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.
Sunday worship is at 9:30 AM in the Sanctuary AND can be viewed on the church YouTube page or through the link on the church Facebook page.
Church Office Hours:
Tuesdays 1-3 PM
Fridays 1-3 PM
Connect to Pastor Casey email, Facebook, 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.
Worship This Week
April 28, 2024
Scriptures:
Psalm 139:1-14 Hebrews 5:5-10
Sermon:
Does God Really Care?… Rev. Casey Irwin
Serving in April
Liturgist
4/7 Breakfast Church
4/14 Sue Dietz
4/21 Dawn Shores
4/28 Leferne Preptit
Greeters – Charles & Dawn Shores
Serving in May
Liturgist
5/5-
5/12-
5/19-
5/26-
Greeters –
*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.
Other opportunities to serve:
It’s that time of year! The landscaping at the church could use some attention. If you enjoy taking time to pull weeds and clean out crevices, please claim a section near the building to clear as you are able. The Trustees appreciate your gifts and time to make our space welcoming to all people.
We have added refreshments back to Sunday mornings! If you are able to contribute snacks or juice one week, sign-up with Sue Dietz as we establish a rotation. All items need to be at the sanctuary by 9:10 on Sundays.
We are looking for people to serve in pairs as Greeters for Sunday morning worship. Welcome our congregation and visitors with a smile, a bulletin, and an umbrella when needed. Contact Pastor Casey to get on the schedule!
Last Sunday at First UMC
Chancel Choir News
Choir is increasing how frequently we sing in worship. Join us for rehearsals Sundays after church. Anyone and everyone can make a joyful noise unto the Lord as we share simple, high quality songs of faith.
Choir rehearsals are after worship on Sundays
Next presentation: April 28
Not convinced you can sing with us? Check out this brief clip of our finale from September 24!
From the Pastor’s Pen
April 25, 2024
The past several weeks, I have shared over and over with you about our UMC General Conference, currently meeting in Charlotte, NC. This is the point where most of us tune out the updates. Why does it matter? What will this do for me? How can their decisions make any difference in how we are the church for our community?
I don’t profess to brilliant answers for each of those questions, but I found this explanation of faith helped settle my soul in the midst of policies and debates. Theology (the study of God) is just faith seeking understanding. We have faith, but we have questions. We trust God, but how we trust involves acting in the world around us with the people around us. And as we individually seek understanding, we are involved in this big idea: Theology. The UMC is doing the same thing. They are debating policies and wording, yes. But ultimately, they are making and refining statements that express our faith. They are working together to discern an understanding of how United Methodists live as Christians.
When the policy is too much, we return to this; that all of us are seeking to understand our faith, and all of us are trying to live rightly before God.
Please continue in prayer for this gathering, which will continue through May 3.
Blessings,
Pastor Casey
Friends,
Holston clergy and laity are invited to be part of a prayer vigil during the upcoming General Conference, April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, NC. You have an opportunity to sign-up individually or for your congregation to fill a large block of time to pray in 30-minute segments the 48 hours prior to General Conference as well as throughout General Conference. To signup click here
During your designated time, please find a quiet place at your home or church to pray. The theme “And Know That I Am God” is from Psalm 46. Prayerfully read and meditate on this scripture passage reflecting on ways that you, your local church, churches throughout Holston and the United Methodist Church can more faithfully “be still and know that I am God.”
We invite you to pray for our delegation – Amanda Onks, Rev. Amy Sumrall, Anne Travis, Becky Hall, Rev. Caleb Frazier, Rev. David Graybeal, Dawson Kitts, Del Holley, Donna Mosby, Rev. Dr. Josh Kilbourne, Rev. Kim Goddard, Rev. Kristen Burkhart, Rev. Lauri Jo Cranford, Rev. Dr. Mark Flynn, Rev. Mary Thompson, Nate Roark, Rev. Paul Seay, Rev. Dr. Randy Frye, Reagan Kelly, Rev. Sarah Varnell, Rev. Sharon Bowers, and Rev. Wil Cantrell.
Other prayer suggestions include:
Pray that all we do will be done in love.
Pray that we may all conduct ourselves with mutual respect.
Pray for discernment as decisions are made.
Pray for our Bishops who will be presiding during the Conference.
Pray for the worship teams and leaders who guide the delegation’s work.
