It's time to celebrate the incredible Christian Education at FPC! All classes--children, youth, and adult --are invited to join us during the Sunday School hour on August 4 at 9:45 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Enjoy a continental breakfast, a play written just for Rally Day and participants of all ages, news about what's happening for the next school year, information for students moving up to a new class, and news about all the adult Sunday School classes. This celebration will take the place of Sunday School. All classes are asked to join in the fun!

We will bring summer to a festive close at our annual church picnic on Sunday, August 11, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. We'll gather at the Rotary Shelter in Steele Creek Park to play some games and enjoy the opportunity for casual conversation in a relaxing atmosphere.

FPC will provide meat and beverages, and supper will be served at 5:30. Please bring one of the following dishes with you, according to the initial of your last name:

A-H:      a side

  I-P:      a dessert

Q-Z:      a salad

We look forward to sharing fellowship, fun, and food with you!

On Wednesday, August 7, 5:30-7:00 p.m., a special mission-themed dinner will kick off our schedule of Wednesday evening programs. Our guest will be a Presbyterian church leader from Iraq who is currently speaking in the US to Presbyterian congregations and mission conferences.

For his security we will refer to our upcoming guest as "Pastor H." He and his wife live day by day by faith. Even though other pastors have left the country because of fear, he believes that the Lord wants him to remain in Iraq to preach God's word, and that is where he will remain. He has endured many hardships, including being carjacked and almost killed, but he remains in Iraq, serving the Lord. When other churches in Iraq cancelled Christmas services after the killings in the Catholic church in Baghdad, Pastor H held all services in his church, and had a larger attendance than ever. This pastor's work includes the founding and direction of a thriving kindergarten and child care center that embodies Christian principles and serves a predominantly Muslim community.

It is a privilege for us to share this opportunity to learn about the faithfulness of our sisters and brothers under oppression, and to hear from one who is leading his flock in the trust of God's strength and love. Please make plans to join us in the fellowship hall next Wednesday for a Middle Eastern dinner and an extraordinary program.

This year's Officer Nominating Committee will soon begin its work to discern a slate of officers to present for election in the coming year. Because a vital component in this process is direct input from the congregation, the committee requests your suggestions as to who would serve best as elders, deacons, or trustee. Suggestion forms are available at the church, or you can contact a member of the committee: Lee Galliher, Karen Vann, Lorri Looney, Emily Hyder, or Debbie McMillin. Please offer your suggestions as soon as possible. Thank you!

We here present the highlights of our year-to-date financial summary as of June 30, followed by a tabular summary, both prepared by Aaron Brooks, Finance Chair.

Highlights

• Pledges/Offerings/Reimbursements in the first six months of the year exceeded expectations by $9,766. Most important, though, is the fact that God's blessings have sustained us and we have not had to rely upon the prior year's surplus reserves to meet current year needs.
• Prior-Year's Transfer: Going into 2013, we anticipated having to utilize $47,094 from prior-year's surplus funds to balance the budget. As noted, none of these funds have been utilized to date. Through June 30, we had budgeted to utilize $23,547.
• Expenditures continue to track favorably to expectations, coming in through the end of June at $23,789 below budget.
• Expense Notes: (1) Interest paid to date on our Eastman Credit Union capital loan was $20,988, and (2) utility expenses, year-to-date, were $28,426.26, which is $3,273 under budget.
• Capital Loan: The balance with Eastman Credit Union at June 30, 2013, was $1,069,634.

We must boast that we will host the Monteverdi Saxophone Quartet in its debut concert in our sanctuary next Thursday evening, August 8, at 7:00. The Quartet members are Rachel Martin (soprano), Kyle Jones (alto), Kevin Mann (tenor), and Logan Childress (baritone), directed by Thomas Crawford. The program for the evening will include a mix of styles and genres, including works by Bach, Handel, Desenclos, Piazzolla, and others. The concert is free and open to the public.

The men of the church will meet for breakfast at 8:00 a.m. next Saturday, August 10, in the fellowship hall. Be there or be hungry! For more information, contact Dave Welch at (423) 764-7176 or dwelch@fpcbristol.org.

Ninth-graders will be welcomed to the high school youth group tonight, August 1, during the High School FISH get-together at the church from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Students should bring a bathing suit and clothes that can get messy! Warning: it's going to be fun!

Spend a weekend in the mountains enjoying fellowship and adventure! All students in 7th0inh grade are invited to retreat to Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters in Andrews, North Carolina, September 6-8. Students can enjoy whitewater rafting, paintball, mountain biking, skeet shooting, high ropes courses, and more! Mornings and evenings will be spent with other youth groups in worship, discussion, and games.

The cost of the trip is $100-if money and forms are turned in to Katie Arnold, Director of Youth Ministries, by Sunday, August 18. After August 18, the cost will be $140. Space is limited, so register today!

Please note: transportation will be arranged for athletes who have late practice on Friday, September 6.