Brazil Mission: Hard Work Yields Fruit

Painting crew, left to right: Vano, Laurie Boyd, Karen Vann, and Darlene Pollard.

The Brazil mission team, made up of Keith Blair, Laurie Boyd, Darlene Pollard, Gordon Turnbull, and John and Karen Vann, arrived home from Felipe Camarãoon September 22 after a busy weekfilled with a variety of activities.

The trip itinerary included labor-intensive projects involving lots of paint for the interior and exterior of the church and preparation of the playground area, which is being refurbished. These efforts were made easier because we shared them equally with our brothers and sisters of the church in Felipe Camarãoand students from the Missionary Training Center in Natal.

Left to right: Gordon Turnbull, Cynthya, Pastor Fernando, and Keith Blair.

We worked side by side, sharing the challenges of prepping and painting what seemed like miles of fencing and walls and then moving eight cubic meters of sand by hand with one shovel and one and a half wheelbarrows! The energy expended was nothing compared to the joy of working together, sharing laughs and hugs, solving problems, and communicating with only a handful of words in common. It was a beautiful experience and a testimony to the strength of our partnership.

Bright faces at Bethel School.

Even more important than the physical labor was the time we shared with the 104 students supported through our scholarships and with the church families, some of whom we have known for nearly ten years. What we found again on this trip was a school whose programs are thriving and students who are eager to learn, happy, and energetic! The students' parents and the teachers again expressed gratitude in many ways, all realizing how different life would be without the school and its positive impact on the children, their families, and the neighborhood of Felipe Camarão.

God has blessed both our church and the church in Felipe Camarãothrough this partnership. Those of us who saw it firsthand long to tell everyone the news of the fruits that have come from God's calling our church in 2003 to work in partnership with this congregation to refurbish their church and build the school. We look forward to opportunities, both one-on-one and during a Wednesday night program, to share what we experienced. - John Vann

Wednesday Programs

Three-Part Series on Moravian Tradition Begins Oct. 3

Pat Flannagan

October Wednesday evening programs begin with the first of a three-part series on the Moravian Church. On October 3, 17, and 24, Dr. Pat Flannagan, of King College (and our Sanctuary Choir), will teach us about the faith, liturgy, and music practices of this venerable church. The music of the Moravian Church has always been intended for amateurs and for congregational participation, and this series will culminate fittingly in a celebration of worship through a traditional Moravian love feast.

The Moravian Church, originally known as the Unitas Fratrum, is the earliest-formed of the Protestant denominations active today; the early history of America is closely connected to the missional outreach of the Moravians. Formed a century before Martin Luther, the church was led by a Czech priest, Jan Hus, who was concerned about several practices of the Roman Catholic Church. Come join us after the fellowship dinner and learn much more.

Fellowship Dinner for October 3

Please join us for a relaxed meal and fellowship at 5:30, before the evening programs begin. Next week, we will enjoy ham, potato salad, baked beans, rolls, and dessert. Patti Hagerty will help Mary Lee Schiesz with her morning preparations; Linda Welch and Brian Miller will serve; and John McClain will clean up after the meal.

Student Ministries Small Groups

Katie Arnold and her team invite all middle school and high school students to take part in a relationship journey by joining a small group on Wednesday evenings at 6:00, immediately after the fellowship dinner. The groups are led by adults and made up of students of the same age and gender. Students are now involved in a series called "Starting to Go Where God Wants You to Be." Don't miss out on this opportunity to grow and be challenged while immersed in authentic community!

Wednesday Night Kids

The Wednesday Night Kids are studying "God's Wonderful World," beginning with the first day of creation and continuing week by week. As we learn, we add to the creation tower we are building to demonstrate God's wondrous works over the days of creation. On October 3 we will continue our study of the fourth day of creation, "Sun, Moon, and Stars." Come join us as we look to the heavens to learn more about our mighty God. Classes are available for four-year-olds through first-graders and for second- through fifth-graders. For more information, contact Ann Abel through the church office or at aabel@fpcbristol.org.

Heart to Heart Fall Event

Take a Hike!

Join Heart to Heart on the Virginia Creeper Trail!

Heart to Heart Women's Ministry cordially invites all the women of FPC-and their friends-to hike the Virginia Creeper Trail on Sunday, October 21. We will meet at the church at 1:30 p.m. and head for the trail.

Please call the church office at 423-764-7176 or email the church secretary, Jane Prater, at jprater@fpcbristol.org, to let us know you can attend. We are looking forward to walking and talking together in the brisk fall air!

Men's Service Retreat Last Weekend in October

 The Men's Ministry is sponsoring a service retreat to Washington, D.C., October 26-28. We will travel Friday evening, work at the D.C. Food Bank Saturday, take in city offerings Saturday night, then worship at National Presbyterian Church Sunday morning and return that evening. Informational flyers are available throughout the church. Total cost for travel, lodging, and some food is only $60. If you have any questions, please contact Dave Welch at dwelch@fpcristol.org.

