FUMC Bristol Newsletter July 27 – August 2, 2017

I know not why God’s wondrous grace to me he hath made known,

Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love redeemed me for his own.

I know not how this saving faith to me he did impart,

nor how believing in his word wrought peace within my heart.

I know not how the Spirit moves, convincing us of sin,

revealing Jesus through the word, creating faith in him.

But I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able

to keep that which I’ve committed unto him against that day.

~Daniel W. Whittle, 1883 (2 Tim. 1:12)
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
What Gift Can We Bring? 
Rev. Brandon Berg
July 30, 2017
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From the Pastor’s Pen . . .
When I was younger (so much younger than today), these Summer holidays seemed to go on and on. I could pack more excitement and fun into those couple months than I knew what to do with.
There are quite a few reasons that the Summer seems shorter now, I know, but this one seems particularly abbreviated.
I have no doubt that the primary reason it seems short is because we’ve spent most of the Summer packing, moving, and unpacking again.
I don’t recommend that.
But after a whirlwind of a Summer, we are gearing 80% of our family back up for school.
That means that the rest of our community who take Summer vacations and trips are also going to be returning and getting back into their routines. And that means that our church community is going to be getting back in gear for the good work of ministry that we do.
That’s exciting!
What’s exciting for me, though (apart from getting out of unscheduled time and back into a routine), is learning about all the exciting ministries we have going on at First Bristol. So I want to hear from you.
What ministry gets you excited?
How do you love to spend time with Jesus?
What do you want to see the Spirit doing through us?
What can we do together to help ministry flourish here?
No, seriously; I want to hear from you. Make my phone and Facebook and Twitter and Instagram blow up. Let me know when a great time is to sit down over coffee (or your own favorite space and idea-generating libation).
It’s time to get back in gear, y’all. It’s been a short Summer, and God is about to bring us all back together, maybe even the way God told Isaiah:
From the east I’ll bring your children;
   from the west I’ll gather you.
I’ll say to the north, “Give them back!”
   and to the south, “Don’t detain them.”
Bring my sons from far away,
   and my daughters from the end of the earth,
   everyone who is called by my name
   and whom I created for my glory,
   whom I have formed and made.
How miraculous would that be?
Let’s get in gear, y’all! Talk to me, and let’s see what new thing God is going to do through us all together!
Peace,
Brandon
Last Sunday . . .
 
Last Sunday, Dr. Gorrell and the children rang the church
bell to call
everyone to worship.
The Chancel Choir sang, God, How Can We Forgive?,
a Hebrew Melody.
Pastor Brandon shared from the
Gospel of Matthew
Chapter 13, Verses 24-33, 36-43
Weeds Among Wheat
The flowers on the altar were given to the glory of God and in honor of the wedding anniversary of L.C. and Marie Hale by Alan and Karen Hale.
Penny Hudson, who provided this photo and has provided many lovely pictures for the newsletter over the last few weeks, adds the following note:
There is a book called Foundations of Faith about churches in Sullivan County. It contains an article about First United Methodist Church, written by Imogene Fortner, whom we lost two year ago. In her article, Imogene describes L.C. as “the man who can repair anything in the church.”
 
Send us from here,
and bring your Kingdom into glorious blossom.
Amen.
 
 
Our Feed the Hungry Offering this week is for
Holston United Methodist Home for Children.
Holston Home for Children is guided by beliefs passed down throughout
the history of their ministry:


 * God loves children and their families so much that He sent His Son to die so
       that they could have abundant and eternal life.
* Every child should be taught about Jesus.
* All things are possible in Christ.
* Every child should have a warm and secure place to live.
* People can change.
* Lasting change occurs through caring relationships.
* It is the birthright of every child to have a family.
* The best place for a child to be raised is within a caring family.
* Children and youth should always have something to look forward to.
* Kids and families deserve our very best.
* Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their God-given potential.
Thank you for giving!
Thanks to FUMC Kroger Shoppers, Church Receives Check for $81.66
Nine households participated in Kroger’s Community Rewards Program during Cycle 11 (March 1 – May 28, 2017). As a result, last week the church received a check for a percentage of the total sales from their Kroger purchases.
 
