May 4, 2016 • Volume 31, No. 09

We have just completed a fourweek adult education forum onIslam, led by our own NahedZehr, who teaches ReligiousStudies and Islam at WesternKentucky University. These foursessions packed Courtenay Halleach week with over four

hundred participants most Sundays.Three of Nahed’s presentations are

available on the homepage of our website, including the lastpanel discussion between Nahed, Stuart Gordon and fourmembers of Nashville’s Islamic community. I know I speakfor many in expressing my deep appreciation for Nahed’swillingness to undertake this timely and importanteducational task. I appreciated Nahed’s careful, scholarlypresentations and suspect that most of us learned thingsabout Islam, the world’s second largest religion, that we didnot know. I also am immensely grateful to the threemembers of Nashville’s Islamic community who took timeto answer questions from members of our church.

This seminar raises the larger question of how Christianslive with people of other faiths and no faith at all. Ourpurpose in initiating this series was not just educational, butalso missional. How do Christians witness to their faith inJesus Christ in an increasingly pluralistic world and how dowe live in such a way that brings glory to God and lifts upChrist and the Church? In the first chapter of the Book ofActs, Jesus says, “You shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem andin all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Forthe early Church, this meant the Roman Empire as well as asometimes hostile Jewish community. For us it has to includehow we relate to Muslims, as well as the growing number ofAmericans who claim no faith at all. Of course, every act ofsharing one’s faith always begins with listening seriously andintently to what a person believes.

My Dear Friends,

IN THIS ISSUEYouth SummerCalendar

First FriendsArt Show

Welcome New Staff

Purchase Sanctuary Choir CD

Todd JonesPastor

Continued on next page

SUNDAYMOTHER’S DAYMAY 8, 2016

Sermon“Mothers’ Prayers, and Jesus’ Prayer”

Scripture ReadingsPsalm 23

John 17:20-26

Todd JonesPastor

SUNDAYPENTECOST

MAY 15, 2016Sermon

“When the SpiritComes”

Scripture ReadingsGenesis 11:1-9

Acts 2:1-21

Todd JonesPastor

$15

Our denomination provides help for us with thislarger question through The Study Catechism, acontemporary catechism of the Presbyterian Churchwritten in 1998 by some of our finest young theologians.This is a short guide to Christian faith using a questionand answer format as a teaching tool.

Question 50 asks, “Is Christianity the only truereligion?...Religion is a complex matter. When used as ameans to promote self-justification, war-mongering, orprejudice, it is a form of sin. Too often all religions —and not least Christianity — have been twisted in thisway. Nevertheless, by grace, despite all disobedience,Christianity offers the truth of the gospel. Althoughother religions may enshrine various truths, no other canor does affirm the name of Jesus Christ as the hope ofthe world.” Question 51 asks, “How will God deal withfollowers of other religions?...God has made salvationavailable to all human beings through Jesus Christ,crucified and risen. How God will deal with those whodo not know or follow Christ, but who follow anothertradition, we cannot finally say. We can say, however, thatGod is gracious and merciful, and that God will not dealwith people in any other way than we see in JesusChrist, who came as Savior of the world.”

Question 52 asks, “How should I treat non-Christiansand people of other religions?...As much as I can, Ishould meet friendship with friendship, hostility withkindness, generosity with gratitude, persecution withforbearance, truth with agreement and error with truth. Ishould express my faith with humility and devotion asthe occasion requires, whether silently or openly, boldlyor meekly, by word or deed. I should avoidcompromising the truth on the one hand and beingnarrow-minded on the other. In short, I should alwayswelcome and accept others in a way that honors andreflects the Lord’s welcome and acceptance of me.”

This last sentence is a call to live a life that commendsthe grace of the Lord Jesus Christ to all. I want to talkmore about these vital matters, but offer these catechismquestions as an invitation to dialogue. Let’s keep ourmission central: “To know Christ, and to make Himknown and to exhibit His love through worship,education and service.”

With Love and Prayers,

Continued from cover

Welcome Rouse and Ozio to First Presbyterian First Presbyterian Church (FPC) welcomes two new members to the church staff. Laura

Rouse, a church member for 10 years, has become Director of Communications. Laura earned aBachelors Degree in Communications with emphasis in Advertising from the University ofIllinois. She was also a collegiate soccer player at Illinois. Laura has two children, Owen andMacie, and she has been married to her high school sweetheart for over ten years.

