Newsletter: June 17-23

First United Methodist Church

Bristol, Tennessee

Your Weekly e-Newsletter and Events Schedule

June 17-23, 2021

Welcome to In-Person Worship Again….

We rejoice in once again gathering together for in-person worship!

If you are uncomfortable with worshiping in person or unable to join us for whatever reason, please tune in as we live-stream the service on Facebook.

Enter the narthex doors beside the sanctuary.
Wear a cloth mask that covers your mouth and nose until you are seated if you are vaccinated; if you are not fully vaccinated wear your mask continuously.
wear your mask when participating in singings and readings.
Maintain at least six feet of space between yourself and anyone outside of your immediate household.
Minimize your use of the lavatory and sanitize the spaces you use, and
Exit the Sanctuary through the side doors closest to the parking lot.

Visit our website

Schedule Adjustment:

In-person worship at 11:00a.m. Sundays in the sanctuary

can also be viewed on the church Facebook page.

If you have not connected to FUMC via Facebook,

please go do that. You can also connect to Rev. Berg

on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram.

He will try to share uplifting and empowering things

on those media.

3rd Sunday After Pentecost

Father's Day

June 20, 2021

Mark 4:35-41

"The Family Chosen"

Melissa Wright, LMSW

From the Pastor's Pen

You can’t ride in my little red wagon.

The front wheel’s broke and the axle’s draggin’.

Chugga chugga. Chugga chugga chugga.

There is nonsense echoing around the hills of Camp Bays Mountain this week. Children are alternately singing songs of faith and screaming songs whose words just feel good together, and it is beautiful.

Last year, these hills were quiet. Maybe it was good for the trees and bears to have a reprieve, but this year, camp is providing a safe space for children’s souls to stretch and grow and discover new community. It is good and beautiful.

I want to offer you a word of thanks for allowing me the flexibility to offer my gifts here for a week, to sing the silly and serious songs, to blister my fingers on guitar strings, to cheer campers on trying archery or rock climbing for the first time, and to offer them just a little guidance as they learn how to be a new creation in Christ. I also want to offer you a word of thanks for the gifts you have given to make camp a deeply transformative experience.

It is good to be here.

I’ve missed it.

Keep praying for camp. Pray for God’s Spirit to renew the spirits of the campers and staff here. Keep offering all you’re able to support one of the most life-changing ministries in the Holston Conference.

It’s working.

Peace,

Brandon

While we are practicing social distancing in response to the COVID-19 outbreak,

FUMC will not be keeping regular office hours.

If you need to reach Rev. Berg, he will still be responding by email at

pastor@fumcbristol.org

and by text or call (276) 237-6498

Last Sunday

3rd Sunday After Pentecost

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Gospel Reading

led by Rev. Berg

Mark 4:26-34

Common English Bible

Then Jesus said, “This is what God’s kingdom is like. It’s as though someone scatters seed on the ground, then sleeps and wakes night and day. The seed sprouts and grows, but the farmer doesn’t know how. The earth produces crops all by itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full head of grain. Whenever the crop is ready, the farmer goes out to cut the grain because it’s harvesttime.”

He continued, “What’s a good image for God’s kingdom? What parable can I use to explain it? Consider a mustard seed. When scattered on the ground, it’s the smallest of all the seeds on the earth; but when it’s planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all vegetable plants. It produces such large branches that the birds in the sky are able to nest in its shade.”

With many such parables he continued to give them the word, as much as they were able to hear. He spoke to them only in parables, then explained everything to his disciples when he was alone with them.

Opening Hymn

"All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name"

UMH 154

sung by Phil Haga

The Lord's Prayer

led by Rev. Berg

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy Name,

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass

against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory,

for ever and ever. Amen.

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Last Week's Sermon

"Smallest of All"

Rev. Brandon Berg

"This is the Day of New Beginnings"

Phil Haga

Betty Curtis

Tailgate Gathering

This Friday

June 18th, 6:00pm

If you can't bring your own chair there are some available.

Bring your own food and join in the fellowship!

Sunday School Resumes!

MASKLESS, if you feel comfortable
vaccinated people may attend
9:30am-Shaw Anchor Classroom
study materials available on main hallway literature table

New Health and Safety Procedures

For Service Attendance

Click on the link below to read the changes now in effect.

New Health and Safety Procedures

Historical Tidbit

from

Penny Hudson

How many times have you driven up or down the Parkway and seen this sign? In 1980, the church sign on Vance Drive was donated by Henry and Lorraine Guinn in memory of Loraine's parents, Mr. and Mrs. George H. Jones.

A Note From Our

Lay Leader

Thank you Bruton Smith!

I thought I should mention Mr. Smith because he has played a surprising part in two important events in my life this year. First, I received my two vaccination shots on drag strip at the Bristol Motor Speedway. Then last week we watched our granddaughter graduate on a huge tv at the Charlotte Motor Speedway as she walked on a small stage. It does seem a little strange to thank him since I have never been to a race, nor do I want to go to one.

Over my lifetime, I have had surprises but none like David’s family when he was called in from watching the sheep and told he would be King of Israel! We heard that story this last Sunday. I am glad we are going to hear a lot about David over the next Sundays. He was a complex player in the Bible. He was like us in many ways both doing good and following the wrong road at times.

Please join us as we hear David’s story and the message it has for us today. You just may be surprised.

Sue Dietz