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Windows
on First Presbyterian Church
January 5, 2012 |
FPC to Commission Ethiopian Deputation Sunday |
During worship services this Sunday, January 8, Peggy Hill and Trudy McFerrin will be commissioned for their upcoming mission work in Ethiopia. Peggy and Trudy will transport the educational aids and athletic equipment generously donated by members of FPC to Berhane Yesus Elementary School of Dembi Dollo, with whom we have shared in a mission partnership since 2005. They will deliver hundreds of pencils and pens, several ESL books and sets of word cards, more than two dozen balls of various kinds, jerseys, four dozen backpacks, two dozen tote bags, a new laptop computer, a used laptop computer, a used digital camera and camcorder, and hundreds of bookmarks.
Peggy and Trudy will also deliver the following letter:
January 2012
To all who receive these greetings in the Church in Ethiopia:
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. On behalf of the Session and members of First Presbyterian Church, Bristol, Tennessee, USA, I extend our warmest greetings to you.
Since the year 2000 our church has maintained a commitment to the church in Ethiopia through our friends and fellow servants, Michael and Rachel Weller. Through them we have heard of the challenges you face and your faithfulness in proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. We have been edified by your faith, inspired by your example, and privileged to share in some of the work that you are doing. We thank God for the witness of the Church through each of you, and we continue to pray for you and for your ministry.
Through this visit by two of our leaders, Peggy Hill and Trudy McFerrin, and by these greetings that they bring, we encourage you to continue your important work of sharing the good news, so that more people can understand how deeply God loves them and how rich their lives can be through Jesus Christ. We will be glad to hear of any news from you about your fellowship and ministry together, and we will hold you in our prayers for God's continuing blessing. Please pray for us, that our church may continue to grow in God's grace and in useful service in God's Kingdom.
Wishing you every good gift from our Lord, and continuing joy in your life together through Jesus Christ, I am
Faithfully yours,
Gordon A. Turnbull, Pastor
First Presbyterian Church
Bristol, Tennessee USA |
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 We are delighted to present the newest members of First Presbyterian Church. Please help us welcome them!
- Sujean Bradley, who grew up in this area. Sujean returned to work as an elementary school teacher in the Washington County, VA, public school system.
- George and Laura Linke. Laura is a graduate of King College who serves as a counselor in the Highlands Community Services. George is a computer robotics engineer who came to know FPC through Boy Scout Troop 3, where he earned an Eagle Scout award.
- Julie Looney. Julie, a guidance counselor for St. Anne Catholic School, comes to Bristol by way of Grundy, VA. Julie is engaged to Brad Weaver, with plans to marry this summer.
- Byron and Mary Lee Schiesz. Byron works for the US Government, and Mary Lee is our Church Hostess. They have one son, Beckham, who is in the second grade.
- Pete and Katy Stigers, both graduates of King College. Pete directs the Washington County Habitat for Humanity program, and Katy is the soccer coach for Virginia Intermont College and working on her PhD. Pete and Katy have two children, Nell and P.J.
- Brad Weaver, a recent graduate of King College. He works for Rexel and is engaged to Julie Looney.
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Presbyterian Women Meet Tuesday |
 The Presbyterian Women will meet Tuesday, January 10, at 11:00 a.m. We will work on filling our gift bags for hospital and nursing home visits, so please be on time. As always, we look forward to Gordon's leading our Bible study at 11:30. Don't forget to make lunch reservations with the church office, 764-7176. See you Tuesday!
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Wednesday Evening Programs Resume Next Week |
 On January 11, Phil Temp, vice president of Corporate Image, kicks off our Wednesday programs for 2012 with "Silver Linings," a subject in which he is well versed. Come hear his inspirational message following the Fellowship Dinner.
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New Year Brings Changes to Wednesday Bible Study |
The former HeartsBurn Women's Bible Study led by Lynette Wallen on Wednesday mornings resumes January 11 with the following changes:
1. New time: 9:30 a.m.
2. First meeting: January 11
3. Child care: Please call the church office to arrange
4. Studying: Galatians
For more information, please contact Lynette at lynette.wallen@gmail.com. |
Heart to Heart Event
"Read and Feed" Coming Up February 4 |
Heart to Heart will hold a Read and Feed on February 4 in the home of Jennifer Kennedy. All the women of the church are warmly invited to hear the presenter and enjoy soup, salad, and brownies. If snow prevents our gathering, we will try again on February 18. Bring your friends, and we'll see you there! |
 Kid Connection News
Children's Teachers Needed for Wednesday Evenings |
Would you like to work with our children ages 4 years through second grade? The Children's Ministries is looking for a few volunteers to do just that during Wednesday evening programs in February, March, and April. We are asking for a commitment of at least one month of Wednesdays. The actual time slot is 6:15 to 7:00, and all teaching and craft materials will be provided. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Cathy Newton at 764-7176 or cnewton@fpcbristol.org. |
Children and Friendship Class Enjoyed Celebrating Christmas Together |
The children's Sunday School classes treated the Friendship Class to a Christmas Celebration December 18 during the Sunday School hour. Partygoers in the Masterpiece Theatre room enjoyed Christmas carols led by Daniel Osborne on mandolin and Joel Newton on guitar. Cathy Newton told the Christmas story, and everyone decorated cupcakes and made them disappear. Hosts and guests look forward to their next party together. Be sure to see the following photos. |
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Christmas Celebration Photos | |
 All the children's Sunday School classes and the Friendship Class listen to Cathy Newton (not shown) telling the Christmas story.
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 Rosa Poteat, Angelica Poteat, Gavin Guldseth, Daniel Osborne, and Joel Newton lead guests and hosts in song.
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 Alex Jones, Daniel Osborne, and Gavin Guldseth enjoy refreshments.
