January 5th, 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 – Jeremiah 31:7-14 OR Sirich 24:1-12

    Psalms -- 147:12-20 OR Wisdom of Solomon 10:15-21

    Ephesians -- 1:3-14

    Gospel – John 1:(1-9), 10-18

  • Litergical readers and schedule notes

    Date | Pulpit | Liturgist | Notes |

    12.22.24 | Herring | Darrell H.

    12.29.24 | Herring | Sandra H.

    1.5.25 | Herring | Jan R. | Communion

    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

  • The Nativity Story, Fairview style

    A picture is worth 1000 words…

    Thank you to ALL of those who made this wonderful story come to life. What a memorable day!

    If you missed it, this is SOOO worth watching.

    The recorded version can be found on YouTube Search for epcnashville 12/29/24Mary and Joseph make their trek into Fairview. Mary is VERY pregnant. Joseph is just nervous and confused. Then the angel talked to Mary through the radio…and they both affirm their faith in what’s to come. Mary and Joseph, finding no place to stay, wind up at the local WalMart. The Star of Fairview shines brightly over the parking lot. Animals began to gather…The friendly Wal Mart employees help them get comfortable, providing pickles and ice cream while Mary waits…and waits.

    Finally, Baby Dijon, the long awaited child, bursts onto the scene.

    An angel appears to welcome the child and to spread the good news.

    Following the star, the stray dogs of Fairview send a representative to welcome the new babe.Not to be left out, the stray cats send a representative too.

    The truck driving buddies converge to the WalMart break room to bring gifts to the new mother. Two area musicians show up as well bringing gifts of gold, a fancy guitar and some sweet smelling goodies to share with the new parents

    The new family is urged by the angel to take refuge at the little church on hwy 96 to get some rest before the journey home.

  • 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

    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

    Scripture

    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.

  • Oasis

    Thank you, EPC, for supporting our Oasis Ministry. A request has gone out for winter items, see list below.

    Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we have received plenty of coats and jackets. However, we are still in need of hand warmers, hats, gloves, blankets, and other weather-appropriate gear… You can also view our Amazon wish lists.

    Any donated items can be brought 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.

    Financial Support for EPC:

    Sunday, January 5th is the final day to purchase John

    Denton’s artwork.

    Thank you, John for such a beautiful way to support EPC.

    And thank you to those who have purchased items with

    $490 raised for EPC so far!

    Samples are pictured to the left and below..

    Call it what you will, for a small church we are involved in many different local ministries, missions or outreach programs 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.Mission Funding:

    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.

  • 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.

  • Ongoing:

    •  Communion every 1st Sunday

    •  Building Improvement Committee every first Sunday (1/5)

    •  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:

    • January 5 is the last Sunday to purchase artwork from John Denton.

    • January 12 is the last Sunday to bring winter items for OasisPlease 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.

  • December 19: Delivering Christmas cookies to Maple Village. See Ginia for details.

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

    December 25: Christmas Morning Service, 8am

    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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