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Windows
September 1, 2022
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Word from the Pastor:
Real Wealth
“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
—Matthew 12:34b
Last weekend, I was standing in the food service line at the College of William and Mary. Grace, Youngji, and I were having lunch with Sammy as part of family orientation week. We were wearing our sparkly green wristbands, and after some deliberation (man, is that a big cafeteria with a million choices!), Grace and I settled on salad.
Surrounded by hundreds of other anxious parents and their kids, I began to listen to the conversations going on around me. It was clear that the parents were excited, nervous, a little sad, and just trying to process this major change. I focused on the conversation between two sets of parents behind me. One set was from New Jersey and the other from Massachusetts.
After cursory congratulations to one another on their kids’ starting their studies at the school, things took a quick turn into competitive boasting. One mother said to the other that her daughter was just exhausted after spending the summer in a prestigious internship in Washington, DC, to which the other responded that her son was exhausted after a summer in an intensive academic program at a certain Ivy League school. The first mother then began to list the study plans for her daughter and the job and career she hoped to land when it was all said and done. The second mother quickly retorted that she was sure that the summer academic intensive would eventually result in her son’s getting a slot at the Ivy League school.
As we made our way through the line, I laughed to myself. I don’t know whether anything these parents were saying to one another was true, exaggerated, or the like, but it was funny to me that there in the salad line, they were missing moments of sheer joy. They would be in this line on freshman drop-off weekend only once. This day, this moment, would never come again, and instead of just being thankful, their hearts were already directed toward the next set of acquisitions and trophies. I kind of felt bad for the kids.
Yet even as I felt my own heart throwing stones against theirs, I was overcome with compassion for these parents. This was their anxiety speaking. This was their fear. They had come to mark the meaning of their lives, and thus the meaning of their own children, by a set of standards that were unforgiving. Out of the abundance of their hearts, out of the abundance of their own experiences, loves, and desires, what came out of their mouths was a trembling uncertainty about what the future held for their children.
Of course, things don’t have to be this way; there are alternatives. Rather than anxiety, each of us can choose to fill our hearts with the assurance that God’s purposes for our days will win out. We aren’t alone. We aren’t adrift. Even when we feel lost, there is never a moment in which God is not willing, ready, and able to find us. This assurance is the only real wealth we will ever acquire.
Strangely, this is the kind of wealth that has resurrection power behind it. When we fill our hearts with His love, yes, we will still be anxious because we’re only human, after all. But what will flow from us is trust and hope.
In Christ,
Pastor Sam
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Last Day to Register for Fall Retreat
If you are a sixth through twelfth grader who wants to enjoy our Labor Day weekend Student Retreat, you must register by tonight, Thursday, September 1! We will leave for Look Up Lodge in Travelers Rest, SC, Saturday morning and return Monday afternoon. The all-inclusive cost of the trip is $200, and a $50 nonrefundable deposit is required with registration. Scholarships are available. Register here. For more information, contact Katie Arnold.
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Worship
September 4
13th Sunday after Pentecost
Communion
Scripture
Psalm 8
Genesis 1:24–31
Mark 1:16–20
Sermon
When Being Real Goes Right
Sam Weddington
Last Sunday’s Attendance
9:00: In person: 127;
Livestream: 23; Playback: 86
11:00: In person: 124;
Livestream: 13; Playback: 46
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Calendar
Sunday, September 4
9:00 a.m.
Contemporary Worship
Fellowship Hall
10:10 a.m.
Sunday School
11:00 a.m.
Traditional Worship
Sanctuary
7:00 p.m.
King Taco Night
College Classroom
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Monday, September 5
Church office closed for Labor Day
Tuesday, September 6
10:00 a.m.
Staff Meeting
Room 123
7:00 p.m.
Boy Scout Troop 3
Scout Hall
Wednesday, September 7
5:30 p.m.
Fellowship Supper
Fellowship Hall
6:15 p.m.
Adult Enrichment
Student Small Groups
Wednesday Night Kids
7:15 p.m.
Sanctuary Choir Practice
Room 202
Praise Band Practice
Fellowship Hall
Jubilation Youth Choir Practice
Room 209
Thursday, September 8
7:00 a.m.
Men’s Bible Study
Parlor
8:30 a.m.
Meals on Wheels
Fellowship Hall
1:00 p.m.
Women’s Bible Study
Chapel
5:30 p.m.
