First Presbyterian Church  |  701 Florida Avenue  |  Bristol, TN 37620  |  www.fpcbristol.org
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Worship

May 5

6th Sunday of Easter

Sacrament of the Lord's Supper

Lessons

John 5:1-9

Revelation 21:10, 21:22-22:5

Sermon

Wanting God's Wholeness

Gordon A. Turnbull

Hymns

Shall We Gather at the River

Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart

O Worship the King, All Glorious Above

Anthem

Vox Populi

King University Symphonic Choir

Choral Benediction

My Peace I Leave with You

King University Symphonic Choir

Last Sunday's Worship Count

8:30: 115; 11:00: 115

In This Issue
FPC Celebrates New Graduates This Sunday
Combined Worship on Confirmation Sunday, May 12
Final Arts Series Concert: Basically Bach
Spring Cleaning Day Set for May 11
Dedicated or Simply Given, New Hymnals Needed
Encourage Our Confirmands
FISHing for a Summer Meeting Place for Students
Vacation Bible School Training Dates Announced
Please Donate Blood at Marsh Blood Services
Mowing in the Merry Month of May
Music Notes
Pray for One Another
Church Calendar

Windows

on First Presbyterian Church

May 2, 2013

FPC Celebrates New Graduates This Sunday

It's graduation time again, and we have planned a Sunday of celebration at both May 5 worship services, where we will recognize those among us who are completing degrees or certifications or graduating from high school or other programs.

We'll continue the celebration in the evening with a dinner especially for those graduating from high school. There will be sharing and--who knows?--perhaps a little roasting. Everyone is invited to this celebratory dinner, this Sunday, May 5, at 5:00, in the Fellowship Hall. Be ready to tell stories about our seniors and to be moved, amused, and maybe even amazed! if you would like to help set up or decorate for this event, please contact Katie Arnold at karnold@fpcbristol.org.

Combined Worship on Confirmation Sunday, May 12

PCUSA seal smallIn a combined worship service at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary on Sunday, May 12, we will hear the proclamations of faith of our newest class of confirmands and receive these young people as members of our church. Sunday School will begin early, at 9:30.

Kids' Kirk

In Kids' Kirk on May 12, we will hear stories of Jesus and children that teach us that he is with us. We will learn that no matter where we are or what we are doing, we can call on Jesus and he'll be there. "Let the children come to me" (Luke 18:16).

Final Arts Series Concert: Basically Bach

Lisa Ransom
Lisa Ransom

A delightful trio of flute, violin, and piano will play this Sunday, May 5, at 3:00 p.m. in our sanctuary. Of special interest to us, it features our own Elizabeth (Lisa) Holler Ransom, flute, with two of her colleagues, Jacqui Carrasco, violin, and Peter Kairoff, piano, performing a rich variety of chamber music by Johann Sebastian Bach. All three musicians are highly regarded members of the Carolina Symphony Chamber Players, pursue active careers in performance at home and abroad, and teach at prestigious universities.

 

Suggested ticket donation for this program is $15 adults/$5 ages 6 through college. If you require a nursery, please let us know and we will arrange it.

Spring Cleaning Day Set for May 11

Our annual Spring Cleaning Day is set for Saturday, May 11, from 8:00 a.m. till noon. The Deacons' Household Task Team will send small teams from the church to FPC members' homes to help with the chores of the season: clearing out clutter, changing light bulbs and smoke detector batteries, doing yard work, and making minor repairs. Look for sign-up forms during worship soon. If you are interested in some help on Spring Cleaning Day, please return a form to the office or call the church at (423) 764-7176.

Anyone who wants to join in a morning of service and fellowship can volunteer. And never fear, the Men's Breakfast scheduled for that morning will end in time for the heartiest breakfasters and cleanup crew to join the fun. Call the church office or email Gordon Turnbull at gturnbull@fpcbristol.org. Put "Spring Cleaning" in the subject heading, and we will put you on a team!

Dedicated or Simply Given, New Hymnals Needed

We are making progress toward our goal of 350 copies of the twenty-first-century Presbyterian resource, Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal, which replaces the denominational hymnal published in 1990. The new work features songs from the breadth of the church, and an electronic version allows its use in video display, as now offered in our Fellowship Hall. By the end of April, members of our congregation had committed to purchase 106 copies.

We invite contributions for copies of the new hymnal at $15 each. Hymnals may be purchased for the simple joy of making a tangible gift to our church family's worship experience, or any number may be dedicated in memory or in honor of loved ones; the appropriate designation will be noted in a bookplate for that hymnal. Please consider now how you would like to give one or more of the new hymnals for our church's worship. You may pick up an order form in worship on Sunday or from the church office throughout the week.

Encourage Our Confirmands

Since October 2012, FPC's confirmation students have participated in weekly classes that have taught, informed, and challenged their idea of faith. Watching them grow over the past school year and take ownership of their faith has been a joy and an inspiration.

Our 2012-2013 confirmands are Bella Bane, Bobby Dabbs, Alison Looney, Annie Osborne, Maria Poteat, Dewey Pendley, and Sam Shim.

On Sunday, May 12, they will have the opportunity to proclaim their faith to our church family and become members of First Presbyterian Church. As they prepare for this special day, we are asking friends and family to send in cards and letters of spiritual encouragement to our confirmands. The kind words you share will not only encourage them as they prepare to be confirmed but also be kept for years as a reminder of the great cloud of witnesses that surrounds them and that will continue to love, guide, and encourage them as they run the race.

If you would like to participate, please mail or deliver all cards and letters to the attention of Katie Arnold at FPC by this Sunday, May 5.

Thank you for joining us as we celebrate this important and exciting time in the lives of our students! Please feel free to contact Katie at karnold@fpcbristol.org if you have any questions.

