A MESSAGE FROM OUR PASTOR

Forty Days of Prayer Forty days is a significant period of time. In the Bible it is the number of days and nights that Noah and his family spent shut up in a smelly ark, safe, while it rained cats and dogs and the whole world around them was inundated (Genesis 7). It is the length of time that it took the Egyptians to embalm Jacob (Genesis 50), a period of mourning and remembrance. It is a time for drawing near to God, a holy fast that begins when Moses enters the glory of the LORD’s presence on Mt. Sinai, to be enshrouded there in the thick cloud of God’s devouring fire for another 39 days and nights (Exodus 24). It ends when Moses emerges again from the cloud, hungry and thirsty, carrying the two tablets of God’s law (Exodus 34; Deuteronomy 9-10; see 1 Kings 19). It is a time of learning and testing. The spies spent forty days and nights casing out the land of Canaan, before reporting back to Moses that the land contained grapes and milk and honey in abundance, that it was a veritable Promised Land; and then the people of Israel spent forty years wandering in the wilderness while a whole generation passed away, because they refused to receive the abundant gift of an o’erflowing land (Numbers 13-14). For forty days Goliath challenged the armies of Israel, until David took off his head (1 Samuel 17). Nineveh had forty days to repent (Jonah 3). And for forty days Jesus faced the wilderness elements and Satan’s temptations alone (Matthew 4, Mark 1, Luke 4). As we enter Lent 2014, a period of forty days in which we prepare our hearts to receive the Good News of Jesus’ death and resurrection, let’s redeem the time. Our sermon series this Lent is Too Busy NOT to Pray! Life is too short, too precious, too important NOT to waste it in prayer. Spend your time well this Lent. Invest it wisely. Spend the next 40 days in prayer! Let’s do the things this year that prepare us to hear God’s voice: let’s find time to be alone in prayer; let’s fast in meaningful ways from the distractions of our comfortable lives, from fine food, from TV and movies, from…(fill in the blank); and let’s find ways to share the gospel and give of ourselves in mission to others. May God speak to us during these forty days, and may we respond to God’s call with faith, hope, and love. Grace and Peace, Pastor Greg

March 2014

Pastoral Pastoral Pastoral CareCareCare

PLEASE KEEP IN PLEASE KEEP IN PLEASE KEEP IN

YOUR PRAYERSYOUR PRAYERSYOUR PRAYERS

Special Care Concerns:Special Care Concerns:Special Care Concerns:

Jim Crosby

Heidi Hedstrom

Joel Thomas

Becky Keene

Jane Briggs

Celia Ambrester

Sara Brooks

Fran Swartz

Erika Mitchell

Family Members:Family Members:Family Members:

Gen Simmons and Henry

Whitesell, parents of Ashley

Gallaher

Amy Loh Lee’s father in

Singapore

Deaths:Deaths:Deaths:

Steve Hannahs, brother-in-law

of Charlie Patterson

TO NOTIFY THE CHURCH OF ILLNESS, HOSPITALIZATION, BIRTH, DEATH, OR PRAYER

REQUEST, CONTACT NEESA TROTTER AT 931-645-6551, 931-206-1588, FPCClarksville@gmail.com

FFirstirstirst PPresbyterianresbyterianresbyterian

CChurchhurchhurch

213 Main Street, Clarksville, TN 37040

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

ON THE WEB AT

www.fpcclarksville.org

TELEPHONE Voice: 931-645-6551

OFFICE HOURS

Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Friday 8:00 a.m. to noon

Sunday School Classes

Classes for all ages

meet each Sunday,

9:45-10:45 am

in the Christian

Education building.

CHILD CARE

is provided for infants

and toddlers on the

2nd floor.

PRESCHOOL

3-year-olds through

Kindergarten meet on

the 4th floor

CHILDREN &

YOUTH

1st through 12th

graders meet on the

4th floor

ADULTS

4 different

classes meet on the

2nd and 3rd floors

Page 2

~ SERMONS AND SCRIPTURES~

Sunday Morning Schedule : Worship at 8:30 & 11:00; Sunday School for all ages 9:45-10:30.

