The Child we seek doesn’t need our gold. On love, on love alone he will build his kingdom.

His pierced hand will hold no scepter, his haloed head will wear no crown; his might will not be built on your toil.

Swi!er than lightning he will soon walk among us. He will bring us new life and receive our death, and the keys to his city belong to the poor.

-Love Alone, Gian Carlo MenottiJJ anuary begins still in Christmastime. The Wisemen from the East, in all their splendor, won’t arrive until January 6. We North Americans tend to let Christmas

go a little too easily. But we’d do well to hang on a bit longer. The story of the Magi reminds us that not everyone can get to the manger by Christmas Eve. Sometimes the path and journey to the Christ child are from a longer way o".

In Gian Carlo Menotti’s one act opera Amahl and the Night Visitors, a young boy, Amahl, is disabled and only able to walk with the aid of a crutch. One night there is a knock at the door, and Amahl answers to #nd three Kings seeking shelter for the night. They tell of their journey to give gi!s to a far o" infant king. They’re following a star.Out of desperation, in the middle of the night, Amahl’s mother attempts to steal some gold bound for Bethlehem. She’s caught. The kings recognize the dire circumstances of Amahl and his mother. They gi! the gold to them. Out of gratitude Amahl wants to send the newborn king a gi!, but he doesn’t have anything. Well, he has one thing: his crutch. When he hands over his crutch miraculously his leg is healed and he walks.We all limp. For some of us it is a visible limp. For others it is hidden and we work hard to keep it that way. We #nd ways to cope. We depend on a crutch of one kind or another that, we believe, gives de#nition and hope to our present and future life. This new year let’s send those crutches on with the Wisemen to the Christ child in Bethlehem. Let us surrender the heart of who we believe we are, so that we can have the heart of God quicken our sin-sick souls in ways beyond what we could ask or imagine.

Warmly, in Christ,

Ryan MoorePastor & Head of Sta!

Published monthly for members and friends of First Presbyterian Church, Nashville

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SUNDAY | JANUARY 5 2nd Sunday of Christmas

8:30 & 11ƚ�Ʀ�

Ryan Moore

THE TABLE | 11 ƚ�Ʀ�

Josh Rodriguez

SUNDAY | JANUARY 12 Baptism of the Lord

8:30 & 11ƚ�Ʀ�

Ryan Moore

THE TABLE | 11 ƚ�Ʀ�

Josh Rodriguez

SUNDAY | JANUARY 19 2nd Sunday a"er Epiphany

8:30 & 11ƚ�Ʀ�

Ryan Moore

THE TABLE | 11 ƚ�Ʀ�

Josh Rodriguez

SUNDAY | JANUARY 26 3rd Sunday a"er Epiphany

8:30 & 11ƚ�Ʀ�

Ryan Moore

THE TABLE | 11 ƚ�Ʀ�

Josh Rodriguez

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Come kick o! your winter weekend with a family Disney night at church! Your children will enjoy taking pictures with Disney characters, eating dinner with friends, enjoying a few cra"s, and listening to a small selection of lively Disney tunes performed by members of our renowned FPC choir.

Registration: $8 for adults, $5 for children

No childcare o!ered as children of all ages are invited!

Registration for the annual "Broadway Dinner Show" will be available early January.

Please note: For those adults and older children who are interested in staying for the full presentation of “Broadway Dinner Show: It’s a Small World A"er All,” part of the choir's concert series which begins in Courtenay Hall immediately following “Broadway Jr.” contact Daphne Garey at dgarey@fpcnashville.org or (615) 298-9517.

Mark your calendar for a new all-church event to begin the year. Join family and friends for an a"ernoon of hymn singing, lighting of the bon#re, and enjoying cookies, hot chocolate, and fellowship.

Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him.

Psalm 149:3–4You may have heard of Daddy/Daughter Dances or Mother/Son Teas, but what about a fun-#lled event for the entire Family? FPC is thrilled to announce the #rst annual Family Prom, a joyful night full of dance, play, and stewardship activities. There will be all the classic prom features from a photo booth to a punch bowl, from a dance $oor to a DJ, as well as many fun additions such as a make & take corsage/boutonnière station. And as a Rooted in Christ Event, this evening will be a celebration of being part of God’s family together. Dress code is there is no dress code! So, dust o! your dancing shoes and register today at fpcnashville.org. $10 for adults, $5 for children. No childcare o!ered as children of all ages are invited!

