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

In This Issue
Worship
Subscriptions & Deadline
Thankful for You
November Stewardship Message
It's Poinsettia Season
Advent Devotional Books Are Here
Final Acolyte Rehearsal Wednesday
Acolytes in Traditional Worship
Brazil Mission Trip Planning Sunday
Come in Out of the Cold!
From the Feys
Great Escape in the Offing
Surf's Up in Orlando
Music Notes
Pray for One Another
Church Calendar
Our Church Officers
Worship
November 25
Christ the King
Lessons
2 Samuel 23:1-7
John 18:33-37
Sermon
Christ the King
Dave Welch
Hymns
Crown Him with Many Crowns
At the Name of Jesus
Anthem
King of Glory, King of Peace
Last Sunday's Attendance
8:30: 117; 11:00: 136
Subscriptions & Deadline
To receive our e-newsletter, email your name and preferred email address to the editor, Kathy Acuff, at kacuff@fpcbristol.org. The newsletter is emailed a minute after midnight on Thursday morning. It is posted to our website later that day.
Deadline for contributions is the Monday of the week of publication. Windows is a publication of First Presbyterian Church, Bristol, TN.

Windows

on First Presbyterian Church

November 22, 2018
Thankful for You
Christ the King Sunday, November 25, is also Stewardship Sunday at FPC. Having reflected on the congregation's generous gifts of time, as well as the gifts of treasure that made our church's 2019 budget a reality, our church staff and Stewardship Committee are filled with a profound sense of love and gratitude. We have so many people to thank for the numberless ways in which they have contributed to our congregation's and our community's well-being, comfort, and yes, we'll say it, joy!
You maintained the church lawn. You went out and raked leaves for others. You made repairs to homes in the Fairmount neighborhood. You visited the homebound and comforted the ill and grieving. You prepared meals for Wednesday night fellowship, took sustenance to the hungry folk downtown, and kept the local food pantry running. You staffed the committees that carry out much of the work of the church--and found our new pastor; led education classes; and made Vacation Bible School a neighborhood event. You turned out with candy and decorated cars for Halloween at Fairmount School. You guided children and youth; you reached out to adults. You led worship and made music of all kinds; you're putting on a play! You organized and worked on mission trips to our brothers and sisters in Christ in Brazil and Ethiopia. And all these works of love and faith only begin to name the ways you have made our church, our community, and our world a better place.
All in all, you have been the church, and for that opportunity, we give thanks to God. We also give you thanks for faithfully responding to God's call upon our lives. Let's pray and work together to make 2019 even more productive. Until then, Happy Thanksgiving!
In Christ,
Pastor Sam
November Stewardship Message
Through the loving and generous commitment of the FPC congregation, our 2019 budget has been adopted and fully funded. Members who have been a part of this church for many, many years have said that this is the first time in memory that this commitment of treasure has happened so quickly and completely. This blessing is taken as a powerful indication of the ministry to come.
As we all know, a church does not operate on money alone. As important as your pledges are to the budget planning process, your gifts of time and talent are just as important to the day-to-day operations of the church. The staff can only do so much. Let's take a look at some of the important roles filled by volunteers.
  • The mowing crew keeps the grounds looking neat, trim, and orderly all year.
  • Every worship service functions smoothly through the services of ushers, musicians, and vocal artists.
  • Imagine the consistent dedication needed to send each and every one of us a timely birthday card year after year after year!
  • Many of our members volunteer time for Meals-on-Wheels to prepare, package, and deliver about 45 meals to shut-ins and others.
  • Volunteers stay overnight with Family Promise guests to serve their needs.
  • The operations of the church office depend on volunteers who answer phones, run copies, produce the bulletin, and respond to requests for special services.
  • Each Thursday, our church is filled with dozens of people seeking to learn more about God's word through the Community Bible Study program we host.
  • Our children and youth benefit from the teachers, mentors, drivers, chaperones, and meal providers who give of their time and talent.
  • The Care Shepherds regularly visit homebound members to spread cheer and keep them engaged in the life of the church.
  • FPC enjoys a growing relationship with Fairmount Elementary School through the snack program, Reading Buddies, and the recent Trunk-or-Treat festivities.
  • Many of you serve on committees and work groups that focus on specific areas of church operations and ministry.
But wait! There's more! With all these volunteers working in all these important positions, our church needs yet another. We are looking for a Volunteer Coordinator to manage the flow of time and talent being poured out. If you are interested, please let Sam Weddington or Dave Welch know. In addition, students are still being sought for the Acolyte Ministry to assist in worship services.
All the members of your Stewardship Committee say to all of you who selflessly engage in giving thousands of hours of time and talent through First Presbyterian Church, "Thank you, and may God richly bless you in return!"
It's Poinsettia Season
Advent begins this Sunday, December 2, and then it's open season on poinsettias for the sanctuary! Order forms will be available in the church office on weekdays and in worship on the next two Sundays. To order a plant to memorialize or honor someone, bring or mail your order form with payment to the church office or place it in the offering plate during worship. Each plant costs $15, and the deadline for orders is Monday, December 3. We will place the poinsettias in the sanctuary in time to enjoy them on the second Sunday of Advent. Plants should be picked up after the Christmas Eve service.
Advent Devotional Books Are Here
