First Presbyterian Church  |  701 Florida Avenue  |  Bristol, TN 37620  |  423-764-7176  |  fpcbristol.org

In This Issue
About Windows
Worship
In the Pulpit Sunday
Heads Up! Daylight Saving Time Ends Sunday
Fraud on FPC Falls Flat
Encouragement from the Pastor Nominating Committee
Congregational Meeting Next Sunday
A Pastoral Musing
Video Bible Study Continues Wednesday Night
We Need Servers for Sharing Christ Next Saturday
Let's Talk about Family Promise
Fall Cleanup Day Nov. 18
Annual Chili Cook-Off Nov. 19
Hear from Abby about Her Mission
Going to Knoxville for Thanksgiving?
Stamps for Sunday Schools
Rehearsals Begin for Children's Christmas Play
Concerts at FPC Next Weekend
Refreshing Flowers
Music Notes
Pray for One Another
Church Officers
Church Calendar
About  
Windows
Deadline for contributions to Windows is the Monday of the week of publication. The newsletter is emailed a minute after midnight on Thursday morning.

Windows is a publication of First Presbyterian Church, Bristol, TN. Please direct questions and suggestions to the editor, Kathy Acuff, kacuff@fpcbristol.org
Worship
November 5
22nd Sunday after Pentecost
Communion
Lessons
Joshua 3:7-17
Luke 17:5-10
Sermon
Stepping Out
Dan Kreiss
Hymns
Come, Behold! The Feast of Heaven
Great God of Every Blessing
Anthems
This Do in Remembrance of Me
Sanctuary Choir
Aria
Adult Handbell Choir
Last Sunday's Attendance
8:30: 101; 11:00: 105

