Your Weekly News & Updates
Vacation Bible School
Video Reflection

MOO-chas Gracias to everyone who supported and participated in Hay Day VBS 2022! This year, we had 73 children and youth attend and over 40 adult volunteers for the week! It was UDDERLY amazing and we hope you take a few minutes to watch this short video slideshow below! Thank you to everyone who volunteered, prayed, or helped with Vacation Bible School. It was a big success, and we have you to thank for all your hard work!


Summer Series & Neighborhood Chats through July 31

"Won't You be my Neighbor: Life Lessons from Mister Rogers"
Mr. Rogers may have been the nicest guy of all time. Seriously, has there ever been anyone nicer? Everything about his real life seemed to mirror his character on TV. Although Fred Rogers was an ordained Presbyterian minister, his children's television program showed how to love people of all races, abilities, and backgrounds. Everyone was equal in his neighborhood. What does it mean to be a neighbor? Who is your neighbor? Let's come together and find out. State Street UMC strives to be a place where no one is a stranger, and all are accepted.
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Sunday, June 26
3rd Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-5:2
Be angry without sinning. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger.

Sermon: Mister Rogers on Feelings
“Confronting our feelings and giving them appropriate expression always takes strength, not weakness. It takes strength to acknowledge our anger, and sometimes more strength yet to curb the aggressive urges anger may bring and to channel them into nonviolent outlets. It takes strength to face our sadness and to grieve and to let our grief and our anger flow in tears when they need to. It takes strength to talk about our feelings and to reach out for help and comfort when we need it.” - Fred Rogers
 
  • 7/03 - Mister Rogers on Losing
  • 7/10 - Mister Rogers on Love
  • 7/17 - Mister Rogers on Listening with More than Your Ears
  • 7/24 - Mister Rogers on Gratitude
  • 7/31 - Mister Rogers on Being a Good Neighbor (The Good Samaritan)

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Neighborhood Chats – Start this Week on June 22 and 23!

During our summer series, you are invited to join in Neighborhood Chats as we explore ways we can be better neighbors as Christ has called us to be. No special book or preparation necessary. Come as you are and whichever time suits you as we support one another on the journey of being a good neighbor.

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Zoom & In Person

  • Wednesdays 5 – 6 p.m. with Pastor Laura from June 22 – Aug. 3 (Rm #115)

Here's the ZOOM link (same one each week)
Meeting ID: 822 4147 7426
Passcode: 030550

In Person Only

  • Thursdays 11 a.m. – Noon with Pastor Steve from June 23 – Aug. 4 (Rm #115).
9:01 and 11:00 Services Livestreaming on
on State Street’s YouTube Channel - StateStreetUMC
You can also listen to an audio recording of the sermon
with Sermon By Phone by calling 276-466-1050.
Recovery at Bristol
Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall

  • Dinner at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall before worship.
  • In Person Worship at 7 p.m. (social distancing; masks not required for attendees with completed vaccinations) or join us live on YouTube.
  • Support groups meet following worship.
  • Transportation to and from Recovery available. If you need a ride, contact the Church Office at 276-669-2101 Ext. 121.
  • Nursery care provided.

If you have questions about Recovery, please call (276) 669-2101 Ext.123 for Rev. Steve Patterson or Ext.129 for Amy Brown.
Mid-Week Prayer Service
Wednesdays At Noon - Chapel

A time for shared prayers, reflective moments, and singing. 30 minutes. ZOOM option available (contact the church office at (276) 669-2101 if interested).
Church Office Hours

Our Church Office Administrator, Cheri Zaras, will be out of the office from June 27 through July 5. Volunteers will be on site to answer the phone Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. If you call and do not get an answer or you need assistance at other times, please leave a voicemail so that we can get back with you as soon as possible. Email is also a good way to connect. The church office email is churchoffice@state-street.org. The church office phone is (276) 669-2101 Ext. 121.
A Note from the Altar & Floral Committee

For placing altar flowers in the chapel & sanctuary in honor or memory of someone, please call Susie Gordon (423) 646-1203 or Meredith Massie (423) 571-4498. There are 2 openings for floral arrangements in July.
Youth Activities

No youth activities June 26 (Amy away) or July 3 (holiday).

We will resume July 10 from 5 - 6 p.m for our annual Water Day. Wear clothes you can get wet in, bring a towel and a change of clothes if desired. We will have dinner and then the water battle begins! We are also preparing for our trip to Camp Ahistadi for our overnight camp out, August 5 - 6. More details to follow. If you or your student is interested in attending, please let Amy Brown know youth@state-street.org 
Back To School Clothing Drive
Sponsor a Student In Need

Communities in Schools of SW VA, in cooperation with Bristol Virginia Public Schools, are providing 200 students an opportunity to participate in a "Back To School Clothing Drive." With your help, students in need in the Bristol area will receive new school clothes for the upcoming year. In addition, high school students will be taken shopping to purchase their own school clothes.

  • You can shop for a student by picking up a student preference sheet at the registration table in the Narthex on Sunday or by calling Cheri in the Church Office (276) 669-2101 Ext. 121.

  • You can sponsor a student by making a monetary donation of $100. Donations can be made by visiting www.cisofswva.org/backtoschool or by mailing a check to: Communities in Schools of Southwest Virginia, 280 Lee St, Bristol, VA 24201.

  • Deadline is Monday, July 11th to bring your donated items to the Church Office during regular business hours.
Monthly Men's Prayer Breakfast
Tuesday, July 5th at 8:30 a.m.
Fellowship Hall

The next prayer breakfast will be held in the Fellowship Hall Tuesday, July 7 at 8:30 a.m. Brief devotion, prayers, conversation, and breakfast will be provided. The cost is $5 payable upon arrival. To register, call Cheri in the office at (276) 669-2101 Ext. 121 or Ray at (276) 644-3416. You can also sign up at the Welcome Table on Sundays.
June Blood Pressure screening

Get a free blood pressure screening by our Parish Nurse next Thursday, June 30 at 6 p.m. in the Narthex.
Spring Garden Enrollment

Summer and fall registration are open to the public. Now enrolling children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. For more information call (276) 466-8505.
Sunday Worship In-Person & Online

SSUMC offers 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.

Godly Play (a worship experience for ages 4 - 5th grade) is offered during 9:01 service.
COVID Aware

COVID levels, as of June 22, currently stand at MEDIUM risk for community spread in Bristol City and LOW Risk in Washington, County VA and Sullivan County, TN (cdc.gov and covidactnow.org). Please note that there may be reasons for some to continue to wear masks for their own protection or in order to care for loved ones. There is no judgment or explanation needed. Masks, or no masks, all are welcome.

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Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with God. - John Wesley's Three Simple Rules