In an essay titled "Enhancement Technologies and Identity Ethics," Dr. Carl Elliott reflects on the impacts technology has on us, given our obsession with identity, self-fulfillment, and "finding" ourselves. Since we desire happiness above all else, how will we use technology to change our bodies to achieve our vision of a happy life? There are good examples of using technology to bring happiness and wholeness to human life. Take, for example, a disabled person who has lost the use of an arm or a leg. Modern technology might allow us to replace the disabled limb with a robotic one, or to repair the damage so the person can regain use of the limb.

There are also a myriad of bad examples, as in the example of "amputee wannabes," people who pursue amputation of a healthy limb. In such cases, these folks describe their otherwise healthy limb as a "wrongness" or "not a part of who I am." Though I am no licensed psychologist or psychotherapist, I think we can see the problem (incidentally, courts in the UK facing such cases also see the problem). Sometimes, mental illness distorts our vision of what constitutes a "good" life. While we might want to deny it, constraints are part of the fabric of existence itself. I would love to be able to leap tall buildings, but I'll never be able to do it while residing on earth.

Insidiously, however, and on a much deeper level, the modern conviction that our lives are projects to be managed, and that we, heroically and alone, shape our destinies warps our conceptions of self-fulfillment and identity. The mantra most of us have lived and shaped our lives by is that we are in charge, that we have the final say. Thus, we must be very careful to make the "right" kinds of choices to achieve the "right" kind of life: the right grades, the right test scores, the right schools, the right jobs, the right amount in our bank account, and the list goes on. Under these conditions, technological enhancements create a moral minefield we are still trying to sort out. For example, why shouldn't professional baseball players be allowed to take anabolic steroids? Who gets to decide? When must their desire for personal and professional fulfillment take a back seat to communal concerns like fairness?

Given the challenges technology poses in light of our modern sensibilities, Elliott cuts through the confusion with a sobering inquiry: "If my life is a project, what exactly is the purpose of the project? How do I tell a successful project from a failure?" Elliott is skeptical that technology and culture will ever allow us to successfully answer those questions. In fact, he warns the reader: "Once self-fulfillment is hitched to the success of a human life, it comes perilously close to an obligation-not an obligation to God, country or family, but an obligation to the self." From there, the train of our lives leaves the station with no destination in sight but only the conviction that we need to get there in a hurry. This might explain our collective exhaustion because we chase illusions of ourselves.

As Christians, however, we possess fundamental convictions that guide us through the fog and towards the happiness for which we yearn. Our core convictions are that we are creatures, and God alone is creator. We are dependent, God is independent. We belong to God, and in Christ, God has become our own. God is sovereign, we are not. To St. Paul's point in Ephesians, "we are what he has made us." What God has made us for is to glorify God and to share in the fellowship of God's love through worship and service to others. Quite literally, we are made to love others for God's sake. Love as way of being is the way of life God prepared beforehand for each of us.

This isn't to say that we will always we happy all the time. Life is often filled with sorrow. However, in our search for happiness and fulfillment, knowing what we were made for and where we are going is our only real hope when we have lost our way. In fact, our lives and their fulfillment come not as the conclusion to an endless series of choices but rather as a gift.

As we make a ton of choices, some good and some ill, in 2019, don't forget that you are what God has made you to be. You are a gift, a gift of love given by the One who is love. Glory be to God, Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Sam

Chase and Audrey Arndt returned from living in Kenya as missionaries of First Presbyterian Church in March 2018. One month later, on April 28, they welcomed their son, Oliver. Chase's Maasai name is Olosotua, which means "one who brings people together in peace." The Arndts chose the name Oliver for their son because of its similar meaning, "extending the branch of peace." Their prayer for Oliver is that he will be a reflection of the hope and peace we are offered in and through the love of Jesus. Knowing that God has chosen Oliver to be an image bearer for Him, they are excited to share in his dedication to God together with our church family in the 8:30 a.m. worship service this Sunday, January 20.

We will meet quickly after Sunday's congregational meeting, if there is time, to discuss the first chapter of N.T. Wright's The Crown and the Fire. Copies of the New Testament scholar's popular book are still available to folks who want to join.

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Pastor Sam will head north Monday, January 21, to begin two weeks of intensive coursework for his doctoral degree at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He will be back late on the night of Friday, February 1. While he is in class, he will not be able to take calls. If you need him, please leave a message in the church office, and someone on staff will contact him.

As we all know, safety and security is a pressing issue in our society. Not to be alarmist, but in light of various acts of violence in houses of worship over the past few years, the Session has decided to take some measures to reduce risk to our congregation. Here is an outline of our plan:

I know that this is a lot to take in, and the subject matter is not one we like to contemplate; you will need time to understand this new policy and ask questions. We expect to roll this plan out on Sunday, February 3. We will run this notice in Windows for the next several weeks, and we will discuss this matter during announcements. We will also take your questions during the "new business" portion of the congregational meeting this Sunday, January 20, at 10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

We want to lift up to you that these measures come at significant cost to the church. In total, the doors and keycard readers alone will cost more than $11,000. If, in response to the measures we have taken, God leads you to contribute to our efforts, we ask that you make a special gift to the church and write "Security - Door Installation" on the memo line of your check. We ask especially that you pray for our church to be spared such violence./ Pastor Sam

During the Adult Learning program next Wednesday, January 23, Sujean Bradley will pay tribute to her grandfather's missionary work in mainland China at the turn of the last century. Her presentation will include photographs , letters, and a video. The first activity of the evening, at 5:30 p.m., will be our fellowship dinner of BBQ sandwiches, baked beans, slaw, and dessert. Sujean's program will begin at 6:20 p.m. High School Small Groups, Middle School Gathering, and Wednesday Night Kids will meet at 6:00. Handbell ringers, and any adult who wants to learn, will practice in room 212 at 6:15.

