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A Newsletter from the First Presbyterian Church ofMurfreesboro
THE PROCLAMATION
January 2017
“To Know Christ and
Make Christ Known”
REV. DR. JOHN A. HINKLE, JR.,
SENIOR PASTOR
Leila jokes with me that I have
my “home wife” (which of course is
Leila) who has been keeping me
straight and out of trouble for over
25 years. But she also says I have my “work
wives” which are Charlotte Lynn, Pat Cox and
Jocelyn Fisher who, when I am not in Leila’s
sight, do their very best to help me walk the
straight and narrow. That is what Charlotte was
doing when she informed me on Tuesday,
December 6 that I needed to work on my stuff
for the January Proclamation. Now I know what
you are thinking, I was thinking the same thing:
January? We are only 6 days into December.
Why in the world would I be thinking about the
January Proclamation when I haven’t made it
through the 12 Days of Christmas? Of course
what Charlotte knew and which I would have
realized had I thought about it is that a lot can
happen between now and then so it is better to
be safe than sorry. Thinking about something as
big as the new year seems too distant and hazy to
think about when it’s almost a month away. Still,
before we know it a New Year will break though
the night and an old year will pass.
I am not sure about you, but I have always
looked forward to a new year. I do my very best
to stay in on December 31. In fact, I don’t even
remember the last time I witnessed the clock
strike 12. Usually I am off the street by 4pm and
I am in bed by 9pm. Lately (because I am
becoming more and more like my father) I find
my time to celebrate at around 5 in the morning
on January 1. No sane person is up that early so
it is just me sitting with the dogs. In such a time,
I find the time to give thanks for the year that
was and I wonder about the possibilities of the
year ahead. In those few hours by myself I find
myself pretty hopeful for the days and months to
come. That is not to say that I am naive enough
to somehow believe the year before me will be
smooth sailing. My life before this day will tell
me that will not be the case; however, it is to say
that our God is good and our God is great and
with such knowledge I know whatever the year
might bring God’s Providence will be revealed to
us all: saint and sinner alike.
My prayer for you is that in this new year you,
too, will find some time to give thanks for the year
that was and ponder the year to come. The truth is
we may not know where the road will take us, but
we do know Who walks with us. Happy New
Year!!! May God bless us all.
Follow Rev. Hinkle on Twitter @daltonboy1986 or
email him at [email protected]
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH w 210 N. SPRING STREET MURFREESBORO, TN 37130
PHONE: 615-893-3882 w FAX: 615-962-9005 w WWW.MBOROFPC.ORG
Worship
Page 2
Church news
Pages 2-3
Presbyterian
Women
Page 3
FPC Youth
Page 4
FPC Kids
Page 5
Notes from
Session
Page 6
Birthdays/
Anniversaries
Page 6
Calendar
Page 7
T
he Proclamation January 2017 Issue 1
January 1
New Year’s Day
“Time and Toil”
Psalm 8
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
January 8
“Remember Your Baptism”
State of the Church
Psalm 29
Matthew 3:13-17
Service of Wholeness After
Each Service
January 15
Rev. Art Jones preaching
“Linus’ Blanket and the
Issue of Pain”
Job 1:1
Job 42:1-6
January 22
“The Well Played Life”
Psalm 118
Colossians 4:2-6
January 1: Rev. Harding will bring in the
New Year.
January 8: Celebration of the Baptism of
Jesus – on this day as we remember the
baptism of the Lord we also give thanks for
own baptism. On this day we will also
ordain and install new Ruling Elders. As
part of his sermon, Dr. Hinkle will give his
“State of the Church.”
January 15: On this day, we welcome to
our pulpit Rev. Art Jones. Art is the father
of Allison Panter and an Honorably Retired
Presbyterian minister.
January 22: Dr. Hinkle will begin a new
series of sermons entitled, “The Well
Played Life” based on the book by the same
title by Leonard Sweet. During this time we
will look at why it is better to play than
work when it comes to our faith.
