Word from the Pastor: Resolutions
“Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.”
—Matthew 5:33–37
You heard it here first, straight from the lips of Jesus in Matthew 5: New Year’s resolutions are “from the evil one!” Joking aside, as you well know, they aren’t really—but they can be.
This is the time of the year when gym memberships skyrocket, and I’m sure the Home Shopping Network is starting the year in the black. Whether it’s a membership, a plan, or a nifty gadget, a new year brings with it a revelation within our own hearts that we want things to be different. We all, in our own way, seek transformation.
And so we make promises to ourselves. We make promises to friends, coworkers, and neighbors. We make promises to trainers and coaches. We make promises with credit card charges and the bill that eventually comes. This year will be the year!
But deep down, we already know that it can’t be that way. The true transformation we seek cannot come by such means. Upping the ante by making promises to God that this is the year we’ll read the Bible all the way through, or pray twice a day every day, doesn’t make the longing go away. You see, the true transformation we seek comes from God to us, free of charge or obligation. Grace is grace for a reason; it is free, and it will always come (when it truly does) unencumbered by our latest machinations.
I do hope that 2022 will bring with it a lot better news than we have received over the past two years, but whether the latest headlines are good or ill, my prayer for all of us is that our “yes” and our “no” will be rooted firmly in the steadfast faithfulness of God alone. He is the sole source of the goodness that fills our lives, and for which we long. May we all be found in Him.
In Christ,
Pastor Sam
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Congregational Meeting
and New Officer Installation
The annual meeting of the congregation will be held this Sunday, January 16, at 10:15, following the 9:00 worship service. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall. All are invited to attend, but only members may vote. We will be presented with a financial statement from the previous year, and we will vote on the new officers presented by the Nominating Committee. The corporation of the church will also convene. During both services on the following Sunday, January 23, we will install our newly elected officers.
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Wednesday Fellowship Resumes Jan. 26
We will gather again for a fellowship dinner followed by programs for adults, teens, and children Wednesday, January 26. Dinner will be at 5:30, and programs will follow at 6:15. Please plan to join us!
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Worship
January 16
2nd Sunday after Epiphany
Scripture
Psalm 36:5–10
Isaiah 62:1–5
John 2:1–11
Sermon
The Good Stuff
Sam Weddington
Last Sunday’s Attendance
9:00: In person: 100;
Livestream: 40; Playback: 107
11:00: In person: 78;
Livestream: 28; Playback: 60
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Keeping Our Children Safe
As we take steps to ensure the safety of all the children entrusted to our care, we ask parents to sign their kids in when they drop them off and out at pickup. We have sign-in sheets at the nursery and for Kids’ Kirk and Sunday School, and we lock the doors of the education wing for safety. Parents can gain access at any time by using one of the key cards hanging by Lilly Osborne’s office door.
We also ask that parents not distract students and teachers by hovering in the hallways during class time. Clear hallways also help us know that children are where they need to be when in our care. Thank you for working with us to keep our children safe.
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Calendar
Sunday, January 16
9:00 a.m.
Contemporary Worship
Fellowship Hall
10:10 a.m.
Sunday School
10:15 a.m.
Annual Congregational Meeting
Fellowship Hall
11:00 a.m.
Traditional Worship
Sanctuary
6:00 p.m.
Student Fellowship
Monday, January 17
Office closed for
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Tuesday, January 18
5:00 p.m.
Fellowship Hall Task Force
6:00 p.m.
Finance Committee
Zoom
7:00 p.m.
Boy Scout Troop 3
Scout Hall
Wednesday, January 19
10:00 a.m.
Staff Meeting
Room 123
6:15 p.m.
Handbell Practice
Sanctuary
7:00 p.m.
Praise Band Practice
Fellowship Hall
7:15 p.m.
Choir Practice
Room 202
Thursday, January 20
7:00 a.m.
Men’s Bible Study
Parlor
4:30 p.m.
Human Resources Committee
Room 123
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New Members Class Begins Jan. 23
Nearly two years ago, we started a New Members Class for folks interested in learning more about First Presbyterian Church —or what Presbyterian even means —and how they might fit into this community of faith. It’s time to offer it again, especially for those who joined the church during the pandemic. While the primary purpose of the class is to meet and enjoy fellowship with other folks at FPC, we will discuss a few important questions: What is the history of the Presbyterian Church, specifically FPC? How is the church organized, nationally and locally? How can you plug in and serve? We’ll even take field trips and watch some videos. We will meet at 10:10 a.m. in the chapel for eight Sundays, beginning January 23. For more information, email Dave Welch. |
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Our COVID Protocols
The session continues to strongly encourage masks for those not fully vaccinated, or at higher risk of COVID-19 complications. In line with CDC guidelines, the session continues to encourage everyone to consult their medical professional about being vaccinated and getting a booster.
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. |
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Returning Pledges
If you have not yet made your 2022 pledge, you can do so now by picking up a pledge card at the church or downloading a copy here. You can drop off the completed card at the church office, mail it in, or email your pledge directly to our business manager, Betsy Galliher.
