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

In This Issue
Worship
Livestream!
Deadline & Subscriptions
Word from the Pastor: Faithful
Thank You, Anthony
100 Years!
For the Beauty of the Earth
Regenerate at Women's Event Dec. 2
They Are Talking about the Apostles' Creed
How Does a Segregated Church Affect the Involvement of Youth?
Let's Clean the Basement Next Saturday
Late Night Scavenger Hunt This Sunday
Register by Sunday to Get Best BigStuf Price
Register for Great Escape
Sign Up for Passion 2020
Goldfish for Fairmount Students
Gifts to the Church
Music Notes
Pray for One Another
Church Calendar
Our Church Officers
Worship
November 10
22nd Sunday after Pentecost
Lessons
John 16:12-15
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Sermon
Third Person
Sam Weddington
Anthem
Psalm IX
Last Sunday's Attendance
9:00: 157; 11:00: 95
Livestream!
Click here to livestream our contemporary service. You can also access past sermons and ministry videos on our YouTube account, "FPC Bristol."
Deadline & Subscriptions
Deadline for contributions is the Monday of the week of publication. To subscribe to our free e-newsletter, send an email with your name and preferred email address to kacuff@fpcbristol.org

Windows

on First Presbyterian Church

November 7, 2019
Word from the Pastor: Faithful

"Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side;
bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
leave to thy God to order and provide;
in ev'ry change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heav'nly Friend
thro' thorny ways leads to a joyful end."---"Be Still My Soul," verse 1
"The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful---for he cannot deny himself."---2 Timothy 2:11-13
Change. I hate it. We recently rolled our clocks back, and contrary to everyone cheering the gain of an hour, I feel like I've lost. I've lost an hour on my internal clock, and my body is struggling to catch up. There's less light during the day. The leaves go from living to near dead. Oh! The leaves!
As a church body, we are once again in the midst of change. We are gearing up for a quick entry into the Advent and Christmas season, and I'm asking myself where the time has gone. Our brother, Anthony Childress, is moving on to new work in the area. We will miss him and his leadership, and we wish him well in this new chapter of his family's story under God's leadership. There is the process of evaluating the sound in the sanctuary as we slowly move towards change in there. So much change, so little time, and frankly, many of us, myself included, don't like it.
It's in moments like this that I remember a great verse from my favorite hymn, "Be Still My Soul." "In every change," the hymn has us sing, "He faithful will remain." This is the promise of the Gospel, a promise repeated by Paul in 2 Timothy 2:11-13, that God is faithful no matter what. Though we never deserved it, and there is nothing we could do to merit God's grace towards us, God is faithful and just, and made a way through the Son. Indeed, as the song tells us, "thy best, thy heav'nly Friend, thro' thorny ways leads to a joyful end."
The question for us amidst all this change is whether we will hang on, and remain as faithful as God gives us provision to do. Paul reminds us that Christ's life, struggles, and faithfulness models for us how we are to live in community with one another, and in communion with God. Change is tough, but if we will remain with the One who has seen us through to this point, we have the sure promise that God will complete that work in us (Philippians 1:6).
So let's be in prayer for one another during this season of change. God is good, and I am excited to see where God is taking us.
In Christ,
Pastor Sam
Thank You, Anthony
Anthony and Rebekah Childress

It is with sadness that we share with you that our Director of Contemporary Worship, Anthony Childress, will be resigning his position here effective Sunday, November 17. We are so very thankful for his service to our church, and we wish him and his wife, Rebekah, well. Please pray for them, and for our contemporary worship service, as we begin this new chapter in our life together. During worship on Anthony's final Sunday, we will publicly thank him for his service.
In the interim, our volunteers will coordinate worship Sunday by Sunday, and we will also have special guests from time to time to lead us in worship. We will need to be flexible, for each worship leader will bring their own talents and gifts to share with us, as different and exciting as they might be. Again, please be in prayer, and let us be confident that God will move us forward in worship in ways that we cannot even begin to imagine or hope for. / Pastor Sam
100 Years!

