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 9, 2021

Edward Pola and George Wyle must have been cold-weather people. You’d have to be to consider this the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” I consider this the “Time of Year to Cuddle Under a Quilt with a Nice Hot Latte.”

Maybe that’s not entirely true. If I’m up and moving about and not doing sedentary work or standing and waiting for something to happen, I’m pretty comfortable most of the time. If I can coerce myself out of the covers to go run in the dark when it’s 28º outside, it’s only my toes and fingers that really feel the chill.

The trick is getting moving.

I feel a lot better when I’m moving. I’m not only warmer; I’m also more relaxed and happier. When I sit, tension starts building in my shoulders and soreness sets in in whatever muscle groups I’ve been recently working. When I sit, my brain seems to realize what I’ve done and it shuts everything down within a matter of minutes, and consciousness becomes an unattainable standard.

I’m sure that’s not true for everyone, but in general, the body is built for activity. The brain is built to function more efficiently with more oxygen pumping into it. The spirit, frankly, thrives when we are mobile and engaged.

I might not go so far as to say that is the sole reason Jesus and his crew wander around Greater Galilee for the majority of his ministry, but I think there’s something to it. The children of Israel might just be spiritually healthier when they’re wandering through the desert (with some clear exceptions). Quite a few of the Psalms are songs of ascent, because the physical motion of drawing near to God informs the mind and heart what’s going on. The earliest Christians first called themselves Followers of the Way, because they knew there was a trajectory they were following.

Moving is important.

I need to remember that the next time the couch seems like the best place to get something done. I need to keep moving. That’ll make just about any time a whole lot more wonderful.

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 30 we are -$27,253.18. As of October 30 we are -32,253.74 in our General Fund.
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 

A Happy Report

I’ve just returned from a very lovely visit with Ernestine and Julie Blanton.  I got to be the one to deliver her poinsettia from the UMW.  (Thank you, Sue Bryngelson.)  We met in Ernestine’s studio.  It is filled with plants and sunlight.  The conversation went in many directions.   The one thing that stood out was talking about the church being a family.  Have you thought about that?  When one member is in distress, we all feel that distress too.  When one is celebrating, we sure know how to celebrate.  Please consider coming for services if your health permits.  Your family is waiting for you.  Let’s celebrate together.

Sue Dietz

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Calendar of Events

Dec 9-15, 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