First United Methodist Church
Bristol, Tennessee
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Your Weekly e-Newsletter and Events Schedule
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Tenth Sunday After Pentecost
August 18, 2019
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Luke 12:49-56
Run with Perseverance
Rev. Brandon Berg
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From the Pastor’s Pen
On Tuesday morning, I ran to Tennessee High School to do some sprints on the track. There were three other people on the track, and we all continued around the oval in a counter-clockwise direction. At the end of my first sprint, I slowed down to recover on the curve.
“Turn left,” I thought.
I could have laughed at myself. I didn’t, because I think I might have collapsed (sprints are hard, y’all), but it struck me as funny. I always go the same direction on the track. Everybody seems to go the same direction on the track. We all turn left.
Then this weekend, we’ll have a gazillion people descending on Bristol to watch a bunch of overpowered little cars do the same thing on a bigger track.
Turn left.
I didn’t have an appreciation for NASCAR until I took a day to work concessions in the pit with Limestone UMC. I didn’t see the draw, didn’t understand how it could possibly be interesting to watch cars drive in circles; but from where we were serving, we could see a little of the work that crews do to keep those cars operational. We saw what they looked like after the race, too, and it wasn’t pretty.
I started to develop an appreciation for the folks who do all that work. I’m not entirely sure why someone might want to, but I’m also aware that it can be pretty unclear why someone might want to climb a rock face, play on class III rapids, run thirteen miles, or try to make peace in the midst of ugly church politics.
Not every pastime is for everybody. Not every vocation is for everybody. Keeping those 700-hp machines running and being able to see the way through a pack moving 130 mph together are skills I don’t have and don’t particularly envy. I am genuinely glad those are vocations that are meaningful to somebody.
I treasure human diversity.
So I hope you find meaning and joy this weekend, whether you’re in the bowl or as far away from it as possible. Enjoy your left turns or whatever turns you’re making, and enjoy the joy other folks find in theirs.
Peace,
Brandon
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Our Feed the Hungry offering this week is for Local Missions.
This mission helps members of our church family and other immediate
local mission needs.
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Ballad Health
Hospice House
September 1-7 is our time to prepare lunch for patients’ families. Cold salads, baked casseroles, ham biscuits are suggestions. If you don’t cook then purchased prepared food is fine! Please contact Julie Blanton by August 29th to sign up. More information in next week’s newsletter.
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Come out on Saturday, September 28, 10am to 4pm and join the fun at First United Methodist Church of Bristol’s
First Annual Harvest Fete Fundraiser.
Celebrate the Autumn season with old friends and new, play some games, score some deals, and get a jump start on holiday shopping!
① Do you have old yard signs…political, yard sale, for sale…you will give us? Please bring to church and leave in the Narthex. We will gather and repurpose them for Fall Fete advertising.
② Tables for those wishing to sell arts and crafts are for rent for $20. All proceeds from the sales go to the seller.There will be only 15 to 20 tables available, so contact Rebeca McGrady or Julie Blanton soon.
③ Do you have freezer space to store some cookies, bread, cakes or cupcakes for the bake sale? Can you whip up some yummy baked goods for the sale? The UMW will keep you informed where and when baked goods should be at the church. All donations will be appreciated!
④ How about volunteering to join other cooks in our wonderful church kitchen close to the Fete date to help bake corn breads to go with the chili for takeout?
⑤ FUMC crafters and artists: We will have a table to offer your donated works of art for sale. All proceeds from this table will go to the General Fund. All wood workers, painters, quilters and crafters are invited to participate.
⑥ The Fall Fete will be held on Saturday, September 28 from 10 am to 4 pm. Can you volunteer to help where needed that day? Please contact Sue Dietz so we can plan on just the right spot for you.
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The children of First UMC are excited to get back to Sunday School and the fun of learning more about following Jesus! Over the past year, though, changing family situations have decimated our teaching team.
That is where you come in.
Maybe God is calling you to teach. Maybe God is calling you to mentor. Maybe God is calling you to sit beside our young disciples and color along. It really can be that simple.
Can you help?
Pray and ponder, and if God is calling you, contact our Children’s Coordinator, Suzanne Goyette. We look forward to a bountiful harvest from fruitful young disciples!
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First UMC Monthly Financial Report
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Corrected July 31 Balance: (-$16,559.79)
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Worship Last Sunday
Keep Your Lamps Lit
Message by Rev. Brandon Berg from Luke 12: 32-40
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The flowers on the altar Sunday were given by Kathy and Larry Wagner
in honor of Mary Burns’ August birthday and
in appreciation for Mary’s loyalty and continued support for this church.
They were displayed in a new vase given in memory of Loetta S. Cornett,
whom Mary also Called “Mama”.
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The pastor shares moments in worship with our children.
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By faith, let us go out as God’s people,
We will gather others around us and dance into God’s kingdom.
