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.
Baptism of the Lord Sunday January 9, 2022
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
“I Have Called You by Name; You Are Mine”
Rev. Berg
Last Sunday at First UMC
Epiphany Sunday
January 2, 2022
Opening Hymn UMH 254 We Three Kings
Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12
Your Light Has Come by Rev. Berg
Hymn of Benediction UMH 245 The First Noel
From the Pastor’s Pen
January 6, 2022
On this day, the season of Christmas has come to a close and a new thing has begun. January 6 is the Feast of the Epiphany.
Don’t let that pressure you if you’ve still got Christmas decorations up, though. Find time when you find time. Nobody whose opinion matters is judging you.
This week, though, we’ll be celebrating the Baptism of the Lord by remembering our own baptisms. I hope you’ll join us on Sunday, but if you can’t, I hope you ponder the power of God’s cleansing and God’s claim on you every time you work with water.
And just for good measure, remember this snippet of our baptismal vows which has echoes in our liturgy as far back as we have record of baptisms being offered:
Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you
to resist evil, injustice, and oppression
in whatever forms they present themselves?
Freedom and power are God’s gift to you. Claim it. Ponder it. Let it open up an epiphany in you today.
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.
A Note From Our Lay Leader
Last Sunday I was looking outside my window when suddenly, the most beautiful bubbles came floating by my window. They reflected the sun and were so joyful to see. I realized our neighbor’s grandchildren were sending them our way. They were unexpected and so appreciated. It’s important to see the unexpected gifts in places and times. I think very often they may be sent by God when we most need them.
Tuesday, we received a beautiful surprise from Richard Rollins. He had planned his funeral. It was marvelous. It was truly the celebration which he wanted. At his request his daughter delivered the message of love and a good life lived. Richard was a man of God who taught many of us about doing our best and loving family.
As we enter the dark part of the year, let’s listen to those small still voices that tell us to give a call, take some home baked good, or just visit others. Let’s try to be the small surprises that show God’s love. Let’s give the harried robo caller a “God loves you” before we hang up. That just may be a single mom or dad working a third job to provide food and shelter for a family.
Never forget, God loves YOU.
Sue
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.
Give Online
Calendar of Events
Jan 6-13, 2022
Sundays 6:08 pm
Bristol Hub Youth at Reynolds Memorial UMC
Thursday, Jan 6
Epiphany (observed on Sunday, January 2)
8:00pm – AA
Jan 9
11:00am – Sunday Service at FUMC and available for viewing on Facebook and You Tube
8:00pm – AA
Tuesday, Jan 11
8:00pm – AA
Jan 16
11:00am – Sunday Service at FUMC and available for viewing on Facebook and You Tube
4:00 p.m. Board of Trustees
8:00pm – AA
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
First United Methodist Church of Bristol 