Easter Lilies

Lilies given in honor or in memory of a loved one enhance the beauty of our Easter worship services. Giving lilies to be placed in the Sanctuary or the Fellowship Hall is a wonderful way to celebrate the resurrection of the One who gives meaning to our lives. If you would like to order one or more lilies for this purpose, please fill out this form and then pay online: $25 each. (choose “Easter Lily” in the drop-down menu).

Orders are due by Wednesday, March 25.
Contact Scottie Bales in the church office for any questions.
423-764-7176
sbales@fpcbristol.org

March Mission Focus

Empowering Women and Girls at Hope Haven

This March, our Mission & Outreach Committee invites our church family to turn our hearts toward our sisters in Christ at the Hope Haven Program in Ndola, Zambia, one of the life-changing ministries supported through Phoebe Foundation Africa (PFA).

Many of you will remember that PFA is a Christian, grassroots NGO serving some of the most impoverished and underserved communities across ten villages throughout Zambia. Their mission at Hope Haven is simple and deeply Christ-centered: to empower women and girls with dignity, opportunity, and hope.

Among their ministries, Hope Haven stands as a beacon of refuge. It is a rescue house for unhoused girls and women—many of whom have endured profound hardship. At Hope Haven, they find not only safety and shelter, but also the love of Christ expressed through compassionate care, community, and the chance to rebuild their lives.

A Pathway to Independence: Skills Development Through Sewing

One of the most transformative programs at Hope Haven is their skills development initiative, where women and girls learn sewing as a pathway toward economic independence. With these skills, they can create clothing, school uniforms, household items, and small goods that can be sold in local markets—providing sustainable income and restoring a sense of purpose and possibility.

But right now, the program faces a significant challenge.
To continue this vital work, Hope Haven urgently needs:

· Sewing machines

· Fabric

· Thread and basic sewing materials

These are simple tools—but in the hands of a woman seeking a new beginning, they become instruments of hope.

How We Can Help

Throughout March, we invite you to support this ministry through financial gifts designated for Hope Haven’s sewing program. Your generosity will help purchase the equipment and materials needed to train more women and girls, equipping them with practical skills that open doors to stability and selfsufficiency.

Every contribution—large or small—becomes part of God’s redemptive work in the lives of our Zambian sisters. When we give, we join hands across continents, participating in a story of healing, empowerment, and new beginnings.

A Gift That Multiplies Hope

Your support does more than provide tools.
It affirms dignity.
It nurtures resilience.
It helps women and girls discover that their lives hold promise, purpose, and a future shaped not by fear, but by hope.

Thank you for being a congregation that sees beyond our own walls and responds with compassion to the needs of God’s children around the world. May our March Mission Focus be a blessing to Hope Haven—and may their courage and faith be a blessing to us in return.

Serving Our Unhoused Neighbors

We Need You

We will be serving our unhoused neighbors at A Place to Be on March 11 at 11:30 a.m. and Sharing Christ Ministry on March 14 for their evening meal at 5:00 p.m.  We are looking for volunteers to bring casseroles (click HEREfor the recipe), applesauce, dinner rolls, and Little Debbie cakes. We are also looking for volunteers to help set up, serve and clean up for both locations. If you can help, click HERE to sign up or contact Cyndi Madison.

Brazil Mission Trip

Join Us! Signups Due March 8!

For 25 years, FPC Bristol has been blessed by our partnership with the Presbyterian Church and school in Felipe Camarão, Brazil. This is the community where our partners live, work, and worship and where the church and school that have been our focus reside. With 133 students filling the small elementary school every day and a vibrant congregation worshiping throughout the week, it is a joyful experience to walk and work alongside our friends every chance we get.  

This year a team from First Pres will travel May 28 or 29 and return June 5 or 6 (dates still being determined) and Pastor João Batista is eager to repay the hospitality shown him a few weeks ago! Each day will be filled with opportunities to learn from the pastors, members, teachers, and students through interactions in a variety of activities in the classrooms, church, neighborhood, and region. 

