First United Methodist Church
Bristol, Tennessee
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April 29, 2018
Fifth Sunday of Easter
John 15:1-8
I Am the Vine
Rev. Brandon Berg
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From the Pastor’s Pen . . .
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I’m finding myself double booked this weekend.
That’s nothing new. Schedule conflicts happen all the time, and I just have to prioritize as best I can. You probably have some experience with that.
This particular weekend, First UMC is hosting Game Day, when we learn new and exciting board games and I rediscover my gross inadequacy in strategy and tactics. Simultaneously, Camp Bays Mountain will be hosting their Grand Opening on the west side of Kingsport, an event to which I’ve already committed and which abides in a place very dear to my heart, since Camp Bays Mountain is continuing the legacy of camping in the Tri Cities that did more to shape me spiritually than anything else I have encountered.
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My apologies to all y’all hosting Game Day. I’ll be at camp.
What strikes me about both those opportunities, though, is that they both reflect the importance of recreation. In fact, the previous day, our local schools will be gathering to see who can bring the most students to the Power of Health 5K run around Bristol Regional Medical Center, another event that emphasizes the importance of physical activity and recreation.
I’m not alone in pointing to the importance of recreation and play as learning tools or as things that are important for our souls. My colleagues have been emphasizing the importance of sabbath, of holy rest, for a very long time now, and sabbath is, in its essence, a chance to let God re-create you.
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But it really should be pointed out that recreating with other people allows us a safe space to be with people without the burden of ideologies and political strife. We can play Wordsy without bringing up Donald Trump, Nancy Pelosi, Joel Osteen, or Jim Wallis.
If we can play together, what else might we be able to do together?
Personally, I think this recreation thing has some potential. I hope you’ll set aside some time to set everything aside this weekend, and see if you can see Jesus in somebody a bit unlike yourself.
Peace,
Brandon
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This week’s Feed the Hungry offering will go to
Holston United Methodist Home
for Children in Greeneville, TN.
For the children and staff of Holston Home, Fifth Sunday offerings
throughout our Annual Conference
give children a chance
to encounter acceptance and love
and hope for their future.
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Mission of the Month: Homebound
Did you know that the
Bristol Public Library
delivers books to Homebound individuals?
When you can’t leave your home, simply call the library, request the book you want,
and a volunteer will deliver it right to your door.
To get more information or to sign up for the program contact the
Bristol Public Library
(276)645-8780
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2018 Liberia Mission Project
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Pick up your plastic bags with instructions located both in Tankersley Hall
and in the Narthex.
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Last Sunday
John 10: 11-18
One Flock, One Shepherd
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FUMC welcomed Mr. Lewis Booher, uncle of Lisa Gray and former member
of First United Methodist Church Bristol. Mr. Booher was 99 years old in
January. How blessed we were to have him visit with us Sunday!
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In all the world around me I see his loving care,
and though my heart grows weary, I never will despair,
I know that he is leading through all the stormy blast;
the day of his appearing will come at last.
He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way
He lives, he lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart.
~Alfred H. Ackley, 1933
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Spirit who anoints and inspires your Church even today:
Sit us with our enemies at the feast of peace.
Go, Friends, as one people, and bring redemption to all
so that all will see that this creation is the dwelling-place of the Lord.
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Last Week in Children’s Sunday School
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Mr. Mike taught about Barnabas who sold his land to help others. Penny used a flannel graph to teach about Tabitha, also called Dorcas, who helped others. She once became very sick and died, but Peter, because of his faith in God, told her to get up, and she did!
Our project was sewing shirts…..which. Mr. Mike said, were really tunics.
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Next Youth Event:
Rock Band
May 2
6:30 p.m.
For more information contact
John, Brandon, Andy, Rebekah, or Erica.
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Pastor Brandon and Noah Completed The Bristol Half & Half Last Saturday
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Pastor Brandon shares, “Noah and I were both top finishers in our age groups. Noah was beat by four big teenage boys, but he still cut nine and a half minutes off his time from last year. Overall, I came in 22nd and Noah came in 55th out of 338 participants.”
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Flowers for Worship Services
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The Altar Guild needs volunteers to provide flowers for the 11:00 worship services. Flowers may be given in memory of or in honor of special persons.
To participate in this ministry, please contact Kathy Wagner at 423.323.5446 (home) or 423.534.6701 (cell).
