Windows March 14, 2013

Our Session has approved a recommendation for our purchase and use in worship of Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal, being published this year by Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. The action comes upon recommendation of our Worship Committee, which in turn endorsed the recommendation of a Hymnal Study Committee of the congregation.

The Hymnal Study Committee devoted much of last year to a thorough consideration of the proposed new resource: reviewing its content, singing together many of the pieces, and considering our congregation's need and desire for such a resource. That committee consisted of the following members of the church: Karen Boone, Amanda Hankins, Bonnie Haskins, Bill Linderman, Blake Looney, Shannan Miller, and Alice Moore.

The production of this hymnal began with the authorization of the PCUSA General Assembly in 2006. Since 2008 the Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song has worked earnestly to review thousands of pieces and decide the hymnal's content. Steve Fey has served diligently on the PCOCS, and he has shared his insights on the process at some Wednesday evening programs along the way. Meg Flannagan has served on this project as the Hymnal Advocacy and Relations Coordinator for the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation.

Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal is the successor to the most recent denominational hymnal of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which was published in 1990. This new resource will feature songs from the breadth of the church, and an electronic version will allow its use in video display, as currently offered in our Fellowship Hall.

Beginning in April, the church will invite contributions for copies of the new hymnal at $15 each. These gifts may be made in memory or in honor of loved ones, and the appropriate designation will be noted in a bookplate for that hymnal. Please plan now to consider those whom you would honor or memorialize through the gift of a hymnal for our church's worship.

Consider the Lilies

As Easter approaches, please take time to consider adding to the beauty of our Easter worship with a lily in honor or memory of a loved one. Lilies can be placed in either the sanctuary or the fellowship hall and cost $15 each. Order forms can be found in your Sunday bulletin and in the church office. Please print your information on your order form and return it to the church office with your payment by Monday, March 25. We appreciate everything you do to add to the beauty of our life together!

Lenten Worship Series

"Walking the Path"

The season of Lent invites us to recall Jesus' singular obedience to God's will in his calling to be the Christ. Each step of the way, Jesus overcomes the temptation to misuse his gifts, to redefine his mission, to ignore God's will, and to avoid his costly sacrifice.

In our lives of faith, we face the same kinds of temptation. In thinking together this season about Jesus' faithfulness, we may discover power and insight for our own faithful journeys on the path toward God's will for us. In the past three weeks we have thought about three temptations that might lead us astray: materialism, power, and security. In successfully overcoming the devil's test, Jesus shows us the faithful and obedient human response that God seeks.

This week we consider the fourth of Jesus' temptations from the devil: the seduction of status. Read Genesis 11:1-9 and Philippians 3:4b-14, then come to worship ready to think about how status--a good thing--could divert us from God's will and the path that Jesus walks.

Youth Series Reveal Continues with "Remind"

Everyone wants a miracle at some point. But the reality is that we don't always get what we want, when we want it. And the same was true for Mary and Martha. Because when their brother Lazarus was sick, all they wanted was for Jesus to come and give them their miracle: to save their brother from death. But that's not what Jesus did. He chose to remind them of who he was in a way that was different from what anyone expected. He chose to show them that he cared for them, even when they didn't get what they wanted. Join us Sunday, March 17, at 6:00 p.m. in the Student Ministries wing for "Remind," the second session in our preparation for Easter.

DVD Bible Study Group to Take Spring Break

Lorri Looney's Wednesday morning DVD Bible study group has begun their last study for the semester. They will take a spring break on March 27 and finish their last session on April 17. They will take the summer off and probably begin a new study after Labor Day. Look for an announcement of their plans for fall in late summer.

Wednesday Night Kids: Parable of the Wheat

our safe church logo After our visit from Chef Emerald and Chowdown the Apprentice, we will continue our study of the Parable of the Wheat. Using a combination of games, kitchen science, and everyday applications, we will emphasize John 11:25: "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live." Come join us, as we learn together about the parables of Jesus and what they mean in our lives.

Helping Children Understand the Gift of the Cross

On Palm Sunday, students ages 4 through fifth grade will receive age-appropriate booklets to help them understand more about the importance of Easter. The booklets are designed to aid adults in helping students come to a deeper understanding of the gift of Jesus on the cross. During Sunday School, classes will work through several pages together, then students will take the booklets home. Parents are encouraged to use the booklets as a basis for discussion of the signs, symbols, and importance of this holy season.

We've Booked Paul, Now We Need Athens

The Apostle Paul is coming to Vacation Bible School this summer, June 10-12, to tell us about his adventures during his missionary journey to Athens. But he is going to need our help to find that city! We need many volunteers, so sign up early to help us prepare for Athens: Paul's Dangerous Journey to Share the Truth. To volunteer, contact Ann Abel at aabel@fpcbristol.org or (423) 764-7176.

Seeking Volunteers for Evangelism and Outreach

PCUSA seal small FPC is seeking volunteers from the congregation to serve on the Evangelism & Outreach Committee. The committee supports and oversees continuing evangelism and outreach initiatives of First Presbyterian Church and cooperates with others to develop new initiatives that reflect Christ's outreach to His children in need, locally and globally. The E&O Committee normally meets monthly. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Peggy Hill at hillp@btes.tv or 423-652-1732.

