Word from the Pastor: With Us | |
17 The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing 18 as on a day of festival.” I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it. -Zephaniah 3:17-18
For those of you who seem to have season tickets at courtside to the anxiety Olympics as I do, there are seasons and situations that threaten to overwhelm us. Whether we worry about family members or being able to perform our duties, what needs to be done and our ability to do it seem destined to remain apart. And then, of course, there is the anxiety about our anxiety. Why do we feel this way? What is wrong with me?
There is a wealth of resources out there from medical insights to practices intended to bring anxiety down. I encourage any of you who struggle with issues around anxiety to make full use of these tools and skills. Personally, I like using practices like controlled breathing and Christian body scan exercises. Every little bit helps us along the way.
Nevertheless, there are foundational promises found in Scripture that remind us of a truth deeper than the catastrophizing tendencies of our hearts. As I struggled this week, I was reminded of just such a promise. In the passage I shared above from Zephaniah, we are told that “the Lord, your God, is in your midst.”
Just pause a moment and break that short statement down into its parts. I think you find three things when you do. One, we are reminded of the existence of God. Not God in the abstract, but the God of Scripture, Yahweh God, who spoke to Moses from a burning bush. Two, not only do we know who God is, God is “your God.” God is for us. God is related to us, and we belong to God. God can never be indifferent to us. Three, God is “in your midst.” God is not far off. God is near. In fact, God is right next door, so to speak.
In regard to this last point, apply this foundational truth to the situation you find yourself in and about which you are so anxious. Zephaniah tells us that God is with us, even in the time of trial and the angst of the moment. God walks next to us even when we don’t know what the next step will be, or what will attend that pending decision. Because Yahweh God is God, for us and with us, we can go on to see the transformational truths contained in the rest of the passage. Despite our circumstances, we are destined to be renewed in the love of God, and not only will we be victorious in the end, we, as Paul reminds us, will never “be put to shame” (Romans 10:11).
In Christ,
Pastor Sam
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Daylight Savings Time Begins
Daylight saving time begins this Sunday, March 10, 2024, at 2:00 am local time. This means you will need to set your clocks forward one hour before going to bed on Saturday night.
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The Lenten Devotional
The 2024 Lenten Devotional is 40 Days with Jesus by Sarah Young. The devotionals will be available in the narthex and the Fellowship Hallway beginning February 4th. Please take only one per family.
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Worship
March 10
4th Sunday in Lent, 41st Sunday after Pentecost
Scripture
Psalm 38:9-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 Liturgy: Psalm 124:1-7
Sermon
“Encouraging Others”
Rev. Dr. Samuel Weddington
Last Sunday's Attendance
9:00: In person: 161
11:00: In person: 104
9:00: Online: 131
11:00: Online: 123
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Calendar
Sunday, March 10
9:00 a.m.
Early Worship, Fellowship Hall
9:30 a.m.
Handbell Rehearsal, Sanctuary
10:20 a.m.
Sunday School for Adults and Children
11:00 a.m.
Late Worship, Sanctuary
3:00 p.m.
Children’s Musical Rehearsal, Chapel
6:00 p.m.
Student Fellowship, Fellowship Hall
Monday, March 11
10:00 a.m.
Staff Meeting, Room 123
6:00 p.m.
Scout District Committee Meeting
7:00 p.m.
Worship Committee, Room 123
Tuesday, March 12
7:00 p.m.
Troop 3, Scout Hall
Wednesday, March 13
5:30 p.m.
Wednesday Meal, Fellowship Hall
6:15 p.m.
Wednesday Night Activities
7:15 p.m.
Adult Choir Practice, Room 202
7:15 p.m.
Praise Team Practice, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, March 14
6:00 a.m.
KU Beseech prayer and breakfast, FH
7:00 a.m.
Men’s Bible Study, Parlor
8:30 a.m.
Meals on Wheels, Kitchen, FH
1:00 p.m.
Women’s Bible Study, Room 123
Saturday, March 16
7:30 a.m.
Men’s Prayer Breakfast, FH
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Church Request
Friends, a member of the church (Gil Bailey) is needing to secure rides to attend the Sunday, 11:00 am service each week. His lives close to the church on Old Jonesboro Rd. We have a ride calendar (MealTrain) for folks to signup and drive. If you would be interested in helping please click here. Please note this is not to bring a meal, but to pick Gil up and return him home on a given Sunday morning. Thanks!