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. |
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Gifts to the Church
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 honor of:
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Karen Boone: to the Flower Fund from Jim White
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Dave & Linda Welch: to the Christian Hands Ministry Fund from an anonymous donor
In memory of:
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David Akard: to the Christian Hands Ministry Fund from Jim White
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Howard, Dorothy & Betty Barger: to the Memorial Fund from Linda Barger
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Patty Frizzell Brooks (sister of Ben Frizzell): to the Christian Hands Ministry Fund from Jim White; to the Memorial Fund from Harold Rutherford; to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from Eddie & Peggy Hill
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Betty Brown (grandmother of Pete Stigers): to the Christian Hands Ministry Fund from Jim White; to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from Eddie & Peggy Hill
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Jerry Cherry (father of Ben Cherry): to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from Eddie & Peggy Hill
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Garrett Foster (son of John & Karen Vann): to the Building Legacy Giving Ministry Fund from Jack & Emily Hyder
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Carl Galliher (father of Lee Galliher): to the Brazil Mission Fund from Jim White; to the Memorial Fund from Harold Rutherford; to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from Sue Barr, from Eddie & Peggy Hill
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Ama Graham (mother of Manda Fox): to the Christian Hands Ministry Fund from Jim White
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Ron Grubbs: to the Minister’s Discretionary Education Fund from Jim White
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Bonnie Haskins: to the Music Projects Fund from Jim White
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Gene Haskins: to the Music Projects Fund from Jim White
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Dutch Keyser (brother-in-law of Al Thomas): to the Christian Hands Ministry Fund from Jim White
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Mary Jane Luffman (mother of Beth Flannagan & Rebecca Tate): to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from Eddie & Peggy Hill, from Jim White
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Alice Moore: to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from Sue Barr, from Jim White
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Jan Patrick: to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from Eddie & Peggy Hill
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Peggy Peters (sister of Dee Eldreth): to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from Jim White
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Jane Sheffey: to the Memorial Fund from Rita Sheffey
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Wayne Sheffey: to the Memorial Fund from Rita Sheffey
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Kitty Vann (sister-in-law of John Vann): to the Brazil Mission Fund from Jim White
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Bill Wade: to the Minister’s Discretionary Education Fund from Jim White; to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from Sue Barr
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Jim Wiseman: to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from Jim White
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Organist's Footnotes
Born in Rochester, New York, in 1958, David Evan Thomas graduated with honors in trumpet from the “Prep” Department of the Eastman School of Music and also received degrees from Northwestern University and the University of Minnesota. He studied with Dominick Argento, Samuel Adler, and Alan Stout, as well as at the Aspen Festival and with David Diamond at the Atlantic Center for the Arts. Thomas’s music has been praised for its eloquence, power, and craft. His “A Taste of Cana’s Wine” (our prelude) is not based on any hymn, but with a little imagination, one can almost hear the miracle of water changing to wine. It opens rather sedately, changes key and picks up speed in the middle section, then returns to the first theme in the original key, but with pizzazz!
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Aaron David Miller (b. 1972) earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music and did his graduate studies at the Manhattan School of Music. He serves as the Director of Music and Organist at House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, and maintains an active recital schedule. Miller is a prolific composer, and many of his compositions have won critical acclaim. “The Feast Is Ready” (our postlude) is an adaptation of Graham Kendrick’s contemporary hymn “The Trumpets Sound, the Angels Sing,” which we sing Sunday. |
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We want to pray for and celebrate with you! Send your prayer requests and glad tidings to [email protected].
Condolences
Our love and sympathy are with Lisa Beavers on the death of her mother, Dorothy Dotson, January 9, and with Mindy Collins, Dorothy’s granddaughter.
In Our Prayers
Please also pray for the members of our community who wish to remain anonymous.
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Anna Arbo & family
Wayne Ausmus
Bill & Betty Bingham
Bud & Marg Branscomb
Bristol Tennessee City Schools
Becky Busler
Ben Cherry & family
Bill Coleman
K.D. Forsha
Tammy Fredrickson
DeeDee Galliher
Emma Grubbs & Gina Roberson
Haiti
Lou Hebb
Eddie Hill
Porter Hillery
Davan & Kristi Johnson
Kaduna State
Jim & Joan Keith
Marty & Kara Keys
Morgan & Josh King & family
Nancy Lilly
Family of Mary Jane Luffman
Diana Mattison
Dot Mattison
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Roger McCracken
Kathy McGlothlin
Montana Indian Ministries
Abigail Myers
National & international leadership
Breanna Necessary
Palestine & Israel
Roger Patrick & family
Pastor Bruce Plummer
June Prado
Don Pridemore
Claire Pruner
Cora Lee Raccioppo
Bob Rhea
Mike Ruger
Michelle S.
Susan Solomon
Malcolm Sprinkle
Pete Stigers & family
Teachers & school administrators
John & Karen Vann & family of Garrett Foster
Scott VanNostrand
Margaret Wade
Bill & Patsy Ward
Michael Weller
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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.
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701 Florida Avenue | Bristol, TN 37620 | 423-764-7176 | fpcbristol.org
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