Word from the Pastor:
Return
Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb.
May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.
—Psalm 126:4-6
I know that I am not alone in feeling that the past month or so has been really tough for all of us. When we decided to hold virtual-only gatherings because of the post-Thanksgiving surge, we knew that we would have to do so for a while because of the post-Christmas and New Year surges that would inevitably come. And come they did, with a vengeance. This time apart has been tough, and our prayers go out first to sustain those who have suffered so much because of this terrible virus.
After a thorough discussion Monday of when to return to limited, in-person worship, the session unanimously decided to remain virtual-only through January 24. We intend to return to limited, in-person worship, with masks, distancing, limited seating, and other safety measures, and resume our normal schedule of 9:00 contemporary and 11:00 traditional worship on January 31. We will have more detail in the coming days.
The logic behind this decision is that the 31st is 30 days after New Year’s Day, the last day when people were likely to have gathered in large groups. Thirty days, as the data suggest, is a good indicator of infection rates declining in our region. Whatever you take from the decision, please know that it was made after much deliberation and reflection, and with the goal of protecting the health of our congregation, being a responsible partner in our community, and acknowledging the need to gather in some fashion as the people of God.
Let us rejoice as a community. The way is being made for a return—a restoration, as the Psalmist puts it—after a period of hard exile. My prayer is that we will see in this decision an opportunity for all the pain we have experienced to be transformed by God’s hand into the joy of reunion. I also pray that our experience of all of these things, together, will become a harvest of renewed hope.
In Christ,
Pastor Sam
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Community Prayer Online
I’m inviting our church family to gather by Zoom conference for prayer this Friday night.
Topic: FPC Community Prayer
Time: January 15 at 7:00 p.m.
Join the Zoom meeting here:
Meeting ID: 826 4875 1043
One-tap mobile
+13017158592,,82648751043# US (Washington D.C)
+13126266799,,82648751043# US (Chicago)
In Christ,
Pastor Sam
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Worship
January 17
2nd Sunday after Epiphany
Virtual Only
Lesson
Psalm 139
Sermon
Mystery to Ourselves
Jeremiah Swamsidi
Last Sunday’s Attendance
Livestream: 84; Playbacks: 179
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Contemporary Worship Candidate Visit
Please join us online at 9:00 a.m. this Sunday for worship led by one of our candidates for the position of Director of Contemporary Worship and King Campus Outreach Coordinator. Jeremiah Swamsidi, Associate Director of Worship at Highlands Baptist Church in Waco, Texas, will lead our worship along with members of our staff and volunteers. Pray that God uses him in a mighty way, and that God gives the Search Committee insight and guidance.
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How to Join Us Online
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch the livestream of our early worship service and other activities. Just click here and hit “Subscribe.” You will receive notifications of new videos. We also suggest that you connect to us on Facebook. On Facebook, type in “FPC Bristol,” and several accounts will show up. Some are open to the public, while others are restricted. In either case, “Like” the page, or ask to join a group if it is closed. |
Calendar
ALL GATHERINGS ARE VIRTUAL
Sunday, January 17
9:00 a.m.
Worship
10:10 a.m.
Sunday School
4:00 p.m.
Evangelism & Outreach Comm.
Tuesday, January 19
10:00 a.m.
Staff Meeting
6:00 p.m.
Finance Comm.
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Only Virtual Gatherings for Now
To protect the health of our congregation and staff, and to be a good neighbor in our community, we have suspended on-site group activities, including worship, choir, and handbell practice, for the time being. Services like Meals on Wheels continue, but all volunteers must take the well-known protective measures. If you need to come to the building, please call the office ahead of your visit and avoid in-person contact. Until we can meet again in person, join us online on Sunday mornings at 9:00, as we worship God together. And please keep our church and our community in your prayers.
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Give Safely
During the pandemic, we encourage you to use text, mail, or our website for your continued, faithful support of our ministries. You can give online by going to fpcbristol.org and clicking on “Give” in the upper right corner. You can send your pledge, offering, or special gift by texting fpcbristol to 73256. You can also mail your checks directly to First Presbyterian Church, 701 Florida Avenue, Bristol, TN 37620.
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Sunday Bible Study Online
We are continuing to offer an adult Bible study on Sundays on our YouTube channel. This study, Praying With the Psalms, looks at the Book of Psalms through the lens of prayer. All you need is a Bible and an open heart. Our short midweek Bible study will be available again mid-January.
