Word from the Pastor:
Divine Humor
Now Sarah said, “God has brought laughter for me;
everyone who hears will laugh with me.”
—Genesis 21:6
As many of you saw through our regular posts online, FPC’s exploratory mission team to Egypt had a splendid time in the Lord. We accomplished our goals of establishing relationships with the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo (one of the largest Reformed Presbyterian Seminaries in the Arabic-speaking world) and with church partners like Heliopolis Presbyterian Church, as well as of fostering missional ties between FPC and King University. Overall, I would rate the trip as a great success.
That said, I was constantly amazed at the ways God used this trip to do things that we never planned for or expected. For example, there was my enduring love affair with a falafel joint (Felfela for the win!) and my friendship with Ahmed, the worker at the restaurant who must have served me ten falafel meals during my stay in Cairo. There were the street friendships we struck up with folks who were just interested in saying hi, asking us where we were from, and yes, sometimes wanting us to stop by their shop. In particular, Josh Rudd made great friends with one man who owns a small fabrication shop and probably had a controlling interest in half the tourist shops in one area. The guy was genuinely friendly and helped us get around.
One of the best examples of this unlooked for friendliness came on our last day in Cairo. We decided to stop by a historic mosque to see the sights and understand our neighbors a little better. I overcame my fear of heights and climbed to the top of the spire. Along the way, we ran into a group of students from Fayoum University. They were sophomores majoring in Islamic and Jewish studies, archaeology, and history, and they took great interest in us—Han first, then the rest of us (Han does have that kind of sheer charisma!). For the next couple of hours, we would talk, take pictures together, learn about one another, and become social media friends.
In short, along the way of our best laid plans, friendship happened. In the course of that friendship, these students encountered Christians who were open, kind, and warm toward them. The world, in some small way, changed.
I still can’t get over it. God looks at our itinerary, allows us to accomplish much, then laughs at our designs as God accomplishes even more than we can imagine, according to God’s own purposes. And God does it in a way that enriches us and our neighbors. Most important, God does it in a way that surprises the heck out of us.
This is the takeaway from the short excerpt from Genesis. Sarah and Abraham lived their lives and made their plans with certain expectations. Even after God promised them an heir, it is clear that they struggled to make sense of it. Earlier in the story, Sarah, when she was Sarai, even laughs at the possibility that she could bear a son in her old age (Genesis 18:12).
Yet, in time, and contrary to what they thought remotely possible, God turns the tables and blesses Sarah and Abraham anyway. And God does it despite their failings, despite their plans, and despite their doubts. What Sarai intended as derisive laughter of God’s promises becomes a hearty belly laugh of sheer surprise and gratitude.
That was my experience in Cairo, and I’m sure that all of us have had the same experience at some point along the way. In the end, divine humor leaves us grateful, while also shaking our heads that such things as mercy, grace, friendship, and moments of understanding between strangers are even possible at all. Thanks be to God!
In Christ,
Pastor Sam
|
|
Worship
March 27
4th Sunday in Lent
Scripture
Psalm 126
Genesis 21:1–7
1 Peter 2:1–10
Sermon
Inside Joke
Sam Weddington
Last Sunday’s Attendance
9:00: In person: 132;
Livestream: 32; Playback: 68
11:00: In person: 89;
Livestream: 18; Playback: 63
|
Calendar
Sunday, March 27
9:00 a.m.
Contemporary Worship
Fellowship Hall
10:10 a.m.
Sunday School
11:00 a.m.
Traditional Worship
Sanctuary
6:00 p.m.
Student Fellowship
7:00 p.m.
King Worship
College Room
Monday, March 28
10:00 a.m.
Staff Meeting
Room 123
7:00 p.m.
Session of Elders
Room 123
Tuesday, March 29
7:00 p.m.
Boy Scout Troop 3
Scout Hall
Wednesday, March 30
5:30 p.m.
Fellowship Supper
Fellowship Hall
6:15 p.m.
Adult Enrichment
Student Small Groups
Wednesday Night Kids
Handbell Practice
Sanctuary
7:00 p.m.
Praise Band Practice
Fellowship Hall
7:15 p.m.
Choir Practice
Room 202
Thursday, March 31
7:00 a.m.