March 2 Transfiguration of the Lord Exodus 24:12-18, Matthew 17:1-9 Sermon: Fired Up!

LENTEN SERMON SERIES: Too Busy NOT to Pray!

March 5 Ash Wednesday Psalm 51:1-17, Matthew 6:1-6 Sermon: Prayer Starts with God: Part I, Humility

March 9 Luke 18:1-15, Matthew 7:7-11 Sermon: Prayer Starts with God: Part II, Willing and Able

March 16 Matthew 6:7-15; 26:36-46 Sermon: Praying Like Jesus

March 23 Mark 10:35-45, John 15:5-17 Sermon: Unanswered Prayer

March 30 1 Kings 19:4-12, Psalm 1:1-6, Luke 5:12-16 Sermon: Slowing Down to Pray

April 6 Romans 8:26-39, John 14:15-21, 15:26-27, 16:12-15 Sermon: Listening to God's Promptings

~ CONFIRMATION COMMISSIONING, MARCH 2 ~

The Advanced Confirmation Class' Commissioning & Confirmation Sunday is March 2. There will be a called session meeting at 9:45 am where Confirmands will meet with session members to approve their membership. They will then be presented to the congregation during 11:00 worship.

~ ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE MARCH 5 ~

The Ash Wednesday service will be at 6:00 on Wednesday, March 5 in the sanctuary to mark the beginning of the Lenten season. It will be a quiet service with time for reflection, including the imposition of ashes (if you so choose).

Page 3

~ WED. DINNER & STUDIES, MARCH 12 & 19; APRIL 2 & 9 ~

We will have dinner in Fellowship Hall at 5:30 followed by the study 6:00-7:00. The Christian Education Committee is pleased to announce our upcoming Lenten Study Series which will begin on March 12 and will last for a total of four Wednesdays. [We will not gather the week of CMCSS spring break, March 24- 28]. The committee will sponsor two offerings:

► Lenten book study on 24 Hours that Changed the World led by Rhonda Banasiak

►The Easter Garden, a Lenten study for children. We will build on our lessons from 2013 and prepare serving dishes and tableware that will be used for the Maundy Thursday service. Nursery will be provided for infants and toddlers. Please join us!

~ 2ND SUNDAY LUNCH ~ Page 4

The 2nd Sunday Lunch will be March 9 immediately following 11:00 worship. The meal is prepared

by the Fellowship Committee and the menu is meat loaf, fried fish, hush puppies, slaw, French fries

& tater tots, white beans, green peas, rice crispy squares, iced tea, lemonade and coffee.

~ DO YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT CHURCH MEMBERSIHP? ~

Have you been visiting FPC? Would you like to know how to plant your roots in this com-munity of faith? If you do not know for sure, we would like to remedy that! If you would like to become a member or just want to know more about what membership at FPC means and how to be-come better connected to this church family, join Pastor Greg for two conversations in his office during the Sunday School hour, 9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. on March 23 & 30. Session will meet to ap-prove new members at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday, April 6. We will celebrate and recognize our new mem-bers in worship on Palm Sunday, April 13. Please R.S.V.P. by contacting Neesa in the church office or by contacting by contacting Pastor Greg directly with any questions you may have. (glovergl@gmail.com, 931-257-1780).

~ PARKING LOT REPORT FROM FINANCE COMMITTEE~

In 2008, First Presbyterian purchased the parking lot across the street from the church for $500,000. At that time $100,000 was received from the congregation and applied to the purchase price. $400,000 was borrowed from the bank.

A generous benefactor came forward and loaned the church $400,000 to pay off the bank loan. The ben-efactor’s loan to the church was interest free.

The final $100,000 payment to the benefactor is due April 15 th. As of February 11 th, we have $92,579 to be applied to that payment, leaving us $7,421 short.

If you are interested in making a gift to help with this final parking lot payment, make your check to First Presbyterian Church and list Parking Lot Fund on the memo line. Remember, however, a gift to the parking lot would need to be over and above your pledge. A parking lot gift could not be counted to-ward your pledge.

