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May Mission Focus:
Montana Indian Ministries
Montana Indian Ministries is a Christian organization that aims to share the gospel and serve the needs of Native American communities in Montana. They work with several tribes, including the Blackfeet, Crow, and Northern Cheyenne, to provide various programs and services.
Their programs include Bible studies, discipleship classes, and youth camps that aim to help Native American individuals and families grow spiritually. They also offer a home repair program that assists with home maintenance and repairs for those in need.
In addition to their spiritual and practical services, Montana Indian Ministries also works to promote cultural understanding and respect between Native American and non-Native American communities. They strive to bridge the gap and bring people together through various events and activities.
First Presbyterian Church has been a partner to Pastor Bruce Plummer of Montana Indian Ministries. We have sent teams of volunteers who have helped with maintenance repairs and served at the annual Powwow.
To highlight the Powwow ministry, Pastor Bruce and his teams will set up tents during one of these events, provide water and coffee, and pick up trash. If the opportunity arises from this form of hospitality, they will share the gospel with those in attendance. The goal is to publicly acknowledge the Montana Tribes culture and demonstrate a servant’s heart. The hope is that by embracing the wonderful and unique culture of these tribes and having a heart of service, the gospel will be exemplified.
Montana Indian Ministries is dedicated to sharing God’s love and providing practical support to Native American communities in Montana. This month’s special offering will go to further assist the work that is being done there. We will have special collection bins on Sundays and a Montana Indiana Ministries fund in our online giving drop-down menu. /Justin Miller
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Wade Reading Room Dedicated
Bob Greene took this photograph of Bill Wade’s family at the dedication of the Wade Reading Room April 30. It was a festive occasion, and the members of our congregation who transformed our former church library into such a welcoming place each spoke about their contribution to the process. The Wade Reading Room is a place where you can borrow books and an oasis where you can read, wait for a meeting to begin or end, or just enjoy some quiet time. The children’s corner has age-appropriate books as well as paper and crayons. On the walls and enhanced by new lighting is art by church members and mementoes of church history. Two stained-glass windows from our former downtown church have been mounted and backlit to highlight their beauty and the skill of the hands that created them.
A few more features are coming, including QR codes for accessing church history, and information about all the stained-glass windows that grace our church, some of which were created by a craftsman who was awarded the French Legion of Honor. Come and see!
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Worship
May 14
6th Sunday of Easter
Senior Sunday
Scripture
Psalm 116:1–7
Exodus 33:12–15
Matthew 11:28–30
Sermon
Claire Hankins
Attendance
April 30
9:00: In person: 113;
Livestream: 22; Playback: 66
11:00: In person: 102;
Livestream: 17; Playback: 45
May 7
9:00: In person: 141;
Livestream: 25; Playback: 70
11:00: In person: 92;
Livestream: 14; Playback: 49
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Calendar
Sunday, May 14
10:20 a.m.
Sunday School
11:00 a.m.
Senior Sunday Worship
Outside
Monday, May 15
10:00 a.m.
Staff
Room 123
7:00 p.m.
Christian Education Committee
Room 123
Tuesday, May 16
7:00 p.m.
A&O Committee
Zoom
Scout Eagle Ceremony
Wednesday, May 17
7:15 p.m.
Sanctuary Choir
Room 202
Praise Band
Fellowship Hall
Thursday, May 18
7:00 a.m.
Men’s Bible Study
Parlor
1:00 p.m.
Women’s Bible Study
Room 123
Saturday, May 20
7:30 a.m.
Bristol Area Men’s Fellowship Breakfast
Fellowship Hall
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Next Men’s Fellowship Breakfast May 20
Our next Bristol Area Men’s Fellowship Breakfast is scheduled for Saturday, May 20. All males from sixth grade up are welcome to join us every third Saturday at 7:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall. For more information or a ride, call the church office at 423-764-7176. Be sure to come, and invite a friend!
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Arts Alliance Honors
Dottie Havlik, Ann Holler
The Arts Alliance Mountain Empire annually recognizes five living individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the arts in the Tri-Cities area. Over the years, recipients of the Arts Achievement Awards have included our own Nancy DeFriece, Pat Flannagan, Judy and Fred Slaughter, and Laura Ann Warner. Please join us this year as Dottie Havlik and Ann Holler are honored at the AAME Arts Achievement Awards Gala Saturday, May 20, at 6:00 p.m. in the Bristol Convention Center at the Delta Marriott.
Learn more about the gala and reserve your tickets by May 15 here. You can purchase tickets online here. The Marriott is located at 3135 Linden Drive, Bristol, Virginia, across from Legacy Theaters.
