CONNECT Home / About / What We're About / Connect Just like a strong strand of rope, as we connect with each other within these walls and then, with others in our community and beyond, we form solid bonds, able to weather the storms. Together, we can accomplish much more than alone. Together, we can make a much greater impact. CORE 4 STRATEGIES Worship Grow Connect Serve

COLUMBARIUM Home / Ministries / Columbarium First Presbyterian Church has been the focal point shaping the spiritual life of individuals and families for more than 125 years. The seasons of life are celebrated – from birth, baptism, worship, marriage, spiritual growth, and finally death in the Lord. Christians are promised that death is never the final word. With this truth, we can celebrate and honor the lives of members in the very location where we most often shared the love of Jesus Christ together. Ninety years after opening our present building at 11th Avenue and Harrison Street, the east courtyard will be enhanced with a columbarium surrounded by a beautiful prayer garden. A columbarium features a wall of niches that accommodate urns containing the earthly remains of any member or former member of the church and their families.* There could be no more fitting place for the remains of a Christian than a columbarium within the grounds of one’s own church. The surrounding prayer garden is a quiet, peaceful setting in which to remember, meditate, pray, or comfort the bereaved. Inurnment services and other worship occasions may be conducted in the garden. Strong and enduring building materials complement the rich history of the people who built the church and its fine Neo-Gothic architecture. As we are called to be good stewards in this life and for generations to come, land use is minimized. ​ *Eligibility for inurnment is outlined in the Columbarium Policies. The Columbarium MINISTRIES Adults Care College Age First Pres Kids Library/Resources Missions Music Studies and Groups Youth Columbarium OTHER INTERESTS Studies and Groups Worship Grow Connect Serve A columbarium offers an affordable alternative to traditional burial. The fee of $2,500 or $3,000 per niche accommodating two urns includes a granite memorial front with names of the inurned, dates of birth and death, the costs of opening and closing for inurnment, and continuing care. Other final arrangements for cremation and properly fitting urns may be made with funeral homes. ​ Packets containing full information, Policies, and an application are available by email at columbarium@firstpres.com , at firstpres.com, or in the church office. Karen Jordan (806-341-1794) is the moderator of the Columbarium Committee that manages the columbarium. The J. Gregg Jordan Memorial Prayer Garden in the completely re-landscaped cloister accommodates the columbaria and provides a secure area with the installation of a wrought iron fence in the outer arches of the colonnade. Two gates, open in normal operating hours or for special events, are closed and locked at other times. The locked gates can be opened from the inside in an emergency. Protected on three sides by the church building, the garden gives some protection from adverse weather for inurnment services and other small worship services. Benches will offer a place to sit in solitude, to visit, relax, reflect, or comfort loved ones. Inurnment fees over and above the cost of construction will endow ongoing maintenance and care of the columbaria and garden. Columbarium Policies Application Form Niche Inscription Form Click on the above buttons to find our policies, application form, and niche inscription form. Once you have filled out the Application Form and Niche Inscription Form, you can email it to us .

ADULTS Home / Ministries / Adults We do better in community. As iron sharpens iron, the key relationships in our lives are meant to challenge, support, and strengthen us. While worship services are powerful, we know that spiritual development happens within smaller community. ADULTS Women Men Famliy & Adult Singles Senior Adults OTHER INTERESTS Studies and Groups Worship Grow Connect Serve

FIRST PRES KIDS Home / Ministries / First Pres Kids a fun, safe, and loving place for KIDS to learn about their place in God's story FIRST PRES KIDS Nursery/Early Childhood Elementary Events OTHER INTERESTS Studies and Groups Worship Grow Connect Serve First Pres VBS 2024 Mark your calendar! June 3-7 9:00am-12:00pm for all children 4 years - kids just fini shing 5th grade (they'll have a special A&O VBS) VBS Registration will be right here starting May 1st. Sunday School Curriculum Our desire, when our 5th graders graduate out of Ki ds Ministry, is that they would have a good foundation of Biblical knowledge. Here is what each age is learning. January 17- April 17 by Mikal Keefer @ David C. Cook Pub. Critter Land had Easter Stations too 3rd/4th/5th Grades met together this week to learn about the Last Supper, Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, and Jesus on the Cross, just like all of the Kids Sunday School classes. . Easter is a great time to celebrate with friends! 1st/2nd grade in the Garden Meet the First Pres Kids Ministry Staff: Director of Early Childhood, DEBBIE LAUR , on the left. And Director of Kids Ministry, KASEY SIMS on the right. Click here to learn about: Our SUNDAY SCHOOL Click here to learn about: Parenting in the Pew Free downloads for Discipling your kids find great resources here from Theol oby Recommended Podcast: Intentional Parents Podcast Article on Childhood Anxiety from Group Pub. Sunday Morning Worship Resources: Parenting in the Pew: Guiding Your Children into the Joy of Worship by Robbie Castleman Sunday School Resources: TruCurriculum by Tru Ministry for PreSchool/PreK&Kinder/1st&2nd Grade The Gospel of John for 3rd Grade The Story , by Randy Frazee for 4th&5th Grade ​

