November 29th, Newsletter
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• First reading
o Isaiah 64:1-9
• Psalm
o Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
• Second reading
o 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
• Gospel
o Mark 13:24-37
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Litergist’s Schedule:
The rest of 2023 is now covered, thanks to all who serve! We are now seeking liturgists for January 2024. If you wish to volunteer, please call 615-473-3510 or send an email to: epcbusiness9770@gmail.com
11.19 … Karen
11. 26 …Jan
12.3 … Ginia
12-10 … Barb
12.17 … Diana
12.24 ….. Darrell
12.31….. Sandra
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Joy offering:
: PC(USA) collects offering to help church's past, present and future leaders
LOUISVILLE
The Rev. Nikki Cooley and Sharon Connole-Key at First Presbyterian Church in Liberty, Missouri. —Photo courtesy Nikki Cooley
Helping our fellow humans improves the health, happiness and often the longevity of those who volunteer. However, the blessing can work both ways, as Sharon Connole-Key can attest as both a recipient of and donor to the Christmas Joy Offering.
“The experience of receiving generosity has empowered me to do for others,” Connole-Key says. Battling advanced thyroid cancer since 2001, she was facing the growing medical bills that come with treating long-term diseases. Like so many Americans, she didn’t know where to turn. “No one should have to choose between food and medicine.”
Sharon sought counsel from her pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Liberty, Missouri. “It is hard to ask for help,” says Connole-Key. Together they found help through the Board of Pensions matching grant and the Income Supplement and Housing Supplement programs, funded by the Christmas Joy Offering.
“This is more than a physical blessing, but a deeply spiritual one for me,” says Connole-Key. Retired after serving as a lay worker for 24 years, she considers her gift a blessing to be shared. “I believe in paying forward by giving and tithing to the Christmas Joy Offering to help someone else. It is truly a gift from God.
”If you are donating with a check, please put “Joy Offering” in the memo line
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Hebrews 5:7
7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
The whole reason why we pray is to be united into the vision and contemplation of God to whom we pray. - Julian of Norwich
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.
*2024 Budget will be presented to the congregation for a vote on Dec 17th
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• We enjoy snacks and fellowship each Sunday after service. If you are able to provide goodies at this time, you will be showered with virtual hugs and kisses, maybe even real ones! Check the sign-up sheet by the front door to see available dates.
• Sunday, December 3 we will have the opportunity to bond over some good natured fun while we come together to decorate our Christmas Tree. Plan to stay after church to get things set up “just right”!
• Also mark Sunday 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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December 3 – December 24: Joy offering collections
December 3: Communion Sunday, First Sunday of Advent, Service of Worship and Lighting of the Advent Wreath, 10 am
December 3: Stay and decorate the Christmas tree after service.
December 6: Wednesday evening contemplative Advent practice, 6-7 pm
December 10: Worship committee meeting after church
December 10: Second Sunday of Advent, Service of Worship and Lighting of the Advent Wreath, 10am
December 13: Wednesday evening Blue Christmas Service of Hope and Healing, 6-7pm
December 16: Saturday Advent Workshop with Dean Victor Judge on Claire Keegan’s Small Things Like These, 9-2 (RSVP to Jane for lunch).
December 17: Third Sunday of Advent, Service of Worship and Lighting of the Advent Wreath, 10 am
December 17: Fellowship/Mission/Congregational Care committee meeting, 9:30 am
December 17: Assembly of Goody bags during worship service
December 17: Cookies and Carols after service, bring some to eat and some for Maple Village.
December 17: Cookie delivery to Maple Village
December 18: Session meeting, 6:30 pm
December 20: Wednesday evening contemplative Advent practice, 6-7 pm
December 24: Fourth Sunday of Advent, Service of Worship and Lighting of the Advent Wreath, and Lessons and Carols, 10 am.
December 24: Sunday evening Candlelight Christmas Eve service of Christmas Readings and Song, 4:30 pm
December 25: Christmas morning (Monday) brief, contemplative service and lighting of the Christ candle on the Advent Wreath, 8-8:30am, coffee and breakfast items served at 8:40am
January 1: Happy New Year, 2024
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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.
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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
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