We Welcome Our New Members

Please join us in welcoming the following new members into our congregational life:

Ben and Rachel Cherry, King College alumni, who live in Johnson City. Their alma mater is not the only thing the two have in common: they each have a talent for sales. Ben is a sales rep for Pfizer, and Cherry for Otsuka. They both enjoy travel, reading, family, and Young Life.

George Huber and Frances Emerson, who come to us from Central Presbyterian. George sings in the choir, and when he isn't rehearsing or performing music, he writes. Frances is retired, and among her interests is the reading of mysteries.

Josh and Brianna Kite, who have a son, Aiden, and soon expect a daughter, whom they will name Stella. Josh is the project manager for Jack Kite Co., and Brianna is a teacher at Fairmount. Josh and Brianna like to take a boat out on the lake together, but while he is hunting or fishing, she shoots photos and makes scrapbooks.

Operating Budget Summary: April 2012

FPC's Operating Budget as of April is summarized below:

Dimensions of Stewardship

The Body as God's Holy Temple

Our Stewardship Committee is inviting leaders in our church to speak in worship about different dimensions of stewardship. Most recently, Jackie Burt offered these remarks about our stewardship of our bodies.

Because of my medical background, I have been asked on several occasions to give presentations on this topic, and others might even think I have some expertise, especially as evidenced by some dramatic reactions in the past. On one of our mission trips to Brazil, a woman in an all-female audience became so concerned about her temple that she removed her shirt during the presentation and asked that I check a growth on her body. I do understand that Brazil has a decidedly different culture regarding modesty, but just as a precaution, I must ask you to keep your clothes on this morning. Then, amazingly, the next year I was asked to speak again, and this time the pastor asked that I speak with the women of the church and community about sexuality and birth control, specifically IUDs. What is that all about?

I'm sure you're wondering: What do these stories have to do with stewardship? How do birth control, sexuality, modesty, and growths on our bodies all tie in with God's temple?

Our physical lives and spiritual lives are inextricably intertwined! As a health care professional, I am certain of that! How we think about our bodies determines what we do with them and how we live. In Corinthians, Paul asks: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Likewise, the Greatest Commandment states, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" (Mark 12:30). That means your affections, emotions, hopes, ambitions, desires, intellect, thoughts, and physical ability.

And why should we live in such total focus? Because it reflects the God who created us! Can you say that everything within you shows God's glory?

Shortly after Jesus entered Jerusalem at the beginning of his final week, he went to the temple (Matthew 21:12-14). Angered by the presence of moneychangers and merchants, he drove them out. Jesus decried their turning the temple into a den of robbers, when it should be a house of prayer. Jesus had cleansed the temple three years previously, at the beginning of his ministry (John 2:13-17). At that time, Jesus rebuked them for making his Father's house a house of trade. In both cases, Jesus' anger is directed at the misuse of the temple. There is not anything inherently wrong with buying and selling. But it was not the proper use of the temple.

How about your temple? Is it being properly used? Does it need cleaning? Do you believe that God's Spirit actually, really lives within you? Your body is to be a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1; Colossians 3:5-9).

But the temple can be abused. The temple in Jerusalem was abused. A place designed for prayer and worship was turned into a marketplace. It was a place that needed to be cleansed once, and then cleansed again. The same can be true of our temples. We can become guilty of setting our minds on earthly things. We begin serving our bellies and other fleshly appetites, rather than Christ (Philippians 3:18-19). We find ourselves unable to abide by the will of God (Romans 8:5-8). We begin offering our bodies to that to which they do not belong, some of which is inherently sinful (1 Corinthians 6:13-18), or to other things, people, cares, riches, or pleasures of life, which distract us from our true service and hinder our ability to serve God (Luke 8:14).

What is the condition of your temple? Perhaps you need some "spring cleaning"?

To be cleansed you need the presence of Christ! Jesus is the expert at "temple-cleansing"! How do we ensure the presence of Christ in our "temples"? Through faith (Ephesians 3:17), and obedience (John 14:21,23; 1 Peter 1:22), which includes repentance and prayer (Acts 8:22).

