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.

> 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

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 21, 2021

Hello, friends. I want to offer a piece that’s tumbling around in my mind and shifting around some of the furniture that lives there. I hope it transforms you, too. It’s from Rev. Steve Garnaas-Holmes.

Peace,
Brandon

              Joseph also went 
           from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, 
           to the city of David called Bethlehem, 
           because he was descended from the house and family of David. 
                           —Luke 2.4

We grew up on stories of Jesus born in a stable, 
homeless and rejected. 
But that’s not what Luke describes. 
Theirs was a family-centered culture. 
Joseph’s kin would have welcomed him into their home. 
The “inn” is a poor translation of what really was 
the upstairs guest room (crowded with all the kinfolk!). 
The manger was not out in a stable 
but in the lower room of the house, 
where the animals were fed at night. 
Luke isn’t portraying a baby born in the outskirts, 
but born among family—
crowded, noisy, and probably festive. 
As an adult Jesus spent lots of time 
among the outcasts, the un-familied. 
But his roots are in family. 

So. Finding family among the marginalized isn't hereditary.
It's a choice. 
Much like God's choice to come be with us,
to dwell with us, to choose us as family. 
Maybe Christmas is about choosing family
among whoever needs it. 

       God, thank you for choosing us as your family.
       Help me to choose as wisely, and as widely, as you.

Deep Blessings,
Pastor Steve
__________________ 
Steve Garnaas-Holmes 
Unfolding Light 
www.unfoldinglight.net
December 20, 2021

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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 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.

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From the Finance Committee:

Red Number Report from Finance

CAN YOU HELP?
As of October 30 we were -$32,253.74 in our General Fund.
As of October 31 we are  -$40,417.75 in our General Fund
Fall brings many annual expenses.  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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Calendar of Events

Dec 24-29, 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