Wednesday, April 9, 2014
WOMEN'S MINISTRIES SPRING EVENT THIS SATURDAY! 

Saturday is Part 2 of our women’s event "Your Story - God's Glory".  We will be gathering for brunch to hear dynamic speaker La-Tan Roland Murphy. For more information about La-Tan, click here. Tickets are $5 and you may purchase them tonight at the table in the mall, by calling the church office, 615 255-1289, or at the door.  You don't want to miss this!

THIS WEEKEND - CELEBRATE PALM SUNDAY WITH US!
Saturday, April 12 - THE BRANCH - 5:10pm -
Pastor Brent Lawrence preaching
Sunday, April 13 - CELEBRATION WORSHIP - 9:00am -     Pastor Brent Lawrence preaching
Come join us for the beginning of Holy Week, Palm Sunday.  There will be special music presented by the Celebration Choir and Orchestra and our children will be leading a special worship moment.

EMMAUS will be meeting at 5:30pm.  Contact Pastor Bob Milburn to get involved with this service and ministry. 

SUNDAY EVENING WORSHIP - 6:00pm ANN DOWNING in CONCERT
This Sunday night, come join us as we host Gospel Hall of Fame member, Ann Downing for a special concert.  Anne is a former member of the Speer's, a featured guest for Gaither reunions and a prominent traveling speaker and musician.  Come enjoy her music and simple wisdom learned on the cotton farm where she was raised in rural Mississippi. 

THE QUEST!
The Quest meets every Sunday evening at  6:00pm in Greathouse, room 207. 

WELCOME CLASS THIRD SESSION IN SERIES THIS SUNDAY!
The Welcome Class, that is for all who have begun to attend Nashville First Church of the Nazarene in recent days and those who may have been here awhile, is on the third class of the series.  Classes will repeat in May in case you are unable to attend at this time - you may attend in any order and over a period of months to work with your schedule.   All classes begin at 10:30am in room 204 of the Greathouse Building and a light breakfast will be provided.  Our topics are:  This week, April 13, Getting Connected.  The first and second classes, Who We Are and What We Believe will repeat again in May. The Welcome Class is also the first step for those wishing to join the membership of NFCN and the Church of the Nazarene. For questions or to reserve your space contact Adrianne Brewer. 

EASTER WEEK AT NFCN
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).
5:10pm -The Branch Resurrection Celebration
Sunday, April 20
8:30am and 10:30am Resurrection Celebration Services
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




We had some very special moments this past SUNDAY NIGHT at NFCN!  The Heritage Men's Chorale sang in their second annual concert for our Emmaus Congregation in Fellowship Hall!  They will be singing in our regular Sunday Evening Service in the Main Sanctuary on April 27 at 6:00 pm!  Also Pastor Bob Milburn preached an anointed message in Heritage Chapel.  We are so grateful for the meaningful ministry taking place in our Emmaus outreach, and how Pastor Bob is leading this ministry.  
 
We also heard, for the first time, our keyboardist, Dick Torrans, play the NEW ORGAN in Heritage Chapel that he and his wife Nancy so generously donated.  Our old one has some major problems.  THANKS DICK for this gracious gift!




TNT@TNU
April 3rd-5th, 36 teens from our church participated in the annual Southeast NYI Field Event, Top Nazarene Talent at Trevecca Nazarene University--TNT@TNU.  Over 2,000 teens participated in the event.  Our 36 teens qualified to participate in this event by winning the qualifying events on the Tennessee District earlier in the year. Also, the TN District was the Grand Champion of the entire event! Below are the winners from our church:
Keegan Wilkins, 1st-Swimming
Erica Wigart, 1st-Preaching
Madison Wade, 3rd Monologue
Harrison Wade, 1st-Chalk/Pastel
Mark Christianson, 1st-Strings Solo
Louie Weaver, 1st-Skateboarding
Davis Praskach, 1st-Photography
Lana Mason, 1st-Vocal Solo
Lana Mason & (Victoria Birchfield from Gateway Naz), 2nd-Sr. Youth Vocal Duet
Lana Mason, (+2 from Gateway Naz) 1st-Vocal Trio
Bree Bateman & Amanda Langford, 1st, Early Youth Vocal Duet
Mark Parker, 2nd-Ultimate Frisbee Team
Andrew Hampton, 1st-Beach volleyball Team
Ben Pate, 3rd-Men's Soccer
Coach's Matt Dunlap and Graham Robertson, 1st-Coed softball
DJ Christianson, Basketball All-Star
Sierra Van Mullen, 1st-Ladies Football
Kenneth Moore, 1st-Men's Football
Vocal Ensemble, 1st (Joy Diehl, Sierra Van Mullen, Katherine Oliver, Amanda Langford, Matthew Parker, Mark Parker, Ben Pate, Harrison Wade, Faith Galloway, Lana Mason, Abby Jones, & Madison Wade)
Vocal Choir, 2nd (Joy Diehl, Sierra Van Mullen, Katherine Oliver, Amanda Langford, Matthew Parker, Mark Parker, Ben Pate, Harrison Wade, Faith Galloway, Lana Mason, Abby Jones, Madison Wade, Amanda Langford, Lauren Pate, Bree Bateman, Delaney Praskach, Erica Wigart, Ashley Batts, Will Hampton, Tanner Chaplin, Jack Boone, Andrew Hampton, Daniel Clemens, Ryan Hampton, Bibi Gladson, DJ Christianson, Mark Christianson, Junior Jimeau, Gloria Diehl.)