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Legacy Letters Due Friday
As we look forward to celebrating our graduating seniors in worship services they will lead this Sunday, we are collecting Legacy Letters to present to them then. We invite family, teachers, coaches, neighbors, friends, and others to write. It is a wonderful opportunity to encourage our seniors in their future plans and faith as well as to acknowledge the beautiful gifts God has given them.
Legacy Letters describe the impact the senior has had on the writer’s life. Letters can share memories, stories, lessons learned, or significant moments. Our hope is that these Legacy Letters will give family and friends an opportunity to share the influence the seniors have had on those around them. The letters will be a beautiful collection of love and truth that they can read as they begin their new journey after high school, and serve as a reminder of the loving community that is cheering them on.
Class of 2023
Claire Hankins
Payne Ladd
Tom Meredith
Chelsie Proffitt
Laynie Richardson
Maddie Smith
Logan Tudor
Ethan Webb
Grayson Webb
Jeremiah Webb
Wade Witcher
If you would like to participate, please email, snailmail, or deliver all cards and letters to Katie Arnold at the church by tomorrow, Friday, May 12.
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Encourage Our Confirmands
Since September 2021, our confirmation students have participated in weekly classes that have taught, informed, and challenged their ideas of faith. Watching them grow over the past school year and take ownership of their faith has been a joy and an inspiration! It will soon be time to share this joy with all our congregation.
In the combined service on Sunday, May 21, these young people 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 ask friends and family to send in cards and letters of spiritual encouragement for our confirmands. 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 of the great cloud of witnesses that surrounds them and that will continue to love, guide, and encourage them as they run the race.
2023 Confirmands
Palmer Akard
AJ Arnold
Lucy Bechtold
Lilly Hankins
Sylvia Kingsley
Rob Meredith
Branch Sword
Katie Arnold is your contact for more information. Please deliver all cards and letters to her attention at the church by Friday, May 19. Thank you for joining in the celebration of this important and exciting time in the lives of our students!
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Please Help Maintain
Our Courtyard
The courtyard is a lovely area for reflection in the center of the main church building, and it doesn’t take much time to maintain it. Can you contribute an occasional 20 minutes of mowing or trimming? Please call or text Beth Flannagan at 423-956-3837 to volunteer.
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Save These July Evenings for Vacation Bible School
Save the dates for Vacation Bible School at FPC from Sunday, July 16, through Wednesday, July 19, 5:30–8:30 p.m. It’s going to be stellar! Get in touch with Lilly Osborne, if you’d like to help.
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You Can Still Sign Up
for Serve Orlando
Rising seventh grade to college students, families with rising first graders and up, and adults of all ages are invited to join us on our summer Serve Orlando mission trip. We will leave from the church on Saturday, June 17, and return Saturday, June 24.
Register here and pay the deposit. You can pay online here; choose “2023 Serve Orlando Mission Trip” in the Fund drop-down menu. Contact Katie Arnold for more information.
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Congratulations
We rejoice with Audrey and Chase Arndt in the birth of their daughter, Josie McIlwaine Arndt, on Wednesday, May 3. Josie’s proud big brothers are Ollie and Hal.
Memorial Service Saturday
for Becky Busler
The memorial service for Rebecca “Becky” Busler, who died March 21, will be held at noon this Saturday, May 13, in the chapel. All are welcome.
Condolences
Our love and sympathy are with Sam Weddington, Grace Kim, Sammy Weddington, Joan Weddington, and the Lilly family in the death of Sam’s grandmother, Nancy Joan Lennon Lilly, April 28 in Taylorsville, NC.
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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.
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Ricky Adams
Wayne Ausmus
Bud & Marg Branscomb
Bristol Tennessee City Schools
Nancy Carter & family
Rachel & Ben Cherry & Dean Millard
Bill Coleman
Barbara Daniel
Peter Doriot
Frances Emerson
Russell Fogelman, Kelli Krajeck & Kendall
Martha & Bill Gesling
John Graham Sr.
Lou Hebb
Amanda Hernandez
Mardi Long
Dot & Diana Mattison
Carl McGrady
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Fisher Mitchell
Montana Indian Ministries
National & international leadership
Lee North
Emmie Pho
Pastor Bruce Plummer
Bill Prince
Cora Lee Raccioppo
Lynn Richards
Greg Roberts
Brenda Rogers
Rollins family
Harold Rutherford
Teachers & school administrators
Those suffering with addiction
Scott VanNostrand
Bill & Patsy Ward
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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. | |
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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.
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. Or send your pledge, offering, or special gift by texting fpcbristol to 73256 or mailing your check to the church.
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701 Florida Avenue | Bristol, TN 37620 | 423-764-7176 | fpcbristol.org | | | | |
