May 27, 2015 • Volume 30, No. 10

One of the best things aboutserving as a Presbyter ianminister for thirty-five years iswithout a doubt the manyincredible Christians I havecome to know over my adultlife. I still am amazed when Ithink of the professors, theleaders I have known, thementors that God has faithfullyprovided for each leg of thejourney, and above all, the saints

who have populated the four congregations God hasblessed me serve. Our faith is always incarnational, which iswhy Christian faith is not only taught but also has to becaught! All of you can think of people whose lives provedmore convincingly than any argument or sermon evercould, the wisdom and joy found in following Jesus Christ.One such person whose life continues to speak powerfullyis that of Steve Hayner. In 2014, during the week of thePastors’ Masters, a golf tournament I often play in afterEaster, our group learned that Steve, the President ofColumbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, hadbeen diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. We had justdecided to ask Steve to meet with us the next year, only tolearn from him of this sudden, surprising diagnosis. Everycase of cancer is different, and Steve’s cancer moved rapidlyand inexorably, robbing him of energy, strength and finallyof life. He stepped down from his work at Columbia in thesummer of 2014, knowing that it would take all hisstrength to fight the cancer as it advanced. His battle endedon January 31, 2015. During these months, Steve kept ablog, which his wife Sharol will turn into a soon-to-be-published book. I am sure that it will be available in ourbookstore when it is published later this summer. Allowme to include one brief excerpt from it, which is takenfrom Presbyterians Today Magazine. These words werewritten by Steve on November 11, 2014:

“Facing death has a way of clarifying life. So let me tellyou a few things that I’ve learned in the last months.

1. When Jesus is all you have, you soon discover thatJesus is all you really need. Only in Jesus will we find Lifewith a capital L. I’m in the process of losing everythingthat I have known on this earth, but I will never lose whatGod has given me in Christ.

2. As long as I have life on this earth, I have a call. Overmy lifetime I have had many roles to play and many jobsto fulfill. But it is not the particulars of being a husband, afather, a grandfather, a friend, a seminary president, a WorldVision board member, or anything else that ultimatelymatters so much as the underlying call to be faithful. Everyday, no matter how sick I become, I still have a call.

3. God will never give up in his work to transform meinto the likeness of Jesus. I fail every day at being anddoing what God has intended. But God has promised touse everything in my life to continue the process ofhelping me. At this stage in my life, God is using mydisease to teach me. It’s not easy, and I don’t like to change.But God loves me too much ever to give up on me.

4. Joy is not about my circumstances but rather aboutbeing held and sustained by God’s love. Nothing can everseparate us from the love of God — not suffering, notwant, not abundance, not sin, not anything. God loves usfrom beginning to end and through every circumstance. Ifthere is one thing I can trust, it is God’s love for me inJesus Christ.”

Nothing Steve Hayner says here is earth shattering, yetall that he says is life-giving and glorifying to God. Stevelived and died in faith, which “is the assurance of thingshoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” His last poston his blog came only weeks before his death. Hiscondition continued to deteriorate, and it seemed he hadlittle to celebrate. Yet he wrote these words…”Today, I’mjust relaxing into the gratitude of having such good care.Today, I’m not afraid, though some fears will undoubtedlysneak up on me as I get sicker. Today, I’m trying to be

My Dear Friends,

Todd JonesPastor

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First Presbyterian Church

First Editionpublished bi-weekly for the friends and members of the church

The Mission of First Presbyterian Church, NashvilleTo know Christ, to make Him known and to exhibit His love

through worship, education and service.

SympathyThe First Presbyterian Church family extends

prayers and sympathy to the following during theirtime of loss.

Mary & Paul Burd on the death of Mary’s father,George Moody King, who died on March 14. Sympathyto Olivia Burd.

Sympathy to the friends and family of John DonnallyAcree, who died on April 30.

Kevin & Sam Jackson on the death of Kevin’s mother,Audrey Edge Crawford, who died on May 3. Sympathy toHadyn & Tate Jackson.

Sympathy to the friends and family of Margaret EblenLayman, who died on May 5.

Nick & Betsy Davies on the death of Nick’s father,Richard Davies, who died on May 11. Sympathy to Linda& Kat Davies.

Cindy & Tony Stanley on the death of Cindy’s uncle,H.M. Perritt, who died on May 11. Sympathy to Caroline& William Stanley.

If any member of the church desires the Christian support of aStephen Minister, contact Sandra Randleman (615-298-9502).

The Sacrament of BaptismIn the presence of family, the congregation of

First Presbyterian Church and God, the followingperson claimed God’s covenant promise throu ghthe Sacrament of Baptism.

