 | |
Word from the Pastor: Freedom
“So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”
—John 8:36
In a recent conversation with friends, I made the comment that the deep longing of the human heart is for freedom. That can seem like a throwaway line, better suited to Hollywood blockbusters like Braveheart, but I think there is a truth in the statement. The problem is that the human heart will take the concept of freedom, just as we take our idea of God, and twist it for our own uses. For us at our worst, freedom is the license to do whatever we please.
This need not be the case. Take this iconic statement by Jesus in the eighth chapter of John. As it opens, he has just helped secure the release of the woman caught in adultery (it is interesting to wonder where the man was who must also have been “caught in the act”). Whether she was stoned or left unstoned, the sure promise of this encounter is that her identity in the village would forever be bound to that of an unfaithful woman. Though she still lives, she will carry the burden of guilt and condemnation around her neck the rest of her days.
Yet Jesus speaks to her in in verses 10–11, reminding her that he, the one who set her free, does not condemn her, so she is now truly free. If she will turn from her transgression and obey, she is now free to be the person, the follower, she was created to be. Of course, this quickly draws the ire of the religious authorities. They denounce Jesus and his freedom to declare liberation from the shackles of shame and guilt. In the end, they reject the very light of the world by which we see, and make judgments, amid our present darkness (v.12).
Then Jesus does the unthinkable. He, the Messiah for which Israel has longed, declares that he must be lifted up and die, and he must do it so that they might believe on him and not die shackled and chained to the sins that weigh them down. Jesus, the very source of life and light, declares in his freedom the ability to even taste death without its getting the final say.
Jesus then declares that if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. What is Jesus telling us? Is he saying that in him, you are now free to do whatever you please? Is our freedom an excuse from our obligations? Are we free to be separate little islands, each complete with our own constitution or rules for what is right or wrong?
No, the freedom Jesus offers, and the freedom we long for, is freedom from the old identity markers and freedom from the burden of past shame, all because, in him, we have tasted the ultimate freedom: fellowship with God. If we know the Lord Jesus, we are free from every other bond, shackle, set of social expectations, and way of being in the world because we are finally being and becoming the creatures God created us to be, destined for eternal communion with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
So be free. With Christ as the center of our lives, we will find our compass pointing to the true north of freedom found only in communion with him. The rest of the baggage we carry around is just that: so many bricks in the wall.
In Christ,
Pastor Sam
| |  |
|
Worship
August 28
12th Sunday after Pentecost
Scripture
Psalm 139:13–16
1 Corinthians 12:12–26
Sermon
Knit Together
Dr. Laura Ong
Ruling Elder
Last Sunday’s Attendance
9:00: In person: 130;
Livestream: 22; Playback: 58
11:00: In person: 96;
Livestream: 19; Playback: 43
| |
Calendar
Sunday, August 28
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
Fellowship Hall
Monday, August 29
10:00 a.m.
Staff Meeting
Room 123
7:00 p.m.
Session, Deacons & Trustees
Room 123
Tuesday, August 30
7:00 p.m.
Scout Court of Honor
Chapel
Wednesday, August 31
5:30 p.m.
Fellowship Supper
Fellowship Hall
6:15 p.m.
Adult Enrichment
Student Small Groups
Wednesday Night Kids
7:15 p.m.
Sanctuary Choir Practice
Room 202
Praise Band Practice
Fellowship Hall
Jubilation Youth Choir Practice
Room 209
Thursday, September 1
7:00 a.m.
Men’s Bible Study
Parlor
1:00 p.m.
Women’s Bible Study
Room 117
4:30 p.m.
Human Resources Committee
Room 123
| |
|
We’re Still Collecting Supplies for Flood Survivors
We continue to collect and deliver necessities for people affected by flooding in eastern Kentucky. If you want to donate to this cause, please see the lists below. Note that we have added canned food to the first list.
We need:
- Large cases of bottled water (packs of 24 or more)
- Large packs of diapers (various sizes)
- Large packets of baby wipes
- Camping stoves
- Solar-powered camping showers
- Canned food
We encourage you also to assemble buckets of cleaning supplies. Please pack the supplies in the bucket and seal them in with the lid.
- 5-gallon bucket with resealable lid
- 5 scouring pads
- 7 sponges, assorted sizes
- 1 scrub brush
- 5 dust masks
- 50 clothespins
- Clothesline, two 50 ft. or one 100 ft.
- 1 box dry laundry detergent, 50–78 oz.
- 1 pair work gloves
- 2 pair latex gloves (like Playtex)
- 1 plastic bottle concentrated household liquid cleaner (like Lysol), 12 oz.
- 1 plastic bottle liquid disinfectant dish soap (like Dawn), 25 oz.
- 1 pkg. cleaning towels (18 reusable, like Easy Wipes)
- 24-count roll heavy-duty trash bags (33–45 gallon)
Please continue to bring your donations to the church. Ring the office, and we will show you where to drop them off. If you have questions or want to help collect, move, and deliver these supplies, please call Justin Miller at 423-764-7176 or email him.
