Waiting On the Lord "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?" (Psalm 13:1)

Our culture in the U.S. is known for many great qualities. Industry, inventiveness, creativity would be among these special strengths. "Waiting," probably not. Fast food restaurants abound. We feel particularly picked on in the grocery store; we always end up checking out in the slow lane. Being put on hold, when on the phone with a business, drives us nuts. Yet we see other cultures around the globe, where people stand in line forever for food, for medical care, for shelter, with an equanimity that should inspire us. If our parents or grandparents were "the greatest generation," perhaps we are "the spoiled generation." We want it, and we want it...NOW.

"Waiting on the Lord" is Old Testament language for having faith. There are great promises conveyed in God's Word for those who cultivate the spiritual discipline of "waiting." "Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)

There are also great warnings for those who do not cultivate this virtue. "In waiting and trusting you shall be saved. But you refused. 'No!,' you said, 'We shall speed upon horses!' So then you will be left all alone, like a flagstaff on top of a mountain." My Pennsylvania Dutch grandmother translated this in much simpler terms: "Haste makes waste."

In our newsletter this month you will find an update from the Pastor Nominating Committee. This good team of nine* deserves our greatest thanks. For nearly a year and a half now** they have met regularly to review Personal Information Forms, listen to sermons, interview a host of good candidates by video conference, and conduct face-to-face interviews, occupying entire weekends, with four. They have chosen not to "speed upon horses," not to settle for less than the best and have done with it. Fatigue could have tempted them to do exactly that.

But instead, they have kept the faith, trusted God, and "waited on the Lord." Now as they begin a fresh start, as they are calling it, let us all believe with them that "Those who wait upon the Lord will renew the strength [of their congregation; they will be investing in a future for their congregation when the church] will rise up with wings like eagles..."

We would all do well to use this occasion to cultivate the grace in our own lives to "wait upon the Lord," and so find our faith expand. And with that expanding faith, may we re-double our commitment to pray for the PNC, and believe that God, right now, is preparing the person of His choice to answer the call that is given.

--Interim Pastor Dave Handley *Members of the Pastor Nominating Committee: Rhonda Banasiak, Don Beck, Kelly Duncan, Steve Griffey, Susan Marks, Sam Mills, Diane Miner (chair), Scott Sitter, Vicki Wallace.

**The average time it takes a Presbyterian congregation to find a new pastor is 18-24 months. In my last interim assignment, it took the committee 2 1/2 years. And now they have a really good one.

June 2013

Pastoral Pastoral Pastoral CareCareCare

PLEASE KEEP IN PLEASE KEEP IN PLEASE KEEP IN

YOUR PRAYERSYOUR PRAYERSYOUR PRAYERS

LongLongLong---term Care:term Care:term Care:

Becky Keene

Tom Coffman

Kay Cristina

Heidi Hedstrom

R. L. Rogers

Wanda McCormick

Don Atkins

Ben Thirey

Liz Thomas

Family Members:Family Members:Family Members:

Laura Layton, Linda

Guinn’s sister

Joe Reynolds, Jerry

Reynolds’ brother

Luke Brown, Yvonne

Hiett’s cousin

Deaths:Deaths:Deaths:

Alan Faircloth, Tom &

Shirley Dixon’s grandson-in

-law

Peggy Posey, Bill Posey’s

grandmother

TO NOTIFY THE CHURCH OF ILLNESS, HOSPITALIZATION, BIRTH, DEATH, OR PRAYER REQUEST,

CONTACT NEESA HAWKINS AT 931-645-6551 or FPCClarksville@gmail.com

FFirstirstirst PPresbyterianresbyterianresbyterian

CChurchhurchhurch

213 Main Street, Clarksville, TN 37040

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

ON THE WEB AT

www.fpcclarksville.org

TELEPHONE Voice: 931-645-6551

OFFICE HOURS

Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Friday 8:00 a.m. to noon

Sunday School Classes

Classes for all ages

meet each Sunday,

9:45-10:45 am

in the Christian

Education building.