As Communications Director, Laura will oversee the church’s communication plan andstreamline the communications to effectively inform all membersabout news and events that are going on in the church. For allcommunication needs, contact Laura at 615-298-9513 orlrouse@fpcnashville.org.

Sabrina Ozio, a former Texan, serves as Receptionist for thechurch. Sabrina earned a Bachelors degree of Arts in ChristianMinistry and a minor in Music from the University of MaryHardin-Baylor. The 2014 graduate regularly volunteered in the youth ministry at First BaptistChurch of Madisonville, Texas, before moving to Nashville in 2015. Sabrina has a passion forministering to youth and hopes to one day serve as a girls’ ministry leader. She has embracedher new Nashville home where she loves grabbing coffee with her small group and hiking withher boyfriend, Jonathan, and her sweet dog, Maggie. Our congregation and guests of FPC willthoroughly enjoy her welcoming spirit at the Hospitality Center.

First Friends First Annual Art Show

The artists who participated are as follows:Kay Barnett, Ansley Black, Bette Bryant, Kimberly Butler, Joan Campbell, Bekah Caruso, Marge Hales, Carey Haynes,Helen Holland, Wendy Latimer, Karen Pasquale, Dean Reeves, Kathy Sparkman, Carol Thomas, Janet Thomas, Ruth Thomson,Julia Wilk, Roberta Witherspoon and Jane Yount showing Tom Yount’s work.

The Mission of First Presbyterian Church, NashvilleTo know Christ, to make Him known and to exhibit His love

through worship, education and service.

SympathyThe First Presbyterian Church family extends

prayers and sympathy to the following during theirtime of loss.

Mary Ellen Clinton on the death of her husband,William James Wade, Jr., who died on March 9. Sympathy toWilliam Wade, III.

Ed & Jean Alderman on the death of their son,The Rev. Dr. Edward Lane Alderman, Jr., who died onApril 14.

Mark (Susan) DeVries on the death of Mark’s father,The Rev. John F. DeVries, who died on April 19. Sympathy toAdam (Sara) DeVries, Debbie (Trey) Wince, Leigh DeVries,Parish & Nealy DeVries and Liam Wince.

Bette Sue McNeilly on the death of her husband,Robert E. McNeilly, Jr., who died on April 19. Sympathy toCraig (Sherri) Parrish, Nate (Nancy) Parrish, Sr., Corinne(Jimmy) Ward, Mary Craig (Brandon) Tortorice, Ashley (Ethan)Colclasure, Nate Parrish, Jr., Cole Parrish, Elizabeth Parrish,Corinne Parrish, Katie Ward and Jimmy Ward.

If any member of the church desires the Christian support of aStephen Minister, contact Sandra Randleman (615-298-9502).

The Sacrament of BaptismIn the presence of family, the congregation of

First Presbyterian Church and God, the followingpersons claimed God’s covenant promise throu ghthe Sacrament of Baptism.

Lindsay & Mark Ison presented their daughter,Evelyn Margaret Ison, for baptism on April 17. AssistingElder was Austin McMullen.

Keats & Phil Leach presented their son, Philip BarryLeach, III, for baptism on April 17. Assisting Elder wasKathy Jones.

Sullivan Harkness Brown and Tallent Harris Brownwas baptized on April 24. Assisting Elder was Tom Swain.

Allison & Marty Kaufman presented their son,Thomas Collier Kaufman, for baptism on April 24.Assisting Elder was Marbut Gaston.

Sunday Evening Worship at FPCThe Gathering Place @ 5:3O p.m.

CongratulationsThe First Presbyterian Church family

congratulates the following people duringtheir new birth.

John & Ashley Harper welcome a son,Mason Douglas Harper, who was born onApril 13.

Jess & Ceesun Andrews welcome a son,Jess Lee Andrews, IV, who was born on April 28.Congratulations to grandparents, Jess Andrews, Jr. & Mrs.Carol Andrews.

Sanctuary ChoirRecords CD

Last August, our SanctuaryChoir, led by RaphaelBundage, recorded a CDentitled “Music at FirstPresbyterian: Hymns of Faith.”This disc features seventeen ofour congregation’s best-loved hymns, including “WillYou Come and Follow Me,” “Lift High the Cross” and“Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” among many others. It alsofeatures three organ works by J.S. Bach, performed byNicholas Bergin, our organist, on the Beckerath organ.The recording engineer for the project was John Hill,who in 2011 won a Grammy for “Best EngineeredAlbum, Classical.”

