First Edition. First Presbyterian Church. published bi-weekly for the members and friends of the church. January 11, 2012 Volume 27, No.

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1 First Presbyterian Church First Edition published bi-weekly for the members and friends of the church January 11, 2012 Volume 27, No. 01 My Dear Friends, As I write this letter to you, we stand on the threshold of a New Year. On the weekend of January 28 and 29, on Saturday evening and Sunday morning, we will be hosting another Family Facelift event at First Presbyterian Church.The theme for this year s Family Facelift is Raising a Faith-Filled Family. Our leader for the weekend is Leif Kehrwald of Vibrant Todd Jones Pastor Faith Ministries, an organization aimed at assisting families in building a life together that fosters the growth of Christian faith. Kehrwald and Vibrant Faith Ministries come from the Roman Catholic tradition, but work with congregations across the Christian Church in America in carrying out their ministry. Leif writes, When families spend time together, build healthy relationships with one another, share meals and solve conflicts and reconcile with one another, they grow not only in well-being, but also in faith. This session will show parents, grandparents and others a four step process for recognizing how God lingers in the creases and folds of ordinary and extraordinary events of their family life. Kehrwald offers practical ways that families can pray, celebrate, reconcile and discuss their faith in ways that give life. Specifically, he offers: 1. A four-step process to help you recognize how the events of your daily lives are connected to God and the Christian faith. 2. The five key moments in day-to-day family living where families can bring intentional practices that help them function better as a family and grow to know each other in deeper ways. 3. The exploration of four key activities crucial to a young person s faith growth and maturity and how to engage these activities in your own family life. Leif Kehrwald is a published author and expert on matters of building up families and enabling the home to become a sacred place where faith is explored. In 2006, he published the book, Families and Faith: A Vision and Practice for Leaders. Leif and his wife, Rene, have two young adult sons and live in Portland, Oregon. We are excited to have someone of his stature coming to help us deepen and explore ways that we can strengthen our families and help our children to discover in the home a more vital practice of faith in Jesus Christ.There is no more sacred calling than that of being parents and grandparents and I am grateful for this opportunity to partner with you in this journey. Let me extend an invitation to all of you who care about being better parents to find a way to be a part of Leif s visit to lead our Family Facelift. For those of you who are busy with commitments in Sunday School, teaching children or youth, we will be hosting a Saturday evening dessert and coffee in Courtenay Hall. The main event will once again be on Sunday morning in the Enrichment Center between the 8:30 and 11:00 services, during the Sunday School hour. This seminar is open to parents of all ages. Circle the dates and make this event a priority. Read carefully the material about Family Facelift on the back page and plan on being a part of this exciting opportunity to partner with First Presbyterian Church in strengthening our families. I am grateful for you! With Love and Prayers,

2 The Mission of First Presbyterian Church, Nashville To know Christ, to make Him known, and to exhibit His love through worship, education, and service. Sympathy The First Presbyterian Church family extends prayers and sympathy to the following people and to other members of their family during their time of loss. Hugh & Gayle Welch on the death of Hugh s sister, Sadie Jean Holmes, who died on December 17. Sympathy to niece Kathy (Bob) Rolfe, & great-neices & nephews, Robert Carly & Leslie Rolfe. George & Berni Lemon on the death of George s brother, Joseph F. Lemon, who died on December 17. S.C. Roddy on the death of his wife, Suzanne Roddy, who died on December 24. Beth Easter,Anne Vincent Stauffer & Jane McCracken on the death of their mother, Gayle Alexander, who died on December 24. Sympathy to grandchildren,alexander & Harrison Vincent & Parker & Kaylor McCracken. Beth Sargent on the death of her mother, Laurine Sargent, who died on December 25. If any member of the church desires the Christian support of a Stephen Minister, call Sandra Randleman at Stephen Ministers are trained lay ministers of the church. The Oak Hill School Spring Consignment Sale will be held Thursday, February 9, and Friday, February 10, from 8:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., and on Saturday, February 11, from 8:30 to 11:00 A.M., with many items half-priced.the sale is located in the Enrichment Center. All church members are invited to consign, shop and/or volunteer (volunteers receive early shopping privileges).to consign or