Please join us for our annual churchwide picnic this Sunday, May 1, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Rotary Shelter in Steele Creek Park. Come and enjoy the beautiful setting while you catch up with friends from church and simply relax.

In addition to a lot of games, including a tug-of-war and a cakewalk, we will have a contest for best pie. Anyone interested in entering or judging the pie contest should email Betsy Turnbull at  gbturnbull@btes.tv.

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!

A month ago we received a letter announcing that First Presbyterian Church of Bristol had committed to a goal of $8,000 in financial support for Berhane Yesus (Light of Jesus) Elementary School in Dembi Dollo, Ethiopia. That goal was ambitions, but quite necessary to the survival of the school.

I praise God that he has moved through this campaign to exceed our goal! To date, in this short time, our congregation has given $9,145 to BYES!

Our support completes the school's operating budget for the 2011-2012 term, educating the 604 children who attend and securing a valuable asset in Christ's mission in Ethiopia. First Presbyterian Church of Bristol has played a significant role in this ongoing effort since 2005.

Once again, I am both humbled by your commitment to God's work in Ethiopia and thankful for your willingness to partner with BYES in sharing the Light of Jesus! ~ Peggy Hill

Our friends at Marthina Chapel invite us to join them for an evening of great music as they host the Chosen Harmony Quartet on Sunday, May 8, at 6:30 p.m. There is no charge for this program, and all are invited.

Marthina Memorial Chapel is a congregation in the ministry of First Presbyterian Church. The Chapel is located at 9th and Glen Streets, near Anderson Elementary School.

Starting this week, our church office will be operating on a new schedule. Office hours Mondays through Thursdays continue the current pattern, 9:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. Fridays are different, with the office open 9:00 a.m. till 1:00 p.m. and closed in the afternoon.

We are making this change after much study to maximize the productivity of our office staff while preserving as much as possible the convenience of a live, personal response to those who contact the church by phone or in person.

As always, the pastors seek to be available in any crisis or important need. If a situation arises that needs pastoral attention, you may contact Gordon or Dave at the church during office hours; if they are unavailable, you can leave a confidential voice message for either one. If an emergency occurs outside of office hours that requires immediate attention, please call Gordon at home, 423-878-9523.

The note below comes to us from Sam and Selma Jennings, whose grandson Zachary has recently emerged from some health challenges at his birth. Zachary has been in our church's prayers through the weekly Prayer Concerns list and the ministry of our Prayer Group.

We are profoundly grateful for God's mercy in keeping our new grandson in good health. Not only was little Zachary brought back to life, but he also is in full possession of his abilities, as far as it's possible to determine. We know that many of you labored daily in prayer for him and his parents and us, and God has honored your faithfulness. May God be honored through Zach's restoration, and we praise him from whom all mercy and grace flow. ~ Sam and Selma Jennings
 

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Many thanks to the following folks for volunteering to mow our church lawn this season:

Team 1:   J.B. Madison and Dave Welch

Team 2:   Brian Miller and Roger Sikorski

Team 3:   Stuart Parker and Kathryn Parker

Team 4:   Joe Hagerty and Aaron Brooks

Team 5:   Jim White and Jim Arnold

The following volunteers are standing by to substitute: Keith Blair, Wes Buckles, John Connor, Randy Cook, Harold Rutherford, Judy Slaughter

It's never too late to join this crew of dedicated church members! Please call Randy Cook, 423-956-1541, or email him at _npolecook@aol.com_ (mailto:npolecook@aol.com) to volunteer.

Here is our mowing schedule through next week:

April 27-30

Team 1:   J.B. Madison and Dave Welch

May 4-7

Team 2:   Brian Miller and Roger Sikorski

Every year we honor the new graduates among us. Please call the church office if you or a member of your family will be graduating from high school, college, or any other educational or training program this spring. The information we need for our recognition efforts is the following: student name, current (not future) school or program, degree earned, and field. Thank you for your help!