December 7

2nd Sunday of Advent

Lessons

Isaiah 40:1-11

Mark 1:1-8

Sermon

The Pivot of Preparation

Gordon A. Turnbull

 Hymns

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Anthem

And the Glory of the Lord

Sanctuary Choir

Duet

Carol for Advent

Chelsea Herron & Samantha Robertson

Attendance on November 30

Windows

Session to Receive New Members Sunday

There will be a special meeting of the First Presbyterian Church Session to receive new members this Sunday, December 7, at 10:20 am. in the chapel. All who wish to join FPC are invited to attend.

Presbyterian Women will meet at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 9, in Room 123 for circle time, followed by a Bible lesson with Gordon Turnbull at 11:30, then Ruthie Blair's delicious lunch in the parlor at noon. Please make lunch reservations with the church office. We'll be happy for all who can to join us!

This is the last month for the stamp mission program, so be sure to bring any stamps you have saved, and remember: no Liberty Bells and no flags. Please leave at least a quarter of an inch of envelope around the stamp. Over the course of thirty years, the Stamps for Missions project has raised nearly $100,000 for the church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and, among many other gifts, subsidized the purchase of Bibles, printed and distributed a hymnal and Bible lessons, helped two pastors to receive the education they needed to teach in the Sheppard and Lapsley Seminary, and paid for medicines, surgeries, and transportation. The use of stamps has fallen dramatically, and the veteran Presbyterian missionary who began this project with her missionary husband, and continues to run it, reports that it now often costs more to send the stamps to her than they can be sold for. But, she adds, "Let's do the best we can to collect and send stamps from now through December 2014."

Heart to Heart Women's Ministries will hold its annual Advent event Tuesday, December 9. The women of the church are invited to bring a friend and gather for worship in the chapel at 7:00 p.m. Elizabeth Patrick will provide the message, "Sleepwalking." Dessert will follow in the Fellowship Hall.

Please call the church office or email jprater@fpcbristol.org to let us know you can come.  Child care will be available at the church; please email or call to let us know how many children to expect!

If you have not yet pledged for 2015, please remember to submit your pledge soon. Pledge cards with addressed envelopes can be found on tables throughout the church. Thank you for your prayerful consideration of how you, too, can support our ministries.

Coming soon! Continuing our tradition of learning together in fellowship, we will begin the new year with a new churchwide study series called EPIC: Through the Bible with Jesus. Sermon texts will be taken from The Jesus Storybook Bible. You will find order forms for free copies of this book in Sunday's bulletin.

Our next rotation with Family Promise of Bristol rolls out Sunday, December 14, and runs through Saturday, December 20. This is an especially busy and exciting time of the year for all of us, and now we have the opportunity to share some of our love and enthusiasm with the three families in this program.

Trying to raise a family in such circumstances is hard for us to imagine at any time, but during the holidays it seems unimaginable. If you find that you cannot come out and help with this rotation, these families will greatly appreciate your prayers.

Here is a reminder of our volunteering needs:

Food

Breakfast items and supplies should be brought to the church and left in the little kitchen by Sunday, December 14.

Dinner should be brought in hot and ready each evening at 5:30. This is usually done by a family or a team. If you can help with breakfast or dinner, or if you want more information, email Scottie Bales at scottie@rtherapeutics.com.

Dinner Hosts

Dinner hosts come to the church by 5:30 to welcome our guests, eat with them, and stay until the evening hosts arrive at 8:30. Some people find it easy to fix dinner and stay to host. If you're interested in being a dinner host, email Nancy Allerton at nja0510@gmail.com.

Overnight Hosts

Overnight hosts arrive at the church by 8:30 p.m., spend the night, and help with continental breakfast the next morning. Guests leave the church around 7:00 a.m., except on Saturday, when they leave a little later. For more information or to volunteer as an overnight host, contact Dan Gross at dan.c.gross@gmail.com.

Laundry

First, if anyone would like to donate some disposable baby wipes, the babies are always in need of those! On the morning of Sunday, December 21, there will be piles and piles of sheets, towels, and comforters that must be washed with bleach and returned to the Family Promise Closet.

Thank you so much for your love and hospitality to these families! If you have any questions or suggestions, please email Scottie Bales at Scottie@rtherapeutics.com or text or call her at 423-360-5357. 

Our nominating process for next year's officers has begun, and we welcome your suggestions of those members whom you see as particularly gifted for serving as elders or deacons.

Session of Elders

The governing body of First Presbyterian Church is the Session, nominated and elected by the congregation. Together with ministers of the Word and Sacrament, they exercise leadership, government, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of this church as well as of the church at large, including ecumenical relationships.

The Book of Order offers the following guidance on this office: "Congregations should elect [as elders] persons of wisdom and maturity of faith, having demonstrated skills in leadership and being compassionate in spirit. Ruling elders are so named not because they 'lord it over' the congregation (Matt. 20:25), but because they are chosen by the congregation to discern and measure its fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and nurture its faith and life."

