EASTER WEEK AT NFCN
Wednesday April 16 - NO WEDNESDAY NIGHT ACTIVITIES
Maundy Thursday, April 17, 6:30pm - We will be rehearsing Jesus' final night with his disciples including the Last Supper and prayer in Gethsemane. We will celebrate communion together as part of the service.
Good Friday, April 18, 6:30pm - Join us as we journey through the last events leading up to the crucifixion and death of Jesus. It is a time to connect in a new and fresh way with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and its implications on our lives today.
Saturday, April 19
11:00am-1:00pm - Community Easter Egg Hunt in East Park - Bring your Easter Basket, a blanket and lunch (or Food Trucks will be available). Please come join us as we reach out to our community and enjoy fellowship together.
EASTER WEEKEND SERVICES:
SATURDAY - 5:10 PM - THE BRANCH - Pastor Brent Lawrence preaching, in Heritage Chapel
SUNDAY, 8:30 AM AND 10:30 AM - RESURRECTION CELEBRATION SERVICES - Pastor Kevin M. Ulmet preaching - in Main Sanctuary
9:30-10:45am Easter Breakfast in Fellowship Hall
9:30-10:30am "Walk With Jesus - An Easter Event for Families" in the Press and Family Pictures in the Gym
There will be no Evening Service Easter Sunday night, April 20.
EMMAUS will be meeting at 5:30pm. Contact Pastor Bob Milburn to get involved with this service and ministry.
THE QUEST will not be meeting this Sunday evening, April 20th. The Quest will meet again on Sunday evening, April 27 at 6:00pm.
HERITAGE MEN'S CHORALE AND YOUTH DESSERT FEST
Join us Sunday evening, April 27 at 6:00pm for the Trevecca Heritage Men's Chorale. This time of musical celebration will include hymns and gospel songs that remind us of our heritage and our hope. Following the concert, our teens are sponsoring a dessert fest to raise funds for future activities. Please contact Tina Diehl if you would like to donate a dessert of any kind or for more information.
What a great Women's Spring Event on Saturday! Over 140 were in attendance as special speaker LaTan Murphy inspired them! Thanks to our Women's Ministry Council who made this event happen!
It was great to have our Children singing in the Palm Sunday service! Special thanks to Abi Engelhardt Thomas and Kathryn Oliver for their leadership!
Special thanks to Pastor Brent Lawrence for preaching both his normal Saturday service plus Sunday morning in Pastor Ulmet's absence!
Ann Downing touched the hearts of people Sunday evening in her concert. It was a good day at NFCN!
Pastor Ulmet was the speaker last weekend at the North and South Alabama District's Laymen's Retreat at Shocco Springs Retreat Center in Talledega. The Holy Spirit broke through in some powerful ways in the three services. Worship was led by our own Jimmy and Sandy Blackman, who formerly served as Pastor and wife on the South Alabama District.
Saturday was a special birthday for one of our members. Opal James turned 100! And yes, she was in church on Palm Sunday! Happy Birthday!
Venance Mukandize recently completed the process to become an American citizen! Congratulations Venance!
Saturday evening the first gathering was held for the Smyrna/Murfreesboro Cluster led by Greg and Tonia McLane and Pastor Galloway. Twenty-nine were in attendance at a picnic. More events will be forthcoming.
Wayne Gallup, father of Steve in our church and also a long-time staff leader at Trevecca Nazarene University, entered the Heavenly Kingdom April 8. His service is this Saturday, April 19, at 11:00 AM at Trevecca Community Church on Trevecca's campus.
Several of our congregation attended the 16th annual Men of Valor Fundraising Breakfast on 
Tuesday, April 8 at Brentwood Baptist Church. Men of Valor is led by our own Carl Carlson, whose passion, energy, and vision is making a difference in the loves of incarcerated men and their families. If you are interested in contributing to this fantastic ministry, call 615-399-9111 or email Carl Carlson.
CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
We are excited to announce that, beginning April 16th, Sarah Johnson will be joining the NFCN Children’s Ministries team! In this part-time role, her primary area of oversight will be the Preschool Department; however, she will be working closely with Pastor Sabrina Jones and Amy Johnson as they strive to create a more effective, dynamic ministry to families and children of all ages.
Sarah brings a great deal of both professional and personal experience to the Children’s Department. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Media Communications from Asbury University, a master’s degree in Counseling & Psychology from Trevecca Nazarene University and has been an adjunct professor in Trevecca’s MHR program for eight years. She is married to Nate Johnson, and they have 5 children: Drew (9), Mia (8), Evelyn (5), Cole (2) & Jack (1). Sarah and her family have been active within the First Church family for 12 years.
Please make Sarah feel welcome and join us in congratulating her on her new role!
I was privileged to speak at the combined Alabama Districts' Laymen's Retreat this past weekend. Karen drove down and joined me Saturday afternoon after the women's event here. We experienced and witnessed a mighty moving of God's Spirit in our midst.
I spoke along the Retreat theme of "Bridging the Gaps." The "Holiness Gap" - which focused on the distance between the holiness of God and where most of us are spiritually. The "Cultural Gap" which divides believers from non-believers in our society and how disconnected and irrelevant we so often are from lost people in the American Church. And, the "Marriage and Family Gap" - the space between what scripture has to say on these subjects and where many of us actually live.
Much of this subject matter is painful for us to hear and deal with, but when offered through the filter of grace becomes a challenge instead of a condemnation. An invitation instead of an interrogation. So it was this past weekend!