CHILD CARE

is provided for infants

and toddlers on the

2nd floor.

PRESCHOOL

2-year-olds through

Kindergarten meet on

the 2nd floor

CHILDREN &

YOUTH

1st through 12th

graders meet on the

4th floor

ADULTS

4 different

classes meet on the

2nd and 3rd floors

Page 2

~SERMONS AND PREACHING SCHEDULE ~

Sunday Morning Schedule Worship 8:30 & 11:00; Sunday School for all ages 9:45-10:45. Pastor Dave will be preaching all Sundays in June.

June 2 Communion celebrated by intinction (congregation coming forward). "Knowing God: (3) the God who nourishes our souls," John 6:1 -14, 35-40. "I AM the Bread of Life."

June 9 "Knowing God: (4) the One who illumines our way," John 1:1-18, "I AM the Light of the world." (John 8:12)

June 16 "Knowing God: (5) One Way, or many?," John 14:1-9, "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

June 23 "Knowing God: (6) the One who makes us fruitful," John 15:1-13, "I AM the true Vine."

June 30 "The Knock at the Door," Revelation 3:20 "Listen! I stand at the door and knock

~ MEMBERSHIP CLASS ~

For those wanting to explore membership at First Presbyterian with Pastor Dave, a two-week class will be offered on Sundays, June 23 and 30, from 9:45-10:30 in the pastor's office. The first week, we will explore the mission statement and core beliefs of First Presbyterian Church of Clarks-ville; the second week, we will look at the wider denomination--the history and unique elements of what it means to be a Presbyterian. Members who would like to sit in and discuss these same things are welcome to call Pastor Dave and join us.

~ PRESBYTERIAN PRAYER CHAIN ~

Members of our congregation regularly pray for each other! We have a Prayer Chain via e -mail to

share concerns and celebrations. If you would like to be a part of the group, please contact annwad-

dle@gmail.com to be added to the mailing list. Also, if at any time you would like the group to join

you in prayer, please send information to Ann Waddle via e -mail or phone 931-624-2597 and she will

add it to our list of prayer concerns.

~ VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL ~

Vacation Bible School will be July 15-19 from 9 am until noon at FPC! Volunteers will be needed for all

types of jobs. If you are interested in helping, please contact Laura Black (laura.black@cmcss.net) or Mag-

gie Brown (maggiemcgrady@gmail.com). Registrations for each child are required (page 7).

Page 3

~MACEDONIA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HOMECOMING ~

FPC is invi ted to Macedonia ’s homecoming fest iv i t ies on Sunday, June 2 . Worship is

at 10:00 am and a covered dish lunch is a t 11:30 am. The church wi l l provide the

meat and dr inks. Please RSVP to K athy Fox at 503 -3045 or Laura Palmer at 645 -4260

is you plan to go.

~FAMILY CAMP AT NACOME~

Family Camp, a new camp at NaCoMe wi l l be offered August 2 -4 which is the week-

end before publ ic school begins. This wi l l be a wonderful way to star t the school year

for your fami ly. I f you are interested, p lease contact the church off ice as regis trat ion

for ms are separate from the Youth Summer Camp for m.

