December 27th, Newsletter
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First reading
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Psalm
Psalm 148
Second reading
Galatians 4:4-7
Gospel
Luke 2:22-40
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12.31….. Sandra
Start the new year off by trying something different - We are now seeking liturgists for January and February, 2024. If you wish to volunteer, please send an email to Barb at or call 615-473-3510.
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Please plan to stay for a brief congregational meeting after service on December 31st.
This meeting will address the following topics:
1) To approve changes in Rev. Herring’s terms of call
2) To elect a nominating committee for elder elections for the class of 2026
3) To present the budget as approved by the session
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The amount collected for the Christmas Joy offering was $325.00. The mission committee thanks you for your generosity.
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Psalm 145:17-19
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
Prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God. -Teresa of Avila
You are invited…
The EPC prayer group is a small but dedicated group that meets on Wednesday evenings from roughly 6-7pm. It is a time to open your heart to offer God the praise and prayers of our congregation and those of your own. Barb sends out email requests for any prayers you would like lifted up in the belief that all prayers matter, all prayers are important and all prayers will be heard.
All prayers are kept confidential unless you specify otherwise.
If your request is private or sensitive, you may request that your prayer be limited to Pastor Jane and Barbara. Confirmation emails will be sent affirming that your request was lifted.
As a small church, offering praise and prayers for those who are struggling, no matter the reason, sends a powerful message about the love we share and express for each other. If you feel called to do so, come join us on Wednesday night at 6.
It is our fervent prayer that this ministry is a blessing to the rest of our EPC family and beyond.
EPC prayer group
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Joy offering: The amount collected for the Christmas Joy offering was $325.00. The mission committee thanks you for your generosity.
Red Cross:
Partners needed – believe it or not, it takes a small village to host a successful Blood Drive. We are already planning for our 3rd annual Blood Donation Drive to be held in May 2024. We have had two very successful blood drives and we want to build on that momentum. We need your ideas, we need your creativity, we need your networks. We are seeking collaborators for a variety of tasks in the months leading up to and on the day of the Blood drive, including:
People with social media savvy to help make a plan for getting the word out;
People with creative skills to help develop flyers, messaging, and thank you tokens;
People with extensive networks that can help recruit donors;
People willing to help on the day of the drive to check in donors, make sure donors are offered thank you tokens, help place signage and help with clean up. If you are willing to be a partner in this meaningful mission work, please contact Barb Halverstadt at 615-473-3510 or via email at epcbusiness9770@gmail.com
Other Mission News:
Crossroads Campus, a Nashville ministry whose stated mission is “Transforming lives by creating opportunities for individuals facing poverty and homelessness to care for homeless dogs and cats.”
We believe in the healing power of the human-animal bond.
Crossroads Campus. Where people and animals connect.
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If you are planning to make a year-end charitable donation, please consider giving to one of EPC’s ongoing missions:
The Oasis project – our year-round, multi-faceted mission to assist the Oasis Center with special needs as they arise and goody bags that are distributed to Nashville’s homeless youth ages 18-24;
The Community Garden
The Gateway to Higher Education Scholarship Fund
Or to
EPC’s general fund (to help offset our deficit)
Financial Support:
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.
**We are currently having a problem with the online donation function. We hope to have it corrected as soon as possible. Any year-end donations should be made by mailing a check to the church or sending an online payment through your banking payment function.**
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Stick around after church on Jan 7th, (maybe) and help us take down ornaments, building decorations and take the tree to the pavilion.
Many hands make light work, many mouths make fun work.
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Communication:
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 it there, try the options below.
• Visits with Pastor Jane Herring must be by appointment.
• Reach out to Pastor Jane on her church phone (call/text) 615-818-9727 or email at janemherring@gmail.com about what it means to be baptized, to be confirmed in the church (if you have already been baptized), to join the church or any other questions you might have.
• General EPC email can be sent to epcnashville@gmail.com (be aware that multiple people have access to this email account.
• If you ever have any questions about anything dealing with EPC’s finances or other business topics, email your question or request to epcbusiness9770@gmail.com
• Email announcements for the Sunday bulletin to janemherring@gmail.com
• Email Information or corrections for the weekly newsletter to frhanchey@gmail.com
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January Calendar:
December 31: Congregational meeting directly after service
January 7: Communion Sunday
January 7: Undress and remove Christmas tree and building ornaments
January 14: Worship committee meeting after church
January 21: Fellowship/Mission/Congregational Care committee meeting, 9:30 am
January 22: Session meeting, 6:30 pm
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Christian Education:
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.
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Children’s Services:
At Emmanuel we offer a “kid’s message” during the early part of the worship service, followed by a “children’s church” in the kid’s classroom for those up to 10 years old or still in elementary school. The message is a short story that usually has some sort of lesson related to it and in children’s church we usually discuss the story in more depth and follow it with a craft or activity that helps the story (and the lesson!) sink in. A nursery is also available for those under 3. We always have two adults with the children and their safety and education is our top priority.
Special Note: The children’s church program for ages 3-10 will return on Sunday January 21st.
Special Note: There will not be any kids message reading or children’s worship service offered on December 24th as both teachers will be out of town.
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Thrift (pink spring flowering ground-cover) is available to anyone who wants it.
It has been dug up and is on the ground under the tree by the front office window.
There is plenty, help yourself or your friend or your neighbor.
Orange Tiger lily (?) bulbs are also available.
Let Faith know this week if you are interested.
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Class of 2023
Theresa Denton, Worship and Polity & Procedure
Jan Russell,
Class of 2024
Ginia Wood, Fellowship and Mission
John Denton, Building and Grounds
Class of 2025
Greg Burlison, Personnel
John Sevier, Director of Music
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The poinsettias that graced our altar last Sunday were given by the following members of Emmanuel Presbyterian Church
In memory of Pete Halverstadt by Barb Halverstadt
In memory of John G. Doak, Sr. Barb Halverstadt
In memory of Hugh Halverstadt Barb Halverstadt
In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Clements Barb Halverstadt
In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Doak Barb Halverstadt
In memory of Patrick Hilliard Barb Halverstadt
In memory of Austin Hanchey Faith Hanchey
In memory of Matt Wieland Faith Hanchey
In memory of my parents: Jim and Ruth Rawlins Faith Hanchey
In memory of our parents: MJane Kelush, and Doug and Sue Hill
Richard and Mary V. Stanton
In memory of Norris Hoover Anne Kardenetz
In memory of Jerry Stuth Kerri, Derrick and Chloe
In memory of Michael Ross Rosenberg Fred & Karen Rosenberg
In memory of Terry Russell Janet Russell
In memory of Clarine Payne Janet Russell