Operation Christmas Child 2022 ABOUT Becoming a Member Contact & News ECO Employment FAQs Mission Statement & Beliefs Our History Our People Our Pipe Organ What We're About WORSHIP | GROW | CONNECT | SERVE Help us share the love of Christ with precious children around the world by grabbing an empty box with instructions inside, filling it, and bringing it back to the church by Sunday, November 13. You can also use the button below to fill a box online and help us reach our online goal of 50 shoeboxes. FILL A SHOEBOX ONLINE

SUNDAY SCHOOL Home / Ministries / Studies & Groups / Sunday School Spring Semester 2024 Sunday School Classes Triple T Class – Beth & Daniel Brannon, Shelley & Steve Chaloupka, Lesley & Albert Lusby Room 205 This new class is for Twenty to Thirty Somethings with young children. We will be studying and discussing Genesis in a theological as well as practical manner. We will also have various social events for fun and fellowship. Women of Worth - Lindsey Palmer, Emily Wood Room 202 We will take a deep dive into Genesis. The Sonflower’s Class - Caryl Smith Room 207 We will study 1 and 2 Kings with video by Lisa Terkerust. B-12 Class - Carol Allen Room 204 Our Bible and 12-Steps class will explore more of the spiritual principles embedded in the 12 Step program using the Life Recovery Bible as our text. Anyone is welcome to join us! We practice radical honesty and radical dependence on God for our recovery. Our class gives people in treatment programs and shelters a place to grow in their Christian faith. It also gives members a safe place to become more Christ-like as well as to let go of our problems and addictions. Kaleidoscope - Mary & David Mullin, Jay O’Brien Parlor We’ll study Joel, Obadiah, Micah, and Romans. Berean Class – Shannon Brooks, Duane Harp, Alan Keister, Karen Stout, David Terry Room 304 We will be studying the Gospel of Mark. Men’s Bible Study - Darrell Schmidt, Sam Ives Room 203 We will be studying The Jordan River Rules – 10 God-Given Rules for Moving Forward, a book by Robert Morgan who also wrote the Red Sea Rules. Just as God parted the waters of the Red Sea to allow Israel an escape from the Egyptian armies, He stopped the flow of the Jordan River to provide the Israelites safe passage to the Promised Land. Learn from the story of Joshua and the Israelites in their journey as they experience incredible transition, lessons, obstacles, and victory. In addition, we will be studying select topics from Charles Stanley’s best seller, 30 Life Principles – A Guide for Growing in Knowledge and Understanding of God. The Upper Room – Andrew Amstutz, Bryan Oliver, Brady Clark Room 206 We will be studying Presbyterian views on eschatology, a look at prayer (specifically intercessory prayer)and Calvinism vs. Arminianism. STUDIES AND GROUPS Wednesday Nights Sunday School Bible Studies & Small Groups Triads OTHER INTERESTS Studies and Groups Worship Grow Connect Serve What About Children & Youth? Check-in for all children, babies through 5th grade, is at the Kids' Welcome Desk, just inside the glass doors on the 1st floor of the Children’s Wing. In Sunday School, the TruBlessings curriculum guides children, ages Birth – Preschool, to know they are made and loved by God. TruWonder shows PreK & Kindergarten children the awesome wonder of God. TruStory helps our 1st & 2nd Graders discover more about The Big God Story. The Gospel of John is teaching the life of Jesus to our 3rd Graders. And The Story is helping our 4th & 5th Graders see the Bible as one continuing story of God and His people. ​ 8:30 (during the worship service) Nursery Birth – 2 years: Lamb room Preschool worship 3 years -- Kindergarten: Turtle room 9:45 Sunday School hour Early Childhood Birth – 2 years: Lamb room Preschool: Turtle room Kindergarten: Bluebird room Elementary 9:45 Combined Gathering in “The Well” Room 232 then kids go to: 1st/2nd grade: Room 234 3rd grade: Room 243 4th/5th grade: Room 245 10:55/1105 (during the worship services) Nursery Birth – 2 years: Lamb room Preschool worship 3 years -- Kindergarten: Turtle room 9:45 A.M. Middle School/High School Combined – - Austin DeSpain A&O House Join us as we continue studying Acts! We have Bible study, fellowship, and free donuts!