Pressed, but Not Crushed is the name of Shannan Miller's upcoming musical ministry to benefit the Haitian Support Alliance, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to meeting the physical and spiritual needs of the Haitian people. HSA supports schools and churches that minister to Haitians in their local villages, and supports small, Haitian-run businesses so that those in need can provide for their families.

Shannan will release a CD and perform this Saturday, January 19, at 7:00 p.m. in the Apex Room at The Summit, 1227 Volunteer Parkway. Doors will open at 6:30. For tickets and more information, go to https://haitiansupportalliance.org/ or https://www.shannanmillermusic.com/merch-1/cd-release-show-and-benefit-for-hsa. Net proceeds of all ticket sales will go to Haitian Support Alliance of Bristol, TN.

What if those unemployed in Bristol found work because the local church took action? Learn how churches and other organizations are using the Jobs for Life program as a discipleship platform to help men and women discover their value in God's eyes and find the path to the work God created them to do. Learn more at a Jobs for Life community information meeting Thursday, February 7, 6:00 -8:00 p.m. at The Summit, 1227 Volunteer Parkway. There is no fee, and dinner will be provided at no charge. Please register by February 1 by contacting the United Way of Bristol at 423-968-4912 or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jobs-for-life-bristol-community-information-meeting-tickets-54723694042. For more information, contact John Vann (423-360-1153).

Sunday's music participants: Pat Flannagan, Bob Greene, Sanctuary Choir.

Sunday's music: Our anthem today, "Once to Every Man and Nation," is a church music standard from the past 60 years. Composed by David Stanley York (1920 -2010), who spent most of his career as a teacher and composer at Westminster Choir College, it is set to a text by James Russell Lowell (1819 -1891). Lowell was an American poet and diplomat who taught at Harvard College, where he succeeded Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. This text, first published in the Boston Courier, was written in 1845 in protest of America's war with Mexico. Martin Luther King Jr. frequently used portions of the text in his fight for civil rights in the 1960s.

	Sir George Thalben-Ball

Organist's footnotes: Sir George Thalben-Ball (1896 -1987) was born in Australia but lived in the UK for most of his life, becoming well known as something of a showman as a recitalist in the grand late Victorian/Edwardian style. He became Director of Music at the Temple Church in London as well as City Organist at Birmingham Town Hall, and his name is still held in great respect by the majority of organists. He dedicated his "Elegy" (our prelude), apparently conceived as an improvisation to fill in time at the end of a BBC-recorded service during the war, to Sir Walford Davies, who preceded him as organist at the Temple Church in London. It was played during Princess Diana's funeral in 1997.

	Dale Wood

Dale Wood (1934 -2003) was a renowned composer, organist, and choral director best known for his church music compositions. His "Caricature of a Sunday School Song" (our offertory) is based on the tune JESUS LOVES ME by William B. Bradbury (1816 -1868). Bradbury composed this children's tune for publication in 1862. Its popularity quickly spread, and the pentatonic melody was immediately a favorite of children in China and other distant lands. It is not uncommon to even hear "Buddha loves me, this I know" in some corners of the world today. The organ setting is called a caricature simply because of the way children exaggerate the distinctive little melody.

"In peace and joy I now depart" (Mit Fried' und Freud'ich fahr' dahin) is a hymn by Martin Luther (1483 -1546), upon which Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 -1750) composed this chorale prelude (our postlude) for his Orgelbüchlein (Little Organ Book). I will play the chorale first, then the chorale prelude.

Sunday, January 20

8:30 a.m.       Worship, Fellowship Hall

9:45 a.m.       Sunday School

10:00 a.m.     Congregational Meeting, Fellowship Hall

11:00 a.m.     Worship, Sanctuary

12:30 p.m.     Acolyte Meeting, Narthex

4:00 p.m.       Evangelism & Outreach Comm., Room 117

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

Tuesday, January 22

10:00 a.m.     Staff Meeting, Room 117

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

6:00 p.m.       Venture Crew 3, Room 165

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

Wednesday, January 23

9:30 a.m.       Women's Bible Study, Room 117

5:00 p.m.       Baby & Toddler Care, Rooms 34 - 37

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

6:00 p.m.       Wednesday Night Kids

6:00 p.m.       Middle School Gathering

6:00 p.m.       High School Small Groups

6:15 p.m.       Handbell Practice, Room 212

6:20 p.m.       Adult Learning, Fellowship Hall

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

7:15 p.m.       Worship Team, Fellowship Hall

Thursday, January 24

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

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

Saturday, January 26

4:30 p.m.       Sharing Christ Ministry, Sixth & State

Church Officers
ELDERS
Class of 2018	Class of 2019	Class of 2020
Aaron Brooks	Anna Booher	Nancy Allerton
Randy Cook	Lee Galliher	Rebecca Beck
Debbie McMillin	Pete Holler	David Hyde
Stuart Parker	Han Ong	Jordan Pennington
Chuck Thompson	Pete Stigers	Jerry Poteat
DEACONS
Class of 2018	Class of 2019	Class of 2020
Adam Abel	Sujean Bradley	Blake Bassett
Nancy Butterworth	George Linke	Rhonda Comer
David Ginn	Greg Roberts	Brenda Lawson
Rett Stocstill	Nate Sproles	Barbara Thompson
Ann Woods	Bill Whisnant
TRUSTEES
Class of 2018	Class of 2019	Class of 2020
Charles Webb	Nancy Cook	Peggy Hill