S M I T H S P R I N G S R D, N A S H V I L L E, T N From Pastor John: Annual Meeting January 21st

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1 P R I E S T L A K E P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H S M I T H S P R I N G S R D, N A S H V I L L E, T N Volume 07, No. 1 January 2007 The Breath From Pastor John: Friendships I have been thinking about friendships lately. Perhaps its in light of my recent trip to watch my college team (Wake Forest Class of 1983) play in the Orange Bowl and I reconnected with old college buddies. Maybe I have been thinking about friendships because, now, in my mid-forties, I am taking stock of where I place my energies and I realize I have overlooked the importance of friends in my life. Perhaps it is because I have been watching my sons who, like all adolescents and teenagers, recognize the absolute importance of friendships and maintain them through telephone and myspace.com. Perhaps I have started thinking about friendships because the Church rarely thinks and talks about the importance of friendships. We sing: What A Friend We Have in Jesus. We preach about providing hospitality to the stranger. It is Annual Meeting January 21st very clear to me that this church s future depends upon its ability to welcome the stranger and our emerging mission priorities and the Pastoral Nominating Committee s Church Information Form underlines the Join us for lunch, fellowship and to celebrate God s blessings in the events of the last year and to hear plans concerning the upcoming year. Session is providing the meat, we ask you to bring a side dish. importance of evangelism and welcoming people from our surrounding community. Our church profile also characterizes us as a friendly place. That is true. But, it is also true that in the increasingly socially isolated time in which we live, we overlook the importance of friendships in our lives. I think that this church and we as individuals could benefit from examining the importance of friendship. For the church, it would make us better equipped to welcome others; for ourselves the exercise could be life enriching. For at the heart of friendship is the practice of love that makes time and space sacred. Jesus asks his dear friends, his disciples: Who do you say that I am? (Mark 8:27). Close friends help affirm our identity and purpose. Beginning with Sunday, January 23 through February 11 our Sunday morning worship will focus upon the theme of friendship as this church gathers around scripture dealing with friendship. As we focus this time upon the nature of friendship, I hope you will take time to make new friends and reconnect with old friends. As the saying goes, one is silver, the other is gold. I would love to hear your stories. Inside this issue: In Christ, John From the Pastor 1 Worship Leader Sched- 2 January Lectionary 2 Project Joy Adopt a 3 Salt Shakers Potluck 4 Retreat 4 Christian Kitchen 4

2 Page 2 THE BREAT H January Schedule for Worship Leaders, Ushers, Greeters and Acolytes Jan. 07 Worship Leader - Frank Horton Acolytes Schedule Communion Prepare/Usher/Serve - Kathy Ware Jan Joey Mankoski Greet/Serve/Usher - Rick Laney Darla Horton - Joyce Hanson Usher/Serve/Cleanup - Jon Loudermilk Jan Ellen Dudek Serve Choir - George Harper Brooke Stuteville Jan. 14 Worship Leader - Nancy Loudermilk Jan Michaela Mosley Greeter/Usher - Earl Hutchison Savannah Loudermilk - Ronnie Brindley Usher - Boone Hutchison Jan Trey Allison - Zack Culp Dane Phillips Jan. 21 Worship Leaner - Allyson Carroll Feb Braxton Morton Greeter/Usher - Ray Anders Davis Hutchison - Linda Anders Usher - George Hansel - Shirley Hansel Jan. 28 Worship Leader - Bill Allen Greeter/Ushers - Barbara Norris - Florence Sass Usher - Marilyn McGovern - Tess Smith Feb. 04 Worship Leader - Bob Ware Prepare/Usher/Serve - Phil Hereford Greet/Serve/Usher - Shirley Hansel - Valerie Barton Usher/Serve/Cleanup - Phil McGovern Serve Choir - John Buwalda Jan. 07 (Baptism of the Lord) Jan. 21 (3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time) Isa. 43:1-7 Neh. 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 Psalm 29 Psalm 19 Acts 8:14-17 JANUARY LECTIONARY 1Cor. 12:12-31a Luke 3:15-17, Luke 4:14-21 With the busyness of Advent season now over, preparation is in the beginning stages for the upcoming Lenten season. Easter falls on April 8th in more calendar events and information will be published in next month s newsletter. Jan. 14 (2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time) Jan. 28 (4th Sunday in Ordinary Time) Isa. 62:1-5 Jer. 1:4-10 Psalm 36:5-10 Psalm 71:1-6 Cor. 12:1-11 Cor. 13:1-13 John 2:1-11 Luke 4:21-30

