March 27, 2022 (Gratitude Sunday)
Scripture: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Sermon: Generosity: Grounded in Gratitude, Chris Joiner
Hymns:
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound
God of Compassion, in Mercy Befriend Us
We will ordain and install the Elder Class of 2024 (Michael Anderson, Christopher Jones, Jennifer Sower, Hunter Battle, Sam Webb) this Sunday at our Joint Worship Service at 10 AM. Sunday School will begin at 9 AM and the Celebration Luncheon will begin at 11 AM.
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The Session of FPC, Franklin met Sunday, March 20 for its regular monthly meeting.
The Session worshipped together, hearing a devotion from Karen Hanson and hearing about and praying for the needs of our community of faith.
Accepted the resignation of Linzi Anderson as our Director of Youth Ministries with deep appreciation for her time here and prayers for her upcoming call in Asheville, North Carolina. Approved a churchwide reception for Linzi on Sunday, April 17 at 9:45 a.m.
Approved a Memorandum of Understanding, with an adjustment regarding liability insurance, between Battleground Academy Lower School (BGA) and FPC for the lease of space from July 1-October 31, 2022.
Approved FPC hosting the May 19 meeting of the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee.
Given the good news of lowering case numbers of COVID in our region, approved the COVID Task Force suspending its work with the understanding that the group will reconvene at the Session’s discretion should circumstances require it. The Session expressed its profound gratitude for the work of this task force, which has been meeting regularly since April of 2020.
Heard an update on the Glory to Glory campaign, noting that lead gifts are steadily coming in and giving us great momentum heading into the congregation-wide campaign.
Heard the financial report on the closing of the fiscal year (March, 2021-February, 2022). Noted that we ended the fiscal year with an approximate deficit of $13,000. Given the unique challenges of the year, the Session acknowledged the leadership of the church (elders, staff, and congregation) and look forward to moving forward with the campaign as a way of firming up the financial footing of the church. The financials were approved. More detailed financial updates can be found in the monthly newsletter.
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Celebration Sunday is THIS SUNDAY!
Don't forget to come early for Sunday School at 9 AM this week. We'll then join together for a Joint Worship Service at 10 AM followed by our Celebration of Service Luncheon at 11 AM!
Bring your Kindness Story card with you to the Luncheon. We can't wait to hear about everyone's Kindness Story!
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Prayer Stations
Have you visited any of our Glory to Glory Prayer Stations during Lent? As we prepare for Gratitude Sunday this week, our Scripture text will be the parable of “The Prodigal Son”, or as Chris suggested in our Journey Guide could be called “The Grateful Father." We invite you to reflect on the role gratitude plays in your life. How does gratitude inspire your prayer life? We invite you to:
- name things for which you are grateful as you walk the prayer labyrinth while listening to the wind chimes
- focus on gratitude as you ring the triangle or pray through colors at the pavilion
- utilize the breath prayer “I breathe in possibility” and “I breathe out gratitude” as you walk the church grounds
- reflect on gratitude for your baptism as you listened to the water feature at the fish pond
- meditate on gratitude while watching the purple fabric on the cross flow in the wind
- build a gratitude prayer with the letter tiles in the Parlor
- write a gratitude prayer on the ribbon in the Parlor or Wilson Hall and tie it on the frame
- contemplate the depth of your gratitude for Christ as you walk the Stations of the Cross in the Sanctuary
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Prayer Emphasis Week
April 3-9 is Prayer Emphasis Week for our Glory to Glory campaign where we will share a couple of new prayer prompts for you to do from home or wherever you are, so be looking for more information soon.
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Caring Connection Ministry
Our new Caring Connection Ministry furthers our care to those undergoing and recovering from surgery. One of our Caring Connection team members will call a member who is getting ready to have surgery (or once we learn of a surgery) to offer care and prayer from their church family. The same Caring Connection team member will continue to call this person regularly throughout their recovery as a reminder of the love of their church family.
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Meal Ministry Story
We want to extend an extra special thank you to our Meal Ministry Team. Last Friday Derrick Solomon, the Executive Director of Hard Bargain Association, shared with Mary Sellers a meal need for one of their families due to a hospitalization. She immediately emailed Sue Mahurin, our Meal Ministry Coordinator, about the need, and Sue jumped into action. After discussions with Derrick and the family, Sue took them a meal that night and then sent the team an email request through our TakeThemAMeal website. Within the day, three of our members had signed up to provide meals for the family this week. This is just one example how we respond to God’s grace through service. Thank you to Sue and our entire Meal Ministry Team. If you would like to learn more about serving in this way, contact Sue Mahurin (615-516-7013).
