First United Methodist Church
Bristol, Tennessee
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Your Weekly e-Newsletter and Events Schedule
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Celebrating All Saints Day
Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost
November 4, 2018
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The Raising of Lazarus by Duccio di BuoninSegna
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John 11:32-44
Unbind Him, and Let Him Go
Rev. Brandon Berg
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From the Pastor’s Pen . . .
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I know that we’re coming up on All Saints Sunday, and I’d hate to miss the opportunity to harp on about the joy and importance of that celebration, but something else is clouding that joy that I think bears addressing immediately. I guess I’ll have to pack all my ideas into one sermon instead of unloading some of them in this medium.
Here’s what’s bugging me.
Last week, explosive packages were sent to multiple recipients who were targeted as opponents of the President. On the heels of the investigation of that distribution was a mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.
I’m not bringing this up because I have some deep concern that some member of First UMC could potentially be the next perpetrator of violence against someone else, or because I’m concerned that one of our body may be a target of violence. I’m bringing it up because it makes me reflect on what causes events like those.
I am convinced that the two events are related. It’s not that I think someone is masterminding violence against certain groups, but I’m convinced that what is motivating and emboldening the hate and fear that causes violent behavior has empowered both attacks.
It’s rhetoric.
Our words have astounding power. Our words, the way we emphasize them, the media in which we express them, and the caution or flagrance with which we choose them will change hearts and minds, whether that is our intention or not. No word is ever wasted. Every word we use in every place and every audience shapes someone’s thinking, even if it’s just our own. Even if a word is dismissed by someone else, that word has the effect of hardening a heart against ours, of emphasizing the importance and validity of someone else’s thinking.
Our words have power. Every word has power. No word is wasted.
We would do well to mind our words.
To the extent that our dialogue even hints at racism or hate or violence, we are responsible for the propagation of acts of violence. We do not have to lift a weapon or even a hand against another person. Our words perpetuate violence entirely on their own.
Words in secret, words in jest, words expressed flippantly still add to the growing rhetoric of violence and bigotry that permeates today’s global dialogue.
No word is wasted.
Please, friends, mind your words. Please, friends, refuse to entertain speech that even hints at racism, bigotry, violence, fear, or hatred. Please, friends, use words that are only kind and uplifting and upbuilding.
Every word makes a difference.
I beg you, friends, mind your words. Change the tone of our public dialogue. You have the power to do it! Your words matter. Your words can change hearts.
Please.
Please use words that bear fruit that the Spirit of God wants to use to feed and heal the nations.
Please.
Before the world is entirely consumed in hatred and violence, please, friends, use your words to change the world for Jesus.
It’s not too late.
Every word makes a difference.
Peace,
Brandon
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Our “Feed the Hungry” offering today is for Bristol Faith in Action. 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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The Church gratefully Acknowledges
Gifts to the General Fund
in Loving Memory of
Allen Thomas Felty, III
Given by his parents, Tom and Donna Felty
Anni Flora Sharp
Given by her grandmother, Carol Johnson
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Last Sunday . . .
Teacher, I Want to See
Mark 10:35-45
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A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,
were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth, his name, from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.
~Martin Luther, ~1529
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Job answered the Lord:
I know you can do anything;
no plan of yours can be opposed successfully.
~Job 42: 1
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From all that dwell below the skies, let the Creator’s praise arise;
Let the Redeemer’s name be sung,through every land by every tongue.
~Isaac Watts, 1781
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Sweetly echo the gospel call, wonderful words of life;
offer pardon and peace to all, wonderful words of life;
Jesus, only Savior, sanctify forever,
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
~Philip P. Bliss
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Deep in your heart, Jesus is asking you,
“What do you want me to do for you?”
Jesus has always been listening.
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Unafraid and Unashamed: Facing
the Future of United Methodism
by Wil Cantrell
Open to Any and All to
Join for Now or Any Time
Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.
starting in Tankersley Hall
Bring a snack to share!
