First United Methodist Church of Bristol, Tennessee

Your Weekly e-Newsletter and Events Schedule

Welcome to In-Person Worship Again….

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 continuously.

> 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.

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.

---

From the Pastor’s Pen
August 26, 2021

People like to complain.

It turns out that’s one of the truly great uses for social media across the board. It gives people a chance to gripe about whatever is bugging them at the moment, even if it’s griping about how much griping goes on across social media.

People like to complain.

It’s not just online, you know. It happens in classrooms, at the dinner table, at sporting events, and even in church. It’s funny, actually, how people who complain at church think they’re doing so quietly. Church folk don’t tend to be good at being quiet. I suspect that may be related to the number of church folk who have hearing assistance devices.

It’s not good. Exodus God smites people for grumbling. Repeatedly. Jesus hears people grumbling and shuts them down. Paul calls folks out over and over for grumbling and gossiping and complaining.

The world doesn’t need more of that.

Once upon a time, there was a dude named Benedict who founded a whole monastic order. One of his biggest problems with his monks was that they grumbled and mumbled and complained. He had no patience for it.



I know it can feel good to voice our grievances online and quietly (we think) to our neighbor, but I invite us to exercise kindness and self-control. Would you like the world to be less ugly? Start with yourself. Don’t post that complaint. Don’t make that comment. Nobody is actually going to think better of you for it.

Self-control, as it happens, is a sign of maturity.

Let’s try saying only the things that build up the body. That’ll be better for all of us.


Peace,
Brandon

---

---

Morning Prayer

Rev. Berg streams morning prayer live on Facebook on weekday mornings in the 8:00 am hour.
Share your prayer requests with him or join him online.

Earthquake in Haiti

A 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti on Saturday, August 14.  This was followed by torrential rains from tropical storm Grace which hampered rescue efforts.  The latest statistics show that nearly 2,000 people have lost their lives as a result of the earthquake, with many more injured.  Add to this news the fact that Haiti is dealing with the covid-19 pandemic and political instability. 

We have heard the good news that the children from the Help for Haiti Children’s Shelter are safe.  The area where members of our church family, Leferne and Melila Preptit, are from is in a location that was in the earthquake’s path.  There is an immediate need for basic medical necessities. 

Leferne plans to travel to Haiti as soon as he can make arrangements and he is hoping to take extra luggage filled with as many supplies as he can pack to aid with the relief efforts.

Below is a list of requested items.  There will be a collection box in the church narthex for those wanting to bring their donated items on Sundays until Leferne is able to travel to Haiti.

Haiti Earthquake Relief 

• Acetaminophen 500 mg
• Tylenol 500 mg
• Advil
• Aspirin
• Aleve
• Zyrtec for allergy
• Triple Antibiotic Ointment
• Ibuprofen
• Imodium A-D Anti-Diarrheal caplets and soft gels
• Plastic for Tent
• Toothpastes
• Towels and hand towels
• Blanket sheets
• Bar Soaps

---

---

---

Calendar of Events

Aug 26-Sept 1, 2021

First United Methodist Church
Rev. Brandon Berg, Pastor (276.237.6498) 
322 Vance Dr., Bristol, TN 37620
www.fumcbristol.org

Our Vision – Building A Community Where Anyone Can Become A Deeply Committed Christian