February 28th, 2024 | Newsletter

• Reading for the Coming Week

  READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK Third Sunday in Lent (March 3, 2024)

  1. First reading

  1. Exodus 20:1-17

  2. Psalm

  1. Psalm 19

  3. Second reading

  1. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

  4. Gospel

  1. John 2:13-22

  • Every Wednesday night at 6:30, there will be a Lectio Divina which is comprised of short bible readings, contemplation and a time to listen to what has turned out in past times to be deep meaningful conversations. At 7 pm there will be a simple meal served. All are invited but please let Pastor Jane know if you plan to bring any food.

• Litergist's Schedule

  Litergical readers and schedule notes

  Date Pulpit Liturgist Notes

  3.3.24 Herring Sara or Greg B. Communion

  3.10.24 Herring Barbara D. Daylight Savings Time starts

  3.17.24 Herring Marilyn L. Assemble Goody Bags

  3.24.24 Herring Sara or Greg B. Presentations by Greg B. and by EPC children

  3.31.24 Herring Karen R. Easter

  4.7.24 Herring Sandra H Communion

  4.14.24 Herring Mark S.

  4.21.24 Herring Darrell H.

  4.28.24 Herring Karen R.

  5.5.24 Herring Ginia W. Communion

  5.12.24 Herring

  5.19.24 Herring

  5.26.24 Herring

  1. Thanks to all the liturgy volunteers!!!

  2. It is so nice to be able to give Pastor Jane and John advance notice of the liturgist schedule, it helps them so much in their service planning.

  3. We have 3 slots in May left to fill. Won’t you give it a try? – its fun, allows you to stretch yourself a little, helps interact with scripture in a different way and connect with God from a new perspective.

  4. If you wish to volunteer, please send an email to: epcbusiness9770@gmail.com or call 615-473-3510.

• The Joy Offering

  The amount collected for the Christmas Joy offering was $325.00. The mission committee thanks you for your generosity.

• Prayer & Praise

  Acts 2:21 (NIV)

  21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

  Quotes about prayer:

  God can handle your doubt, anger, fear, grief, confusion, and questions. You can bring everything to Him in prayer. - Rick Warren

  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

• Missions

  Red Cross

  Blood Drive update:

  We have had two very successful blood drives and we want to build on that momentum. There is an attachment of a Red Cross Blood Drive flyer you can share on the front page of this email.

  Date: May 31, 2024 (Friday) Time: Noon – 5:00 PM  Online sign up is now live:

  It is our fervent prayer that this ministry is a blessing to the rest of our EPC family and beyond. EPC prayer group

  Missions: 1. 2. 3. 4.

  go to: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time

  Key in zip code: 37221

  Click on: “Load more results” until you see May 31, 2024

  Click on : “Emmanuel Presbyterian Church” then choose your time slot

  We need

  collaborators for a variety of tasks in the months leading up to and on the day of the Blood drive, including:

  your ideas, we need your creativity, we need your networks. We are seeking

   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

  Tax Help:

   UnitedWay is using our sanctuary to provide free income tax preparation: January 31st – April 10th (for those making less than $70,000).

   Wednesdays only, by appointment 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM

   Call 615-206-7560 or go online to: Unitedwayfilefree.com

   Pass the word to others who might be interested

  3Nueva Vida:

  A request has come in for help from our Hispanic neighbors at Nueva Vida, a church we have partnered with in the past. They operate a food pantry that provides other necessities as well. Think of this as a Lenten “give to” item instead of a Lenten “give up” item. The following starred items are the most needed:

  *Diapers (both those for children and for adults) *Feminine hygiene products *Laundry detergent and fabric softener Cooking oil

  Rice *Red beans, black beans *Tortilla corn flour *Cornmeal

  Beds of all sizes

  Powdered milk

  Warm weather gear - coats/hats/gloves/warm socks

  There is a collection box outside the children’s classroom. Thank you so much for helping us meet this mission need.

  Finance: Financial Support:

  As you may have noticed from our lengthy Mission section, we are involved in many projects in multiple ways. Some of our funding comes from the budgeted mission or other committee funds and some of it comes through specially designated funds from members or previous members of our congregation. 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 of your check which mission you intend to support.

  If you are not able to attend worship service and still wish show your support for Emmanuel 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, although currently, this is not working, see below.

