First United Methodist Church
Bristol, Tennessee
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Your Weekly e-Newsletter and Events Schedule
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Sixth Sunday After Pentecost
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Woman with an Issue of Blood, sculpture by Angela Johnson
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July 1, 2018
Mark 5:21-43
Do Not Fear; Have Faith on Your Own
Rev. Brandon Berg
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From the Pastor’s Pen . . .
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For the first Summer ever, children are singing and swimming and praying and climbing and studying and canoeing and worshiping at the Holston Conference’s brand-new Camp Bays Mountain It is a privilege to serve alongside the inaugural staff this week to share the love of Christ in the glory of God’s creation. It’s probably ideal that the theme for this year’s Summer program is “Here I Am,” remembering Isaiah’s response to God’s question:
“Whom should I send, and who will go for us?”
I said, “I’m here; send me.”
A huge part of the camping ministry, in the midst of the busyness of play and schedule-keeping and Bible study and worship, is the simple ministry of presence. Being fully attentive to campers is the first and foremost responsibility of the Summer staff. It’s harder than you might think. We are well-trained in our culture to be primarily self-focused and easily distracted, which communicates to the people around us that we have no interest in them or their ideas; and it communicates to children still in their emotionally formative years that no one really cares about them.
For one week of one year of their lives, though, the counselors, support staff, resource staff, and administration, are singularly focused on showing God’s love to every single camper who comes to be a part of the camp community. That week shapes them and transforms them permanently.
That week and those interactions show our campers that somebody cares about them.
That week shows them what it is when the family of God, the kin-dom of God, is made a reality in the goodness of creation.
That one week shows them that God’s love really does make a difference.
Everyone who participates in that week, however involved they are, is a part of that revelation of God’s family. They may not be able to describe it, but the revelation changes them in ways that are both big and small.
That participation shapes them as disciples of Jesus Christ, as vessels of God’s Spirit, as co-creators with God.
Camp is changing lives this week. Camp is bringing about the kin-dom of God.
I hope you’ll join me in doing everything you can to support one of the most life-changing, world-transforming ministries we offer as a Church. It’s that important.
Peace,
Brandon
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Matching Funds Available for Bays Mountain Camp
for a Limited Time
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There are matching Bays Mountain Camp funds available. Someone is going to donate $25,000 if the Camp can receive $25,000 from individual donors by the end of their Camp season which is July 31!
Individuals can make a check payable to Camp Bays Mountain & mark it “MATCH” in the memo line.
Mail to: Camp Bays Mountain, P O Box 3706, Kingsport, TN 37664.
OR if the church wants 5 Star credit do the following:
Record amount on the tithe form and mark #101 – Camp Development Funds.
An email or note needs to be sent to Mary Boehms (mary.boehms@gmail.com) at the Camp stating the name of the donor and the amount that is being sent to the conference office. If mailing a note send to Camp Bays Mountain, ATTN: Mary Boehms, PO Box 3706, Kingsport, TN 37664.
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Aerial Layout of Completed Camp Bays Mountain Site
Phase 1 has been completed.
Phase 2 is in progress.
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Dining Hall and Kitchen Renovation
48-bed Retreat Lodge Renovation
Utility Upgrade (municipal water and sewer, sprinkler system and fire hydrants, and all new electricity and internet)
Relocation of the Christopher King Memorial Climbing Tower
Zero-entry pool
Games Field
Archery Range
Craft Cabin
Maintenance Building
Challenge Course
Vespers worship area
Horseshoes
Trail systems
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Two additional Cabins in 2018
Office/Infirmary
Additional Activity Areas (Paintball slingshots, Pamper Pole)
Pool Bathhouse
On-site residence
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Help shape a child/teen by giving them a week to remember
at Camp Bay’s Mountain.
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You can designate a donation to send an active church member’s child/teen
(grades 1-12) to one week at UMC Camp Bay’s Mountain this summer.
Your donation can help give a kid the experience of a lifetime!
Total cost per child/teen: $300-$500. Contributions of any size appreciated!
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Register Your Child/Teen for Summer Camp
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This week’s Feed the Hungry offering is for
Bristol Faith in Action.
