Glen Leven Presbyterian Church

"God First"

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Once again we are facing the be-ginning of a new year. Some of us are filled with anticipation regarding the possibilities that are held in the days and months to come. Others of us are a little concerned and anxious, wondering whether or not this new year will allow us the opportunity to break free from the burdens that have plagued us in the past. Regardless of our feelings, each one of us are reminded in this first month of this new year, that the life before us is un-charted, unfamiliar, and open territory. The question arises, how are we best able to face the opportunities before us?

Scripture addresses this question in the story of Israel’s (i.e. both kingdoms) restoration to their homeland. This new journey was initiated by the Persian king Darius’ proclamation al-lowing the exiles of any nation to return to their homes. Many of the exiles of Israel joyfully returned, eager to rededicate themselves to the Lord, their God. Evidence of their dedication, they set out to rebuild the Temple, and to recommit in their lives in worship of God.

Unfortunately for the returning exiles, life and the unexpected distractions got in the way of their good intentions. They found themselves busy re-building their own homes, establishing their own jobs. The work on the Temple slowed down, and eventually fell to the wayside.

Their commitment to God became a second priority. God was just another item on a long list of things to do and appointments to meet. Their spiritual enthusiasm waned as they embarked on their new road of freedom.

There would have been little disruption to their abandonment of their rededication and renewal of faith, if God were a passive partner in this relationship. However, God was eager to receive their praise and to nourish this human and divine covenant. So God raised up a prophet to call the people into faithfulness; to en-courage them to place God first in their lives. God cried out, “Return to me, says the LORD of hosts.”1 The prophet Zechariah admonished the people to take God seriously as they faced the new dawn of restoration, “Be silent, all people, before the LORD; for He has roused Himself from His holy dwelling.”2

The message was clearly made, that a faithful commitment to placing God first would in reality enhance the lives of the faithful. God promised, “Thus says the LORD: I will return to Zion, and I will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the LORD of hosts shall be called the holy mountain. Thus says the LORD of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of their great age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets. Thus says the LORD of hosts: Even though it seems impossible to the remnant of this people in these days, should it also seem impossible to Me, says the LORD of hosts?”3

As we embark on this new year, we too are encouraged to put God first in our lives. Regardless of what we have done or failed to do in the past, God calls upon us to return to God. We can best face the opportunities that lie before us by trusting God and committing our lives to faithfully serve God. The saying is true, “I do not know what tomorrow holds, but I do know who holds tomorrow.” With God first in our lives, who or what can be against us?

In the Love of Jesus the Messiah,

Mark

1 Zechariah 1:6

2 Zechariah 2:13
3 Zechariah 8:3-6.

Seeking a Place to Worship

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You are already a part of a geographical community, a neighborhood or town. But are you are part of a group of people who sincerely care for one another, support each other in difficult times, and celebrate the joys of life? At Glen Leven Presbyterian Church we think a true community does all that and more. We strive to be a place where everyone is accepted and feels a sense of belonging. We seek to grow in our relationship with God and with one another, experiencing the fullness of life. We are building a community of faith that has a place for you. Come and discover your place at Glen Leven.

How to Find Us

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GLEN LEVEN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
3906 Franklin Pike, Nashville, TN 37204
Telephone Number: (615) 298-5549
Fax Number: (615) 298-5540

Those coming from the South of Nashville should take I-65 N to exit 78 (TN-255/HARDING PLACE exit). Turn left onto HARDING PLACE (heading West). Turn right onto FRANKLIN PIKE (heading North 1.30 miles). Glen Leven Presbyterian Church is on the right (3906 FRANKLIN PIKE).

Those coming from the North of Nashville should take I-65 S to exit number 81 (WEDGEWOOD AVENUE exit). Turn right onto WEDGEWOOD AVENUE (heading West). Turn left onto 8th AVENUE S TN-6/US-31 (heading South 1.61 miles). Glen Leven Presbyterian Church is on the left (3906 FRANKLIN PIKE).

