Your Weekly News & Updates
"Love Never Ends"
Worship Focus thru Feb. 27

“Love Never Ends” is both a description and a promise. You are invited to be guided by the Corinthian epistles to let the light shine around you, and in you, and then, from you, as we seek to continue to become disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Experiencing the light of Christ leads to a desire to reflect it in our community and in our world by letting others see Christ through our loving presence.
Sunday, January 23
3rd Sunday after Epiphany

Scripture Reading: I Corinthians:12:12-31a
Sermon: Love Never Ends: You Are The Body

“If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”
I Corinthians 12:26-27

You matter. You and your gifts matter because the body won’t be the body without you--without the gifts you bring, without the person you are!

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Sunday Worship In-Person and Online

SSUMC offers opportunities for worship on Sunday mornings with three different spaces and flavors:

+ 8:45 a.m. in the Chapel – Informal service with traditional hymns.

+ 9:01 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall – Modern service with music led by the Praise Band.

+ 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary – Traditional service with choir and organ.

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State Street Online
9:01 Streamed Live
11:00 Premiere Video
 
Online options available on Facebook and YouTube
 
You can also listen to an audio recording of the sermon
with Sermon By Phone: Call 276-466-1050
Recovery at Bristol
Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall

  • Dinner at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall before worship.
  • In Person Worship at 7 p.m. (social distancing; masks not required for attendees with completed vaccinations) or live on Facebook.
  • Support groups meet following worship.
  • Transportation to and from Recovery is available. If you need a ride, please contact the Church Office at 276-669-2101 Ext. 121.
  • Nursery care is provided.

If you have questions about Recovery, please call (276) 669-2101 Ext.123 for Steve Patterson or Ext.129 for Amy Brown.
State Street Leadership Orientation and Visioning Time
Saturday, January 29

All are welcome to participate in this opportunity to look at what we did (and how we endured) 2021 and generate ideas and visions for 2022. The Church Council is meeting together in addition to the W.I.N.G.S Teams (the program ministries of Worship, Invite, Nurture, Grow and Serve).
Even if you are not part of the official church leadership, you are still very welcome to participate, especially if you are interested in offering your gifts and ideas at State Street. Sign up at the Welcome Table and we’ll get you more details. The event starts at 9:00 a.m. and continues through 3:00 p.m.  
Resurrection 2022
This Saturday & Sunday

Due to increasing COVID numbers, our youth will be streaming Resurrection 2022.

  • Saturday January 22: meet at church from 1 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. We will stream three sessions throughout the day and have games, team-building exercises, and small group devotion time in between. Lunch, dinner & snacks provided.

  • Sunday, January 23: meet at the church from 3:30 p.m. until 5:45 p.m. to view the last session. Dinner provided.

If you can volunteer to help with any part of this event, please contact Amy Brown at [email protected]
FISH Club News

FISH Club plans to resume Wednesday, February 2!
It takes the entire State Street church family to make this meaningful ministry happen. There are plenty of opportunities for you to help, whether it's once in a while or every week or somewhere in between. Come be a part of this powerful witness to the love of Christ that never ends!

Volunteers needed:
  • Elementary & youth helpers (5:45 - 7:15 p.m.)
  • Dinner delivery (5:30 - 6:00 p.m.)
  • Bus chaperone (4:45 - 5:45 p.m. & 7:15 - 8:15 p.m.)
  • Van chaperone (5:10 - 5:50 p.m. & 7:15 - 7:55 p.m.)

If you would like to volunteer or discuss these positions further, please contact Amy Brown at [email protected]
Church Nursery & Preschool Workers Needed

State Street UMC is seeking Nursery and Preschool Workers. Qualifications include a love for God and God's children, experience caring for infants and preschoolers, and a minimum age of 18. Previous experience in child care is preferred and a background check will be required. Compensation is $12 per hour. Hours include: Sun. from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Wed. from 5:15 - 7:45 p.m., and Thurs. from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. For more information, call the Church Office at 276 669-2101 and speak with Cheri Zaras.
Children's Ministry Volunteers Needed

All kinds of volunteers are needed to assist with hospitality and care for children and their families who attend and/or visit State Street. If you are willing to help, there's a place for you to serve. Please contact the Church Office for more information at 276-669-2101 Ext. 121.
Volunteer Opportunities
at Crossroads Medical Mission

Did you made a New Year's resolution to volunteer? Crossroads Medical Mission is looking for volunteers who can help at our Bristol clinic locations with registering patients into the computer as well as volunteers with nursing skills. Please call the Crossroads Office with questions at 276-466-1600 and fill out an application form on at www.crossroadsmedicalmission.org.
Blood Pressure Screenings:
January 20th from 6-7 p.m.

Free blood pressure screenings will be held Thursday, Jan. 20 from from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Narthex.

Your Parish Nurses
Mid-Week Prayer Gathering

Wednesdays at noon Pastor Laura leads a Mid-Week Prayer Gathering in the Chapel from 12 - 12:30 p.m. Prayer concerns are shared, and there are guided opportunities to be still and reflect on the power and presence of God.
COVID Aware

The Church Council provides the following information weekly to help each person take appropriate precautions. You are encouraged to use your best judgment as we strive to foster a healthy environment for all.
 
Current rate of infection (7-day average per 100,000 as of January 19, 2022)
  • Bristol City, VA: 247.2 per 100,000
  • Washington County, VA: 190.3 per 100,000
  • Sullivan County, TN : 121.4 per 100,000
 [Data from covidactnow.org]

Recommendations (to keep the church open):
  • Get vaccinated as recommended by health professionals.
  • Masks and social distancing best protection for unvaccinated.
  • If numbers above 10, consider masks and social distancing for all.
 
Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with God. - John Wesley's Three Simple Rules

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Holston Conference COVID Task Force Recommendations

Since we are currently in a time of severe risk for community spread, here are guidelines for what to do if you have been exposed or test positive for COVID-19:

  • If you exhibit any symptoms of COVID and/or the flu, stay home and see a doctor.

  • If you are in close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone who has a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19, per CDC guidelines
  • If you are vaccinated and boosted or have completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna Vaccine in the last 6 months or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine within the last 2 months, get tested 5 days after exposure and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 10 days or until you receive a negative test result. If you develop symptoms, self-isolate and get tested.
  • If you are not fully vaccinated and boosted, stay home for 5 days after your last exposure to that person and continue to wear a mask for 5 additional days. If you have symptoms, immediately self-isolate and contact your local public health authority or healthcare provider and follow their advice.

  • If you test positive for COVID, regardless of vaccination status, per CDC guidelines: 
  • Stay home for 5 days
  • If there are no symptoms or if symptoms resolve after 5 days, you can leave home but should continue to wear a mask around others for 5 days.
  • The Holston Conference COVIC Task Force recommends you do not return to large church gatherings for the full 10 days.


Open Enrollment at Spring Garden Preschool

Open enrollment with limited availability. Now enrolling children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. Call 276-466-8505 for more information.


Church Office Hours

Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.