~2013 CONFIRMATION CLASS MEMBERS ~

Jack Chavez , son of Kim Chavez and James Chavez

129 W. Glenwood Dr. Clarksvi l le, TN 37040

Alex Haase , son of David & Janet Haase

401 Sherwood Dr. Clarksvi l le, TN 37043

Georgia Havens , daughter of Dorothy Havens and Greg Havens

2121 Johnson Rd. Clarksvi l le, TN 37043

Elizabeth Ryan , daughter of Phi l & Jen Ryan

1715 Wolver ton Dr. Ft . Campbel l , KY 42223

Marc Schoonover , son of Tim & Lydia Schoonover

416 Greenwood Ave. Clarksvi l le, TN 37040

Drew Sturdivant , daughter of Bi l l y & Amy Ausenbaugh Sturd ivant

209 Bul lock Dr. Clarksvi l le, TN 37040.

Colton Woodson , son of Gordon & Ker r i Woodson

575 N. Woodson Rd. Clarksvi l le, TN 37043 -4816

~REPORT ON MEN’S WORKCAMP AT NACOME~

On Friday, May, 10 through Saturday, May 11, four teen FPC males ventured to

NaCoMe to fe l lowship and work around the camp. We painted the ins ide of the Up-

per Lodge, made some new tables and benches for the d ining room, and re -roofed

two of the shacks at Outpost ( the overnight campsite ) . See the photos in th is news-

letter.

~ NEW BABY ~

Congratulations to Rickey & Erin Prall McCallum on the birth of William Brandt

McCallum, born Saturday, May 4, 2013, in Knoxville, TN. Little William weighed 6 lbs., 15 oz.

Rick & Ivy Prall are the proud grandparents.

Page 4

~ PASTOR NOMINATING COMMITTEE (PNC) MAY UPDATE ~

Most of you know we had two pastors visit this month. It would be nice if this article was stating we are moving forward with one of those candidates; but that is not the case. The committee found much to commend both candidates but in our efforts to be unanimous and follow where we believe God is leading us, we did not choose either one to be our future pastor.

We have been unanimous in the past and we and we believe we will be again in the future. Please be pa-tient and pray for us as we begin to look at new candidates that we have before us now.

-Diane Miner, PNC Chairperson

~ FPC PHOTO DIRECTORIES ~

Good news! Directories are here. For those who had photos taken, one free directory is available for pickup in the church office. For those who did not have photos made, there are some extra copies availa-ble on a first come, first serve basis.

~ SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL ~

The Christian Education Committee decided to offer K-12 Sunday School every Sunday during the

summer beginning June 2 and ending July 28, 9:45-10:30 am. There will be no children’s Sunday school

over Memorial Day weekend or the first weekend in August. Regular Sunday School will resume after

Rally Day, August 11.

ADULT CLASSES LOCATION STUDY TOPIC/CURRICULUM Brotherhood (men) 3rd floor The Present Word Explorers (men/women) 2nd floor Disciple series Friendship (women) 3rd floor The Present Word Gospel Seekers (men/women) 3rd floor library Feasting on the Word & other curriculum

~FREE YOGA CLASSES ON TUESDAYS ~

Our free Yoga Class is restorative and involves gentle stretching and basic poses. Students are encouraged to wear clothing that is comfortable but not too loose. Poses are done barefoot. Mats and blocks are avail-able in the fellowship hall where we meet on Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30 pm. We have a good time and new-comers are always welcome!

Page 5

Colton & Brody

Woodson

move lumber

at the

NaCoMe

Workcamp

~ WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY ~ You are invited to join Rev. Dave Handley and the group of 15-20 folks who gather for Bible study on Wednesday mornings each week. Please join us at 10:00 am in the church library!

~ THEOLOGY ON TAP ~ Theology on Tap is a group of 15-20 folks who meet each Monday at 5:00 pm at Guadalajara Grill (on Riverside Drive across from the Big Lots store). Come, join us for conversations about theology and real life!

~HYMNS IN WORSHIP~ The worship committee would like to know what hymns or songs you would like to sing in worship. Drop your requests in the offering plate, send an email (fpcclarksville@gmail.com) or leave on Neesa's desk. Lydia and Pastor Dave will try to incorporate your requests over the course of the year as the songs fit worship themes.

~ PRESCHOOL NEWS ~

Preschool registration for fall 2013 began in February. Call the director, Mary Linn Sadler, at 645 -

0313, for information, an application, or to schedule a visit to the Preschool.

THREE STAR RATING FOR THE PRESCHOOL!

