March Special Mission Focus: Shabach | |
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.
Additionally, one of the long term visions for the Shabach Center is to have a community center which could serve a number of purposes in the future. During this past December, the dedication of the first well took place and there were hundreds of people who came out in support and the entire community now has easier, more attainable, access to clean drinking water. Furthermore, the Shabach center was able to provide food for over 200 widows in the community. We have another opportunity this month to support the ongoing work in this community. The work being done here in the Kaduna State, Nigeria recalls to mind the words from James 1:27, ‘Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.’
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’.
Grace & Peace
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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 17
5th Sunday in Lent, 42nd Sunday after Pentecost
Scripture
Exodus 32:1-10 & John 4:1-26, Liturgy: Psalm 84:1-4
Sermon
“Worshiping At The Right Altar”
Rev. Dr. Samuel Weddington
Last Sunday's Attendance
9:00: In person: 129
11:00: In person: 115
9:00: Online: 134
11:00: Online: 99
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Calendar
Sunday, March 17
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
4:00 p.m.
M&O Committee, Room 123
6:00 p.m.
Student Fellowship, Fellowship Hall
7:00 p.m.
KU Worship Night, College Room
Monday, March 18
10:00 a.m.
Staff Meeting, Room 123
7:00 p.m.
DSF Committee, Room 123
Tuesday, March 19
7:00 p.m.
Troop 3, Scout Hall
7:00 p.m.
A&O Committee, Room 123
Wednesday, March 20
4:30 p.m.
Congregational Care Com., Room 117
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 21
7:00 a.m.
Men’s Bible Study, Parlor
1:00 p.m.
Women’s Bible Study, Room 123
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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. | |
 |  | 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 Barbara Brantley
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All of the pieces I am playing today are arrangements by Dale Wood (1934-2003) based on melodies contained in The Sacred Harp, published in 1859. Most of The Sacred Harp tunes are believed to be folk melodies from England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, which were brought to American shores by early Baptist settlers. They were passed from group to group and from generation to generation and modified along the way. They were often associated with secular texts as old love songs and ballads. “Wondrous Love” was once a song about the notorious pirate, Captain Kidd. Whatever the origins, the melodies proved too irresistible to be confined to the Baptists, and they have been loved by many other denominations since the time The Sacred Harp first appeared.
We will sing “What Wondrous Love Is This” as our Processional Hymn, preceded by Dale Wood’s setting of this hymn for our Opening Voluntary. From this rather somber beginning we will move to two happier, heaven-minded hymns. The tune “MIDDLEBURY” is most commonly associated with the Charles Wesley text, “Come away to the skies, my beloved, arise”. This upbeat hymn is suitably set by Wood, “With sparkle”, for our Offertory. The tune PISGAH is most commonly associated with the Isaac Watt’s text, “When I can read my title clear”. However, we will sing this tune to a paraphrase of Psalm 114, “When Israel Was Going Forth”. Dale Wood’s setting (our Closing Voluntary) dances its way through, alternating between triple and duple rhythms.
Dale Wood launched his career at the age of 13 when he won a national hymn writing competition for the American Lutheran Church. Over eight million copies of his published works have been sold throughout the world. Dale was Organist and Choirmaster at the Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin in San Francisco, and director of the Grace Cathedral Boys' Chorus. He served in a similar capacity in Lutheran churches in Hollywood, and Riverside, California. Wood served as editor for The Sacred Music Press, and headed the publication committee of Choristers Guild.
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Condolences
Condolences for Ann Woods & family in the death of Bill Woods on March 11, 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 & George Alvarado
Debbie Garritson
Bill Coleman
Patsy Adams
Billie Peterson
Nelson Pyle
Darrell Wilson
Phyllis Phares
Loretta Thomas
Dale Bechtold
John McGill
Sarah Ferguson
Martha Mueller
Jon Eakes
Betsy Tate Kegley
Lillian Rhoades
Al Smith
Shane Rollins
Lois Smith
Peggy Peters
Jack Wooley
Mark Byington
Lisa Cronin
Shirley Ferguson
Ethan Webb
Ron Fox
George Price
Betty Linke
Male leadership for Student Ministries
Nick and Christy Booher
Baby Charlie
Rebecca Tate
Jerry Stokely
Grieving
Family of Julie King
Family of John McGill
Family of Samuel Kurah
Family of Bill Woods
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 | | | | |