The Session of First Presbyterian Church is normally composed of fifteen elders who serve on a three-year rotation. Annette Tudor is the current Clerk of Session; Gordon Turnbull serves as Moderator. The following members now serve as elders of First Presbyterian Church:

Class of 2014

Chris Blankenship

Jackie Burt

Peggy Hill

Jennifer Kennedy

Class of 2015

Tom Carter

Tom Faucette

Blaine Hunigan

Parker Sword

Annette Tudor

Class of 2016

Kevin Buck

Tom Daniel

Dottie Havlik

Brian Miller

Paul Warhurst

Deacons

The Diaconate, or Board of Deacons, is another body of officers ministering in the church. It is the first duty of deacons to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress, both within and beyond the community of faith.

The Book of Order offers the following guidance on this office: "The ministry of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of compassion, witness, and service, sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies or structures, or anyone in distress. Persons of spiritual character, honest repute, exemplary lives, brotherly and sisterly love, sincere compassion, and sound judgment should be chosen for this ministry.

The Board of Deacons of First Presbyterian Church is composed of fifteen members who serve on a three-year rotation:

Class of 2014

Toni Corder

Sandi Nelson

Stuart Parker

Tina Witcher

Ann Woods

Class of 2015

Sujean Bradley

Sue Faucette

Will Hankins

J.B. Madison

Pete Stigers

Class of 2016

Andrew Beck

Jon McClain

Chad McCracken

Lensey Richardson

Donna Sikorski

Suggestion forms for nominations are available throughout the church, or you may email your suggestion to the attention of the Officer Nominating Committee at gturnbull@fpcbristol.org.

Our recent Wednesday evening mission programs from the Evangelism & Outreach Committee invited us to consider our call to God's mission. One means of responding is through the short-term mission opportunities our church has planned through the next year. Please consider this list of trips and pray about how God is calling you to support them, whether by participating as a mission traveler or through the spiritual and practical support of a sending team. Please indicate your interest or seek more information by contacting the leaders listed for each trip.

Brazil Mission Trip. May 29-June 7, 2015. Priority to rising and graduated high school seniors. Deepening our partnership with the Presbyterian Church in Felipe Camarão, Natal, and our ministry through the Bethel School. Contact: John Vann (vannjm@gmail.com; 423-968-7802) or Katie Arnold (karnold@fpcbristol.org; 423-764-7176). Deadline for application: December 15!

Habitat for Humanity, New Orleans. Summer 2015. One-week trip, dates to be determined. Travel to New Orleans and share in the home-building efforts still going on years after Hurricane Katrina. Contact: Pete Stigers (director@helphabitat.org; 678-478-0821).

Urban Promise, Camden, NJ. Summer 2015. One-week trip, dates to be determined. East Coast urban ministry to children and youth through an established program with diverse services. Contact: Dan Kreiss (dskreiss@king.edu; 423-534-7648).

Ethiopia Mission Trip. Dates to be determined between November 2015 and May 2016. Approximately 12 to 14 days. Travel to Dembi Dollo, Ethiopia, encourage the students and staff of Berhane Yesus Elementary School, and support our mission partners in the Western Wollega Bethel Synod. Contact: Peggy Hill (peggyhill145@gmail.com; 423-652-1732).

We are collecting little pretzels to give a big boost to hungry Fairmount students. The small sticks and the small curved pretzels fit best into snack-sized portions for those of our Fairmount Elementary neighbors who can't afford snacks to see them through the afternoon. As always, please place your contributions in the little red schoolhouse in the Fellowship Hallway. Thank you!

Sunday Night Student Fellowship

Sunday Night Student Fellowship begins a new discussion series, In the Present, December 7. It's about generosity, ours and God's. All students in seventh through twelfth grades are invited to the Youth Wing and Fellowship Hall at 6:00 p.m. Sunday for dinner, games, worship, learning, and fellowship.

This time of year, there are opportunities to be generous on nearly every corner. Enter the bell ringers. You know whom I'm talking about. Sometimes dressed as Santa, they stand in front of the mall, Walmart, and most grocery stores and ring their bell in the hope that someone will drop some spare change in their bucket to benefit the charity they represent.

There's a part of us that loves the bell ringers. There is something inside us that feels like part of Christmas is jumping in to help our fellow humans. But as much as we love the idea of giving, there is also a part of us that cringes when the subject comes up. It's not that we hate helping people. It's just that the whole idea of giving comes with a lot of guilt. We feel guilty when we don't give, don't want to give, or don't have much to give.

In his Gospel, John describes God's choice to be generous to us by sending His son. When we take a closer look at the very first Christmas and God's gift to us, we find that He doesn't just ask for our generosity. He demonstrates His. 

Middle School Students: December 12                   High School Students: December 13

We have planned progressive dinner parties for middle and high school students again this Christmas. On the appropriate night (see above), students will gather at the church at 6:00 p.m. 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.

All participants are asked to bring a portion of the meal to share. The food should be ready to serve, with the exception of items that need to be warmed up. Bring friends and get ready for a fun night!

What to bring:

* 7th & 9th graders: an appetizer

* 8th, 10th & 11th graders: main course side dish

* 12th graders: dessert

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

* Everyone: 3 small gifts for volunteer stockings

A mission trip to Brazil for FPC's eleventh and twelfth grade students is scheduled for May 29 through June 7. We are now accepting applications. Information packets can be picked up from Katie Arnold or in the church office. Deposits are due December 15.