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Gifts to the Church
Memorials and honoraria are published in the newsletter only after the family has been personally notified by our business office. Today we gratefully acknowledge gifts in memory of:
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Betty Barger: to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from Jim White
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Alice Morrow Caldwell (sister of Margaret Wade): to the Christian Hands Ministry Fund from Jim White; to the Christmas Eve Fund from an anonymous donor
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Martha Daniel (mother of Jim Daniel): to the Christian Hands Ministry Fund from Jim White; to the Christmas Eve Fund from an anonymous donor; to the Memorial Fund from John & Karen Vann; to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from Peggy & Eddie Hill
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Buddy Eller: to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from Jim White
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Buddy & Jean Eller: to the Christmas Eve Fund from an anonymous donor
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Keith Foster: to the Christmas Eve Fund from an anonymous donor; to the Memorial Fund from John & Karen Vann; to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from Peggy & Eddie Hill
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Edith Gose (grandmother of Laura Bassett): to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from Peggy & Eddie Hill, from Julie King
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Martha Graham (mother of John Graham): to the Brazil Mission Fund from Barb Thompson, from Jim White; to the Christmas Eve Fund from an anonymous donor; to the Memorial Fund from Ann Abel, from John & Karen Vann; to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from Peggy & Eddie Hill
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Lisa Holmes: to the Christmas Eve Fund from an anonymous donor
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Richard Lee (cousin of Jim White): to the Christmas Eve Fund from an anonymous donor; to the Memorial Fund from John & Karen Vann; to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from Peggy & Eddie Hill, from anonymous donors
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Harriette Massengill: to the Memorial Fund from an anonymous donor; to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from Peggy & Eddie Hill, from Jim White
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Betty & Bob Millard: to the Christmas Eve Fund from an anonymous donor
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Bob Millard: to the Memorial Fund from John & Ellen Manney, from Barb Thompson, from an anonymous donor; to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from Jim White
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Mona Mills (mother of David Mills): to the Christmas Eve Fund from an anonymous donor; to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from Peggy & Eddie Hill, from Jim White
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David Mott (brother of Betsy Galliher): to the Christian Hands Ministry Fund from Jim White; to the Memorial Fund from John & Karen Vann ; to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from Peggy & Eddie Hill; to the Technology Fund from Barb Thompson, from an anonymous donor
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Betty Ottenfeld (mother of Karen Vann): to the Brazil Mission Fund from Jim White
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Neil & Betty Ottenfeld (father and mother of Karen Vann): to the Christmas Eve Fund from an anonymous donor
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Austin Rowell (son of Ann Rowell): to the Christian Hands Ministry Fund from Jim White; to the Christmas Eve Fund from an anonymous donor; to the Memorial Fund from John & Karen Vann, from an anonymous donor; to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from Peggy & Eddie Hill
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Jane Sheffey: to the Memorial Fund from Rita Sheffey
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Wayne Sheffey: to the Memorial Fund from Rita Sheffey
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Bill Whitesides (brother of Dave Whitesides): to the Christian Hands Ministry Fund from Jim White; to the Christmas Eve Fund from an anonymous donor; to the Memorial Fund from an anonymous donor
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Birthday Prayer Fellowship
Jan. 18 Bebo McClain, Adrianna Nelson
Jan. 19 Amanda Hankins, John Peters
Jan. 20 Drew Porter
Jan. 21 Lisa Lundberg
Jan. 22 Dick Ladd
Jan. 23 Lizzy King
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We Are Praying Together
We are asking all members of our congregation to join our 7-12-7 Prayer Campaign. Please choose the time convenient for you (7:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., or 7:00 p.m.) and join us daily in prayer. Together we will ask for God’s guidance, deliverance, and mercy for our church, community, nation, and world. If you cannot pray at those hours, please pray when you can! We are facing great challenges, but God is greater still.
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Connect and Communicate
Can you make a quick call once a month to approximately eight members of the church, to see how they’re doing and share what’s new at FPC? If so, please let the church office know. We want you on the team!
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Deadline & Subscriptions
Deadline for contributions to Windows is the Monday of the week of publication. Subscribe to our free e-newsletter by sending your name and preferred email address to [email protected].
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In Our Prayers
Please also include in your prayers the members of our community who wish to remain anonymous.
Adam
Family of David Akard Jr.
Brian Alderman & family
Wanda Barnes
João Batista & family
Scott & Mary Bechtold
Joe Bell
Christy Blevins
Booher family
Sujean Bradley
Sue Ellen Bridgers & family
Bristol Tennessee City Schools
Kip Brown
Becky Busler
Carrier family
John Crewey
Dee Eldreth’s family
Sara & Sam Ferguson
Family of Keith Foster
DeeDee Galliher
Deborah Garritson
Family of Martha Graham
Scott Greene
Emma & Gina Grubbs
Ron & Sandra Grubbs
Family of Gene Haskins
Lou Hebb
Nate, Angela, Addelynn Higgins
Davan & Kristi Johnson
Gene & Betty Keith
Marty Keys & family
Family of Dutch Keyser
Morgan & Josh King & family
June Lamb
Patsy Leonard
Nancy Lilly
Earl & Harriet Linderman
Laura & George Linke
Favour Maji
Dot Mattison
Kathy McGlothlin & mother
Emily Millwood
Charles Moore & family
Alice Moore
Breanna Necessary
Martha North
Fred Parker & family
Louise Phipps
Rosa Poteat
Jodi & Kreg Ramey
Meg & Drew Rice
Family of Austin Rowell
Brittany Salter
Lorraine Smith
Mark & Julianne Stapleton
Jim Swartchick
Kitty & Tom Vann
Bill & Margaret Wade
Patsy Ward
Amy Webb & family
Dave & Linda Welch
Deborah Whittaker
Laura Wilkinson
Family of Dr. Dale Willis
Katie Wright
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701 Florida Avenue | Bristol, TN 37620 | 423-764-7176 | fpcbristol.org
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