Windows

January 12th, 2024

Thank You for Your Contributions to the Stewardship Fund

From the bottom of our hearts, the FPC family extends our deepest gratitude for your generous contributions to the Stewardship Fund. Imagine the impact when we, as a united family at FPC, fully embrace God’s call to share His love. That’s the power of your pledge – an act of faith that fuels our mission and reflects our trust in God’s endless provision. The cards are available to all and (along with the QR code) offer a convenient way to make your commitment in the coming days. Let’s walk boldly together, hand in hand, as disciples of Christ.

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.

Join us Friday February 9th, 6:00 pm-9:30 pm and Saturday February 10th, 8:00 am-3:30 pm for the annual FPC Women’s Retreat! We will meet at King University Chapel and Dining Hall for Worship, Scripture, Reflection, Fellowship, Food! Our speaker is Laura Hicks Hardy, sharing on the topic of Sabbath Rest. Any women who would enjoy this time of rest, rejuvenation and friendship! Invite your friends and family! Register online, or by filling out a paper registration form at church. $75 total cost (includes 3 meals and all retreat materials), with $25 deposit due by February 2nd. Scholarships are available! Be sure to register here.

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.

Lace up your skates and get ready to glide into a night of laughter and fun! Join us for the First Pres. Skating Party at Bristol Skateway on Sunday, January 21st from 5:00-7:00 pm. All ages and skill levels are welcome, so grab your friends and family and get ready to make some memories!

Bethel Tulama Elementary School was established in 2012 to provide a quality Christian education for children of the Bethel Tulama Church in Dembi Dollo, Ethiopia. This ambitious undertaking began with kindergarten classes and has now expanded through grade 8. Most recently, the school has informed us that they desperately need donations for instructional materials at all grade levels. Let’s work together to support this worthy cause. A small contribution goes a long way in Ethiopia. The students, staff, and parents are always so grateful for the support that we send.

Remember to Return your Pledge

We are slowly bridging the gap in our funding for our ministries in 2024. We have now received $588,502 in pledges for next year and need $196,498 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.

Zambia Mission Trip

Greetings from FPC Members Mark and Catherine Bell,

We would like to invite you all to prayerfully consider joining us for our next mission trip to beautiful Zambia, Africa from May 16-31, 2024 through our ministry partnership with the Phoebe Foundation Africa (PFA). If you decide to go, you will be an answer to prayer for our Zambian friends. Over the years, since our first trip to Zambia in 2011, this beautiful 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 majestic part of the world. We feel blessed that, through our friendship with Pastor Chris and Phoebe Chanda, the Zambian founders of PFA, we have been a part of carrying out the mission of this Christ-centered ministry. There are various roles that you can engage in during this trip including, leading Bible studies, sharing the gospel through fellowship @ soccer matches, playing soccer, sharing sermons, facilitating group discussion at a counseling conference, speak at the counseling conference, provide meals to vulnerable children at a feeding program, attend &/or pray at home visits and/or distribute Bibles & donations. The deadline to sign up for this trip is February 1st, 2024. To apply and learn more about this mission opportunity, email the Bell's at ezer072663@gmail.com Thanks so much!

Yours in Christ, Catherine & Mark Bell

Is FPC's Brazil Mission Trip 2024 Calling You?

Planning is underway for FPC’s 17th visit to northeast of Brazil! We will travel to the city of Natal on Saturday, May 18th and return to Bristol on May 26th (Note: The dates have changed from the prior announcements). The week will be filled with worship, work, and time to connect with and encourage the church families in Felipe Camarão and Cidade Nova and the Bethel School students and staff, all of whom are such important parts of FPC’s global connection in the name of Jesus. Whether your first time thinking of traveling or you are someone who’s made the trip many times, each visit offers a unique opportunity to see and share in life with our Brazilian brothers and sisters. Prayerfully consider if God is calling you. To learn more about this year’s trip, please contact Justin Miller or Dave Welch or visit the FPC website. Applications are due on or before January 7, 2024. Vamos! Let’s go!

Organist's Footnotes

Félix-Alexandre Guilmant (1837–1911) was titular organist of La Trinité church in Paris from 1871 until 1901. Guilmant helped found the Schola Cantorum de Paris. He was appointed as Professor of Organ at the Paris Conservatoire in 1896. Guilmant was known for his improvisations, both in the concert and church setting. Guilmant followed a career as a virtuoso. He gave concerts in the United States, Canada, and Europe, especially England. His American achievements included a 1904 series of no fewer than 40 recitals on the largest organ in the world, the St. Louis Exposition Organ, now preserved as the nucleus of Philadelphia 's Wanamaker Organ. Guilmant was an accomplished and extremely prolific composer. Unlike Widor, who produced a great deal of music in all the main genres, Guilmant devoted himself almost entirely to works for the organ. Joining us this Sunday is Oboist, Heather Killmeyer, who is Associate Professor of Double Reeds at ETSU. Heather will be playing with me on all three organ pieces by Guilmant. These include “Cantilène Pastorale”, Op. 15, No. 3 (opening voluntary); “Mélodie,” Op. 46, No. 4 (offertory); and “March aux Flambeaux” (“March by Torchlight”), Op. 59, No. 1 (closing voluntary). Due to the length of this last piece, we will play just the concluding (recaptitulation) section.

We want to pray for and celebrate with you! Send us your prayer requests and glad tidings.



Prayers Requested for Rev. Dr. Ray

We have been notified recently that our former pastor, Rev. Dr. Ray, is in ill health and not doing well. We ask that you be in special prayer for Dick and his wife. Pray that God give him strength and vitality, and also give thanks to God for his many wonderful years of service to our church.

Birth of Caspian Lev Hicks

Congratulations to Jessica & Michael Hicks of Rocky Mount NC on the birth of their son Caspian Lev Hicks on December 28, 2023. Proud grandparents are Sharon & Jim Ratliff and Great Grandmother, Jane Nickels.

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