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Mid-Week Lenten Service
March 23, 2022: 6:45 PM – Linzi Anderson*
March 30, 2022: 6:45 PM – David Sawyer
April 6, 2022: 6:45 PM – Anne Keener
*Linzi Anderson will preach for the last time at FPC Franklin TOMORROW NIGHT at 6:45 for our Wednesday Lenten Service. Don't miss it!!
Remember to RSVP by Sunday for the number of people who will be eating dinner. This is how we determine our catering numbers. Suggested pricing: $10 per adult/youth, $5 per child, $25 family max if this is reasonable to you.
Daily Dish is being generous with our pricing of $12 per meal, and the Fellowship Committee is subsidizing the rest of the cost because WNL is an important ministry in our faith community. In addition to the catering cost, you may not realize we provide the meal free of charge for staff including scholarship students.
The Session asked for us to share this information, but the bottom-line is that we want everyone to attend WNL and pay what you can. If you would like to pay the full $12 for your meal or help cover the difference for others, you are always welcome to do so. Also remember you can pay for your WNL meal online or through our Vanco Mobile App.
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Outdoor StoryWalk®- Throughout Lent
The StoryWalk® is an outdoor activity where pages from children’s books will be posted on yard signs to create a path so children and families can read the stories together while enjoying our grounds. Start at the Labyrinth and make your way to the Pavilion for A Very Big Problem by Amy-Jill Levine & Sandy Eisenberg Sasso OR start at the Pavilion and make your way to the Labyrinth for This is the Mystery of Easter by Amelia Richardson Dress.
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Meals on Wheels
We are transitioning our Meals on Wheels scheduling to the church’s new Ministry Scheduler site, which will make volunteering as a sub or permanent driver far easier! We would like to add anyone who is interested in being on our reach out list to this system.
If you are interested in being added as a substitute OR as a permanent driver/rider for Meals on Wheels, please let Mary Sellers know. We serve meals the first Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of each month. Our next dates are April 1st, 4th, and 6th. Substitute volunteers are needed still for each of our April dates.
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Spring News for Sunday School
Guest speakers by Zoom on April 3 at 9:45 AM all adult classes will have the opportunity to hear from Elmarie and Scott Parker, our mission regional liaison to Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. Meet in Room 211, Barr Conference Room.
April 17, 9:45 AM Reception for Linzi Anderson, Director of Youth Ministries, in Wilson Hall along with Easter craft and activity stations.
May 22 will be Promotion Sunday and last day of this Sunday school year. We will take off for Memorial Day on May 29. Summer Sunday school will begin on Pentecost, June 5. Be on the lookout for a Pentecost Airplane Prayer project for all ages!
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Have you ever wondered why the date of Easter changes every year or why we tell young children that the Easter bunny brings colored Easter eggs? Jim Goodnow will answer these questions and others related to our celebration of Easter Sunday during his Zoom presentation to Primetimers on Thursday, March 31 at 11 AM.
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Because of your contribution to Lambscroft, our ministry has been able to serve Nashville's homeless community and those recently released from jail. In 2021, we offered culinary training to 10 men at The Cookery. We currently have 3 students working on their culinary certificate. In addition to the culinary school, we prepared and delivered more than 5,000 meals to our homeless friends in Nashville last year. Your donation of $2,000 helped us continue to provide these important programs. |
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Thank you for showing love for your neighbor through your recent gift of $1,583. Your gift has helped neighbors in need like Judy, a young woman in her early 20s, who came to GraceWorks desperate for help. Judy is the sole caregiver for her father, who is severely disabled. His need for round-the-clock care prevents Judy from going to work or school. GraceWorks eased their financial burden by helping with their rent and giving them a shopping cart full of groceries. Your generous gift makes it possible for GraceWorks to fulfill its mission of "Neighbor serving Neighbor, by the power of God's grace." |
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Thank you for your contribution of $7,000 throughout 2021. Your continued support helps provide safe and affordable housing to future homeowners, positively changing the lives of families today and for generations to come, all year long. |
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Tuesday
6 PM: Mission Committee
Wednesday
5 PM: Carillon Handbells
6 PM: WNL Dinner
6:45 PM: Chancel Choir Rehearsal
6:45 PM: Lenten Worship Service
Thursday
6:30 PM: Stephen Ministry
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Friday
10 AM: Organ Concert in the Sanctuary
10 AM: Sisters in Spirit
Saturday
Sunday
9 AM: Sunday School
10 AM: Joint Worship Service
11 AM: Celebration of Service Luncheon
5:30 PM: Youth Sunday Night Summit
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