We are pleased to report that our preschool has earned the Three Star Rating (the highest available)

for licensed childcare agencies. This is the 11th year our preschool has earned this rating. The

preschool is assessed annually by the Tennessee Department of Human Services. We are proud of our

achievement and the support of First Presbyterian Church in making our program

possible. Our staff works very hard to provide a loving, caring

environment for our children. Your prayers and encouragement are vital to our strong preschool

program. Thank you for your many years of support!

~ CONFIRMATION 2013-2014 ~

This year, we have an exceptionally small number of rising seventh graders that are able to take park in the Confirmation class. This presents us with the unique opportunity to reach high-schoolers who have not completed confirmation and are interested in joining the church. In order to meet this need, our confirmation staff will be leading a six week study designed to prepare high -schoolers to join FPC upon completion of the study session. Please contact Maggie Brown in the church office if you are interested in this course of study. For adults wishing a similar class, we plan to offer a similarly structured class in the winter of 2014.

~ PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN ~

We will not meet in June or July. Circles and luncheons/dinners will begin again in August.

Page 6

CONTACTING AND/OR MEETING WITH PASTOR DAVE Pastor Dave is available for individual meetings with members of the congregation Monday-Friday, 9:00 am—6:00 pm or on Saturdays when circumstances require it. Email him at david.stull.handley@gmail.com or call on his cell: 847-477-6990.

Join us at Kingdom Rock! July 15-19 from 9:00 to 12:00.

All children ages 2 thru entering 6th grade are welcome.

Early Registration is encouraged!

(Please fill out a separate form for each child.)

Child’s name________________________________________________________________

Birth date____________________ Gender___________________

FPC Member? ___yes ____no FPC Preschool Attendee and class?_________________

Allergies or other conditions which may limit activity______________________________

Please check the appropriate age group for your child:

____Age 2 ____Age 3 (must be potty-trained)

____Age 4 or 5 (preschool, but not entering Kindergarten)

____Entering Kindergarten ____Entering First ____Entering Second

____Entering Third ____Entering Fourth ____Entering Fifth

____Entering Sixth

Address__________________________________________________________

Home Phone______________________________________________________

City __________________________________ Zip __________

Email ___________________________________________________________

Parent or Guardian name ____________________________________________

Work or Cell _______________________________

Primary contact in case of emergency (Name and 2 phone numbers)

____________________________________________________________________

Secondary emergency contact and phone

____________________________________________________________________

Parent signature _____________________________________ Date _____________

Childcare is available for all volunteers’ children not old enough to attend VBS. If you need childcare, please give the name(s)

of your nursery-age children and their date of birth.

Name________________ Age______ Allergies____________________

Name________________ Age______ Allergies____________________

Page 7

~ MEN’S MONTHLY BREAKFAST ~

All men, a l l ages, are invi ted to par t ic ipate in conversat ions about l i fe and fa i th! Meet on

Monday, June 3 a t 7 :00 am at the Shoney’ s on the corner of Kraf t S treet and 2nd Street . A

br ief devotional fol lows the meal .

~ CHILDREN’S WORSHIP ~

May 19 was the las t Sunday for C hi ldren’s Worship thi s school year . Over the summer , we

p lan to hold Chi ldren’s Worship once a month. We wi l l ga ther on June 16 (Father ’ s Day)

and July 21 (VBS Sunday). We wi l l resume weekly worship on Ral ly Day, August 11, 2013.

We’ve had a great year and have enjoyed worshiping wi th your chi ldren. I t i s our prayer that

the chi ldren have learned how to more ful ly par t ic ipate in worship and that you wi l l see th i s

sp i r i tual growth over the summer when they are in worship wi th you.