Windows

on First Presbyterian Church

November 2, 2017
In the Pulpit Sunday
Dan Kreiss
has been in Christian ministry for more than 30 years and served in a variety of youth ministry positions both in New Zealand and the United States, including in Youth for Christ and as church youth pastor, boys' home supervisor, and school chaplain. He has also coached a multitude of sports in an effort to connect with young people on their terms. He is currently the Dean of the Peeke School of Christian Mission and directs the Youth Ministry degree program at King University. He recently completed his Master of Divinity at Emmanuel Seminary and has been approved by the Holston Presbytery as "certified to receive a call." He has also just begun a doctoral program through Portland Seminary. He enjoys helping people of all ages find out how God is already active in their lives. He has been married to Cindy for more than 25 years, and together they have four children ranging in age from 14 to 25.
Heads Up! Daylight Saving Time Ends Sunday
If there were any doubt about it, what with the return of warm weather and all, summer has slipped away, and there's no getting it back till the earth's axis tilts the other way. Yes, Gentle Reader, Daylight Saving Time ends at 2:00 a.m. this Sunday,
November 5. Remember to set your clock back one hour before your head hits the pillow Saturday night. We will see you on standard time Sunday morning!
Fraud on FPC Falls Flat
With November 12 marking the start of International Fraud Awareness Week, it is a timely reminder that everyone, including a nonprofit, religious organization, is susceptible to fraudulent banking activity. Unfortunately, First Presbyterian Church can now say that it has fallen victim to such activity, but with a good ending from a financial perspective.
On October 17, a man was able to cash two fraudulently reproduced checks drawn from the church's operating account at two Eastman Credit Union locations in the Johnson City area. Upon presentment of a third check, at a third location, unusual activity for a single day, the ECU employee alertly contacted FPC. We stopped that transaction and began our investigation of the situation. With the help of ECU, the Johnson City Police, and the Washington County Sheriff's Department, Betsy Galliher completed the necessary due diligence required on the church's part to dispute the transactions and file police reports on the criminal activity. This due diligence involved closing the account and opening a new operating account.
As it turns out, through FPC's quick response to the situation, the individual cashing the checks was apprehended by authorities; he is in the Washington County jail while awaiting a formal hearing. We have since learned that he was only the frontman for what law enforcement is calling a much larger criminal fraud ring that very well could involve investigation by the Secret Service and subsequent prosecution in Federal Court. The apprehended individual is cooperating with the investigation.
Last week, Eastman Credit Union reimbursed the church for the stolen funds, making whole our operating account. They have been very helpful during this incident and have profusely apologized for its occurrence.
Just as a matter of clarification, this fraud did not involve actual checks being stolen or funds being embezzled by an employee or any member of the church. What did occur involved a legitimately issued check that was copied, unbeknownst to the payee, and professionally reproduced on check stock utilizing magnetic ink for encoding. While not an unsophisticated process, it is one that is quite common in fraud.
Please rest assured that FPC continues to take very seriously the handling and management of funds and utilizes multiple safeguards, which include dual control of funds and accounting thereof, and dual signatures on all check disbursements. / Aaron Brooks, Finance Committee Chair
Encouragement from the Pastor Nominating Committee
Thank you for praying along with us as we continue in the process of discerning whom God has charged with pastoring our congregation. We are very aware that God is hearing and responding.
One way we recognize God's work is in the unity of the committee itself. We have prayed from the very beginning, from Philippians 2:2, that we would be like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind, doing nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit; rather, in humility valuing each other above ourselves. God has blessed us in this very way. It's important for you all to know this so that you will feel confident that the work is being done, and there has been no time wasted over arguments, hard feelings, bitterness, or discouragement.
We continue to meet weekly, and very often twice a week. God continues to bring to our attention a variety of candidates by way of Personal Information Forms. We then, as a committee, take the time to carefully explore those forms to make a determination of whether to begin conversation with the individual. When those conversations take place, both parties begin to further discern God's direction. There are times when candidates feel that God is not leading them forward, and other times when the committee senses that this is not the pastor for our congregation.
We have come to see that there are three distinct hats a Head of Staff must wear: those of Administrator, Shepherd and Preacher. Some candidates have little experience in one area or another; some individuals are less gifted in one area or another. The committee is listening very carefully to the candidates, to one another, and to the Holy Spirit, as we evaluate the needs and gifts of our church in balance with the gifts and needs of each candidate.
As we shared with you in September: this is a process not only for the seeking church, but also for the seeking pastor. Just as your PNC is exploring Personal Information Forms and evaluating candidates, the pastors with whom we speak are exploring Ministry Information Forms and evaluating churches in order to make their own determinations. I can almost guarantee you that when we call our new pastor, that person will have talked to several other churches before us. Sometimes candidates are talking with more than one church at a time, and we may be talking with more than one candidate at a time.
The thing to remember is that it is not a case of one party or the other turning up their noses at each other. We are all discerning God's will for our church and for the candidate's call. Is God calling this person to First Presbyterian Church, Bristol? That is what we are seeking to learn. God is always working beyond the scope of what we are able to see. That's where faith comes in. Had God allowed us to call a pastor a month or two into this process, I'm afraid we may all have been congratulating ourselves on a job well done, on being part of such a wonderful church, and on putting together such an efficient nominating committee!
And the praise and glory would not be given to God as it must.
The waiting exercises our faith. Faith trains us to remember that we are God's church, and these individuals are called to do God's work where God desires them to be.
During this time of waiting God is giving our church the opportunity to identify weaknesses and needs that have gone undetected when we were in a comfortable rhythm. This, too, is an opportunity to strengthen our faith in God. The only way to make faith strong is to use it. And that can be uncomfortable unless we remind ourselves that God is faithful and will provide. God tells us once again in Philippians to be anxious about nothing but to bring every situation to Him with thanksgiving for what He will do. This will bring us peace and keep us from grumbling and complaining, even as our faith in God grows.
So let me encourage you to continue to pray with thanksgiving for the Pastor Nominating Committee, for our church during this time of discernment and faith-building, and for the one that God is calling here.
And as always, feel free to speak with any one of the members of the committee at any time. We are Ann Abel, Nancy Allerton, Randy Cook, Stuart Parker, Matt Richardson, Annette Tudor, and John Vann.
Congregational Meeting Next Sunday
Please plan to attend a congregational meeting for the purpose of electing church officers and a trustee next Sunday, November 12, at 10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The Congregational Nominating Committee will present a slate of candidates for Elder, Deacon, and Trustee. All members of the church are urged to come and cast their vote.
From Dave Welch
A Pastoral Musing