Scout Roundtable
Fellowship Hall
Saturday, September 10
7:30 p.m.
Paramount Chamber Players
Sanctuary
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Musical Celebration of the Life of Gary Stewart Sept. 11
On Sunday, September 11, at 3:00 p.m., we will host a memorial concert for Gary Stewart, an avid musician from childhood, who cared for the pianos here at the church for many years until illness prevented him. He died March 26 from complications of Parkinson’s disease. This tribute to the life of the region’s premier piano rebuilder, tuner, and technician will feature our Sanctuary Choir under the direction of Pat Flannagan and the chancel choirs of First Presbyterian Church of Johnson City, Larry D. Dodd, director, and Jonesborough Presbyterian Church, Cherry Smith, director. Among the other instrumentalists and vocalists will be Kailee Amburgey, Josiah Brown, Benjamin Caton, Robert J. Greene Jr., Chih-Long Hu, David Kovac, Joshua Kovac, Larry Mueller, Sunny Oh, Jerilyn Paolini, Carol Stone, and members of the State Line Wind Symphony. Admission will be free.
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From left: Katherine Benson, piano; Rachel Helton, mezzo-soprano; David Brickle, piano; Marianna Brickle, violin.
Paramount Chamber Players Here Sept. 10
The Paramount Chamber Players will present To Sing and Play, a joyful program of music and song, Saturday, September 10, at 7:30 p.m. in our sanctuary. Mezzo-soprano Rachel Helton and pianist Katherine Benson will bring to life Antonin Dvorak’s vibrant “Gypsy Songs,” including the classic tune “Songs My Mother Taught Me.” Joining Katherine and Rachel in concert will be the well-known husband-and-wife team, the Brickle Duo. Violinist Marianna Brickle and pianist David Brickle will present a thrilling set including works by American composers William Grant Still and Aaron Copland. The cost of admission is $15 for adults and $12 for seniors. Students will be admitted free.
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Unleashed Youth Conference
On Sunday, September 11, FPC’s student ministry will join other student ministries from our community for a night of fellowship and worship. The evening will be hosted by Poplar Ridge Christian Church. FPC students will meet in our parking lot at 4:00 p.m. and head to Piney Flats. The event will end at 8:00 p.m. Join us for dinner and a great night with students from around our area!
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New Youth Choir Has Formed
Our Jubilation Youth Choir held its first practice last night. It is composed of students in third to eighth grade who like to sing. If that describes you, come and join us! No experience is needed. We will teach you how to read music and lead worship through song. We practice on Wednesdays from 7:15 to 7:45 p.m. in room 209, and practices will continue through September 21. We are preparing to perform for both services on Sunday, September 25. Please reach out to Melissa Galliher.
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Wednesday Night Fellowship
Our Wednesday night programming continues September 7 with no charge for supper in the fellowship hall at 5:30, thanks again to a generous benefactor. The meal will be followed by activities for children, teens, and adults. Pastor Sam will lead the Adult Enrichment program in the chapel as we begin our Life Together series. We look forward to seeing you!
Life Together for Home Groups
Our latest Home Group curriculum, Life Together, is about how we can be new persons and communities centered in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Access the curriculum on our website or watch for it to drop on our Home Groups Facebook site.
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How to Join Us Online
You can watch the livestream of our worship services and other activities at FPC Bristol on YouTube. Click on the link and hit “Subscribe” to receive notifications of new videos. To connect to our various Facebook sites, go to Facebook and type in FPC Bristol. Several accounts will show up. “Like” the page or ask to join a group.
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Troop 3 Yard Sale Coming Up
Boy Scout Troop 3’s annual yard sale at the church is coming up soon! They will begin accepting donations Sunday, September 18, and open for business at 8:00 a.m. Saturday, September 24.
FPC Serves with Sharing Christ Saturday
FPC volunteers will help serve dinner and clean up afterwards at the Sharing Christ Mission on Saturday, September 3. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this effort! Our coordinator is Becca Tate (text 404-790-1223 or email).
Stamp Ministry Report
Thank you for the canceled stamps you save and bring to the box in the church office! We send them to Alliance Stamp Ministry in Florida, where they are sold to produce Sunday School materials for Spanish-speaking churches in the US, Latin America, and Spain. Dealers are willing to buy stamps that have a paper border of l/4" to l/3" around them. If the border is less, the stamp can still be sold, but at a lower price. To date, churches have generated $21,000 for this ministry in 2022. To God be the glory. Keep up the good work!
