Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Worship with us Outdoors at 8:30 AM and/or Online at 11 AM
We live-stream an abbreviated Sunday morning service on our website and upload the text sermons on our website.

Sundays at FPC in September
8:30 AM Outdoor Sunday Morning Worship
9:15 AM Outdoor Sunday School Options (see below for info)
9:30 AM Common Grounds on Zoom
10 – 10:45 AM Zoom Sunday School
11 AM Live-Stream Sunday Morning Worship
September 20, 2020
Scripture: Philippians 1:21-30
Sermon: Living and Dying, Chris Joiner
Hymns:
O Worship the King
God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending

Click here to see this past Sunday's service.
Christian Education
NEW FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, ADULTS: The Beatitudes  
This will be an intergenerational ten-session verse by verse study of the Beatitudes from the Gospel of Matthew. It will be offered for ALL AGES with a variety of leaders offering the lessons through art, reflection, and discussion. Participants will have a chance to learn about Jesus’ vision of God’s kingdom for all people, how Jesus turned expectations and traditional beliefs about being blessed upside down, and how to live into the promises of Jesus’ Beatitudes. This will be a live zoom class at 10 AM and pre-recorded options to do at-home on your own time. All ages together! 
3 Outdoor Sunday School Options at 9:15 AM
  1. Adults will gather under the Preschool Portico with a chair and mask for a lectionary based discussion on the text used in worship. Clarke Oldham will be leading.
  2. Children K-5 at the Pavilion with masks. After the Outdoor Worship Service, please join us at the FPC Pavilion for Sunday School. Classes will be offered at 9:15 for all K-5 students to learn in a socially distanced and fun environment.  Wearing masks, students will be divided into small groups to hear a Bible story, pray, play, and do art projects together. Parents of all children will need to sign their child in and out, include cell number, and remain on FPC grounds. Preschool children are welcome, however, a parent/guardian must accompany their child during the class so that social distancing is ensured. Everyone is welcome, but please email katiegottlieb@yahoo.com if you plan to attend so that we have adequate supplies available.
  3. Youth at the bus parking lot with masks and chairs.
Confirmation News
Who? All 6th grade students and older are invited to join us.
What? A year full of learning about our BIG GOD and BIG QUESTIONS.
When? Kick-off event will be September 27, 4 PM. 
Where? On the FPC grounds as a social distanced gathering for students, families, and Covenant Partners. Thereafter, students will meet twice a month as a group and twice a month with their Covenant Partner.
Why? Confirmation is a part of the commitment we make at baptism to nurture our children in the faith. Reply to Kim if you would like your student to join on the Confirmation Journey. 
Wednesday Night Live
We have all missed having dinner with our church family! Join us on Zoom for a quick hello or sit and enjoy your meal with us: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88588687768

September 16: Dinner via Zoom 6–6:30 PM - Special Q&A with our WNL cooks
September 23: Dinner at 6, Program at 6:30 PM - Reduce Stress with Humor presented by Ernie Ness of University of Central Arkansas
September 30: Dinner at 6, Program at 6:30 PM - Brief Overview of SARS-CoV-2 by Dr. Don Arnold
October: Dinners at 6, Conversations on Race at 6:30 PM 

Conversations on Race
Wednesday nights in October we will discuss current issues of race relations in our country and how we can respond as people of faith. These will be open, honest discussions where we are invited into “brave” space. Join us as we engage in thoughtful conversation about how we can uplift and listen to communities of color while recognizing our own prejudices. We will engage with various readings and have opportunities for both listening and participation. We believe we are called to bear witness to God’s love for all humanity by working for justice, love, and equality. We invite you to participate on Zoom from 6:30-7:30 each week to be part of the conversation. 

