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First United Methodist Church
Bristol, Tennessee
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Your Weekly E-Newsletter and Events Schedule
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For all the saints, who from their labors rest, who thee by faith before the world confessed,
thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might; thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;
thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light.
And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long, steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
~William W. How, 1864
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Sunday, November 12
23rd Sunday After Pentecost
Practice Makes Perfect
Matthew 25: 1-13
Rev. Brandon Berg
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Last Sunday
Message: One Great Cloud of Witnesses
Matthew 5: 1-12
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See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are…
Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when Messiah is revealed, we will be like the Lord, for we will see Christ clearly. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
1 John 3: 1-3 adapted from NRSV
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Bekah announces
a Youth Project
to bless our
homeless neighbors.
See youth block
to learn how
you can help.
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Children listen intently as Pastor Berg shares
the children’s message.
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Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, ‘who are these, robed in white,
and where have they come from?’
I said to him, ‘Sir, you are the one that knows.’ Then he said to me,
‘These are they who have come out of the great ordeal;
they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
For this reason they are before the throne of God, whom they worship day and night
within the temple of the Lord, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.
They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them,
nor any scorching heat;for the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of the water of life,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’
Revelation 3:14-17 NRSV
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This week’s Feed the Hungry offering is for
Family Promise of Bristol.
This program provides an opportunity
for us to show God’s grace and Christ’s love
to children with homeless families in the Bristol area.
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From the Pastor’s Pen . . .
Y’all, it’s very possible that I have an unfortunate characteristic in common with most pre-adolescent children: my engine speed is either Screaming High or Full Stop.
I recognize that I need to learn moderation.
It occurs to me, hearing our new Music Director, Phil Haga, talk about getting his feet wet in The River again this Sunday, that those two gears I have are reflected in the way I think about streams and their flowing.
I approach our early service of worship thinking about quiet mornings at Buffalo Mountain Camp, arriving at the fire circle early and sitting beside Ramsey Creek. I would watch the water succumb to gravity, bouncing quietly (most of the time) off rocks, gurgling and popping as it filled in its own holes and danced with itself. It’s soothing and life-giving in the way that talking with an infant is.
Full Stop. Just be present. Just be.
On my best days, that slow, meditative morning would be followed by a gathering of inner tubes
and boats to spend a couple hours on the Nolichucky River. I would squeeze into a boat that is not as long as I am tall, weave in between campers and other staff, splashing, shouting, laughing, bumping. The dance that Ramsey Creek did on its own is one I would join on the Nolichucky, a constant fight with current, eddy lines, waves, and holes; all the time watching to keep the group together and moving downstream and taking advantage of the best fun the river had to offer.
Screaming High. Fully engaged. Constantly moving.
Both of those gears are means of grace. Both are attitudes of prayer. Both are fully attentive to an Incarnate God fully present and engaged in creation.
I recognize, though, that I’m not always in the right gear at the right time. I ask your forgiveness when I clumsily grind my engine because I’m having trouble shifting.
I also invite you to recognize that, no matter whether you’re going full throttle or you’re at full stop, God is fully present with you. Simply taking notice of that is an act of prayer.
So take every opportunity you have to pray. Even if it’s just a passing wink or a fist bump, spend time engaging with God.
Because no matter how the stream of life is flowing, God is certainly engaging you.
Peace,
Brandon
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for donations of much-needed supplies to
Bristol
Recovery
Road
for Women.
The congregation’s
support and donations
are truly appreciated.
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Mission of the Month
Did you know that our church has 11 volunteers who meet
every 4th Tuesday to prepare and deliver warm, wholesome
meals to needy seniors?
An average of 50 meals per month are prepared in our church kitchen
and go out to people who might not otherwise have a healthy meal or see a friendly face that day.
Thanks to our faithful volunteers and to those in our congregation who donate to keep Meals on Wheels running smoothly.
Meals on Wheels at FUMC-Bristol is 100% funded by donation!
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Dear Church Family,
As of October 31, we are $14,356.22 behind in our budgeted giving for this year. We need folks to step up and dig deeper to be able to end the year in the black. (We are not out of money but borrowing from our Restricted Funds.) Please consider a special gift to the General Budget in your year-end planning.
The Finance Committee
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Work Day at the Church
Saturday, November 18
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The church needs you!
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Our Director of Music has arrived!
Phil Haga, we welcome you!!
Choir rehearsals will be held on
Sundays after the 11 a.m. worship service,
following a slight break.
If you sing, and your schedule can
accommodate this new rehearsal
time, will you join us?
We hope to see you Sunday!!
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Pictures from the UMW Fall luncheon:
Great time, great meal, great fellowship and great entertainment!
Beth Green provided many laughs with her program of music and comedy.
It was all so much fun!
Thanks to everyone who attended and all who helped decorate, prepare food and serve.
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Members of the UMW with special guest entertainer, Beth Green
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Jimmy Sargent Bowen on her 88th birthday, which was on October 31.
She resides at Brookdale Assisted Living, Bristol, Virginia.
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Loetta Cornett celebrated her 98th birthday on October 31.
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An FUMC Small Group Gathered for an
Autumn Supper
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In Children’s Church Last Sunday . . .