volunteer, please visit FPC Hosts Transition Ceremony for Graduates of The Next Door You are invited on Sunday, January 29 to stop by the Stanford Chapel at 2:30 P.M. to celebrate with the women of The Next Door who have completed their initial recovery program post-incarceration.you will enjoy heartwarming stories of redemption as these women share their testimonies of how God is working in their lives to help them see themselves through His eyes as a loved and cherished child of God. A brief reception will follow in the Cheek House hosted by Presbyterian Women Circle 6 and FPC friends of The Next Door. Our own Zonia Nunley is the wardrobe assistant for residents of The Next Door and will ensure these graduates look absolutely radiant on their very special day. Come one, come all to this very special ceremony and help us celebrate God s amazing transformative work.the Next Door is one of more than 35 agencies that receives benevolence support from the FPC Local Missions budget. the 5:3O sunday evening worship at fpc the enrichment 5:3O p.m. The FPC Sanctuary Choir and The Nashville Symphony Dr. Raphael Bundage, Conductor Requiem W.A. Mozart Sunday, January 22, 2:00 PM This concert is made possible by the M. Stratton Foster Charitable Foundation in memory of Eleanor Gray Foster SUNDAY JANUARY 15, 2012 Sermon Listening and Life Scripture Readings I Samuel 3:1-11 John 1:43-51 Todd Jones Pastor SUNDAY JANUARY 22, 2012 Sermon New Creation Scripture Readings Genesis 1:1-5 I Corinthians 5:11-21 Keith Gunter Associate Pastor FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SANCTUARY 4815 FRANKLIN RD,NASHVILLE, TN 37220

3 First Friends Older Adult Ministry Frist Art Center: Monday, January 16, 10:00 A.M. TO 3:00 P.M. We will participate in Senior Monday (1/2 price admission and 15% discount in the Gift Shop) and view two exhibits that are ending in February: The Divine Light consists of 28 Renaissance paintings from the collection of Dr. Bob Jones for display at the university bearing his name.the pieces are altar pieces and private devotional paintings. Tracey Snelling:Woman on the Run is an exhibit of sculptures revealing the narratives of small town America. RSVP by January 13. Thursday Lunch & Program: January 19, 11:45 A.M. Dr. Bill McKee, History Professor, Cumberland University, Lebanon and Metro Nashville Historical Commission Chair will be our guest speaker, sharing anecdotes about memorable Tennesseans whom few have read about in history books or headlines. His topic is Tennesseans You Probably Don t Know But Should. He is a delight. If there is some question you have always wanted to ask about Tennessee history, this will be your chance; if Dr. McKee doesn t know the answer, he will find out for you. Lunch $6. RSVP by January 16. Keep that New Year s Resolution and come S-T-R-E-T-C-H with First Friends every Friday at 10:30 A.M. on Friday mornings during January. For more information or reservations, contact Ginny Barber ( or gbarber@fpcnashville.org). First Friends Calendar of Events January Friday.....January 6....First Friday Bridge :30-4:00 P.M Cheek House Tuesday....January 17...Committee Meeting :00 P.M Edgar Room Thursday..January 19...Thursday Luncheon :45 A.M.-1:30 P.M....Courtenay Hall Bill McKee Fridays (weekly event)....s-t-r-e-t-c-h :30-11:30 A.M......Gathering Place February Friday.....February 3...First Friday Bridge :30-4:00 P.M Cheek House Thursday..February 16..Thursday Luncheon :45 A.M.-1:30 P.M....Courtenay Hall Fifty-Forward/ Music for Seniors Thursday..February 16..Driver s License Photo I.D..2:00 P.M Church Bus to Metro Center Sunday....February 19..Sunday Lunch :00 P.M Wild Ginger, Cool Springs Tuesday....February 21..Committee Meeting :00 P.M Edgar Room Wednesday.February 22..Workshop: Prayer :00-11:00 A.M......Cheek House Breakfast Room Dr. Sandra Randleman March Thursday..March 1....Day Trip/Elvis Has Left....10:00 A.M.-4:30 P.M....Chaffin s Theatre the Building Friday.....March 2....First Friday Bridge :30-4:00 P.M Cheek House Thursday..March Thursday Luncheon :45 A.M.-1:30 P.M....Courtenay Hall Lisa Spencer Sunday....March Sunday Lunch :00 P.M Hickory Falls, Smyrna Tuesday....March Committee Meeting :00 P.M Edgar Room The FPC bookstore, is stocked up for all your needs.we have calendars, devotionals, gift items and a great selection of books. Our pastors have made some recommendations for you! Sandra Randleman A Geography of God: Exploring the Christian Journey Michael Lindvall, the Pastor of The Brick Presbyterian Church in New York, describes the life of a Christian as a journey of three parts.the first part, Leaving for Home, reminds us that we set out on our journey only because God is seeking us and coaxing us onto the way.the second part, The Way, discusses our way as found through God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.The third part, Life on the Road, describes that which sustains and challenges us as we travel our Christian journeys. Dr. Lindvall offers wisdom of those who have taken the road before us and found more than they expected.

