If you missed last Wednesday night's service in Heritage Chapel with Rev. Michael Benson you really missed an unusual moving of God's Spirit among us. Many came to the service, and were moved as Michael challenged us to reach lost people with the message of Christ and shared his ministry with us. Nearly $1000 was given in a love offering, and we are still remembering the story of what God is up to through him!
We hosted Mesoamerica Region Missionary Monty Cyr on Saturday morning at Kings Men and Women. What a dynamic story he told of what God is doing through the Church of the Nazarene in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. A good group came together for breakfast and the message.
How can we describe Sunday morning's service? The Holy Spirit moved in among us, and poured out His presence. How blessed we were to experience such a moving of God. Many have been praying for services like that, and please continue to! We were honored to have as our guests Missionaries Jay and Tiana Sunberg from Hungary with us, and their daughter Lexie who begins her Trevecca experience in a few days.
HOPE FOR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST!
There is much hand-wringing going on across America about the plight of the Church in our country. Not just Nazarenes, but most denominations and affiliations. To be sure, we've lost our share of people, cultural influence and passion for the lost over the last generation or so. No doubt. But in the face of these realities God is raising up people to take His message in fresh new ways to our nation and world. Take this past Sunday night's service as a powerful example of just what God is up to through His people:
The evening began with nearly 40 teen-agers (Our Youth Choir) singing His praises on the platform of Heritage Chapel, and the total youth group filling several pews at the front of the chapel. We are so grateful for the ministry of Belinda and Matt Wade with our youth choir. We then had an inspiring time of Worship together.
Pastor Maromy Samuel then updated us on the amazing things happening through our ELL Ministry - people learning English as their "second language" here in our building. Karen Bryant reported on the dozens of people we've served from over a half-dozen countries and languages with a host of volunteers through this ministry. A quality video clip showed us this minstry in action, produced by Chuck Engelhardt.
Pastor Samuel then updated us on the Haiti project, now an official partnership through Reaching Beyond International - the new organization began by our Haitian Congregation to reach further into our community. RBI is the second full division of our 510 Foundation and will be seeking the partnership of other churches and organizations to join our work in Haiti. Pastor Nahomie Samuel then reported by video on our medical clinic project in Haiti.
The glorious evening didn't stop there! Pastor Bob Milburn updated us on the incredible things happening in our Emmaus Fellowship Congregation, now averaging some 150 per week in attendance. Further, he showed us the infrastructure being put together to increase the spiritual growth of our Emmaus people, and the partnerships we are involved with in ministry with other Nashville agencies serving those in need.
I came away inspired as I thought of all God is up to through His people here at NFCN and among our friends! If you have sensed we are somehow a dying church, a retreating church, or a status-quo church, you need to know what's really happening! And you need to talk to the people that are involved in these ministries literally being the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need.
Pastor Ulmet
Cheryl's List is growing! Referrals from social agencies, NFCN, and word of mouth have caused 
the work to double each month. Because the 510 Foundation allocated a significant monetary gift to purchase mattresses and many people from NFCN and other interested individuals have donated used furniture in good condition, Cheryl's List has been able to "turn empty rooms into homes" for families in difficult circumstances who are transitioning into housing, including honorably discharged veterans, single mothers with children, individuals with serious health problems, etc. To serve effectively, Cheryl's List needs your prayers that God will continue to provide for the missional needs. These needs include:
1. Donation of a large, dry space (warehouse) to store and prepare items for delivery. (We've outgrown Eddie's 2-car garage!)
2. Donations of furniture in good condition and funds to purchase mattresses and other household items. (PayPal or in church offering)
3. Volunteers with strong backs to help with furniture pickup and deliveries, usually in the evening.
Leave a message at 838-2197 to donate or volunteer. Thank you for your continued support!
FIRST LADIES CONNECT - 2014-2015 KICK-OFF
This Thursday night, August 21 at 6:30pm is A Time to Re-Conect - Coffee Shoppe Night for all ladies of the church! There are specific gathering locations for each area of town. Click
here to request more information about the gathering locations.