If you would like to donate money, please write a check to FPC Bristol and designate “Minister’s Discretionary Fund – Flood” in the memo. You can also give online. All proceeds will go to buy supplies and provide financial assistance to those affected.
| |
|
Serve Orlando Report and Free Fellowship Supper Wednesday
Our Wednesday night programming continues with supper in the fellowship hall at 5:30, followed by activities for children, teens, and adults. For the Adult Enrichment program, the Serve Orlando team will report on their June mission trip. There will be no cost for supper, thanks to a benefactor who has underwritten the cost to encourage people to come see what Wednesday nights are all about. We look forward to seeing you!
Life Together for Home Groups
Our latest Home Group curriculum, Life Together, is about how we can be new persons and communities centered in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Access the curriculum on our website or watch for it to drop on our Home Groups Facebook site.
| |
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.
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.
| | |
 | |
New Youth Ensemble
If you are a 3rd–8th grader who loves to lift up your voice in praise and worship, come join our new Jubilation Youth Choir! No experience is required. All you need is a desire to learn how to read music and lead worship through song. Practices will be on Wednesdays from 7:15 to 7:45 p.m., beginning August 31, and they will continue through September 21. We will perform for both services on Sunday, September 25. Please reach out to Melissa Galliher.
Fall Youth Retreat Sept. 3–5
Hey, sixth through twelfth graders! Invite your friends and come for a Labor Day weekend of fun and fellowship at Look Up Lodge in Travelers Rest, SC! Our Fall Retreat will include wild fun, adventure, the great outdoors, worship, and bonding with your church family. We will leave Saturday morning and return Monday afternoon.
The cost of the trip is $200, which includes transportation, lodging in nice cabins, meals, camp activities, rafting, and programs. A $50 nonrefundable deposit is required with registration. Scholarships are available. Register here. For more information, contact Katie Arnold.
Please Help with Sharing Christ
We need a few more folks to help serve dinner and clean up afterwards at the Sharing Christ Mission on Saturday, September 3. If you are available to help, please email Becca Tate or send her a text (404-790-1223).
Save the Date for Troop 3 Yard Sale
Mark your calendar! Boy Scout Troop 3 will hold their annual yard sale at the church Saturday, September 24.
|
|
|
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:
-
Kathy McGlothlin: to the Flood Victims fund from Fred & Heidi Harkleroad
-
Ernie Pennington: to the Meals on Wheels fund from Fred & Heidi Harkleroad; to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from John Peters
| David N. Johnson (1922–1987) was music department chairman at St. Olaf College. Johnson studied at Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas, and received his master’s and doctoral degrees in music from Syracuse University, New York. In addition to St. Olaf, he taught at Syracuse University; Alfred University, Alfred, New York; and Arizona State University. Johnson was organist at Syracuse University and organist and choir director at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Phoenix. His publications include Instruction Book for Beginning Organists and Organ Teacher’s Guide, which is the textbook I used when I was learning to play the organ. His compositions number more than 300 and include hymn tunes, varied harmonizations, and hymn preludes. | |
Johnson is well known for his many trumpet tunes, the most famous of which is “Trumpet Tune in D Major,” which is heard every week as the opening theme for the nationally syndicated radio program With Heart and Voice. “Trumpet Tune (Homage to the 18th century)” (our postlude) could be the title for all his trumpet tunes, as they all hearken back to the formal structure of those period compositions. Trumpet tunes of the baroque period were all in the key of D, because that is the key in which baroque trumpets were pitched, and they did not have valves to facilitate playing in other keys. As a 20th century composer, Johnson could write his trumpet tunes in many keys, especially as it is the trumpet stop of the organ that is employed rather than the actual brass instrument.
| |
|
In Our Prayers
Please also pray for the members of our community who wish to remain anonymous.
| |
|
Wayne Ausmus
Danielle Booher
Bud & Marg Branscomb
Kim Bright
Bristol Tennessee City Schools
Family of Imogene Browning
Becky Busler
Tom & Nancy Carter
Rachel Cherry
Cole family
Bill Coleman
Jane Ehrie
Beth Flannagan
Russell Fogelman, Kelli Krajeck & Kendall
DeeDee Galliher
Brenda Gilespie
Lou Hebb
Charles Hoilman
John & Karen & family
June Lamb
Nancy Lilly
| | |
|
Diana Mattison
Dot Mattison
Montana Indian Ministries
National & international leadership
Lee & Robin North
Pastor Bruce Plummer
Cora Lee Raccioppo
Margaret Jane Rice
Lynn Richards
Les & Kathy Samuel
Malcolm Sprinkle
Melanie Stein
Brenda Tackett
Teachers & school administrators
Scott VanNostrand
Bill & Patsy Ward
Michael Weller
Jerry & Darlene West
Marsha Wilson
Stevie Wintz
| |
|
Our COVID Protocols
The session strongly encourages masks for those not fully vaccinated, or at higher risk of complications from COVID-19. The session encourages everyone to consult their medical professional about vaccinations and boosters.
| |
|
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 | | | | | |
