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Christmas at the Movies
During the Sundays of Advent (Nov. 28 – Dec. 19), we’re taking an in-depth look at four beloved movies of the season, and how they can, and do, connect us to the story of the birth of Jesus.
First Sunday of Advent
Nov. 28 - HOPE
“It’s a Wonderful Life”
Scripture: Psalm 25:1-10 and Jeremiah 33:14-16
Title: It’s a Wonderful Life: Clarence Gets His Wings
“You see, George, you’ve really had a wonderful life. Don’t you see what a mistake it would be to just throw it all away?” - Clarence the Angel
Second Sunday of Advent
Dec. 5 - PEACE
“A Charlie Brown Christmas”
Third Sunday of Advent
Dec. 12 - JOY
”Elf”
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Dec. 19 - LOVE
”How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
Christmas Movies and Faith – As part of this Christmas at the Movies theme, Pastor Laura and Pastor Steve will each be offering a weekly small group where we will look deeper at the Christmas movie themes and the lessons they bring for our own faith walk. Sessions will be hybrid (available both in person and online).
Sundays (Nov. 28 – Dec. 19) at 6:00 p.m. with Pastor Laura
Thursdays (Dec. 2 – Dec. 23) at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Steve
Those in person will meet in the Library. For those participating via Zoom, here is the meeting info:
Meeting ID: 833 6139 3111
Passcode: 220555
The same Zoom link will be used for both groups. Please contact the church office if you have questions.
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Christmas Eve Worship at State Street – Two services will be offered on Friday, Dec. 24 at Noon and 6:00 p.m. Both services will be in the sanctuary and will feature Christmas carols, a Christmas story, candlelight and communion (served as we have been doing with pre-packaged communion elements for COVID safety). Make Christmas Eve Worship part of your family’s Christmas celebration!
One Combined Service on Sunday, Dec. 26 at 10:00 a.m. – We will join together as one church family for worship on Sunday, December 26. There will be one service at 10:00 a.m. along with one online service that will be available starting at 10:00 a.m. on Facebook and YouTube.
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Sunday Worship In-Person and Online
SSUMC offers three opportunities for worship on Sunday mornings with three different spaces and flavors:
+ 8:45 a.m. in the Chapel – Informal service with traditional hymns.
+ 9:01 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall – Modern service with music led by the Praise Band.
+ 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary – Traditional service with choir and organ.
+ + +
State Street Online
9:01 Streamed Live
11:00 Premiere Video
You can also listen to an audio recording of the sermon
with Sermon By Phone: Call 276-466-1050
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Recovery at Bristol
*Recovery does not meet this Thursday, 11/25, due to Thanksgiving. We will resume next week.
If you have questions about Recovery, please call (276) 669-2101 Ext.123 for Steve Patterson or Ext.129 for Amy Brown.
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Angel FISH
Every year, State Street UMC provides 3 gifts (tops, bottoms, and a toy or other gift) to each FISH Club Angel. We hope you will join us in this heartwarming mission. It’s not too late to adopt an Angel! We still have 40 children and youth hoping to be adopted.
Adopt and Shop: The deadline to return gifts is Dec. 12th. Please contact Amy Brown, by email at amybrowntumc@gmail.com, or by phone or text at 423-791-3083. She will match you with a child’s need and can answer any questions. Upon signing up, we will send you a packet of instructions and your gift tags. When you deliver your gifts to the church, you will place an angel on our Angel FISH tree. (If you are unable to reach Amy, please call or text Helene Denny at 276-791-9385 or email her at hhdenny@gmail.com.)
Monetarily Adopt: If you aren't able to shop, please make a donation of $75 to State Street UMC and note “Angel FISH Fund #7043” and we'll take care of the rest!
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Thanksgiving Meals to Feed FISH Families
Please consider donating funds this Thanksgiving season to help feed our FISH families. Our church typically provides 29 food boxes, at a cost of $50 for smaller families and $75
for larger families. These boxes provide turkey, dressing, sides, a gallon of milk and a pumpkin pie. The meals will be handed out this year on Wednesday, November 24th. If you would like to help deliver meals, it’s a great way to meet some very thankful families!