Weekly Schedule

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Sunday
9:30 am Small Groups

11:00 am Worship of the Lord

4:30 pm Bible Study (Alpha Group)

Monday
9:30 am Glen Leven Presbyterian Church Day School Chapel

10:00 am Church Staff Meeting

Wednesday
9:00 am Prayer Time in the Sanctuary

11:30 am Bible Study (Omega Group)

Thursday
7:15 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Our Mission Statement

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A Loving Community Called Together by God

to be a People of Faith, Prayer, Nurture, and Outreach

God has gathered us at Glen Leven to worship Him and joyfully celebrate the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In faithfulness to God’s initiative, we seek to create and maintain a Christian environment that promotes and provides:

A praying community of faith, encouraging one another through prayer.
(Ephesians 6:18)

Ongoing Christian education through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and study of the Word of God;
(Deuteronomy 6:6-9 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

A nurturing, loving, and healing environment; and
(Mark 12:30-31)

Continuous outreach to glorify God in our local, national, and global communities.
(Isaiah 61:1-3 and Matthew 28:18-20)

We recognize Jesus Christ as head of the church and take seriously our loving responsibilities as His followers. We welcome all to come together with us to proclaim the Good News of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ; to worship God and study God’s Word; to share our lives in Christian service through the guidance of the Holy Spirit; and to glorify God through our actions and our love.

Photos

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Wedding Policy

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Glen Leven Presbyterian Church conducts wedding services for Glen Leven Church members and, at the discretion of the Pastor, active participants in our congregation who are non-members of our church.

Weddings at Glen Leven are officiated by our Pastor. Pastors who are not serving Glen Leven may assist in the service when invited to do so by our Pastor. The wedding service is an act of worship and is designed to reflect the joy and beauty of covenant love, and praise and adoration of God. You will work with the officiating Pastor to design the service drawing from resources of the Presbyterian and other Judeo-Christian traditions.

Before we can make a firm commitment to perform your marriage at Glen Leven Presbyterian Church, you must meet with the Pastor for Pre-marriage Counseling. The Pastor will lead you to explore all the facets of your relationship, helping you to affirm your strengths and identify areas in which you need to grow. The Pre-marriage Counseling sessions are three, two hour meetings. You should plan to have the first session at least two months prior to the proposed wedding date.

The Pastor will also work with you regarding such logistical details as decorations, candles, and dressing facilities. At both the rehearsal and during the wedding ceremony the Pastor will oversee the details of the processional, placement of persons in the chancel during the wedding service, and the recessional.

Music is to be selected in consultation with the officiating Pastor and the church organist at least three weeks before the wedding. The music will be Christian and classical tradition, designed to evoke joyful worship and praise. Our organist will play 30 minutes of music prior to the wedding, the processional and recessional music, and if desired hymns or other special music during the service. If Glen Leven's organist is not available for the wedding, a substitute organist will be selected by the organist and Glen Leven's Minister of Music. If you wish to have a guest organist, the Glen Leven organist must give prior approval. Please note that this will require a written request, and that the guest organist's credentials must be specified, demonstrating that the guest organist can play a complex pipe organ. You will be responsible for paying the guest organist's fees.

To maintain the dignity of this occaision, please keep all decorations simple and in harmony with the architecture of the church. You or your wedding party are responsible for all decorations except for the candles at the front of the sanctuary. Please consult the Pastor about decorations, including floral arrangements. Please do not use tape or tacks as these damage the pews. We discourage the use of aisle runners, which we feel are unsafe and a nuisance to properly use.

Though your photographer or videographer may take pictures using available light at any time, we do not permit flash photographs or artificially lighted videos at any time during the worship itself (after the processional and before the recessional). Photos or videos made using available light should not intrude during the service. Videographers should coordinate vidcam use with the Pastor.

Please do not throw confetti, birdseed, or rice on Church property because of clean up problems. Your guest may want to ring bells, blow bubbles, etc.

No alcohol is permitted at any time on the property of Glen Leven Presbyterian Church or within the facilities of Glen Leven Presbyterian Church.

