First United Methodist Church
Bristol, Tennessee
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Your Weekly e-Newsletter and Events Schedule
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Daffodils, Crocuses, Bradford Pears, Dogwoods, Redbuds, Weeping Cherries, Phlox, Tulips…
This is an awfully pretty time of year.
On the side of our mountains, the brown and deep green of bare deciduous trees and hearty evergreens is becoming blanketed with an incomprehensibly diverse cover of tender, bright greens.
New life is on its way again.
I can’t help but think it must be painful for a tree to shove new buds out of cold, hard bark; but maybe it’s more like growing hair than cutting teeth.
Or maybe there’s always some pain associated with new things.
Some more than others.
This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mark the Triduum, the Three Days during which Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, the Human One of the Godhead, dove headlong into hell, busted open the gates, defeated death, and came back to surprise the whole of creation with God’s all-encompassing lovingkindness.
That’s more painful than cutting teeth.
I assume so, anyway. I don’t remember, personally; but I remember our kids cutting their teeth.
At any rate, God knows it’s unimaginably harder than anything I could possibly face.
Thank God that Jesus is willing. Not only willing, but eager to conquer death and hell for you and for me.
During this Triduum, may we willingly accept that gift, even if we can’t possibly grasp the enormity of it.
And may we give of ourselves with whatever meager offering we find ourselves capable of bringing. It’ll be enough. The God who fed 5,000+ can turn any gift into plenty. The God who used Jonah to transform Nineveh can use even the most stubborn of us, too.
The God who raised Jesus from the grave has the power to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.
My gift doesn’t ever feel like much, but in God’s eyes, it’s a perfect little blossom.
May the God of New Beginnings give you new life on this Eastertide.
Peace,
Brandon
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This week’s “Feed the Hungry” Offering will go to Local Missions.
This mission helps members of our church family and other immediate local mission needs.
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Clinch Mountain Mission Project
School Kits for Liberia
District Goal – 400 Kits
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Please bring
your school kits
soon.
The last turn-in date
will be in May.
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We celebrate with palms
and roll out the red carpet with our own garments!
But the hour of celebration is ending
and the week of uncertainty is beginning . ..
Lord, we know what’s coming,
. . . but focus us on what’s now
so we can try to stay with Jesus all the way.
Set aside the time, friend,
and may the Advocate sustain you
as each day brings us closer to the cross.
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Station One
Pilot Condemns Jesus to Die
Matthew 27:11-14, 24, 26b
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Station Two
Jesus Accepts His Cross
Matthew 27:27-31 and John 19:17
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Station Three
Simon Helps Carry the Cross
Mark 15:21
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Station 4
Jesus Speaks to the Women
Luke 23:27-21
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Station Five
Jesus Is Stripped of His Garments
John 19:23-25a
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Station Six
Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross
Mark 15: 23-32
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Station Seven
Jesus Cares for His Mother
John 19:25b-27
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Station Eight
Jesus Dies on the Cross
Mark 15: 33-39
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In Children’s Church last Sunday
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Palm Sunday is the last week of Lent.
Mike helped us remember the story of the Last Supper. We remembered together that Jesus’ body (represented by the bread) was broken for us. His blood (represented by the grape juice) was spilled for us.
Jesus felt alone. His heart was heavy.
He loves us so much. Something wonderful is going to happen.
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Thursday, April 18
Maundy Thursday Worship Service, 7:00 p.m.
Holy Communion, Foot Washing
Friday, April 19
Tenebrae Worship Service (Service of Darkness), 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 21
Sunrise Service, 6:30 a.m.
Joint Worship Service, 10:00 a.m.
Brunch, 11:00 a.m.
Children’s Egg Hunt, 11:00 a.m.
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Following Worship on April 21
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Children’s Egg Hunt
All Children are invited to participate in an egg hunt provided by the Children’s Department and Youth Department.
And . . .
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Brunch
Please plan to gather with us in Tankersley Hall for a lovely brunch
after worship on Sunday.
Drinks will be provided by the church; Gary and Joe will bring the bacon.
Bring your favorite breakfast dish to share – a quiche, a casserole, ham, sausage, donuts, danish, fruit, or any other delightful dish you can imagine or prepare. We will fellowship and enjoy the food and each other as we celebrate the life of our Risen Lord.
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Martha Circle
Tuesday, April 23
6:00 p.m.
Home of Debi Poulton
466 Springlake Road
Bristol, VA 24201
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Wednesday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. in Tankersley Hall
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Baskets for Our at-Home Family
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Members of our Homebound Committee and Pastor Brandon
prepare Easter Baskets for our church family who are not able
to attend services.
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Dale and Brian prepare the church for worship.
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Children stayed in worship with their parents on Sunday. Each was given an activity box to help their hands as they watched and listened to the best of their ability.
