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Word from the Pastor:
God Has Looked
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant.”
—Luke 1:46b–48a
Contrary to expectations, I actually do have Christmas movies I enjoy watching again from time to time (but definitely not on the Hallmark channel). I love A Christmas Story. If you haven’t seen it, you should. It’s the story of a little boy named Ralphie growing up in the 40s who wants, more than anything, a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas. I really like National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. I’ve got a few Cousin Eddies in my family; yes, it’s true. I also really like the ’84 version of A Christmas Carol, starring George C. Scott. Dickens’s novella is superior, of course, but the Scott film is my favorite movie adaptation.
I share this because a common thread connects all these very different movies. Beyond the trees, glitz, and pageantry of Christmas, each of these stories features dysfunctional human beings, often at their worst, who experience grace. Ralphie is a self-centered little boy who gets into all sorts of little boy trouble (he did almost shoot his eye out!). Yet, despite all the craziness around him, he learns that what really matters is family and memories. Clark Griswold learns to shed the veneer of middle-class respectability and make room not only for Cousin Eddie and his crazy family but even for a boss who was his enemy. Ebenezer Scrooge is confronted with the dead-end he has made of his miserly life and given the opportunity to become the blessing he was created to be.
In other words, through either comedy or horror, these films point to the deeper truth of the coming of the Son of God: the Lord has looked down on our lowly state. Out of His great love for us, He has become one of us, revealing His redemptive purposes in the trenches of our brokenness. This is the beating heart of Mary’s song. This is what Christmas is really all about.
If we understand that, our focus shifts to magnifying the name of the Lord in all our affairs. Our attention turns from the trappings of Christmas to fixate on the grace we have received, sending us out to find ways to share that same grace with the lowly upon whom God has already purposed to bestow His favor.
Keep the ornaments, and bring on Cousin Eddie!
In Christ,
Pastor Sam
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Remember to Return Your Pledge
We have now received $642,892 in pledges for 2023, leaving $72,488 to go to meet our goal of $715,380 for our ministries in the coming year. If you have not yet sent in your pledge, you can still submit the card you received in the mail (also available at the church) or access online giving through the QR code.
If you have any questions about stewardship, reach out to any member of the committee or read this. The members of the Stewardship Committee are Barb Duncan, Chase Mitchell, Matt Peltier, Karen Pennington, Jerry Poteat, Annette Tudor, and John Vann.
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Worship
December 4
2nd Sunday of Advent
Communion
Scripture
Isaiah 11:1–10
Matthew 3:1–12
Sermon
“Cut Off?”
Sam Weddington
Last Sunday’s Attendance
9:00: In person: 137;
Streaming: 19; Playback: 68
11:00: In person: 77;
Streaming: 17; Playback: 44
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Calendar
Sunday, December 4
9:00 a.m.
Contemporary Worship
Fellowship Hall
10:20 a.m.
Sunday School
11:00 a.m.
Traditional Worship
Sanctuary
3:00 p.m.
Christmas Play Rehearsal
Sanctuary
6:00 p.m.
Combined Student & College Ministries Celebration
Fellowship Hall
Monday, December 5
10:00 a.m.
Staff
Room 123
Tuesday, December 6
7:00 p.m.
Women’s Advent Worship
Chapel
Boy Scout Troop 3
Scout Hall
Wednesday, December 7
6:15 p.m.
Handbell Practice
Room 212
7:15 p.m.
Sanctuary Choir Practice
Room 202
Praise Band Practice
Fellowship Hall
Thursday, December 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
Room 123
7:30 p.m.
King Christmas Concert
Sanctuary
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Annual Gingerbread House Competition Sunday
Student Ministry and College Ministry will gather this Sunday evening for the annual gingerbread house competition. What designs will competitors think of this year? Come to the fellowship hall for dinner at 6:00 and stay to create as an individual or as a team. First we eat, then we compete! Grab your friends and join us for a night of Christmas creations. We expect to wrap the evening by 8:00.
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Women’s Advent Worship Dec. 6
The Women’s Advent Worship service will be held in the chapel Tuesday, December 6, 7:00–8:30 p.m. We will set the tone for Advent and Christmas as we join other women to worship with music, prayer, and a message from Rev. Elizabeth Patrick. Afterward, we will enjoy dessert, warm drinks, and warm fellowship.
This event was a meaningful annual tradition for many of us before Covid. Let’s draw near to the Lord together again this season. Consider inviting a friend or two to join us! If you need child care, please contact the church office (423-764-7176) by 10:00 a.m. Tuesday.