4 AYear with the New Testament in January GET TO KNOW LUKE & ACTS January Reading Schedule Stephen Neill, Jesus through Many Eyes, Luke Luke Luke Luke Luke Luke Luke Luke Luke Luke Luke Luke Luke Acts Acts 3:1 5: Acts 5:12 8: Acts 8:2 9: Acts Acts Acts Acts 15:1-35 Dinner and Reservations: Dinner is available at 5:15 P.M. Note: Everyone planning to eat meals at the Wednesday School of Christian Living must register before January 11.This includes new participants and those who took part in the fall. Reservations are required and must be made no later than noon on Monday of the week.you can schedule your dinner reservations in one of two ways: 1) You can register online! Just logon to the FPC website ( and click on the First Connections link located at the bottom of the home page. Simply provide your name and phone number, and indicate which weeks you will be attending. It s that easy! 2) You can still call the church office at As always, please let the church office know if your plans change and you need to cancel a reservation. Cost for meals: Adult, $6; Children age 3-12, $3; Children 2 and under, free. Family maximum, $20. The coming of 2012 brings with it a study of the Gospel of Luke; that Gospel filled with Christmas treasures we opened in December. Beginning on the January 11, you will have the chance to see how this story unfolds in Luke s telling of it.you can follow daily readings of two chapters, take part in the blog AYearwiththeNewTestament.blogspot.com, attend lectures at the Wednesday School of Christian Living or receive CD s of the Wednesday lectures in the mail. Join us on Wednesday evenings; dinner begins at 5:15 P.M. and AYear with the New Testament study begins at 6:15 P.M. in Courtenay Hall. A N D M O R E WEDNESDAY SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN LIVING ADULT CLASSES Adult Computer Lab (Room GP-150) Leaders Burton Dietz and Bill Hathaway will take a look at all those digital devices you have gotten and aren t sure how to fully work.they will show you how to get the most out of your digital camera, computer tablet, smart phone, laptop and even your new desktop.the class will be molded to the devices and people who attend so you can truly utilize your device and enjoy what it can do for you. Praying the Psalms of Lament as We Seek Healing for our Grieving with Dr. Sandra Randleman.This grief support group begins Wednesday, January 25, and will combine prayer with a study of the psalms of lament and explore how we, like the psalmists, can express our feelings and our petitions for help to God, as we place our trust and hope in God and seek His healing.the grief support group will meet for four weeks, January 25 through February 15, from 6:00-7:30 P.M. in Vance Hall. For more information, contact Sandra (srandleman@fpcnashville.org or ). Blood Donation Opportunity in March Blood donation is Sunday, March 4, from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. in the Enrichment Center. Appointments may be scheduled beginning February 5. Look for the appointment link on the church homepage or see volunteers in Courtenay Hall on Sundays. Lily Cooper and Sheila Odusote are co-chairs.

