First United Methodist Church
Bristol, Tennessee
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Your Weekly e-Newsletter and Events Schedule
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Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost
September 8, 2019
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Luke 14:25-33
The Cost of Discipleship
Rev. Jane Taylor
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From the Pastor’s Pen
Tucked into our entertainment center somewhere is a digital television antenna we purchased a few years ago, probably to watch network coverage of the Stanley Cup playoffs, or maybe to watch the Olympics. We haven’t subscribed to a cable television carrier in years. We get our on-screen entertainment through Netflix and Hulu and Amazon Prime and Apple. The upshot of this is that we rarely have to deal with commercials.
I’ve also stopped listening to commercial radio because I find disc jockeys generally obnoxious and commercials jolting and disruptive.
I only check FaceBook when my phone shows me a notification. I delve in far enough to read and occasionally respond, and then I leave the app. I use Twitter mostly the same way. I scroll swiftly through Instagram, and I have no idea how or why to use Snapchat.
I don’t subscribe to a newspaper because I discovered in Atlanta how little time I had to commit to reading it and how quickly the papers piled up.
I am a difficult consumer to reach with advertisement. I’m of a generation that is renowned for our skepticism of publicity and advertisement, anyway. I find out about things primarily by word of mouth, and occasionally from an article or interview on NPR.
That also means I’m pretty abysmally equipped to produce ideas that will help publicize items related to our church. My best advice to folks is, “Go tell your friends this is happening.”
Of course, that seemed to work pretty well for Jesus. He didn’t have a shiny advertising campaign to promote him. In fact, he often went so far as to warn folks not to tell people about him. Maybe that’s because the first time he tried self-promotion (“today, the scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing”), his neighbors tried to throw him off a cliff.
But in the end, people did talk about him, and by the end of his very short ministerial tenure, he was drawing crowds of thousands.
All that by word-of-mouth publicity.
I’m pretty convinced that word-of-mouth is still the best form of publicity. It’s genuine and interactive. It builds relationship, which is an enormous part of what the Church is about anyway. But it depends on you. It relies on your willingness and enthusiasm to share about our worship, our study, our Fall Fete, the possibility of a Confirmation Class, Charge Conference, District Conference, our friends and neighbors who need prayer, the missional work we support with our gifts and our hands. You could tell people about any or all of that. I assume that, if you’re enthusiastic and informed about it, you will.
I also assume, then, that if you’re not telling folks about it, you’re not enthusiastic and informed.
I’m sure there are things we can do to better inform you. I’m not sure what we might do to enthuse you. I’ll happily engage in conversation if you ask. I’ll also — and I think I echo the sentiment of our Communications Team in saying this — happily receive any suggestion you might have regarding the improvement of our publicity efforts and systems. It’s highly likely you know how to do that a lot better than I.
I know this isn’t the same world Jesus walked. I know that advertisement and publicity happen in very different ways today. I also know that a lot of us aren’t easily fooled by shiny and louder things anymore. But I’m convinced that we have an important Message to share, and that we embody that Message in transformative and unique ways at First, Bristol. I think what we have is worth sharing.
So I’m asking for your help. Help me share the good news and the good work we do. Help me and our leaders make it better. Help us dream and vision and build the next level of the Church built on a Rock.
We need you and your gifts and your dreams. You are the Church. You and I. We are the Church together.
Peace,
Brandon
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Feed the Hungry Offering
Our Feed the Hungry
offering this week is for
Family Promise of Bristol.
This program provides
an opportunity for us
to show God’s grace
and Christ’s love
to children with homeless
families in the Bristol area.
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A Sincere Thank You –
and a Request….
After nineteen years as Coordinator of Meals on Wheels at First-Bristol, Brenda Hobbs will be stepping down. Brenda has been at the helm of this worthy mission
since its inception in 1972.
During this time 600 meals per year were served, with a grand total of 11,400 meals over the 19- year span.
Brenda and her team met faithfully each month to cook, assemble, and deliver lunches. Often, the only human contact some of the recipients have each day
is the cheerful face of the Meals on Wheels delivery person.
Please join me in saying a heartfelt Thank You to Brenda,
as well as her many helpers.
Brenda asks if there is someone who would be willing to assume her position as coordinator. If no one volunteers then our church will assuredly drop out of the program.
Please prayerfully consider if you can assume this vital mission role and keep
Meals on Wheels alive in our church.
Contact Brenda Hobbs or Julie Blanton
423-967-6638 423-914-9820
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Safe Gatherings
THIS SUNDAY Please join us … For Lunch and Training
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There will be a light lunch and video training held in the children’s wing of the church THIS SUNDAY, September 8, following the 11 o’clock a.m. service.
We need people – especially leaders and leader assistants – to be trained in
appropriate ways to assist children and adults in our church and how to
handle situations that may arise.