~Thom M. Shuman
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Two very young visitors made their way to
1st UMC Tuesday morning. Pastor Brandon communed
with them as they grazed peacefully beside our fence line.
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Opportunity To Get Your 2019-20 Holston Calendar or Directory
Ends 8-22-19!
Call the church today if you want one – 652-2811.
Holston Conference handbook/directory ($18 each)
Holston Conference calendar ($10 each)
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Dear UMW,
Your kind expression of sympathy is gratefully acknowledged and deeply appreciated.
The Family of Shirley Olson
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Group of “Eight”
Saturday, August 24
Noon
Gourmet and Company
Mountcastle Drive
Johnson City, TN
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A Community Worship Service
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Sunday, August 25, 6 p.m.
First Baptist Church, Bristol, VA
A reception will follow
There will be a food collection as well as a monetary offering that will go to the Bristol Food Pantry in memory of Dr. Frank Aichinger.
Please come and be a part of this celebration of our community.
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Annual Meeting
Officer’s Training &
Spiritual Enrichment Experience
MeadowView Resort & Conference Center
September 14-15, 2019
Spiritual Leader
Reverend Sandra J. Johnson
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Love One Another
John 13:35
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
September 28, 2019
East Tennessee State University Mini Dome
Purposes of event:
To Worship Jesus Christ
To serve the Body of Christ
To Restore Appalachia from Drug Abuse
Event Schedule
1:30 PM – Doors Open
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM – Public Prayer Service
3:30 PM – 5:45 PM – Organization Expo (Recovery Organizations)
3:30 PM – 5:45 PM – Block Party with Food Trucks
5:45 PM – 6:00 PM – Public Reading of Scripture
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Main Event
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District Conference
September 29
3:00 p.m.
Pleasant View United Methodist Church
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District Youth Festival of Gifts and Talents
October 20
4-6 p.m.
Emory & Henry College
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Children’s Choirs to hold auditions and registration!
Mountain Empire Children’s Choir Academy
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Singers in grades 1 and up are invited to join the choirs of the Mountain Empire Children’s Choral Academy (MECCA) for their 2019-2020 season!
Singers in grades 1-3 are invited to register for the Chorister choirs directed by Amy Potterton in Johnson City, TN or Emily McCraw in Emory, VA. No formal audition is held for this age group.
Choristers in Johnson City rehearse on Mondays at Munsey Church, Johnson City, 4:15-5:15. Choristers in Emory rehearse on Thursdays at Emory and Henry College, 4:30-5:30.
Singers in grades 4 and up are invited to audition for Director Jane Morison in either Johnson City or Emory.
Singers in the East Tennessee Children’s Choir rehearse on Mondays, 4:00-5:30 at Munsey Church in Johnson City. Singers in the Emory Virginia Children’s Choir rehearse on Thursday, 4:15-5:45 at Emory and Henry College.
Singers may make an appointment to register or audition by contacting Jane Morison at:
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Youth Academy Registration Begins
Barter Theatre Youth Academy
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Barter Youth Academy has opened registration for Fall classes! Classes begin in September and are held in Bristol TN, Bristol VA, Abingdon, VA, Kingsport, TN, and Johnson City, TN. Registration is open now until September 13.
Barter Youth Academy is an innovative theatre education program that teaches students teamwork and creativity in a fun, fast-paced rehearsal environment! This Fall, Barter Youth Academy students will bring literary classics to the stage with our “Page to Stage” Season! The season includes: Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes for ages 5-7, The Velveteen Rabbit for Elementary School age groups and The Prince and the Pauper for Middle and High School age groups.
Students will learn acting techniques and performance skills while working together on a minimally-produced play for their final demonstration. Whether your student loves dance, comedy, drama, music, or anything in between, BYA’s team of theatre professionals will create an exceptional educational experience tailored to their growth and learning. For more information, contact Nikki Skillman.
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This new Android voice-free operator could save your life
in an emergency.
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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 Tu-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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August 15-21, 2019
Thursday, August 15
6:00pm-Yoga with Jean-The Upper Room
8:00pm-AA
Friday, August 16
5:30pm-Belly Dancing Class-Yoga Studio
6:30pm-Belly Dancing Class-Yoga Studio
7:00pm-NA
Saturday, August 17
9:00am-Holston Quilters Guild-TH (Until noon)
Sunday, August 18
9:30am-Sunday School
9:30am-The River Contemplative Worship-Tankersley Hall
10:00am-Common Ground Worship-Chapel
11:00am-Traditional Worship Service-Sanctuary
12:15pm-Choir Rehearsal
8:00pm-AA
Monday, August 19
6:00pm-Belly Dancing Class-Yoga Studio
Tuesday, August 20
8:00am-Men’s Prayer Group-TH
8:00pm-AA
Wednesday, August 21
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 