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BFIA is a cooperative outreach ministry of the churches of Bristol and the local community, formed to serve any persons whose circumstances leave them with significant physical, social, emotional or spiritual needs.
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Hospice House Lunch Donations
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The first week of September is our church’s opportunity to provide lunch for family members of patients at
Hospice House in Bristol.
Chicken salad, cold pasta salads, baked spaghetti, deli meats & cheeses are suggestions.
Please click on the link below to email Julie Blanton if you’d like to participate.
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Congratulations again to Erica, and thanks to
Mike Teague for organizing the celebration!
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The Church Gratefully Acknowledges
Gifts in Memory of
Leona Wyatt
given to the Choir Fund by
Roy and Martha Ann Watson
and
Ben and Joan Cole
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Last Sunday
The Lord Is a Safe Place
Mark 4: 35-41
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The Lord is a safe place for the oppressed,-
a safe place in difficult times.
Those who know your name trust you
because you have not abandoned
any who seek you, Lord.
~Psalm 9:9-10
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There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God;
A place where we our Savior meet,
Near to the heart of God.
O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God;
Hold us, who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.
~Cleland B. MCAfee
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The Lord is a safe place.
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Living for Jesus a life that is true,
striving to please him in all that I do,
yielding allegiance glad hearted and free
this is the pathway of blessing for me.
~C. Harold Lowden
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Let us go to tell everyone of what we have heard.
Now is the acceptable time to share the love
which our God offers to each and every person.
Let us go to calm the fears of those we will meet this day.
Now is the acceptable time to work beside Jesus
in bringing justice and healing to our world.
Let us go to serve those who have been forgotten.
Now is the acceptable time to join the Spirit
in being the ‘Yes’ when people ask, ‘don’t you care?’
© 2018 Thom M. Shuman
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What’s Up for Youth . . .
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Youth will not meet on
Wednesday, July 4.
Enjoy the holiday with
family and friends,
and be safe!
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- July 11 – Kingsport Aquatic Center Special Day – Meet at Church at 3:00 p.m.
(swim from 4-6, return by 7. Bring $5 to swim. Bring a snack.)
- July 18 – Rock out to Rock Band, 6:30 p.m., TH
- July 25 – Overnight Lock-in, 6:30 p.m., TH
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REZ 2019 Coming to Pigeon Forge TN
January 25-26-27
It is time to start gearing up! Last year was phenomenal.
This year will be, also!
Registrations paid by August 30 are $50.00.
Thereafter, the price increases as the date of the event draws closer.
Our cabin sleeps only twelve, so don’t delay! See John Mack for more
information and/or to sign up.
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Last Week in Children’s Sunday School
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Ms. Misty taught us from Luke 21:1-4 about a widow who had two mites, which are small copper coins worth about one cent. The widow gave both of the coins in the Temple offering box. One day Jesus watched many wealthy people putting large amounts of money into the offering box. He then saw the widow give two mites, and he knew it was all the money she had. Jesus said that she had given the most.
We made magnets for our refrigerators and taped a penny in the middle to help us remember the story.
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The rain has made our garden green. We saw a couple of flowers!
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On behalf of the Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPR), all are invited to a church cookout on Sunday, July 15, directly following the service. SPR will provide burgers and hot dogs with the fixings, as well as drinks. Please bring a salad or dessert to share. Due to the church picnic, there will be one combined service at 11 am on July 15. We hope to see everyone there!
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Have a Happy and Safe Independence Day!
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Send Your Pictures and Announcements
to Publish in the Newsletter
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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 June 28 – July 4, 2018
Thursday, June 28
6:00pm-Yoga with Jean-The Upper Room
6:30pm-Mankind Project-Youth Room
8:00pm-AA
Friday, June 29
5:30pm-Belly Dancing Class-Yoga Studio
6:30pm-Belly Dancing Class-Yoga Studio
7:00pm-NA
Saturday, June 30
Sunday, July 1
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
8:00pm-AA
Monday, July 2
6:00pm-Belly Dancing Class-Yoga Studio
1:00pm-Food Pantry Volunteers (until 4 p.m.)
7:00pm-NA
Tuesday, July 3
8:00am-Men’s Prayer Group-TH
8:00pm-AA
Wednesday, July 4
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 