Next year we wi l l add the Apost les ’ Creed into the worship t ime. Al l should a lready know

the Lord’s Prayer and Doxology . We were able to s top us ing the overhead for these par ts of

worship ear l ie r in the year . Also for next year , our 5 th graders wi l l be e l ig ib le to help serve

on “Park Patrol” as helpers during Chi ldren’s Worship . If your chi ld i s interested, p lease le t

us know. We wi l l need one boy and one gi r l each Sunday. Ideal ly , they should only help

once or twice a month.

Final ly , we need one more volunteer to help lead Chi ldren’s Worship. If you fee l l ike thi s i s

something you are ca l led to do, please ta lk to Maggie Brown. I t i s so wonderful to see

God’s love through the eyes of ch i ldren. -Fondly , Maggie Brown and Ju l ia Semsick

~ NO SECOND SUNDAY LUNCH DURING SUMMER ~

The Fel lowship Committee wi l l be back on Ral ly Day, August 11 to prepare lunch.

~ CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRADUATES ~

Kay la Al len

Jacob Bai ley (C larksvi l l e High)

She lby Chapman (C larksv i l l e Academy)

Camil le Harvey (Doctorate of Jur i sprudence , UT Col lege of Law)

Jon Harvey (C larksv i l l e High)

C lay Het land (Clarksvi l l e High)

Lauren Rit te r (Montgomery Centra l High)

Brad Vernich (Clarksvi l l e High)

~ APRIL 2013 STEWARDSHIP REPORT ~

Income for April $31,536.85

Expenses for April $49,653.33

Net Operating Total for April -$18,116.48

2013 year-to-date income $166,022.95

013 year-to-date expenses $185,082.37

Year to date Operating Total -$19,059.42

Page 8

YOUTH GROUPS

SENIOR HIGH YOUTH

NO SUNDAY NIGHT MEETINGS IN JUNE. WE WILL MEET ON WEDNESDAYS AT WHITT’S (on Madison Street), JUNE 5, 12, 19, AND 26 at 6:30 p.m. Please bring $$ for the meal. We will eat and then hang out till 7:30 pm.

If you have questions, contact MARK BANASIAK at 980-8185.

CLUB

345 SUNDAYS

JUNE 9 & 23

CALLING ALL

3rd, 4th, & 5th

GRADERS!

Join Bessie

Grimaldi on

Sundays

June 9 and 23

from 2:00-3:45

pm for snacks, a

devotion, and

games in the

AOC and C.E.

buildings.

Bring a friend!

Parents should

drop off and

pick up youth at

the AOC gym.

MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH

Sunday, June 2, 4-6:00 pm, devotion and play games

Sunday, June 9, 4-6:00 pm, devotion and play games

Sunday, June 16 , 4-6:00 pm, devotion and play games

Sunday, June 23 , 4-6:00 pm, devotion and play games

Sunday, June 30, 4-6:00 pm, devotion and go out for a fast-food dinner. Please bring $$.

If you have questions, contact MIKEY DAHLKE at (931) 216-0975

Page 9

Bring a

friend!

Children

participatin

g

in

Through the Roof

June 2013 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2 Communion

Homecoming at

Macedonia

Presbyterian

Sr. High NaCoMe

Camp begins

4-6 pm Youth Group

meetings

3

7:00 am Men’s

Breakfast

5:00 pm

Theology on

Tap

4

5:30 pm Yoga

5 10 am Bible

Study

6:00 Handbells

6:30 pm Senior

Highs at Whitts

7:00 Choir

6

7

You & Me (1)

NaCoMe

Camp begins

8

9

1:00 pm Session

Council meets

Elementary & Jr.

