Putting Feet to Faith, Hands to Hope and Legs to Love
on the Corner of Fifth and Main
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HFPC AUGUST 2021 NEWSLETTER |
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From Pastor Toby...
1 Thessalonians 4:9b …you yourselves have been taught by God to
love one another;
As I enter the month of August, the school teacher in me turns my thoughts toward a new school year. And a new school year means meeting new people, as well as reacquainting myself with others I have known before, but perhaps haven’t seen in a few months.
Of course I’m not a teacher in a school anymore, but still – old habits die hard. The lovely thing, though, is that entering a space, and anticipating seeing new faces, as well as old faces, is as if I’ve been given a gift to open, and I don’t yet know what to expect.
And even with folks I already know, how well do I really know them? How well do you know folks in your circles? Even in church? Have we taken the time to ask: just what is your favorite color? What draws you to be part of the _________ committee? How has God impacted your life lately? What questions would you ask God, if you could?
See what I mean? How well do we really know these folks who are sitting in the same pew as us? Or maybe those across the sanctuary we usually just wave to?
How about we make a concerted effort, as this new school year begins, and hopefully for the entire year, to really get to know one another? And I mean beyond the ‘which team are you rooting for’ questions. Isn’t that what people who love each other do?
I leave you with this beautiful, and challenging, blessing by John O’Donohue:
On Meeting a Stranger
With respect
And reverence
That the unknown
Between us
Might flower
Into discovery
And lead us
Beyond
The familiar field
Blind with the weed
Of weariness
And the old walls
[1] To Bless the Space Between Us. Convergent, New York. 2008. 95
I continue to serve,
Pastor Toby
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Notes from Mark....
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to sing in a choir? Or maybe you used to and just haven’t in a long time? Looking for an opportunity to serve and also to be supported in a small group?
Our choir resumes rehearsal on Wednesdays at 7:15 in August, and we’d love to have you join us. Our choir members are faithful, devoted, supportive, creative, and filled with energy and humor. Many psychologists and coaches tell us we become the average of the five people we spend the most time around; adding this bunch to your mix would be a very positive step!
Feel free to contact me at [email protected] or call 615/926-2042 if you have questions or want more information. You can also talk to any of our choir members. You can also just arrive on an August Wednesday evening! You’ll find a warm welcome and plenty of opportunities to grow and serve.
Peace,
Mark Ring
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August Calendar of Events |
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Sundays, Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
- 9:00 AM Learning for All Ages
- 10:15 AM Worship Services (In-house and Live Stream)
Tuesdays,Aug. 3,10, 17, 23, 30
- 2:00 PM “Tuesdays @ 2“ Zoom call
Wednesdays, Aug. 4, 11, 18, 25
- 8:30 AM Coffee @ Frothy
- 10:00 AM Acts Bible
- 6:00 PM Bell Choir
- 7:00 PM Choir Practice
Aug. 1
- 11:30 AM Stated Session
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4:00 PM How We Pray Series (via Zoom)
Aug. 2
- 6:30 PM Congregational Life Mtg.
Aug. 3
- 11:00 AM Personnel Committee Mtg.
- 7:00 PM Communications Committee Mtg.
Aug. 6
- 6:00 PM Franklin Art Scene/Crawl
Aug 8
- 11:30 AM Building & Grounds Committee Mtg
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4:00 PM How We Pray Series (via Zoom)
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6:00 PM 2nd Sunday Worship Experience (Taize)
Aug 9
- 6:30 PM Mission Committee Mtg.
Aug. 15
- 4:00 PM Christian Ed. Committee Mtg.
Aug. 16
- 6:00 PM Worship Committee Mtg.
Aug. 20
- 5:00 PM Friday Night Live! At Harpeth Hotel Terrace
Aug. 21
- 9:00 AM Membercare Committee Mtg.
- 12:00 PM Annual Church Picnic
Aug. 22
Aug. 24
- 6:30 PM Finance Committee Mtg.
Aug. 29
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6:00 PM 5th Sunday Hymn Sing
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ATTENTION BELL RAISERS:
Bell choir will begin regular 6-7pm Wednesday rehearsals in August. On Last Wednesday Fellowship evenings, the handbells will practice from 6-6:30. We will play for the first time in church on August the 8th.
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How We Pray: Everyone is invited to join us in for the last 2 sessions of our 4 week series on prayer, from the perspective of several faith traditions. The next 2 Sundays (Aug 1st and 8th, at 4pm.