Our Missions and Ministries

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We take seriously God’s call upon our lives to be a people of faith and prayer. Every week on Wednesdays a group called the “Gatekeepers” gathers in the sanctuary to pray for the needs of our community of faith and the world. Emergency prayer needs are circulated and lifted up in prayer almost daily through the members of our prayer circle and e-mail prayer partners of the Prayer Ministry of Glen Leven. We are developing as a church the wonderful reputation as a “house of prayer.”

The people of the community of faith of Glen Leven have numerous opportunities for spiritual development and Christian nurture through our small groups, Women’s Circles, and Men’s Fellowship that meet on Sunday mornings and other days during the week.

Through two separate Bible Studies offered each week on Sunday afternoons and Wednesday mornings, a group of over twenty individuals look closely at the Scriptures and discuss the relevance and significance of God’s word in and for our lives.

We continue to offer opportunities for spiritual growth for our children and youth through Sunday small groups, youth study and outings, Vacation Bible School, confirmation classes, Children’s Guide to Worship classes, Church pageants, overnight camp outs, and other seasonal activities.

Seeking to provide ministry and encouragement to our senior members, Glen Leven has a Senior Ministry called the “Live Wires.” This group offers opportunities for our over fifty-five age group to gather for activities, programs, excursions, and fellowship.

With a staff of 17, we provide one of the best and oldest outreach ministries to families and children through our Day School. Over 81 children and 70 families are touched by the love of Christ through this vibrant ministry each week.

We have a major impact on un-wed mothers and single parent families through our active support of Hope Clinic for Women. At times we have even offered a scholarship position in our Day School for a child from Hope Clinic.

We help children and families in after-school support and skill education classes through our involvement with Cottage Cove. We offer faithful support to the Cottage Cove Christmas Store, giving struggling parents the opportunity to provide gifts to their children for a very moderate price.

Our congregation exercises the parable of the Good Samaritan by assisting individuals in our surrounding community, contributing to the payment of their utilities through our Good Samaritan Ministry. This ministry enables those who have special needs to maintain their electric, gas, or water utilities during emergency situations.

Glen Leven reaches out to those who are homeless and less fortunate through our long-standing support of Nashville Rescue Mission and Second Harvest Food Bank. We even have members who have served and who presently serve on the Boards of these ministries. Through our involvement we have helped to share the gospel, provide shelter, warm meals, canned goods, and clothing to those who are in need.

Glen Leven offers strong support to the Martha O’Bryan Center helping to empower families living in east Nashville and the surrounding community. We have members who each week volunteer their time to deliver Meals on Wheels through this ministry.

Our outreach moves way beyond our community and our state. More than fifteen members of our congregation participate annually as work missionaries in our Mexico Mission outreach. These volunteers spend a week in Piedras Negras, Mexico building a house and sharing the love of Christ Jesus. So far we have organized and participated in the building of twelve houses.

Listed above are most of the ministries that are taking place through our efforts to be faithful to our calls to glorify God. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we seek to serve God as we serve the world around us. New and expanded opportunities for ministry and service to God continue to present themselves as we discern God’s will for us as God’s people.

Glen Leven Presbyterian Church Day School Outreach Ministry

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Mission and Philosophy
Glen Leven Presbyterian Church Day School is a ministry of Glen Leven Presbyterian Church serving pre-kindergarten age children.

The mission of Glen Leven Presbyterian Church Day School is to nurture
and care for children of Glen Leven Presbyterian Church
and our community in the knowledge that
God loves them and that they are special to Him.

At Glen Leven Presbyterian Church Day School, we believe:

That all children have the best opportunity to develop to their maximum potential through meaningful learning experiences within a Christian environment;
That all children have the right to grow and develop in a safe, secure and nurturing environment;
That self-confidence and self-worth are essential components for the development of loving, caring, nurturing individuals; and that children can develop a desire to model positive influences such as cooperation, teamwork and respect for others as taught by God’s Word;
That everyone should be given responsibility for his/her own work; that rules, policies and procedures should be designed to help not hinder people; and that work, play and learning should be enjoyable and something in which pride can be taken;
That everyone should be treated with courtesy, respect and honest; and should receive accurate, timely responses to their needs, problems, complaints or inquiries; and
That team work is critical to success and that parents, children and staff are all part of the team.