Men’s Bible Study
Parlor
1:00 p.m.
Women’s Bible Study
Room 117
Friday, April 1
6:00 p.m.
Parents’ Night Out
Education Wing
|
MEF Scholarships Available
The portal is now open for application for Missionary Emergency Fund (MEF) Student Scholarships. If you are the child of an active or retired clergyperson or missionary, or your course of study is designed to prepare you for the ministry, missionary work, or related Christian service, we invite you to apply for a scholarship here. |
|
|
Lilies for the Resurrection |
|
|
|
On April 17 we will celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord. Let us do so in worship spaces adorned with Easter lilies in honor or in memory of those we love and appreciate. To order one or more lily plants, either fill in the form you will find at the church and return it to the office or order online. Each plant costs $15. The deadline for ordering is Monday, April 11.
|
|
 |
Parents’ Night Out April 1
No kidding, we’re giving parents an evening off Friday, April 1, from 6:00 to 8:30! Parents’ Night Out is for newborns through sixth graders and will be held in the Education Wing. Please let Lilly Osborne know the number and ages of the children you will drop off, so that she can provide dinner and materials for all of them. To sign up, email Lilly, call or text her at 423-383-5476, or use the Children’s Ministries Facebook page. |
|
|
|
Easter Egg Hunt and BBQ April 16
Bring your basket and get ready to have some fun! Our annual Easter egg hunt will be held Saturday, April 16, at 4:00 p.m. A BBQ dinner will follow at 5:30! Fun for all ages! Questions? Email Lilly Osborne. |
|
|
|
New Adult Sunday School Class
Before the COVID-19 pandemic reached our area, a Sunday School class for young professionals met regularly, facilitated by Audrey and Chase Arndt. Now it’s back and meeting in the College Room! This group welcomes other young professionals to join them as they go through the book of Genesis together.
Lenten Aids Available
This year we offer two aids for you to use alone or with others as you prepare for Easter. Our Lenten devotional this year is Making the Road: Walking through Lent. We post a PDF on our Facebook page each week and print copies to be picked up at church or mailed out with Windows. You can pick up copies at the church, and we post a PDF on our Facebook page each week.
Our Lenten prayer stations remain in place so that individuals and families can go to each on their own time as the season progresses. The Prayer of Thanksgiving station is outside the fellowship hall. The Prayer of Lament station is in the fellowship hall. The Prayer of Intercession station is on the mission wall. The Prayer of Confession station is in the chapel.
|
|
The Promise for Home Groups
Our new semester of Home Groups has begun! In our new curriculum, The Promise, we are talking about God’s promises to Abraham, fulfilled in the Lord Jesus. You can access the curriculum on our website here. You can also watch for it to drop on social media on our Facebook site dedicated to Home Groups.
New Women’s Bible Study
Our new weekly Bible study for women of all ages is under way. We meet on Thursdays from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. in room 117. Dottie Havlik and Peggy Hill are our facilitators. All are welcome. Child care will be available if you call the church office by Tuesday so that adequate staffing can be arranged. Come and enjoy good fellowship as we grow in God’s Word together!
Musical Wednesday Night Kids
We are so excited to have Ms. Melissa join us as Children’s Music Minister! Please join us on Wednesday nights, as we learn a wonderful song for Easter, bells, recorder, Swahili, and much more! You can come for dinner at 5:30 or just come from 6:15 to 7:15 for the programs! /Lilly Osborne
|
|
Register for Orlando Trip
Serve Orlando registration is open! Sign up here. This mission opportunity for students, adults, and families is scheduled for June 23–30. We will work with ministries and agencies in the Orlando, Florida, area, and our group will also enjoy a day at Universal Parks and an afternoon at the beach. Rising 1st graders through rising 6th graders must be accompanied by an adult. Rising 7th graders through rising 12th graders may come solo or bring family and friends. The cost is $400 per person; see Katie Arnold for family pricing. The price increases after April 1. Scholarships are available. For more information, email Katie Arnold.
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. |
|
Little Pretzels for Little Hands
We are collecting little pretzels for Fairmount schoolchildren for this week. As ever, please put your donated snacks in one of the collection boxes (in the narthex and the fellowship hallway). We will take them to the school.
