The Ordination of Eric Paul
Two years ago, we celebrated our Hawaii Missionary Joy Paul's ordination within the Church of the
Nazarene here in Tennessee. We're excited to announce that our Missionary Eric will join her in the rank and file of ordained life. Ordination is a beautiful blessing of the church - bestowed on candidates called by God, under the pursuit of radical holiness, with gifts and passions affirmed by the church - to vocationally live out God's Kingdom come. After having gone through the rigors of the academy, the experience of pastoral life, and the examination of his elders, Eric Paul will be ordained the night of April 8, 2015 in Hawaii!  If you would like to send a congratulatory card, the address is:  74-5100 Palani Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740. 

Joyce Cavender's grandson, Christian Cavender, has graduated from the Air Force Academy in San Antonio, Texas with all top honors, and in the top 10% of 800 graduates!  Needless to say his parents, Mike and Judy Cavender, are extremely proud of him! 

What a privilege to hear Evelyn Johnson, Nate and Sarah's daughter sing in Celebration Worship this last Sunday!  And to see Monroe Dunlap, Pastor Matt and Amanda's son on a special Ten Commandments video used in both services!

The NAZREC ministry was asked at the last minute to bring some players over to Trevecca Nazarene University to play at halftime of the women’s game.  We brought over 10 players from NAZREC that are a part of the RSD basketball program!  As always, our players did not disappoint!  It was a great time!  We have 1 Saturday left of NAZREC THIS Saturday, March 14.  If you have not had a chance to come out and watch we encourage you to do so this last week.  Games will take place from 9:00am-5:00pm at Nashville First Church of the Nazarene.  Also, on March 15, after the 11:00am service, all NAZREC families and friends will enjoy a FREE lunch and entertainment from America’s Got Talent Christian stunt magician/comedian, Max Winfrey  Feel free to join us!  Contact Matthew Dunlap to RSVP for this event.











A huge THANK YOU to those who are a part of the Nashville 1st broadcast team.  They do all the behind the scenes work for our online streaming!  Great job guys!  If you would like to be involved in the broadcast team contact Pastor Andrea Garcia.  This is such an important ministry at NFCN and we are grateful for those that minister! 




Perhaps the most analyzed part of the life of a local church congregation is the corporate Worship service.  People come to and leave churches, disagree with and divide from friends, and freely share their opinions with others over...WORSHIP!  How it is led, by whom it is led, what parts of the service are liked/disliked, etc.  We have often turned what was intended to be time devoted to and focused upon God into a spectator sport of epic proportions, often becoming critics in the process.  How very sad.
 
I've found recently some moving quotations about Worship.  I'd like to share a few of them with you. Let the Holy Spirit check you and speak to you through these thoughts.  I found them so helpful...
 
​“Many Spirit-filled authors have exhausted the thesaurus in order to describe God with the glory He deserves. His perfect holiness, by definition, assures us that our words can't contain Him. Isn't it a comfort to worship a God we cannot exaggerate?” 
― Francis Chan, Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God

“If there is no laughter, Jesus has gone somewhere else. If there is no joy and freedom, it is not a church: it is simply a crowd of melancholy people basking in a religious neurosis. If there is no celebration, there is no real worship.” 
― Steve Brown, Approaching God: Accepting the Invitation to Stand in the Presence of God

“I can safely say, on the authority of all that is revealed in the Word of God, that any man or woman on this earth who is bored and turned off by worship is not ready for heaven.” 
― A.W. Tozer
 

“You never go away from us, yet we have difficulty in returning to You. Come, Lord, stir us up and call us back. Kindle and seize us. Be our fire and our sweetness. Let us love. Let us run.” 
― St. Augustine of Hippo, Confessions

Pastor Ulmet



NEW WOMEN'S STUDY ON WEDNESDAY NIGHTS
TONIGHT Wednesday, March 11, at 6:00 pm,  Session One of a new 9-week study called "Children of the Day" by Beth Moore will be offered for women. The hour-long videos will begin at 6:15 each week in Reed 100.  Join Beth on the Thessalonians shores as she walks you through the truth of each verse of 1 and 2 Thessalonians.  In this study, you will find encouragement for living the Christian life now and hope for when Christ returns.  We will see in God's word how our circumstances are not coincidental and how God's timing is impeccable.  Student books are $17 and include 8 weeks of homework, but we will not be meeting in small discussion groups due to time restraints.  Plan to join us and bring a friend!

INTERCESSORY PRAYER
A NEW Intercessory Prayer Ministry has begun on Wednesday evenings in Wise Chapel beginning at 7:00pm. ANYONE who would like to be a part of a ministry that will be praying over the direction, ministries, and ministers of our church is encouraged to join during this time. Also, ANYONE who has a need and would like to have others pray over them are WELCOME to stop in and exit at any time. Bring the things that God has placed on your heart and join others in corporate prayer over them. There is no specific end to this prayer time, so if you are involved in ministry and want to stop by for prayer following, the intercessors will still be available. At the latest, intercessors will need to exit the building by 10:30pm. Let’s join together as a church family to share our burdens with Jesus and listen collectively for His direction.

