Our early and late congregations will worship as one as we dedicate our new hymnals this Sunday, November 24. The combined service will take place at 10:30 a.m., in lieu of the regular 8:30 and 11:00 services. There will be no Cherub Choir rehearsal, and Sunday School will begin at 9:30, 15 minutes earlier than usual. Come hear the Word in song, as we open our copies of the new Presbyterian song resource, Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal, for the first time!

FPC to Receive New Members December 8

PCUSA seal small Those interested in joining First Presbyterian Church are warmly invited to meet with the FPC Session at 10:20 a.m., Sunday, December 8, in the chapel. Everyone who wishes to become a member of our congregation is invited.

Stewardship: Our Gratitude Grows

Each family within our congregation is an important part of the life of First Presbyterian Church. Our offerings of time, talent, and money, added to other members' gifts, help to bless our church family and many in our community.

The Stewardship Committee encourages prayerful reflection on moments of grace in the life of our church and on how each of us can respond in gratitude through sacrificial giving. Our hope is for all of us to participate in the 2014 Operating Budget Stewardship Campaign.

2014 Operating Budget Stewardship Campaign Update (November 18)

Number of pledge commitments received to date: 130

Dollar amount of pledge commitments to date: $503,450

Operating budget income goal: $952,514

Percentage of goal reached: 52.85

Worth a Thousand Words

We want to share a few of the pictures taken during the October 23-30 mission trip that Gordon Turnbull and John Vann made on our behalf to our partner church and school in Felipe Camar�o, an impoverished neighborhood of 90,000 people in the city of Natal, Brazil. Gordon and John met with the leadership of the Felipe Camar�o Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil, the faculty and staff of the Bethel School affiliated with the church, and the leadership of the Bethel Association, which is responsible for the fiscal oversight and compliance of the school. These photos speak of the depth and spirit of our more than ten-year partnership, a treasure that God continues to bless across the miles. Please remember our partners in mission, and the children and families they serve, in your prayers.

So to Honor Him

First Presbyterian's Alternative Giving Program

to support local agencies and missions of our church

Our finest gifts we bring ...

pa-rum-pum-pum-pum ...

to lay before the King ...

The Evangelism & Outreach Committee invites you to "Shop the World" this Christmas season, giving gifts in the form of financial contributions to local and global causes that communicate and share the love of Christ near and far.

The process is simple:

Complete one form for each person being honored with your gift.
From the list on the form, select the organization or mission to receive your financial contribution.*
Attach your check, payable to First Presbyterian Church, to the form and submit the form to the church office.
If you prefer to have the church office send the recipient, on your behalf, an acknowledgment of your gift, be sure to submit the form by December 10 to allow time for delivery by Christmas.

Forms containing information about the organizations or missions are available in the narthex, outside the Fellowship Hall, and in the church office, as well as here on our website.

Your gift through the Alternative Giving Program will be the perfect fit every time, sharing the spirit of the season in ways that truly make a difference.

*Please note: Your tax-deductible gift is to First Presbyterian Church. FPC will combine your gift with others to the selected organization or mission without providing specific donor details. If you wish acknowledgment by the organization or mission receiving your gift, please consider making your donation directly to it.

It's Poinsettia Time!

poinsettia plant The most colorful time of the season is rapidly approaching, even as we call the Butterball hotline. For $15 per plant, you can order pots of red and green poinsettias to decorate the sanctuary from December 15 through Christmas Eve. If you would like us to place a poinsettia in the sanctuary in memory or in honor of someone, you may do so by turning your order form, with your payment, in to the church office during the week or placing it in the offering plate on Sunday. The deadline for orders is Sunday, December 8. Order forms are available in the church office and in your Sunday bulletin. You may pick up your plants anytime after the Christmas Eve service.

Next Wednesday Evening Program Will Take Place December 4

There will be no programs or rehearsals Wednesday, November 2, the day before Thanksgiving. We will resume our midweek program December 4 with a fellowship dinner of chicken tenders at 5:30. Adults and children are invited to stay to enjoy a Christmas-themed dramatic reading by church members, led by Dottie Havlik. Student Ministries small groups will meet as usual.

The new FPC drama group will present "O Come All Ye Faithful: Readings for the Christmas Season." Group members will interpret short pieces of literature, some humorous, some sentimental, and some scriptural, but all about the ways we celebrate the birth of our Savior. We also will join in a few carols! It will be informal and fun, so be sure to join us.

Sharing Christ Service Opportunity Coming Up

FPC's next opportunity for service in feeding the poor at the Sharing Christ Ministry in downtown Bristol will be Saturday, November 30. We need volunteers to bring or serve slaw, green beans, dinner rolls, and cupcakes. To volunteer and/or donate food, please contact Ruthie or Keith Blair. Thank you!

Men's Retreat Planned for Mid-December

Our last Men's Retreat was a great time of fellowship and service.

The Men's Ministry is sponsoring a service retreat to Washington, D.C., for the weekend of Dec. 13-15. The FPC men will travel Friday evening, work at the Capital Area Food Bank on Saturday, take in the city that night, then worship at National Presbyterian Church Sunday morning and return that evening.