Jesus exercised strength to overturn the tables and drive out the merchants. Even more so, he offers strength for us. Without him, we can do nothing (John 15:4-5). With him, we can do everything (Philippians 4:13).

While we are dependent upon Christ for our cleansing, we cannot sit by idly. We are commanded to "cleanse ourselves" (2 Corinthians 7:1). We must "pursue holiness" (Hebrews 12:14). This involves both "putting off" and "putting on" things in our life (Ephesians 4:22-32; Colossians 3:8-14). Our cleansing will be greatly facilitated by what we allow in our minds. For things that are worthy of praise and virtue will ensure God's presence in our lives (Philippians 4:8-9). Our transformation will take place as our minds are renewed (Romans 12:1-2).

In what condition is your "temple"? Is it a place where the Spirit can reside? Is your body and mind "a place of prayer," one that brings glory to God? Or have you allowed the mundane things of life to so preoccupy your "temple" that it is not what God intended, a place that is common and profane? If your temple needs cleaning, then look to Christ.

All things involving our bodies matter to God! Our health choices, diet and exercise, lifestyle, our sexuality, morality, our thoughts, our dress. Do you put yourself under stress which is not from God? Are you a slave to your body, or is your body the Holy Spirit's slave?

I hope I've stirred your thoughts, but I would like to remind you of Paul's simple instructions for living: "Whether then you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).

So be a good steward of your body! And noteworthy in this sort of stewardship, God does not want a percentage or tithe of your body and your living; he wants all of you.-Jackie Burt

Ethiopia Support Pivotal for School's Success

First Presbyterian Church recently accepted the challenge to raise support for Berhane Yesus Elementary School in Dembi Dollo, Ethiopia. God blessed us with generous hearts, and we have disbursed a total of $13,500, which includes a $500 donation toward microscopes and other lab equipment. This amount supplies more than two-thirds of the school's operational needs for the coming academic year.

Amanuel Tesfaye, Director of Berhane Yesus Elementary School, has sent these words of thanks:

I bring you greetings in the name of our saviour Jesus Christ.

     It is unbelievable for us what God did. God is great and good. The only word we can say at the moment is saying Thank you so much our dear. On behalf of the beneficiaries I would like to thank you very much. God bless you!  Please tell to the congregants that we are really blessed and happy for what they did. 

     Thank you so much. We really appreciate all what you have done for us. Thank you very much for your commitment to arrange all these things for us. Thank you very much for sharing our burden on your shoulder. Thank you for considering us poor and neglected people.

From blessed people of Dembi Dollo Berhane Yesus.

Amanuel Tesfaye

Anyone interested in further information on Berhane Yesus Elementary School can now visit a new website: www.berhane-yesus.info. Peggy Hill has developed this website as a tool to invite other individuals and congregations to join in the good work of shining Christ's light upon the children of Dembi Dollo. Please share the link and spread the word about this good work, and thanks again to all who have given to support this mission.

Flexible Schedules!

FPC Outreach to Boys & Girls Club Needs Volunteers

Our church will begin the Boys & Girls Club Bible Outreach in September, and we're looking for people who can give an hour or two of their time to make the program come alive.

The Neighborhood Outreach Steering Committee is planning an hour's worth of Bible study and fun twice a month during September, October, and November and again in February, March, and April. That's six sessions in all, and the activity hours will be from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. here at the church.

The good news is that the Boys & Girls Club is flexible, so we'll be able to pick the days of the week to match the availability of our volunteers. There are several age groups of kids, and their programs can be on different days, so now's the time to get involved so we can work around your schedule!

We need people to do a brief devotional, or lead a craft, or play a game. Other activity ideas are always welcome. And when we say flexible, we mean it! You can come one time. Or you can do one craft with all the age groups. Or you can come once a month. You can choose an activity that takes 15 minutes, or one that takes 45 minutes, or anywhere in between. You get the drift. Whatever time you have, we can plug you into the program. We even have books full of devotional, crafts, and game ideas so you can select something that suits your skills, interests, and personality.

