First United Methodist Church of Bristol, Tennessee

Your Weekly e-Newsletter and Events Schedule

Welcome to First UMC! We are so blessed by your part in our faith community.

In-person worship is at 11:00a.m. Sundays in the Sanctuary AND can be viewed on the church YouTube page or through the link on the church Facebook page.

Church Office Hours:

Sundays 2-6 PM

Tuesdays 5-8 PM

Wednesdays 5-8 PM

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

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.

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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United Women in Faith

Our next meeting is May 9 at 5:30 pm. Bring your own dinner and join us for some fellowship, mission, and treats!

Read Chapter 2 of our book study this month!

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Chancel Choir News

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Breakthrough Prayer

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From the Pastor’s Pen

April 20, 2023

Thank you to all who helped with the Help for Haiti fundraiser. We raised almost $4500 from the dinner and auction. A few items are still available, some handmade jewelry by Melilla and some ceramics by Cindi. If you have interest, we will be sharing these over the next several weeks. 

Thank you for your faithful work in God’s kingdom. We are continuing to look for opportunities to help our children, through funding partners, grants to apply for, and scholarships for their post-secondary education. Keep praying and working for their futures.

Blessings,
Pastor Casey

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A message from our Bishop

Dear Friends,

It was great to see so many of you at the April 22 Called Annual Conference. Though a hard day as 264 of our churches disaffiliated, our worship, business and vision-casting were meaningful and Christ-honoring. We said goodbye to people and churches near and dear to us, grieving their departure while simultaneously wishing them the best.

Now, it is time to write the next chapter of Holston Conference history, built on who you are, who we are together and our vision for the future.

Who You Are: For starters, please know what a blessing each of you is to the Holston Conference of The United Methodist Church. My heart is full of thanksgiving for you and your commitment to continue this journey together. Especially inspiring is your dedication to:

Jesus Christ;

those who are not yet Christians;

each other;

The United Methodist Church;

and our shared ministry together.

Who We Are: The Holston Conference continues to be strong and robust. We are a group of 578 churches and 889 active and retired clergy moving into the future with courage and determination. Our focus is on making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

A diverse group of Christians with a variety of perspectives on many matters, our commonalities far outweigh our differences. Our core convictions, summarized well in The Apostles Creed,* propel us forward together in mission and ministry.

What we envision for the future: Our best days as the Holston Conference are ahead of us. We are Christ-following United Methodists who are committed to:

growing day by day in our love for God and others;

reaching more people for Jesus and

being a part of making the world a better place.

Indeed, our Conference leadership is dedicated to holding ourselves accountable for spending as much time on discipleship in 2023 and beyond as we have on disaffiliation this past year. Our primary focus is discipleship. 

The Holston Conference’s next chapter is a bright one thanks to who you are, who we are together, and what we envision for the future. It is truly my joy to serve as your bishop as we write this next chapter together.

Blessings,

Debra Wallace-Padgett

Resident Bishop

Holston and North Alabama Conferences

* The Apostles’ Creed (Ecumenical Version)

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again;

he ascended into heaven,

is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic** church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

** universal

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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 27-May 3, 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