November is Ethiopian mission month, and we are highlighting the exciting work God has been doing in Dembi Dollo for more than 100 years through Presbyterian mission. Our team of Nancy Allerton, Geneva King, Han Ong, and Dave Welch has gone there to represent FPC at the celebration of this milestone and to see all the wonderful work God is doing. We have received word that they landed safely, and they have nearly made their way from Addis Ababa to Dembi Dollo. Continue to hold them up in your prayers with the mission of the Western Wollega Bethel Synod, the Berhane Yesus Elementary School, Bethel Evangelical Secondary School, Bethel Tulama Elementary School, and Gidada Theological College. Our team is scheduled to return on November 13, and I am sure they will have much to share about all they experienced.
As part of our celebration of 100 years of Presbyterian Mission in Dembi Dollo, you have the opportunity, if you are led, to join in that work. You can make a special contribution to that mission by making out a check to First Presbyterian of Bristol, with "Ethiopian Mission" in the memo line. All money collected will go into a special reserve fund that is used solely for the benefit of the ministry and work of our brothers and sisters in Dembi Dollo. We also invite you to pray for God's continued work in the region. / Pastor Sam
For the Beauty of the Earth

Drs. Han and Laura Ong, Instructor Josh Rudd, and Pastor Sam have been working with the King University Environmental Club and Bristol Mayor Margaret Feierabend to create For the Beauty of the Earth, a series of discussions on environmental stewardship. The first event, at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 14, will highlight the importance of recycling programs in Bristol and answer questions from the audience about recycling in our area. The developers of this program hope to follow up in the next few months with another panel on the question of the spiritual and moral imperative to care for the environment.
In addition to those from the City of Bristol and King University, representatives from two local companies, Revolution Curbside Recycling and Eastman Chemical, will be on the panel. Pastor Sam will moderate the discussion. All are welcome. Please join us in the King University Student Center Boardroom (on the mezzanine).
Regenerate at Women's Event Dec. 2
Guest speaker Jessica Stollings

Join the women of the church for a night of connection, fun, and fellowship with speaker Jessica Stollings! We will gather in the Fellowship Hall from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, December 2. Coffee, tea, and desserts will be provided, and the nursery will be available.
Jessica, a graduate of King University,is the founder of ReGenerations, an organization that specializes in connecting generations. She last spoke to us in March 2015, when we held a forum to discuss ministry with different generations and their makeup, identity, and values. Please make plans now to attend the December 2 event!
They Are Talking about the Apostles' Creed

All adults are invited to study the Apostles' Creed in tandem with Pastor Sam's new sermon series. This short-term class uses video and discussion to explore what an ancient statement can say to us now about the Good News of Jesus Christ. We are meeting in the chapel at 10:10 throughout the series. For more information, see Pastor Sam or Dave Welch.
How Does a Segregated Church Affect the Involvement of Youth?
Please join us November 13, when Dan Kreiss will lead a discussion on his research into the segregated church and its impact on the engagement of young people. Anticipate a challenging presentation and some meaningful interaction together!
Except when we have special presentations, we worship on most Wednesday evenings by praying, singing, and studying God's Word together. The evening begins with a fellowship supper at 5:30, and activities for children and youth follow at 6:00. The adult program begins at 6:15.
Let's Clean the Basement Next Saturday
This is not the church basement, but you get the idea.

It's fall cleaning time at FPC! The Building & Grounds Committee has scheduled Saturday, November 16, beginning at 10:00 a.m., as Basement Cleanout Day. We need volunteers from the congregation to help with this task. Fear not! We know for a fact that there are no monsters lurking among the odds and ends. In fact, there may be some treasures down there that the church no longer needs. So come on out! There is a large quantity of slate from previous roof replacements that those of you with an artistic flair can do something creative with. We're asking $2 apiece for roofing slate (we have to pay for the dumpster somehow!).
If you can help, please contact Randy Cook at 423-956-1541 (text preferred) or email npolecook@aol.com. Stay tuned to hear when the basement will be available for "shoppers" before cleaning day! / Randy Cook
Late Night Scavenger Hunt This Sunday

This Sunday, November 10, Student Fellowship is doing a late night event! We will meet at the church at 8:00 p.m., form teams, and leave for a scavenger hunt that will culminate in filling shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Everyone is asked to bring $5 or shoebox items. We need adult volunteers to drive the teams around as they hunt. If you're up for a fun outing with students, please contact Katie Arnold at karnold@fpcbristol.org. We plan to return to the church by 11:00 p.m.
Register by Sunday to Get Best BigStuf Price