JANUARYevents JANUARY EVENTSTHURSDAY LUNCHEON & PROGRAM JANUARY 16 , 12 Ʃ�Ʀ� BUFFET LUNCH, $6, COURTENAY HALL Attorney Bill Carter will return to continue stories of his career ranging from an escort of President Kennedy’s casket to working with countless prominent people, including the Rolling Stones, Jimmy Ho!a, Fred Smith, Steve McQueen, Reba McEntire, to currently, the Gaith-ers. RSVP by January 13.

BOOK DISCUSSION JANUARY 23, 2 Ʃ�Ʀ� MEMORIAL LIBRARY We will be reading and discussing The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. Set in Kentucky during America’s Great De-pression, this is a remarkable story of women’s friend-ship and determination to make books available during this dark period of our history.

LOOKING AHEAD CHARLESTON, SC | APRIL 20–256-day tour of Charleston, South Carolina. Contact Brenda Geise at 615-298-9515.

JAN 5 Epiphany Bon!re 3 Ʃ�Ʀ� | FPC South-Side Lawn

JAN 11 Rooted in Christ: Family Prom 5–7 Ʃ�Ʀ� | The Gathering Place

JAN 12 Rev. Ryan Moore Installation 11 ƚ�Ʀ� | Sanctuary

Installation Reception hosted by the PW 9:30 ƚ�Ʀ� | Courtenay Hall

Youth Ministry: Seat at the Table Begins 9:45 ƚ�Ʀ� | The Gathering Place

JAN 19 Winter Inquirers’ Class Begins 9:45 ƚ�Ʀ� | Jones Session Room

Children's Choir Special Event 4 – 5 Ʃ�Ʀ���_��Grundy Hall

JAN 26 New O"cer Installation 11 ƚ�Ʀ� | Sanctuary

JAN 31 Youth Ministry: Guys' Youth Retreat

SPECIAL EVENTS

H O L Y C O M M U N I O N

SUNDAY | JAN 198:30 !.". & both 11:00 !.". services

Prepare your hearts to celebrate the sign of Christ’s love.

The Installation of Rev. Ryan MooreJANUARY 12, 11 ƚ�Ʀ�� � _ � �SANCTUARY

Rev. Ryan Moore will be installed as Senior Pastor on Sunday, January 12, at the 11:00 %.&. worship service. Our guest preacher for this special day will be The Rev. Dr. James D. Miller, Ryan’s Co-Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa. A reception hosted by the Presbyterian Women will take place in Courtenay Hall between the morning services. Join the FPC family as we welcome Ryan as our new Senior Pastor.

@fpcnashville www.fpcnashville.org @fpcnashville

FOR MORE UPDATES & NEWS FIND US ONLINE

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Introduction to the Enneagram Class

Join us for the Introduction to the Enneagram class, starting January 5 in Room L-202 during the Sunday School hour, as we learn more about the Enneagram and what this tool has to teach us about loving God, others, and ourselves well. We will walk through The Enneagram Journey curriculum by Suzanne Stabile during our time together. This Sunday School class is designed for those who don’t know anything about the Enneagram, those who have been studying the Enneagram for a while, and everyone in between!

BAPTISMS

In the presence of family, the congregation of First Presby-terian Church, and God, the following persons claimed God’s covenant promise through the Sacrament of Baptism:

Ann & Matt Garvey presented their daughter, Katheryn Reese Garvey, for baptism on December 8. Assisting Elder was Kevin Garvey.

BIRTHSThe First Presbyterian Church family congratulates:

Laura and Jimmy Love, on the birth of their son, Henry Graves Love, born on November 8. Proud grandparents are Sandy & Jim Love.

Anna and Collin Smith, on the birth of their son, Lealand Graham Smith, born on November 8. Proud grand-parents are Jane and Tom Smith.

Rebecca and Alec Shea!, on the birth of their daughter, May Beverly Shea!, born on November 16. Proud brothers are Webb and David.

Margot and Phillip Dickman, on the birth of their son, Patrick Joseph Dickman, born on November 25. Proud grandparents are Kathy and Marbut Gaston.

To share your birth announcement, email information and photos to communications@fpcnashville.org.

Congregational Care EmailsIf you would like to receive information regarding First Presbyterian member deaths and funerals, you may subscribe to our Congregational Care email by visiting fpcnashville.org/about-us/communications/.

SYMPATHYThe First Presbyterian Church family extends prayers and sympathy to the following people and to other members of their families during their time of loss:

Banks and Tracy Link, on the death of Banks’ father, John B. Link III, who died on Sunday, November 3, 2019. Sympathy also to Gri"n and Ingram Link.