January 29
“The World is My Garden”
Psalm15
Genesis 2:4-15
The Proclamation
is a monthly newsletter
of
First Presbyterian
Church
210 N. Spring Street
Murfreesboro, TN
37130
www.mborofpc.org
Have an
announcement for the
February Newsletter?
Submit it to Charlotte at
[email protected]
or
call 893-3882 ext. 21 by
Tuesday, January 17.
Art Jones, Jr. grew up in Chattanooga,
graduated McCallie School, UTC,
Columbia Theological Seminary (M.Div.),
and Austin Presbyterian Seminary
(D.Min.). He retired as a PC(USA) minister
after serving 38 years, two churches in TX
and one in Chattanooga. Rev. Jones also
served as a Board Certified Chaplain with
Hospice of Chattanooga for 8 years and
retired in 2013. He is married to Jan Lynn,
father to Allison Panter and Kellye Reid and
grandfather to Alex and Adam Panter and
Mason and Molly Reid.
There will be a
congregational
meeting on Sunday,
January 8 at 10:40
a.m. to receive the annual reports from the
Session and to act on a change of call for
Rev. Harding and Dr. Hinkle.
On Sunday, January 8, during the 11 a.m.
service, First Presbyterian Church will
celebrate the ordination and installation of
Ruling Elders for the class of 2019.
Being Ordained and Installed:
Bob Hoffman, Handani Kam, Tracey
Lannom, Don McKinney
Being Installed: Amy Farrar, Kathy Graham,
Kathy Jones, Shanon Kusch
In place of the Session’s regular stated
meeting on Tuesday, January 17, the Session
will meet on Saturday, January 21 at 8:00
a.m. The retreat will be used by the Session
and the chairs of the ministry teams to focus
and plan out the year. Please keep the Ruling
Elders of the Session in your prayers.
The Church Office will be closed on Monday,
January 2 to observe New Year’s Day and on
Monday, January 16 to observe the birthday
of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Our meals and
classes resume
on January 11.
Join us for a
good meal and
fellowship! Please make your reservations by
using the insert in your bulletin (1st and 8th)
or by using one of the colored pew inserts.
We also welcome our new cooks, Jessica
Redman and Sarah DiDominizio to our
Wednesday night team. Let’s welcome them.
Following worship on
January 8, Dr. Hinkle
will head to Montreat for
his yearly pilgrimage. Dr.
Hinkle spends this time in prayer and
reflection for the year to come. If you need
Dr. Hinkle for any reason, please contact the
church office at 615-893-3882, ext. 21 or
email [email protected].
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feeling well enough, Paris attends the
Men’s Bible Studies class on Saturday
mornings.
He resides at 329 Forest Glen Circle in
Murfreesboro.
The Worship and Music Ministry Team will
host a workshop open to all members in early
2017 on flower design. This informative,
hands-on, and fun event will equip all of us to
provide lovely arrangements and enhance our
worship. Be on the lookout for all the details
coming soon!
Welcome back to Men’s Bible Study! We
hope you’ll join us.
Saturdays 7:00 am – Resumes January 7
Mondays 5:30 pm – Resumes January 23
BY GLENN HIMEBAUGH
Paris Kennedy
Although Paris Kennedy has
been attending our church for a
number of years, he officially
joined just weeks before his
94th birthday on December 29.
A World War II Army veteran, Paris
fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was
wounded twice while fighting in Europe. He
received a Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars
for his service. After the war he became active
in the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and
the Disabled American Veterans (DAV).
Born and raised near Jackson, Tenn., Paris
came to Murfreesboro 14 years ago from
Woodbury following the death of his wife.
They had lived in Gallatin where he worked at
Sears prior to moving to Woodbury. After
coming here Paris met Mary Hayes with
whom he attends our church at an AARP
Christmas party.
A retired self-taught Baptist minister, Paris
learned the religion from his father, who was
a pastor for more than 50 years. When he’s
Lindsey Fournier
Lindsey Fournier and
her two daughters, Amelia,
9, and Ruby, 6, joined our
church in October, having
moved to Murfreesboro
from Shelbyville where
Lindsey was born and
raised. Amelia is a third
grader at the Discovery School while Ruby
is a pre-K student at Montessori: Weaver
School.