If you have questions, contact Tracy Jackson, Finance Committee Chair, 552 -1054, or Connie Parker, Church Financial Administrator, 645-6551. Thank you.

~ WOMEN’S 11TH ANNUAL RETREAT, MARCH 14-16 ~ The Women’s 11 th Annual Retreat at NaCoMe (our Presbyter y 's camp) wi l l be Fr iday, March 14-Sunday, March 16. Al l women are encouraged to attend! We wi l l begin Fr iday evening with d inner & get -acquainted events. Laura Black wi l l do ice breakers and Arland Batson wi l l lead a devot ional . On Saturday, Diane Miner wi l l lead a morning devotional . During the day we wi l l have a t ime for Bible s tudy and ref lect ion, p lus t ime to re lax and play. Pix ie McCord Mil ls wi l l lead a devot ional Saturday night . We conclude on Sunday morning when everyone wi l l have a par t in worship--reading scr ipture or a responsive reading; having a prayer ; or leading the creed. Rhonda Banas iak wi l l lead a devot ional . Please ca l l Ann Waddle (931 -624-2597) i f you are interested -- the s ign-up sheet i s on the bul let in board and the s ign up deadl ine is March 5.

~ WORSHIP LITURGISTS ~

The Worship Committee has a rotating group of people who serve as liturgists for a one year

term. If you are interested in continuing as a liturgist or if you would like to join this group to

serve both Sunday services on a rotating basis, please contact Sam Mills.

Page 5

MARCH 1-14 Kenny Pryor (1st) Jackson Black (2nd) Hannah Shingler (2nd) Phillip Shingler (2nd) Elizabeth Ryan (2nd) Gail Hudson (4th) Sara Salyer (4th) T. C. Howe (5th) Rubye Patch (6th) Tommy Dennis (6th) John Sadler (7th) Christina Barnett (7th) Trent Sanders (7th) Abigail Sturdivant (7th) Amy Goder (13th) Sean Goggin (14th) Talley Posey (14th)

MARCH 16-30 Jordan Richardson (16th) Tom Graves (18th) Steve Griffey (20th) Kristen Carter (20th) Jean Dale Kleeman (21st) Hazel Morrison (21st) Thomas Wedemeyer (23rd) Kayleigh Black (25th) Julia Giles (25th)Philip Ryan (27th) Whit Cobb (27th) Nancy Sneed (28th) Fergus Barnes (28th) Charlie Patterson (30th)

FPC MARCH

FAMILY

BIRTHDAYS

If you don’t see

your name listed,

please let the

church office know

your date!

~ PANCAKE BREAKFAST

FUNDRAISER~

A Pancake Breakfast in support of the Pastoral Counseling Center will be held on Saturday, March 15, from 7:00 - 11:00 am at Grace Lutheran Church, 2041 Madison Street. Tickets are $5 per person and can be purchased through Neesa Trotter in the church office or Don Beck, 648-4609. If you would prefer, you can purchase a ticket or tickets and donate it back to The Center for the use of those in the community in need of assistance, including military families at Ft. Campbell.

~ COLLEGE STUDENT GOODY BOXES ~

Presbyterian Women invite the congregation to join them in collecting items to fill boxes being sent to our college students. Items should be small (I.E.: microwave popcorn, coffee shop gift cards, gum, mints, pens, post-it notes, small packages of tissues, lip balm, pens, pencils, highlighters, individually-wrapped packages of peanut butter

crackers and/or cheese crackers). This project is sponsored by the Congregational Care Committee.

~ NEW BABY ~

Congratulations to Ethan and Kellie Wilding on the birth of Wren Amanda Wilding, born February 12, 2014,

in Jackson, TN. Little Wren Amanda weighed 6 lbs, 8 oz. and was 19” in length. Lew and Vicki Wallace are the

proud grandparents.

~ VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL, JUNE 16-20 ~

VBS will be Monday, June 16 - Friday, June 20. Training for volunteers is set for Sunday, May 18, immediately following 11:00 worship with lunch provided. For those interested in helping, but cannot be present during the week, we will have many opportunities for you to serve with decorating, snacks, un-decorating, etc.