We include speakers from Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and the Humanism/
Confucianism traditions. It will be by Zoom only, so if you want to participate, contact the church office for the zoom link - [email protected] If you want to invite friends, you can send them the zoom link privately, but we’re keeping the zoom link off of social media to avoid trollers.
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August 22, 9am in the Fellowship Hall
Come one, come all and join your brothers and sisters in Christ as we rally ourselves around a new year for learning!! Breakfast will be served! Meet your fellow students and teachers! Get to know each other with fun activities and learn more about this important part of church life at HFPC!!
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Sunday School Options:
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Summer Sunday School for students middle school through college. Pastor Toby is leading a class on thought provoking topics, questions that we have all thought about like...does God keep a scorecard? Join us each week at 9 AM.
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The Library class is starting a new series of studies beginning August 1st.
Debra Vanderveer is responsible for the months of August, September, and
October exploring the following topics:
- Hosea, Amos, and Micah: The Minor Prophets
- The Importance of Context in Scripture
- Understanding God's Grace through Parables
Caroline Stewart is responsible for the months of November, December,, and
January covering the following topics:
- Christian Pilgrimage
- The Three Major Prophetts: Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel
- Types of Literature in the Bible
It is generally expected each topic will be studied for a period of one month, This
may vary. Others will serve as teachers after January. Please watch for more
information as it develops. Please feel free to join us.
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What does it mean to be the Church of Jesus Christ?
Wednesdays, 10am in the Fellowship Hall, we are gathering to study and discuss the Book of Acts. All are welcome including drop-ins!! I’ll have the coffee on, you bring your Bible, and get ready for some good conversation! If you would like to join us by Zoom, email for a link to join in! – [email protected]
– 8/04: read Acts 18
– 8/11: read Acts 19
– 8/18: read Acts 20:1 – 21:14
– 8/25: read Acts 21:15 – 22:30
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MISSION COMMITTEE NEWS
“…Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these
who are members of my family, you did it to me.”
Matthew 25:39
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Living Waters for the World Special Offering – Sunday, August 15
Around the globe, 663 million people lack access to clean water. The LWW ministry is unique in addressing this problem – they train and equip volunteers to partner with community leaders to install, operate and maintain water treatment systems. More information to come over the next two Sundays.
Living Waters for the World - “We believe all God’s Children deserve clean water.”
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July Feed My On Tuesday, July 13 |
HFPC worked in partnership with DOTK to provide lunches for approximately 300 folks. Thank you to all who put together slaw, baked desserts, and served and passed out all these lunches! |
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8th Annual DOTK Back to School Community Event – Backpack Program
The DOTK Back to School Community event took place on July 24 at Johnson Elementary School and over 575 backpacks were handed out to school age children . Thank you to all who turned out over the two days we helped unload supplies and load the backpacks and those who donated money!
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2021 Mercy Clinic’s Franklin Classic –Labor Day Weekend, September 6 **LIVE**
The Franklin Classic is live this year and we are putting together a team! Join in the fun and help support one of our Mission Partners. Registration link: https://franklinclassic.org/
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CONGREGATIONAL LIFE NEWS
As always, Congregational Life practices in the thinking of "All May, Some Will, None Must".
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HFPC Friday Night Live!
· August 20 – 5 PM – Harpeth Hotel Terrace.
Last Wednesday Fellowship: Dinner and Presentation on August 25 at 6 PM.
We are still looking for speaker ideas for each month’s fellowship. If you have any ideas, please contact Nora Jewel [email protected]
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Homecoming Pot Luck – More information to follow on this tentatively planned event for either September 12th or 19th. This has been a historical gathering to celebrate the congregation coming back to the Main Street location to become what is now Historic Franklin Presbyterian Church. .This will be held after church in Fellowship Hall as a pot luck to celebrate the HFPC congregation coming back to Fifth & Main from First Presbyterian Mark your calendars and watch for more information to follow.
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Ladies Arrington Event - Date for this is tentatively set for Sunday afternoon, Oct. 3, mark your calendars. Light appetizers will be on the menu.
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Annual Church Picnic – The HFPC annual picnic is set for August 21st at the home of John and Mona Lee at 12 noon, 3085 Duplex Rd., Spring Hill, TN 37174. Attendees are encouraged bring a side item or dessert. Fried chicken and drinks will be supplied.
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Presbyterian Book Club – The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead is the summer book that will be discussed when we resume on September 28th.
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Address: 435 Main St
Franklin, Tennessee, 37064
Phone: 615-794-9094
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