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Greetings Everyone, We would like to invite you to become part of Team Zambia by donating items that we can bring along with us to Zambia, Africa when we lead our next mission trip there in this beautiful part of Sub-Saharan Africa from May 15-29, 2024. This will be our 8th mission trip to Zambia, through our 13-year partnership with the Christian Non-Government Organization (NGO) called the Phoebe Foundation Africa (PFA). Over the years, since our first trip to Zambia in 2011, this African country has become our second home. We fell in love with the culture, the people, and the churches and are in awe of the spiritual maturity of our friends and leaders that live in this amazing part of the world.
PFA is a Christ-centered ministry that is led by Pastor Chris & Phoebe Chanda, who are a Zambian couple that have devoted their lives to serve in 10 villages throughout the entire country of Zambia. Their central mission is to serve the most vulnerable population in this African country, which are children who do not have adequate access to healthcare, shelter, education, food, and clean water. They have been orphaned due to losing one or both parents to various illnesses like malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, Covid and Cholera. PFA strives to exude the love of Christ and empower the citizens within each village with life-sustaining resources, encouragement, and collaborative support. They pray for partnerships with churches like ours in the United States and we are so excited to continue to invest in this impactful ministry that is part of transforming lives every day in a way that has eternal significance. It is inspiring every year to witness God at work in this magnificent country!
This year, PFA is requesting gently used or new soccer shorts & shirts for children and adults (mostly small & medium, with some large sizes), deflated soccer balls and Bibles to distribute. We would also love your prayers for the 3 counseling conferences that we will lead, the soccer ministries, where we will share the gospel with many orphaned children, as well as the feeding programs that provide balanced meals, home visits and church services that we will be attending. You will see bins at our services in the coming weeks, where you can leave your donations. Thanks so much for joining us to help meet the needs of our friends in this majestic part of God’s Kingdom! May God Bless You Abundantly!
Sincerely,
Catherine & Mark Bell
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Spring Cleaning Day
Spring cleaning help is on the way! Volunteers from the church will gather at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 20 in the church parking lot and disperse to help members of the congregation clean gutters, change smoke alarm batteries and light bulbs, clear yard debris, and perform other rites of spring. It won't be fun without you! Volunteers are asked to bring ladders, gloves, rakes, and other tools they might need. To volunteer or to request assistance, please contact Dave Welch at dwelch@fpcbristol.org.
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Ordination of Justin Miller
The ordination of Justin Miller will begin Wednesday, April 24th at 6:15pm right after Wednesday night meal and will take place in the Sanctuary. Everyone is invited to attend and celebrate with him and his wife this momentous event.
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Rock Slingers Greatest Hits
Everyone is invited to come out to the fellowship hall on Sunday, April 28 at 5:00pm to see the children of FPC perform their spring musical “The Rock Slinger and His Greatest Hit”! Ms. Sujean and Ms. Melissa and the children have worked so hard to bring the story of David and Goliath to life! It is sure to put a smile on your face! It is also a great reminder that we can trust God because He is mightier than any giant we will face. Join us and show your love and support!
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Bristol Regional Hospital Change
Friends, Due to a recent policy change at the hospital, the staff at FPC are no longer able to call the hospital each morning and determine if any members are there under care. Yet it is vital that we know. Here’s how you can help the Congregational Care Team and the Pastors to be current with congregational needs. Please call or email the staff with known community/congregational needs, especially the names of those known to you who are in the hospital. The staff will then follow up personally and confidentially with them. You may call the church office during business hours M-Th 9am-5pm. The church phone number is (423-764-7176). Or you may email the information using one or more of these addresses: info@fpcbristol.og, sbales@fpcbristol.org, or dwelch@fpcbristol.org. Thank you for expanding our team efforts!
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Worship
April 21
4th Sunday after Easter
Scripture
John 20:30-31
Matthew 28:18-20
Liturgy: Psalm 147:1, 12-14
Sermon
“A Disciple’s Life”
Rev. Dr. Samuel Weddington
Last Sunday's Attendance
In person:
9:00: 149
11:00 : 100
Online:
9:00: 113
11:00: 93
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Calendar
Sunday, April 21
9:00 a.m.
Early Worship, Fellowship Hall
9:30 a.m.