A pharmaceutical health care
representative with Pfizer in Murfreesboro,
Lindsey earned a degree in marketing from
the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
She lists spending time with her daughters,
cycling and running among her favorite
activities.
Lindsey serves on the advisory board at
the Discovery Center and is an active
member of the Charity Circle of
Murfreesboro. She and the children reside
at 4418 Scottish Drive in Murfreesboro.
The Session has decided the following as a general
rule of thumb:
In the event of inclement weather, the
church will cancel activities according to
county school cancellations. If possible, an
email will be sent out. Other places where
cancellations will be listed are WGNS radio,
FPC’s Facebook page or on the church
website at www.mborofpc.org. In some
cases the decision may be made to hold
activities if the weather has improved (for
example, if the roads have been cleared in
time for Wonderful Wednesday events). In
these cases, an email will be sent out to the
congregation.
Presbyterian
Women Events
Morning Circle
The Ladies Tuesday
Morning Bible Study will
meet at the church on
Tuesday, January 3 at
10:00 a.m. The study
leader will be Susie
Hawkins and refreshments
will be provided by Mary
Elaine Hargis and
Roenella Hornsby. All
women of the church are
invited to join with us as
we continue our study of
the book of John.
Lunch Hour Circle
Lunch Hour Circle will
meet on Monday, January
23 at noon in Classroom
A. Please join us as we
begin a new study of
Christian women who
have influenced history.
Evening Circle
Evening Circle will meet
on Tuesday, January 10 at
6:30 p.m. in the Parlor.
All women of the church
are welcome.
Circle of Faith
The Circle Faith will meet
on Tuesday, January 24 at
6:15 p.m. Contact
Jennifer Willoughby for
details.
T
he Proclamation January 2017 Issue 1
Here’s
What’s
Happening:
This is our annual High school ski retreat to Winterplace, WV!
Cost is $185 per student ($100 if not skiing) Registration
Deadline: Sun. Jan. 15, 2017 (same as summer trip).
$100 Deposit Deadline: Sun. Jan. 29, 2017. Balance Due by Sun.
Feb. 12, 2017. Visit mborofpc.org/youth to register.
Wednesday Nights:
Middle School Small Group
and High School Youth
Group 6:00 pm
Sign up under “Quick Links” at mborofpc.org
$800 per
person
Register
by
1/15/17
$200
deposit
due by
2/5/17
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Sundays This Month:
PreK-1: We are studying creation, Adam and Eve and
Noah’s ark. Students will learn they were created in
God’s image and to hope in God’s promises.
Grades 2-5 We are studying the miracles of Jesus,
including the stories of the fishes and the loaves and
Jesus walking on water. Students will learn about the
power of God and its ability to conquer sin and the
grave.
Wednesday Nights:
PreK-1: We are studying
the fruits of the Spirit.
Grades 2-5: We are
studying the fruits of the
Spirit. Students are completing
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
K-1 Memory Verse: Level 2A:
"Do to others as you would have
them do to you.” Luke 6:31
2-5 Memory Verse: Level 2A: “Do to others as you
would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31
NaCoMe is Coming!
Interested in sending your child or
teen to summer camp? NaCoMe
Camp director Ryan Moore is
coming to talk to parents and children
about camp opportunities on January
29 during the Sunday School hour. NaCoMe is a
ministry of the Middle Tennessee and Mid-South
Presbyteries. It offers week-long camps for rising 3rd12th grades and family camps. Camps run primarily in
June and cost $375-$395. Financial aid may be available
through the camp. Camp fun includes archery,
swimming, canoeing, ziplining and rock climbing in a
Christian environment. If you have questions for Moore
to answer, please leave them in Lauren Brandon’s
church mailbox before January 29.
Join us for a new class for parents whose children are in
Sunday School. This class will be led by Lexie Harding
starting on Sunday, January 15. For our first study we will
be going through an Enneagram Video Series. The
Enneagram, whose roots go back many centuries, is a study of
the nine basic types of people. It explains why we behave the
way we do and it points to specific directions for individual
growth. It’s an important tool for how we can improve our
relationships with family, friends and coworkers.