The music on the recording is familiar and inspiring,the choir sings beautifully and the sound quality is superb.The CD is available for purchase for $15 in our churchbookstore; or by emailing dgarey@fpcnashville.org.Please consider picking up a copy — you will notbe disappointed!

You Scream, I Scream, We All Scream for Ice CreamTimes and traditions change, but some traditions are certainly worth keeping.

And so it is with the tradition of a beautiful Sunday afternoon ice cream summersocial that helps to raise awareness and funds to benefit the work of the MarthaO’Bryan Center of East Nashville. We invite you to help join in celebrating thistradition at the 2016 Crankin’ held on our front lawn on Sunday, June 12, from3:00-5:00 P.M.

Want to participate? Join us by making homemade ice cream to serve at theevent (grand prize winner has ice cream made/sold by Purity Dairies thefollowing year). We provide a vanilla base recipe, special parking access, and oneadmission ticket for each gallon you make.

Want to attend? If you like ice cream, gather your family and friends for a funJune afternoon event. General admission tickets will be available for purchase inCourtenay Hall on Sunday, May 15 through June 12 at the table staffed by Beth,David and Alex Vorhaus. Tickets will also be available weekdays from theHospitality Center in the office/ministry building.

A Weekend Away for Our Young AdultsYoung Adult Women’s RetreatIn the book of Mark, Jesus says to the disciples, “Come with me by

yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” On their recent trip, thisgroup of ladies took that recommendation to heart. They spent theweekend at the home of Margaret Walker’s family in Montreat, NorthCarolina enjoying good food, fun company, beautiful hiking, greatconversations, and much needed rest. Young adults in Nashville are busypeople with kids, jobs, lives outside of work, and seeking to be involvedin a faith community. This balance takes a lot of time and intentionality.This retreat allowed these women to gather together for a couple ofdays for both peace and fellowship.

Young Adult Men’s RetreatJet skis and Amazing Grace characterizes this weekend away for this

group of men. They retreated to Rock Island State Park, and they stayedin the home of Les and Elizabeth Coble. During their time there, theyshared stories and testimonies with one another. As each person finishedtalking, we sang the first verse of Amazing Grace, letting the phrase, “Iwas blind but now I see” fill the air. The once blind man, healed afterJesus spit on the ground, rubbed mud on the man’s eyes, and had himrinse off in the pool of Siloam, of John’s Gospel in chapter nine uses thesame phrase to testify to the work that Jesus had done in his life. Weborrowed his words to proclaim the same redemption we haveexperienced. This retreat allowed these men to come together to get outon the lake for some water sports, as well as let their guard down andtalk openly with peers in their church community.

If you around the age of 19-39, the Young Adult Ministry would love to welcome you into the community.Visit ya.fpcnashville.org or join their email list by contacting ahiggins@fpcnashville.org.

Home Partners MinistryThis is a rewarding ministry that offers an opportunity

for the joy of new friendships. A Home Partner is avolunteer who makes visits to a church member who lives

in a retirement homeor at home and isunable to regularlyattend our churchservices because ofhealth concerns. AHome Partner is askedto visit one churchmember once a monthand to extend the careand concern of ourchurch. Home Partners

also have the joy of delivering an Easter flower and aChristmas poinsettia on behalf of the church.

For more information about serving as a Home Partneror receiving a Home Partner visit, contact Associate PastorSandra Randleman at 615-298-9502.

Is This How We Relate to Muslims?The Story of Peter and Cornelius

The Logos Sunday School class will spend eight weeks inActs 10, which tells of the encounter between Peter andCornelius, an Italian centurion. Scene by scene, we’ll readthe biblical story of the Apostle’s summons to the “devout”man, and seek to glean from it lessons on how Christiansmight be summoned to Muslims in our midst, as well asother persons who do not confess Jesus as Messiah.

The class meets in Stanford Chapel on Sundays 10:00 to10:40 A.M., and is led by Associate Pastor Stuart Gordon.