Tiger Cat Ready to Roll

Weather permitting, Randy Cook will roll out the Scag Tiger Cat mower next week on any day from Wednesday through Saturday. (Rumors that it will set the pace at Bristol Motor Speedway over the weekend cannot be confirmed.) Up next is Aaron Brooks, scheduled for a day in the March 27-30 range. Gentlemen, start your engines.

Food Pantry Needs Part-Time Stocker

Bristol Emergency Food Pantry is looking for a part-time employee to order and deliver food from the supplier to the Pantry and to keep the shelves stocked. Applicants must have a pickup truck or van and both listing and lifting ability. Call Jim White at (423) 764-3843 or (423) 571-4449, if you are interested in applying.

Wanted: Vanilla Wafers for Fairmount Students

Everyone needs a lift in the afternoon, but not everyone can afford an afternoon snack. For that reason, the Neighborhood Initiatives Steering Committee is collecting vanilla wafers for children at Fairmount Elementary School who would otherwise go without when snack time comes. The committee is asking us to bring in boxes of vanilla wafers and put them in the Little Red House in the Fellowship Hallway. The committee will take them to the school, and the teachers will divide them into snack portions as needed. Thank you for your caring heart and crunchy cookies!

From Steve & Vicki Fey

Music Notes

Sunday's music participants: Sanctuary Choir. On Palm Sunday, March 24, the Sanctuary Choir, Cherub Choir, and Savior's Singers Children's Choir will all sing.

Peter Mathews

Sunday's music: The hymn text "Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee" is made up of selected stanzas of a 40-stanza translation made by Edward Caswall (1814-1878) of a twelfth-century devotional poem sometimes attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux. (The original poem also provided the inspiration for another fine hymn text, "Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts," by Ray Palmer.) The text tries to express in words that which is inexpressible, "the love of Jesus, what it is none but his loved ones know." The Sanctuary Choir anthem is a new musical setting by Peter Mathews (b. 1944) of these beautiful words. Mathews, a native of Canada, was educated in Michigan and Missouri and has spent his professional career performing, teaching, and composing in Central Florida. Mathews' lyrical melody evokes the thoughtful and contemplative nature of the words.

Lenten meditations: The fifth of the noon Lenten organ meditations offered by Central Presbyterian Church will take place Wednesday, March 20, in their sanctuary and will feature organist Eric Reagan. There is no charge, but donations will be appreciated.

Arts Series: It's not too early to mention the next event in our 2012-2013 Arts Series. It will feature Alan Fey, playing a program of marimba music, assisted by his wife, soprano Janet Fey. They will perform in our sanctuary Sunday, April 7, at 3:00 p.m. Suggested ticket donation is $10 for adults and $5 for students ages 6 through adult. Child care for ages 3 and younger will be provided in the church nursery.

Pray for One Another

In Our Prayers

Cathy Andersen

Mack Blevins

Becky Busler

Mack Calcote

Sue Cannon

Dorothy Dollar

Mary Nell Harris

Ed Hatcher

Sharon Hatcher

Hawley Heglar

Carolyn King

Mary Landrum

Ruth Musser

Nancy Preston

Mary Rice

Deborah Whitaker

Jim Wiseman

An extensive list of prayer concerns, "Pray for One Another," is available for pickup at the church each week.

Birthday Prayer Fellowship

March 17 Taylor Connolly, Helen Grindstaff, Bob Vann

March 18 Brenda Rogers

March 19 Tammy Connolly, Isabel Gross, Reveley McGrady, Angelica Poteat

March 20 Hawley Heglar, Lilly Osborne, Brit Patrick

March 21 Brianna Kite

March 22 Maria Harris, Josh Ramey

March 23 Louise Bowdoin

Church Calendar

Sunday, March 17

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

5:00 p.m. Jubilate Youth Choir

6:00 p.m. Student Fellowship

Monday, March 18

4:45 p.m. Administrative Committee, Room 117

5:30 p.m. Sanctuary Handbells

7:00 p.m. Christian Education Committee, Room 117

Tuesday, March 19

9:00 a.m. Staff Meeting

10:00 a.m. Morning Prayer Group, Conference Room

6:00 p.m. Cub Scout Pack 3, Scout Wing

7:00 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 3, Scout Wing

7:00 p.m. Heart to Heart Bible Study, Room 123

Wednesday, March 20

9:30 a.m. Heart to Heart DVD Bible Study, Parlor

9:30 a.m. Heart to Heart Bible Study, New Mothers' Room

4:15 p.m. Children's Handbells

4:45 p.m. Youth Handbells

4:45 p.m. Savior's Singers Children's Choir

5:15 p.m. Baby & Toddler Care

5:30 p.m. Fellowship Dinner

6:00 p.m. Wednesday Night Kids

6:00 p.m. Student Ministries Small Groups

6:15 p.m. Adult Learning

7:15 p.m. Sanctuary Choir

Thursday, March 21

7:00 a.m. Men's Bible Study

12:00 p.m. Noon Bible Study, Bristol Grind House

8:15 p.m. Praise Team, Fellowship Hall

Windows is a publication of First Presbyterian Church, Bristol, TN. Please direct questions and suggestions to the editor, Kathy Acuff, kacuff@fpcbristol.org.