December 11th, 2024 | Newsletter

Written By Emmanuel Presbyterian

  • *It’s Stewardship Season

    Stewardship: November 10th – November 24th

    Tithing is an act of GRATITUDE.

    There is one thing that is consistently expressed by people who have a contented and confident relationship with their financial situation. Surprisingly, it is not how much money they have, It is a grateful heart. When they focus on sharing their treasure, their time and their talents, they take the focus off of themselves and instead begin to focus outwardly on others. This shift in focus cultivates a grateful heart and illuminates the blessings they have in their lives. When they chose to live a joyful generous life, then, and only then, can they really thrive. Don’t wait until you have enough – start now! God blesses this obedience and discipline with a grateful heart; with a world that will get larger rather than smaller.

    Welcome Visitors!

    We are excited to call your attention to, and encourage you, to visit our upgraded website! Go to www.epcnashville.com or www.epcnashville.org for all your questions. Cut and paste one of these sites in your browser. If you can’t find your answers there, try the options below:

    janemherring@gmail.com – Reach out to Pastor Jane on her church phone (call/text) 615- 818-9727 or at her email about what it means to be baptized, to be confirmed in the church (if you have already been baptized), to join

    the church or for answers to any other questions you might have.

    epcnashville@gmail.com - General EPC email can be sent to this site (be aware that multiple people have access to this email account).

    epcbusiness9770@gmail.com - If you ever have any questions about anything dealing with EPC’s finances or other business topics, email your question or request here.

    janemherring@gmail.com - Email announcements for the Sunday bulletin here.
    frhanchey@gmail.com - Email Information or corrections for the weekly newsletter here.

    frhanchey@gmail.com – Send questions about the outdoor gardens or children’s education/programming here.

    Inquirers of all ages:

     Please reach out to Pastor Jane about what it means to be baptized, to be confirmed in the church (if you have already been baptized) or to join the church.

  • First reading -- Zephaniah 3:14-20

    Psalm -- Isaiah 12:2-6

    Second reading -- Philippians 4:4-7

    Gospel -- Luke 3:7-18

  • Litergical readers and schedule notes

    Date | Pulpit | Liturgist | Notes |

    12.15.24 | Herring | Karen R.

    12.22.24 | Herring | Darrell H.

    12.29.24 | Herring | Sandra H.

    1.5.25 | Herring | | Communion

    1.12.25 | Herring |

    1.19.25 | Herring |

    1.26.25 | Herring | Barb H.

    Thank you to those of you who serve as liturgists. If you wish to volunteer as liturgist, send an email to epcbusiness9770@gmail.com or call 615-473-3510.

  • Invitation to Prayer Group services:

    •   Prayer is the life blood of our relationship with God.

    •   Prayer is the mechanism by which we grow and mature as followers of Christ.

    •   Prayer is the place of solace in grief, celebration in joy and sharing without fear.

    •   Prayer is often solitary and there is great joy in that “alone time” with God.

    •   Prayer is also communal, building our relationships with each other and God simultaneously.

    •   Please come pray with us – 6:00 PM each Thursday night for an hour (or so).

     Submit your prayer requests to: EPCprayers97@gmail.com by 5:00 PM each Thursday Scripture:

    2 Thessalonians 3:5

    May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

    Quotes about prayer:

    I have lived to thank God that not all my prayers have been answered. ~~ Jean Ingelow Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers. ~~ Garth Brooks

  • Joy Offering

    The Joy Offering will be collected from December 1 - December 22. The Joy offering collected to date for 2024 -- $125.00

    These funds provide assistance to current and retired church workers in their time of need and develops our future leaders at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color.

    Oasis

    Hello!

    Thank you for kicking off the holidays season by shopping and cooking for our community meal last week! Your time was a huge gift and helped our staff focus on other needs for young people. Your donations also helped us spend our dollars on items they might need this winter.

    Thank you! If you are interested in volunteering to help with meals in future, we’d love your support.

    We serve lunch in our Outreach Center, and volunteers are the only reason we are able to serve about 100 meals per week. The calendar with dates and more info as well as our most needed items for winter are also found at www.oasiscenter.org.

