Our friends at Berhane Yesus Elementary School send greetings and are excited to be in partnership with us in reaching out in the name of Jesus to the children in Dembi Dollo, Ethiopia.

Berhane Yesus means "the light of Jesus." BYES was established by Presbyterian missionaries in 1922 as the first school in the remote western area of Ethiopia. With its enduring, strong academic reputation, it is a role model for government schools in that part of the country. BYES serves the poor and rural children of subsistence farmers, migrant workers, and displaced groups of people. Today, a faculty of 14 teaches 604 students.

At BYES, the light of Jesus shines on each of the children. Amanuel Tesfaye, the school's director, writes: "We have devotion every morning where the Gospel is read and many children accept Christ as their own Lord and savior. So God is doing miracle through our school."

We have embarked on a campaign to raise $8,000 for this school. In doing so, we not only educate children but also secure a valuable asset in Christ's mission in Ethiopia. Our goal, spread over 210 school days, works out to only $38 for a day of school.

First Presbyterian Church of Bristol is a part of this ongoing miracle because of God's grace and all of our prayers, friendship, and financial support since 2005. Thanks for responding generously to the needs of our younger sisters and brothers in Ethiopia. - Peggy Hill

Save a life by giving blood! We need 20 volunteers for the last blood drive that will be held at our church until fall. The mobile unit of Marsh Blood Services will be in FPC's front parking lot from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., next Wednesday, April 6.

You're never too old to give blood, and donors may be as young as 17, if they have parental consent. Call the church office at 423-764-7176 to schedule an appointment or to ask for more information.

Mowing season is here! We need good stewards to help us meet our obligation to maintain the church campus in a state that will bring glory to God.

The yard will need mowing 25 times between the end of April and the middle of October. The more teams of two we can field, the fewer times each team will need to mow. We need regular mowers and a few substitutes who can step in occasionally. If both mowers on a team are working, it usually takes no more than two and a half or three hours to cut the yard. 

Will you please prayerfully consider making a commitment to serve your church in this way? (Note: We do not discriminate on the basis of gender, but we cannot allow anyone under the age of 18 to use the mowers.) If you can help by mowing the yard occasionally, please call Randy Cook, 423-956-1541, or the church office, 423-764-7176.

On Saturday, April 16, we will have another volunteer opportunity with Sharing Christ Mission. Volunteers can bring food they have prepared at home (recipes provided) or help serve dinner and clean up afterwards. We will gather at the mission at 4:45 p.m. and finish around 7:00 p.m.

Sharing Christ Mission is located on the corner of Sixth and State streets in Bristol, TN. This ministry provides a hot, nutritious, free meal each Saturday evening to anyone in need and adds the opportunity for worship on Sunday mornings.

For more information, please contact Tammy Connolly by email at lconn4691@btes.tv or call her at 423-968-3831 (home) or 276-628-7213 (work).

All the children of the church are invited to an Easter Celebration on Saturday, April 16, from 10:30 a.m. until noon. We will gather in Creation Station in the children's building to hear the Easter story, make Resurrection eggs, and decorate cupcakes. Bring your friends!

We also warmly welcome teens and adults who would like to help with these activities. Call Cathy Newton at the church office, 423-764-7176, to volunteer!