January 12th, 2025 | Newsletter

Written By Emmanuel Presbyterian

  • 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, or 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 this 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 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

    Isaiah 43:1-7

    Psalm

    Psalm 29

    Second reading

    Acts 8:14-17

    Gospel

    Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

  • We are now scheduling liturgists for Jan. 1st through the Lenten season! It helps the worship committee

    to have several months scheduled at a time – so please help us fill in the blanks! We still need 1 more

    liturgist for January!

    Date | Pulpit | Liturgist | Notes |

    1.12.25 | Herring | Ginia W.

    1.19.25 | Herring |

    1.26.25 | Herring | Barb H.

    2.16.25 | Karen R.

    2.23.25 | Communion

    3.2.25

    3.9.25

    3.16.25

    3.23.25 | Barbara H. |

    3.30.25

    4.6.25 | | Communion

    4.13.25 | | Karen R.

    4.20.25 | | |

    4.27.25 | | |

    ————————

    Can this be your New Year’s Resolution?

    I will step out of my comfort zone and volunteer to be liturgist at least on one Sunday in 2025.

    Call or email Barb when you are ready at 615-473-3510 or epcbusiness9770@gmail.com

  •  Sunday, January 5, 2025 was our day to celebrate Epiphany together, to partake of the Lord’s

    Supper, and ordain and install new elders.

     We held Communion and participants were offered “star words.” Like last year, we chose a

    “star” upon which was written a word for your prayer practice this year.

     Last Sunday was also the final Sunday of the EPC Fundraiser spearheaded by the donated

    artwork by John D. We graciously accept and acknowledge the generosity of his gift.

  • Quotes about prayer:

    Worry is a conversation you have with yourself about things you cannot change. Prayer is a conversation

    you have with God about things He can change. – Unknown

    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.

  • Hebrews 6:11-12

    And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until

    the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit

    the promises.

    Hebrews 12:1-2

    Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that

    hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for

    us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him

    endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

  • Tax workshops:

    The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) created the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) free tax prep program to provide free tax preparation for low- to moderate-income taxpayers using community partners and volunteers. Each year, United Way volunteers help thousands of individuals and families prepare their taxes.

    Like in years past, United Way is using our sanctuary and church space to provide free income tax preparation for those qualifying. Last year the United Way tax workshops were highly successful. 160 of our neighbors were assisted with their federal income taxes We helped the return of more than $140,000 in net refunds to our community. Appointments can be made on Wednesdays from 1/29/2025 through 4/9/2025 between 1:00 pm and 6:15 pm. Help is also available on 3Saturdays in March, 03/01, 03/15 and 03/29, between 9:00 am and 12:45pm

    Reach out to Barb for additional information, how to register or other questions about this program.

  • Oasis

    About the Oasis Center:

    The Oasis Center, one of Nashville’s leading youth-serving organizations, provides a wide range of services that reflect the diverse needs of youth and their families. From crisis intervention and youth leadership to community engagement and college and career access, their 20+ programs are based on the foundation of four areas for youth success: Safety, Belonging, Empowerment and Generosity. The Oasis Center began in 1969 as a drop-in center for young people in crisis, offering safety and intervention to Nashville’s most vulnerable youth. It now provides hope, healing and support to over 4,000 youth and their families per year. For more information about the Oasis Center, please visit https://oasiscenter.org/. This Sunday is the last collection day for any requested cold weather items you have gathered up. The requested items are hand warmers, hats, gloves, blankets, and other weather-appropriate gear… Bring donated items to EPC by Jan 12 and they will get delivered to the Oasis Center building.There is a collection box for donated items outside the children’s classroom door. You are making a difference.

  • Fellowship:

    We’d like to offer a big hug and thanks to all who have provided snacks for our fellowship time each Sunday after service.

    The 2025 snack sign-up sheet has been posted on the table to the right as you enter the sanctuary. Slots are already being filled in….

    Please sign up.

  • 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.

  • The Covid bug is back, the flu bug, the cold virus…. 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. We urge everyone to remain vigilant in washing hands and wearing masks as you feel is appropriate.

  • WEATHER ALERT---

     I’m pretty sure we all know that snow is expected this weekend. If it’s bad or sort of bad…

     Look for an email by 8:30 am on Jan 12 from “Emmanuel” if no information has been previously

    shared.

     Text Jane if you have specific questions that have not been addressed.

    Ongoing:

     Communion every 1st Sunday

     Building Improvement Committee every first Sunday (2/2)

     Worship Committee Mtg every 2nd Sunday after service (1/12)

     Mission/Fellowship Committee Mtg every 3rd Sunday 9:30 am (1/19)

     Session Mtg every 3rd Monday after service (1/20)

    Upcoming:

     The last Sunday to bring winter items for Oasis is January 12.

     VITA/United Way tax assistance appointments start Wed Jan 29th. Spread the word.

    Please remember to check the “Events”, “Missions” and “Stewardship” bulletin boards in the hallway for ongoing information about these areas of activity at EPC.

    Also, don’t forget about the file system in the hallway for each committee where you can make suggestions to be considered by session for changes and improvement.

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

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

  • 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.

    • Infant care is available for those under 3.

    • We offer a “chat time ” in the classroom after service (11ish – noonish) for those over 10 who want some time to privately share what is on their mind.

    • We have two adults with the children and their safety and education is our top priority.

  • 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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January 19th, 2025 | Newsletter
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