The family of Galey Ralph Knight would like to express their appreciation for the great number of people who came to the memorial service on Tuesday.  Thank you.




BEEN THERE/DONE THAT
 
The major reason we can receive Jesus' teaching to deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow Him even to death if necessary without a lot of complaint is because...He's been there, done that, and has the t-shirt, or Shroud of Turin (and a resurrected body) to prove it!  He's already given HIs life. Therefore HE has the right to ask us to give ours.
 
As we dealt with Sunday morning, and more extensively Sunday evening, the Apostle James, brother of Jesus and author of our epistle for this FAITH THAT WORKS series, has also "been there/done that." And he became a martyr as evidence of his commitment to His brother and His Lord, Jesus Christ.
 
In James 1, he writes:
...be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.  (NLT)
 
The various translations quote James as saying we are not to "doubt" or "waver" but rather "believe" and "be sure" and "have faith."  All of this would be good advice for Christian believers coming from anyone, but from James it means even more.
 
You see, James was once a doubter!  He grew up in the same family and household as Jesus, the man. He is included in the group of Jesus' "brothers" who just did not believe He was the Christ - see John 7:5. Yet he became a fierce believer in his brother, and His Lord, Jesus Christ!  What changed him?
 
Paul gives us a huge hint in I Corinthians 15:7 - he saw the resurrected Christ with his own eyes.  He became the leader of the church of Jerusalem and died willingly for the cause.  Coming from an inside major-league doubter, James' admonition to us to not doubt carries added weight.  Why?  He's "been there/done that."
 
Let's take him at his word.  He's earned our listening and our trust.
 
Pastor Ulmet
 
   

FIRST LADIES CONNECT - TOMORROW NIGHT!
The next First Ladies Connect is TOMORROW, Thursday, January 15.  Start your year off with your sisters in Christ having a great time.  Details are available HERE.


IMPORTANT WORKSHOP FOR ONE WEEK ONLY
Stephanie Olonukoro, with MeHarry Medical Hospital will present a workshop on the Prevention of Childhood Obesity on Wednesday, January 21 from 6:30-7:30pm.  The workshop will be held in Greathouse Building, Room 105.  Please contact Pastor Sabrina Jones for more information.


PARENTS' NIGHT OUT
Friday, January 23 from 6:30pm-9:30pm is Parents' Night Out.  Registration and information is available HERE.


DISTRICT WOMEN'S BREAKAWAY
The District Women's Breakaway is Saturday, January 24.  Registration forms are available at the MidSouth District section of the Connection Desk. 

NFCN SINGLE ADULT MINISTRIES
The Bridge Newsletter from Single Adult Ministries -  January 2015 is available by clicking HERE. 


Share your story through social media or by clicking here.  We will post it for you!

You can also post directly to Nashville First's Facebook page here or The Branch's Facebook page here. 



JOIN "THE GATHERING" IN 2015
Make a New Year Resolution to study God's Word at "The Gathering" at 510 Woodland each Wednesday night.  New adult discipleship electives and age-level ministries/worship arts have begun or resumed  with our popular Wednesday night meal beforehand and "coffee and conversation" afterward.  Here's a list of the options for Adults:
Financial Peace University - see information below to register
The Family of Jesus by Karen Kingsbury, with Ann Robbins, 6:00-&;30pm, Reed 100
Life Apps from Scripture with Gerri Mashburn, 6:00-7:30pm, Greathouse 208
Homeless with God:  Abraham and Sarah by Dr. Richard Parrott, 6:00-7:30pm, Greathouse 207
Charitable Discourse:  Hot Topics with Matthew Dunlap, 6:00-7:30pm, Greathouse 200
Drawing on Grace with Connie Houston, 6:00-7:30pm, Greathouse 107
 Teacher Enrichment with Pastor Ulmet, 6:00-7:00pm, McManus Conference Room
Also:
           Coming February 25—March 25
              * New Testament Study (Spross)
              * Balancing Work, Church, & Home (Quick)
 
          Coming April 8—May 20
              * The Genius of Generosity (Seaman)
              * Daily Spiritual Disciplines for Discipleship (Oldham)
 

FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY
Does your new year resolution involve improving your family finances? FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY is specially designed for young families and young single adults in new careers, as well as established families who need a fresh look at “making ends meet.” Two classes led by Pastor Bruce Oldham are scheduled for this winter/spring – the Wednesday night edition begins January 14 (special preview on January 7 if you’d like to check it out first), and the Sunday night edition on March 1 (preview on February 22). Register online today using the links below; discounted materials are available from Pastor Oldham’s office.
 
Wednesday night registration  - begins 1/14, preview on 1/7
 
Sunday night registration  - begins 3/1, preview on 2/22

Michael English is coming to Nashville First Church of the Nazarene on March 1 at 6:00pm. He will be in concert that evening to benefit our Kenya Mission Trip 2015.  This is a ticketed event, so those desiring to attend must acquire a ticket. There is a suggested donation of $25 for tickets. You may secure a ticket on-line here.  Doors will open at 5:00pm.

This Spring we will be having a yard sale fundraiser for our Kenya Mission Trip 2015. If you have nice items that you would like to donate, please store them at your home and we will be glad to receive your contribution during the week prior. Details about those specific dates will be forthcoming. In the meantime, save up those nice items for our TKO Yard Sale Fundraiser. Thank You! If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Sabrina Jones at sjones@nfcn.org.
 

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HELP SUPPORT NASHVILLE FIRST CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE!
NFCN is now on Amazon Smile! It’s a simple automatic way to support your church every time you shop with Amazon, at no cost to you. To use Amazon Smile simply click here and log-in with your existing account or create a new account. Amazon will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation of .5% of the price of eligible purchases.

THANK YOU FROM CHERYL'S LIST - TURNING EMPTY ROOMS INTO HOMES
Since February, Cheryl’s List has helped turn empty rooms into homes for approximately 150 individuals/families.  Donations of furniture/household items from First Church families and other caring individuals made this possible.  Monetary donations, including the $10,000 provided by the 510 Foundation, purchased $30,000 worth of mattresses for people who had been sleeping on the floor. 
 
The Cheryl’s List Advisory Board says “THANK YOU” to every supporter! 
 
So that the ministry can continue in 2015, we need your continued support in three ways:

1. Pray for the recipients, that they will see Christ and want to know him and that the Holy Spirit through God’s people will provide the needs, including a small warehouse and work space;
2. Donate furniture and household items in good condition;
3. Contribute funds.  Place in the church offering checks made payable to the 510 Foundation with Cheryl’s List written on the For line OR use PayPal on the Cheryl’s List website.

  We pray that God will bless your generosity. 

URBAN MINISTRIES DONATIONS
Colder weather is coming.  Donations of winter coats, hats, gloves, and blankets can be left in the Emmaus barrels located in the foyer.

GIVE TO OUR YOUTH WHEN YOU SHOP AT KROGER!
If you live in Tennessee and shop at Kroger, you can donate to the NFCN Youth Group every time you shop, simply by scanning your Kroger Plus Card at check out! It doesn't cost you anything, and it won't take away from your fuel points, either. 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! 

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.  

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.

"THE REAL LIFE" - NFCN's televised service on Cable Channel 19 in Davidson County (Public Access television - NECAT), times are:
Monday - 12:00pm
Tuesday - 6:30pm
Wednesday - 7:00pm
Friday - 10:30am
Saturday - 10:00am
Sunday - 4:30pm