DATE SET SATURDAY MAY 2 FOR YARD SALE FUND-RAISER FOR KENYA MISSION TRIP
We will be having a yard sale fundraiser for our Kenya Mission Trip 2015 on Saturday, May 2. 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.


NFCN WOMEN'S RETREAT
Ladies, we would love for you to join us for our First Ladies Spring Retreat April 17-19 at Camp Garner Creek. Two tables are setup in the foyers where you can register. Your Women’s Ministry Council is preparing a special time for us to bond in unity as sisters in Christ. We want you to be there. Contact Tonia McLane with any questions at 615-337-8858 OR click HERE to see more information. 

LOVE COFFEE?  LOVE PEOPLE?
If you are interested in serving as a coffee cafe` host please contact Matthew Dunlap, for more info.  This an important and vital role in the future of the ministry at Nashville First!


COLLEGE/YOUNG ADULT MISSION TRIP
Young Adult Ministry and Promontorie (College) are joining forces this summer! From July 12 to 18, they will be traveling to Michigan to serve with Forge Flint, a non-profit that builds relationships with communities through repairing houses. Cost of the trip will be no more than $300. If you’re interested in this opportunity to serve, please let either Pastors Matt Dunlap or Scott Oldham know by Wednesday, March 18. Thank you!


FORMING A NEW TRANSITION TEAM
To ensure the best environment for the Branch service in the Main Sanctuary, we need several servant leaders to put up pipe and drape, put out our Branch signs, and other small tasks that transform the worship space between the Celebration service and the Branch service in the 10:00am – 11:00am hour. Would you consider joining this team? We would only request a commitment of 1 time per month. For more information, contact Pastor Andrea Garcia.  
                            








“Happy Birthday Cheryl’s List” 
Officially organized in March 2014, the ministry of Cheryl’s List is one year old this month!  We are so thankful for all the help we have received during the past year.  Because of the generosity of so many, we:

• Turned empty rooms into homes by delivering furniture and other household items to 141 families, totaling 200+ individuals (records since 05/14; estimate 20 additional families prior to official record keeping)
• Purchased and delivered $40,000 worth of beds (mattresses and frames)Prioritize deliveries to people who are sleeping on the floor
• Received a donation of a 16-foot box truck to use for pickups & deliveries
• Picked up furniture and usable household items donated by 140 people
• Received monetary donations from the 510 Foundation ($10,000) and numerous other generous individuals and organizations
• Established an advisory board of 11 dedicated volunteers
• Achieved 501(c)3 non-profit status by affiliating with the 510 Foundation
• Partnered for referrals with four primary social services:  Centerstone, Emmaus Fellowship, Operation Stand Down, Room in the Inn
• Had two successful fundraisers with expenses fully underwritten by Nashville businessman Bobby Williams
• Created social media presence and website with a PayPal option for making donations
• 13 families are on the list waiting to be served as of 03/03/14

 Look us up on the web – www.cherylslist.org     To donate money, use PayPal or make checks payable to 510 Foundation, For Cheryl’s List via First Church of the Nazarene, 510 Woodland Street, Nashville, TN  37206.  .
To donate furniture or to volunteer to work, leave a voice mail on our phone—615-838-2197—or send an email to cherylslist510@gmail.com
 
*Please pray with us regarding fundraising and acquiring warehouse space so we will be able to continue and be more effective with this ministry.
 

 TREVECCA HERITAGE DAY
NFCN member, Dr. John Chilton will be celebrated at Trevecca Nazarene University's annual Heritage Day Thursday, March 26. The day's events include a special chapel at 9:30am in the Boone Convocation Center, a reception in Waggoner Library Rotunda, a lunch (reservations required, $15) and a lecture entitled "Digging Up Tennessee History” at 1:30pm in Boone Convocation Center. For more information contact Andrea Fowler at 615-248-1798 or afowler@trevecca.edu
                                        


JOIN "THE GATHERING" ON WEDNESDAY NIGHTS
Current adult discipleship electives at Wednesday night's "The Gathering" (all begin at 6:00pm)

Children of the Day by Beth Moore  - Women's Bible Study, 6:00-7:30pm, Reed 100
New Testament Study with Dan Spross 6:00-7:30pm, Greathouse 207
Balancing Life's Demands (Work, Church, & Home) with Kay Quick, 6:00-7:30pm, Greathouse 200
Life Apps from Scripture with Gerri Mashburn, 6:00-7:30 pm, Greathouse 208
Drawing on Grace with Connie Houston, 6:00-7:30 pm, Greathouse 107
Teacher Enrichment with Pastor Ulmet, 6:00-6:45 pm, McManus Conference Room
Worship and Prayer Hour with Pastors Galloway and Ulmet, 6:30-7:30 pm, Wise Chapel
Beginning February 25
     
 

YOUR 510 FOUNDATION is here to assist you in estate planning and creative ways to invest in the future of YOUR CHURCH!  Please email President Harold McCue by clicking HERE  with any questions or to set up an appointment.  You may also call our Finance Office at 255-1539 and leave a message.
 

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URBAN MINISTRIES DONATIONS

GIVE TO OUR YOUTH WHEN YOU SHOP AT KROGER and AMAZON!
If you live in Tennessee and shop at Kroger, you can donate to the 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.