Handbell Rehearsal, Room 212 10:20 a.m.
Sunday School, Various locations 11:00 a.m.
Late Worship, Sanctuary
3:00 p.m.
Children Play Rehearsal, Chapel
4:00 p.m.
M&O Committee Meeting Room 123
5:00 p.m.
King Student Celebration
6:00 p.m.
Student Fellowship, Fellowship Hall
7:00 p.m.
KU Worship Night, College Room
Monday, April 22
10:00 a.m.
Staff Meeting, Room 123
7:00 p.m.
Session of Elders, Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, April 23
7:00 p.m.
Troop 3, Scout Hall
Wednesday, April 24
5:30 p.m.
Wed. Night Supper, Fellowship Hall
6:15 p.m.
Justin Miller Ordination, Sanctuary
7:15 p.m.
Adult Choir Practice, Room 202
7:15 p.m.
Praise Team Practice, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, April 25
7:00 a.m.
Men’s Bible Study, Parlor
1:00 p.m.
Women’s Bible Study, Room 123
6:00 p.m.
KU Pinning Ceremony, Sanctuary
Friday, April 26
6:00 p.m.
KU Baccalaureate Service, Sanctuary
Saturday, April 27
3:00 p.m.
Rockslinger Final Practice, FH
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Greetings Everyone, We would like to invite you to become part of Team Zambia by donating items that we can bring along with us to Zambia, Africa when we lead our next mission trip there in this beautiful part of Sub-Saharan Africa from May 15-29, 2024. Our partners there through the Phoebe Foundation Africa are requesting gently used or new soccer shorts & shirts for children and adults (Mostly Small & Medium, with some Large sizes), deflated soccer balls and Bibles to distribute.
We would also love your prayers for the 3 counseling conferences that we will lead, the soccer ministries, as well as the feeding programs, home visits and church services that we will be attending. Thanks so much for joining us to help meet the needs of our friends in this majestic part of God’s Kingdom.
May God Bless You Abundantly!
Sincerely, Catherine & Mark Bell
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We look forward to celebrating our seniors on May 12 in our senior led worship services. One of the ways we are honoring and celebrating our seniors is by collecting Legacy Letters to give to them on this Sunday.
Legacy Letters are written by family and friends and describe ways in which the senior has impacted the writer’s life. Letters can share old memories, stories, lessons learned, or significant moments. This is a wonderful opportunity to encourage the senior in their faith and future plans as well as to acknowledge the beautiful gifts God has given them. Our hope is that the Legacy Letters will give family and friends an opportunity to share the incredible impact the seniors have had on those around them. The letters will be a beautiful collection of love and truth that the seniors can read as they begin a new journey after high school and serve as a reminder of the incredible community they have cheering them on in their journey!
All letters need to be collected and turned in by May 10. Please send to:
First Presbyterian Church
Attn.: Katie Arnold
701 Florida Ave.
Bristol, TN 37620
or karnold@fpcbristol.org
Class of 2024
Sam Beasey
Micah Bechtold
Sarah Galliher
Campbell Kent
Cheyenne Little
Sam Meredith
Noah Ong
James Phipps
Joan Weddington
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We are collecting letters for our Confirmands and would love for you to be part of their great cloud of witnesses!
Since September 2022, these confirmation students have participated in weekly classes that have taught, informed, encouraged and challenged their faith. Watching them grow over the past two years and take ownership of their faith has been a joy and an inspiration!
On Sunday, May 5, 2024, the confirmation students will have the opportunity to proclaim their faith to our church family and become members of First Presbyterian Church. As we prepare for this special day, we are asking friends and family to send in cards and letters of spiritual encouragement to our confirmands. Letters are not limited to, but could include a story or memory, something about your own faith or ways your life has been impacted by knowing this student. We invited you to speak love and truth that will spur them on in their faith. The kind words you share will not only encourage them as they prepare to be confirmed but also be kept for years as a reminder that they are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses that will love, guide, and encourage them as they continue to run the race. (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Confirmation Class of 2024
Josh Galliher
Joel Galliher
Mollee McClain
Moses Ong
Charlotte Osborne
Marissa Smith
Penn Story
If you would like to participate, please mail, email or deliver all cards and letters by May 1st to:
First Presbyterian Church
Attn.: Katie Arnold
701 Florida Avenue
Bristol, TN 37620
or email karnold@fpcbristol.org
Thank you for joining us as we celebrate this important and exciting time in the lives of our students! Contact Katie Arnold with any questions.