The class will meet in the upstairs children’s wing. We hope
you’ll join us!
T
he Proclamation January 2017 Issue 1
*We were pleased to welcome the following new
members: Paris Kennedy and Matt & Katherine
Layman.
*Reverend Hinkle gave the devotion. He inspired us by
reading some passages from one of his favorite books:
The Magnificent Defeat by Frederick Buechner. The main
theme from Matthew 13 was that though seeing,
sometimes we do not see…but we pray to be blessed so
that our eyes will be open to see things clearly.
*We had 42 visitors in November.
*The common room floor and hallways have been
stripped and sealed. The ice machine in the kitchen has
been replaced.
*It has been brought to light that that our church needs a
class that discusses family topics that targets parents of
young children. We have approved to start a new
Sunday School class that addresses these needs. It will be
taught by Lexie Harding and will be held in the upstairs
children's choir room. Watch the bulletins for the
starting date.
*Reverend Art Jones, the father of Allison Panter, will
be in the pulpit preaching on January 15th.
*The pledges for next year currently total $734,500.
We are joyful that our members are actively supporting
our mission to know Christ and make Christ Known.
*At the request of our financial secretary, three quotes
have been received from accounting firms to perform a
yearly financial review for the next three years. Tim
Montgomery, CPA and PLLC was selected to perform
the reviews. The cost will be $1200 per year. The
Book of Order also requires a financial review annually.
*A stipend of $75 per week is allocated to the choir to
compensate some of the musicians.
*In an effort to help parents feel comfortable and secure
about the leaders that teach and interact with our young
persons, background checks have been made on all
persons in any leadership positions, volunteer or staff,
and all have been satisfactory.
*The care ministry coordinated 8 meals this past month
for families with illness. Communion was taken to two
who can't get out much. We are actively praying for
those with needs.
*There will be a congregational meeting on January 8 to
hear the proposed budget for 2017 and to receive the
end of the year reports from the 10 ministries that serve
our Lord in various ways.
1-Jan
3-Jan
Polly Bullock
Ridley Bouldin
4-Jan
Meredith Peck
5-Jan
Matt Meyer
7-Jan
Ryan Saar
8-Jan
Mark Blackwelder, Rachel Pote
10-Jan
Debbie Edwards, Maggie Swender
11-Jan
Martin White
12-Jan
Matt Lane
13-Jan
John Moss
15-Jan
Rosemary Bane, Robby Brookfield
16-Jan
Spencer Couch, Bobbie Pierce
17-Jan
Hank Lampley, Tom Smith, Moses Tesi
18-Jan
Morgan Neal, Mamie Sevier
19-Jan
Thomas Bailey
20-Jan
24-Jan
Shelby Bailey, Christie Hall, Nancy Smith
Averie Brasch, Bill Brasch, Katie Brasch, Laura
Harbour, David Parsons
Joel Paddon, Adam Panter, Shannon Smith
Sinjin Bartos, Kristen Harbour, Noa Pace, Drew
Wilmesherr
Allan Maynard, Helen Sanford
26-Jan
Hannah Margaret Allen
28-Jan
Sperry Randolph
29-Jan
Glenn Himebaugh
Thom Christy, Joe Nunley, Chris Speck, Lauren
Speck
Andrew Cowden, Andrea Prince
21-Jan
22-Jan
23-Jan
30-Jan
31-Jan
Bill & Beth Brasch
Matthew & Lauren Lane
Taras & Katie Struk
Matthew & Mishelle Perkins
January 4
January 5
January 8
January 20
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Sunday, January 1
New Year’s Day
9:30 AM
Fellowship
10:00 AM Worship Service
Monday, January 2
Church Office Closed