Anne Hancock & Daniel Joseph Toomey presented theirdaughter, Ella Shepherd Toomey, for baptism on May 10.Assisting Elder was Steve Bartlett.

CongratulationsThe First Presbyterian Church family

congratulates the following people during theirnew birth.

Carey & Mark McDonald welcome a daughter,Carolyn Campbell McDonald, who was bornon May 1. Congratulations to grandparents Frank

& Linda Floyd, Tom & Carolyn McDonald and great-grandmother, Alice Ann Barge.

Sarah & Stephen Ward welcome a son, Stephen WatkinsWard, III, who was born on May 11. Congratulations tograndparents Helen and Stephen Ward, Sr.

Continued from front page

To receive up-to-date informationand current happenings, subscribe toour Parish News on our website at

fpcnashville.org/home/e-mail-subscribe.

attentive to what is happening to me without feeling like Ihave to be responsible for everything. Today, I am living onceagain into joy.”

Today, I trust you will join me in thanking God for the lifeand death of Steve Hayner. His faith, and his trust in God, canserve as encouragement and a source of strength to those of uswho still have life to live.

In Grace and With Gratitude,

TRINITY SUNDAYMAY 31, 2015

Sermon“The Wind of the Spirit”

Scripture ReadingsIsaiah 6:1-8John 3:1-17

Todd JonesPastor

SUNDAYJUNE 7, 2015

Sermon“A House Divided”

Scripture ReadingsI Samuel 8:4-20

Mark 3:20-34

Todd JonesPastor

If You’re Good at Relationships,You’re Good at Life!

Ten Weeks to explore how and why we’ve been createdfor deep connections with one another and with God.

College Bible Study with Scott Hearon begins Sunday,May 24, and continues through July 26. Meet in TheGathering Place following The Five Thirty. Open to allcollege students, rising freshmen through rising seniors.Questions? Contact Scott (shearon@fpcnashville.org).

Anne Clark Jody Hull Jamee ThompsonJohn Rose

Meet the Leaders of The Second Grade OmegaClass: This group of leaders brings many different giftsand skills to the classroom, but each has found a way touse their gifts to share the Good News with the secondgraders. From new ways to read and study scripture, tomaking the word ascension concrete through examples, tocreating a beach scene as the backdrop for the class’s studyof John 21, this group of leaders makes studying the Biblefun and relevant.

Members of this class are helping to lead their small group during Sunday School. Eachweek, volunteers (and almost everyone wants to volunteer) lead the worship time by lightingthe Christ Candle, leading the group in prayer and following the other class worship rituals.

As the year has progressed, members have become more comfortable with each other and arevolunteering to read aloud from the Bible. Members of this class watch out for each other andspend time outside of Sunday morning with each other.

Recently Ms. Roxie Gibson visited the class to read her book, Hey God! What’s Communion?One parent shared that her second grader chose that book each night as his bedtime reading!The love of the Lord is alive in these second graders.

Are you on Twitter? If so,then follow @fpcnashville!twitter.com/FPCNashville

Chuck Grice Returns to the Logos Classthis Summer

After last summer’s fascinating lessons onAbraham Lincoln’s faith, local attorney ChuckGrice returns this summer for four weeks on threedistinct topics: Islam, Questions of Jesus andDogma about Jesus. Whew!

On June 14 and 21, Chuck will offer hisperspective on Islam, “beginning with Muhammedas a young man all the way to today’s Iran andISIS.” Chuck says, “We in the West are operatingbetween two fictions. First, that all of Islam isaggressive, which of course isn’t true. The second isthat radical Islam is limited to a small group of people.”

On the 28th, Chuck will take up Jesus and Questions. “Jesus is askedsomething like 130 questions and he directly answers only three. I think thereare both theological and psychological reasons for Jesus using this method.”

And on July 5, Chuck will walk through the Christian creed that Jesus isfully God and fully human, and take up challenges to such a conviction.“It would have been easier for the early Church simply to be inclusive of theseother points of view. It was unrelenting for very sound reasons.”

The Logos Class meets in Stanford Chapel on Sundays from 10:00 to10:40 A.M.

The Deadline to Registerfor VBS Approaches

June 8 is the deadline to registeryour child to participate in VacationBible School at First PresbyterianChurch. Our leaders are ready towelcome children as we put our faithinto action and learn more about howGod calls us to serve.

Officer Recommendation for Class of 2018I wish to endorse _________________________________________ as a candidate for: ❑ Elder ❑ Deacon to theNominating Committee of the church. The deadline for recommending nominees is June 31, 2015.

