LOVE INTO YOUR KIDS
 
It was another wonderful memory this past weekend as Karen and I were able to be with all three of our adult daughters - a rare treat these days.  Our middle daughter, Carissa, was here to wedding-dress shop with her sisters, preparing for her Chicago-area wedding in November.  What a great time we had eating, shopping, talking, hanging out and even debating the pressing issues of our day.  It is almost impossible for me to believe that my girls are now 22, 26 and 30 years of age.  How the time has flown by.  I am so very proud of each of them.
 
As we shared memories of their childhood, reminisced about their adolescent years and prepare for another wedding, some strong thoughts have come to me about those of you who are still raising kids, and those of us who are grandparents.  Here are some things that I sense need to be said from your pastor's heart:
 
Speak your faith to your kids and grand kids in love.  And listen to their faith with sensitive, careful ears, affirming the journey, not just the big decisions, when they're traveling towards God.
 
Teach them Christian discipline and coping skills in facing the deceptive and dangerous issues of their world, helping them to embrace rather than isolating them from our culture and technology.   Practice modeling and teaching responsibility in these areas, but recognize your kids will be part of their culture and will live with technology.
 
Adopt a "good, better, much better and excellent" kind of approach to their failures and struggles, rather than only "good" and "bad."  And keep using that approach when they're adults!  If they don't make the choice you really wanted them to, let them know you're thankful they chose THAT approach instead of something that would have been far worse!
 
Always find something or someone "good" to affirm in our world that connects with them instead of always finding only "bad" and building fear and negative outlooks in their minds.  And compliment something or someone they embrace that is good or positive or meaningful, and identify with them in that embrace.
 
Raise your kids in such a way that when they are adults you will be friends and not just parents.  Create an atmosphere in your home and family that they will want to come home to, and long to see you when they can't.  
 
Be a steady, clear and consistent example of what a true Christ-follower really is, even when  you are overwhelmed with your world, fatigued from holding the line and are tempted to rain down judgment all around.  Your kids and grand kids, no matter what they might say or how rebellious they may be at times, really want YOU to STAY STRONG in your Christian faith so they have at least ONE anchor in their lives.
 
And most importantly, speak love into your kids and grand kids, at every turn, in every situation, always and forever, no matter their present condition.  This world is so often cruel, lonely and desperate.  You are the conduit of the everlasting love of God to your kids and grand kids.  If not you, who?  If not now, when?  Cry over them, pray over them, intercede and contend for them, but ALWAYS LOVE THEM.  NO matter what!  And when they speak love into you - RECEIVE IT - and live in awesome gratitude that your love has been returned!
 
Karen and I have been nowhere near perfect parents.  But these are things we have tried to grow in as the years have passed.  And from what our adult kids tell us these days, I think at least some of the time we did some good!  God bless you parents and grandparents!  Let's stay on course.  They're depending on us to do so!
 
Pastor Ulmet
 

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 for $25 which includes lunch - you must call the church office to register - 615.255.1289.  Hope to see you on March 5 at Improve Your Serve!
 

SENIOR ADULT DINNER THIS THURSDAY, 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!!!
 


Our next Parent's Night Out is March 11 from 6:30-9:30pm. Cost is $5 per child.  Contact Pastor Sabrina with any questions.


BAPTISM
Our next opportunity for baptism will be Sunday, March 20 during morning worship services.  If you would like to be baptized giving testimony to your faith in Jesus as your personal savior, please speak with a pastor or contact Adrianne Brewer.


MARK YOUR CALENDAR  FOR SUNDAY NIGHT MARCH 20!
We will welcome the Heimermann Children's Choir, Choral and Orchestra to our Evening Service at 5:30pm. 


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.


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 at the Women's Ministry Table in the foyer.  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.


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. 


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.

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.