Sunday's music participants: Sanctuary Choir; Chelsea Herron and Samantha Robertson, duet.

Sunday's music: The opening statement of Handel's Messiah uses as its text portions of prophecy that speak to the coming Christ. The first chorus, "And the Glory of the Lord," uses the words of Isaiah 40:5. This Sunday the Sanctuary Choir sings this familiar and beloved music, first heard in 1742. In Handel's time, oratorios were often creative interpretations of Biblical stories; Messiah was unique in its strict use of scriptural texts. This chorus rejoices in the knowledge that God is revealed in flesh in Jesus Christ so that "the glory of the Lord shall be revealed."

Programs of note: Don't forget the concerts presented by Symphony of the Mountains this weekend! Come hear members of our adult and youth bell choirs ring with the symphony. Concert dates are Saturday, December 6, at 3:00 p.m. at the Toy Reid Auditorium of Eastman's Employee Center in Kingsport, and Sunday, December 7, at 3:00 p.m. at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon. During the following weekend, you will have several opportunities to hear music in our sanctuary! Friday, December 12, at 8:00 p.m., the King University Choral Ensembles continue an annual tradition by performing their Christmas concert here, to be followed by a reception, provided by the office of the President, in the Fellowship Hall. Admission is a can of food (or cash) for the Bristol Food Pantry. Next in the lineup, the MECCA Choirs will present their Christmas concert on Saturday, December 13, at 7:30 p.m. 'Tis the season!

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Sanctuary Choir special music: Near the end of his life, Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) was asked to compose a nativity play using Christmas carols as the narrative. The resulting work, The First Nowell, was nearly finished by the time of his death; final orchestrations and details were completed by Roy Douglas. The resulting work has a number of performance options: it can be performed with actors and narration or with just chorus and soloists (our choice), and it can be accompanied by a large orchestra or by a string quartet and organ (also our choice). Using mostly English Christmas carols, some familiar and some less well known, it tells the story of Jesus's birth, looking back at humankind's fall, followed by the visit of Gabriel, the birth of Christ, and the visit of the Magi. The closing chorus, "The First Nowell," invites us all to rejoice in this blessed event. The Sanctuary Choir with soloists and instrumentalists will offer this gift to the congregation at the 11:00 a.m. service on Sunday, December 14.

In Our Prayers

Becky Busler

Jane Crewey

Barbara Daniel

Dorothy Dollar

Laura Francis

Fred Frazier

DeeDee Galliher

Dorothy Giesler

Juanita Goforth

Ron Grubbs

Will Hankins

Mary Nell Harris

Sharon Hatcher

Rebekah Heacock

Hawley Heglar

Opal Johnson

Carolyn King

Ruth Musser

Nancy Preston

Mary Rice

Brenda Rogers

Virginia Rutherford

Katy Sikorski

Faye VanNostrand

Ann Woods

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

Condolences

Our heartfelt sympathy and love are with Jerry Poteat and his family in the death of his mother, Ruby Virginia Saxon Poteat, November 28 in Bluff City.

Birthday Prayer Fellowship

December 7       Billie Peterson

December 8       J.B. Madison

December 9       Rees Burt

December 10     Linda Darnell

December 11     Tina Witcher

Sunday, December 7

8:30 a.m.     Worship, Fellowship Hall

9:00 a.m.     Cherub Choir, Room 209

9:45 a.m.     Sunday School, Education Wing

10:20 a.m.   New Members Meet with Session, Chapel

11:00 a.m.   Worship, Sanctuary

12:00 p.m.   Great Escape Planning Team, Conference Room

6:00 p.m.     Student Fellowship, Youth Wing & Fellowship Hall

Monday, December 8

7:00 p.m.     Building & Grounds Committee, Room 117

Tuesday, December 9

9:00 a.m.     Staff Meeting, Room 123

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

11:00 a.m.   Presbyterian Women Business Meeting, Room 123

11:30 a.m.   Presbyterian Women Bible Study, Room 123

12:00 p.m.   Presbyterian Women Luncheon, Parlor

1:00 p.m.     HeartsBurn Bible Study, Burt Home

6:00 p.m.     Venture Crew 3, Cub Scout Room

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

7:00 p.m.     Heart to Heart Advent Worship & Dessert, Chapel & Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, December 10

10:00 a.m.   Elizabeth Patrick's Women's Bible Study, New Mothers' Room

4:00 p.m.     Youth Handbells, Room 212

4:30 p.m.     Children's Christmas Pageant Rehearsal, Sanctuary

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

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

7:30 p.m.     Praise Team Rehearsal, Fellowship Hall

Thursday, December 11

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

7:30 p.m.     Troop 3 Committee, Room 163

Friday, December 12

6:00 p.m.     Middle School Christmas Party, Off Campus

Saturday, December 13

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

9:00 a.m.     Drop and Shop, FPC

1:30 p.m.     Sanctuary Choir, Sanctuary

6:00 p.m.     High School Christmas Party, Off Campus