Page 6

2ND SUNDAY LUNCH

IN FEBRUARY

~ MEMORIALS ~

Evelyn Hunter Aubrey Harvey Don Trotter Mr. & Mrs. John Fort Joan Phifer

Hank Livingstone Jessie Livingstone

Albert Marks Albert Marks

Louise Marlowe

Sam & Pixie Mills David & Nancy Smithfield S & E, Inc.

Page 7

~ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP SERVICE, MARCH 5 ~

The Worship Committee is planning an Ash Wednesday Service at 6:00 pm on March 5. Ash

Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season. It will be a quiet service with time for

reflection, including the imposition of ashes (if you so choose).

~ GIRL SCOUT SUNDAY, MARCH 9 ~ Girl Scout Troop 2621 at 11:00 service on March 9 to assist ushers in passing out bulletins. Girl

Scout Sunday. All Scouts are invited to wear their uniforms……………... .

~ RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES ON OUR WEBSITE ~ The Communications Committee wants you to know that if you miss worship on Sundays and would like to hear the service, please go on the website (www.fpcclarksville.org). All of our services are downloaded to the website, so check it out!

~ MEN’S BREAKFAST, MARCH 3 ~

All men, all ages, are invited to participate in conversations about life and faith! Meet on Monday, March 3 at 7:00 am at the Shoney’s on the corner of Kraft Street and 2nd Street. A brief devotional follows the meal.

~ PRESBYTERIAN PRAYER CHAIN ~

Members of our congregation regularly pray for each other! We have a Prayer Chain via e-mail to share concerns and celebrations. If you would like to be a part of the group, please contact waddleiread@gmail.com to be added to the mailing list. Also, if at any time you would like the group to join you in prayer, please send information to Ann Waddle via e-mail or phone 931-624-2597 and she will add it to our list of prayer concerns.

~ WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY ~ You are invited to join the group who gather for Bible study with Pastor Greg on Wednesday mornings each week at 10:00.

~ THEOLOGY ON TAP ~ TonT is a group that meets each Monday at 5 pm @ Guadalajara Grill on Riverside Dr. Come, join us on March 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 for conversations about theology and real life! Want more details about Theology on Tap? Contact Tom Presler at 931-436-4466.

~FREE YOGA CLASSES ~

Our free Yoga Class is restorative and involves gentle stretching and basic poses. Students are encouraged to wear clothing that is comfortable but not too loose. Poses are done barefoot. Mats and blocks are available in the fellowship hall where we meet on Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30 pm. Newcomers are always welcome!

Page 8

~ PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN ~

ALL WOMEN are invited to join us for the March 24 luncheon which will feature a devotional, good food, fellowship, and thoughts from inspirational speaker Barbara Shaw. Joy and laughter go hand in hand as Barbara shares her heart, God’s word, and some of her own life experiences with us. Our service project will be collecting items to fill boxes being sent to our college students by the Congregational Care Committee. Items should be small such as coffee shop gift cards, gum, mints, pens, post-it notes, small pkgs. of facial tissues, individually wrapped cheese crackers and peanut butter crackers, microwave popcorn, lip balm, pens, pencils, highlighters, etc. Please make luncheon and child care reservations by signing up on the bulletin board by March 20. The catered meal cost is $10 and the menu is two-meat lasagna, Caesar salad, garlic bread, almond delight, coffee, tea, and lemonade. ALL WOMEN are also invited to be part of one of the small groups for monthly study and fellowship through Presbyterian Women Circles. The Deborah Circle meets every Monday at 9:00 am on the 2nd floor (March 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31 ). Childcare is provided. The Morning Circle meets monthly on the first Tuesday (March 4) at 10 am. The Martha Circle meets monthly on the 2nd Tuesday (March 11) at 12:30 pm. The Night Circle meets monthly on the 2nd Tuesday (March 11) at 7:00 pm. ~ EMERGENCY CARDS~

The Congregational Care Committee is compiling emergency cards to have on file at the church office. These will be hard copies (not stored on a computer) so we can access them immediately in case of an emergency. Be on the lookout for the cards and please return them ASAP. Each person in the church will need to have one. For example, a family of four (2 adults 2 children) will require four cards; one for each adult and one for each child. The information on the cards will be kept confidential. ~2014 YOUTH MISSION TRIP ~

The trip to the Global Village (a ministry of the Presbytery of Atlanta’s Calvin Center) is planned for July

12-18. Global Village is a place to be confronted with the never-ending conditions that millions live in

around the world. It brings people together (for a pre-determined period of time) to live, experience, and

understand day-to-day life in many developing countries.