Five-Cents-a-Meal Offering This Sunday

 During both worship services this Sunday, September 30, we will be collecting our quarterly Five-Cents-a-Meal Hunger Offering. This money supports local, regional, and international hunger relief efforts through Holston Presbytery.

Your Five-Cents-a-Meal donation helps to fund the ministry of the Bristol Emergency Food Pantry as well as food programs at Haven of Rest and Abuse Alternatives. Our partner church, IPI Felipe Camarão in Natal, Brazil, receives a sizable donation that helps provide a meal each weekday to the students enrolled in its Bethel School.

A nickel a meal for thirteen weeks totals $13.65 per person. We will gladly receive donations of any amount to help our neighbors nearby and across the world. Thank you for your generosity!

Winners of the Homemade Ice Cream Contest

Congratulations to Susan McGill for her winning homemade ice cream flavor, peanut butter, at Sunday's ice cream social, which, by the way, was an arctic blast. Honorable mention goes to the following: Vicki Fey (mango), Lee Galliher (Rocky Road), Ruthie Blair (butter pecan), and Claire Pruner (cookies and cream). The real winners were all the folks who got to eat all the ice cream they could hold!

August Financial Summary

Our year-to-date financial summary, as of August 31, is as follows: 

Highlights

• Pledges: Undesignated pledges are roughly $18,000 below expectations, while designated pledges are under by $2,900.
• Prior Years' Transfer: This was the first month since September 2010 that we had to transfer funds from prior years' surplus to meet our monthly budget. This was a direct result of our pledges' being behind budget year-to-date.
• Evangelism & Outreach: Designated pledges for E&O continue to be behind ($2,900), which accounts for about half of the expense commitments. As this income is received, the corresponding E&O benevolences will be disbursed. The balance of these commitments will be made as undesignated pledge income allows.
• Christian Education: Under budget on expenses, primarily because corresponding Income line items are under budget for Youth & Adult CE.
• Administration: Expenses should begin to approach budget in the latter part of the year, as certain planned expenditures will occur. (Last month we were $20,919 under budget.)
• Building & Grounds: Over budget due to unbudgeted expenses associated with roof and HVAC repairs. (Capital contingency transfers covered a large portion of these repairs.)

Respectfully submitted,

Aaron Brooks, Finance Chair

Get Lost in the Maize!

Join FPC Student Ministries on October 6 for a night of corn maze fun at Cleek Farm in Kingsport. Students will have the opportunity to navigate five acres of corn maze, enjoy a hayride around the farm, bounce on a giant jumping pillow, and more.

The cost of the evening is $10. We will meet in the FPC parking lot at 6:00 p.m., and we plan to return to the church around 10:30. Sign up by turning in your $10 today! You will also need a notarized FPC release form, if you do not already have one on file. Bring friends and dress warmly!

Heart to Heart Fall Gathering Tonight

Please join us as we gather this evening, Thursday, September 27, from 5:30 to 7:30, to enjoy a lovely fall supper followed by an interactive Bible study. We'll gather in the Fellowship Hall for dinner and fellowship. Our Bible discussion will follow the meal and tap into our churchwide emphasis on whole-person stewardship, as we consider Romans 12:1-2 and the theme of Living Sacrifice. Both the fellowship supper and the discussion afterwards will give women a chance to make deeper connections with one another.

Call the church office (423-764-7176) or email the church secretary, Jane Prater (jprater@fpcbristol.org), to let us know you can attend.

Need Child Care?

We are happy to provide childcare for this event! Please call the church office or email Jane Prater, as above, to let us know how many and what age children to expect. A light supper will be provided for the children.

Not Too Late to Join New Heart to Heart DVD Bible Study

Please join us Wednesday, October 3, at 9:30 a.m. in the church parlor, as we take up the second part of Beth Moore's newest eight-week study, James: Mercy Triumphs. Workbooks are available for $15. For more information, call Lorri Looney at 423-573-1676. We hope to see you there! 

Children's Ministries News

Sunday Morning Nursery Volunteers Needed

 We rejoice that our nursery program is expanding, but for safety we need a volunteer each week during 8:30 worship and Sunday School. Please look for our recruiter at the desk in the Fellowship Hallway between the 8:30 service and Sunday School. Volunteers may sign up for both periods on a single Sunday or for a single session on different days. It is not a weekly commitment, but it is one more way we can support our youngest by providing loving care in a safe environment.

Student Ministries News

Confirmation 2013: Classes Begin October 14

Confirmation class leads up to the opportunity for students to make a public affirmation of faith and become a member of First Presbyterian Church. This class is offered to students who are in 8th grade or older and have not gone through the confirmation process.

The class will meet on Sunday mornings at 9:45, beginning October 14, and continue throughout the school year. The class will be led by Gordon Turnbull and Katie Arnold.

For more information or to sign up for confirmation class, please contact Katie Arnold.