Copies of our own Daily Devotions for Advent are still available for pickup at the church. You can find them in the narthex and the Fellowship Hallway. Please take only one per family. The devotions are also available as a downloadable PDF file here.
Final Acolyte Rehearsal Wednesday
A reminder to our acolytes and their parents: Our final rehearsal will be Wednesday, November 28, at 7:15 p.m. in the sanctuary. Be there to be prepared!
Acolytes in Traditional Worship
We are pleased to announce that our new acolyte team will be joining the procession at the 11:00 a.m. worship service on Sunday, December 2. After some practice, and with great enthusiasm, we celebrate the presence of our young people in worship. Please be sure to encourage them and all they will do for us when you see them.
Brazil Mission Trip Planning Sunday
This Sunday, November 25, at 7:00 p.m., we will meet in room 123 to organize our May mission trip to Brazil. Interested students and parents, after communicating their intentions to Katie Arnold, are invited to gather with others interested in joining this mission venture. We will plan, pray, and prepare ourselves for a rewarding discipleship experience with our brothers and sisters in Brazil. You can reach Katie through the church office or at karnold@fpcbristol.org.
Come in Out of the Cold!
As Advent begins, our fall semester of Wednesday night programs ends. Please join us for the grand finale next week on November 28, when all generations of our congregation will join forces to build gingerbread houses. These little structures won't keep out the winter chill, but they will warm our hearts. This annual activity is always fun for everyone, so do plan to be there. Join us at 5:30 p.m. for a fellowship dinner of BBQ sandwiches, baked beans, slaw, and dessert, then stay to put your house in order. See you then!
From the Feys
Billie at home in Roswell
Dear Friends,
We pray you all are well, and rejoice with you at the calling of your new pastor/head of staff. As some of you know, Vicki's mother, Billie Peterson, will celebrate her 90th birthday December 7, and we, along with Vicki's sister, are holding a celebration for her on Saturday, December 8, at her Brookdale Roswell facility. Billie's three grandchildren, their spouses, and her great-grandchildren will attend, as will some local church friends, tablemates, and a few Bristol folk. If you would like to attend, contact Vicki at vpfey@yahoo.com.
We would like for as many folks as possible to send Billie birthday cards. You may send them directly to her at:
Billie Peterson
1000 Applewood Dr. #280
Roswell, GA 30076
Blessings on you all in this next phase of your ministry. Come visit anytime!
Love,
Vicki & Steve Fey
Great Escape in the Offing
Join FPC Middle School Ministry on a summer adventure to the Great Escape! Our group will leave the church on Sunday, June 9, and drive to Lee University in Cleveland, TN. There we will join middle school students from all over the US for what never fails to be a memorable, wild 'n' crazy week. We will return around noon on Friday, June 14. Start inviting your friends now!
Register and pay the nonrefundable $100 deposit by January 27 to get the early bird price of $415. After that date, the price increases to $450. The balance is due May 5. (Please see the trip cancellation policy on the back of the brochure.) Scholarships are available on request.
The cost covers transportation, camp programming, five nights of lodging, 13 meals, a T-shirt, and a day of whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River. This is an event you won't want to miss! Questions? Contact Katie Arnold, Director of Student Ministries, at karnold@fpcbristol.org.
Surf's Up in Orlando
When school gets out for the summer, the serve will be up in Orlando! Join FPC High School Ministry for Summer Serve June 16-23. We'll leave from the church and travel to Grayson, GA, for an overnight with Grayson United Methodist Church. The next morning, we'll join Grayson UMC student ministry and head to Florida for a week of missions, beach, and fun. In the mornings we will work with a variety of ministries throughout Orlando. In the afternoons we will devote ourselves to adventure and fun! We'll cap the week with a day at Universal Studios. This is an event you won't want to miss!
Register and pay the nonrefundable $100 deposit by January 27 to get the early bird price of $450. After that date, the price increases to $500. The balance is due May 5. (Please see the trip cancellation policy on the back of the brochure.) Scholarships are available on request.
The cost includes transportation, camp, lodging in Orlando, all meals except for those on the road, a T-shirt, and a day pass for Universal parks. Start inviting your friends and register early for the best price! Questions? Contact Katie Arnold, Director of Student Ministries, at karnold@fpcbristol.org.
Music Notes
Al Fedak
Sunday's music: Our anthem, "King of Glory, King of Peace," was composed by Al Fedak, whose music we sang recently in our sanctuary. Fedak serves as Minister of Music and Arts at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Albany, New York. As a member of the PCOCS, he helped select music for and organize the Glory to God hymnal.
Organist's footnotes: On the last Sunday of the liturgical year, Christ the King Sunday, we will hear music from three American composers. Tim Fields (b. 1957), whose current position is unknown, was formerly Director of Music at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbus, Ohio. Richard Proulx (1937 -2010) was an American composer and editor of church music, including anthems, service music, hymn concertatos, organ music, and music for handbell choir. He had a long association with Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago and has made several recordings with The Cathedral Singers, a professional chorus he founded in 1991. Robert Powell (b. 1932 in Benoit, Mississippi) is an American composer, organist, and choir director. He has composed in nearly all genres common to church music, including anthems, service music, hymn concertatos, organ music, music for handbell choir, and large-scale oratorios.
Sunday's music participants: Pat Flannagan, Bob Greene, Sanctuary Choir.
Pray for One Another