Informational flyers are available throughout the church. The cost of $60 covers travel, two nights' lodging in the Pilgrimage hostel, and some food (dinner on Saturday is not included). Reserve your spot with a $10 deposit. Scholarships are available.

You will need to pack a sleeping bag (or sheets and a blanket), a pillow, a towel, toiletries, ear plugs, work clothes and gloves, and comfortable shoes. Please let Dave Welch know if you are willing to drive your car; we will pay for the gas. If you have any questions, please contact Dave at dwelch@fpcristol.org.

Teddy Goes to Fairmount

teddy grahams box Help hungry students in our neighborhood school keep their energy up through the afternoon! We are now collecting Teddy Grahams for our Fairmount Elementary kids who can't afford to buy their own snacks. As always, please place your contributions in the little red schoolhouse in the Fellowship Hallway. Thank you!

It Isn't Fair, but Let It Go

This Sunday, members of the Sunday Night Student Fellowship will take up the final segment of a three-part series, Let It Go, which considers anger and revenge, the deserving and the undeserving, and forgiveness and healing. Sixth- through twelfth-graders meet in the Youth Wing at 6:00 p.m.

November 24: Little Brother

Bottom line: Healing means we trust God can make our life, not just our pain, a demonstration of his goodness.

We have chosen to forgive. And we've actually done it! At least, we think we have, until the same old feelings come creeping up all over again. And suddenly, the freedom of letting go becomes more about coping than actually forgiving and moving on. So what do we do to move past coping to actual healing? How do we put our pain in the right perspective--God's--so we can truly forgive and let it go?

Youth Groups Plan Progressive Dinners

Middle school and high school students are invited to a progressive dinner! Middle school students will have their progressive dinner December 13; high school students will have their dinner December 14. Students will meet at the church at 6:00 p.m. on the appropriate night. From there, they will be transported to different locations for the appetizers, main course, and dessert. At the dessert location, students will take part in a wild gift exchange. We plan to return to the church at 10:00 p.m.

We still need hosts! If you would like to host one of the stops, please contact Katie Arnold.

What to bring:

* 6th & 9th graders: appetizer

* 7th & 10th graders: main course side dish

* 8th, 11th & 12th graders: dessert

* Everyone: 1 gift for the gift exchange ($10 limit)

* Everyone: 5 small gifts for volunteer stockings

Bring friends and get ready for a fun night!

Sunday Is Deadline for Early-Bird Rate

Middle Schoolers Can Get Away with Great Escape

Join FPC Middle School Ministry on a summer adventure to the Great Escape! Middle school students from all over the USA will gather for a wild 'n' crazy week of incredible music, captivating speakers, engaging entertainment, and the messiest games you can imagine! This is an event you won't want to miss!

Departing from the church on Monday, June 9, the FPC group will head to Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. On one day of the week, students will enjoy an off-campus activity in the Cleveland area. They will return around noon on Saturday, June 14.

A $100 nonrefundable deposit is required to secure a spot on the trip. The deadline for the early-bird rate of $375 is this Sunday, November 24. After Sunday, the price goes up to $410. Scholarships are available.

Sunday Is Deadline for Early-Bird Rate

High School Students Can Do Big Stuff This Summer

High school students can join FPC High School Ministry on a summer adventure to Florida! The trip will combine mission work with lots of fun on the beach.

Departing from the church on June 24, the FPC group will begin the trek to Florida. The first three days will be spent doing mission work. The details of that work will be announced as they are nailed down.

On Saturday, June 28, the group will travel to Panama City Beach for three days at BigStuf. While there, students will enjoy talks by Jon Acuff, worship, drama, exciting guests, and more. Afternoons will be filled with recreation on the beach and fellowship with others. Students will arrive home the night of July 2.

This is an event you won't want to miss! Start inviting your friends and register early for the best price!

She's Having a Baby!

It's going to be a boy, and we're giving a baby shower! Please join us as we celebrate with Katie Arnold, Saturday, December 7, at 1:00 p.m. at the church. We will serve appetizers and desserts and have a lot of fun. Katie and Brad are registered at Babies R Us and Target. If you need more information, please call Claire Pruner at 423-383-1808.

From Steve & Vicki Fey

Music Notes

Sunday's music participants: The following ensembles and individuals will participate in worship leadership for the dedication of Glory to God this Sunday: Sanctuary Choir; Jubilate Youth Choir; Savior's Singers Children's Choir; Kristen Allerton and Genny Lou King, vocals; Jennifer Covington, violin and vocals; Brandon Story, bass; and Jacob Strang, guitar and vocals. In addition, several members of the Glory to God study committee will participate as readers.

Annie McNair

Sunday's music: All of the special music for Sunday, November 24, will be drawn from the new worship resource, Glory to God. For Sunday, December 1, the Sanctuary Choir anthem, "Come Quickly, Lord," begins the season of Advent with a plea for Christ to come and bring peace, hope, love, and joy, ideas closely associated with the Advent season. Anne McNair created both the text and music; McNair serves as director of youth and children's choirs at Shandon Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina, where her husband is on staff as the organist.