  In regards to the PayPal online donation function:

  We now have access to the PayPal account which was part of the problem, but we still must get the donation button function working again on our website. Frustrations and aggravations are duly noted. If it helps any, they are equally shared by others.

  Current donations should be made by

  mailing a check to the church or sending an online payment through your banking payment function. (Or in person, wink, wink)!

• Finance

  Financial Support:

  As you may have noticed from our lengthy Mission section, we are involved in many projects in multiple ways. Some of our funding comes from the budgeted mission or other committee funds and some of it comes through special designated funds from members or previous members of our congregation. 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 Center

  • EPC’s general fund is a separate category that can be supplemented to offset our deficit.

  Please note on the memo line of your check which mission you intend to support.

  If you are not able to attend worship service and still wish show your support for Emmanuel 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.**

• Fellowship

  Our upcoming fellowship activity will be the Supper of the Lamb. See below.

  Looking to Holy Week:

  Maundy Thursday Supper of the Lamb: We will gather at EPC on Maundy Thursday, March 28th at 6:30. John and Terry Denton provide lamb and we all bring side dishes and desserts. It is a beautiful time together and I encourage all to attend, truly a church family occasion. We break bread together, have a brief liturgy of prayers and readings, and share memories and stories. Just as Jesus gathered with his beloved disciples, we gather ourselves up in His presence to break bread and remember.

  Good Friday, March 29th at 6:30: We gather in the sanctuary for a quiet, contemplative service of Word, Prayer, and Lamentation, acknowledging the continuing ramifications of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ for the salvation of the world.

  Bring the burdens of your heart and put them upon the cross of Jesus Christ at this Good Friday service.

  This same cross will flower on Easter morning as we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord.

  Easter Sunday: We gather for our 10am Worship Service in great gladness to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Special music, the flowering cross, Easter tidings and treats.  Join us for fellowship and a fresh cup of coffee around the kitchen window! Thank you to the following:  March 3 – Terry and Ginia

   March 10 - Doug and Sue

   March 17 - Doug and Sue

   March 24 - ??

   March 31 - Karen and Fred

   If you would like to sign up, there is a sheet on the stand in back. Please pick a date that works for you. Thank you all so much for your willingness to serve.

• Communication

  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

• Calendar

  Ongoing:

  Worship Committee Mtg every 2nd Sunday after service Mission/Fellowship Committee Mtg every 3rd Sunday 9:30 am Session Mtg every 3rd Monday

  Prayer Service every Wednesday at EPC at 6pm

  Each Wednesday through April 10th – United Way tax prep workshops 1 pm – 6 pm. 2nd Thursday of each month (except for December) - Rug Hookers meet 10 am – 2 pm. Collecting Lenten “gifts of love” for the Nueva Vida community through end of March. Lectio Divina every Wednesday during Lent at 6 pm with a simple meal@ 6:30 pm.

  March 24: Palm Sunday March 28: Maunday Thursday March 29: Good Friday March 31: Easter

• 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.

  • Lent begins next week on Wednesday February 14th. Pastor Jane will offer a Lenten service complete with the marking of a cross on one’s forehead if you so choose. This is done as a way to pronounce the importance of Jesus Christ in your life.

  • After the Lenten service is complete, there will be a meal served and a short Lectio Divina which is comprised of short bible readings, contemplation and a time to listen to what has turned out in past times to be deep meaningful conversations. At 7 pm there will be a short simple meal served.

  • Please let Jane know if you are willing to bring one of the Lenten meals for sharing. You can reach her at 615.818.9727.

• Children's Education

  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 available for those under 3 and we offer a “chat time ” in a safe space for those 10 and over who want some time to share what is on their mind . We always have two adults with the children and their safety and education is our top priority.

  Special Note: There will be no “children’s church” on Sunday February 11th.

• Building & Grounds

  It’s almost time to start your indoor transplants if you are wanting to get an early start on your garden...

  I have organic seeds available for broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, green beans, peppers, spinach, and sweet corn. I also have carnival blend sweet peppers, eggplant, mixed color marigolds, and butterfly/hummingbird friendly flower mix. These are available to anybody who wants to plant them in our gardens, church person or not.

  Let me know if you want to reserve a plot for this year. We have several spoken for already.

• Slate Of Elders

  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