November 15th, Newsletter
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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
Proper 28 (33) (November 19, 2023)
• First reading and Psalm
o Judges 4:1-7
o Psalm 123
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
o Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18
o Psalm 90:1-8, (9-11), 12
• Second reading
o 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
• Gospel
o Matthew 25:14-30
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Liturgist’s Schedule:
You guys have really stepped up. Thank you so much. If someone will grab Dec. 10 we will have the rest of the year covered. To volunteer, please send an email to: epcbusiness9770@gmail.com or call 615-473-3510.
11.19 … Karen
11. 26 …Jan
12.3 … Ginia
12-10 … ______
12.17 … Diana
12.24 ….. Darrell
12.31….. Sandra
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Joy offering:
The Christmas Joy Offering, November 26 – December 24, has been a cherished Presbyterian tradition since the 1930s. It is the 4th of the yearly special collections that are received from individuals across the denomination. The Offering distributes gifts equally to the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and to Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. The Assistance Program provides critical financial support to church workers and their families. Presbyterian-related schools and colleges provide education and leadership development while nurturing racial and ethnic heritage. This has been a Presbyterian commitment for nearly 140 years.
If you are donating with a check, please put “Joy Offering” in the memo line.
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Pray as you can, not as you can’t. - Dom Chapman
Romans 8:26-27
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
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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Missions:
Oasis:
• We have chosen the Oasis Center to be the recipient of our Christmas giving this year. We’ll sponsor 3 families and will be following Oasis’ suggestion of gifting a $25 Dominoes card, $25 Kroger card & a $25 Amazon card per family. Oasis will pick the families.
• Oasis has also provided us with a list of winter items that would be most appreciated (see below). Sue has decorated the collection box and it is set up in the sanctuary. These items will be delivered just before Thanksgiving. Share your blessings, as you are able, with those less fortunate.
Requested winter Items: (any size)
• Hats, beanies, gloves, hand & foot warmers, blankets, jackets, coats, long-sleeved t-shirts, sweatshirts, jeans, leggings, chap-stick, and fast-food gift cards.
• The assembly of the goody bags will be done as part of the regular service on Dec 17. The delivery will be December 20th.
• If you wish to contribute to this mission, submit your contribution with “Oasis Project” in the memo line.
Maple Village:
• Bring pies for delivery to Maple Village on or by November 19; they will be delivered on Monday November 20th
We need help please! We have deliveries scheduled on Monday November 20th to both Oasis (winter items, goody bags) and Maple Village (pies). If you are available that Monday (mid?) morning, we could sure use some extra hands. Coordinate with Barb, Ginia or Faith if you can help.
Red Cross:
Volunteers needed – believe it or not, we are already planning for our annual Blood Donation Drive to be held in May 2024. We want to build on the last two years of successful Blood Drives and your help is needed. We are seeking volunteers 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 lend a hand, please contact Barb Halverstadt at 615-473-3510 or via email at epcbusiness9770@gmail.com
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Finance:
If you are in the habit of making year-end charitable donations, please consider giving to one of EPC’s ongoing missions:
• The Oasis project—our year-round, multifaceted mission to assist the Oasis Center with special needs as they arise and goody bags that are distributed to Nashville’s homeless youth.
• The Community Garden
• The Gateway to Higher Education Scholarship Fund
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.**
2024 Generosity/Stewardship Campaign:
The deadline for submitting your 2024 Pledge Card was October 29, 2023. If you wish to pledge and have not yet done so, please make your submission by emailing it to epcbusiness9770@gmail.com or epcgenerosity@gmail.com
• Thanks to all who pledged to support EPC for the upcoming year!
• Thanks to all who give to support EPC, whether the giving is pledged or not!
• Thanks to the many who give above and beyond their pledge to support missions, our youth, and all the many things that EPC does with and for our community!
• Thanks to the many who give of their precious resources of time and energy to maintain and improve our worship, facilities, and programs!
• And a special thank you to Pastor Jane for her insightful and inspirational messages each week.
Timeline for 2024 Budget Vote
• Nov. 20th – session to vote on budget
• Dec. 3rd – budget presented to congregation
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Fellowship:
• Karen and Fred have volunteered to bring snacks and goodies for our fellowship time after service next week. Thank you both. Check the sign up sheet that is located on the stand by the front door to see upcoming available dates.
• Also mark December 17 on your calendar as we share the holiday spirit with cookies and carols.
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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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Calendar:
Wednesday nights Prayer group 6 pm
November 20th: Deliver pies to Maple Village
Monday, November 20: Session meeting, 6:30 pm
Monday, November 20: Deliver requested items and gift cards to Oasis
November 26 – December 24: Joy offering collections
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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.
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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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Presenting Your Slate of Elders
Class of 2023
Theresa Denton, Worship and Polity & Procedure
Class of 2024
Ginia Wood, Fellowship and Mission
John Denton, Building and Grounds
Class of 2025
Greg Burlison, Personnel
Jan Russell
John Sevier, Director of Music