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.

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Last Sunday at First UMC

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From the Pastor’s Pen
December 2, 2021

Deck the halls with boughs of holly
or cedar
or rhododendron
maybe construction paper chains
or pictures of Kermit
whatever recalls what is always green
and full of life

Fa la etc.

’Tis the season to be jolly
or close enough for radio
so prepare your heart as you can
because the time is near

Fa la etc.

Don we now our gay apparel
and ugly sweaters
and seasonal attitudes
so try to keep yourself light
and avoid stress and worry
because that isn’t the way that is prepared

Fa la etc.

Troll the ancient Yuletide carol
that is to say out loud
boisterously
big and bold
a joyful noise
and share the joy everywhere

Fa la etc.

Peace,
Brandon

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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.

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HELP FOR HAITI UPDATE

The Preptits are most concerned about the missionaries and family members who have been kidnapped by a gang in Haiti.  This is another worry on top of so many for them.  Can you imagine if this happened in our country!  Please pray for the Haitian people and the Preptits and the missionaries.

The items collected for the Haiti earthquake are on their way to Haiti.  The Preptits took them to Memphis to start them on their way.  There is a person chosen to pick them up and save them until they can be used.  Right now the Preptits are not able to travel to Haiti. The situation is just too dangerous.

Please pray for the Haitian people and the Preptits.  This is a most difficult time.

From the Finance Committee:

Red Number Report from Finance

As of September 1, we were-$9,929.91 in our General Fund.  As of September 30 we are -$27,253.18
There are no more loans to count on.  If you have not had the opportunity to give to the church, please consider donating at this time.  There are three months left in our fiscal year to change the report to BLACK Numbers.

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A Note From Our Lay Leader 

What is going on?

Do you ever feel you are out of control or the world is or maybe both?  I’ve had that feeling for a couple of weeks. First I laid it at the feet of getting ready for Thanksgiving.  But it has continued.  One good thing I did find car keys that had been lost for a few years, but how weird is that!  I’m not alone.  Dale is having some of the same experiences. I’m not ready for Christmas.  It has come so fast in a strange year.  Breaking my wrist didn’t help since I like to make most of my gifts.  Well if I’ve hit a note with you, I’m glad to have company.  Some of you are facing life challenges.  To you I apologize for complaining about such really small challenges.

I’ve been thinking about Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem.  I can’t imagine just how out of control they must have felt.  Or maybe not!  They listened to God and followed his instructions. Maybe if I’d slow down and not try for yet again “the perfect” holiday my days would not be so crazy. Why not follow the lessons we can learn from Advent.  
Now let me see, where did I put….?

Sue Dietz

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Annual Conference Nominees Needed

Each District of the Holston Conference is allotted a certain number of at-large members of the Annual Conference in addition to those elected at Charge Conference and in other ministry areas. There are currently more laity positions available than nominees. If you are interested in being a member of the Holston Annual Conference in 2022 with full voting rights, please contact Rev. Berg or our Clinch Mountain District Administrative Assistant, Monika Hunter. 

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Calendar of Events

Dec 1-9, 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