3 VOLUME 07, N O. 1 PROJECT JOY - ADOPT A BOX Page 3 This year the rental truck bound for Harlan, Kentucky was loaded with the most gift boxes ever - 822! Thanks be to God! These boxes for the children came from eighteen churches in Middle Tennessee (which includes PLPC), four individuals, and a preschool in Tullahoma. There were also monetary donations and donated items which enabled the Adopt-a-Box Team to fill over 100 boxes. Nancy and Dick Cardin, members of First Presbyterian, Nashville made a very generous donation in honor of Mrs. Cardin's parents, Sue and Beecher Cox, who were residents of Harlan County from Some of their donation was shared with the food boxes. Every year it is wonderful to have so many churches and individuals join with us to bring joy to the children. Along with the gift boxes, the truck contained many bags of donated stuffed animals, some of which were cleaned at no charge by Double D Cleaners. There were storybooks donated by two retired school teachers, Clata Miller and Neilah Hopper. Once again Terry Culp's sister, Pam Jones, filled 100 gallon size Zip-lock bags with school supplies for 5th-12th graders. Terry filled 50 gallon size Zip-lock bags with crayons, coloring books, etc. for the younger children. Randall House Bookstore in Nashville, where Earl Hutchison contacted Wendy Walker, donated Christian storybooks. The Sanford Pen Company came through once again with large boxes of school supplies. Twenty-one donated backpacks were filled with items by the Adopt-a-Box Team. Needless to say, the truck was almost bulging. Many thanks to all those on the Adopt-a-Box Team who spent many hours working on the boxes - Carolyn Saddler, Tess and Dave Smith, Nick DaGiau, Jennie Harper, and Margaret Newton. Thanks also to those who wrapped - Joyce Hanson, Bonnie Shaybell, and Myla Witten (Wes' mom), and to those who picked up gift boxes - Jennie and George Harper, Bill Higgins, Earl Hutchison, and Fred Dahlman. Thanks, also, to Crystal Caviness and Terry Culp who located empty shoe boxes, to Leesa Fields' sister, Sally Giberti, who knitted many beautiful caps and scarves, to Stuart Smothers who arranged for the purchase of Bibles from Thomas Nelson, and to everyone who filled a gift box. On November 4th we began handling out gift boxes at 7:00 a.m. Many thanks to all who helped that day - Carolyn and Leonard Saddler, Tess and Dave Smith, Myla Witten, Savannah Loudermilk, and Jessica Donnell. The Adopt-a-Box Team and I thank everyone at PLPC and all our wonderful partners for reaching out to the children in an around Harlan. Belle Dahlman Participating Churches in Adopt-A-Box by Belle Dahlman Our thanks to the following churches and one preschool who participated in Adopt-a-Box In Nashville: Glencliff Presbyterian Smyrna Church, Byrdstown Hillwood Presbyterian The Learning Place Preschool, Tullahoma The Older Adult Ministry Group at First Presbyterian The Lord's Friendly Mission Church In Middle Tennessee Brick Church Presbyterian, Pulaski Buffalo Valley, West Putnam Parish Calvary Presbyterian of Big Lick, Crossville First Presbyterian, Columbia First Presbyterian, Gallatin First Presbyterian, Lawrenceburg First Presbyterian, Lebanon First Presbyterian, Lewisburg First Presbyterian, Springfield Liberty Hill Presbyterian, Alexandria Milldale Presbyterian, Springfield Normandy Presbyterian, Normandy Smyrna Church, Byrdstown The Learning Place Preschool, Tullahoma

4 Page 4 THE BREAT H Confirmation Class Confirmation Class will be getting underway in the later part of January. This class is open to all youth in 7th grade and up. So far we have 4 young people signed up to participate and we have 4 wonderful mentors lined up to work with them. Christian Kitchen As an important part in the life of the church family we want to provide meals in times of need. We will need a coordinator and lots of volunteers so no one is overlooked. Take a Hike!! Valentine Cover Dish Lunch Men of Church will be having a lunch following worship on February 10th. The men of the church will need to bring one dish for their sweetheart, meat will be provided by MOC. Please add this group to your individual prayers as they take another step in their individual faith journeys. It is an important time in the life of these young people, their mentors and in the life of PLPC. Thanks be to God for our youth and mentors and for the gifts that they each possess! Retreat Encourages New Perspectives John McClure, Preaching Professor at Vanderbilt Divinty School, is leading this year s Men s Retreat at NaCoMe on Friday night and Saturday, January His retreat topic, Understanding the Emerging Church will seek to engage participants in thinking about a new way of being faithful and Christian as the 21st century unfolds. Chip Andrua of our denomination s Office of Theology and Please contact Gloria Kimbro at if you can step in to help with this important project. Worship describes Emerging Worship as any practice of worship that is expressive, faithful to tradition, and attentive to local context. John McClure will help us think through how to invite a new generation of Christians and seekers into experiences in worship and Christian community. John Hilley is attending the retreat and would like to invite other men at PLPC to join him. The cost of the retreat is $60. Contact John if you are interested in attending. Each weekday morning, a small but dedicated group gathers in our fellowship hall to walk. Everyone is welcome to come and to bring friends. If you can t come, do you know someone who might like to walk? We now have members who first were introduced to the church by walking. Walt Litaker opens the gym about 8:15 am each day so come and join in. Salt Shakers Potluck On January 27th at 6:00 P. M. we will gather in the conference room for a get-together to start the New Year! Please plan to join us for the evening of fun and fellowships. All adults are welcome, so come and bring your friends.

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6 Primary Business Address 2787 Smith Springs Road Nashville, TN Phone: org We re on the Web: www. priestlakepresbyterian.org