One of the consistent worship experiences I remember as a young boy, whether I worshiped with my grandparents in their Catholic church, my uncle's family in the Presbyterian church, or my own family's Methodist church, was singing the Doxology. It wasn't until years later, studying Greek in seminary, that I fully understood that doxology is derived from two Greek words, doxa (glory) and logia (saying). We say glory, or we pronounce magnificence; we sing praise to God, because God is worthy of our praises! The Psalms burst forth with praise of God (numbers 145, 146, 150, 95, and 98, just to name a few), but I find myself coming back to the Doxology, sung to the tune of the Old 100th, because it is ingrained in me. God has gifted me with knowing one, and only one, line from a thousand different songs. The Doxology is especially wonderful for me. It is, after all, only one line long, and I cannot forget it.
"Praise God from whom all blessings flow." I'm inviting you to sing this with me today, tomorrow, next week, whether in your heads, or with your voices, because God is worthy. God has already blessed us with life through his son, and that alone is enough, but I was reminded again this week, while meeting with the Session, that God's blessings are flowing in other very tangible ways, even, dare I say it, monetary ways. Are you aware that after September 24, Dedication Sunday, approximately 90 folks have pledged towards the 2018 budget? "Praise God from whom all blessings flow." That as of this musing, $455,000 of our projected $625,000 needed for the mission and ministry for next year is pledged? "Praise God from whom all blessings flow." And that on average, those who have pledged have increased their pledge amount almost 20% over last year? "Praise God from whom all blessings flow." I can't help but sing, to say GLORY, to praise God with my voice, to be doxalogia-ing. So when you hear me singing this Sunday in worship or humming while I'm walking the church hallways, I invite you to join with me in praising our most deserving God!
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Video Bible Study Continues Wednesday Night

Our Adult Learning Bible study continues next Wednesday, November 8, as Dave Welch leads the second part of a three-week video series. Please join us! Before the evening programs for adults, youth, and children, we will share a fellowship dinner at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. On the menu are meatball stroganoff, noodles, green beans, salad, and dessert. The adult Bible study will follow at 6:15; the Middle School Gathering and Wednesday Night Kids will meet separately at 6:00; and High School Small Groups will meet at 7:00.
We Need Servers for Sharing Christ Next Saturday

We have all the food to feed our neighbors at Sharing Christ next Saturday, but we still need volunteers to warm it and serve it. All you have to do is show up at the mission on the corner of Sixth and State streets at 4:30 p.m. on November 11. We'll show you what to do. We're usually finished by 7:30 p.m., and you can go on with your evening. Let us know that you're willing to help by texting, calling, or emailing Dottie Havlik at 423-956-6747 or dhavlik@charter.net.
Let's Talk about Family Promise
As we look toward the new year (yes, already!), and our church's commitments to community ministries, we'd like to hear what you have to say.
The Evangelism & Outreach Committee will host a Saturday morning conversation on November 18 to hear your opinions and answer your questions about our church's participation in Family Promise of Bristol. That's the community ministry that helps homeless families become independent again by providing them housing and food, while training them in job skills so they can support themselves once again. The families come to stay at our church approximately once every three or four months, and volunteers bring meals in the evening, eat with the families, and stay overnight at the church before sending them to the day center for their training sessions.
E&O members will be on hand to begin a discussion about our church's involvement in Family Promise and to get ideas on how to better serve these struggling families. The first session will be at 8:30 a.m. to accommodate our fall cleanup crews as they head out for their own day of service. The second session will follow at 9:00 a.m. for anyone else who'd like to talk with E&O members about this ministry or just find out more about it.
We'll have coffee or tea and some pastries, so we can have an informal time of chatting about Family Promise. While we're inviting folks who have volunteered for Family Promise, past and present, we also seek input from other members of our church who haven't been involved.
No reservations are necessary. Just show up on November 18 at either 8:30 or 9:00 a.m. We'll be so happy to see you!
Fall Cleanup Day Nov. 18
Our annual Fall Cleanup Day is scheduled for Saturday, November 18, from 8:30 until noon or a little later. We are now enlisting cleanup crew members and seeking church members who would like some help with the inevitable fall chores of cleaning gutters, changing smoke detector batteries, raking leaves, and so on. You will find sign-up sheets in the narthex and the Fellowship Hallway on the next two Sundays. To request help or to volunteer, call the church office at 423-764-7176 or email Diana Mattison at dmattison@fpcbristol.org by Wednesday, November 15.
Annual Chili Cook-Off Nov. 19
Our guaranteed-to-take-the-chill-off Chili Cook-Off is scheduled for Sunday, November 19. We'll gather in the Fellowship Hall at 5:00 p.m. but play games outside if weather permits. We may get crazy and line dance. Bring your best chili for the taste-and-vote contest, and don't forget your dancing shoes!
Hear from Abby about Her Mission
Our own Abby Welch, who is teaching English as a Second Language in Cape Town, South Africa, wants to keep you up-to-date on her mission there. To subscribe to her updates, visit http://eepurl.com/c7VudX. Abby is the daughter of Linda and Dave Welch.
Going to Knoxville for Thanksgiving?
Photo Credit: Gary Heatherly