The video has been shared by Susan Groseclose of our Conference headquarters.
You must let Suzanne know that you will be attending so we will have enough food.
(home 423-753-7172 or cell 423-967-4247)
Note: A make-up date and time will be provided (most likely an evening) to accommodate those who desire to participate but have schedule conflicts this Sunday.
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FUMC First Annual Harvest Fete Fundraiser
Saturday, September 28, 10am to 4p
We are just a little over 3 weeks out!
Gather items for the Jumble Sale
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Bring previously used yard signs to the church.
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Bake cakes, pies, bread, cookies, cupcakes….
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Volunteer to help where needed at Fete.
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Sue Dietz gave an outstanding presentation at The River last Sunday of
some items that will be available at our Jumble Sale at the Fete
on September 28. She also showed us a couple of re-purposed yard signs.
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If God is calling you to help, contact our Children’s Coordinator, Suzanne Goyette. We look forward to a bountiful harvest from fruitful young disciples!
(home 423-753-7172 or cell 423-967-4247)
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First UMC Monthly Financial Report
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August 31 Balance: (-$19,678.48)
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Worship Last Sunday
Message by Rev. Brandon Berg from Luke 14:1, 7-14, The Place of Honor
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Keep loving each other like family.
Don’t neglect to open up your home to guests,
because by doing this come have been hosts to angels without knowing it.
Remember prisoners as if you were in prison with them,
and people who are mistreated as if your were in their place.
After all, he has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.
This is why we can confidently say.
The Lord is my helper, and I won’t be afraid.
What can people do to me?
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We have come here out of pain and brokenness,
as Jesus has invited us, poor, crippled, lame and blind;
we go from here as friends,
better still,
as brothers and sisters.
Because Christ has welcomed us,
we will open this space to welcome all the children of God;
but better still,
we will go from here and find all the children of God,
to remind them who – and whose – they are.
Sisters and brothers, beloved family,
this is our calling.
Go then, with boldness and kindness, to bring all to the feast
and bring the feast to all.
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Reading Buddies Orientation
Thursday, September 12, 5:30 p.m.
Tankersley Hall
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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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The Chancel Choir has begun to rehearse music for Christmas. We practice on Sundays at 12:15 p.m., immediately after the traditional worship service. Won’t you come and join us?
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Dear Church,
I will on vacation next week, Tuesday, September 10 through Thursday, September 12.
A huge and heart-felt thank-you to Julie Blanton who will be completing and sending out the newsletter on September 12. Please send any items you wish printed in the newsletter for the week of September 5-11 to Julie.
I will complete the bulletin for September 8 and 15 this week. Please send any announcements you wish to have published in either or both bulletins by noon today.
If you need assistance during my absence, the pastor will be available by cell phone. His number is printed at the bottom of weekly newsletters and on the bulletin. I will be back in the office on September 17.
Blessings, Carol
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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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Group of “Eight”: reserve the date! We will meet for an early supper on
Saturday, October 5 at La Cucina restaurant in Mountain City.
More information soon.
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CROP Hunger Walk –
We are five weeks away from the
Southwestern Virginia CROP Hunger Walk
on October 6 at Emory & Henry.
We can make a difference in the lives of those who are hungry
if we will all pitch in and help.
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You may also contact David St. Clair at 276-944-4614 for more information.
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District Youth Festival of Gifts and Talents
October 20
4-6 p.m.
Emory & Henry College
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November 3
All Saints Sunday
November 17
Charge Conference
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Weaver Memorial UMC
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Hiwassee College Alumni Association, Inc. (HCAA, Inc.) is trying to contact all persons who attended Hiwassee College to keep them informed regarding efforts to revive Hiwassee and restore it to the service it was built upon.
Below are links and address for more information:
hiwasseealumni@gmail.com (copy and paste) to send direct email
https://forms.gle/tejanSbjKu1pyens9 fill out to be added to an information list
Hiwassee College Alumni, Inc., PO Box 65, Madisonville, TN 37354
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Thus says the Lord: Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom, do not let the mighty boast in their might, do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth; but let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord; I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.
Jeremiah 9:23-24
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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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September 5-11, 2019
Thursday, September 5
6:00pm-Yoga with Jean-The Upper Room
8:00pm-AA
Friday, September 6
5:30pm-Belly Dancing Class-Yoga Studio
6:30pm-Belly Dancing Class-Yoga Studio
7:00pm-NA
Saturday, September 7
Sunday, September 8
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
12:15pm-Safe Gatherings Training
2:00pm-Committee on Nominations & Lay Leadership
8:00pm-AA
Monday, September 9
6:00pm-Belly Dancing Class-Yoga Studio
Tuesday, September 10
8:00am-Men’s Prayer Group-TH
8:00pm-AA
Wednesday, September 11
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 