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On March 31 we will celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord. Let us do so in worship spaces adorned with Easter lilies in honor or in memory of those we love and appreciate. To order one or more lily plants, either click on the link below, fill in the form you will find at the church and return it to the office, or order online by clicking on Give Now on our homepage, then choosing “Easter Lily” from the drop-down Fund menu. Each plant costs $20. The deadline for ordering is Monday, March 25. To access the form, click here. | |
In August of last year, we focused on the newly founded Shabach Beyond Center Nigeria, founded by Jerry & Rachel Sidi. With an overwhelming amount of support, Jerry was able to oversee the construction of a well that supports over 20,000 people in the Ungwan Boro community. With the project of digging one well complete, there continues to be a need to support the community and help the Shabach Center care well for the people in other ways. The digging of a second well would go a long way in continuing the work that has already begun. If you feel called to support this special mission, there will be an option for online giving with the Shabach Center being an option in the drop down menu. We will take up a physical offering on the last Sunday, March 31, 2024 in which you can use the offering envelopes and designate on the memo line ‘Shabach Beyond Center’. | |
 | 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. | | |
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Volunteer to help with a FUN DAY!
First Pres. is delighted to again host the Pi Day Party for home-educated kids in our region. Over 150 kids will attend Wed. March 13th, 8:30am-2:45pm and 150 different kids will come Friday March 15th, 8:30am-2:45pm. There are SO many volunteer jobs!
Welcoming families
Directing parking
Helping our teachers teach
Sorting paperwork
Organizing doorprizes
Helping lead a “Math Scavenger Hunt Station” in the afternoon! For example, each competing group is challenged to “Show 5 ways to make a stack of coins equaling 83cents.”
For more info about this event, visit here. If you’d like to volunteer, email Alison Meredith at alisonm@techeagles.com.
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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:
Lousie Bowdoin: to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund from Linda Lamar Billups, from Karole Lloyd, from Barbara McFaddin, from Jim & Linda Rainero, from Jan Rice, and from Cynthia Rowland
Cora Lee Raccioppo: to the Mission & Outreach Fund from Margaret Wade
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 |  | Sunday, March 10, 2024 has been designated as Woman Composer Sunday by the American Guild of Organists. In recognition of the contributions of women composers to the organ repertoire, I have selected three favorite pieces to exemplify this. In my opinion, Joséphine Boulay’s “Fugue” (1898) from Trois Pièces pour Orgue (opening voluntary) is a masterpiece. This French organist, composer, and professor was blind from the age of three. Appointed as professor at the National Institution for the Blind, she took charge of the organ and composition classes there, while continuing her musical apprenticeship at the Conservatoire. There, she went on to win a second prize for harmony in the class of Charles Lenepveu in 1890, a second prize for counterpoint and fugue in 1895 in the class of Jules Massenet, and a first prize in 1897 in the composition class of Gabriel Fauré. Dr. Mary Beth Bennett is a nationally recognized performer, composer and improviser living in historic Richmond, Virginia where she serves on the adjunct music faculty of the University of Richmond and is Organist of Second Baptist Church. She is representative of our current generation of women composers that include Pamela Decker, Rebecca Groom te Velde, Libby Larson, and Chelsea Chen, to name just a few. Bennett’s setting of the hymn tune BRIDEGROOM (offertory) has the delightful air of an Irish jig. I consider Emma Lou Diemer to be the “dean” of women composers for the organ (along with Margaret Sandresky). However, she has composed in virtually every musical genre, including electronic music. Now in her 90’s, she leaves an incredible legacy of compositions too numerous to mention. In a 2010 interview she said, “I try to find something that immediately is going catch somebody’s attention in the first few notes.” Her “Fantasy on ANTIOCH” (closing voluntary) does just that, as do so many of her compositions. The results are pieces that are both exciting to listen to, and challenging to play! -Bob Greene
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To the Church Triumphant
Julie Young King
February 28, 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
Dot Mattison
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 Alvarado
Debbie Garritson
Bill Coleman
Patsy Adams
Billie Peterson
Bill Woods
Nelson Pyle
Darrell Wilson
Phyllis Phares
Loretta Thomas
Dale Bechtold
Sarah Ferguson & family
Martha Mueller
Jon Eakes
Betsy Tate Kegley
Lillian Rhoades
Al Smith
Shane Rollins & family
Lois Smith
Peggy Peters
Sandee and Jack Wooley
Mark Byington
Lisa Cronin
Shirley Ferguson
Jerry Stokely
Rebecca Tate
Nick & Christy Booher and baby Charlie
Ethan Webb
Ron Fox
Grieving
Family of Julie King
Family of John McGill
Region/Nation/Special
Schools, Colleges, & Universities
Ukraine
Israel & hostages
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
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
Male leadership for Student Ministries
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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. | |
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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 | | | | |