If you are planning to spend Thanksgiving in Knoxville, please get in touch with Bob Rhea. He needs assistance traveling there to spend the holiday with family. Bob has offered to compensate his driver or rent a car. You can reach him at robertrhea3@gmail.com.
Stamps for Sunday Schools
Volunteers with the Alliance Stamp Ministry
Thanks to everyone who has slipped canceled stamps into the little bin in the Fellowship Hallway! The Alliance Stamp Ministry, where we send them, uses the income from selling them to support the preparation, publication, and distribution of a Spanish-language Sunday School curriculum. More than 50 series of lessons have been published and are being used in churches of 40 different denominations in Latin America, Spain, and the United States. By the end of September the Alliance had raised $20,000 from all contributors, including us. That is less than in 2016, so please continue to bring your canceled stamps to church, and remember to leave a border of at least a quarter of an inch around them.
Rehearsals Begin for Children's Christmas Play
Rehearsals begin this Sunday, November 5, for the gala of the season, the Children's Christmas Play. While the rest of us wriggle in anticipation, Lilly Osborne, Sujean Bradley, and their cadre of volunteers will wrangle actors, singers, and livestock to bring off the show of the year. To learn how to get involved, contact Lilly by texting 423-383-5476 or emailing losborne@fpcbristol.org, or email Sujean at sjkidz@comcast.net
Concerts at FPC Next Weekend

Outstanding outside performers will present two concerts in our sanctuary during the second weekend of November. Next Friday, November 10, at 7:30 p.m., Voices of the Mountains will present The Great Outdoors, with selections including "Frostiania" by Randall Thompson and "Song of the Open Road" by Norman Dello Joio. There will be a $15 admission fee for Friday's concert. Next Saturday, November 11, at 7:30 p.m., the King University Band will present its Fall Concert. There will be no admission charge for Saturday's concert.
Refreshing Flowers
Beauty: Peggy King and flowers

