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.
Second Sunday after Christmas – January 6, 2022
Matthew 2:1-12
“Your Light Has Come”
Rev. Berg

Last Sunday at First UMC

First Sunday after Christmas
December 26, 2021
Prelude Hark! The Herald Angels Sing by Felix Mendelssohn; Phil Haga, Organist
Opening Hymn UMH 246 Joy to the World
Gospel: Luke 2:41-52
Kids in Church by Rev. Berg
Hymn of Benediction UMH 234 O Come, All Ye Faithful
Postlude Angels We Have Heard on High by Austin Lovelace; Phil Hga, Organist
From the Pastor’s Pen
December 30, 2021
Today feels like the first day in quite a lot of days that I’ve been able to think about a little more than what is going on immediately in front of me. I hope the rush of everyday life compounded by pandemic complications hasn’t had you in the same state I’ve been in, but now that Advent is over and church is happening with a safe, new normal and for a few more days our kids don’t have school-related busyness to do, I have this wonderful chance to address a couple different ministry opportunities I haven’t yet had the time or energy to consider.
That’s a breath of fresh air.
Maybe this spring weather is lifting my state of mind a bit too, actually. It’s 55º outside on December 29. That’s just wacky.
Anyway, in this moment of pause, I’d love to hear from you some of your specific dreams for ministry at FUMC or in Bristol, or even more broadly. Before we settle into sulking about the effect of the pandemic, let’s remember that God’s Spirit is still here, that we still have hands and feet and voices, and that Jesus is still expecting great things of us.
What things can we do? What ways can we cooperate with other churches? What ministries should we highlight and help to populate?
First Bristol is an important church. First Bristol is a unique church. It’s time to highlight what makes us special and do something exciting and transformative.
I have some fun ideas about what that might involve, but I want to hear from you.
Bring it on.
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.
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.
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.
Send Your Pictures, News, and Announcements to Publish in the Newsletter
For each publication, information is needed by noon on Wednesday.

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Calendar of Events
Dec 29, 2021 – Jan 6, 2022
Sundays 6:08 pm
Bristol Hub Youth at Reynolds Memorial UMC
Thursday, Dec 30
8:00pm – AA
Jan 2
11:00am – Sunday Service at FUMC and available for viewing on Facebook and You Tube
8:00pm – AA
Tuesday, Jan 4
8:00pm – AA
Jan 6
Epiphany (observed on Sunday, January 2)
Jan 16
4:00 p.m. Board of Trustees
Jan 17
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
7:00 p.m. King University Faith and Culture Speaker Series: A Sojourner’s Truth: Choosing Freedom and Courage in a Divided World by Natasha Sistrunk Robinson at Lee Street Baptist Church
Jan 18
10:00 a.m. King University Faith and Culture Speaker Series: Beauty from Ashes: A Purpose and a Call by Natasha Sistrunk Robinson at King University Memorial Chapel
Jan 21-23
Resurrection: A Ministry to Youth at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge
Jan 24
9:15 a.m. King University Faith and Culture Speaker Series: George Floyd Could Have Been Me by Isaiah McKinnon at King University Memorial Chapel
7:00 p.m. King University Faith and Culture Speaker Series: Surviving in a Violent Society by Isaiah McKinnon at Central Presbyterian Church
Feb 14
Feast of Saint Valentine
Feb 27
Transfiguration Sunday
Feb 28
9:15 a.m. King University Faith and Culture Speaker Series: In Concert: the Becky Fuller Band at King University Memorial Chapel
7:00 p.m. King University Faith and Culture Speaker Series: In Concert: the Becky Fuller Band at Birthplace of Country Music Museum
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