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 Partygoers decorated their own cupcakes. Here, members of the Friendship Class enjoy theirs.
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Music Notes | |
Music Participants: January 8: Sanctuary Choir. We are thankful for all the musicians who contributed to our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day worship. Playing the prelude were Judah Irvin, trumpet, and Benjamin King and Michael Long, violin duet. In the instrumental ensemble on Christmas Eve were Michael Long, Benjamin King, and Josh King, all on violins; trumpeters Blake Looney and Rachel Worley, with guest trumpeter Judah Irvin; Cheyenne Poteat on clarinet; Jesse Strang on French horn; and Teddy Testerman on trombone. Blake, Cheyenne, and Jesse also played handbells. Vocal ensembles were the Sanctuary Choir; Jubilate Youth Choir, with soloist Anna Connolly and Youth Choir alumni Amy Buck, Abby Welch, Katherine Welch, Genny Lou King, Josh King, Jacob Strang, and John Turnbull; and a men's ensemble of Josh King, Jacob Strang, Jesse Strang, John Turnbull, and Steve Fey. On Christmas Day Jacob Strang opened worship with a vocal solo, and Ben King and Josh King played violins, joining Jacob on guitar for two of the carols and playing a violin duet as the offertory.
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William Allen Pasch |
Sunday's Music: The Sanctuary Choir anthem is another of the selections recorded last June for the St. James Music Press. William Allen Pasch has made a fascinating synthesis of an American folk hymn and a hymn text of Martin Luther's. He combines the melody of the well-known song "As I Went Down to the River to Pray" with an adaptation of Martin Luther's "Christ Our Lord to Jordan Came." The text begins by recounting the story of Jesus' baptism, then goes on to recall our own baptisms and what they mean to us. Pasch serves as organist and choir director of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Atlanta, GA. He has had anthems, hymn tunes, and hymn texts published. Pasch is also Professor Emeritus of English at Clayton State University in Atlanta.
Rehearsals Resume: Both the Cherub Choir (age 4 through grade 1) and the Jubilate Youth Choir (grades 6 through 12) will resume regular rehearsals on Sunday, January 8. The Sanctuary Bell Choir will begin rehearsing again on Monday, January 9. As our Wednesday schedule returns, the Children's Handbells (grades 2 through 5) and the Savior's Singers Children's Choir (grades 2 through 5) will resume rehearsals on January 11. Youth Bells won't resume rehearsing until January 18 because Steve will be in Louisville the week before. The Sanctuary Choir has already returned to Wednesday rehearsals.
Program of Note: One of the subscription programs for Symphony of the Mountains this season is Blast of Brass, a program of brass, percussion, and organ music (separately and in combination!) taking place in our Sanctuary on Sunday, January 22, at 3:00 p.m. See the symphony's website or A! Magazine for the Arts for details.-Steve & Vicki Fey |
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In Our Prayers
Becky Busler
Sharon Hatcher
Ruth Musser
An extensive list of prayer concerns, "Pray for One Another," is available for pickup at the church each week.
Condolences
Our love and sympathy are with Ann Abel in the death of her sister-in-law, Grace Odum, on January 1 in Bristol.
Birthday Prayer Fellowship
January 1 Patsy Frizzell, Dee Ginn, Evelyn Lindamood
January 2 Leigh Beth Phipps
January 4 Cathy Newton, Scott Sams
January 5 Sujean Bradley, Maria Poteat, Jim Wiseman
January 6 Camille Burt
January 7 Katie King
January 8 Joe Hagerty, Heidi Harkleroad
January 10 Susan Abel, Robert Hull, Chuck Thompson
January 11 James Buck, Stacy Rutherford
January 12 Debbie McMillin, David Phelps
January 13 Pete Holler, Nell Stigers
January 14 Chris Blankenship, Fritz Reuning |
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Sunday Worship | |
January 8, 2012: Baptism of the Lord
Lessons: Genesis 1:1-5; Mark 1:4-11
Sermon: Beginnings and Our Living, Gordon Turnbull
Anthem: This Baptizing Day, Sanctuary Choir
Hymns: I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord; Christ, Your Footprints Through the Desert; Baptized in Water
By the Numbers: Christmas Eve: 472; Christmas Day: 211; January 1: 8:30: 81; 11:00: 139 |
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Sunday, January 8
8:30 a.m. Worship, Fellowship Hall
9:00 a.m. Cherub Choir
9:45 a.m. Sunday School
11:00 a.m. Worship, Sanctuary
4:45 p.m. Youth Choir
5:30 p.m. Junior High Youth Group
7:00 p.m. Senior High Youth Group
Monday, January 9
5:30 p.m. Sanctuary Handbell Choir
7:00 p.m. Worship Committee
7:00 p.m. Building & Grounds Committee
Tuesday, January 10
9:00 a.m. Staff Meeting
10:00 a.m. Morning Prayer Group
11:00 a.m. Presbyterian Women Business Meeting
11:30 a.m. Presbyterian Women Bible Study
12:00 p.m. Presbyterian Women Luncheon
6:30 p.m. Cub Scout Pack 3
7:00 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 3
Wednesday, January 11
9:30 a.m. Ladies' Bible Study
1:00 p.m. Women's Bible Study
4:15 p.m. Children's Handbells
4:30 p.m. Finance Committee
4:45 p.m. Savior's Singers Children's Choir
5:30 p.m. Fellowship Dinner
6:15 p.m. Adult Program
6:15 p.m. Kid Connection
6:15 p.m. Junior High Bible Study
6:45 p.m. Senior High Bible Study
7:15 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, January 12
7:00 a.m. Men's Bible Study
8:30 a.m. Meals on Wheels
12:00 p.m. HeartsBurn Bible Study, Java J's |
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