Gail Forsythe Harris, on the death of her husband, Frederick Sears Harris Jr., who died on Sunday, November 17, 2019.

Family and friends of Emma ‘Jane’ Yount, who died on Monday, November 18, 2019.

Sandy Schaap, on the death of her husband, Mark O. Schaap, who died on Sunday, November 24.

Suzanne McDaniel on the death of her father, Romain Edward McDaniel Jr., who died on Monday, December 9.

Praying the Psalms of Lament as We Seek Healing

You are invited to participate in a grief support group o!ered by Dr. Sandra Randleman that combines prayer with a study of the psalms of lament. We will explore how we, like the psalmists, can express our feelings and our petitions for help to God, as we place our trust and hope in God and seek healing. The group will meet on Sunday a#ernoons for four weeks beginning January 19, from 12:00-2:00 $.%. Lunch will be available in Courtenay Hall beginning at noon, followed by the support group at 12:45 $.%. in the Memorial Library (Room MW-224). If you have family members, friends, or neighbors whom you think would bene&t from this group, please invite them to join us.

Questions? Contact Sandra at 615-298-9502 or srandleman@fpcnashville.org.

Please register online under “Ministries/Care & Support/Grief Support Group” or by contacting Ginny Barber at 615-298-9509 or gbarber@fpcnashville.org.

2020 Winter Inquirers’ Class JANUARY 19 & 26 & FEBRUARY 2 & 9 9:45–10:45 ƚ�Ʀ� | JONES SESSION ROOM

Are you interested in learning more about our church? Have you thought about joining our church family and becoming an active participant in the life and mission of First Pres? Are you just curious about the Presbyterian faith tradition? Then you are welcome to attend our Inquirers’ Class series on January 19 & 26 and February 2 & 9 during the Sunday School hour from 9:45-10:45 '.%. in the Jones Session Room, located on the second (oor down the hall from the Sanctuary.

If you are interested in joining First Presbyterian Church of Nashville, the following items are important for your membership:

• Attending the Inquirers’ Classes

• Attending the Covenant Service and Introduction of New Members on February 9, 2020

• The Covenant Service is when you actually join the church. You will meet with the elders in the Jones Session Room at 10:00 a.m.

• The Introduction of New Members is during the 11:00 Worship service in the Sanctuary.

Registration is not necessary. For more information, feel free to reach out to Rev. Sarah Bird at 615-298-9518 or sbird@fpcnashville.org.

Lealand Graham Smith

EDUCATION & SMALL GROUPS

Milestone Sessions Teach Stewardship

During their Worshiping Together milestone, our 4-year-olds in the Faith group spent three weeks discovering what it means to be a good steward. They talked about taking care of God’s earth and learned that stewardship is about Helping, Sharing, and Caring. On the &nal week of their lessons on stewardship, the children were given three banks and o!ering envelopes. One bank holds money to save, one holds money to spend, and one holds money to give. These banks are tools for parents to continue teaching about money and sharing the bounty that God has given us. In the Sundays following these sessions, the Sunday School o!ering from the Faith group included &lled o!ering envelopes, loose coins, and pictures drawn by the children as their grateful responses to God’s grace and love.

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Save the Date for Spring Communities of BelongingFEBRUARY 23 – APRIL 5

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Both teams were assisted by the dedicated sta! of SRI including guest house managers, Dominican cooks (who made delicious meals with a taste of traditional "avors combined with some American comfort food), a team of interpreters, and the local pastor. These helpers were always there, not only to take care of us, but to make sure the local people were thoroughly understood and cared for. In addition to the amazing job done by the inter-preters, there was a shared communication of caring and love in Christ expressed by a lot of hugs and smiles.

This was another year that we feel we were blessed to have this opportunity to serve, make new friends, and strengthen relationships.

Local Mission Fair 2020SUNDAYS, FEBRUARY – MARCHPlease join us on Sundays in February/March for FPC’s Mission Fair in Courtenay Hall.

Don’t miss the opportunity to meet and learn more about many of our local mission partners that you help support: who they are, their mission, volunteer opportunities, agency needs, and how to get involved. Look for upcoming details.

2019 Dominican Republic Mission Trip by Rainey Germain, Mission Trip Participant

The Dominican Republic mission trip on November 2-8 began with delayed "ights and almost-missed connections. Landing in Santo Domingo, we were all relieved that everyone made it along with our bags with medications and equipment desperately needed for the services we meant to provide. We traveled to San Juan de la Maguana where Solid Rock International (SRI) has a clinic and guest house.