If you feel led, we even have several opportunities for you to be the shepherd for one age group, to come twice a month to be the friend who stays with the group, gets to know them, and prays with them. The Boys & Girls Club staff will accompany each group, too, so you'll have help with that shepherd ministry.

For more information, or to volunteer, please contact coordinators Peggy Hill (423-652-1732 or hillp@btes.tv) or Donna Sikorski (dgsikorski@bvunet.net or 423-646-1213), or call the church office. You can also find details at http://www.fpcbristol.org/sending/opportunities/. Look under "Serving Opportunities," and you will see the heading "NEW FOR 2012!" Boys & Girls Club Outreach is in the list below that heading.

Fairmount School Thanks FPC and Ed Richards

We have received a letter of appreciation from Bristol Tennessee City Schools that expresses gratitude on behalf of Fairmount Elementary School students, teachers, and administrators for our congregation's continued sponsorship of the Fairmount Classroom Snack Program. The writer, Kay Ward, the BTCS Community Outreach Specialist, singled out Ed Richards for especial praise.

She wrote in part: "Each First Presbyterian Church snack delivery brought smiles to students, the Fairmount staff, and Ed Richards! While everyone at Fairmount was very grateful for the snack items and enjoyed having them, I always came away from delivery days thinking that Ed probably enjoyed the program most of all! Both his love of children and his dedication to neighbors in need were surely evident each and every time he visited Fairmount. ...

"Be assured that your efforts have made an immediate difference in the lives of Fairmount students and their families, and that your continued support of the BTCS Community Resource Center has been most appreciated."

Annual Area Women's Gathering Next Month

The Women of Central Presbyterian Church invite the Women of First Presbyterian Church to the annual Area Gathering, Tuesday, July 10. Registration will begin at 10:40 a.m., and the program will begin at 11:00 a.m. Lunch will follow. RSVP by calling 276-669-3157.

New Adult Class Begins This Sunday

Ann Galliher invites all interested adults to a new Sunday morning class to begin this Sunday, June 10, in the chapel. The class will make use of scripture, poetry, and other readings in an ancient practice known as Lectio Divina, a process of praying with the Bible through reading, meditating, contemplating, and finally speaking to God about the text. Through this art the Bible comes alive and becomes a means of union with God, with every verse and word communicating personally. This class will run through all of Ordinary Time and continue until Advent.

Youth Group News

Host an Evening of Fellowship and Fun for Our Youth

Our summer of fun and Bible study with FISH, "fellowship in someone's home," is under way, but we still need hosts for the Middle School FISH, who meet on Tuesdays, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Hosts provide a place to meet, a snack, and a fun activity, such as swimming, games, or a craft. A youth advisor leads the Bible study. You can volunteer for a single evening or more.

If you would like to serve as a host, please contact Linda Welch (latwelch@aol.com) or Dave Welch (dwelch@fpcbristol.org) to reserve your night.

Kid Connection News

We are still looking for volunteers to help with Vacation Bible School, July 23-25, an eye-opening immersion experience in the culture of biblical times. Many opportunities are available, and we offer training for every position. If you are willing to serve, there is a job you can do!

Come help us reach our goal of sharing God's love with 100 children this summer. To volunteer, please contact Ann Abel at aabel@fpcbristol.org, Lilly Osborne at 423-383-5476, or Linda Welch at latwelch@aol.com.

Choir to Sing on "Reformation Tour" Next Spring

Thomaskirche in Leipzig, Germany

The Sanctuary Choir (along with friends and family) is once again preparing to travel, this time to Germany and Austria. The ten-day trip is scheduled for May 30 through June 9, 2013.

The singers will perform at least once as they tour Reformation territory, and they have well-founded hopes of giving a concert in one of Bach's churches in Leipzig before going on to sing in Austria. If you are interested in traveling with them, contact the Feys (svfey@fpcbristol.org) for an itinerary. Nonsingers are also welcome!