First United Methodist Church of Bristol, Tennessee
Your Weekly e-Newsletter and Events Schedule
Welcome to In-Person Worship Again….
If you are unable to join us for whatever reason, please tune in as we live-stream the service on Facebook.
> Masks are optional – please respect the safety concerns of others.
> Minimize your use of the lavatory and sanitize the spaces you use
> If you are unwell, we hope you will stay home and join our fellowship virtually.
Church Office Hours:
Sundays 2-6 PM
Tuesdays 4-7 PM
Wednesdays 4-8 PM
New Pastor Onboarding with the Annual Conference
Do you have ministry our church needs to be doing? Are there opportunities we should restart? Are you excited for where God is leading us in the future?
Everyone is invited to join us after worship on Sunday, August 7th for lunch and dialogue.
All pastors that have moved in Holston Annual Conference are sent a Facilitator to guide our group through the conversation about what works, what doesn’t, who we are, and who we hope to be. Email or call Pastor Casey with any questions.
Sunday August 7th— 12-2 PM — Lunch is provided
LOCATION Adjustment:
UPDATE: Sound System revamp is in motion. We are waiting on parts to come in to begin the installation.
Due to the sound problems in the sanctuary, Administrative Council has moved the Sunday service to Tankersley Hall until the sanctuary sound equipment is updated.
In-person worship is at 11:00a.m. Sundays in the Tankersley Hall (temporarily)
AND can 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. Irwin on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram.
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
July 31, 2022
Scripture: Luke 12:13-21
Sermon: Rev. Casey Irwin
Last Sunday at First UMC
July 24, 2022
7th Sunday After Pentecost
Prelude – Betty Curtis, pianist
Hymn of Praise: 430— O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee
Scripture: Luke 11:1-13
Sermon: Teach Us To Pray ………Rev. Casey Irwin
Hymn of Benediction: UMH 377— It Is Well With My Soul
Postlude – Betty Curtis, pianist
From the Pastor’s Pen
July 28, 2022
| Who do you pray for? For ourselves, for family, for friends, for a few health needs, for occasional situations that won’t resolve, throw in world peace for good measure… By that time, we are usually prayed out from the long list. This past Sunday, the lectionary sent us to Jesus’ instructions on how to pray and how to trust God’s response to our prayers. The list was succinct and to the point. But more importantly, the list leads us through praying for ourselves, AND God’s transforming power in the world. Jesus’ words remind us how to keep it simple, yet seek for our prayers to match the heart of God. Practically, this looks like taking time to rotate our prayers, or even pray by looking at situations with a heart that follows God. This means as we see our community, we celebrate what is holy and loving around us and pray for change in what isn’t. Take some time this week, as you drive, as you walk, or as you search out places on a map, to pray for how God would want the world around you to be. Is there a person you should forgive? Is there a family you should connect with? Is there a miracle that someone needs? Is there a ministry that could support an injustice? What do you see that could be God’s way? As for me, I will start by praying for all of us as a congregation, and praying to see God’s future in our neighborhood right here in Bristol. Will you join me in prayer? Blessings, Pastor Casey |
Ernestine Blanton
November 6, 1926 – July 17, 2022
Please be in prayer for the Blanton family. Ernestine was loved by all at First UMC and her beautiful artwork continues to reflect her beauty of spirit.
There will be a Celebration of Life in the future.
Help for Haiti Updates
Haiti is still devastated from disasters and political unrest. Help for Haiti currently houses children who would otherwise live in tent city, and pays their school tuition. The expenses continue to rise, but we trust that by God’s grace this ministry is making a difference one life at a time.
At the end of June, Leferne took a trip to fix up the home for the children being cared for. Here are some updates:
We had some repairs that need to be done at the shelter. I had one door replaced and the others fixed and repainted. We had to replace the doorknobs. If we did not fix the doors, Mr. Lasserne would not be renewed the rent. Before I went to Haiti there is a carpenter that asked $1,430 to do the Job. While I was in Haiti, I got it done for $745.00 for everything. May God bless you all!
Yours, Leferne Preptit
The Love Beyond Borders campaign aims to raise funds for the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines around the world. The initiative has emerged from First United Methodist Church, Boise, ID and seeks to engage The United Methodist Church in supporting COVAX alongside UNICEF, the key vaccine delivery partner.
All funds raised will be sent to UNICEF for this project. More information about Love Beyond Borders is here.
A Note From Our Lay Leader
Is it possible to take a strawberry jello salad to a hot dish? You can in Mankato, Minnesota. Translated: You can take a strawberry salad to a potluck. Why, you may well ask, is she mentioning that? Well we are having a hotdish (potluck) this Sunday, July 31, following worship. We are officially welcoming Pastor Casey and her family to First UMC. Bring something to share and something to sit on outside. We will have a warming cabinet, refrigerator and freezer available to store dishes during worship. There are trees and a roof for shade. There will just be tables for serving. We will provide drinks and paper goods and utensils. See you Sunday at the hotdish!
Sue
Meet the Pastor!
Pastor Casey would like to get to know you and your family. We have sign-ups available– through this Google Form or in-person on Sundays– to meet for coffee, a meal, a visit at your home or at the Pastor’s Office. We hope everyone connected to the church will choose a time and get to know our new Pastor.
Serve with Sunday Worship
What is God calling you to do? What ministries bring you joy?
First UMC is adding volunteers to serve once a month on a rotation for:
- Liturgist– read the Sunday Announcements, Responsive Reading, or other speaking opportunities
- Sunday Coffee Fellowship – Turn on the coffee pot and set out the fixin’s. Such a simple task is a great way of enjoying time together as the family of God.
- Videographer – It’s easier than it sounds! If you’re not familiar with Facebook Live, Pastor Casey or another leader will have the account open for you– just click “Go Live” and rotate the tripod if we need a different camera angle
- Attendance Cards – Set out and collect the cards or pew pads each week, and record who attends. Tracking online attendees is an added plus if you know how!
- Administrative Tasks – Choose one or several areas to serve– proofread the bulletin, check the church voicemail, run DVD and newsletter copies weekly for shut ins, address church mailers.
- Gardening and Weeding – You choose your schedule to maintain a beautiful and inviting environment at our building.
Reply here via email or check with Pastor Casey for more opportunities to use your gifts in God’s Kingdom.
Send Your Pictures, News, and Announcements to Publish in the Newsletter
For each publication, information is needed by noon on Wednesday.
Calendar of Events
July 28-August 3, 2022
Sundays
9:30 a.m. Sunday School
11:00 a.m. Morning Worship – Masks are optional at this time. We are following the CDC Guidelines.
6:08 p.m. Bristol Hub Youth at Reynolds Memorial UMC
7:00 p.m. AA Meetings
Tuesdays
7:00 p.m. AA Meetings
Thursdays
7:00 p.m. AA Meetings
July 24
4:00 p.m. Trustees
July 31
12:00 p.m. Potluck with the Pastor
3:00 p.m. Church Council Meeting
August 7
12:00-2:00 p.m. Lunch and New Pastor Onboarding with the Annual Conference
August 21
12 p.m. Worship Committee and Faith and the Arts Meeting
4:00 p.m. Trustees
First United Methodist Church
Rev. Casey Irwin, Pastor
322 Vance Dr., Bristol, TN 37620
www.fumcbristol.org 423-652-2811
Our Vision – Building A Community Where Anyone Can Become A Deeply Committed Christian
First United Methodist Church of Bristol 