Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Worship with us online
We live-stream an abbreviated Sunday morning service on our   FPC facebook page  and upload the  text sermons  on our website.

May 24, 2020
Scripture: John 17:1-11
Sermon: That They May Be One Anne Keener
Hymns:
All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name
Crown Him with Many Crowns

Congregational Care - Caring for One Another
Graduating College Seniors

Are you or one of your children graduating from college this spring? If so, please email Anne Keener, akeener@fpcfranklin.org,with the information. We want to recognize them in the newsletter next week so appreciate your quick response. We are praying for all graduating from college during this unique time.
How are you staying connected?

Have you connected with other members during this time of social distancing? We love hearing about members sending cards, talking on the phone, and even FaceTiming with each other. Who do you know that would appreciate a call or card? If you have the desire to reach out to others beyond those you know, simply email Anne Keener, akeener@fpcfranklin.org. If you have a creative idea or a fun story of how you are staying connected to others during this time, we would love to hear it.
Needs and Prayer Requests

If you have needs that our community can assist with or if you have any prayer requests, please contact Anne Keener, akeener@fpcfranklin.org or 615-516-0653.
Stephen Ministry

“Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.”  1 Peter 5:7

Do life’s anxieties seem out of hand for you? Do you need some help to get things back on track? Do you know a friend or relative that could use one-to-one weekly Christian care? Your Stephen Ministry team is trained to assist those in need. For more information about Stephen Ministry, reach out confidentially to Stephen Leader Judi Arnold ( judimarnold@gmail.com ) or one of the pastors.
Yoga

Join us on Thursdays at 9:30 AM on Zoom for yoga. After we finish the video, we have a time of checking in with one another and prayer. We have new people each week and you can turn off your video if you are self-conscious. Simply click here to join us. All are welcome.
Mission
Thank You Blood Donors!
On Sunday, May 10, 2020, FPC-Franklin hosted a Red Cross Blood Drive in honor of Darcie Cross and 39 units of blood were collected (the highest number of units ever collected at an FPC blood drive). These 39 units will save the lives of up to 117 people! 

Thank you to those who donated or attempted to donate at this drive! Be sure to add the next blood drive, scheduled for September 27, 2020 to your calendar!

Don Bittick and Connie Bond
Share your story! We want to check in with you about how you are doing and share messages of hope with our congregation and wider community. Fill out  this form   to share a picture and a blurb with us about your quarantine experience. Entries will be featured in our weekly E-News and on Social Media. We look forward to seeing your faces and hearing what you’ve been up to!

Get to know this week's family spotlight: Sam and Lashlee Webb, Vivi! 

Who do you have in your home with you?
Lashlee, Sam, Vivi (12), Maggie (8)

How is everyone doing?
We are doing fine relatively speaking - cabin fever and missing church seeing family and friends has been the hardest part, but we have honestly enjoyed the time together and a slightly more relaxed schedule.

Are there some things that you have come to appreciate more during this time?
We are much more appreciative of the many blessings we already had, including finances, work opportunities, healthy friends and family, and supportive community. We are thankful to God for opening our eyes a bit more during this time and inspiring us to share God's blessings with others.

Have you created any new Family Traditions or Rituals?
We have been going on walks and drives together and have gained a greater appreciation of the beauty that has always been around us. We have also tried to be more intentional in our giving in support of the church and community organizations that have seen increased demand for their services.

How are you staying connected to family, friends, and the church?
We have been participating in Zoom conferences for Sunday School and other groups organized by the church, worshiping online on Sundays, and visiting in person where possible with friends and family while maintaining social distancing. Vivi completed her confirmation process via Zoom and FaceTime and we are so proud of her and thankful for all the opportunities provided by Lashlee, Vivi, and Maggie made goody bags for the staff at Williamson Medical Center and have been delivering for Meals on Wheels. The girls have also been decorating our home with rainbows and other signs of encouragement and God's love.

Do you have anything else you want to share with our church community? A prayer, a funny story from quarantine, or a word of encouragement?
We are all so thankful for the immense talent, dedication, and love demonstrated by our church staff and family in the midst of a dauntingly different time. These things - just like God's love and grace - were all present before Covid-19 and will be present when it's a distant memory.

In residency, I had the privilege of serving at a mission hospital in Mbingo, Cameroon for a month and was reminded of this song that the folks in the local community sang most mornings during chapel time before starting their workdays:

"Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do
Do not wait to shed your light afar
To the many duties ever near you now be true
Brighten the corner where you are

Just above the clouded skies that you may help to clear
Let not narrow self your way debar
Though into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer
Brighten the corner where your are"

Thanks to all of you for brightening your corners and ours. God be with you till we meet (in person) again.
Christian Education
Summer Sunday School

Sunday School classes WILL meet this Sunday, May 24 since Zoom did not work last Sunday.

May 31 – July 26:
9 AM: Adult SS: “The Resilient Church”
June book: “Weathering the Storm: Simple Strategies for Being Peaceful and Prepared,” by Tracy W. Mehr-Muska
July book: “Being Christian: Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer,” by Rowan Williams

11 AM: Children’s SS: Growing in God’s Love

11 AM: Christian Faith and Life

Beginning May 31 and going through the end of July, Pastor Chris will be leading an adult Sunday school class on Zoom and preaching a series of sermons on the theme, “The Resilient Church.”

We will be reading and discussing two books. The first is “Weathering the Storm: Simple Strategies for Being Peaceful and Prepared,” by Tracy W. Mehr-Muska. Resilience enables us not only to survive adversity, but to be transformed by it. This book offers simple and proven strategies to develop resilience that will be of enormous benefit to anyone who is yearning to feel more peaceful and prepared. Tracy is a Coast Guard veteran, a Presbyterian pastor, and interfaith chaplain. This book promises to help all of us as we learn together how, by God’s grace, we can respond to this crisis with resilience. We will read and discuss this book in June.

These books are available on Amazon or wherever you purchase books. It is not necessary for you to have read the books to participate in the class discussion. All are welcome.

Join us this summer and let us embrace the call of these times for resilience.
This Week's Schedule
Wednesday

Thursday
9:30 AM - Virtual Yoga
7:30 PM - Facility Management Committee

Friday

Saturday