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.

The CDC has designated our area as

GREEN (LOW) for COVID-19 transmission this week, so:
> Masks are optional for gathering in person – please respect the safety concerns of others. Masks will be available if you forget to bring your own.
> 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 5-8 PM

Wednesdays 5-8 PM

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In-person worship is at 11:00a.m. Sundays in the Sanctuary 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.

Email Prayer Chain

If you are interested in being a part of the email prayer chain, please sign up as you exit the sanctuary or email Pastor Casey. The messages will be distributed through our email lists on Realm.

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Worship This Week

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*Please make arrangements to trade with someone if you will be unable to serve in this way. Any emergency changes can be handled by those present at worship.

Last Sunday at First UMC

Weather Reminder

As icy winter weather comes and goes, please use your best judgment for driving to the church in this season. We have the opportunity to worship virtually with Facebook and YouTube recordings, an online bulletin, or a DVD of worship can be requested from Pastor Casey.

Any cancellation of services will be shared no later than 10 AM on our website and Facebook.

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Memorials

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Easter Chancel Choir

Exciting news!!!  After almost 3 years, we are restarting the Chancel Choir at FUMC.  Our current plans are to have the choir do its first music presentation on Easter Sunday April 9th.  We are keeping things simple musically and aiming to have one music presentation per month to begin with and growing from there.

Currently we have the following rehearsal dates planned.

March 19th

March 26th

April 2nd

Photos by Penny Hudson

We will rehearse in the Sanctuary immediately following our 11am service,  Rehearsals will last less than an hour.

At this time we are recruiting our past choir members and look forward to adding new ones.  

Our first presentation will be simple but a great way for us to start to rebuild our choir.  The plan is to add more choir music in our services as we grow.

We will also premier our new choir robes on Easter Sunday, which were purchased just before the COVID pandemic began.  Yes—we never got a chance to wear them!

So if you have a love of singing and want to join us, now is the opportunity we have all been waiting for.

We know things will be small to begin, but as we have all heard many, many times…the start of any journey begins with that first step.  Won’t you take that first step with us?

Musical blessings,

—- Phil

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United Women in Faith

Our next meeting is April 11 at 5:30 pm

We will introduce our book study, so come ready to share and grow together.

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You are Welcome to Worship and Fellowship With Us!

Wednesdays from 12-1 p.m.

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From the Pastor’s Pen

March 25, 2023

Thank you all for your patience as we watch the AV system go in slowly week after week. The system should be live in April, barring any emergencies. While technology can be intimidating, we hope to train most of the congregation on the simple steps of running the system.

We will have a “simple” and “complex” version of instructions, so you can run the system based on your technology skill levels. If you have any interest in serving on the rotation of tech people, reply to this email, or contact me directly, and I will make sure you receive training at the level you can handle.

Thank you for continuing to grow and serve in a multitude of ways in the name of Christ.

Blessings,
Pastor Casey

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Help for Haiti Donor Dinner and Auction

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR THE EVENT:

Sign up on Sundays, or email Pastor Casey to serve in one of the following ways:

Decorating – Friday, April 21 & Saturday, April 22

Event Servers – Sunday, April 23, 4:30-6 pm

Event Greeters – Sunday, April 23, 4:30-5:30 pm

Clean-up Crew- Kitchen – Sunday, April 23, 6:30-8 pm
Clean-up Crew- Fellowship Hall – Sunday, April 23, 7-8 pm

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Altar Flower Sign Up

Contact Sue Bryngelson or the church office with any questions.

Continuing with our 2022 Annual Conference Theme of Praying Together, clergy and laity from across the Holston Conference will be gathering on Saturday, March 25 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm to pray. The live gathering in Knoxville will be simulcasting across the Holston Conference. Our district event is at State Street UMC. Follow the link to register, or contact Pastor Casey for more information.

Weekend of Prayer Weblink and Registration

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Your chance to help students!

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Giving to Ministries at First UMC

What can I give towards?

• General Fund- monthly expenses for upkeep and ministries
• Designated Gifts- towards a specific project or ministry
• Missions Giving- to a specific mission or a general gift to be split among our mission partners

How often should I give?

• Everyone manages their funds differently. Some give weekly when they attend worship. Other families give monthly when their income is deposited. Still others give at varying times to match a need or a project.

Our only request is that you prayerfully consider how God has called you to support the church and ministries with your fund. We challenge you to be good and faithful stewards of what is entrusted to you.

How can I give?

• In person
  • Offering envelope booklets are available for you to take home. Each include 53 undated envelopes for weekly giving, or spread them out over time if you give on a different schedule. Please pick up yours from the rear of the sanctuary.
  • Offering envelopes have returned to the pews as well. If you forget yours, please take one for identifying your giving.
• Digitally
  • ACH – contact us directly for a confidential form. This type of giving will automatically withdraw the amount your choose directly from your bank account
  • With online giving you can contribute from your checking account, or give with a debit or credit card. You also have the option to make your gift recurring.
    • Website: onrealm.org/fumcbristol/-/form/give/now or any of the “Give Online” buttons
    • Text: from your cell phone, text FIRSTUMCBRISTOL to 73256. This will open up a link for you to choose how you give.

Calendar of Events

March 23-29, 2023

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