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5th and 6th Grade Bible Study
Wednesdays 6:30-8:00
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M.A.F.I.A. (Teen Youth Group)
We meet . . .
Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
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Join us Wednesday, November 7 for
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It Was Incredibly Delicious!
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A hearty THANK YOU to the youth and their leaders for organizing this fun event
and to everyone who participated! We raised over $400.00 for the Resurrection
Retreat in January!
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And the winners are . . .
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First Place Chili – Doug Taylor (photo from 2012 first place win. He still rocks!)
Second Place Chili – Karoline Berg
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First Place Cornbread – Sarah Berg
Second Place Cornbread – Lara Jade and her Grandpa
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Let’s get rid of the (Parentheses)
The General Budget account needs help! This is the account which pays our staff; keeps our lights, heat and water working; supplies teaching materials for classes; keeps our kitchen supplied with necessities; and supports other worship and administrative needs. The Finance Committee wants to share a weekly report of where the account stands to enable the congregation to know the facts. We are in this time together.
Account balance as of October 16 ($7,283.21)
Account balance as of October 21 ($6,209.61)
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We need to cover last summer’s campers
and give to support next summer’s campers.
Cost per week of camping: ~$400.00
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State Street UMC is hosting a training event for Early Response Teams on
Saturday, November 3.
This is a one-day, all-day event starting at 8:30 a.m.
Beth Tipton will lead the training.
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2018 Holston Evangelism Conference
State Street UMC
Sunday November 4
2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
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Cost $10.00 at the door.
Books available for purchase on site.
Childcare provided.
Sponsored by the Holston Conference Witness Team and Discipleship Teams.
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District Discussion on General Conference
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Monday, November 12, 7:00 p.m.
State Street United Methodist Church
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Worship in Children’s Church Last Week
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The lesson was from Mark 10:46-52, told by Ms. Penny with
flannelgraph. Blind Bartimaus was healed by Jesus. Jesus said
to Bartimaus, “Your faith has made you well.” What is faith?
It is believing in something you cannot see.
Bartimaus believed Jesus was able to make him well.
Ms. Misty ‘blindfolded’ us, and we took turns trying to stack blocks.
We looked through a hole in paper and could see only a
little bit. We then used a magnifying glass to see how it could
help people with poor vision see better.
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Ms. Misty brought glow sticks and took us to the darkest
place we could find. We sang “This Little Light of Mine” as we waved
our glow sticks in the dark.
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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
call Carol at 423.652.2811 M-Th, 9-2.
For each publication, information is
needed by noon on Wednesday.
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Your Church Event and Planning Calendar
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November 1-8, 2018
Thursday, November 1
6:00pm-Yoga with Jean-Yoga Studio
8:00pm-AA
Friday, November 2
5:30pm-Belly Dancing Class-Yoga Studio
6:30pm-Belly Dancing Class-Yoga Studio
7:00pm-NA
Saturday, November 3
Sunday, November 4
9:30am-The River Contemplative Worship Service-TH
(Childcare is provided from 9:30am to 12:00pm.
Children may be picked up at any time.)
9:30am-Sunday School Hour
10:00am-Common Ground Service-Chapel
11:00am-Traditional Worship Service-Sanctuary
12:15pm-Choir Rehearsal-Choir Room
2:00pm-Holston Evangelism Conference (until 7 pm)-State Street UMC
8:00pm-AA
Monday, November 5
1:00pm-Food Pantry Volunteers (until 4 pm)-Bristol Emergency Food Pantry
6:00pm-Belly Dancing Class-Yoga Studio
Tuesday, November 6
8:00am-Men’s Prayer Group-TH
8:00pm-AA
Wednesday, November 7
5:30pm-Fellowship Study Group-TH (Bring a snack to share)
6:30pm-BeTween Bible Study (5th and 6th Graders)
6:30pm-Youth (MAFIA)-Movie Night
Thursday, November 8
10:30am-Homebound Meeting-Library
6:00pm-Yoga with Jean-Yoga Studio
6:30pm-Mankind Project-Youth Room
8:00pm-AA
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 