This is “The Fin Project: from Swords into Plowshares” by John T. Young in Seattle, Washington. The materials are intact diving-plane fins from decommissioned US Navy submarines.
Matthew 24:36-44
Prepare the Way for Hope
Rev. Brandon Berg
From the Pastor's Pen
I am thankful for:
a warm coat on a cool morning,
buses and drivers to take kids to school,
a hot shower,
Morning Prayer Rite II,
space to spread out and plan Advent and Epiphany,
the convenience of texting and email,
wise colleagues who welcome conversation about texts and church challenges,
visits from old friends,
celebrating new beginnings,
anticipating even more new beginnings,
grace when I mess up,
forgiveness,
peace,
love…
just to start.
Your turn.
And don’t just tell me. Tell it out loud. Share your thankfulness broadly. Have faith that it’ll catch on.
Be a bringer of thankfulness this Thanksgiving.
Peace,
Brandon
This Week's Feed the Hungry Offering
Our Feed the Hungry offering this week 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.
Let's Trim the Tree
Monday, December 2, 9:00 a.m.
Phil Haga will bring homemade cookies!
Send a Card to Someone Today
Here are some beloved FUMC friends who currently are not able to worship with us. Please lift up special prayers for them this week. And would you also send them a note/card and tell them so?
As you think about others you have missed, call the church office. We will share addresses so that we may stay in contact by way of cards.
the things that are visible and the things that are invisible.
Whether they are thrones or powers,
or rulers or authorities,
all things were created through him and for him.
He existed before all things, and all things are held together in him.
He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning,
the one who is firstborn from among the dead
so that he might occupy the first place in everything.
Because all the fullness of God was pleased to live in him,
and he reconciled all things to himself through him-
whether things on earth or in the heavens.
He brought peace through the blood of his cross.
~Colossians 1:15-20(CEB)
The lovely cornucopia on the altar Sunday was designed by
Mary Jane Bradbury in Thanksgiving to God for all His gifts.
Tawana Teague announced that Mike has come out out of retirement for a
second time to accept an appointment as pastor to Wesley Chapel.
What a blessing Mike and Tawana are to us! Please pray for them as they
minister the Good News at Wesley Chapel.
For the friends we hold so dear, For our families gathered here,
For their love and for their comfort, when we need them near;
For the beauty that we see, For the joys that are to be,
For all blessings from above we lift our hearts to Thee.
Father hear us as we pray on this happy Thanksgiving Day,
Giving thanks for all the blessings that have come our way,
with grateful hearts, Amen.
~Gail Leven Pollock
Today we look around and see the fullness of God is near.
Go from here, friends, a people brought into the family of God,
perfected in love, living in kinship and harmony.
First UMC Homebound Christmas Card List 2019
Copies of the 2019 Homebound Christmas Card List will be available outside both The River
and Traditional services on Sunday morning. Be sure to get one!
An Opportunity to Serve
First UMC will be serving at the Soup Kitchen during the first two weeks of December, Monday through Friday, 9:15 a.m. until finished. Take this opportunity to bless others and be blessed this Christmas season. To volunteer, contact Carol Taylor at 423.989.3574 or email ctaylor2@chartertn.net
Next Group of "Eight" Outing Set
The next Group of "Eight" gathering
will be Saturday, December 14 at noon at Carrabba's Italian Grill in Johnson City. More information will follow.
Sunday, December 15, 11 a.m.
On the morning of December 15 during the 11 o'clock hour, Phil Haga and the Chancel Choir will lead the church in a service of worship through music and scripture. Join in as we prepare our hearts for Advent.
Come, let us adore Him, Christ, our Lord!
End of October
-$25,049.35 General account
+3034.35 Designated reimbursement account
-$22,015.35
The Finance Committee has established a Designated Reimbursement account.
The seed money for this account was the money earned by the Fall Fete.
Since then there have been gifts from others in the church.
If you wish to contribute to this just mark your gift Designated Reimbursement.
This gift would be above your normal giving.
Your 2020 Estimate of Giving to the Church
By now you should have received a letter from the Church Finance Committee.
If you did not receive one or have misplaced your letter, extra letters and forms are available on the table in the church foyer.
We need your estimate of giving as soon as possible to build a budget. The future of the church is in God’s hands. The budget is in ours.
All gifts are appreciated. You don’t have to be a member to help.
UMW Fundraiser
The UMW is selling knives with proceeds used for missions projects.
Theatre Bristol presents “Miracle on 34th Street” this Christmas under the direction of Dottie Havlik, opening December 6 and running weekends through December 22 at Theatre Bristol’s ARTspace, 506 State Street, Bristol, TN, Tickets are on sale now.
Two of our First UMC members, Rebekah and Lara McGrady, are performing in this production. You won't want to miss it!
Camp Bays Mountain
Our community and local churches have a need that Camp Bays Mountain is fulfilling.
Last year forty-two campers made first time decision to follow Christ and thirty-nine indicated a call into ministry while at summer camp.
Consider a gift to enable Camp Bays Mountain to complete its funding.
When you give to camp, you are investing in the next generation.
Mail checks to Camp Bays Mountain, PO Box 2706, Kingsport, TN 37604.
Send Your Pictures and Announcements
to Publish in the Newsletter
Send your photos and announcements for the Newsletter
First United Methodist Church of Bristol 