January 2013

A New Beginning for a New Year “I am the Lord your God, the one who parts the waters and makes a new pathway through the sea. Do not limit your thinking to the great days of old, for I am about to do a new thing. Even now it springs up, can you see it? I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:16 -19, paraphrase)

The God of the Bible is the one who is always doing a new thing—in our lives and in our church. God nurtures a faith in us that is rooted and grounded in the amazing things He has done in our lives in the past. It is easier to see God’s mysterious and providential plan looking backwards than in the present. Yet when we see our lives with the lens of faith that “the Lord is my shepherd who leads me in the right paths,” we begin to see evidence of His purpose and provisions along the way. But we cannot live lives that look sentimentally on the past, wanting to return to a romanticized version of it that will never come again. Faith gives us confidence to look forward to what God has in store for our futures. Then we begin to face the future with optimism and confidence instead of fear and apprehension.

The same goes for our church. If God is in charge, and has given us “a reason for the hope that is within us,” (I Peter 3:15) through Jesus Christ, then as we cherish the great heritage of our church, we can nevertheless look forward to the new things that God is about to begin. This year will undoubtedly bring to First Presbyterian Church a new pastor. The Pastor Nominating Committee is encouraged as they look at candidates that could be just the right fit for this future. Prayers have gone forth continually for guidance, and God is faithful. Yet with the coming of the new pastor will also be required a renewal of faith for our members, so that pastor, Session, members, and staff can all work together trusting there is a Higher Hand at work here, and the best days are to come.

I have been greatly encouraged to see that beginning to happen. Let us believe together that the best years are yet to come.

Blessings to all for a great and prosperous new year, Pastor Dave Handley

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Pastoral Sunday Care School

PLEASE KEEP IN Classes YOUR PRAYERS Classes for all ages Long-term Care: meet each Sunday, Becky Keene 9:45-10:45 am irst in the Christian FF Tom & Bonnie Education building. Coffman

Presbyterian Dot Brown CHILD CARE P Kay Cristina is provided for Laurie Keith Weber infants and toddlers hurch R.L. Rogers on the 2nd floor. CC Wanda McCormick PRESCHOOL

2-year-olds through 213 Main Street, Clarksville, TN 37040 Family Members: Kindergarten meet SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP Marcene Crockarell, on the 2nd floor 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Barbara Scudder’s CHILDREN & mother ON THE WEB AT YOUTH www.fpcclarksville.org Deaths: 1st through 12th Gary Gallaher, Steve graders meet on the TELEPHONE Gallaher’s father 4th floor Voice: 931-645-6551 Shiela Foust ADULTS OFFICE HOURS Melva Evans, 4 different Monday through Thursday Charlotte Graves’ 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. classes meet on the aunt Friday 2nd and 3rd floors 8:00 a.m. to noon

TO NOTIFY THE CHURCH OF ILLNESS, HOSPITALIZATION, BIRTH, DEATH, OR PRAYER REQUEST, CONTACT NEESA HAWKINS AT 931-645-6551 or [email protected] Page 3 PREACHING IN JANUARY & FEBRUARY Jesus' Path to a Blessed Life: the Beatitudes, will be Pastor Dave’s sermon theme. January 13 "The Blessedness of Knowing Our Need" Matthew 5:1-13 January 20 "The Freedom of Not Hiding from Our Sadness" Matthew 5:4, Isaiah 53:3 January 27 Rev. Dr. Craig Wascovich guest preacher (Director of the Pastoral Counseling Center of Clarksville, at the First Christian Church) February 3 Communion by Intinction "The Strength of Giving Our Will Over to God's Will" Matthew 5:5; Matthew 26:39 February 10 "The Satisfaction of Hungering for the Right Things" Matthew 5:6 Children's Sunday February 17 "The Most Important Word in the Bible" Matthew 5:7; 9:13, 12:7; Exodus 34:6 February 24 Pastor Jimmy Terry guest preacher (Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church)

PLANNING DAY Planning Day is a time when all committees and the session come together to plan programs and events for 2013. This is a time for members and visitors to our church to get involved with the various committees of the church. We will meet on Saturday, January 26 beginning at 9:00 am in the fellowship hall. The day concludes with lunch at 11:30. Following lunch, the Session meets. Call the church office to let us know of your interest or simply show up on January 26 at 9:00 am! A list of what committees do is in this newsletter on page 11.