Retired hymnals: If you donated to the church one of the blue 1990 Presbyterian hymnals in memory or honor of a loved one, and would like to take it home to keep, stop by room 123 after worship Sunday or during the week, beginning Sunday, November 24, and running through Sunday, December 8, and you will find the hymnals sorted alphabetically by donor's last name. Hymnals that remain will be donated to King University for use in their chapel and by the music department.

Christmas pageant rehearsals: Don't forget! There will be no Wednesday activities the day before Thanksgiving (November 27). The final two Christmas pageant rehearsals will take place on the following Wednesdays, December 4 and 11, at 4:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. It's not too late for any child from age 4 through grade 5 to participate!

Programs of note: The Symphony of the Mountains, along with Voices of the Mountains and choirs of the Mountain Empire Children's Choral Academy, will present a program of Christmas music Saturday, December 7, at 3:00 p.m., and Sunday, December 8, also at 3:00 p.m. The Saturday program will take place in the Toy F. Reid Auditorium at the Eastman Employee Center in Kingsport. Sunday's program will take place at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon.

In our own sanctuary, the choral ensembles of King University will present their annual Christmas program on Thursday, December 12, at 8:00 p.m. In addition, the choirs of the Mountain Empire Children's Choral Academy will offer their program of Christmas music on Saturday, December 14, at 7:30 p.m. Watch this space and A! Magazine for the Arts for more details. Also, watch the newspaper for details on the Tennessee High Madrigal dinners, choral concert, and band concerts. A number of our youth participate in these music ensembles, and they always appreciate your support.

Sanctuary Choir gift of music: The Sanctuary Choir will offer their gift of Christmas music during the 11:00 service on Sunday, December 15. This year's offering will be Carols from the Appalachian Mountains by Johnson City-based composer Kenton Coe. Accompanied by string quartet and piano, these carols will also feature soloists from our choir.

Pray for One Another

In Our Prayers

Elizabeth Blankenship

Mack Blevins

Frances Caldwell

Sue Cannon

Bill Darnell

DeeDee Galliher

Mary Nell Harris

Sharon Hatcher

Carolyn King

Mary Landrum

Bill Linderman

Ruth Musser

Nancy Preston

Mary Rice

Changsub Shim

Bob Vann

Janet Wright

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

Birthday Prayer Fellowship

November 24 Ron Grubbs, Brad Smith

November 25 Selma Jennings, Louisa Patton

November 26 Jean Burnette

November 27 Jean Eller, Cindy Samuel

November 29 Bill Darnell, Carolyn Moore, Sam Story

November 30 Corey Greear, Charlotte Osborne, Davy Wilson

December 1 Charles Burrows, Deidre Pendley

December 5 Hannah Bailey, Laura Francis, Linda Poteat

December 6 Daniel Osborne, Brittany Rutherford

December 7 Billie Peterson

Church Calendar

Sunday, November 24

9:30 a.m. Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Combined Worship & Hymnal Dedication, Sanctuary

6:00 p.m. Student Ministries Fellowship, Youth Wing

Monday, November 25

5:45 p.m. Sanctuary Handbells, Handbell Room

7:00 p.m. Session, Room 123

Tuesday, November 26

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

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

1:00 p.m. Women's HeartsBurn Bible Study, Jackie Burt's Home

6:00 p.m. Venture Crew, Room 123

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

Thursday, November 28

Church office closed for Thanksgiving holiday

Friday, November 29

Church office closed for Thanksgiving holiday

Saturday, November 30

4:00 p.m. Sharing Christ Downtown Mission

Sunday, December 1

8:30 a.m. Worship, Fellowship Hall

9:00 a.m. Cherub Choir, Room 209

9:45 a.m. Sunday School

11:00 a.m. Worship, Sanctuary

Monday, December 2

5:45 p.m. Sanctuary Handbells, Handbell Room

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

Tuesday, December 3

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

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

1:00 p.m. Women's HeartsBurn Bible Study, Jackie Burt's Home

7:00 p.m. Betsy Turnbull's Heart to Heart Bible Study, Room 123

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

Wednesday, December 4

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

9:30 a.m. Lorri Looney's DVD Bible Study, Parlor

4:30 p.m. Christmas Pageant Rehearsal, Sanctuary

4:15 p.m. Youth Handbells, Room 212

4:15 p.m. Heart to Heart Steering Committee, Room 117

5:15 p.m. Baby & Toddler Care, Nursery

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

6:00 p.m. Student Ministries Small Groups, Youth Wing

6:15 p.m. Adult Learning & Wednesday Night Kids, Fellowship Hall

7:15 p.m. Sanctuary Choir, Room 202

Thursday, December 5

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

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

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

Saturday, December 7

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

1:00 p.m. Baby Shower for Katie Arnold, FPC

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