Pray for the staff and volunteers in Charlotte, NC who will be serving us while we are there.
If you wish to pray with the daily schedule or current news please use these resources for updated information:
Thank you for participating in this prayer vigil as we, across Holston, pray together for our leaders and our denomination.
We are saddened to share that Richard McCallum passed away late on Sunday, March 24. Beverly and their children and grandchildren are in our prayers, even as we celebrate that Richard is home with our Lord.If you would like to be a part of providing food or serving the meal, please contact us at pastor@fumcbristol.org or reach out to Sue Bryngelson directly.
Parish News!
Vision & Action Meeting
We are still in-process of finding ways to connect with our neighbors and share the love of Christ around our community. Join us for round 4 of Vision & Action Meetings on Sunday, June 16th at 1:30 pm in the Sanctuary.
Parish Council Meeting part 2 will be May 7 at 6:30 PM at First UMC.. Anyone can come be a part of this newly forming committee, that will meet quarterly as we plan and develop our shared ministry in our Bristol TN United Parish.
Virginia Avenue Food Pantry distribution is Wednesdays 2-4 PM
Next distribution is May 8
Donations are appreciated and can be brought to Virginia Avenue on MWF mornings or left in the donation bins at the sanctuary doors.
monetary, canned goods, or hygiene and personal care items
Mark your calendars- First UMC is hosting the Parish Pentecost Party on the Lawn (or in the Fellowship Hall if the weather is poor). Sunday, May 19th at 4 PM.
First is providing the hot dogs, hamburgers, buns, and fixin’s. Sign up in the sanctuary or email Pastor Casey if you can provide food items or help set up on Sunday afternoon.
United Women in Faith
Next meeting is Tuesday, May 14 at 5:00 PM in the Library
Bring your dinner or a snack to share and join us as we fellowship, pray, and study together.
Yard Sale News!
We may be months away from October, but spring cleaning is just around the corner. Any items you are donating for the fall yard sale can be brought to the former Dorcas Room (W108) in the Education Wing. We accept anything in usable condition for resale to support missions in our community.
Camp Bays Mountain Summer Adventures
Summer seems ages away, but summer camp registration in the Holston Conference has already begun. If you would like to support our young people in their faith-filled week of summer adventure, please designate your gift to Camping.
Clinch Mountain District News
Ever wonder what’s happening with our district ministries and events?
Sign up for the district e-newsletter by following this link : http://eepurl.com/hiPafv
Altar Flowers
Share the beauty of God’s creation as a gift to God and our congregation.
Select your date, and list your name and any details about the flowers. Examples – “in loving memory of _____”, “in celebration of _____”— or it can simply be a gift to the glory of God.
- Cost $56 for a professional arrangement.
- Label your check or envelope as designated to the altar flower fund, with the date you signed up for.
- Deadline for sign up and payment is the Sunday before.
- You may take the flowers after Sunday service or we will distribute them as we are able.
Contact Sue Bryngelson or the church office with any questions.
Send Your Pictures, News, and Announcements to Publish in the Newsletter
For each publication, information is needed by noon on Wednesday.
Calendar of Events
Sundays
9:30 a.m. First UMC Worship
10:30 a.m. Common Ground Fellowship Worship (Chapel)
10:45 a.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal
6:00 p.m. Addilyn Memorial UMC Bible Study
7:00 p.m. AA Meeting
Tuesdays
10:00 a.m. First UMC Bible Study
7:00 p.m. AA Meetings
Thursdays
7:00 p.m. AA Meetings
Wednesdays
6:30 p.m. Virginia Avenue UMC Bible Study
1st & 3rd Saturday
4:00 p.m. Man-Hu Ministries Shabbat Worship (Fellowship Hall)
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, May 7
Parish Council Meeting #2 at First UMC
Wednesday, May 8
2-4 p.m. Virginia Avenue Food Pantry
Sunday, May 12
9:30 am Mother’s Day Worship Service
Tuesday, May 14
5:00 p.m. United Women in Faith Meeting
Sunday, May 19
4:00 p.m. Pentecost Party on the Lawn
Sunday, June 2
4:00 p.m. Trustees Meeting
Sunday June 9- Wednesday June 12
Holston Annual Conference at Lake Junaluska
Sunday, June 16
1:00 p.m. Vision & Action Meeting
Sunday, July 21
1:00 p.m. Church Council Meeting
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 