EMPTY BOWLS PROJECT The Loaves and Fishes Board is inviting everyone in the congregation to join us for an " Empty Bowl " painting. Date: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 Place: AOC dinning room Time: 2:30 PM Cost : $5.00 a bowl

Join the fun and help us fight hunger in our community. This year the Empty Bowl Fundraiser will be serving both lunch and dinner at five different locations on Tuesday, February 26, 2013.

LUNCH 11:00 AM—1:00 PM

Trinity Episcopal Church, 317 Franklin St. New Providence United Methodist Church, 1317 Ft. Campbell Blvd. Grace Church of the Nazarene, 3135 Trenton Rd.

DINNER 4:30—7:00PM Immaculate Conception Church, 709 Franklin St.

Cost for tickets to the Empty Bowl Fundraiser on February 26 is $15.00 and can be bought at the AOC Loaves & Fishes office (645-9020), First Presbyterian Church office (645-6551), or from Jill Crow (648- 9529). Please come and help us paint bowls. It’s fun, relaxing and you can be very creative with your bowl design. Page 4 ~ VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ~ Anyone who would like to assist with un-decorating the church, please stay after 11:00 worship on January 6. We need volunteers!

~ NEW DROP BOX ~ The Property Committee has installed a large, black, drop box on the outside wall of the office en- tranceway, sitting above the doorbell and intercom. This is a locked, secure mail box in which church members may drop off correspondence such as camp forms, preschool applications, envelopes, etc .

~ ELDER ORDINATION AND INSTALLATION ~ The ordination and installation for new elders will be during worship on January 13. Elders are: Ar- land Batson, Laura Black, Doug Hildreth, Leong Lee, Tracy Jackson, Karlee Kimmell, Sarah Morgan, Carolyn Riggins, Liz Thomas, and Denice Williamson.

~ BENEFIT DINNER & CONCERT ~ You are invited to Dinner and a Benefit Concert for Brianna Larsen as she prepares to go to Ghana to study West African Music and participate in mission work with children. It will be Sunday, January 13 at 5:30 pm in the First Presbyterian fellowship hall. You will be given the opportunity to assist Brianna in this work with a love offering at the end of the concert sponsored by the choir

~ LEAD WORKSHOP ~ The LEAD workshop takes place at First Presbyterian Church, Franklin on Saturday, January 26.

Some highlights this year… · Excellent workshops for session members and other church leaders, like Developing Courageous Leadership, and What Happened and What Now? · Workshop for Presbyterian Women · Workshop on changes in the Book of Order (perfect for Clerks of Sessions!) · Parenting workshop by a favorite leader, Jim Williams · And age specific workshops for teachers and leaders of children, youth, and adults

All the details for LEAD, including workshop descriptions and registration information, are on the presbytery’s website, presbyterymiddletennessee.org. Cost is only $10 per person if received by 1/15, and $15 per person if received between 1/16 and 1/21 (cost includes lunch and all materials). REGISTRATIONS WITH PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE PRESBYTERY OFFICE BEFORE MONDAY, JANUARY 21, so it is important to take action now!!

LEAD is intended to provide enrichment and development for church teachers and leaders, so your PMT Christian Education Committee and LEAD Planning Team hope your church will give LEAD serious consideration. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Suzie Lane at [email protected] or Nancy Provost at [email protected]. Page 5 ~ MEN’S MONTHLY BREAKFAST ~ All men, all ages, are invited to participate in conversations about life and faith! Meet on Monday, January 7 at 7:00 am at the Shoney’s on the corner of Kraft Street and 2nd Street. A brief devotional follows the meal.

~ PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN ~ All women in the church are invited to participate in Circles along with the PW luncheons. The January 28th luncheon will be in the fellowship hall at 12:30 pm and our program is “Habitat Mission” presented by Shelby Logsdon. We will be awarding PW Honorary Life Memberships to some lovely ladies. They don’t know who they are, so come join the surprise and fun. We will be collecting items for donation to the Safe House (a battered women’s shelter). You may bring your things the day of our meeting or the week before. Items needed: gently used purses, toilet articles, hats, scarves, gloves, and canned goods. Even if you can’t make it to the luncheon, please bring your items for Safe House on the day of our meeting or the week before. Please sign up on the bulletin board for a meal reservation ($10) and/or child care. Menu: BBQ pork sandwich, baked beans, Cole slaw, fruit cobbler, iced tea, lemonade, and coffee.

The Circles continue their monthly meetings: The Morning Circle on Tuesday, January 8 at 10:00 am. The Night Circle on Tuesday, January 8 at 7:00 pm. The Deborah Circle January 14 & 28 at 10:30 am. receiving the The Hannah Circle, January 15 at 9:15 am. Shiela Foust The Martha Circle, January 15 at 12:30 pm. PW Honorary Lifetime

Membership pin and award, presented by Eloise Ladd and Vicki Wallace.

~ SPECIAL THANK YOU ~ We thank Heather Thurman for leading the Advent Craft Fair on Dec. 2. The hours and hours of planning and preparation for crafts, decorations and food ensured a great afternoon of fun and fellowship! We also wish to thank adult volunteers, Middle School & Senior High Youth, Mark Banasiak, Mikey Dahlke, and Santa for stopping by and spending time with us. Parents may pick up photos with Santa from the table outside the church office.

~ANNUAL WOMEN’S RETREAT @ NACOME~ Our annual women’s retreat will be held the first weekend in February (1st-3rd). After dinner Friday night, we will introduce the theme for the weekend with a devotional and ice-breakers. There will be time on Saturday for getting to know other women of FPC as well as for reflection and sharing with the whole group. Our weekend ends with Sunday morning worship. This year we will also have a special communion service.

All women are encouraged to attend. The cabins are heated and the food is great! Please sign up on the bulletin board outside the office. We will send a letter with directions and what to bring. Also, contact Ann Waddle ([email protected] or 931.624.2597) if you are interested in advance planning or helping out that weekend. We look forward to a good time! Page 6

~ CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED ~ The church office will closed on Tuesday, January 1.

~ 16TH ANNUAL UNITY WORSHIP SERVICE ~ Pastor Dave is the featured speaker at the Martin Luther King Unity Service to be held on Monday, January 21, 6:00 pm at the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, 709 Franklin Street. This expression of unity among all the churches is a fulfillment of Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane, “...that they may all be one so the world may believe.” (John 17:21). Come join us!

~ 2013 OFFERING ENVELOPES ~ Offering envelopes (requested on pledge cards) may be picked up at the table outside the church office. They are alphabetized according to the first letter of your last name. To avoid confusion for 2013 contributions, PLEASE DISCARD all 2012 offering envelopes! Anyone else who would like to use envelopes should call Connie in the church office, 645-6551.

~ ANGEL TREE REPORT ~ Our Angel Tree project was a big success thanks to the generosity of this congregation. We provided 20 children with toys, winter coats, shoes, shirts, pants and sweaters...a total of 125 gifts! Thank you to all who participated and made Christmas happier for 20 children!