High NaCoMe

Camps begin

2:00 pm Club 345

4-6 pm Youth Group

meetings

10

4pm Property

Comm. meets

5:00 pm

Theology on

Tap

11

2:00 pm

Congregational

Care meets

5:30 pm Yoga

12 10 am

Bible Study

6 pm Handbells

6:30 pm Senior

Highs at Whitts

7:00 pm Choir

13

14

Twilight

NaCoMe

Camp begins

15

16 Father’s Day

9:45 am Session

meeting

4-6 pm Middle

School Youth Group

17

5 pm Theology

on Tap

18

5:30 pm Yoga

19 9:00 am

PW Planning

Meeting

10 am Bible

Study

6 pm Handbells

6:30 pm Senior

Highs at Whitts

7:00 pm Choir

20

21

Mini & You

& Me (2)

NaCoMe

Camps begin

22

23

2:00 pm Club 345

4-6 pm Youth

Group meetings

30

24

5 pm Theology

on Tap

25

5:30 pm Yoga

26

10 am Bible

Study

6 pm Handbells

6:30 pm Senior

Highs at Whitts

7:00 pm Choir

27 28

Elementary &

Jr. High

NaCoMe

Camps begin

29

Page 10

John Telford Marcene Crockarell Dot Brown Loretta Mattade Mitch Ostlund Ann Waddle Shiela Foust Gary & Linda Hamm Ann Waddle Alice Cortner Ann Waddle Max Ernst Bill McCormick David & Janice Traxler Max Ernst Aubrey Harvey Ann Waddle Shannon & Missy Keen Bonnie Coffman Ann Waddle Max Ernst David & Janice Traxler Mr. & Mrs. Carroll Bintz Tom Goder Ann Waddle Max Ernst David & Janice Traxler George Gracey David & Janice Traxler

Dudley Williams Alan Faircloth Eloise Ladd William Robert “Bobby” Bailey Cecil & David Morgan

MEMORIALS page 11

Children participating in Through the Roof

James Grigsby,

Bill Moser and

Robert Grig

sby

building a new

bench at the

NaCoMe Work

Camp

MAY 19, 2013 SESSION COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHTS

The Session of the First Presbyterian Church, Clarksville, Tennessee, met on Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 6:00 pm in the library. The meeting was opened with the lighting of the Christ candle by Rev. Dave Handley with an opening reflection by Carolyn Riggins on Psalm 8, and prayer. A letter of transfer for the memberships of Kathy and Randy Kelley to join our church was received from the First Presbyterian Church, Gastonia, NC. A letter requesting the transfer of membership for Alison Martin Goad to Madison Street United Methodist Church, Clarksville, was received.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: Christian Education: Regarding Summer Sunday School for K-12, the group will watch the Ten Commandments in 30 minute increments and have discussions on the movie for 9 weeks. VBS teacher training began today.

Congregational Care: The committee is working on communion for homebound members. Dave Handley will hold training sessions for elders to conduct communion without a pastor. Copies of the home communion service were handed out. The goal is that elders would take communion to each homebound member 4 times each year on communion Sundays.

Fellowship: There will be no 2nd Sunday meals in June or July. Lunches will resume on Rally Day, Aug. 11.

Finance & Stewardship: Expenses exceeded income by $18,000 in April, however $8,000 was paid in insurance premiums.

New Member & Visitor Outreach: There will be no 10:30 Sunday gathering time during the summer.

Property: John Foust will donate the funds to purchase arm chairs for the Friendship Class.

Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC): The last 2 pastors who visited were both good candidates but not unanimous choices for the committee. To date, the committee has reviewed applications from 275 pastors, conducted over 20 first interviews via videoconference, 12 second video interviews, and 7 weekend face to face interviews.

Service Committee: The committee will receive funds from the Shiela Foust family. New Business: Pastor Dave proposed the Session sponsor an all-church seminar to be held on a Saturday morning in late August or early September. The purpose of the seminar would be to help the congregation prepare for a new pastor by examining healthy ways of communication among the pastor, congregation, and Session. The national consulting group, “Healthy Congregations,” (see www.healthycongregations.com) would conduct the seminar, using a local certified leader. Pastor Dave handed out information sheets for the Session's consideration, and will bring the certified instructor with him to June’s session meeting. Pastor Dave will also discuss this with the PNC.