The notes on the boxes say, “Please be neat and quiet. This is to help you worship. Worship means giving your best to God.”
Our children worshiped very well on Sunday.
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Dinner for Eight After a Delicious Barbeque at “Phil’s Dream Pit”
Our picture is missing Larry and Kathy due to the fact I forgot to take a picture at the restaurant. (Sorry Larry and Kathy, we’ll get you next time.)
Next D48 is at Mad Greek on May 11th at noon. – John
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UMW Annual District Day Apart
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Women from First UMC Participated in the UMW
Annual District Day Apart at Lebanon UMC on March 23.
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Volunteer Church Sound Tech Needed
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With multiple members of the Sound Team moving away, we need YOU to help run sound and record sermons on Sundays for Traditional Worship.
Experience helpful, but not required — if you can turn on a computer, we can teach you the rest.
This is the Committee with Zero Scheduled Meetings! Team members usually only run sound 1-2 times per month. See Andrew or Rebekah McGrady for more info,
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Church Financial Report for March 2019
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The General Budget balance will be posted as quickly as possible following
the end of each month. This gives the most accurate picture of the financial status for First UMC.
March 31 Balance (-)$9,384.20
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Bristol Sings!
An evening of music benefiting Bristol Faith in Action
April 27, 2019 at 7:00 PM
State Street United Methodist Church
300 W. Valley Drive, Bristol VA
Featured Performers & Choirs
Tim Landis – Robin Ringer LaPointe – Shannan Miller –
Janeeva Brown – The UMC Community Choir – Lee St. Baptist Church
Tennessee High School – Vance Middle School –
Central Presbyterian Church
Comedy by Dr. Doug LaPointe, emcee
Suggested donation $10
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Friday, May 10
7:30 pm
At First United Methodist Church Bristol
With Joy Smith-Briggs, Organist
and Tim Landis, Soloist
Invite friends, neighbors and relatives
Admission is by donation.
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John Wesley United Methodist Church
311 Less Street, Bristol, Virginia
Reverend Dr. Robert Kariuki, Pastor
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“A Time to Recharge”
Sunday, April 28, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.
Guest Speaker
Reverend Dr. William Ward
Hood Memorial AME Zion Church
612 5th Street, Bristol, TN
Music from various choirs and musicians
Come and Be Blessed
All Are Welcome
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With Your Help, Their Goal Was Met!
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Sarah and Rebekah collected 19 boxes of donations for Niswonger Children’s Hospital. They also received 20 boxes of donations online. Those boxes will be sent to our troops overseas. A huge THANK YOU to everyone for their support this cookie season. The girls sold 1016 boxes of cookies and have earned enough money to pay for Girl Scout Camp!!!
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Spring Yard Sale
May 31 and June 1
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Items may be stored at the church until time for the sale.
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Worship and Picnic at Sugar Hollow State Park Sunday, June 2
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First United Methodist Church will hold a Sunday morning joint worship service and
picnic afterward at Sugar Hollow State Park. More details will follow . . .
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Holston Annual Conference at Lake Junaluska
June 9-12
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Camp Bays Mountain
Registration for Summer Camp Is Open!!
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If you know of someone who is interested in applying for a counselor or staff position, please call Camp Director Jeff Wadley at 423.329.8401.
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Travel to the Holy Land
Where Scriptures Come Alive
Join Bishop “Dindy” and Rusty Taylor on this “Travel with Friends”
Tour of the Holy Land, Greece, and Rome.
TOUR COST
August 28 – September 3, 2019
Holy Land $2,400
September 4 – 11, 2019
Greece & Rome $2,100
There is a $300 per person deposit upon registration.
The final payment deadline is May 30, 2019.
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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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April 18-24, 2019
Thursday, April 18
7:00pm-Maundy Thursday Service-Chapel
8:00pm-AA
Friday, April 19
5:30pm-Belly Dancing Class-Yoga Studio
6:30pm-Belly Dancing Class-Yoga Studio
7:00pm-Tenebrae (Service of Darkness)-Chapel
7:00pm-NA
Saturday, April 20
9:00am-Holston Quilters Guild
Sunday, April 21
6:30am-Sunrise Service
10:00am-Joint Worship Service-Sanctuary
11:00am-Brunch
11:00am-Children’s Egg Hunt
8:00pm-AA
Monday, April 22
6:00pm-Belly Dancing Class-Yoga Studio
Tuesday, April 23
8:00am-Men’s Prayer Group-TH
8:00am-Meals on Wheels-Kitchen
6:00pm-Martha Circle-Home of Debi Poulton
8:00pm-AA
Wednesday, April 24
6:30pm-Fellowship Class-Library
6:30pm-Youth-Game Night-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 