 
If you are a Kroger shopper, would you consider attaching your Kroger card to the Community Rewards Program? Third quarter begins in September.
He’s been here waiting ever since he heard “Picnic.”
FUMC Teens
August 2, 6:30 p.m.
Here’s What’s Happening:
Hike to the dam
Rock skipping contest
Mini- picnic
Ice-cream floats
Luke 14: 28-33
Bring a friend!
RESURRECTION 2018
Pigeon Forge, TN
January 19-20-21
Join over 12,000 youth and youth mentors who come together annually to celebrate the God of The Resurrection. See John Mack for details.
What’s Cookin’?  (at Friendly Methodist Church)
Michael Raper has given the church a precious church cookbook written in 1959 by the Willing Workers of Friendly Methodist Church including his mom. As he said, each stain represents a meal she made for her family with love.
This small spiral bound book not only has printed recipes but a few hand-written ones. These along with “Beauty Hints,” “Household Hints,” “Spot and Stain Removal” and diets for several body types bring back memories of times when information was a bit simpler.
We thank Michael for this wonderful gift. A copy will be placed in the church library along with the original for you to look through and copy a favorite recipe you thought was lost forever.
Friendly was established in 1811 as a
Methodist Episcopal Church in Friendly, West Virginia.
Michelle and Gary send our heartfelt greetings to all the good folk at First UMC of Bristol. While we miss you deeply we are loving Oregon, our new church and beautiful summer  weather with low humidity!
Please accept our belated thanksgiving for your more than generous love offering upon our departure. With it, we purchased a much-needed car carrier for our cross-country move. It served us so beautifully and we hope to use it here with kayaks or a canoe for Pacific Northwest nature outings.

Receive our continued prayers for your health, happiness and a wonderful pastoral experience with Brandon and his lovely family!

                                                                                      With Joy,
                                                                                      Michelle and Gary
Can you help?
A Volunteer is Needed
Monday, August 7
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Assist with bagging groceries for clients at the Food Pantry.
Contact Carol Taylor for complete details.
What Do You See at First United Methodist Church that Blesses You?
Can you capture it in a picture, or a few words, for the rest of us?
Thank you to those who contribute pictures and articles for the FUMC newsletter.
You, the providers of information, are the newsletter’s makers and creators.
 
Everyone is invited to participate.
Just send contributions to admin@fumcbristol.wpcomstaging.com.
For each publication, information is needed by noon on Wednesday.
Let your eyes become eyes for everyone.
And may Christ’s Vision be the Vision which inspires us all.
 Like what you see in your church newsletter?  Why not
PASS IT ON?
to a friend, neighbor
or co-worker! 
 
Share some good news today!
 Calendar & Events Schedule 
   Week of July 27 – August 2
 
Thurs, July 27:    6:00 pm-Yoga with Jean-Yoga Studio
                      6:30 pm-Mankind Project-Youth Room   
                      8:00 pm-AA
 
 Fri, July 28:      5:30pm-Belly Dancing Class-Yoga Room
                 6:30pm-Belly Dancing Class-Yoga Room 
                      8:00am-NA
               
 Sat, July 29:    8:00pm-NA
                        
Sun, July 30:    9:30am-Sunday School Hour
9:30am-The River service, TH
10:00am-Common Ground Service, Chapel
11:00am-Traditional Worship, Sanctuary
(childcare is provided from 9:30am to 12:00pm; children may be picked up at any time)
5:00pm-Finance Committee, Library
6:00pm-Administrative Council, TH
8:00pm-AA
Mon, July 31:   6:00pm-Belly Dancing Class-yoga room
                    7:00pm-Hispanic Congregation PVUMC
                    8:00pm-NA
                       
Tues, August 1:  8:00am-Men’s Prayer Group-TH
                    8:00pm-AA
               
Wed, August 2:  6:30pm-Youth Activity – Hike to the Dam, etc.!
              
 To make changes or additions to the calendar
          contact Alan Gorrell 423-652-7377 
        or Sandy Gorrell 423-652-1987.
Our Vision-
Building A Community Where Anyone
Can Become
A Deeply Committed Christian

First United Methodist Church

 322 Vance Dr., Bristol, TN 37620

       www.fumcbristol.org
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First United Methodist Church of Bristol Tennessee, 322 Vance Drive, Bristol, TN 37620