Your E-news from NPPC

New Providence Presbyterian Church

"Oh, these vast, calm, measureless mountain days, days in whose light everything seems equally divine, opening a thousand windows to show us God." John Muir

New Prov Press

Tuesday, January 21 is the deadline for the February issue of the New Prov Press. You can email submissions to [email protected].

Lectionary Readings

1/12: Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17

1/19: Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42

1/26: Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1, 4-9; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-23

People who have items for the bulletin, announcements, e-news, or the New Prov Press, please send that information to [email protected].

Volunteer Opportunity

Welcome Table needs able-bodied men and women to help set up tables, chairs, and tablecloths on Tuesdays at 10:00a for approximately one hour. If you are available for one or more Tuesday mornings, please contact Kathy Neisser (865-977-1390, [email protected]). Thank you for all that you do to help with this valuable service project provided to our community.

Building Security Updates

NPPC's security task force continues to work towards making our building-and especially our members and guests-as safe as possible. That means paying attention to the 18 different doors that allow access in or out of the building.

Beginning February 1 , we will begin locking all external doors during the week except for the main entrance on Lamar Alexander Parkway. If you are coming to the church anytime on a weekday (including evening meetings), you will need to come through that main entrance. The only exceptions will be on Tuesdays from 3-6p, when the upper lobby doors in the Westminster Wing will be open for Welcome Table guests, and on fourth Fridays, when those same doors will be open for CBS shoppers. On Sunday mornings, access will be through the Sanctuary doors, the upper lobby, the main entrance on Lamar Alexander Parkway, and one door into the Atrium. If you find a door locked, there will be a sign indicating where the nearest entrance is.

This may seem inconvenient for a while, but we will all adjust to new patterns quickly. And remember, the end goal is to keep all of God's children safe! Thanks in advance for understanding.

Seekers Sunday School Class

The Seekers adult Sunday School Class invites you to join us starting January 19 for a multi-week study of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "Letter From the Birmingham Jail"and the book Martin Luther King, Jr. for Armchair Theologians. The class meets in the Parlor.

Winter Weather Closing Reminder

Since New Providence is across the road from Maryville High School, the church follows school closing notifications for snow and bad weather. If Maryville City Schools are closed, New Prov is closed and all meetings at the church for that day are cancelled as well. Stay safe this winter!

From the Green Team

As we see the devastation of fires in Australia, our precious earth is on many of our minds. Remember the Green Team at NPPC's mission of reminding all of us to pay attention to ways, however small, that we can do our part to protect God's creation.

Green tip for the week: Check windows and doors for drafts with a ribbon or feather. If it flutters, seal leaks with weather-stripping, or add a draft stopper at the bottom of the door (you can buy these, or make your own with a rolled up towel).

Evening of Broadway and Opera

You are invited on Monday, January 13 at 6:30 for an evening of Broadway and opera presented by the Knoxville Opera and will include some of the students. This will be held in the chapel at Shannondale. This event is open to all at Shannondale and New Providence and all your friends. There will be a free will offering to help defray the cost. If you would like to meet the Life Beginners at Olive Garden for dinner (4:30p) before the event, please call Stephanie Bell at 924-0493 to be included in the reservation.

Online Giving

New Prov is now accepting online donations. Click on the following link or go to www.newprovidencepres.org/donate any time and simply choose where you wish your funds to go (either the Operating Budget or the Capital Fund) and follow the directions.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Penny Bever or call the church office (983-0182) for assistance.

Phone Extensions

When you call the church at (865) 983-0182, as soon as the recording begins, you may dial any of the extensions below or dial 5 for the directory and dial the person's first or last name: