Covid-19. Please continue to pray for: Sallie Armstrong, Don Atkins, Florence Bailey, Don Beck, Jay and Diane Bowland, Bessie Costanza, Lew Metts, and Arch Shuler, the FPC Bicentennial and Capital Campaigns, the FPC Christian Ed Program, Seasons Respite Care, as well as those in LaGonave, Haiti, Rwanda, and South Sudan.  Praises We give praise for: Bicentennial rehearsals in full swing! Scaffolding coming down in the sanctuary, and our beautiful new lighting! The children who blessed us with their voices last week on Palm Sunday!

Parents-- Planning ahead for the Fall?  The FPC Preschool and Learning Center have a few spots open. Please reserve your child's spot now! School hours will coordinate between programs to allow for families with multiple children to have a child in the preschool and another child in the Learning Center.  Call or email to schedule a tour or get more information! Preschool: 931-645-6551 or  dyorkfpc@gmail.com Learning Center: 931-648-2665 or  reports.alc@gmail.com

We remember all those who have died before us at this time of year.   Bold font indicates those who have passed away; regular font indicates those who have requested the memorial and purchased the lily. You can see these beautiful lilies, in honor of loved ones, displayed in the sanctuary on Easter morning.  Dr. George & Margaret Ackley, Guy & Katherine Watson, Howard & Irene Hiett  Larry & Charene Watson Ann Arnold Scott & Julie Giles William Baynas Pixie McCord Mills Zachary Davis Gail & Bob Hudson Buddy & Shiela Foust, Scott W. Hedstrom, Heidi   Kathleen   Hedstrom & Mitcheal K. Ostlund the Foust, Hedstrom & Neuman families Marie & Chet Freels and Bob & Sheila Schryver Candy & Craig Schryver Tom & Sarah Goder David, Lesa, Matthew & Megan Goder Karen Goggin Rhonda Banasiak & Liz Thomas Tom Graves Charlotte Graves & family Aubrey and Cindy C. Harvey the Harvey family Rebecca & Frank Hutton and Jean Dale Kleeman Bill H