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The Church Gratefully Acknowledges
a Gift to the Memorial Fund
in Memory of
Bob Church
given by
Bev and Dick McCallum
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Martha Circle
Wednesday, May 2, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
Church Parlor
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& Silent Auction
Fall Race Tickets
Queen Size Mattress
Multiple Golf Rounds
Gym Membership Trials
Themed Baskets
Dollywood Passes
Local Gift Certificates
Week Vacation at N. Myrtle Beach
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Saturday, May 5, 2018
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Dinner Served: 5:30 – 7:00; Auction Open 5:30 – 7:20; Dinner Cost: $5.00
Reynolds Memorial United Methodist Church, 327 W. Mary Street 24201
Call or stop by to pre-purchase tickets. 276.669.1134
Joint Fundraiser Hosted By John Wesley UMC, Hunt Memorial UMC
and Reynolds Memorial UMC
All Proceeds Benefit VBS Ministry
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HOLSTON CONFERENCE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES A NEW, FREE
“LAST WILL & TESTAMENT” OPPORTUNITY
The Holston Conference Foundation is now offering a free service to individuals who need a Will or need to replace an existing Will.
HOW TO ACCESS OUR FREE WILL PROGRAM:
2.Answer all of the prompts covering your charitable wishes (or skip if you just want a Will without making a charitable gift) For convenience sake the Holston Foundation has listed those entities we work with as a drop-down feature on the website beginning with your local church.
3.Enter pertinent information to create a Will. The process usually takes 25 minutes to complete.
4.Print out your new Last Will & Testament.
5. You can create a legal Will online, or document your wishes and find an attorney near you.
REMEMBER- Your new Will is not executable unless it is signed, notarized and includes three witnesses that can be located!
If you’d prefer to go straight to an attorney to draft your Will and you choose to leave a gift in your Will, we suggest the following language and to advise us of your intentions:
“I bequeath (amount OR percentage) to [church name], a nonprofit corporation organized and existing under the laws of [STATE], with the principal business address of [ADDRESS] and federal tax identification number [EIN].”
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Dinner Group Enjoys Outing
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Trinka Felty shared, “Our dinner group went to Olive Garden for lunch and to
the movie, I Can Only Imagine, at Tinseltown Saturday for our fourth outing.
We are making plans for our next event in May.”
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CHURCH YARD SALE
MAY 18-19
We are storing items in the former nurse’s office.
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Women Build 2018
Be a strong woman during Habitat’s Women Build Week.
Join us as we build in partnership with three local women, Cissy, Susan & Jessica. Choose to BUILD STRONG in either Jonesborough,
Johnson City or Bristol May 5 or May 10-12.
Even if you can’t build, you can still support our Women Build
activities by donating to honor Cissy, Susan and Jessica by clicking below
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Antagonism in the Church:
Building a Healthy Congregational Culture
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Sponsored by the Holston Conference Task Force on Clergy Abuse
An event for clergy and lay leadership
Be part of the conversation.
Featuring Dr. David Brubaker
Saturday, April 28: Emory & Henry College
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $25.00 (lunch provided)
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A free, one-day camp for grieving children and teens
May 5, 2018 • 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Warriors’ Path State Park • Kingsport, Tennessee
The camp provides a safe, fun, and caring atmosphere to explore feelings of grief.
Campers will:
•Develop an age appropriate understanding of death
•Strengthen coping skills
•Improve self-esteem
•Reduce the feelings of isolation
•Develop relationships with others who have experienced similar losses
Contact Ballad Health Hospice at (423) 844-5252 to learn more about Camp Caterpillar.
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Summer camp for children and youth grades 1-12
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Thursday, May 10, 2018
6-9 p.m.
Bristol Train Station
101 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Bristol, VA
Dinner. Silent Auction. Tickets $125. RSVP to YWCA by May 1.
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Learn how to help brothers and sisters who are dying of opioid addiction.
Friday, May 18, 9:00AM–5:00PM and
Saturday, May 19, 9:00AM–3:00PM
Celebration Church, Blountville
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Send your photos and announcements for the Newsletter
For each publication, information is needed by noon on Wednesday.
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Your Church Event and Planning Calendar
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Week of April 26 – May 2, 2018
Thursday, April 26
6:00pm-Yoga with Jean-The Upper Room
6:30pm-Mankind Project-Youth Room
8:00pm-AA
Friday, April 27
5:30pm-Belly Dancing Class-Yoga Studio
6:30pm-Belly Dancing Class-Yoga Studio
7:00pm-NA
Saturday, April 28
9:00am-Simmer Down Catering (until 2pm)-TH
Sunday, April 29
9:30am-Sunday School Hour
9:30am-The River Worship 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.)
12:15pm-Choir Rehearsal
2:00pm-Game Day (until 6 p.m.)-TH
8:00pm-AA
Monday, April 30
6:00pm-Belly Dancing Class-Yoga Studio
7:00pm-Hispanic Congregation PVUMC
7:00pm-NA
Tuesday, May 1
8:00am-Men’s Prayer Group-TH
8:00pm-AA
Wednesday, May 2
6:00pm-Martha Circle-Parlor
6:30pm-Youth Activity-TH
To make changes or additions to the calendar contact Alan Gorrell 423-652-7377
or Sandy Gorrell 423-652-1987.
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First United Methodist Church
Rev. Brandon Berg, Pastor (276.237.6498)
322 Vance Dr., Bristol, TN 37620
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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 of Bristol 