    If you are interested in other ways to get involved, please visit our volunteer page, sign up for our newsletter at bottom, or email me.

    I hope you have a wonderful, restful and warm holiday season! Felisha C. Baquera
    Community and Corporate Relations Manager

    Oasis Center
    1704 Charlotte Ave STE 200 Nashville, TN 37203-9960 oasiscenter.org
    Direct Dial: 615.983.6887 Main office: 615.327.4455 Fax: 615.329.1444

  • It’s Stewardship Season:

     Utmost THANKS from the Treasurer for your pledges. If you haven’t submitted yours yet, please email them to: Epcbusiness9770@gmail.com as soon as you can.

    Financial Support for Missions:

    Call it what you will, for a small church we are involved in many different local ministries, missions or outreach programs.
    Funding for these giving programs come from various places, one of these places is you!

    If you would like to donate additional funds for a specific program, checks can be made to the following ongoing missions of EPC.

    Community Garden
    Gateway to Higher Education Scholarship Crossroads Campus
    Maple Village
    Special Music Ministry events
    Oasis

    Please note on the memo line which mission your check is meant to support.

    Financial Support for EPC:

    If you are not able to attend worship service and still wish show your support for Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, you can contribute in the following ways:

    •   Online–send an electronic payment, your bank can help you set this up if you have questions.

    •   By Mail – our mailing address is EPC, 9770 Hwy 96, Nashville, TN 37221

    •   Through EPC’s website www.epcnashville.com or www.epcnashville.org Simply click on the “GIVE” button, then the “donate” button, to donate via PayPal or debit/credit card. This can be a one-time donation or can be set up as a monthly donation.

  •  Join us after worship service for fellowship, snacks and fresh cup of coffee!
     There is a sign-up sheet by the front door if you wish to help.

     Our Thanksgiving pot luck dinner is this Sunday after church service.
     The list to the right is a copy of the sign-up sheet for thanksgiving dinner, whatever else you want to bring will be just fine.

  • The Covid bug is back. Masks and hand sanitizer remain available at the front entrance to use as desired. Be aware of your health and consider others in all you do.

    Share the Love, Show your Support! Now taking pre-orders for EPC T-shirts! Details below. Offering Gildan Heavy Cotton Unisex t-shirts

    5.3 oz./yd2 (US) 8.8 oz./L yd (CA), 100% cotton

    •   Innovation you can feel. Made with 100% U.S. cotton and the latest breakthrough in soft cotton technology, the Gildan® Heavy Cotton family has been remastered for improved printability, quality and comfort you can see and feel.

    •   Classic fit

    •   Rib collar

    •   Taped neck and shoulders for comfort and durability

    •   Tear away label

    •   Proud member of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol

  • December 8 – Congregational Meeting after worship to elect ENC 2024

    December 5 – Advent Outing! 100th Anniversary of Downtown Pres Waffle Shop!

    Leave EPC at 10am. Talk to Ginia for details.

    SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 9AM – Thoughts in Solitude by Thomas Merton

    Sunday Dec 1: Introduction to Thomas Merton by Pastor Jane

    *Dec 2 – Dec 7 (for Sunday School Dec 8) Reading: Part 1, Chapters 1-6 (approx. 30 pages) Theme: Hope and Waiting in Silence

    *Dec 9 – Dec 14 (for Sunday School Dec 15) Reading: Part 1, Chapters 7-12 (approx. 30 pages) Theme: Peace in the Wilderness

    *Dec 16 – Dec 21(for Sunday School Dec 22) Reading: Part 2, Chapters 1-6 (approx. 30 pages) Theme: Joy in Simplicity

    *Dec 23 – Dec 28 (for Sunday School Dec 29) Reading: Part 2, Chapters 7-12 (approx. 30 pages) Theme: Love Made Manifest

    Thursdays in December – We gather for contemplative silence, reading, and prayer every Thursday at 6pm by ZOOM. Link to come by email.

