|
Windows
February 9th, 2024
| |
Word from the Pastor: My Help | |
I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. -Psalm 121:1-2
Problems are. Problems are common to us all, and at times, threaten to overwhelm us. For some of us, we have financial problems. How will our bills get paid on time? For others, maybe we have emotional or mental well-being problems like depression and anxiety. For still others, maybe our problem is that those we love are taken from us, due to either illness or some other circumstance. Problems are. They occur. They come, they visit for a while (sometimes too long), and they go. There is never an end to life’s problems.
Here, the Psalmist presents us all with a question: “from where will my help come?” When I read this Psalm, I imagine David looking over an ancient battlefield with enemies all around, his armies on the brink of a disaster. The superscription to this Psalm states that it is a song of ascents. What this means is that this is likely one of the Psalms pilgrims would recite as they may their way toward Jerusalem on a high, holy day. Psalm 120-134 are all Psalms of ascent. The driving idea behind these Psalms is that the pilgrim would set out on their journey reciting these Psalms, and as they closed in on Jerusalem, gaining elevation as they went, not only would their eyes be drawn upward, but their hearts as well.
In either case, whether on pilgrimage through dangerous highways on the way to Jerusalem or on a chaotic battlefield, the result is the same. It is so easy for us to cast our eyes, our attention as a source of delivery and hope in the midst of our trials. We look to this solution or another’s advice to make a way.
However, the Psalmist reminds us that our help, our true help comes from only one source: the Lord God Almighty.
As you go on to read this Psalm, you will see that the Lord’s deliverance doesn’t come without times of additional trial and adversity. Verse 7 tells us that the Lord will keep us from evil. The Lord will keep us from evil finally prevailing over us, but that doesn’t mean that we won’t see the enemy approaching and threatening to overwhelm us. Yet, in the midst of this chaos, the Lord does not slumber (v. 3). The Lord does not forget. We are always held in the palm of His hand.
In Christ,
Pastor Sam
| |
The Lenten Devotional
The 2024 Lenten Devotional is 40 Days with Jesus by Sarah Young. The devotionals will be available in the narthex and the Fellowship Hallway beginning February 4th. Please take only one per family.
| The Youth Choir will sing during the Ash Wednesday service on February 14. We are excited to see everyone! Don't miss this unforgettable experience! | |  |
|
Worship
February 11
Transfiguration Sunday, 37th Sunday after Pentecost
Scripture
2 Kings 2:1-12, Mark 9:2-9
Sermon
“Fully Present”
Justin Miller, Pastoral Resident
Last Sunday's Attendance
9:00: In person: 133
11:00: In person: 119
9:00: Online: 144
11:00: Online: 106
| |
Calendar
Sunday, February 11
9:00 a.m.
Early Worship, Fellowship Hall 9:30 a.m.
Handbell Rehearsal, Room 212 10:20 a.m.
Sunday School for Adults and Children
11:00 a.m.
Late Worship, Sanctuary
6:00 p.m.
Student Fellowship, Fellowship Hall
Monday, February 12
10:00 a.m.
Staff Meeting, Rm, 123
6:00 p.m.
Scout District Committee Meeting, FH
7:00 p.m.
Worship Committee, Rm. 123
Tuesday, February 13
7:00 p.m.
Troop 3, Scout Hall
Wednesday, February 14
5:30 p.m.
Wednesday Meal, Fellowship Hall
6:15 p.m.
Ash Wednesday Service, Sanctuary
7:15 p.m.
Youth Choir Rehearsal, Room 209
7:15 p.m.
Adult Choir Practice, Room 202
7:15 p.m.
Praise Team Practice, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, February 15
7:00 a.m.
Men’s Bible Study, Parlor
1:00 p.m.
Women’s Bible Study, Rm. 123
Saturday, February 17
7:30 a.m.
Men’s Fellowship Breakfast, FH
| |
|
Great Escape is a camp for middle schoolers (rising 6th - 8th) to breakaway, grow, learn and have the best week of their life! Get ready for a week of high energy games, engaging speakers and an awesome worship band. First Pres will be attending the Smokies location, held at the Ocoee Retreat Center in Ocoee, TN. The group will depart Monday, July 22 and return Saturday, July 27. Mornings include breakfast, quiet times and recreation. Afternoons include lunch, recreation, free time, small groups and an afternoon session! Evenings include dinner, evening sessions, counselor meetings, and aftermaths. This is an event you won’t want to miss! Start inviting your friends and get your $100 deposit turned in ASAP to reserve your spot.
| |
|
Our Chili Cook-Off & Talent Show is coming up on Sunday, February 25. If you would like to perform on our stage, please contact Lilly Osborne or Katie Arnold. We always have a variety of talents of all ages! We would love to see your talent! Also, you can dust off that award winning chili recipe and get ready for the contest!
| |
 | Join FPC on an intergenerational summer adventure to Orlando, Florida to serve and play! Departing from the church on June 22, the group will head down to Orlando, Florida for a week of missions, beach, and Orlando fun. Experience the richness of working along side people of all ages and building new relationships within our church family. Participants will have the opportunity to serve with different ministries around Orlando. Each day is full of new opportunities and mission experiences. The group will be housed in dormitories at Forest Lake Academy. Meals will also be provided by the academy. The week will include beach time and an optional day at Universal Studios! We will return home June 29. The schedule will be flexible for families who are attending. We want it to be a rich and enjoyable experience for all! This is an event you won’t want to miss! Start making plans and inviting friends and get your $100 deposit in by March 1 to reserve your spot! Fill out the registration form here. | |
|
Remember to Return your Pledge
We are slowly bridging the gap in our funding for our ministries in 2024. We have now received $654,492 in pledges for next year and need $130,508 more to reach our goal of $785,000. 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. The members of the Stewardship Committee are Bruce Gannaway and Pete Holler.