Please tell us what you know about this person’s involvement in First Presbyterian Church, Nashville, in anotherministry or church, or in the community at large. Consider in your recommendation references from the PresbyterianBook of Order, Gifts & Qualifications (G-2.0104a). You may or you may not wish to call the candidate.

Include below: name, address, family members and occupation, if appropriate. You may also nominate yourself or afamily member.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Nominating Committee members are Waymon Tipton, Chair, Mickey Martin, David McClellan, Shannon McGuffin, Leigh Reames, Todd Jones, Staff Liaison andAdam DeVries, Staff Liaison. Please return this form to any member of the Nominating Committee or to the church office (Attn: Waymon Tipton) before June 31.

Your Name: ______________________________________ Phone Number: _____________________________

# Cut, Complete & Return # Cut, Complete & Return

Farewell, Zonia, Professional and FriendWith walkie-talkie in hand and whatever-it-takes attitude,

Zonia Nunley has patrolled First Presbyterian Church fromCourtenay Hall to the Cannon Center, from the stables tothe stone walls, from the sanctuary to the soccer fields for 21years. Zonia will step down this summer. As previouslyreported, the church Session, in conjunction with Oak HillSchool, will partner with School Facilities Management tohandle all maintenanceand custodial services forthe church and the school.

As Property Managerof the church, each cornerof the 55-acre campus andall points in between havebeen Zonia’s domain andresponsibility. Zonia hashad many balls to jugglebut maintainingrelationships and managingpeople have been the keysto her success. Forinstance, a member pointsout that her meeting room is too hot, while a staff memberin the adjacent office claims his fingers are numb due to thecold. Zonia knows how to appease each and, when necessary,who to call to rectify the problem. The light blue runners onthe white tablecloths that looked divine? Yes, that wasZonia, too.

Zonia carries with her two decades of experience settingup rooms for meetings, meals and classes, taking the initiativewhen the unexpected happens and keeping First PresbyterianChurch well maintained and cared for. When her ministry atFirst Presbyterian Church ends on June 30, she will leavebehind not only a church facility that more than doubled insize under her watch. Zonia will leave the congregation andstaff with memories of her grace under pressure, the comfortthat we could always reach her when we could not find ourway, her laughter and wit, along with great taste, style andprofessionalism reflected in her work. Zonia developed anorderly, efficient system for keeping track of work orderssubmitted by church leaders, but the armload of paperworkshe carried paled in comparison to the mental to-do list thatshe carried with her and carried out with efficiency. We areprofoundly grateful for Zonia and we wish her well in herfuture endeavors.

While we will miss Zonia, we take comfort in knowingthat Tim Minnifee and Robert Murphy will still be aroundas they have accepted positions with School FacilitiesManagement to work at the church and at Oak Hill School.Their combined 43 years or service will help make thisdifficult transition a little smoother.

Summer Sunday School for FamiliesSunday, May 31, begins a new Summer Sunday School

model for our families. Each Sunday through August 16,children entering 1st grade through 6th grade will delveinto Scripture alongside their parents and explore prayerand other spiritual practices together. Children in theMoon, Faith, and Pre-K Love and Grace will combine toengage with Bible stories through fun activities. There areweekly opportunities for parents/families to lead or hosteither group. If your children will be participating any ofthe Summer Sundays, we ask that you sign up to serve as ahost, leader or assistant at least one week. Visit our websiteto pick your date(s)!

First Friends’ May ActivitesWatch for “Traveling Tennessee’s Crossroads”

We have seen them on television and wished we couldvisit them, and now for the nextseveral months, First Friends willbe going to one of thedestinations. Plan to join the fun.

November 2-6: Natchez TripDon’t let this once-in-a-

lifetime opportunity pass you by. See Natchez up close!$100 deposit due June 1.

Name: Email:

Address:

Phone Number: Voice Part (if known):

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:19-20)

FPC Music Ministry invites you to sing inone of the following choirs:Sanctuary Choir — Sings for 11:00 A.M. worship service.

Sanctuary Chorale — Sings for the 8:30 A.M. worship service.

Parish Choir — Sings a few times a year with limited rehearsal time.

Young Adult Choir — New for this year. They will sing a few times a year withlimited rehearsal time.

Raphael Bundage, Director of Music • Nicholas Bergin, OrganistPlease fill out the form below and return to Daphne Garey in the Music Departmentor contact her (615-298-9517 or dgarey@fpcnashville.org) for more information.