June Ramsey to Study JonahSusannah Larry, a second year doctoral student at

Vanderbilt Divinity School with an emphasis in Hebrew,will discuss the Book of Jonah on May 8, 15 and 22.She will compare and contrast the English and Jewishinterpretations of this fascinating text. June Ramsey Classmeets in the living room of the Cheek House at 9:45 A.M.

Kirkin’ Sunday School: Save the DateIn celebration of Kirkin’ of the Tartan, all Sunday School

departments will gather in Courtenay Hall during theSunday School hour on May 29. There will be dancing,piping and fun games for all ages. We hope you’ll be there!

Vacation Bible School 2016Join us as we Catch the Wave June 20-23

Children who will be 4½ in June 2016 up through thoseentering third grade this fall are invited to join us at VBSthis year. Our beach theme will get everyone excited as wehear many of the water stories in the Bible. We’ll float theNile with baby Moses, witness Jesus’ baptism, ride through astormy boat ride with Jesus and his disciples and havebreakfast on the beach with the resurrected Jesus.

Children won’t want to miss working with friends as wecreate bubbles inside bubbles or make kid-friendlyexploding toothpaste. And the music will have us groovin’and surfing to scripture set to fun tunes. Register today at fpcnashville.org.

First Friends’ Activitiesfor MayWednesday, May 11, 10:00 A.M.:Daytrip to Portland for lunch at 5Chefs and visit to strawberry farm.Sunday, May 15, 12:00 P.M.: Sunday Lunch atGreen Hills Grille.Thursday, May 19, 12:00 P.M.: Thursday LuncheonProgram, “Celebrating Our Own Veterans.” Our speakerwill be Steve Todd, who is a Lieutenant Colonel in theU.S. Army.

Patricia Heim, MissionsCoordinator, Retires

After nine years of coordinating,organizing, and serving as a first lineof support for our Mission Ministries,Patricia Heim has retired from herposition as Missions Coordinator.Patricia supported all of the church’smissions by attending committee meetings, enlistingvolunteers and providing information and follow up forthose who serve.

As member of our church with her husband Don since1999, Patricia was on the Dominican Republic and Jamaicamission teams. She served on and organized Habitat forHumanity home builds and Red Cross blood drives. Patriciais also an active member of Presbyterian Women. The wholechurch congregation and staff thank Patricia for her manyyears of service and her passion for the community.

Mike Crout now serves as Missions Coordinator. Forinformation about mission trips and other ways to serve,contact Mike at 615-298-9593 or missions@fpcnashville.org.

NONPROFIT ORGU S POSTAGE

P A I DNASHVILLE, TNPERMIT NO. 27

Dated church materialPlease deliver by May 7, 2016

First Presbyterian Church4815 Franklin PikeNashville, Tennessee 37220615-383-1815www.fpcnashville.orgfacebook.com/fpcnashville

PastorsTodd JonesPastor

Sam CooperExecutive Pastor

Adam DeVriesAssociate Pastor to Youth& Their Families

Mark DeVriesAssociate Pastor forNew Ministries

Stuart GordonAssociate Pastor for Discipleship

Keith GunterAssociate Pastor for NewChurch Development

Sandra RandlemanAssociate Pastor forCongregational Care & Missions

Program StaffRaphael BundageDirector of Music

Mike CroutMissions Coordinator

Brenda GeiseOlder Adult MinistryCoordinator

Letitia GreenDirector of Recreation

Ashley HigginsDirector of Young Adult &High School Ministries

Susan KirbyWorship Coordinator

Deb O’BrienDirector of Children’s Ministry

Joshua RodriguezDirector of Young Adult &High School Outreach

Laura RouseDirector of Communications

AdministrationGinny BarberAdministrative Assistant

Cindy BozmanFinance Manager

Lynn ElliottExecutive Assistant

Karen FittsNursery Coordinator

Kim RogersFood Service

SchoolsJennifer HinoteHead of School, Oak Hill School

Brenda LutzDirector, FPC Early Preschool

4815 Franklin Pike ■ Nashville, TN 37220

Save the Date:Kirkin’ of the Tartan

Come gather on Sunday, May29 in Courtenay Hall during theSunday School hour for Kirkin’of the Tartan. Every personattending will be joined to aspecific clan where there will befun activities and games (thinkMinute to Win It and NameThat Tune). Bagpipes will beplaying, and you will have theopportunity to learn a Scottishdance. Shortbread and lemonadewill also be served. Don’t missthis fun event for all ages!