5 Caregivers Take Care of Yourself in the New Year These are helpful words of advice from Nancy Alterman, a licensed clinical social worker with the New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging. If you are a caregiver, remember that you are not a failure if you accept an offer of help, Alterman said. You can help family and friends help you by being prepared with some specific suggestions when they ask, such as helping with a task you routinely do (e.g., grocery shopping, going to the post office or cooking a meal). Alterman also recommends that caregivers ask family or friends for the gift of time, either watching over the patient so that the caregiver can get away for a few hours or helping to arrange in-home care. If you can, ask a close relative or friend to stay with your loved one for a few days while you take a mini-vacation. A quick trip to the seashore or the mountains can help rejuvenate you for the days ahead. Remember this important saying, If I don t take care of me, I can t take care of you. One way to take care of yourself and learn about community resources is to attend a caregiver support group.the Older Adult Caregiver Support Group at First Presbyterian will meet on Wednesday, January 25, from 11:30-12:30 P.M. Our guest speaker will be Gretchen Geagan, Owner and Certified Professional Geriatric Care Manager from Life-Links. She will present Keys to Successful Aging: How to Determine if Staying at Home is Your Best Option. In addition to being a Certified Geriatric Care Manager, Gretchen has been an Assisted Living manager and will share her expertise on navigating home care vs. assisted living/nursing home care.this meeting is open to anyone, so feel free to bring a friend. For more information, contact Sandra Randleman at A New Inquirers Class Begins An Inquirers Class will be held for persons interested in uniting with First Presbyterian Church as members or who wish to obtain information about the history and mission of FPC and the Presbyterian denomination. Persons considering membership are encouraged to take the Inquirers Class before joining First Presbyterian Church. The class will be held for five consecutive Sundays, January 15, 22, 29 and February 5 and 12, during the Sunday School hour (9:45-10:45 A.M.) in the Session Room (MW-203 on the second floor of the Ministry Wing). For more information, please call the church office at or Sandra Randleman at Cuba Spring 2012 Dates: April or May Cost: $1,800 (estimated); $1,000 deposit due NOW. Brief Details: Light work projects and relational visits with partner church. Trip Leaders: Mike & Pam Shampain Rwanda July 2012 Dates: July Cost: $4,600 (estimated); $1,500 deposit due January 31; requires vaccinations. Brief Details: Construction on brick church and visits to mission projects supported by FPC; Kenyan safari included; children must be age 12 to participate. Trip Leader: Dr. Bob LaGrone Haiti February 2013 Dates: February (over Presidents Day weekend) Cost: $1,300 (estimated); $800 deposit due September 1, 2012; requires vaccinations. Brief Details: Medical personnel to offer pediatric or family practice medicine, dental or eye care in clinics; non-medical participants needed to assist in processing patients and work on re-construction projects with partner agencies affected by earthquake; expect rugged conditions. Trip Leader: Michael Baron Questions? Contact Patricia Heim ( or adultmissions@fpcnashville.org) if you are interested in learning more or would like an application form. Online registration for trips is available from the church homepage on the web ( Scholarship Assistance is available to FPC members for all FPC-sponsored trips by contacting Sandra Randleman ( or srandleman@fpcnashville.org). Read about missions at FPC online mission trips abroad, local mission opportunities, stories, pictures and more. Visit Join Us for a New Women s Bible Study on Thursday Mornings This new study, led by Dr. Sandra Randleman is beginning February 2.We will meet in the Cheek House from 7:00-7:45 A.M. through the season of Lent.This is perfect for women who want to start their day with prayer, Bible study and fellowship. Please let Sandra know your interest by contacting her (srandleman@fpcnashville.org or ).