WEDDINGS Home / Ministries / Weddings We are delighted you're considering First Pres as the location for your wedding. Our purpose is not simply to do your wedding ceremony, but to help you build a strong and lasting marriage with Jesus Christ at its center. ​ Our facilities and staff are made available to you in order to help you fulfill God's plan for you and your future spouse. We do have certain expectations for each ceremony and couple which are designed to help you in planning your wedding, but more importantly, to help you get your marriage off to a great start! ​ To obtain a wedding packet with information on weddings at First Pres, call 373-4242 or send an email . ​ Our facilities are not available for non-resident weddings. 1/15 MINISTRIES Adults Care College Age First Pres Kids Library/Resources Missions Music Studies and Groups Youth Columbarium OTHER INTERESTS Studies and Groups Worship Grow Connect Serve

ELEMENTARY Home / Ministries / First Pres Kids / Elementary Sunday School Sunday 9:45am-10:45am Our Elementary Ministry, for children 1st through 5th Grade, meets on the 2nd floor of the Kids Wing. ​ Please come in the main doors to the church building, come to the middle of the Great Hall to find the glass doors into the Children's Wing. These doors remain locked during the Sunday School hour to keep anyone from roaming through these areas where children are learning and playing. We have a check-in desk and volunteers who will help you know what to do and where to take your kids. ​ Our talented Kids Ministry staff and great volunteers lead, teach, encourage and love the children who come through our doors every week. All of our leaders have completed background checks to help ensure that our children can learn about the Love of Jesus in a comfortable and safe environment. ​ Teaching the Word of God to eager, young hearts is our passion. In 2021 the Kids Ministry started teaching from Group, Inc.'s curriculum called DIG IN. We are studying The LORD's Prayer. We hope your Kids will join us! ​ FIRST PRES KIDS Nursery/Early Childhood Elementary Events OTHER INTERESTS Studies and Groups Worship Grow Connect Serve

REFORMED TRADITIONAL Home / Worship Services / Reformed Tradtional Reformed Traditional 10:55 am Sunday Mornings Sanctuary WORSHIP SERVICES Reformed Traditional Contemporary Gospel OTHER INTERESTS Studies and Groups Worship Grow Connect Serve What is Reformed worship exactly? Well, in the Protestant Reformation theologians like Martin Luther and John Calvin made it clear that we are saved by GRACE alone, through FAITH in CHRIST alone. SCRIPTURE alone is our authority in faith and life as we seek to give all GLORY to God alone. With this new found emphasis on SCRIPTURE, worship in the Reformed Tradition is focused on the triune God and is guided by SCRIPTURE, saturated with SCRIPTURE, and centered around the reading and preaching of SCRIPTURE. For we believe what the Apostle Paul writes about Scripture in 2 Timothy 3:16-17. “16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” We believe that the Lord uses the faithful reading and preaching of Scripture to transform us and equip us to do the work of God’s Kingdom here on earth. In Traditional Reformed Worship we want to pray the word, sing the word, hear the word, and speak the word. For we believe that it is through the Scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments that we learn more of who God is, and we discover who God is calling us to be. If you want to encounter God through a service of worship that is saturated in Scripture, then I would encourage you to join us for Traditional Reformed Worship in our beautiful sanctuary at 10:55 a.m. Come join us as we gather around the word of God and are led in singing traditional hymns to God led by our beautiful organ and our sanctuary choir. Our newly renovated organ is actually the largest and most dynamic organ from Fort Worth to Los Angeles and has been profiled in different news articles. People often call it Traditional Worship, but it’s not just “traditional”. It is REFORMED WORSHIP, and that makes all the difference.

FEATURED MISSIONARY Home / Ministries / Missions Worship Grow Connect Meet this month's Featured missionaries Craig Brown Nashville, Tennessee Serve LOCAL SUPPORT US & WORLD SUPPORT SERVE NOW ​ Craig Brown is from Dallas, Texas. He attended Vanderbilt University and Covenant Seminary in St. Louis. Our church is supporting the efforts Craig is leading to plant a Presbyterian Church in East Nashville. Craig has spoken at one of our All Church Retreats and helped us in trying to reposition Covenant Presbyterian a few years ago. ​ Redeemer Fellowship Nashville is planning to move its Sunday morning worship services to the Edgehill community. This repositioning will provide an accessible central location from which we can fortify and expand the fruitful ministry taking place in both south Nashville and Downtown. ​ We are launching new City Groups the week after Easter and will be going through Life Explored. These groups serve the dual purpose of both discipleship and evangelism. Interceding, investing, and inviting into the experience and extension of God’s love is our passion and mission for the Spring. ​ Thank you for keeping Craig and his efforts to reach people for Christ in your prayers.

Home / About / Our People / Staff STAFF Home / About / Our People / Staff / Allison Silvertooth Receptionist Allison has been in this role since September 1, 2021, after retiring from 32 years in education. She loves the First Presbyterian Church staff and members and is so very grateful to have the opportunity to serve this church, all its members, and staff. She was baptized as an infant here, professed her faith as a young person after Confirmation class here, was married, and baptized her two precious daughters here. She is still married to Dennis (34 years later) and together they have raised their daughters, Shelby and Lyndee. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to worship music, gardening, and camping with her family. Three favorite verses are: Psalm 27:1; 1 Peter 4:10, and Philippians 4:6-8. ​ (806) 373-4242

CURRENT SERMON SERIES Home / Worship Services / Current Sermon Series WORSHIP SERVICES Reformed Traditional Contemporary Gospel OTHER INTERESTS Studies and Groups Worship Grow Connect Serve