Fresh flowers add much to the beauty of worship. After the service, we like to send them on to church members, including shut-ins, for birthdays and other special occasions. If you would like to order flowers for worship, please contact Karen Boone at 423-538-8423.
Music Notes
Sunday's music participants: Sanctuary Choir, Adult Handbell Choir.
Sunday's music: The anthem, "This Do in Remembrance of Me," was composed by Judy Hunnicutt (b. 1939), who has composed more than 100 published works for choir, organ, and handbells. The text reminds us that the Eucharist unites us all with Christ through body and blood "till you come into his kingdom."
Cynthia Dobrinski
During communion, the Adult Handbell Choir will play "Aria" by Cynthia Dobrinski (b. 1950), a composer and arranger of handbell music with more than 175 works in print. She also works as an instructor and has conducted about 350 handbell workshops and festivals internationally. Dobrinski earned her Bachelor of Music degree from Texas Christian University and her Master of Music degree in organ performance from Northwestern University. She was a Fulbright scholar and taught for 15 years at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Organist's footnotes: I choose to play "Elegy" for the day's prelude because last Sunday we remembered the precious souls of loved ones who have entered the Church Triumphant this past year. "Elegy" begins with suitable somberness. Then, at measure 24, the tonality quietly shifts from minor to major. The music builds in intensity with ever-changing harmonies, transforming this song of lament into an affirmation of faith in the power of the Resurrection. A native of Austria, Anton Wilhelm Leupold (1868-1940) became the organist of St. Peter's Church, Berlin, in 1899, a position he held for the next 40 years. Although he composed many types of church music, most of his works were in the genre of the chorale prelude, of which he left some 200 examples.
The Postlude, "Lobe de Herren" ("Praise to the Lord, the Almighty"), begins with an ostentatious introduction then settles into a quick, jocular, asymmetrical 5/8 meter (with occasional 6/8 and 3/4 meters), indicating "the Almighty" must have a good sense of humor! Wayne L. Wold (b. 1954) is currently Professor, College Organist, and Chair of the Music Department at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland, and Director of Music Ministry at First Lutheran Church in Ellicott City, Maryland. 
Pray for One Another
An extensive list of prayer concerns, "Pray for One Another," is available for pickup at the church each week.
 
In Our Prayers
Becky Busler
DeeDee Galliher
Ron Grubbs
Vivian Hill
Don Moneyhun
Tony Raccioppo
Sam Samuel
 
Birthday Prayer Fellowship
November 5       Becky Adams
November 6       Louise Hall Rutherford, Owen Smith, Karen Vann, Elliot Williams
November 8       Danae Kreiss
November 9       Ann Arnold, Andrea Pennington, Dawn Regan
November 10     Greg Roberts
Church Officers
PCUSA seal small
 
Elders
Class of 2017
Class of 2018
Class of 2019
Ann Abel
Aaron Brooks
Anna Booher
Beth Flannagan
Randy Cook
Lee Galliher
Tom King
Debbie McMillin
Pete Holler
Ernie Pennington
Stuart Parker
Han Ong
John Vann
Chuck Thompson
Pete Stigers
 
Deacons
Class of 2017
Class of 2018
Class of 2019
Jim Mayden
Adam Abel
George Linke
Mark Mervis
Nancy Butterworth
Greg Roberts
Robin North
David Ginn
Nate Sproles
Jordan Pennington
Rett Stocstill
Bill Whisnant
Byron Schiesz
Ann Woods
 
Church Calendar

Sunday, November 5
Daylight Saving Time Ends
8:30 a.m.       Worship, Fellowship Hall
9:45 a.m.       Sunday School
11:00 a.m.     Worship, Sanctuary
5:00 p.m.       Middle School Student Fellowship
6:30 p.m.       High School Student Fellowship
Monday, November 6
5:30 p.m.       Adult Handbells
7:00 p.m.       Board of Deacons, Room 123
Tuesday, November 7
9:00 a.m.       Staff Meeting, Room 117
10:00 a.m.     Morning Prayer Group, Conference Room
7:00 p.m.       Boy Scout Troop 3, Scout Wing
Wednesday, November 8
9:30 a.m.       Women's DVD Bible Study, Coffee Klatch Room
4:45 p.m.       Savior's Singers Children's Choir
5:15 p.m.       Baby & Toddler Care, Rooms 34-36
5:30 p.m.       Fellowship Dinner, Fellowship Hall
6:00 p.m.       Wednesday Night Kids
6:00 p.m.       Middle School Gathering
6:00 p.m.       Pastor Nominating Committee, Room 117
6:15 p.m.       Adult Learning Program, Fellowship Hall
7:00 p.m.       High School Small Groups
7:15 p.m.       Sanctuary Choir
7:30 p.m.       8:30 Worship Team, Fellowship Hall
Thursday, November 9
7:00 a.m.       Men's Bible Study, Parlor
8:30 a.m.       Meals on Wheels, Fellowship Hall
12:00 p.m.     Noon Bible Study, Room 11
Friday, November 10
7:30 p.m.       Voices of the Mountains Concert, Sanctuary
Saturday, November 11
7:30 p.m.       King University Band Fall Concert, Sanctuary