Your Weekly News & Updates



Encounters with God, our summer sermon series, continues this week. As we reflect on encounters with Jesus, what do we learn about God, ourselves, and who we are called to be as a community of faith?

Scripture: Mark 4:26-34
Sermon: Just a Little Faith
Even the smallest of seeds can become great.



Sunday Worship In-Person and Online

9:01 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall (901 Praise Band)
11 a.m. in the Sanctuary (Traditional)

Godly Play

Godly Play (a worship experience for ages 4 - 5th grade) is offered during both services.

Small Groups

Sunday Morning Small Groups currently meeting in person: Children's Sunday School, Youth Sunday School, Young Parents Sunday School, and Open Door Sunday School Class which is both In Person (make a reservation) and on Zoom (available to all).

Access Online Worship @ SSUMC

  • Church Website: at worship times
  • Facebook: at worship times and anytime afterwards
  • YouTube: at worship times and anytime afterwards on the StateStreetUMC channel
  • Sermon By Phone: call 276-466-1050 to hear the sermon, available Sunday afternoon until the following week's sermon is posted.
Recovery at Bristol
Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall

  • In Person (masks not required for attendees with completed vaccinations & social distancing) or Live on Facebook.
  • Small group in the Library following the service.
  • Grief Support group meets in the Parlor following the service.
  • To-go food boxes.
Coming Soon:
Sponsor a Student In Need

Communities in Schools of Southwest Virginia, in cooperation with Bristol Virginia Public Schools, is providing 200 students an opportunity for “Christmas in July.” With your help, students in need will receive new school clothes for the upcoming year. In addition, high school students will be taken shopping to purchase their own school clothes. We will post more information in the coming weeks on how to sponsor a student.
Mission Accomplished!

The Guatemalan Mission May 11 through May 26 was an opportunity to share the love of Christ in Alta Verapaz. Working with MEF funds and individual donations from State Street UMC and others, we were able to repair 4 rooms and 2 bathrooms in the Emergency Department at the CAIMI Hospital. Other projects included 6 benches, 4 step stools, the delivery of medicines and supplies valued at $19,000, and nutritional supplements, among other needed items. At the outlying health clinic an outdoor waiting area was constructed to provide safe socially distanced seating for patients.

When we arrived in San Cristobal only 1% of people in Guatemala were vaccinated and the Alta Verapaz area was code red for COVID-19. One of the highlights of the trip was the distribution of 175 pairs of shoes and Bibles to Guatemalan children whose homes had been damaged or destroyed in landslides in the last year.

Thank you for your support of this mission,
Ray & Sarah Smith
Outdoor Vacation Bible School for Elementary Kids
June 22 & 23 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Space is limited to 36 children per day due to COVID safety, so sign up now! There will be a nursery/preschool for the younger children of volunteers, as needed, with a separate registration. Participants will gather at 5:45 p.m. in the parking lot & then split into small groups.

For more information or to register, please contact Cheri at (276) 669-2101 Ext. 121 or churchoffice@state-street.org. You can pick up your VBS registration form Sunday from Cheri at the registration table during both services.
Senior Adults (OAK)
Save the Date!
Thursday, July 22

Our senior adults (OAK) are regrouping for 2021. All are welcome to participate with these active seniors. On Thursday, July 22, we will be having a picnic at Ray & Sarah Smith’s home. Details to follow.

If you have any questions call Patty Kilbreath at (423) 646-5577. Pick up a schedule of our events outside the Parish Nurse office.
Open Enrollment at Spring Garden Preschool

Now enrolling children ages 6 weeks through 5 years for the Summer and Fall 2021 program! Call 276-466-8505 for more information.
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Job Positions Open at SGPS

SGPS is looking to hire a lead teacher and an assistant. To apply for either position, please email your current resume to the director at malinda@state-street.org.
*Notice to All Members*

Please be conscious about wearing scents which can cause serious reactions to others in attendance. Products like perfume, cologne, hair spray, body lotions, & after shave can be especially difficult for sensitive individuals.
Guidelines for Reopening 
from Covid-19 Restrictions
Some highlights of the new policy:

  • Those vaccinated can exercise their best judgment about wearing face coverings.
  • Those not fully vaccinated should wear face coverings at all times when inside.
  • If you wear a mask or don’t wear a mask, there’s no shame or judgment.
  • Congregational singing is permitted.
  • Bulletins and hymnals will be available.
  • Communion will resume on the first Sunday of each month.
Also, small groups, such as Sunday School classes, children and youth programming, Recovery at Bristol, and Spring Garden Preschool have developed their own procedures in accordance with the new guidelines.

In order to maintain our current cleaning and sanitizing procedures, building use reservations will continue to be coordinated through the church office. You can reserve a room online by clicking here. Or you can click here to print a building use request form.
Church Office Hours

Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.