6 Looking Aheadin Children s Ministry Serving Together: God s gift to us in Jesus Christ is a relationship built on love. Help make that love visible through relational giving give yourself and your time an unbelievable present in the name of Christ. Events are for 1st-6th grade children and their families to put their faith in action together. Sign ups are easy on the web. If you cannot attend, please consider donating food. January 16, from 12:30-2:45 P.M. Help lead and share in a celebration service for Martin Luther King Day with the guests at the Room In The Inn s campus (schools are closed for MLK day). January 21, from 3:00-6:00 P.M. Host Bingo and prepare, serve and cleanup dinner with the ladies at The Next Door. January 29, from 4:00-6:00 P.M. Prepare, serve, cleanup dinner and read with the families at Safe Haven Family Shelter. Confirmation Class On Sunday, January 29, 6:00 P.M., confirmands, their families and Officer Friends are invited to a Vesper s worship service in the Chapel, created and led by the confirmands. Fellowship time with cookies and hot chocolate immediately following. Vacation Bible School 2012 June 25-28, for children ages 4 through 6th grade.visit the children s web page to register. Milestones: A ministry of faith formation and celebration for children and their families. Exploring the Sacrament of Baptism 1st graders continue their Milestone with special classes on January 15, 22 and 29 during the Sunday School hour. DeeP& Wide Living a Faith that Matters Nursery is more than child care! Did you know that children who are cared for in our church nursery are getting more than social time with other children and loving adults? Our toddlers and twos are hearing God s word read to them and are participating in worship rituals in ways that are age appropriate and faith forming. During Advent, our Sunday School leaders for our toddlers and twos classes (called Little Lambs, Rainbow and Sun) marked the time of Advent by lighting candles on an Advent Wreath and creating symbols of the season to display on our Christmas Tree. On Christmas Day and New Year s Day, the children dressed up and acted out the Christmas story as told in the gospels of Luke and Matthew. On Christmas Eve, when asked Who is coming tonight? one of our toddlers responded, Jesus Chwist. Our Sunday School leaders for this age group, Emily and Hamilton Bowman, Leslie and Steve Franklin,Tricia Hastings, Jennifer Kirkpatrick, Jessica Lewis, Brenda Lutz, LeAnn Nichols, Angela Pope, Colleen Reese, Sims Polk, Carrie Beth Shelton and Callie Victory are using a Presbyterian Curriculum written just for toddlers and twos which provides Bible stories and values on a level that is appropriate and accurate. Sunday School lessons have been part of our nursery care for years and we have seen and been amazed by the children s ability to retell Bible stories and sing songs of faith.what treasure it is to hear a two year old sing joyfully, Go, Tell It on the Mountain or see a toddler dressed in a shepherd costume reenacting the Christmas Story. Our team hopes that sharing the Bible stories in the nursery ensures our mission of teaching our littlest ones about the love of Jesus.We know that Jesus always welcomes the children and we want them to know they are children of God.

7 Serving Together Ministry Our FPC 1st-6th graders and their families are wonderfully busy Serving Together this year! Some December events included: Two opportunities to serve as dining room hosts at Loaves & Fishes, a midday meal program for Nashville s hungry. Hosting Room In The Inn guests on-site at FPC, including making up beds, putting together sack lunches and acting as table servers especially for drinks and dessert. And preparing some classrooms (for young children as well as adult learners) at the Martha O Bryan Center for the return of students in January! Many FPC families participate directly in these Serving Together events, but many others work behind the scenes to make them happen, Clay Crews (3rd grade) providing food items for meals, cleaning products for the worker bees preparing drinks for the who will be putting in the elbow grease, or helping to coordinate and Loaves & Fishes guests. plan the event in advance.there are so many ways to serve at FPC and our families are excited about sharing their gifts (of time, faith, energy and stuff ) with the broader community! Jori Graeff (6th grade confirmation class) scrubbing tables in an adult learning center classroom at the Martha O Bryan Center. Christmas Eve Celebration And we celebrated this birth together as a community of faith on Christmas Eve! Many FPC families shared their time and talents with the 5:00 P.M. service, from the youngest children (Ella Claire Brackman, a not-quite-5-month-old, portrayed our Baby Jesus) up through the mothers and fathers and (and one grandfather) who willingly donned costumes to represent important people in the Christmas story. Our 4th and 5th graders wrote and read A Little Shepherd candlebearers to share the light of Christ in the midst of the holy night as we celebrated the birth of Jesus together. For a child has been born for us (Isaiah 9:6) Elizabeth, Zechariah and John the Baptist prayers throughout the service, and many 6th grade confirmands and their parents served as Our Children Need Your Help! As part of our Lenten event on February 12, the children are collecting items to share with the refugees at Siloam Family Health Center and the guests at Loaves & Fishes: Children s vitamins (chewable or gummy) Combs and brushes Cartoon character band-aids (the refugee children sometimes get up to 8 shots per visit) Toothpaste, toothbrushes & dental floss Men s socks Pocket-size tissues Travel-size toiletries (shampoo, body wash, lotion, etc.) Please bring items to collection points by the children s wing welcome desk or the C Wing welcome center.thank you for helping us do God s work in the world! I get by with a little help from my friends Remember the Beatles song? We all need a concerned caring friend at difficult times in our lives. A Stephen Minister can listen and care for you or for someone you know who is going through a tough time. If any member of the church desires the Christian support of a Stephen Minister, call Sandra Randleman ( ).

