First United Methodist Church
Bristol, Tennessee
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Your Weekly e-Newsletter and Events Schedule
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Epiphany
January 6, 2019
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Three Kings by Edmund Lewandowski, 1949
Matthew 2:1-12
Your Light Has Come
Rev. Brandon Berg
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Christmastide is nearly over. Saturday is the Twelfth Day of Christmas (drummers? leaping lords? ladies dancing?) and Sunday brings forth Epiphany. That means we are shifting into the shorter period of Ordinary Time.
That’s a funny term. I increasingly find that there is no such thing as ordinary time. Life with three children is a moving target. With every challenge we surmount, new challenges appear. Our schedules and routines and expectations of each other are constantly in flux.
Ordinary is a relative term.
But I’m looking forward to everybody being back in school and in our routines. It’s predictable and easier on the psyche.
Things are still changing around us, but at least there’s some semblance of normalcy.
I wonder why I have such a need for routine, for normalcy, for the ordinary. Aren’t people built to be flexible? Aren’t we wired to adjust to changes around us?
Maybe it’s because the change around us is so complex and overwhelming. Maybe it’s just a bit too much to take in. Maybe that’s why we need an opportunity to pause, to rest, to take in what has just happened.
I guess it’s important, if we’re going to pause, to find the best possible time to do so, because while we are pausing, the other elements of our environment are still changing and growing around us.
Perhaps part of learning to be a person is learning to look forward to those times when it is safer to pause.
I’m not sure. I may just be rambling this week. What I’m confident in right now is that I’m looking forward to school being back in session and stepping back into Ordinary Time. I feel like I need that. Maybe you do, too. Or maybe your ordinary time, your opportunity to pause, is still on its way.
I pray you find it.
I pray you plan for it.
I pray you find God in your Ordinary Time.
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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Worship Last Sunday
Caring for an Abandoned Messiah
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Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teacher, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding, and his answers. Luke 2: 41-47
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Go from here, friends, open to surprise and ready to be caregivers to all your children, who are your presence to us today: the Misplaced, the Displaced, the Replaced.
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In Children’s Worship Last Week . . .
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The Church Gratefully Acknowledges these Gifts:
In Memory of
Bill and Grace Fleenor
by Bett and David Fleenor
In Memory of
Reba Elizabeth Lewis
by Creed Allan Lewis
In Honor of
Paul Lee
by Brenda and Jim Hobbs
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M.A.F.I.A.
Join us Wednesday, January 9 at 6:30 p.m. in Tankersley Hall.
Sunday School every week at 9:30 a.m.
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The Fellowship Group will begin another study soon on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 p.m.
Everyone is welcome! Stay tuned for details . . .
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(Let’s get rid of the MINUS)
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.
This weekly report enables you to know the facts. We are in this time together.
Account Balance as of December 30
$-17,620.94
The ending 2019 balance will appear in the January 13 bulletin and that week’s newsletter.
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Before we know it, it will be time for FUMC’s Annual Indoor Spring Yard Sale.
It is not too early to begin bringing your sale items to the church. They can be stored here until time for the sale.
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Volunteer Training
Led by Rev. Tony McDade with United Ministries
State Street United Methodist Church
300 West Valley Street
Bristol VA 24201
Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at 6:00 pm.
Since it has been at least five years since we received training, everyone who plans to help with our Family Promise ministry is strongly encouraged to attend this training session. An updated training guides will be provided.
RSVP by calling 276-696-9425.
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THE PLEASURE OF YOUR COMPANY
IS REQUESTED AT THE MARRIAGE OF
Nathalie
PREPTIT
and
Adam
KENDALL SCHORSTEN
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY TWENTY-THIRD
TWO THOUSAND NINETEEN
RUBY NASHVILLE
NASHVILLE, TN
AT FOUR-THIRTY IN THE EVENING
reception to follow
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Dear Friends,
As I reflect on Community Resource Center activities of the first semester, I am reminded of the generosity of community partnerships and good neighbors! Please know that the students and staff of Anderson Elementary School are extremely grateful for First United Methodist Church’s continued commitment to children in the Anderson Community.
The caring spirit of FUMC is an ongoing presence at Anderson. Holiday memories are special, and I am please to say that five Anderson families celebrated a traditional Thanksgiving holiday dinner because of your congregation’s generosity. The church’s support of Anderson’s Reading Buddies program is invaluable as we work to ensure that all students read “on-grade-level” by third grade.
Please know that all your efforts are making a difference in the lives of Anderson boys and girls and that we remain extremely grateful!
Sincerely,
Kay Ward
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Shepherds Needed
Please prayerfully consider becoming a Shepherd to First UMC. If you would like to receive more information or to accept the invitation, please contact Alan Gorrell.
Alan has placed a Sample Binder on the table in the foyer which contains
information about this ministry.
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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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January 3-9, 2019
Thursday, January 3
6:00pm-Yoga with Jean-Yoga Studio
8:00pm-AA
Friday, January 4
5:30pm-Belly Dancing Class-Yoga Studio
6:30pm-Belly Dancing Class-Yoga Studio
7:00pm-NA
Saturday, January 5
Sunday, January 6
9:30am-The River Contemporary Worship Service-TH
9:30am-Sunday School Hour
10:00am-Common Ground Service-Chapel
11:00am-Traditional Worship Service-Sanctuary
12:15pm-Choir Rehearsal
8:00pm-AA
Monday, January 7
1:00pm-Food Pantry Volunteers
6:00pm-Belly Dancing Class-Yoga Studio
Tuesday, January 8
8:00am-Men’s Prayer Group
8:00pm-AA
Wednesday, January 9
6:00pm-Family Promise Volunteer Training-State Street UMC
6:30pm-BeTween-Upper Room
6:30pm-M.A.F.I.A.-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 