Tears flowed. Hearts were moved. People moved forward and prayed for their own relationship with Christ, their lost friends and neighbors and their own families' spiritual needs. Names were called out in prayer. Church divisions were acknowledged and broken relationships confessed. I'm still moved by it in the memory!
As your Pastor, how I long for and pray for that level of honesty and seeking of God in our midst. That we would be a people who acknowledge our deep need of moving forward spiritually, and that we would care less and less about our image and care more and more about becoming everything the Holy Spirit desires us to be, both individually and corporately. That we would humble ourselves before the Lord, and seek His face for our own spiritual lives and for our families and friends.
I can't wait to preach the Easter messages this Sunday! Are you inviting your friends and families? Are you passing out those post cards? Are you in intense prayer and preparation for the services of this coming weekend?
Pray with me for a mighty moving of God's Spirit in our midst Easter weekend. It's like no other weekend of the year. Let's expect great things. Pray with me!
Pastor Ulmet
LENTEN LUNCH SERVICES
Again this year the Brush Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church has sponsored Community Lenten Lunch and Devotional Services each Wednesday at 11:30am. Our Emmaus Fellowship Pastor Bob Milburn will be providing the lunch fix'ns and the devotional for the service this week on Wednesday, April 16 during Holy Week.
GRADUATE INFORMATION
NFCN wants to celebrate and recognize those who are completing an undergraduate degree, post-graduate degree, or an adult-degree completion program. If you or a family member who is part of our congregation will be graduating this year, please contact Scott Oldham with your full name, degree completed, major focus, and school by April 21.
Promontorie will be hosting a BBQ luncheon in celebration for those graduating from our class/ministry (traditional undergraduates). This will be on Sunday, April 26 in the Fellowship Hall at 11:30 am. Families are also invited and are asked to bring a prepared side dish and/or dessert.
NAZARTS SPRING SESSION
The spring sessions for NazArts begins Tuesday, April 22 and ends Wednesday, May 28. Private instruction is available in instrumental, vocal, dance, and art. The cost is $20 for a 30 minute lesson and $35 for a 60 minute lesson. If you are interested in lessons, contact our NazArts Director, Shiloah Fenn.
FROM DR MAROMY SAMUEL ABOUT OUR ELL MINISTRY
What a great celebration last night! There were over 50 people even in a bad weather. The theme of the night on “Spring” which related to the growing seeds & plants this season was very well appropriate to our vision of “Receive, Share and Extend the Life of Christ to Others with Passion”. Thank you Karen Bryant and volunteers for your dedication in making this ELL/Computer ministry a continuous success story in the hearts of our community. These ministries have expanded and we are in need of new staff for various levels 1 through 4 in ELL or computer skills. For information about volunteering (Summer Session begins May 12) please contact Karen Bryant or Chuck Engelhardt.
2014 HEALTH AND HAPPY FEST
In preparation for our exciting 2014 Health and Happy Fest, we are now receiving unused gifts and other items for a huge Silent Auction. All articles will be sold during the event on Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18 with 100% of the funds going to support the mission trips and the Haiti medical clinic construction. Items can be dropped off at the church office Monday through Friday between 9:00am and 5:00pm. The deadline for receiving items is May 11. Please contact Bob Turpin for more information.
SENIOR ADULT DINNER - MAY 1, 2014
We will be enjoying BJ Johnston’s “The Man from Aldersgate” on May 1 at 6:00pm in Fellowship Hall. This will be our Senior Adult Dinner for the month of May!
I’ve seen BJ Johnston several times, and every time it is a little bit different. Mark your calendar for this great evening, and invite your friends to join us! This is a wonderful presentation, enlivened with the message of holiness, lots of laughter, and a wonderful experience for ALL AGES!!
MIDDLE TENNESSEE WOMEN'S RETREAT
The Middle Tennessee Women's Retreat is open to women of all ages and denominations. Ann Downing Ministries serves as the host of the retreat and the theme this year is Living in the Freedom of Being Real. This year's retreat is April 25-27 and you may find more information about MTWR 2014 by clicking here. Get a group of friends together and enjoy a weekend with other women from around the country.
The next Nashville First Church of the Nazarene Fore Him Golf outing will be on Saturday, May 10 at 2pm at Forrest Crossing Golf Course in Franklin, TN. The month of May outing will be a scramble format. Contact Matthew Dunlap to sign your group up or if you have any questions. Congratulations to Kyle Orser, Jerry Clay, and Jim Cardell for winning the month of April’s golf outing. See you on the course!!
SOFTBALL IS HERE!
Nashville First Church of the Nazarene has two teams playing spring softball at Cedar Hill Park in Madison, TN. Come on out to Cedar Hill and support our teams! For more information please contact Matthew Dunlap or on the schedule is on the church website.
KENYA PARTNERSHIP
Anyone interested in contributing to the Kenya Partnership Gender-Based Violence Response Advance Team trip can do so by marking their gifts "Kenya Partnership Advance Team." We estimate the total cost at approximately $15,000. You may give to this at any service or On-line - but please clearly mark your gift.
MEMORIAL GIFTS
If you would like to honor Jon and Marion Setzer's memory, and would like to assist financially in the major financial needs of their daughter, Laura Parker and family, including her four sons, as they face a new and unplanned future, you may do so. You may give your tax-deductible gift by submitting your gift to First Church of the Nazarene, marked "Setzer Memorial" on the check or envelope. We will then distribute these funds to future financial needs in the family as they arise.