TREVECCA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY MOVE-IN DAY
- Friday, August 22, 2014
New and returning Trevecca students will be moving back to campus
this Friday! If you're interested in being a part of the Nashville First team in welcoming students, please contact our College Pastor,
Scott Oldham, or call 740.398.9492. We'll need people to help students and their families both with moving personal items and greeting them at our "water bottle stations," inviting them to potentially be a part of our church family.
WHITE WATER RAFTING
Young Adult Ministries is sponsoring white water rafting trips. Registration and $35 payment are due by August 31. Please contact
Matt Dunlap for dates and more information. All ages are welcome, minimum age is 12 years and anyone under 18 must have a guardian present.
RUTHERFORD COUNTY GET TOGETHER
Saturday, August 30, 2014, Bob and Sue Turpin have graciously offered to host while we picnic and Melanie Van Mullen has graciously offered to host swimming for those that are interested. We are excited to get together with everyone as the summer slows down and we prepare for fall! We will arrive around 2:00pm and start to eat around 3:00pm to request information or directions, click
here.
What to bring: Hot dogs and Hamburgers will be provided! Please bring drinks, chips for your family and a side dish to share
Who: All NFCN Rutherford county residents! Feel free to bring a friend or neighbor!
SENIOR ADULT DINNER - THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 4
Join us at 6:00pm in the Fellowship Hall as we welcome Lisa Spencer, Nashville's favorite weather lady, as she shares her story and music. Bring your friends and bring a dish.
YOU ARE INVITED TO THE 2ND ANNUAL FUNDRAISING GALA FOR REST STOP MINISTRIES
An Evening at the Table on Friday, September 5 at 6:00pm at Hermitage Church of the Nazarene: A Community Experience Celebrating Food, Fellowship, Hospitality and God's Bounty! Join in a family style meal fresh from the farm to our table...as we share in story and song all that God is doing to advance the Rest Stop vision and mission! Tickets are $50 per person, and tables seat 8 persons. Please invite other interested supporters to attend with you! If you are unable to attend but would like to sponsor this event, please email
Rondy Smith or visit their
website.
SUNDAY NIGHT SERIES
Ever wanted to make a spiritual impact on your friends and family but didn't know how? Is it what you say, how you live, or both? Don't miss HOLY INFLUENCE: THE COURAGE TO BE Sunday nights at 6:00pm in the Sanctuary beginning September 7.
FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY
Our fall FPU series begins September 7 at 6:00pm in Reed 100. If you have not yet completed this important study, we'd love to have you participate. To register on-line, click
here. Discounted course materials are available through
Pastor Bruce Oldham. Sign up today!
CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS MUSICAL PRACTICE AND AUDITIONS
Our elementary children have begun practicing for our upcoming Christmas musical on December 14. Auditions will take place on Sunday evenings September 7 & 14 for those who desire to participate in the drama or solo/duet/trio pieces. Information and CD’s have already been distributed and may be picked-up at the Elementary Welcome Desk.
CREOLE CLASSES
Want to learn to speak Creole in just a few short weeks? The 8-week course begins Monday, September 8 and continues through October 27. Registration deadline is Friday, September 5. Please visit the church website
here or contact
Nahomie Samuel for more information.
ALABASTER SUNDAY
September 28 is Alabaster Sunday. Pick-up your Alabaster Collection Box at the Information Center in the foyer, spend the next month filling it up, and bring it with you to church on the 28
th. All money collected for this offering goes directly to aid with the building of churches, parsonages, and schools.
EAST NASHVILLE SCHOOL PARTNER SOCK & UNDERWEAR DRIVE
Join us in purchasing new packages of socks and underwear for elementary children in our area schools. These children are 4-10 years old. Sizes to purchase for boys or girls may range from 2 Toddler through 18 Youth. We will collect these items in the receptacle located in the foyer through September 28. If you have any questions, please contact
Pastor Sabrina Jones.
FAMILY CAMPOUT
Friday, September 12 5:00pm – Saturday, September 13 9:00am
All children birth through 5
th grade are invited to bring friends and family, including grandparents. The campout will be held at Amy and Chris Johnson’s Home: 9950 Central Pike, Mount Juliet, TN 37122. Bring your own tent, outdoor chairs, hotdog roasting sticks, and sleeping gear. Cost is $25 per family. Please contact
Pastor Sabrina Jones with any questions.