8 First Presbyterian Church 4815 Franklin Road Nashville, Tennessee ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Youth Happenings Sunday School on January 15 & 22:. 7th-12th grades meet upstairs in the Enrichment Center. Sunday Worship: 8:30 and 11:00 services in the sanctuary every Sunday, and the 5:30 in the Enrichment Center in the evening. Families, please join us at one of these worship services each Sunday. Youth Newsletter: If your family isn t receiving the monthly Youth Newsletter in your , please let Katy Miller know ( or kmiller@fpcnashville.org). Barefoot Serves: Saturday, January 21, from 9:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. Meet at the Enrichment Center, leave for service sites, then return for lunch at FPC! 2012 Mission Trip Registrations are open! To sign up for Spring Break,Alaska, Great Escape or New Orleans, visit firstpresbyterianyouth.com/register. Questions or need scholarship information? Contact Katy Miller (kmiller@fpcnashville.org or ). To register for these events, visit us at firstpresbyterianyouth.com/register Non Profit Org U S Postage P A I D Nashville,TN Permit No. 27. Dated church material Please deliver by January 14, 2012 First Presbyterian Church invites you to Family Facelift Raising a Faith-Filled Family Family Facelift January 28 & 29: Learn practical, doable ways to pray, celebrate, reconcile and serve a family. Parents will see new ways to nurture their children s and teens faith growth.our guest speaker is Leif Kehrwald. Saturday, January 28, 6:45-8:30 P.M. Open to all parents, and perfect for parents who teach or participate in Sunday School. Note:The Recreation Department is hosting a Parent s Night Out from 6:00-10:00 P.M. This is for children who are 3 ½ years and older and are potty trained.the cost is $10 per child. Call to make a reservation. The Nursery will be open from 6:30-8:30 P.M. for children 3 years and younger by reservation to Karen Fitts ( or kfitts@fpcnashville.org). Please register online to attend, though there is no cost! Sunday, January 29, 9:45-10:45 A.M. in the Enrichment Center. First Presbyterian Church 4815 Franklin Road Nashville, Tennessee Pastors Todd Jones Pastor Sam Cooper Executive Pastor Mark DeVries Associate Pastor to Youth & Their Families Stuart Gordon Associate Pastor for Discipleship Sandra Randleman Associate Pastor for Congregational Care & Mission Tom Walker Parish Associate Bill Bryant Pastor Emeritus Keith Gunter Associate Pastor for New Church Development Program Staff Brenda Geise Older Adult Ministry Coordinator Deb O Brien Director of Children s Ministry Letitia Green Director of Recreation Katy Miller Youth Program Coordinator Karen Fitts Nursery Coordinator Raphael Bundage Conductor, Sanctuary Choir Keith Moore Conductor, Sanctuary Chorale Susan Kirby Administrator of Worship & Music Ministries Rhonda Swanson Assistant Organist Amelia Watson Coordinator of Parish Ministry Schools Brenda Lutz Director, FPC Early Preschool Jennifer Hinote Head of School, Oak Hill School Administration Cindy Bozman Finance Manager Zonia Nunley Property Manager Carl Womack Food Service Director Lynn Elliott Pastor s Assistant Eric Skinner Communications Coordinator