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 YouTube page and is linked to the church Facebook page.

Connect to Rev. Irwin email, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Email Prayer Chain

If you are interested in being a part of the email prayer chain, please 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

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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. Join us for the first music presentation on Easter Sunday, April 9th.

Photo by Penny Hudson

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. Choir rehearses in the Sanctuary immediately following our 11am service, for no longer than an hour. Be on the lookout for free next rehearsal dates!

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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Our stations of the Cross display in the Sanctuary. Photos by Penny Hudson

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From the Pastor’s Pen

April 6, 2023

On Thursday of Holy Week, we remember the last meal Jesus had with his disciples. They gathered as friends celebrating a holiday. They gathered as people whose spirits yearned for a leader. They gathered because their Teacher asked them to be there. 

Jesus asked them to join him for prayers in a garden. So in Gethsemane, they gathered because he asked them. But as he anguished about what was coming, the disciples who gathered couldn’t stay awake long enough to be with him. Surely they regretted this later, when they had no time left to spend with Jesus. In the moment though, the ones Jesus gathered struggled to be present.

Others gathered there too, drawn by the opportunity to make some money, cause a scene, or finally see Jesus “get what was coming to him”. As the officials began the arrest proceedings, Jesus stood quietly in the fray. The ones who gathered were now either the mob or the fearful.

Even when we know the rest of the story, this section is hard to process. Jesus’ arrest progresses from a simple exercise to stop a popular “teacher” to a full-blown trial of execution. The same people that crowded the streets in Hosanna, now jump in when it’s time to arrest him. When his trial comes to a stalemate, this is the same crowd that shouts “Crucify him!”. 

We know that Sunday is coming. We know the hope of resurrection will be our Sunday celebration and is already a part of our lives. But we also know that it’s so easy to be swept up with the group to whatever comes next….
Come to dinner, he says. “Sure, I’ll be there!”
Come to prayer meeting, he says. “I guess I can stay awake for that.”
Come help us put a leader in check, the religious leaders say.  “Yeah, I’m game.”
Everyone else is shouting it, why won’t you? So “crucify him!” we cry.

Friends, no matter where the crowd tries to take you, search your hearts and minds for what God truly wants from you this Holy Week. How can you choose resurrection and accept Jesus changing our lives? Easter has been and Easter is coming. Join me this week as we celebrate.

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.

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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

April 6-12, 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