~ YOUTH MISSION TRIP FUNDRAISER ~

In order to help pay for the Mission Trip in July, the youth will assist the Fellowship Committee with the

set-up, preparation, serving, and clean-up of the Second Sunday Lunch on April 13. All proceeds from the

meal will go toward funds for the Mission Trip.

Page 9

CONFIRMATION CLASS

RETREAT

at the Hudson Farm

Feb. 22 & 23

YOUTH HIGHLIGHTS

SENIOR HIGH YOUTH

Sat. March 1—Sun. March 2, Youth Work Camp at NaCoMe (see Mark for info and details). We will leave the AOC at 1:00 pm on Saturday and return on Sunday around 6:00 pm. The cost is $25.

Sun. March 2, No Youth Group (we will be returning from NaCoMe).

Wed. March 5, 6:00 pm, Ash Wednesday Service at FPC. Meet at Chick-Fil-A at 5:00 pm for dinner. We will then load the bus and travel to the service.

Sun. March 9, 4-6 pm, Youth Group @ the AOC.

Sun. March 16, 4-6 pm, Youth Group @ the AOC.

Sun. March 23, 4-6 pm, Youth Group @ the AOC.

Sun. March 30, 4-6 pm, Youth Group @ the AOC.

WEDNESDAYS, at Chick-Fil-A (on Madison St.), March 5 (see above for special note on meeting time & details), 12, 19 & 26 6:30 pm. Please bring $$ for the meal. We will eat and then hang out till 7:30 pm.

If you have questions, contact Mark Banasiak at 980-8185.

CLUB

345

SUNDAYS

MARCH

9 & 23

CALLING

ALL

3rd, 4th, & 5th

GRADERS!

Join Bessie

Grimaldi on

Sundays

March 9 & 23

from 2:00-3:45

pm for snacks,

a devotion,

and games

in the AOC.

MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH

Sat. March 1—Sun. March 2, Youth Work Trip to NaCoMe. We will leave the AOC at 1:00 pm on Saturday and return on Sunday around 6:00 pm. The cost is $25.

Sun. March 2, No Youth Group (we will be returning from NaCoMe).

Sun. March 9, 4-6:00 pm, devotion and play games @ the AOC.

Sun. March 16, 4-6:00 pm, Youth Group—devotion and play games @ the AOC.

Sun. March 23, 4-6 pm, Youth Group devotion and play games @ the AOC.

Sun. March 30, 4-6 pm, Youth Group-after a devotion we

will go out to eat at a fast-food restaurant, so please bring $$.

If you have questions, contact MIKEY DAHLKE at (931) 216-0975

Page 10

Bring a

friend!

March 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 1:00 pm

Youth Work

Trip to

NaCoMe

2 Communion and

Confirmation Sunday

9:45 am Session

meeting on 4th floor

with Confirmands

No Youth Groups

6 pm Youth return

3

7 am Men’s

Breakfast

9am Deborah

Circle

5:00 pm

Theology on

Tap

4

9:30 am Staff

meeting

10 am PW

Morning Circle

5:30 pm Yoga

5 10 am Bible

Study

5 pm Senior

Highs/ChickFA

6:00 pm Ash

Wed. Worship

7pm Choir

6

7

8 Due to

Daylight

Savings Time,

move clocks 1

hour ahead

before going to

bed

9

12:05 pm 2nd

Sunday Lunch

2-3:45 pm Club 345

4-6 pm Youth Group

meetings

10 9:00 am

Deborah Circle

4 pm Property

Comm. meets

5:00 pm

Theology on

Tap @

Guadalajara

Grill

11 9:30 am

Staff meeting

12:30 pm

Martha Circle

2:00 pm

Congregational

Care Comm.