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Last Call for Poinsettias
Last call to order your poinsettias to grace the sanctuary and fellowship hall from the third Sunday in Advent through Christmas Eve! Plants are $20 each, and the deadline for orders is Monday, December 5. You can find order forms in the bulletins and the church office, or order online here.
Pick Up Your Advent Devotional
Our Advent devotionals are available for pickup at the church. Reflect on the person and coming of Christ with daily scripture readings, meditations, and prayers from NIV Once-A-Day, 25 days of Advent.
We’re Tweaking the Timing of Our Caroling Event
Last week we announced a churchwide caroling event for December 14 at 5:30 p.m. Please stay tuned as we fine-tune the timing! We will announce the new time for this event in the next Windows.
Save These Dates
Mark your calendar now for two upcoming events. On Tuesday, December 13, we will again participate in Bristol’s Journey’s End celebration. The children’s Christmas play, The Innkeeper, will be presented Sunday, December 18, at 5:30 in the sanctuary.
Women’s Retreat Feb. 10–11
Our ever-popular Women’s Retreat is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, February 10 and 11, at Jubilee Retreat Center, 822 East Main Street, Abingdon.
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Special Offerings in December
We will collect a Special Offering for the Minister’s Discretionary Fund every Sunday in December and on Christmas Eve. Your contributions will aid a number of projects throughout the coming year, as they did flood relief and air purifier distribution this year. We will not pass a special offering plate during Sunday services but encourage you to give online to the “Christmas Offering for MDF” in the dropdown menu on our GIVE page. If you prefer to give by check, please note “Christmas Offering for MDF” on the memo line. The entire offering collected during the Christmas Eve service will go towards this special offering.
We’re at Sharing Christ This Saturday
Our faithful volunteers will be at the Sharing Christ downtown mission around 4:30 p.m. this Saturday, December 3, to pack lunches to be disbursed on Sunday and prepare to serve at 5:30. To everyone who has pitched in to provide food, make sandwiches, or volunteer to serve dinner, coordinators Beth Flannagan and Becca Tate say, “Thank you all for your gift of time and intention!”
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 Facebook sites, go to Facebook and type in FPC Bristol. Several accounts will show up. “Like” the page or ask to join a group.
Give Safely
As a variety of viruses swirl around, we encourage you to use text, mail, or our website to safely continue your faithful support of our ministries. You can give online by going to our website and clicking on GIVE in the upper right corner. You can also send your pledge, offering, or special gift by texting fpcbristol to 73256, or mail your check directly to the church.
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This Sunday’s Opening Voluntary is my arrangement of ES IST EIN ROS ENTSPRUNGEN (“Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”). We will also sing that hymn, first published with 23 stanzas (!) in the Cologne Gesangbuch of 1599. Originally, stanza 2 interpreted the rose as Mary, mother of Jesus. But in Musae Sionae (1609) Michael Praetorius changed the interpretation to point to Christ as the rose in accord with actual biblical imagery. Theodore Baker (1851–1934) gave us the English translation we sing today. Baker is well known as the compiler of Baker’s Biographical Dictionary of Musicians (first ed. 1900), the first major music reference work that included American composers. Baker studied music in Leipzig, Germany. His dissertation on the music of the Seneca people of New York State was one of the first studies of the music of American Indians.
In yet another precursor to Christmas, I have arranged GREENSLEEVES for three handbell ringers. It will be heard during the distribution of elements for the Lord’s Supper.
Finally, the Closing Voluntary reflects the congregational response, “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates.” Robin Dinda (b. 1959) has written a setting for solo trumpet stop and pedals that is a good workout for the feet.
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Keller Alexander
Wayne Ausmus
Olivia Bowen
Bud & Marg Branscomb
Bristol Tennessee City Schools
Becky Busler
Tom & Nancy Carter
Rachel Cherry
Bill Coleman
Russell Fogelman, Kelli Krajeck & Kendall
Lou Hebb
Charles Hoilman
Gwen King
Nancy Lilly
Toni Mari
Dot & Diana Mattison
Dean Millard
Montana Indian Ministries
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National & international leadership
Pastor Bruce Plummer
Delaney Porter
Cora Lee Raccioppo
Seymour Ray
Lynn Richards
Tom & Delma Slagle
Wendy Smith
Tate family
Teachers & school administrators
Scott VanNostrand
McKinley Wagner
Bill & Patsy Ward
Michael Weller
Marsha Wilson
Virginia Wilson
Stevie Wintz
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The session continues to encourage masks for those at higher risk of complications from COVID-19 or not fully vaccinated. The session encourages everyone to consult their medical professional about vaccinations and boosters. | |
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 | | | | | |