PARENTS NIGHT OUT
Friday, September 26 from 6:00-9:00pm we will host our first NFCN Parents Night Out. Bring your children to the church, and then either go on a date or join in fellowship with your NFCN friends at an event planned by our own Pastor Matt Dunlap and friends. The cost is $10 per child with a maximum cost of $30 per family. Children may be dropped off no earlier than 6:00pm and must be picked up no later than 9:00pm. Children 2 years and younger should bring their own food and drink. Those 3 years through fifth grade will enjoy pizza, drink, and dessert. If older teen siblings are Naz Safe, they may stay and work as Jr. Workers. Plan to invite friends to this event who don’t attend church with you. Prior reservations for this event are encouraged, so if you’d like to join in the fun, call the church office and let us know. Upcoming dates: 10/24, 11/21, 12/19, 1/23. If you have any questions, please contact
Pastor Sabrina Jones.
ORANGE CURRICULUM DURING CHILDREN'S CHURCH
Our NFCN Kids have begun an exciting new curriculum on Sunday mornings called ORANGE. This is an amazing curriculum that blends the heart of the home (red) with the Light of the Church (yellow) to make Orange. The partnership between parents/grandparents and fellow members of the Body of Christ is a critical relationship during the years of rearing a child. One very useful tool that you can purchase for $1.99 is the Parent Cue App (CLICK
HERE TO DOWNLOAD). Use either your iPhone, Android, or iPad to download this App, and keep in touch with valuable tools and resources that will allow you to continue the spiritual journey with your child throughout the week. Both parents and grandparents will benefit from having access to this App. In addition, there is a website for our elementary children to use, at the discretion of their parents, which goes along with the lessons they will be learning on Sundays:
http://studio252.tv/. If you have any questions, please contact
Pastor Sabrina Jones.
Join us for “The Gathering” on Wednesday Nights!
- Coffee & Conversation in the Press, 6:30-8:00 PM (Live Music begins August 27)
- Fellowship Meal in the Press, 5:15-6:15 PM (Begins August 27)
Adult Discipleship Electives
- “Walking by Faith: Lessons Learned in the Dark” (Women’s Bible Study)
- “Son of God: The Life of Jesus in You (Matt Dunlap)
- “When Helping Hurts: Alleviating Poverty without Hurting the Poor” (Bob Milburn)
- “Drawing on Grace” (Connie Houston)
- Coming soon! “ONE Extraordinary Marriage” (Begins September 3)
- Coming soon! “33 The Series: Men’s Bible Study (Begins September 17)
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED
We are in need of volunteers to drive our small bus on Sunday mornings to pick up our senior adults who live at Trevecca Towers. You do not need a CDL license to drive. Contact Pastor
Jack Galloway for details.
TENNESSEE TITANS PARKING
Football season is here! If you plan to go to several Titans games this season you can pick up your season parking pass at the Information Desk this coming Sunday. There will also be game passes for each regular season game made available on game days if you plan to go to any games before or after church. If you have any questions please contact
Matthew Dunlap
COUNSELING REFERRAL MINISTRY
Everyone struggles. Sometimes it helps to talk about it. Did you know that Nashville First Church of the Nazarene offers resources to connect you to caring Christian counselors? All of the counselors are part of our church and ministry. Did you know that the cost may be reduced or fully covered by our Life Ministries? To request the list of counselors and how to contact them or for more information, click here.
DISTRICT WOMEN'S RETREAT
It’s time for the annual District Women’s Retreat! This year it will take place at Garner Creek Retreat Center from September 19-21 and feature speakers Kim McLean and Devon O’Day Registration forms can be picked up at the Connection Center, and you may contact Sabrina Jones for more information.
Come to the Fire 2014 will be held in Grove City, OH on October 2-4 at the Grove City Church of the Nazarene. This is the annual holiness women's conference and we are forming a group to travel up for this event. For more information visit cometothefire.com. If you are interested in attending this event, please contact Pastor Sabrina Jones.
"THE REAL LIFE" - NFCN's television show on Cable Channel 19 in Davidson County (Public Access television - NECAT), times are:
Charlie Carney who work with church development, work and witness and the Jesus Film in Bolivia and Paraguay. The Carneys were part of the NFCN family prior to being called to the mission field. 