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We Need YOU...The Facilities Improvement Group has partnered with BurWil
Construction to survey members and anyone who attends our worship and programs. The survey, which is totally anonymous, is to identify strengths and areas of need in our church building and grounds. The information we gather will provide information about our worship and fellowship spaces that will guide us as we plan for the next 30-40 years of life in this building. The Facilities Survey will be available for completion (both online and via paper copies) beginning Friday, March 22 and run through Friday, April 19. As part of the survey, you will have the option to request to be included in a Discovery Session, a 2-3 hour workshop (date to be determined) which will provide the opportunity to discuss your ideas in detail with others from our church family as well as the BurWil team. Visit here to go directly to the Survey, or pick up a paper copy in the church office or on the table outside the worship service you attend. Paper copies may be delivered anonymously to the Facilities Survey mailbox in the stairwell leading to the choir area.
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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:
Julie King: to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from Ann Woods
Bill Woods: to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from Robert Pierson, from Jan Rice,
from Craig & Brennan Rockett, and from John & Ann Tickle
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Every once in a while, I discover a worthy composer with whom I was previously unfamiliar. Such is the case this week.
Alexandre-Pierre-François Boëly (1785—1858) was a French composer, organist, pianist, and violist. As the Romantic movement swept through Europe during the 19th century, Boëly was shunned by the official mainstream of musical life in Paris because of his classical sensibilities and his “elitist” fidelity to writing serious music. He promoted the works of deceased composers who were then only scantily appreciated by the public. These included Frescobaldi, Couperin, and most importantly of all the supposedly impenetrable, unplayable Bach.
Although Boëly was and remains largely unknown to the public, this does not diminish the part he played in the flourishing development of French music during the 19th century. He left behind an impressive oeuvre which numbers about 300 individual works, especially in the genres of chamber music and instrumental pieces for piano or organ. In old age, he was sought out by two rising young artists, César Franck and Camille Saint-Saëns, who revered him as a guardian of a noble and pure classical organ tradition.
I am playing two pieces from Boëly’s 24 Pièces pour l’orgue, Op.12: No. 10 “Quatuor” for the Opening Voluntary, and No. 17 “Tierce in Taille” for the Offertory. For the Closing Voluntary, I am having a little fun with a toccata-like “Prélude” by Gabriel Pierné (1863-1937) from his Trois Pièces, Op. 29.
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To the Church Triumphant
Dr. Richard “Dick” Ray
April 10, 2024
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Condolences
Condolences to Tony & Becky Adams in the death of Tony’s mother, Patsy Adams on April 16, 2024
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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
Lou Hebb
Bud & Marg Branscomb
Rachel & Ben Cherry and Dean Millard
Ricky Adams
Mardia Long
John Graham, Sr
Harold Rutherford
Barbara Daniel
Frances Emerson
Fitz Anderson
Ginger & George Alvarado
Debbie Garritson
Bill Coleman
Patsy Adams
Billie Peterson
Nelson Pyle
Phyllis Phares
Loretta Thomas
Dale Bechtold
Sarah Ferguson
Martha Mueller
Jon Eakes
Betsy Tate Kegley
Lillian Rhoades
Al Smith
Lois Smith
Peggy Peters
Jack Wooley
Mark Byington
Lisa Cronin
Ron Fox
George Price
Betty Linke
Nick and Christy Booher, Baby Charlie
Tracy Clark
Chris Slone
Penn Story
Grieving
Family of Bill Woods
Family of Peggy Rutherford
Family of Dot Mattison
Family of Dick Ray
Region/Nation/Special
Schools, Colleges, & Universities
Ukraine
Israel, hostages, and victims in Gaza
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
Pastor Nehemiah and family
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
Scout Troop 3
Sunday school teachers, leaders, mentors @ FPC
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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.
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701 Florida Avenue | Bristol, TN 37620 | 423-764-7176 | fpcbristol.org | | | | |