| |
|
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:
Lee North: to the Memorial Fund from Chet, Katy, Ford & Julia Sikorski, from United
Way of Bristol, and from John & Karen Vann. To the Bethel Tumula Fund from Tom
& Leigh King
Claire Farina: to the Memorial Fund from John & Karen Vann.
Laverne Willian: to the Memorial Fund from John & Karen Vann.
Dave Whitesides: to the FPC BSA Troop 3 Fund from John & Karen Vann.
| |
 |  | James Biery (born 1956) is an American organist who is Minister of Music at Grosse Pointe Memorial Church in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. He was Director of Music at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul, Minnesota from 1996-2010. Biery was featured regularly as a performer on the Cathedral’s monthly concerts. He and his wife, Marilyn Biery, shared the organ and conducting duties at the Cathedral. Before moving to Minnesota, James Biery was Director of Music at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, Connecticut, where he performed often on the 140 rank Austin organ. I have chosen pieces that relate to the theme of Transfiguration. Our processional hymn “Sing of God Made Manifest” is written by Carl Daw and set to the tune SALZBURG. James Biery’s setting of SALZBURG (our Opening Voluntary) has a shimmering quality that captures beautifully a sense of awe and wonder that is at the heart of the Transfiguration experience. Biery’s setting of “Now the Heavens Start to Whisper” (our Offertory) carries similar qualities. However, his setting of “SANTO DOMINGO” (our Closing Voluntary) has a relentless, driving Latin rhythm from start to finish, which grows in volume and intensity. -Bob Greene
| | | |
|
In Our Prayers
We have several unnamed or private requests. Please pray for the members of our community who wish to remain anonymous.
Bill and Patsy Ward
Dot Mattison
Lou Hebb
Bud & Marg Branscomb
Rachel & Ben Cherry and Dean Millard
Ricky Adams - Tony’s brother
Mardia Long
John Graham, Sr
Harold Rutherford
Barbara Daniel
Frances Emerson
Fitz Anderson
Ginger Alvarado
Debbie Garritson
Debbie Turner
Bill Coleman
Laura Ann Buckles
Julie Torbert
Patsy Adams
Billie Peterson
Patty King
Bill Woods
Nelson Pyle
Adam, Nicole, & Warren Hodgson
Darrell Wilson
Phyllis Phares
Loretta Thomas
Dale Bechtold
Darnell Anderson
John McGill
Sarah Ferguson & family
Martha Mueller
Jon Eakes
Betsy Tate Kegley
Lillian Rhoades
Al Smith, Donnie Hurt’s brother.
Rev. Dr. Dick Ray
Shane Rollins & family
Lois Smith
Peggy Peters
Sandee and Jack Wooley
Mark Byington
Lisa Cronin
Shirley Ferguson
Grieving
Masters family
Mark Davis and family
Family of Cora Lee Raccioppo
Family of Louise Bowdoin
Region/Nation/Special
Schools, Colleges, & Universities
Ukraine
Israel & hostages
Those suffering with addiction
Mission & Ministry
Young People in Detention Center
Marthina Chapel/Phil Blevins
Ethiopian brothers and sisters/Dembi Dollo
Onesimus Ministry/Addis Ababa
Christians in Nigeria/ECWA
Felipe Camarão & Cidade Nova Churches
Joao & Roseangela
Gil & Adailza
Rui & Ariel Damasceno
Lawrence and Courtney Sharrett
Kate Hill
Goddards (Paraguay Missionaries)
Chris & Phoebe Chanda in Zambia
Paul Htay in Myanmar
BCCR/Gray House & Harmony & Hope House/Steven & Ann Davis
Montana Indian Ministries/Bruce Plummer
Serve Orlando
Younglife
Sunday school teachers, leaders, mentors @ FPC
| | | | |
Given the recent resurgence in COVID cases in our area, the session encourages everyone to consult their medical professional about appropriate safety measures, especially those who are at higher risk of complications from COVID-19 or who are not fully vaccinated. | |
|
Wednesday of the week of publication is the deadline for contributions to Windows. Subscribe to our free e-newsletter by sending your name and preferred email address to the editor. Livestream our worship services and other activities at FPC Bristol on YouTube. Click on the link and hit Subscribe to receive notifications of new videos. Find us on Facebook at FPC Bristol. Several accounts will show up. “Like” the page or ask to join a group.
We encourage you to use text, mail, or our website to safely continue your faithful support of our ministries. Give online here; choose a fund from the drop-down menu. Text fpcbristol to 73256 to send your pledge, offering, or special gift to the church. Messages and data rates may apply. Message varies frequency. Text HELP to 73256 for help. Text STOP to 73256 to cancel. If you prefer, you may mail your contribution to the church.
| |
701 Florida Avenue | Bristol, TN 37620 | 423-764-7176 | fpcbristol.org | | | | |