Larry English

FPC Annual Choir Recognition BanquetOn Wednesday, May 6, all FPC choirs celebrated their annual Recognition Dinner in Courtenay Hall. Members of the FPC

Youth and Children’s choir provided dinner music for the evening. After the dinner, singers and instrumentalists of theCherub, Hosanna, Doxology and Psalmody Choirs presented “The Story of David, a Boy with a Harp,” a musical written byCarol McClure and narrated by Drew Gordon. All members of the Children’s Choir program were recognized for their manyachievements of the last year.

Dr. Raphael Bundage, Director of the Sanctuary Choir,presented certificates to adult choir members. Choir membersaccepting awards were:

n Service Award: Eric Near, Caroline Nielson, Sarah Woffordn 10 Year Award: Larry and Felicia Gatesn 15 Year Award: Jaylon and Judy Fincannon and Dawn Wylien 25 Year Award:Virginia Rubinn 35 Year Award:

Sally Burchn 45 Year Awards:

Dr. Rubye Torrey, accepted by herdaughter, Claudia Torrey

n Choir Emeritus Award:Larry English

Eric Near, Larry Gates, Jaylon Fincannon, Caroline Nielson,Felicia Gates, Judy Fincannon, Sally Burch, Claudia Torrey,Sarah Wofford, Dawn Wylie and Virginia Rubin

NONPROFIT ORGU S POSTAGE

P A I DNASHVILLE, TNPERMIT NO. 27

Dated church materialPlease deliver by May 30, 2015

4815 Franklin Pike ■ Nashville, TN 37220

First Presbyterian Church4815 Franklin PikeNashville, Tennessee 37220www.fpcnashville.orgfacebook.com/fpcnashville

PastorsTodd JonesPastor

Sam CooperExecutive Pastor

Adam DeVriesAssociate Pastor to Youth& Their Families

Mark DeVriesAssociate Pastor forNew Ministries

Stuart GordonAssociate Pastor for Discipleship

Keith GunterAssociate Pastor for NewChurch Development

Sandra RandlemanAssociate Pastor forCongregational Care & Missions

Program StaffRaphael BundageDirector of Music

Brenda GeiseOlder Adult MinistryCoordinator

Letitia GreenDirector of Recreation

Patricia HeimMissions Coordinator

Ashley HigginsDirector of Young Adult &High School Ministries

Susan KirbyWorship Coordinator

Michelle MangumDirector of Communications

Deb O’BrienDirector of Children’s Ministry

AdministrationGinny BarberAdministrative Assistant

Cindy BozmanFinance Manager

Lynn ElliottExecutive Assistant

Karen FittsNursery Coordinator

Zonia NunleyProperty Manager

Kim RogersFood Service

SchoolsJennifer HinoteHead of School, Oak Hill School

Brenda LutzDirector, FPC Early Preschool

Youth HappeningsSunday School, May 31 & June 7: Grades

7-12 will meet in The Gathering Place at9:40 A.M. and then meet for Sunday School asgrade level groups taught by our intern teams!

Wednesday Night Festivus beginsWednesday, June 3, from 6:30-8:00 P.M. inThe Gathering Place. Come for food, fun andfellowship for all youth. Bring $5 for dinner.

We ask that everyone keep our mission tripparticipants in prayer. The rising seniors leavefor West Virginia on Friday, June 5, at 7:00 A.M.The rising 9th-11th graders leave at 12:30 P.M.on Sunday, June 7. All youth will return onFriday, June 12, between 3:00-4:00 P.M.

On Sunday, June 7, at 9:45 A.M. in theyouth room next to The Gathering Place,Brandon Van Pernis and Debbie Gilmore willmeet with parents of youth attending the GreatEscape trip. Bring any forms and last-minutequestions at that time.

Barefoot Republic Camp: July 6-11, forJH students with Adam Devries.

Arts Camp: July 13-15, 1:00-5:00 P.M.,7th-12th graders will join Emily Martin, AnnaWheeler and our interns for a creative week ofart and worship. Cost is $30.

Water Sports Camp: July 20-22, 7th-12thgraders will join Brandon Van Pernis, ScottDalton and our interns for water sports at thelake. Leave at 8:00 A.M. on Monday and returnby 3:00 P.M. on Wednesday. Cost is $100.

Youth Help Lead Mission Camp: July19-24. Let Erika Shapiro know if you wouldlike to help with Mission Camp (grades 4-6)or with VBS (June 22-25).

Christian Leadership Camp: July 27-29,9:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M., 7th-12th graders will joinAnna Wheeler, Ashley Higgins and our internsfor camp. Cost is $25 (lunch included).

Register for Summer Camps online atyouth.fpcnashville.org.

Questions or changes to your contact information,contact Ginger, Erika or Miller (615-298-9570 oryouth@fpcnashville.org).

sunday evening worship at fpcThe Gathering Place @ 5:3O p.m.