Give Safely
We encourage you to use text, mail, or our website to safely continue your faithful support of our ministries during the pandemic. You can give online by going to our website and clicking on “Give” in the upper right corner. You can send your pledge, offering, or special gift by texting fpcbristol to 73256, or mail your checks directly to the church.
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Memorials and honoraria are published in the newsletter only after the family has been personally notified by our business office. Today we gratefully acknowledge the following gifts in memory of:
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Eddie Hill: to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from Brenda Lawson, from Carol Rawls
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Porter Hillery: to the Music Projects Fund from Bill & Billie Whisnant
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Ernie Pennington: to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from BRMC Auxiliary Inc., from Brenda Lawson, from Bill & Billie Whisnant
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The Prelude and Fugue in C minor, BWV 549, probably dates to the earlier part of Bach’s years in Arnstadt, where he served as the organist at the Neue Kirche. The work likely came before for his intense study of the music of Buxtehude, an activity he commenced in 1705. While not as well-crafted as many of the later preludes and fugues, this one is nevertheless rewarding for the listener, not least for the composer’s trademark brilliant contrapuntal writing.
The Prelude (our prelude) begins in a rather austere mood, the theme presented in the lower register, its contour tilting mostly downward. The music here foreshadows the opening of the famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565, replete with a similar three-note idea permeating the first measures. The mood brightens a bit when the writing enters higher ranges, the music becoming somewhat stately but not quite dispelling its somber character. The Fugue (our postlude) begins quietly and modestly, building energetically from skeletal, unassuming textures at the outset to meatier but still lean sonorities in the latter portions. The mood here does not substantially break from the darkness and seriousness of the opening, though the mixture of brilliance and busyness, of rhythmic and persevering drive in the writing imparts a resolute, triumphant sense, especially in the glorious ending.
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In Our Prayers
Please also pray for the members of our community who wish to remain anonymous.
Wayne Ausmus
Danielle Booher
Bud & Marg Branscomb
Kim Bright
Bristol Tennessee City Schools
Becky Busler
Tom & Nancy Carter
Rachel Cherry
Cole family
Bill Coleman
Jane Ehrie
Beth Flannagan
Russell Fogelman, Kelli Krajeck & Kendall
DeeDee Galliher
Brenda Gilespie
Lou Hebb
Charles Hoilman
John & Karen & family
June Lamb
Nancy Lilly
Toni Marie
Diana Mattison
Dot Mattison
Montana Indian Ministries
National & international leadership
Lee & Robin North
Pastor Bruce Plummer
Cora Lee Raccioppo
Ralph Reagan & family
Margaret Jane Rice
Lynn Richards
Les & Kathy Samuel
Wendy Smith
Malcolm Sprinkle
Melanie Stein
Brenda Tackett
Teachers & school administrators
Scott VanNostrand
Bill & Patsy Ward
Michael Weller
Jerry & Darlene West
Marsha Wilson
Stevie Wintz
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September Birthday Prayer Fellowship
To protect your personal data, we now publish an undated list of the month’s birthdays.
TJ Abel
Mike Adams
Chloe Arnold
Scottie Bales
Sue Barr
Andrew Beck
Jess Beckner
Elizabeth Blankenship
Chuck Bolick
Anna Booher
Becky Busler
Nancy Carter
Rachel Cherry
Larry Connolly
Randy Cook
Jill Eakes
Karen Haaser
Ann Holler
Laura Jessee
Sally Jordan
Henry Linderman
Kelley Mayden
Jon McClain
Jason Mumpower
Sue Mumpower
Peggy Peters
Lea Powers
Mary Ellis Rice
Paul Rice
Jack Richardson
Matt Richardson
Jessica Rogers
Henry Rutherford
John Scott
Judy Slaughter
Charles Taylor
Al Thomas
Margaret Wade
Patsy Ward
Amy Webb
Samuel Weddington
Ann Woods
David Worley
Rachel Worley
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Our COVID Protocols
The session strongly encourages masks for those not fully vaccinated, or at higher risk of complications from COVID-19. The session encourages everyone to consult their medical professional about vaccinations and boosters.
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Deadline & Subscriptions
Monday is the deadline for contributions to Windows. Subscribe to our free e-newsletter by sending your name and preferred email address to the editor.
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701 Florida Avenue | Bristol, TN 37620 | 423-764-7176 | fpcbristol.org | | | | | |