~CHRISTMAS FOOD BASKETS~ Thanks to everyone who provided food for 90 baskets for 73 families! Also thanks to those who sorted food and everyone who showed up on December 22 to help pack and deliver baskets.

painting at the Craft Fair Molly Brown (left) Children’s Nativity Pageant (below) Page7 YOUTH GROUPS

MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH CLUB Sunday, January 6, 4:00-6:00 pm, devotion and play games

Sunday, January 13, 4:00-6:00 pm, devotion and play games 345

Sunday, January 20, 4-6:00 pm, devotion and play games SUNDAY

Sunday, January 27, 4-6:00 pm, games and devotion. After our JANUARY devotion we will go out for a fast-food dinner. Please bring $$. CALLING

**NaCoMe Winter Retreat will be Feb. 8-10 –forms ALL 3rd, 4th, & $$ will be due in late January & 5th Bring a GRADERS! If you have questions, contact MIKEY DAHLKE at 216-0975 friend! Join Bessie Grimaldi on Sundays, SENIOR HIGH YOUTH January 13 & 27 from 2:30-3:45 Sunday, January 6, 4-6:00 pm, Youth Group @ the AOC pm for snacks, a

devotion, and Sunday, January 13, 4-6:00 pm, Youth Group @ the AOC games in the Saturday, January 20, 4-6:00 pm, Youth Group @ the AOC AOC and C.E. buildings. Sunday, January 27, 4-6:00 pm, Youth Group @ the AOC Bring a friend! We meet on WEDNESDAYS, January 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 at Chick - Fil-A on Madison Street at 6:30 p.m. Please bring $$ for the meal. Parents should We will eat and then hang out till 7:30 pm. drop off and pick up youth at NaCoMe Winter Retreat will be Feb. 8-10 –forms & $$ will be due the AOC gym. in late January

If you have questions, contact MARK BANASIAK at 980-8185.

Page 8 January 2013

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5 10 am Bible Church Office Study closed 6:30 pm Sr. Highs/Chick- Filet-A

6 Communion 7 8 10 am 9 10 11 12 Un-decorate the 7:00 am Men’s Morning Circle 10 am Bible church Breakfast 5:30 pm Yoga Study 5:30 pm 4-6 pm Youth 5:00 pm Committee Groups Theology on Chairperson 6:30 pm Sr. Tap Orientation Highs/Chick- 7 pm Night Filet-A Circle

13 Elder 14 15 9:15 am 16 17 18 19 Ordination 10:30 am Hannah Circle 10 am Bible 12:05 pm 2nd Deborah Circle 12:30 pm Study Sunday Lunch Martha Circle 2:30 Club 345 5:00 pm 2:30 pm paint a 6:30 Sr. Highs/ Marc Schoonover, 4 pm Youth Groups Theology on bowl for the Chick-Filet-A Pastor Dave, & Alex Haase 5:30 pm Briana Tap Empty Bowls enjoying the Craft Fair Larsen Concert project @ AOC 5:30 pm Yoga

20 21 11:30 am 22 23 24 25 26 4 pm Youth Groups PW Board 5:30 pm Yoga 10 am Bible 9:00 am 12:30 pm PW Study PLANNING Luncheon DAY 5:00 pm 6:30 pm Sr. Theology on Highs/Chick- 9:00 am Tap Filet-A LEAD 6:00 pm Unity workshop @ worship service FPC Franklin 27 28 10:30 am 29 30 31 2:30 Club 345 Deborah Circle 5:30 pm Yoga 10 am Bible 4 pm Youth Groups 5:00 pm Study Theology on Tap 6:30 pm Sr. Highs/Chick- Filet-A Page 9 ~ WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY ~ You are invited to join Rev. Dave Handley and the group of 15-20 folks who gather for Bible study on Wednesday mornings each week. Please join us at 10:00 am in the church library!