We are celebrating with Justin and Jessica Brown on the birth of their son Davis on  Friday, April 4.  The Browns are part of The Branch community Saturday nights here at NFCN. 

Senior Adult Retreat at Camp Garner Creek Retreat Center  was a tremendous success!  On opening night Heritage Men's Chorale sang for the evening service.  A good number of NFCN people were in attendance. 


Our sympathies are extended to the family of Marilyn L. Millikan-Holstein, who passed away last week in Cincinnati, OH at the age of 84. Her life was celebrated at a service at the Springdale Church of the Nazarene on Tuesday, April 8. With interment in Marion, OH on April 9. Marilyn was children's pastor at First Church during the 1990's and was dearly loved by our congregation.  




I'm learning a lot at the age of 54 about parenting!  Yes, parenting!  Is there anything that teaches us more about grace than raising our children and then building a whole new kind of relationship when they're adults?
 
May 4, my oldest daughter Carrie will marry Peder Jensen.  We couldn't be happier!  
We inherit a new son-in-law who loves God and is a faithful member of Franklin's First Methodist Church, where Carrie is also involved.  We also inherit instant grandchildren - Owen and Grant.  How can you beat that bargain with such fine young men?  And our precious daughter now has the opportunity to start her married life over, all by the grace of God.  
 
My middle daughter Carissa is growing in her best job yet.  I got to spend some meaningful time with her last week in the Chicago area.  The senior Vice-President of her company couldn't stop praising her.  Her long-time relationship with Andrew continues, a young man we have come to love and respect.  What adult conversations we had last week.  What a woman she's become.  All by the grace of God.
 
And my youngest, Christy, is having quite the run these days at Trevecca Nazarene University. She's becoming a gifted journalist, writing for the college magazine and newspaper!  She's been accepted into a nationally-known semester program in Washington, DC for this next Fall in journalism.  And she's continuing to grow in her deep faith in Christ.  All by the grace of God!
 
Have any of my daughters been perfect?  No.  Have any of them made every decision the way I would have wanted them to?  No.  Have we been perfect parents to any of them?  No.  Is there a continual need for prayer?  Yes. 
But their mother and I are learning not only to receive grace from them, but to extend it back to them!  And that's such a valuable process of lessons.
 
And I thank God today for each of these beautiful, wonderful ladies, and the woman who helped me raise them!  Grace is deep and real in our family.  It's the most important thing we have next to love.  May it always be.
 
Pastor Ulmet

KING'S MEN - THIS SATURDAY
This month's meeting will be April 12, a week earlier than normal. Our guest speakers are Daniel & Margarita Pesado from Spain.  Contact Ron Simmons for more information about this group. 


FORE HIM GOLF CLUB - THIS SATURDAY
The Fore Him Golf Club will be meeting for the first time on Saturday, April 12 at Country Hills Golf Course in Hendersonville, TN at 2:00pm.  For more information or to sign yourself or your entire foursome up please contact Matthew Dunlap or on our website.

EASTER LILIES
If you would like to have an Easter lily placed in the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday, April 20 as a memorial to a loved one, please contact Tina Diehl.  The cost is $13.95 per plant.

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 on Wednesday, April 16 during Holy Week. 

COMMUNITY EASTER EGG HUNT
Our Third Annual East Nashville Community Easter Egg Hunt will be Saturday, April 19 from 11:00am-1:00pm in East Park.  Please invite your friends and family.  We would love for you to all plan to join us for this wonderful opportunity to reach out with a fun event that shares the victory of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Please help us with this event as we EXTEND the LIFE of Christ.  We need you! Contact Pastor Sabrina Jones if you are willing to assist.

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. 

HAITIAN MISSION TRIP
Applications for the Medical Mission trip to Haiti this May are still being received.  We hope to construct the clinic in a local community that we are partnering with for long term medical development.  Pick up an application at the Connection Center this weekend or contact Pastor Brent Lawrence. 

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. 

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.

NFCN LOGO WEAR
You have the opportunity to purchase NFCN logo wear.  There are several styles of shirts on display in the Reed Lobby.  Or click here to request more information. 

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.

GIVING UPDATE 
We now offer three different avenues for giving electronically to the church: the nfcn.org website, your smartphone, or the kiosk in the Reed lobby (look for the banner near the Information Desk marking its location).  Through our nfcn.org website, click on the GIVE tab in the upper right corner and choose the Give On-line tab.  From your smartphone, download the SecureGive app and follow the instructions to set up an account.  At the kiosk, set up an account, swipe your debt or credit card, and choose to give a donation or make a payment for an event.   From anywhere -- home, office, pew, or lobby - it's quick, convenient, and secure.  Contact the church finance office if you have questions. 

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.  

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE - CHURCH OFFICE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Church office receptionist volunteers are a vital support for the church and its mission.  The staff would greatly appreciate volunteers willing to work either a morning shift (9:00am-noon) or an afternoon shift (12:00-3:00pm).  Your commitment can be once a week, once a month or when you are available.  This is a wonderful opportunity to work with our great support staff and make a contribution to the smooth operation of the office.  Duties include greeting visitors, answering the phone, and other small tasks.  This is not a "ladies-only" opportunity; gentlemen are welcome.  Please contact Debbie Hines in the church office for information.