FPC high school students are invited to spend a week in Panama City Beach, Florida! We will leave from the church on June 19 and return June 27. We're going to BigStuf Camp for worship, engaging speakers, mission opportunities, and tons of beach time with hundreds of high school students from around the country. We will stay in a beachfront hotel at the convention center.
Spots are limited, so invite your friends and get the best price by registering now on the Student Ministries webpage or here.
  • Super Early Bird Price: $425; pay the $100 deposit by this Sunday, Nov. 10
  • Early Bird Price: $450; pay the $100 deposit by January 12
  • After January 12: $500
The cost includes:
  • Transportation & travel lodging
  • Beach lodging
  • Meals (excluding travel meals)
  • Camp
  • Mission days
  • T-shirt
  • An amazing week!
Register for Great Escape
Join the FPC Middle School Ministry for Christmas at the Great Escape! We'll leave from the church Sunday, June 7, and join middle school students from all over the country at Lee University in Cleveland, TN. We'll have a wild 'n' crazy week of incredible music, captivating speakers, engaging entertainment, and the messiest games you can imagine. One day will be devoted to an off-campus adventure! We will return to Bristol around noon on Friday, June 12.
We have revised registration information. Register by December 1 and pay the super-early bird price of $415 and a $100 deposit. Register by January 26 and pay the early bird price of $450 and a $100 deposit. After February 3 the price rises to $475. The total balance is due May 1. Scholarships are available upon request.
The cost of this amazing week includes:
  • Transportation to & from camp
  • Camp programming
  • 5 nights of lodging
  • 13 meals
  • T-shirt
  • Day of whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River
Ready to go? Register through our Student Ministries webpage or here. We will take registrations until the camp is full.
Sign Up for Passion 2020

Start the new year right with FPC Bristol at Passion 2020! We're going to join thousands of 18 -to-25-year-olds at the Benz in Atlanta from December 31 through January 2. Passion is filled with incredible worship, dynamic speakers, and sweet time with your church family. The cost is $150 if you register by December 1 and pay a $50 deposit. After December 1, the cost rises to $200. For more information and to register, contact Katie Arnold at karnold@fpcbristol.org now!
Goldfish for Fairmount Students

We are collecting Goldfish for snacktime at Fairmount School, where at least two children in each of 16 classrooms need assistance and the snacks go quickly. We take our donations to the school, and the teachers divide the contents into child-size portions. We need to provide 20 portions per child per month. Please remember our Fairmount children the next time you shop, and bring your donations to the Little Red House in the Fellowship Hallway. Thank you!
Gifts to the Church
Memorials and honoraria are published in the newsletter only after the family has been personally notified by our business office. Today we gratefully acknowledge gifts in memory of:
Nancy King: to the Memorial Fund from Joday & Bob Blevins, from Tracie & Bobby Blevins, from David & Joyce Crockett, from Preston & Jennifer Deal, from Ronan King, Will, Mosley & Cody, from Dot Mattison, from Permatile Concrete Products Co., from Craig & Brennan Rockett, from Nora Rockett; to the Minister's Discretionary Fund from Ernie & Karen Pennington; to the Music Ministries Fund from Gwen King
Music Notes
Donna Butler Douglas
Sunday's music: Our anthem this week is a setting of Psalm IX by Donna Butler Douglas, a nationally acclaimed choral composer with degrees in Piano and Theory/Composition. For more than 25 years she has directed music for churches in Oklahoma, Dallas, Kansas City, and Little Rock. She has received numerous awards from ASCAP, is an accomplished solo pianist, and has composed more than 100 published works.
Her setting of Psalm IX is one of her more frequently performed pieces. It is an upbeat work that features modality (Lydian), hemiola, and clear declaration of text. It was written for the youth choir of First Baptist Church of Arlington, TX. The middle section of the piece features an a cappella moment when the choir sings "and they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee." The piece concludes with a repeat of the initial material.
Organist's footnotes: This Sunday we focus on this portion of the Apostles' Creed: "I believe in the Holy Ghost." The presence of the Holy Ghost (or Spirit) was made manifest on the day of Pentecost. The ancient chant Veni, creator spiritus ("Come, creator spirit") is found in the liturgy of the early church for Pentecost. The first written references appear in 10th-century manuscripts of the Roman rite. The text has been attributed to various sources, including St. Gregory, St. Ambrose, and the Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne. The distinctive melody appears to have been used prior to this time and appears with different texts in the Ambrosian and Sarum rites.
Nicolas de Grigny
Nicholas de Grigny (1672 -1703) came from a family of French organists, including both his father and grandfather, and held important organist positions in Paris and his native Reims. Although he died when only 31, his place in music history is guaranteed by one work, his Premier Livre d'orgue of 1697. This opus comprises an organ Mass and five hymns for various occasions in the church year. Each hymn consists of a chant melody followed by a set of variations, each of which emphasizes rich ornamentation in the French Baroque style and displays the characteristic colors of the classic French organ.
De Grigny's Veni creator spiritus has five movements in all, including the opening chant. For our prelude, I will play the opening chant, which is heard en taille ("in the tenor" voice) on a clear pedal stop in long (whole) notes, while the other four voices dance decoratively around it. Following that, the first of the variations is played: the hymn tune in a five-part fugue. Omitting the second variation ("Duo"), the third variation, the "RĂ©cit de Cromorne" (offertory) is a soft, quiet piece that calls for the use of the distinctive French reed known as the Cromorne. Since our organ does not have a Cromorne, I have approximated its sound by coupling our German Krummhorn with an eight-foot flute. The final variation, "Dialogue sur les grands jeux" (postlude), calls for full manuals. Framed by stately opening and closing sections, the middle section dances joyfully in 6/8 time.
Silver bells, bronze handbells: All we want for Christmas is a few new members! Come join the Sanctuary Handbell Choir for low-key fellowship and upbeat music! We practice from 6:15 to 7:15 on Wednesday evenings in room 212 upstairs, and play for the late worship service about once a month. We are looking to play on November 24, which is Christ the King Sunday and the final service of the month. Do come to our next practice and get in on the fun! Contact Bob Greene at bobthecomposer@gmail.com or 276-696-9091.
Pray for One Another