MISSIONSThe First Presbyterian Church team was joined by nursing teams from Nashville, North Carolina, and Indiana, and again partnered with SRI to serve those in the Dominican Republic who normally do not have access or the funds to pay for these medical services. Our group worked as two teams: one surgical team in the SRI clinic and one general medical team that traveled to nearby barrios (neigh-borhoods). The surgical team, Dr. Mike Swan, our GYN surgeon, and his medical resident, Dr. Elizabeth Jackson, completed 20 surgical cases in the span of 4 days, greatly impacting many women’s lives. The surgeons were assisted by a team of registered nurses, nurse anesthetists, and two anesthesia students from Wake Forest University. Everyone was excited to be a part of this experience and proved very "exible in working with equipment not quite as cutting edge as that found in our hospitals; but it provided what was needed. The patients received not only quality medical care but care and compassion from the amazing team, and they even made some new Facebook friends.

The barrio team included Dr. Jim Cato, Dr. Betsy Triggs, a team of nurses, and non-medical persons for support. They visited four area neighborhoods providing general medical care for some 400 residents. The team set up in local schools and opened the doors to all residents of every age. We were honored to be able to serve these beautiful people and make new friends in Christ.

MISSIONS

Serve While You Sleep!WEDNESDAYS, THROUGH MARCH 25FPC’s Room In The Inn Winter Shelter continues each Wednesday night through March 25. FPC hosts 14 men at our Cannon Center o!ering a safe, warm place to stay with showers, laundry facilities, a hot meal, clothing, breakfast, and sack lunch.

Our immediate needs are for overnight hosts on January 8, 15 and 22. Two overnight hosts arrive at 5:30 #.$. to help the men get settled and serve the meals. A weekly captain will be on hand that evening to orient the hosts. Sign-up sheets are in Courtenay Hall, or sign up online at fpcnashville.org.

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one teenager was alone. Why? Because we promised on behalf of the Church universal to be faithful in their Christian nurture, and to make room for them in prayer and relationship.

The buzz of conversation among First Presbyterian youth and adults at the prayer partner breakfast was !lled with the life of Christ. It was beautiful to watch our intergener-ational community of faith collectively make room for Christ to be born in our midst. Thank you for standing with, praying for, and modeling passionate !delity to the young members of our faith community, and thank you to Tricia Hastings and Kaki Pulliam for serving as the major event coordinators for the event.

Seat at the TableBEGINS SUNDAY, JANUARY 12 9:45–10:45 ƚ�Ʀ� | THE GATHERING PLACE

Adam will lead the 9th Grade Parent and Youth Sunday School Class on hospitality called “Seat at the Table” beginning on Sunday, January 12, during the SS hour in The Gathering Place.

YOUTH MINISTRY

Prayer Partner Breakfast by Adam DeVries

One of the most profound and most normal moments in the life of our church takes place when we baptize our children. The congregation is asked, “Will you be faithful in the Christian nurture of this child? If you so promise, please stand.” The entire congregation stands up. For a moment, we are all standing, bearing witness, and promising to be a part of what God is doing and has already done in the life of the child. While we eventually sit down in the sanctuary, we continue to stand with that child. The congregation stands with them in Sunday school and Con!rmation. We continue standing with them in worship and mission.

One of my favorite ways our congregation continues to stand with these children who get walked down the aisle any given Sunday is through the prayer partner program. Once a student completes con!rmation, he/she is paired with an adult in the church who commits to regularly pray for him/her for 6 years. From seventh to twel"h grade, our congregation consistently and individually prays for every single teenager in our church. On December 8, we had our annual prayer partner breakfast. Over 150 young people were surrounded, supported, engaged, and partnered with in prayer by over 150 adults. It was a holy moment. It was a hopeful moment. In the Christmas season, when we remember the story of a teenage girl laboring with the Christ child in her belly, longing for someone to let her in to give birth, no one did. But in that room on December 8 at First Presbyterian Church, not

YOUTH MINISTRY UPCOMING EVENTS

Register Today! at fpcnashvi l le.org

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Join us for a cozy beach weekend spent in community with your fellow FPC ladies. We will spend time building relationships with ourselves, each other, and with God while we embrace some beautiful moments of sweet, salty-aired solace a"er what we’re sure will be another crazy semester. This trip is open to all girls grades 7–12, and Angelina DeVincenzo will lead along with other wonderful female volunteer leaders! Be sure to sign up online at fpcnashville.org. We’ll be leaving a"er school on Friday, February 14, and returning on Monday, February 17. COST - $375

