In the coming week we mark the culminating events in the life of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Each worship experience gives us a new perspective on God's eternal love for us, a love made visible in Jesus' humble fulfillment of God's saving purpose. This resurrection of Jesus reveals the wondrous truth that God's sovereign love is stronger than sin and death.

As servants of God and followers of Christ, we have no greater truth to proclaim to the world than this good news of God's unconquerable, saving love. Please plan to join us for each of these worship services, and invite others to join us in solemn remembrance and joyful celebration of the salvation won for us by Jesus Christ. ~ Gordon Turnbull

Palm Sunday Worship

Sunday, April 17, 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.

We mark the beginning of Jesus' final week by remembering his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Songs of praise and waving palms offer to Christ the glory due him as Messiah. Ponder the faithfulness of Jesus, who entered the city of Israel's political and religious rule to embrace the destiny that lay before him.

Maundy Thursday Worship

Thursday, April 21, 7:00 p.m.

Remembering Jesus' Passover meal with his disciples on the night of his arrest, we celebrate the Lord's Supper around the communion table. An option for foot-washing allows worshippers to embody the stance of the one who came not to be served, but to serve.

Good Friday Worship

Friday, April 22, 7:00 p.m.

In growing darkness we remember the suffering and unjust death of Jesus, our Savior, entering into that time of desolation that Jesus' followers experienced after his death.

Easter Sunday: Resurrection of the Lord

Sunrise Service, 7:00 a.m., Inner Courtyard, with casual breakfast following

Service for the Lord's Day, 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.

Join us in the festive gathering of God's people, celebrating God's victory over sin and death in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In Genesis 1:2 we read that darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over it. In the next several verses, we read all about God's mighty work in the creation, bringing forth light, life, and beauty in its various forms. Just think about it: where there is darkness, the Spirit of God hovers over that darkness, ready to transform it into light, life, and beauty!

Berhane Yesus Elementary School in Dembi Dollo, Ethiopia, serves 604 children who daily face seemingly endless, insurmountable odds. BYES faces annual budget shortfalls and changing government regulations but has carried out its mission since 1922. Why? Probably because the Spirit of God hovers, changing the darkness into light, giving hope for new life through a quality education, and offering the beauty of life in Christ because each student is educated in the Light of Jesus each day.

The Holy Spirit moves over the darkness and also moves mightily in his children to penetrate the darkness by reaching out to those in need. Our congregation recently made a commitment to raise $8,000 for BYES during the month of April. We are pleased to announce that our most recent total of pledges and gifts is $5,499!

What we hold materially can never compare to the life and love we share together in Christ. Thank you, brothers and sisters, for your heart for those in need, for your commitment to God's work in the world, and for your willingness to partner with BYES in sharing the Light of Jesus! ~ Peggy Hill

Please join us for our annual churchwide picnic Sunday, May 1, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Rotary Shelter in Steele Creek Park.

We have planned a lot of activities: games, a pie-eating contest, tug-of-war, and a cake walk. And that's in addition to enjoying the beautiful setting and catching up with friends from church in a relaxing environment.

Supper will be served at 5:30. Meat and drink will be provided. Please bring a side dish with you: last name A-H: bring a salad; last name I-P: bring a side; last name: Q-Z, bring dessert.

Our picnics are always great fun, and we hope to see you there!

Marsh Blood Services gave one lucky donor an umbrella for participating in the blood drive at FPC April 6. Katlin McFerrin can pick her umbrella up at the church office.

Many thanks to the following people who represented FPC in the blood drive: Wes Buckles, Randy Cook, Beth Flannagan, Paula Green, Heidi Harkleroad, Lorri Looney, Katlin McFerrin, Trudy McFerrin, Leigh Beth Phipps, Jerry Poteat, Sara Reuning, David Worley, and Sherry Worley.

Our next volunteer opportunity with Sharing Christ Mission is coming up Saturday, April 16. 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 4:00 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 free, nutritious, hot meal each Saturday evening to anyone in need and adds the opportunity for worship on Sunday mornings.

For more information, please contact Ruthie Blair at blairrb@charter.net or 423-217-1224.

If you would like to grace Easter services in our Sanctuary or Fellowship Hall with an Easter lily in honor or memory of a loved one, it is time to place your order. You can find an order form in your Sunday bulletin and in the church office.

Please return the form to the church office with your payment by Monday, April 18. Lilies are $15 each.

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.

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!

Summer Opportunities in Children's Ministry

Can you believe that summer is just around the corner?

Along with summer come great opportunities for getting to know our children during the Sunday School hour. We like to give our regular, wonderful, faithful Sunday School teachers a summer break, so we are looking for folks like you to fill in for them during this time. We ask you to commit for only one month; that's only four hours (plus a little prep time). The Children's Ministry will provide all teaching and craft materials.

Please take a moment to look over our summertime needs and decide whether you would like to be a part of the Children's Ministry's Summertime Program. We hope you will!

Sunday School: June, July, August

(Because classes are smaller in summer, some will be combined.)

· Preschool & Kindergarten

· First & Second Grade

· Third, Fourth & Fifth Grade

Kids' Kirk, First Service: June, July, August

Kids' Kirk is another opportunity to serve with a little more flexibility. You may choose to work only once or twice a month or only once during the summer.

For questions or to reserve your spot, please contact Cathy Newton at the church office or by e-mail at cnewton@fpcbristol.org.