WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE SHALL WE BE?

As I write this, I am hours away from casting an "early vote" in the Presidential Primary in Tennessee.  I have changed my mind as to whom I'm going to vote for three times in less than a week.  So goes politics in America in 2016.

It occurs to me as this seemingly endless and hopelessly raucous process continues to unfold that what we are deciding is not just WHO will "lead" us, but WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE shall we be as Americans over the next few years.

To be sure, there are huge differences among the candidates.  We have everything from openly avowed Socialism to far-right conservatism, and several in-between.  We have a candidate who barks like a dog, and another who has called virtually every people group in America and every opponent by some derogatory name and constantly belittled and condemned.  We have candidates who have openly lied and other candidates who have called their opponents liars while being called a liar.  This is not for the faint-of-heart, to be sure, all the while spending literally hundreds of millions of dollars.

I would suggest you ask yourselves  3 questions as you prepare to vote, if you haven't already:

1. Who best represents your view of your world based on Scripture and will best lead in those values?

2. Who best represents your country and the direction you prayerfully believe it should go in today's world?

3. Who best represents what kind of nation and people you believe we should be?

Leadership matters.  It really does.  A President should best represent a people.  So who are we really, and who do we aspire to be?  Among the limitations of what we have to choose from, let us choose carefully and prayerfully, for we are sending a clear message to the world of just who we are.  Sobering, isn't it?  

Blessings!

Pastor Ulmet

KING'S MEN
This Saturday, February 20, King's Men Missionary Chapter will meet at 8:00am in Jubilee 100 for breakfast.  Special guests will be our own Amanda Dunlap and Pastor Sabrina Jones.  They will share about their experience in Kenya.

WELCOME CLASS - This Saturday
A special session of the Welcome Class will be held Saturday, February 20 in the McManus Conference room from 9:00am to noon.  This class 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 and wish to learn more about NFCN.  Our topics are Who We Are; What We Believe, and How We Live.  The Welcome Class is also the first step for those wishing to join the membership of NFCN and the Church of the Nazarene.   If  you need more information or to reserve your spot, contact Adrianne Brewer or call 615.250.1141. 

IMPROVE YOUR SERVE district Sunday School/Discipleship training day - March 5
This annual event is a great opportunity for Sunday School teachers/leaders and ministry directors to learn new insights, further develop their skills, and network with others from across Tennessee and Mississippi - and it's right here at 510 Woodland to make it even more convenient for you to attend! Register now thru 2/24 and get a special price of only $15, which includes lunch (after 2/24, it's $25). More information and registration forms are available at the Information Desk, in your Sunday School class, and in tomorrow's bulletin. Hope to see you on March 5 at Improve Your Serve!
 

CANDY NEEDED FOR EGGSTRAVAGANZA
We need help with our candy supply for our Easter Egg Hunt this year. (The candy must be small enough to fit inside of a small, plastic Easter egg.)  Bring your donations of individually wrapped candy to the Information Center February 7-21.   Our youth will be stuffing eggs February 21 & 28 if anyone would like to join them at 5:30pm in the Jubilee Building. (More information about Eggstravaganza is below) Thank you so much!!

CELEBRATING TWO YEARS OF THE BRANCH

















ELEMENTARY ART
A new Art Class for Children, 6-13 years of age is offered on Wednesdays at 5:00pm here at NFCN.  For more information, contact Sandy Blackman. 


SENIOR ADULT DINNER MARCH 3!!
“Howdee…I’m jest so proud to be here!”
A TRIBUTE TO MINNIE PEARL with JANE RYE MORRISON
Come and laugh with “Minnie Pearl” on MARCH 3 AT 5:30 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL
Bring a dish and bring a friend!!!
 


WOMEN'S MINISTRY SPRING RETREAT
Women’s Ministry Spring Retreat will be April 15-17, 2016 at Garner Creek Retreat Center in Dickson, TN. Registration will be open Sunday mornings only beginning February 14. An early-bird discount will last through February 28. A minimum, non-refundable deposit of $40 is required to reserve your spot. Latan Murphy will be our special speaker for retreat this year as we delve into Conversations with God together, and learn about the richness of a deeper place with God where the vast resources of His Almighty power are accessed.