In Our Prayers
Becky Busler
City of Pittsburgh & Temple of Life congregation & community
Ethiopia, especially our Christian brothers & sisters in Oromia State
DeeDee & Sarah Galliher
Ron Grubbs
Nancy King
Katie Kreuser (Tom & Leigh King's daughter)
Dot Mattison
Marty McCloud
Larry Mullins
Osborne Family
Karen Pennington
Phyllis Phares (Mary Connor's mother)
Cheyenne Poteat
Don Preston
Virginia Rutherford
Sproles Family
Chuck Thompson
Bill Wade
John Wizorek (Annette Tudor's father)
 
To the Church Triumphant
William D. "Don" Moneyhun
November 15, 2018
 
Condolences
Our love and sympathy are with Robin North in the death of her mother, Jackie Leonard, November 19. We ask you to continue to lift her in your thoughts and prayers.
 
Birthday Prayer Fellowship
Nov. 25       Louisa Cordon, Selma Jennings
Nov. 26       Jean Burnette, Meg Rice
Nov. 27       Cindy Samuel
Nov. 28       Doug Williams
Nov. 29       Carolyn Moore, Andrew Porter, Sam Story
Nov. 30       Charlotte Osborne
Dec. 1          Deidre Pendley
Church Calendar
Sunday, November 25
8:30 a.m.       Worship, Fellowship Hall
9:45 a.m.       Sunday School
11:00 a.m.     Worship, Sanctuary
6:00 p.m.       Student Fellowship, Youth Wing
7:00 p.m.       Brazil Trip Planning, Room 123
Monday, November 26
7:00 p.m.       Session of Elders, Room 123
Tuesday, November 27
10:00 a.m.     Staff Meeting, Room 117
10:00 a.m.     Morning Prayer Group, Conference Room
6:00 p.m.       Venture Crew 3, Room 165
7:00 p.m.       Boy Scout Troop 3, Scout Wing
Wednesday, November 28
9:30 a.m.       Women's Bible Study, Room 117
5:15 p.m.       Baby & Toddler Care, Rooms 34 - 37
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.       High School Small Groups
6:15 p.m.       Handbell Practice, Sanctuary
6:20 p.m.       Adult Learning Program
7:00 p.m.       Acolyte Practice, Sanctuary
7:15 p.m.       Sanctuary Choir
7:15 p.m.       Worship Team
Thursday, November 29
7:00 a.m.       Men's Bible Study, Parlor
12:00 p.m.     Noon Bible Study, Room 117
Our Church Officers
Church Officers
ELDERS
Class of 2018
Class of 2019
Class of 2020
Aaron Brooks
Anna Booher
Nancy Allerton
Randy Cook
Lee Galliher
Rebecca Beck
Debbie McMillin
Pete Holler
David Hyde
Stuart Parker
Han Ong
Jordan Pennington
Chuck Thompson
Pete Stigers
Jerry Poteat
DEACONS
Class of 2018
Class of 2019
Class of 2020
Adam Abel
Sujean Bradley
Blake Bassett
Nancy Butterworth
George Linke
Rhonda Comer
David Ginn
Greg Roberts
Brenda Lawson
Rett Stocstill
Nate Sproles
Barbara Thompson
Ann Woods
Bill Whisnant
 
TRUSTEES
Class of 2018
Class of 2019
Class of 2020
Charles Webb
Nancy Cook
Peggy Hill