FISHing for a Summer Meeting Place for Students

Fellowship in Someone's Home (FISH) will begin as soon as school is out. Middle school students will meet on Tuesday nights, and high school students will meet on Thursday nights. Right now, we are fishing for families to host FISH! Hosts will provide a location for our meeting, snacks, drinks, and an activity of some sort. The activity does not have to be elaborate, just something that will pull our teens together and give them an opportunity for fellowship. Last summer we swam, played volleyball, competed in Minute to Win It and The Amazing Race, had a bonfire, and more! We also share a short lesson or devotion at each FISH. Contact Katie Arnold at karnold@fpcbristol.org and reserve your FISH now!

VBS Training Dates Announced

Still Time to Volunteer for Vacation Bible School

We are looking for a few more volunteers to help in a variety of ways with our upcoming Vacation Bible School. This year's VBS brings ancient Athens to the FPC campus to get a close look at Paul's second missionary journey and talk to the Apostle himself.

We will not send you into the agora unprepared! Volunteers may choose between two training dates: Wednesday, May 15, or Sunday, May 19, 6:30-8:00 p.m. in either case. You can volunteer by contacting Ann Abel, Amanda Hankins, Lilly Osborne, Linda Welch, or Tina Witcher.

VBS is much earlier in the season than usual, scheduled for Monday through Wednesday, June 10 through 12. Morning hours will be 9:00-12:00. The Wednesday evening dinner and program will begin at 5:30. Mark your calendars, because these last events crown the whole, and we urge all VBS participants and parents to be there.

Please Donate Blood at Marsh Blood Services

The Marsh Bloodmobile will not be coming to our parking lot again until we resume our Wednesday night programs for the new school year, but you can still donate blood! Just go to Marsh Blood Services at 1996 West State Street in Bristol. For more information, call (423) 652-0014.

Mowing in the Merry Month of May

Leading our team of volunteer mowers onto the green and growing field in May is Tom King, who will choose a day between May 1 and 4 to bring its exuberance within bounds. David Moore will follow up between May 8 and 11. If you'd like to get in on the outdoor fun, contact Randy Cook at 423-956-1541 or npolecook@aol.com.

From Steve & Vicki Fey

Music Notes

Sunday's music participants: King University Symphonic Choir; Pat Flannagan, conductor. It is an annual tradition that the Symphonic Choir sings for us in worship near the end of the academic year.

Giedrius Svilainis

Sunday's music: The offertory anthem is by Lithuanian composer Giedrius Svilainis. He directed the Lithuanian state song-and-dance ensemble "Lietuva," (established in 1940) from 2004 to 2008 and is a prolific composer of music of all genres. The benediction response is the third in a set of three pieces written by Ann Holler for our March Arts Series program of music by local composers. Ann says that this piece and the piece that precedes it "express scripturally and musically God's promises that peace will reign. The uncomplicated vocal texture of 'My Peace I Leave With You' allows the piano to be an equal partner in this benediction, setting the words of John 14:27."

Annual children's and youth choirs awards dinner: Parents, don't forget that Wednesday, May 8, is our annual awards dinner for the singing and ringing ensembles ages 4 through high school! The dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m., following the final children's bell and singing choir rehearsals. If you haven't turned in your postcard with reservations or called the church office, please do so by Monday, May 6! We always have fun, and Ruthie Blair will prepare the always popular taco bar!

Programs of note: The choirs of the Mountain Empire Children's Choral Academy (MECCA) are celebrating their 25th anniversary season this year. Founded in 1987 as the East Tennessee Children's Choir by ETSU professor Dr. Carl King, the organization grew and developed under the leadership of Beth McCoy. Current director Jane Morison continues to lead the choirs under the MECCA umbrella as they fulfill their mission of enriching the lives of youth in the region through a program of vocal music education and through the study and performance of the world's great choral literature. The 25th anniversary spring concert featuring all the MECCA ensembles will take place Saturday, May 4, at 3:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Johnson City. Then on Sunday, May 5, at 7:00 p.m., the Highlands Youth Ensemble will perform at Waverly Road Presbyterian Church in Kingsport. Members of our children's and youth choirs who are part of this organization are Annie Osborne, Daniel Osborne, Ginny Osborne, and Madison Ratliff.

Pray for One Another

In Our Prayers

Bruce Bales

Mack Blevins

Mack Calcote

Sue Cannon

Dorothy Dollar

DeeDee Galliher

Mary Nell Harris

Bonnie Haskins

Sharon Hatcher

Carolyn King

Mary Landrum

Ruth Musser

Nancy Preston

Mary Rice

Janet Wright

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

 

Birthday Prayer Fellowship

May 6        Frances Emerson

May 7        Allison Brooks, Kreg Ramey

May 8        Kathryn Welch

May 9        Mary Landrum

May 10     Nancy Allerton, Kendall Carter, Nancy King, Mindy Lewis

May 11     Will Dollar, Jessica Ratliff

Church Calendar

Sunday, May 5

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

3:00 p.m.     Arts Series: Basically Bach, Sanctuary

4:40 p.m.     Youth Choir

5:00 p.m.     High School Graduation Dinner, Fellowship Hall

Monday, May 6

7:00 p.m.     Board of Deacons, Room 123

Tuesday, May 7

9:00 a.m.      Staff Meeting. Room 123

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, May 8

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

4:15 p.m.     Children's Handbells

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

5:30 p.m.     Choir Awards Dinner, Fellowship Hall

7:15 p.m.     Sanctuary Choir

Thursday, May 9

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

8:30 a.m.      Meals on Wheels. Fellowship Hall

12:00 p.m.   Noon Bible Study, Room 117

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

Saturday, May 11

8:00 a.m.      Men's Breakfast, Fellowship Hall

9:00 a.m.      Spring Cleaning Day


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