THE BRIDGE NEWSLETTER - SINGLE ADULT MINISTRIES
The February newsletter of NFCN Single Adult Ministries in available HERE.

SENIOR ADULT PRIME TIME RETREAT
The dates for the Prime Time Retreat at Garner Creek are April 4-6.  It is at Camp Garner Creek.  Information and applications may be found at the Info Desk Sunday morning.

MIDDLE TENNESSEE WOMEN'S RETREAT
Ann Downing's 25th Annual Middle Tennessee Women's Retreat will be March 18-20, 2016 at the Holiday Inn on Elm Hill Pike in Nashville. The keynote speakers for this year's retreat include Sandra Alrich, Mike Benson and Kathy Blume.  Early bird Registration is until February 15 and there are special rates for Saturday only.  Click HERE to request more information.  Registration information is also available at the information desk on Sunday.

EGGSTRAVAGANZA
Our East Nashville “Eggstravaganza” in East Park is just around the corner on Saturday, March 19 from 11:00am-1:00pm. Details are on our website. We need a small army of volunteers who are willing to fill a variety of roles for this ministry to our East Nashville community. Please sign-up to serve at either the Information Center, Kid Central, or Elementary Welcome Desk. This is an Outreach Ministry where we are Extending the Love of Christ, and we need you! Contact Pastor Sabrina with any questions.




Sunday School Classes and Small Groups ---The Room in the Inn dates are being scheduled quickly so please contact Pastor Bob Milburn now to select the date your group will volunteer for Room in the Inn or for more information.  
Here is the last open and available date to volunteer as of Tuesday this week:
OPEN date--- Mar. 24   

URBAN MINISTRIES
Colder weather is here!  Donations of winter coats, hats, gloves, and blankets can be left in the Emmaus barrels located in the foyer.  The need for toiletries and new socks and underwear continues year round. 

RIGHTNOW MEDIA - A GIFT FOR YOU
Nashville First Church of the Nazarene has a gift for you.  You may have received an email about this and we hope you are already taking advantage of RightNow Media!  We want to give you access to a huge, steaming, on-line, access-on-any-device library of over 10,000 video Bible studies, leadership videos, kids shows and more.  To sum it up — it’s like the Netflix of Bible study videos. You will have FREE access to thousands of video resources to help you with parenting, marriage, discipleship and more.  It includes content for all ages and stages of life, and all of your family members are invited to set up their own accounts as well.
Click here:  RightNow Media to start your account now. 
 

LOVEBOOKS
In middle-income neighborhoods, the ratio of books per child is 13 to 1, in low-income neighborhoods, the ratio is 1 age-appropriate book for every 300 children.  
LoveBooks is a new ministry, developed by First Church volunteers, that distributes books to disadvantaged kids ages 0-18.  If you are interested in donating books, money, or volunteering, contact Eric or Wendy Jans at 615-478-7146 or email.  Visit LoveBooks on-line: here.

BEGIN THE NEW YEAR WITH NAZARTS!
*Piano *Guitar *Drums *Woodwinds
*Ballet (inquire for age range offered)
Consider giving to NazArts Scholarship Fund….help develop the gifts of a passionate student!

GIVE TO OUR YOUTH WHEN YOU SHOP AT KROGER and AMAZON!
If you live in Tennessee and shop at Kroger, you can donate to our Youth Group every time you shop by scanning your Kroger Plus card at check out! It doesn't cost you anything; all you have to do is register your Kroger Plus Card and choose First Church of the Nazarene (NPO #35793) as your charity of choice. You can also donate to First Church when you purchase through Amazon.com at no cost to you. Click here and log-in with your existing account or create a new account; Amazon will remember your selection with every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com and give a donation of .5% of the price of eligible purchases.