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Solomon becomes King and builds a temple for the Ark of the Covenant. The children made different crowns because, well, you know, each King wears a different crown!
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“Hey, Ms. Kathy, Want to play chess after the lesson?”
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The Youth have worked over the summer to recycle
plastic shopping bags into “plarn” — plastic yarn.
Cyndi Carnahan crocheted it into lovely waterproof bags
that we’d love to fill with toiletries and supplies to bless
some of our homeless neighbors this Thanksgiving.
Can you help?
We will have a box set out in the vestibule for the next couple weeks.
Most needed supplies are:
Anything will help!
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FUMC TEENS
Biblical Exploration
Every Sunday
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
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Sunday, November 12, 4-6 p.m.
The Festival of Gifts and Talents
@Reynolds Memorial – Tacos and Fun!
let your light so shine!
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Wednesday, November 15
Meet at Tri-Cities Escape Game at 6:15 (downtown 642 State Street)
We will have one hour to escape
Will finish between 7:30 and 8:00 p.m.
escaping temptations
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God is not finished with me yet.
RESURRECTION 2018
January 19-20-21
Cost through November is $85.00 (if space is available . . .)
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The Connexion
Open House – Fellowship and Coffee
Saturday, November 11, 2017, 1 to 4 pm
The Connexion is a Christian ministry center of The Holston Conference of The United Methodist Church. 1250 Middle Creek Road, Sevierville, TN 37862
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State Street United Methodist Church invites you to:
George Frederic Handel’s
MESSIAH
A Community Sing for Charity
Benefitting Family Promise of Bristol
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2017
ALL SINGERS WELCOME – BRING A SCORE AND JOIN IN – CHORUS REHEARSAL 3 PM
PERFORMANCE – 5 PM
An offering will be received at the conclusion of the performance.
Family Promise of Bristol will receive 100% of the proceeds.
King University’s Dr. Pat Flannagan is Guest Conductor.
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Community Thanksgiving Service
Everyone Welcome!
Hosted by Addilynn Memorial UMC, 3225 Avoca Road
November 19 – Worship at 5 p.m. Pot Luck Dinner at 6 p.m.
Our offering will benefit Bristol Faith in Action.
Please bring a canned good to support the Bristol Food Pantry.
(Sponsored by the UMC Bristol Clergy Cluster)
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Bristol United Methodist Churches
present
Advent Luncheon Series
Every Wednesday
All are Welcome
Gathering: 11:50 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Worship: 12:00 p.m.-12:30 p.m.
Lunch: 12:30 p.m.-1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 29
Host Church: Sinking Springs UMC: 208 VI Ranch Road
Preaching: Rev. Brandon Berg of First Bristol UMC
Wednesday, December 6
Host Church: First Bristol UMC, 322 Vance Drive
Preaching: Rev. Liz Hamilton of Addilynn Memorial UMC
Wednesday, December 13
Host Church: John Wesley UMC, 311 Lee Street
Preaching: Rev. Ray Amos Jr. of South Bristol UMC
Wednesday, December 20
Host Church: South Bristol UMC, 1809 Southside Avenue
Preaching: Rev. Caroline Hawthorne of St. Luke-Hunt Memorial UMCs
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Family Promise of Bristol 1st Annual Gingerbread Cookie Fundraiser!
Are you looking to give the perfect Christmas gift while supporting families with children that are encountering homelessness?
Cookies are $25 each (order 10 or more for a reduced cost of $15 per cookie)
Several pick-up and delivery (Tri-cities area) dates available.
Call 276.494.0388 to place your order.
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Everyone is invited to participate
in the creation of your church’s newsletter.
For each publication, information
is needed by noon on Wednesday.
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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!
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Calendar & Events Schedule
Week of November 9 – 15
Thurs, Nov 9: 1:00pm-Homebound Team-Library
6:00pm-Yoga with Jean-The Upper Room
6:30pm-Mankind Project-Youth Room
8:00pm-AA
Fri, Nov 10: 9:00am-PEO-until 3 pm-Kitchen/TH
5:30pm-Belly Dancing Class-Yoga Studio
6:30pm-Belly Dancing Class-Yoga Studio
7:00pm-NA
Sat, Nov 11: 9:00am-Simmer Down Catering until 2 pm-TH 7:00pm-NA
Sun, Nov 12: 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)
12:30pm-Choir Rehearsal
3:00pm-Help for Haiti-Library
6:30pm-Youth-The Church’s Got Talent at Reynolds Pizza
8:00pm-AA
Mon, Nov 13: 6:00pm-Belly Dancing Class-Yoga Studio
7:00pm-Hispanic Congregation PVUMC
7:00pm-NA
Tues, Nov 14: 8:00am-Men’s Prayer Group-TH
8:00pm-AA
Wed, Nov 15: 6:15pm-Youth-Meet at Tri-Cities Escape Game-642 State St.
To make changes or additions to the calendar
contact Alan Gorrell 423-652-7377
or Sandy Gorrell 423-652-1987.
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Our Vision-
Building A Community Where Anyone
Can Become
A Deeply Committed Christian
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First United Methodist Church
Rev. Brandon Berg, Pastor (276.237.6498)
322 Vance Dr., Bristol, TN 37620
www.fumcbristol.org
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First United Methodist Church of Bristol 