    Saturday, December 14 – 10am to 2pm - Advent Workshop with Victor Judge on the    life and work of Thomas Merton. RSVP for lunch, please. janemherring@gmail.com

    The Advent Daily Devotional Readings will be sent out by email on Nov. 29. Pastor Jane will print a copy for you, if you like.

    Blue Christmas Service of Hope and Healing is December 11th  at 6pm – As much as Christmas is a time of joy, it is also a difficult time. Sorrows and Losses are part of this season of togetherness too. Come, let us present out needs to the Lord together.

    Candlelight Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols, December 24th at 4:30pm – Come hear the sacred story of old and sing the songs of joy and thanks. Go into the Holy Night ahead with candlelight, prayer, and song.

    Christmas Morning Service, December 25 at 8am – Let us gather around the manger for a simple Service of Communion.          Hot cinnamon rolls, coffee, and tea serve.

  • Starting December 1:
    Sundays in December at 9 AM (not 9:15 as previously stated) in the adult classroom –

    Thoughts in Solitude by Thomas Merton. The reading schedule for December is below. Sunday Dec 1: Introduction to Thomas Merton by Pastor Jane

    Sunday Dec 8: *Dec 2 – Dec 7 (for Sunday School) Reading: Part 1, Chapters 1-6 (approx. 30 pages) Theme: Hope and Waiting in Silence

    Sunday Dec 15: Dec 9 – Dec 14 (for Sunday School) Reading: Part 1, Chapters 7-12 (approx. 30 pages) Theme: Peace in the Wilderness

    Sunday Dec 22: *Dec 16 – Dec 21 (for Sunday School) Reading: Part 2, Chapters 1-6 (approx. 30 pages) Theme: Joy in Simplicity

    Sunday Dec 29: *Dec 23 – Dec 28 (for Sunday School) Reading: Part 2, Chapters 7-12 (approx. 30 pages) Theme: Love Made Manifest

    Thursdays in December at 6 pm – We gather for contemplative silence, reading, and prayer every Thursday at 6pm by ZOOM to practice “being alone with God together.”

    •   Prayer time will last 20 minutes and will include short readings, short prayers, and short periods of silence (6:05 to 6:25).

    •   Zoom will open at 5:50 and prayer will begin promptly at 6:05.

    •   Feel free to sign on at any time between 5:50 and 6:45, but plan to have your microphone

      OFF from 6:05 to 6:25.

    •   The prayer time will not be interactive, but you are welcome to stay on the Zoom meeting

      after the 20 minutes of prayer for conversation and visiting.

    •   Copy/Paste this web address to Join Zoom Meeting

    •   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88575599276?pwd=Zf8uQMdSnES8StJzq53LIWvDwLGRua.1

    •   Or Use the Meeting ID: 885 7559 9276 and Passcode: 787818

    Saturday, December 14 from 10am to 2pm - Advent Workshop with Victor Judge on the life and work of Thomas Merton. RSVP for lunch, please. janemherring@gmail.com

    The Advent Daily Devotional Readings were sent out by email on Nov. 29. Pastor Jane will print a copy for you, if you like.

    Advent starts December 1.

    •   There will be a reading schedule for the book Thoughts in Solitude by Thomas Merton.

    •   There will be an Advent Workshop with Victor Judge on the life and work of Thomas Merton on Saturday, December 14 from 10am – 2pm.

    •   RSVP to Jane for lunch janemherring@gmail.com if you plan to attend.

    •   Meetings and discussion will be in the adult classroom on Sundays in December at 9:10am

      And there’s this...

      You are invited! Join in the fun and celebrate the Centennial Waffle Shop at Downtown Pres. Date and time: Thursday, December 5 · 11am - 2pm CST

      Cost: $17.85 in advance and $20.00 at the door. Tickets can be purchased by pasting the following site in your browser. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/waffle-shop-centennial-tickets- 1063374073479?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios

    Location: Downtown Presbyterian Church 154 Rep. John Lewis Way North Nashville, TN 37219 Refund Policy: Refunds up to 7 days before event Eventbrite's fee is nonrefundable.
    Each Waffle Shop Ticket will include:

    •   a waffle breakfast! Enjoy waffles, grits, a choice of Hattie B's (hot or mild) chicken, Puckett's country bacon, or turkey hash made from the original Waffle Shop recipe, and your choice of Frothy Monkey coffee or spiced tea.