5:30 pm Yoga

7:00 pm PW

Night Circle

12 10 am Bible

Study

5:30-7 pm

Dinner &

Studies

6:30pm Senior

Highs/ChickFA

6:00 pm

Handbells

7:00 pm Choir

13

14

Women’s

Retreat at

NaCoMe

(begins with

supper & ends

after morning

worship on

Sunday)

15

16

4-6 pm Youth Group

meetings

17

9:00 am

Deborah Circle

5:00 pm

Theology on

Tap

18

9:30 am Staff

meeting

5:30 pm Yoga

19 10 am Bible

Study

5:30-7 Dinner &

Studies

6:30pm Senior

Highs/ChickFA

6pm Handbells

7pm Choir

20

21

22

23 9:45 am New

Members & Visitors

Class

2-3:45pm Club 345

4-6 pm Youth

Groups

5:00 Committees

6:00 Session

30

9:45 am New

Member & Visitors

Class

24 9:00 am

Deborah Circle

11:30 PW

Board

12:30 PW lunch

5 pm Theology

on Tap

31

9:00 am

Deborah Circle

5 pm Theology

on Tap

25 9:30 am

Staff meeting

5:30 pm Yoga

26

10 am Bible

Study

2:30-8 pm

Disciple Study

Highs/ChickFA

6pm Handbells

7pm Choir

27 28 29

Page 11

~ SESSION MEETING SUMMARY ~ February 23, 2014

The Session met Sunday, February 23, in the library at 6:00 pm. The meeting was opened with the lighting of the Christ candle with reflection and prayer by Pastor Greg Glover.

A sign-up sheet for elders to serve Communion (seated) on March 2 was circulated. COMMITTEE REPORTS: CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: Vacation Bible School is set for June 16-20; special Session meeting will be held to examine Confirmands on March 2 @ 9:45 am; curriculum was approved for the Women’s Retreat (Joan Chit-tister: Friendship of Women: the Hidden Tradition of the Bible) with Rhonda Banasiak to administer communion; Wednesday Night Studies (Easter Garden, 24 Hours that Changed the World, The Hymns We Sing) will be held March 12 & 19 and April 2 & 9.

COMMUNICATIONS: The updated website is now up and running.

CONGREGATIONAL CARE: The Class of 2016 elders were invited to join other elders in administering home communion. Training will be provided.

FELLOWSHIP: The menu for 2nd Sunday lunch, March 9, is meat loaf, fried fish, hush puppies, slaw, French fries, tater tots, white beans, green peas, rice crispy squares, coffee, tea and lemonade.

FINANCE & STEWARDSHIP: The financial report was reviewed. The final payment on the parking lot is due to our benefactor on April 15.

HOSPITALITY: The Visitors and New Member Class will be at 9:45 am on March 23 & 30; a special Session

meeting to examine new members will be on April 6 @ 9:45 am; a reception of New Members will be on April

13.

PASTOR/STAFF : Elders were reminded to make an appointment with Pastor Greg for a "spiritual checkup".

PROPERTY: Major property concerns were reported. The financing concerns ($8,500 approximately) will be taken to the Finance & Stewardship Committee.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN: The next PW luncheon is February 24.

SERVICE COMMITTEE: Our church has received a grant from the Kharis Foundation in the amount of $10,000. These funds will be used to aid folks in the community who need financial assistance.

WORSHIP: The Ash Wednesday service will be at 6 pm on March 5. Sue Reynolds will preach March 16.

OTHER BUSINESS Correspondence was received from First Presbyterian Church, Huntsville, AL, requesting the membership trans-fers of Stuart, Lennie, Riley and Shaun Hartwell. The transfer was approved.

The 2013 Annual Statistical Report that goes to the General Assembly and Presbytery was approved.

The meeting closed at 7:00 pm with the extinguishing of the Christ candle and a corporate litany.

Page 12