Our COVID Protocols
The session strongly encourages masks for those not fully vaccinated, or at higher risk of COVID-19 complications. The session encourages everyone to consult their medical professional about vaccinations and boosters.
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. |
|
|
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 the following gifts in memory of:
-
Garrett Foster: to the Children’s Ministries Fund from Tony & Becky Adams
-
Virginia Long: to the Children’s Ministries Fund from Tony & Becky Adams
-
Matt Newton: to the Children’s Ministries Fund from Tony & Becky Adams
-
Austin Rowell: to the Children’s Ministries Fund from Tony & Becky Adams
-
Frances Rowell: to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from Louise Bowdoin, from Joe & Leslie Bundy Haas, from Lynn & Charley Hodges, from Lavonda B. Keel, from Tom & Sandy McGlothlin
-
Logan Smith: to the Children’s Ministries Fund from Tony & Becky Adams
|
|
Our prelude Sunday will be the 1835 Southern Harmony tune “What Wondrous Love Is This,” arranged for handbells by Andrew Duncan. Duncan received his master’s degrees in Choral Conducting and Piano Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He is an active arranger and composer and has orchestrated many anthems and carols for orchestra, choir, and handbells. His music is published by AGEHR/Lorenz, Alfred, Cadenza One, Discover Worship, GIA Music, and Ring-Press Music. Duncan owns and operates Handy Andy LLC, a handyman business in Knoxville, and serves as the Assistant Director and Masterworks Accompanist of the Knoxville Choral Society and Knoxville Chamber Chorale. He has served as clinician for the Epiphany Ring, TVA Handbell Festival, and has worked as adjunct faculty for Johnson University, where he has taught orchestration and arranging. His children’s opera (for educational outreach tours) The Ugly Duckling, has been performed by the Nashville Opera, Opera Columbus, Fort Worth Opera, Opera Saratoga, Seagle Music Colony, Atlanta Opera, and Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre. Duncan lives in Knoxville with his wife, Rachel, and their three children, Natalie, Matthew, and Kate.
Our postlude “Aus tiefer Not” (“Out of the Depths I Cry to You”) is by Max Drischner (1891–1971), a German composer, Kantor, organist, and harpsichordist. Fritz Feldmann wrote: “Drischner’s compositions are captured improvisations that avoid modern paths, distinguished by an ever tonal melodic that is songlike.”
|
|
|
|
We want to pray for and celebrate with you! Send your prayer requests and glad tidings to [email protected].
Condolences
Our love and sympathy are with Rachel Cherry in the death of her aunt, Paula Louise (Barker) Millard, who died March 13 at her home in Bristol; and with the family and friends of former FPC member Mary Victoria “Vicki” Morison Houser, who died March 5 at her home in Bristol.
In Our Prayers
Please also pray for the members of our community who wish to remain anonymous.
|
|
|
Anna Arbo & family
Wayne Ausmus
Kevin Benton
Bill & Betty Bingham
Rebecca Bloomfield
Ralph Booher
Sujean Bradley
Bud & Marg Branscomb
Bristol Tennessee City Schools
Becky Busler
Bill Coleman
Egypt Mission Trip
Randi Edwards
K.D. Forsha
Tammy Fredrickson
DeeDee Galliher
Emma Grubbs & Gina Roberson
Haiti
Lou Hebb
Eddie Hill
Porter Hillery
Davan & Kristi Johnson
Kaduna State
Jim & Joan Keith
Marty & Kara Keys
|
|
Josh & Morgan King & family
Nancy Lilly
Diana Mattison
Dot Mattison
Roger McCracken
Kathy McGlothlin
Montana Indian Ministries
National & international leadership
Breanna Necessary
Lee & Robin North
Evan & Britt Patrick
Pastor Bruce Plummer
June Prado
Cora Lee Raccioppo
Kreg Ramey
Margaret Jane Rice
Roberta
Mike Ruger
Michelle S.
Malcolm Sprinkle
Teachers & school administrators
Scott VanNostrand
Bill & Patsy Ward
Michael Weller
Carlena Williams
|
|
|
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.
|
|
701 Florida Avenue | Bristol, TN 37620 | 423-764-7176 | fpcbristol.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