    •   a guided tour of The Downtown Presbyterian Church's historic Egyptian Revival sanctuary

    •   an organ recital and Christmas carol singalong

    •   the opportunity to shop at the church’s holiday gift shop! Selections include homemade baked goods, handmade crafts, and more!

    •   a chance to bid on wonderful items at the Silent Auction including hotel stays, gift cards to downtown shops and restaurants, original artwork, much more!

      Parking:
      FREE parking will be available in LOT B of Nissan Stadium. Please enter the parking lot from Interstate Drive as your ingress. Attendants at the entrances on that side will assist with parking directions. There will be an Old Town Trolley that will shuttle Waffle Shop attendees to and from the church. A sign will be in the lot indicating the shuttle pick-up spot.

      Fundraiser:

      Most importantly, each ticket is a contribution to DPC's Fish & Loaves ministry! This outreach ministry assists those in our local Nashville community who need food and essentials. All proceeds from this fundraiser will go directly to the Fish and Loaves ministry at The Downtown Presbyterian Church.

    Thank you to this year's sponsors:

    Hattie B’s Hot Chicken

    Frothy Monkey
    The Contributor

    Old Town Trolley
    Sir Speedy Music City

    Ugly Bagel

    Puckett’s Grocery Truist Bank
    Goo Goo Cluster

    Ongoing:

    •   Communion every 1st Sunday

    •   Building Improvement Committee every first Sunday (1/1)

    •   Worship Committee Mtg every 2nd Sunday after service (12/8)

    •   Mission/Fellowship Committee Mtg every 3rd Sunday 9:30 am

      (12/15)

    •   Session Mtg every 3rd Monday after service (12/16)

      Upcoming:

    YOUTH SIZES $11.00 each

    2-4 (YXS) 6-8 (YS) 10-12 (YM) 14-16 (YL)

    •   November 24th – ongoing submission of pledge cards for 2025, never too late!

    •   December 5: Waffle Shop Centennial Celebration at Downtown Pres. 11am - 2pm

    •   December 8: Congregational meeting after service to elect elder nominating committee

    •   December 11: Blue Christmas service of hope and healing, 6 pm

    •   December 14: Advent Workshop with Victor Judge, 10-2 pm. RSVP to Jane for lunch.

    •   December 15: Deadline for prepaid T-shirt orders.

    •   December 24: Candlelight Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols, 4:30pm.

    •   December 25: Christmas Morning Service, 8am

    *The bulletin boards are continuously being changed. Don’t forget to check them out for updates and ongoing activities.

  • 9am Sunday School.

    • *During service last week we had a special presentation for the youth who went to Montreat last summer.

      • * Pictures from their week at camp were lovingly placed into book form.

        * Teddy, Jefferson and Annalease received their own copy, as did Scott and Barb.

        One copy has also been placed in the EPC library. Well done. Thank you.

  • Thanks to the Rosenbergs and the Beautification and Improvements Committee (formerly the committee known as Building and Grounds), we have a wonderful new focal point to our front garden.

    The wrought iron artwork mirrors the circular stained glass window in the front of the church. These circles, and the circle on the cross that hangs at the front of our sanctuary, bear the ancient Christian symbology of "no end and no beginning," reminding us of the eternal nature of God's love.

    Also, though you can’t see them well in this picture, thank you to Richard and Diana for the beautiful entranceway to the sanctuary.

  • Class of 2024

    Ginia Wood, Fellowship and Mission

    John Denton, Building and Grounds

    Class of 2025

    Greg Burlison, Personnel

    John Sevier, Director of Music

    Class of 2026

    Theresa Denton, Worship and Polity & Procedure

    Jan Russell

Emmanuel Presbyterian
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December 18th, 2024 | Newsletter
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