It isn't too late to make your donation of $50 or $75 to State Street UMC and note “Thanksgiving Food Box #6606” in the memo section of your check. Please contact Helene Denny at 276-669-2101, Ext 125, or at dce@state-street.org with any questions.
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Let there be light!
Grateful to Lighthouse Supply Company for installing new LED omnidirectional light bulbs in the Chapel.
Come in person to see the Light of Christ!
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Youth
We will have youth activities and Christmas themed lessons and games starting at 5 p.m. on Nov. 28, Dec 5 and 12th. Our Christmas party will be Dec 19 at 5 p.m.!
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Christmas Concert at SSUMC
Saturday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Please join the choirs of the Mountain Empire Children's Choral Academy as they present their annual Christmas Concert December 11, 7:30 p.m. at SSUMC. The Highlands Youth Ensemble, East Tennessee Children's Choir, Emory Virginia Children's Choir, and Da Capo will perform Christmas and Hanukkah selections by Dan Forrest, Susan LaBarr, Elaine Hagenberg, Mark Miller, Beth McCoy, Flory Jagoda, and others. The audience will be asked to join the choirs on the last piece. Suggested donation: $10/adult, $5/child, with a family maximum of $20. Please visit www.meccacademy.org for more information and updates.
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Holiday Concert at SSUMC
Friday, December 17th at 7 p.m.
Cantemus Women's Choir will perform a holiday concert, December 17 at 7:00 pm at State Street United Methodist Church. The concert, “Christmas Traditions", will feature many well-loved songs of the season, as well as some newer carol arrangements. The membership of Cantemus includes women of all ages and walks of life, from all over the Tri-Cities region. Cantemus was formed in the summer of 2015, and is conducted by Patty Denmark. Our own Bryan Underwood serves as collaborative pianist for Cantemus. The concert is open to all, but the choir requests that the audience wear masks and practice social distancing. All members of Cantemus are vaccinated. Suggested donation of $10.
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OAK Christmas Luncheon
Thursday, December 9th
ALL are welcome at the OAK (Older Adults) Christmas Luncheon which has expanded to include the Circle 3 and 4 Women's groups. We will gather in the Fellowship Hall at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 9 to enjoy Gerrie Felty's marvelous meatloaf and trimmings. Entertainment will be a quartet of Sweet Adeline's following the meal. Masks are encouraged when not eating. A suggested donation of $5.00 will be appreciated. Please sign up by Dec. 6th at noon outside the Parish Nurse office (Rm# 102) or on the clipboard on Sunday mornings at the welcome table. Call Patty Kilbreath if you have any questions at (276) 669-2101 or (424) 646-5577.
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Share in the Spirit of the Season
We are now accepting poinsettia orders for the upcoming Advent season. The cost is $10.00 each. You may place an order until Friday, December 10th. Please return the order form and your payment marked "poinsettia" to the church office. Please contact Susie Gordon at 423-646-1203 or Meredith Massie at 423-571-4498 with questions.
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Blood Pressure Screenings
on Sunday, December 5
Free Blood Pressure screenings will be held on Sunday, Dec. 5 at 9:45 a.m. and Noon in the Parish Nurse Office (Room #102).
Your Parish Nurses
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Mid-Week Prayer Gathering
Wednesdays at noon Pastor Laura leads a Mid-Week Prayer Gathering in the Chapel from 12 - 12:30 p.m. Prayer concerns are shared, and there are guided opportunities to be still and reflect on the power and presence of God.
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COVID Aware
The Church Council is providing the following information weekly to help each person take appropriate precautions. You are encouraged to use your best judgment as we strive to foster a healthy environment for all.
Current rate of infection (7-day average per 100,000 as of November 24):
- Bristol City, VA: 25.6 per 100,000
- Washington County, VA: 29.8 per 100,000
- Sullivan County, TN : 34.1 per 100,000
Recommendations (to keep the church open):
- Get vaccinated as recommended by health professionals.
- Masks and social distancing best protection for unvaccinated.
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If numbers above 10, consider masks and social distancing for all.
Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with God. - John Wesley's Three Simple Rules
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Open Enrollment at Spring Garden Preschool
Open enrollment with limited availability. Now enrolling children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. Call 276-466-8505 for more information.
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Church Office Hours
Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
*Closed on 11/25 (Thanksgiving Day) & Friday, November 26
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