October 7: Who We Are
October 14: Where We’ve Been (Historically)
October 21: Where We’ve Been (Personally)
October 28: Where Do We Go From Here?
Sisters in Spirit
Sisters in Spirit is a small group of 10 - 15 women who meet every Friday morning from 10-11:15 AM for fellowship, support, study and prayer. We have found Zoom to be an easy and fun way to get together and we’ll continue meeting by Zoom this fall...no worries if you can’t attend every week. We have just begun a study of Macrina Wiederkehr’s book Seven Sacred Pauses. This is a wonderful invitation to live in the present by celebrating sacred pauses throughout the day. If interested,
contact Martha Johnson, Cindy Blackburn or Dianne Wood. We would love to have you join us! 
Wednesday AM Bible Study to Resume on Zoom!
September 23 – November 18, 10 – 11 AM 
Pastor Chris will lead the study using the book: Breaking the Code: Understanding the Book of Revelation by Bruce M. Metzger. The Book of Revelation contains passages of great beauty and comfort, as well as passages that strike the casual reader as bizarre, bewildering, and sometimes frightening. How are readers today to discern God’s message in this peculiar part of the Bible? Breaking the Code Revised Edition provides a trustworthy guide to the rich symbolism of this important biblical book. Noted biblical scholar Bruce M. Metzger presents the fruits of solid scholarship in a non-academic style. This edition includes updates based on current biblical research, as well as additional teaching from author and respected New Testament scholar David deSilva. Order your paperback/kindle copy, register online here, and join us for an engaging study. Once you are registered a Zoom link will be sent to you. If you need help ordering or registering contact Kim at 615-478-9297.   
Saturday AM Men’s Bible Study – 7:30 AM
Every Saturday morning at 7:30 AM men of the church gather for a one hour time of Bible Study and fellowship. We are presently studying the books of Galatians and Ephesians. We use the Barclay Commentary to guide us in our “thought-process.” Led by individuals in the group each week, our study is filled with questions, comments, and sometimes even humor. No one is a biblical scholar, yet, we seek a new understanding of God’s love by sharing individual insights and comments. Presently we are meeting through Zoom and on Jim Mahurin’s back porch; you choose which is most comfortable. Fellowship is free, coffee is free, all Biblical “insight” is free. Join us any Saturday. For address or Zoom link contact Jim at jimmahurin@aol.com.
Music/Arts and Worship
New Pipe Organ Update
Casavant Countdown: 2 Months
Casavant Opus 3938 (Installation – End of October)
Work continues on the new organ in the Casavant workshop in Montreal
 as assembly of the new organ continues!
“ZOOM” Organ Introduction (Date/Time TBD)
We anticipate hosting a church-wide ZOOM introduction to the new organ in which you will be able to see/hear/and ask questions about the new organ, prior to its shipment and installation. 
Watch for continuing updates and information each month!
Hymn Stories
Join us for a new hymn story each Monday on Facebook!
Each week we will discover a little bit of background information about your favorite hymn…and hear it played. Send in a favorite title to the church’s main page, the music group page, or via a simple email. Look for your favorite to be featured in the coming weeks.

Q: I would like to own my own copy of the hymnal, how may I do so? 
A: Use the following link to find out more information on how to order.

"Fall Into Fall"
Upcoming Opportunities

September
Casavant Opus 3938 ZOOM
Worship Stream ZOOM Opportunities

October
Casavant Opus 3938 Installation Begins
Choir ZOOM Gatherings 
Worship Stream ZOOM Opportunities

November
Choir ZOOM Gatherings
Worship Stream ZOOM Opportunities

December 
Casavant Opus 3938 Complete
Choir ZOOM Gatherings
Christmas Eve Worship
Virtual Lessons & Carol Service
Worship Stream ZOOM Opportunities (Sanctuary)
Mission
GraceWorks Turkey Trot
Love your neighbors this Thanksgiving by providing food and helping families stay in their homes. Register for the 2020 Virtual Turkey Trot benefiting GraceWorks Ministries. Register before Sept. 30th to guarantee your t-shirt size! If your family is getting together in a small group this Thanksgiving, or celebrating in seclusion, you can do this together!
 
$35 = 140 meals for your neighbors = 1 adult registration, full runner kits with long-sleeved t-shirt and lots of fun goodies and coupons, and access to the ActiveEndurance App which allows you to run/walk with all participants, submit your time, see photos, and more.
 
$15 = 60 meals for your neighbors = 1 kids registration, full runner kit with short sleeve t-shirt, finish line celebration kit, and fun goodies!
 
Learn more and register at: www.graceworksministries.net/turkeytrot
FPC Franklin is hosting a Blood Drive

When: Sunday, September 27, 2020, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Where: Donor Coach in FPC Parking Lot

Why:   Blood Donation is Important….and YOU can help patients who need blood products!

At this time, you must schedule an appointment (walk-ins are not permitted) to donate by visiting redcrossblood.org and entering the Sponsor Code FPCF19.

You may also contact Connie Bond at cbond@comcast.net / 615-790-4043 to schedule an appointment.
Faith, Food & Film
New Fall Event for all ages

Join us for a new fall event in place of our Annual Church Picnic. We will begin at 5:30 PM with worship in the courtyard and then move to the pavilion area to enjoy our BYOP (Bring your own Picnic) and conversation until the sun sets and the movie begins. We will enjoy Monsters, Inc. on a big inflatable screen. Bring your chair, wear your mask, and join us for all or part of this new fun fall event. If you have any questions, contact Anne Keener (akeener@fpcfranklin.org).
This Week's Schedule
Wednesday
8:30 AM: Virtual Yoga
6 PM: WNL Dinner

Friday
10 AM: Sisters in Spirit

Saturday

Sunday
8:30 AM - Outdoor Worship
9:15 AM - Outdoor Sunday School Options
10 AM - Zoom Sunday School Classes
11 AM - Live-Stream Worship