In Our Prayers
Please also include in your prayers members of our community who wish to remain anonymous.
Elizabeth Blankenship
Becky Busler
Christians in Nigeria/ECWA
Dorothy Dollar
George & Becky Elkins
Ethiopian brothers & sisters
Bobby Flew
FPC Pledge Campaign
DeeDee Galliher
Diane Glymph
Jane Godsey's family
Ron Grubbs
Lou Hebb
Elanor Howell
Selma Jennings
Marty Keys & family
Dot Mattison
Roger McCracken
Ashley & Jeremy McGlaughlin
Alice Moore
Music Ministries of FPC
Donald Page
Don Preston
Matt Richardson
Larry Roberts (Greg's brother)
Peggy Rutherford
Virginia Rutherford
Joan Sams
Katlin Smith
Stigers family
Ashley Thomasson
Herb Van Nostrand
Karen White
Bill Woods
 
To the Church Triumphant
Henry Donald "Don" Preston
November 2, 2019
 
Birthday Prayer Fellowship
Nov. 10       Greg Roberts
Nov. 13       Samuel Hankins
Nov. 15       John Crewey, Conor Haaser, Sam Jennings, Billie Whisnant
Nov. 16       Cass Madison, Kensie Porter, Joyce Samuel
Church Calendar
Sunday, November 10
9:00 a.m.       Worship, Fellowship Hall
10:10 a.m.     Sunday School
10:30 a.m.     Sanctuary Choir, Room 202
11:00 a.m.     Worship, Sanctuary
3:00 p.m.       Christmas Play Rehearsal, Sanctuary
8:00 p.m.       Student Fellowship
Monday, November 11
7:00 p.m.       Building & Grounds Comm., Room 117
7:00 p.m.       Worship Comm., Room 123
Tuesday, November 12
10:00 a.m.     Staff Meeting, Room 117
10:00 a.m.     Morning Prayer Group, Conf. Room
6:00 p.m.       Venture Crew 3, Room 165
7:00 p.m.       Boy Scout Troop 3, Scout Wing
Wednesday, November 13
9:30 a.m.       Women's Bible Study, Room 117
4:00 p.m.       Finance Comm., 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.       Adult Enrichment
6:15 p.m.       Handbell Practice, Room 212
7:15 p.m.       Sanctuary Choir, Room 202
Thursday, November 14
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 117
6:30 p.m.       Scout Order of the Arrow, Scout Hall
Friday, November 15
7:00 p.m.       Scout Roundtable, Room 165
Our Church Officers
Church Officers
Class of 2019
Class of 2020
Class of 2021
ELDERS
Anna Booher
Nancy Allerton
Ann Abel
Lee Galliher
Rebecca Beck
Randy Cook
Pete Holler
David Hyde
John Graham
Han Ong
Jordan Pennington
Katie McInnis
Pete Stigers
Jerry Poteat
John Vann
DEACONS
Sujean Bradley
Blake Bassett
Fred Harkleroad
George Linke
Rhonda Comer
Matt Kingsley
Greg Roberts
Ron Fox
Lisa McClain
Nate Sproles
Brenda Lawson
Drew Rice
Bill Whisnant
Barbara Thompson
Joyce Samuel
TRUSTEES
Nancy Cook
Peggy Hill
Jack Butterworth