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Join us in beautiful Saint Louis, Missouri, for a weekend of fun, bonding, and guy stu# January 31 through February 2. Check out the unbelievable multi-story City Museum, play some laser tag, and learn more about what it means to be a man of God. Sign up online at fpcnashville.org! This trip is for guys in grades 7–12. Leaders are Dave, Adam, and Ben along with other volunteer male leaders. We’ll be leaving a"er school on Friday, January 31, and returning before the Super Bowl on Sunday,

SPRING BREAK MISSION TRIP 72�:$&2��7(;$6�Ŋ �0$5�����Ŋ ���

Join the youth sta# on an amazing trip to Waco, Texas, where we will be working with Mission Waco and sleeping in tents on the edge of Lake Waco. We’ll help out at the World Hunger Relief Farm, too! You won’t want to miss this chance to grow and serve over spring break!

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MUSIC

2019 CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTINGChildren's Choir Goes on a Music Mission TripOn November 17th, the Doxology Children's Choir (children in 2nd through 6th grades) had the opportunity to spread the gi! of worship through music twice in the same day! Having prepared a piece to sing at the 11:00 ".#. worship service, they then traveled on their very $rst music mission trip to Park Manor Assisted Living Center to help lead worship at their communion service, with Pastor Sandra Randleman o%ciating. Several choir members went a step further, leading the Prayer of Confession and reading the Scripture. The congregation was quite appreciative of these young members of our church who brought not only the gi! of their voices, but also Thanksgiving door hangers that they had assembled earlier. The children and residents were equally blessed by the a!ernoon service, and we hope to come back soon.

If your child has recently turned 4 years old (or has never tried choir before) and you would like him/her to join in on the fun, fellowship, and service of children's choir, learn about music, grow new friendships, learn about serving God through our gi!s, and $nd a place of belonging in our church, we invite you to our special event night on Sunday, January 19, 4–5:30 !.". We will have a special guest director leading rehearsal, play games, and EAT!

For more information, contact Kelly Posey, Children's Choir Coordinator, at kposey@fpcnashville.org.

Stephen Ministry Stephen Ministers work alongside our pastors to care for, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support to people who are going through a di%cult time. If you have the gi!s of caring, encouraging, and listening, please begin to prayerfully consider becoming a part of this important ministry. Contact Sandra Randleman at 615-298-9502 or srandleman@fpcnashville.org for additional information.

GENERAL

Photographer NeededWe are looking for a photographer to attend church events and take photos for our communication e&orts. If interested, please email communications@fpcnashville.org.

PASTORSRyan V. Moore Pastor & Head of Sta!Sarah Bird Associate Pastor for Discipleship & EngagementAdam DeVries Associate Pastor for Youth & Their FamiliesStuart Gordon Executive Pastor John Musgrave Parish AssociateSandra Randleman Associate Pastor for Congregational Care & MissionsJoshua Rodriguez Associate Pastor for Young Adult Ministry

ADMINISTRATIONGinny Barber Administrative AssistantMike Crout Church AdministratorLynn Elliott Executive AssistantDaphne Garey Administrative Assistant Sherry Hadaway Administrative AssistantSabrina Vlahos Hospitality Coordinator

RECREATIONBryan Miller Director of Recreation Ministry Curt Stacy TEAM FPC Equine Therapy DirectorDavid Tippett Sports Program Director

PROGRAM STAFFRaphael Bundage Director of MusicKayla Clark Communications Coordinator Annette Crout Missions Coordinator & Columbarium ManagerBrenda Geise Older Adult Ministry CoordinatorSusan Kirby Worship CoordinatorJustin Near Website ManagerPeter A. Rogahn Interim Organist & Assistant Director of MusicKim Rogers Food Service Anne Stringham Editor

CHILDREN & SCHOOLSValerie Duncan Children’s Ministry Program AssistantKaren Fitts Nursery CoordinatorLeanne Hudson Administrative Assistant Children’s Ministry & Early Preschool Brenda Lutz Director of Early Preschool Deb O’Brien Director of Children’s MinistryHart Roper Head of School, Oak Hill SchoolTina Rose Assistant Director of Children's Ministry

NON-PROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDNashville, TN Permit No. 27

First Presbyterian Church 4815 Franklin Pike | Nashville, TN 37220615-383-1815 | fpcnashville.org

Published monthly for members and friends of First Presbyterian Church, Nashville

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