~ THEOLOGY ON TAP ~ Theology on Tap is a group of 15-20 folks who meet each Monday at 5:00 pm at Guadalajara Grill (on Riverside Drive across from the Big Lots store). Come, join us for conversations about theology and real life! ~ CHILDREN’S CHOIRS ~ Children’s Choirs meet on Sunday mornings from 9:15-9:45. 4 yrs.-1st grade meet in the preschool music room on the 2nd floor. 2nd-6th grades meet in the adult choir room on the 4th floor. Newcomers are always welcome! We will not meet January 1 or 8 but resume on January 15.

~ PNC UPDATE ~ In some ways, it is hard to believe that we have been at the pastor search for 12 months now; in others it seems like it has been 2 years worth of work we have done! In 2012 we had over 175 pastors apply to be our head of staff position. Children’s Choirs

Each one of the 175 Pastor Information Forms performing “The Messiah for Young Voices”ld (PIFs) has been reviewed and we have done over 35 personal interviews using the computer so we could see them as we talked (Skype technology). Our committee decided that only about 8 of the candidates were ones that we wanted to talk with a second time to ask more complex questions.

Our last step in the process is inviting the pastors to come see our church and community, and talk with us face to face. We had one pastor come without his wife in December for that purpose, and he will be returning in January with his wife. Then another candidate will come for a visit in January also. Your PNC has listened to multiple sermons from both of the pastors that are coming in, however it is important to get a sense of a live sermon. Therefore, both candidates will be preaching at a “neutral pulpit” and we are not to disclose when or where that location is.

Many of you are aware that I asked Rev. Warner Durnell, our Executive Presbyter (EP) to come talk with us in December. The purpose of the visit was two fold; we wanted to meet him, but also to see if there was anything we could or should do differently. A few guidelines have changed since Rev. Durnell became the EP, but one that has not changed is that we are to keep the visits confidential and not have them meet church members outside the PNC. There are multiple reasons for this; a few are that he feels strongly, as the Interim EP felt, that the PNC should not be influenced by others opinions.

New applications or PIFs come in weekly still; we will continue to review them until our new pastor is offered a call. Rev. Durnell tells us that the first of the year is when many of the pastors start looking for new calls...so who knows? At this point only God knows who our new pastor will or should be. Please keep praying that we will know God’s will!

Blessings in the New Year to our church family from your Pastor Nominating Committee! Diane Miner, Chair Page 10 ANNOUNCEMENTS

~ NOVEMBER STEWARDSHIP REPORT ~ Income for November $45,403.00 Expenses for November $37,158.92 Net Operating Total for November $8,244.08

2012 year-to-date income $476,052.26 2012 year-to-date expenses $471,469.01 Year to date Operating Total $4,583.25

~ WANT TO DO MORE TO SUPPORT FPC CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMS? ~ The church office has re-chargeable gift cards from Kroger that support our programs with 4% of your purchases on groceries, gas, and pharmacy items. All you have to do is regularly re-charge the card using cash, check, or credit card and then use it at any Kroger, anytime, and Kroger sends the church 4%. The more you re-charge the card, the more Kroger donates to our youth! To date we have received $7,406.85 from Kroger through your purchases. Cards are available only in the church office.

~ MEMORIALS ~ Shiela Foust Eloise Ladd Jeff & Sharon Bibb John Telford Mark & Marcia Williams Frank Lott Margaret Ackley Shannon & Missy Keen Patti Marquess Louise Snider Steve & Diane Miner The Cecil Morgan, Jr., Family Max Ernst Frances Powers The Sitter Family Randy & Kathy Kelley Elwyn & Rubye Patch Cecil, Mary & Martha Lawson Mabry Eleanor & John Kennedy Morgan SCANA IST FH/Maximo Support Team Beth Murphy the Cecil Morgan Doug & Vicki Hildreth Reg & Judy Lowe children Gene & Laura Black Sam & Pixie Mills Carter & Pam Briggs Charlyne & Aubrey Harvey Maxine Nance Joan & Durward Harris Scott & Julie Giles Mr. & Mrs. Ben Kimbrough Gary & Joyce Norris Lyle-Cook-Martin Architects, Inc. Alan & Linda Crear Mr. & Mrs. Robert Welch Bill & Barbara Hutton Lucia Grimes Jane Shelley Mary Watson Virginia Lowe John & Nancy Sneed Ruby Jean McLeod John & Mary Linn Sadler Nancy & Tom Askew Charles & Linda Wall Sharon Turner Max Ernst Rebecca & Jimmy Ponder page 11 COMMITTEE DISCRIPTIONS

Christian Education provides opportunities for members of the congregation to grow in their spiritual lives. Volunteer activities include: teaching Sunday School (all ages), teaching Vacation Bible School (July), Chaperoning and/or helping with youth groups, helping to provide transportation to NaCoMe camps, helping in the church Nursery, preparing a meal for Sunday night Youth Groups, and mentoring/sponsoring a child or youth.

Communication seeks to strengthen the lines of communication among the staff, the church committees, the congregation and the community. Their work centers on the newsletter, bulletin, technological improvements, and the gathering and dissemination of general information. Volunteer activities include: changing info on the front lawn sign (weekly), photographing congregational activities, assisting with the church website, operating the sound system and recording worship services for the web site and for distribution to the public.

Fellowship (formerly Congregational Life) promotes congregational luncheons and the Christmas Dinner in the fellowship hall along with church picnics. Volunteer activities include planning and organizing these events and helping with set up and take down of events.

Historic Preservation maintains the historical documents, relics, and artifacts which represent our heritage.

Congregational Care/Visitors & New Members (formerly Local Witness) follows up on pew cards, sends notes to people who are ill, delivers food baskets, visits shut-ins (Community Outreach), contacts prospective church members, networks with Christmas new members, represents the mission committee, and Dinner maintains community relationships. Dec. 9, 2012

Mission and Outreach Committee oversees action, advocacy and financial activities for our congregation’s mission. Maintains contacts with local, national, international, and denominational entities. Educates and involves the congregation in a variety of opportunities, including a possible congregational mission trip.

Professional Staff is responsible for recommending to the Session employees for the church, excluding the ordained staff. It prepares job descriptions, recommends salaries and salary changes, evaluates performance, and sets the personnel policy. Service on this committee is by Session appointment.

Property seeks to maintain and repair the church physical facility. Volunteer activities include: minor repairs around the church, help with light gardening and yard maintenance.

Service provides tangible help to people needing financial help with utilities, groceries, etc. Committee members serve on a rotating team to interview clients, evaluate needs, and make appropriate responses. They also maintain a relationship with local agencies to help meet seasonal community needs. The office hours for the Service Committee are: Mondays 4:30-6:00 pm and Fridays 1:00-2:30 pm.

Stewardship & Finance oversees the total financial program of the church, reviews monthly financial statements for the Session, and conducts the stewardship campaign.

Worship oversees everything related to worship working closely with the minister and director of music. Volunteer activities include: ushering, serving as a greeter, preparing communion elements, helping with the acolytes, operating the sound system, assisting with the children’s music program, singing in the choir.

Craft Fair photos by Bob Gandy and Stacy Fitting

~ CONTACTING AND/OR MEETING WITH PASTOR DAVE ~ [email protected]

Cell: 847-477-6990; Office: 645-6551 Office hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 am-6:00 pm

~ SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES ~ You are invited to join a Sunday School Class! Classes are held each Sunday from 9:45 am to 10:45 am. Nursery is provided on the 2nd floor.

CHILDREN & YOUTH Location Curriculum/Study 2’s – Kindergarteners 2nd floor We Believe 1st – 12th Graders 4th floor We Believe, Confirmation ADULTS Brotherhood (men) 3rd floor The Present Word Explorers (men/women) 2nd floor Disciple series Friendship (women) 3rd floor The Present Word Gospel Seekers (men/women) 3rd floor library Feasting on the Word, and other sources