Thursday, January 5
5:30 PM
ESL
Friday, January 13
No Events Scheduled
Saturday, January 14
7:00 AM
Men’s Bible Study
10:30 AM 4th Grade Faith
Milestone: Risk
The Ascent
Tuesday, January 3
9:00 AM Yoga
10:00 AM Morning Circle
6:00 PM
Ministry Teams
Wednesday, January 4
Preschool Resumes
Thursday, January 12
Session Reports Due
5:30 PM
ESL
Re
Friday, January 6
11:30 AM Playdate Group
Saturday, January 7
7:00 AM
Men’s Bible Study
Sunday, January 8
State of the Church address
8:00 AM
First Choir
8:30 AM
Worship Service
9:30 AM
Sunday School
9:30 AM
MataBoro Bible Study
9:30 AM
Service of Wholeness
10:40 AM Congregational
Meeting
11:00 AM Worship Service
(Install New Elders)
12:00 PM Service of Wholeness
Monday, January 9
5:30 PM
ESL
Tuesday, January 10
9:00 AM
Yoga
1:30 PM
Care Team Meeting
Wednesday, January 11
5:00 PM
Wonderful Wednesday
resumes
6:00 PM
Classes & Middle
School Small Groups &
High School Youth
Group
7:15 PM
Chancel Choir
Rehearsal
Sunday, January 15
Souper Bowl of Caring Begins
Registration Deadline for Summer
Youth Trips & Ski Treat
8:00 AM
First Choir
8:30 AM
Worship Service
9:30 AM
Sunday School
11:00 AM Worship Service
Monday, January 16
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday
Church Office Closed
5:30 PM
ESL
Tuesday, January 17
Proclamation Deadline
9:00 AM
Yoga
Wednesday, January 18
5:00 PM
Wonderful Wednesday
6:00 PM
Classes &Middle School
Small Groups & High
School Youth Group
7:15 PM
Chancel Choir
Rehearsal
Thursday, January 19
5:30 PM
ESL
Friday, January 20
5:00 PM
Monthly Middle School
Event: Pizza & Jump
Street
Saturday, January 21
7:00 AM
Men’s Bible Study
8:00 AM
Session Retreat
Sunday, January 22
8:00 AM
First Choir
8:30 AM
Worship Service
9:30 AM
Sunday School
11:00 AM Worship Service
Monday, January 23
12:00 PM Lunch Hour Circle
5:30 PM
Men’s Bible Study
5:30 PM
ESL
Tuesday, January 24
9:00 AM
Yoga
6:15 PM
Circle of Faith
Wednesday, January 25
5:00 PM
Wonderful Wednesday
6:00 PM
Classes &Middle School
Small Groups & High
School Youth Group
7:15 PM
Chancel Choir
Rehearsal
Thursday, January 26
5:30 PM
ESL
Friday, January 27
No Events Scheduled
Saturday, January 28
7:00 AM
Men’s Bible Study
Sunday, January 29
8:00 AM
First Choir
8:30 AM
Worship Service
9:30 AM
Sunday School
11:00 AM Worship Service
5:00 PM
Chili Cook-Off/
Brownie BakeOff/Talent Show
Monday, January 30
5:30 PM
Men’s Bible Study
5:30 PM
ESL
Tuesday, January 31
9:00 AM
Yoga
Memorials
Undesignated:
David Kious
Cecil Coleman
Kenneth Micona
Cynthia & William Smith
First Presbyterian Church
210 NORTH SPRING STREET
MURFREESBORO, TN 37130
NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE PAID
MURFREESBORO, TN 37129
RETURNSERVICEREQUESTED
PERMIT#198
FPCSTAFF
Phone: 615-893-3882
Fax: 615-962-9005
www.mborofpc.org
Senior Pastor
Rev. John Hinkle
[email protected] /ext. 22
Associate Pastor of Family
Ministries
Rev. Bobby Harding
[email protected] / ext. 37
Music Director
Jocelyn Fisher
[email protected] / ext. 34
Director of Children’s
Ministries
Lauren Brandon
[email protected]
Organist
Valerie Rains
[email protected]
Preschool Director
Amy Smythe Leonard
[email protected]
Administrative Assistant
Charlotte Lynn
[email protected]/ext.
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Communications Assistant
Gabrielle Smotherman
[email protected]
/ext. 38
Financial Secretary
Pat Cox
[email protected] / ext. 33
Custodians
Josh Dale and Joe Rich
[email protected]. 36