We are always well cared for by our hosts while we are there. This year we will stay in a newer Holiday Inn Express in a beautiful and very safe neighborhood and will enjoy wonderful meals throughout our time there. The mix of work and play provides the perfect platform to build new - and deepen longtime - relationships with those who are dedicating their lives to the people in the community. 

As the school and church are beacons of hope in the neighborhood, we play our part in the partnership by being a beacon of continued encouragement and hope by being present for those working on the ground there every day. Your presence will bless the good work of these brothers and sisters in Christ and you will be blessed by the experience. 

If you’ve thought about going before but never have, make this the year you say, “Yes, Lord, send me!!” And if you have been once or a dozen times before, it’s time to go again!! 

Please contact John Vann (423-360-1153) with any questions. Or see anyone you know who has traveled there before to find out more! Deadline is March 8! 

Members and Friends…

The Pastor Nominating Committee invites everyone to complete the congregational survey, which is available February 8–March 2.  Your responses will help shape the Minister’s Discernment Profile and guide our search for FPC’s next pastor. 

How to Participate (pick one)

· Take the survey online (for access, click the link above, or use the handy QR code on the graphic)

· Printed copies are located outside both worship spaces and in the church office

· Request a mailed copy from the church office

Optional Listening Sessions are being provided if congregants would like to share hopes for our next pastor in an open conversation with the PNC:

· Sunday, February 15 at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel

· Wednesday, February 25 at 6:15 p.m. in the Chapel

· Sunday, March 1 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel

Whether you are a long-time member and friend of FPC or have only recently joined us, your perspective is a gift. Thank you for your participation as we discern God’s leading together. 

Thank you for your prayers, your honesty, and your partnership in this season of discernment. The PNC continues to trust that God is guiding us faithfully, and your participation helps illuminate the path ahead.

February Mission Focus

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 25:35–36, “For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger, and you invited me in…”

Through our “in-kind” offerings of individually wrapped snacks, we live out these words, extending Christ’s compassion to those experiencing vulnerability and adversity.

This month, our Mission & Outreach Committee invites our church family to support A Place To Be, a local refuge offering hospitality and care to unhoused individuals three days a week. Though lunch is served each day, there is often need for supplemental food. As a congregation, we have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by providing these simple, tangible gifts that meet this immediate need:

• Granola Bars

• Goldfish Crackers

• Cheez-Its

• Protein Bars

• Peanut Butter Crackers

• Jerky

• Chips

• Cheese Crackers

• Applesauce

• Pudding

We are collecting the snacks through the month of February. Collection bins will be placed outside the sanctuary and fellowship hall for your convenience.

Your generosity—offered in love—helps remind our neighbors that they are seen, valued, and cared for. Thank you for sharing in this ministry of compassion.

Training: Mental Health First Aid

Have you ever had a sense that a friend or family member just “isn’t themselves”? Or that they seem to be struggling with something emotional? You love them and would like to help, but you just don’t know how to start or how to address the issue or how to understand. And sometimes we notice things in strangers that we cross paths with that something is troubling them, but we don’t know where to refer them or what local resources are available to help them. Everyone we meet seems to be stressed, distressed, or disturbed by the state the world is in, not to mention crises in our own families!

Your Congregational Care Committee is organizing training in Mental Health First Aid you can attend right here at FPC to equip you to be able to recognize and understand signs that someone is in emotional distress and how to support and respond in a loving, healthy, and Christ-centered way. With assistance from Pastor Gary and Catherine Bell, we have scheduled a half-day workshop in February 2026 led by a certified instructor entitled The Building Blocks of Emotional Awareness that will equip us to enhance our listening skills and give us practical knowledge about responding to the mental health needs of those in our community. We will also learn about local professional and clinical resources who will collaborate with us to provide support and foster healing of the whole person, including their physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects.

We are extending the invitation to other churches in the immediate area who have expressed interest and need for this type of training. Seating is limited, so register soon. Due to the expense of providing an experienced and certified trainer, a workbook and all materials needed, we are requesting a donation of $20 per person, payable here (enter the amount, choose “Give one time,” choose “Mental Health Workshop” in the drop-down menu, then complete the necessary personal information). If you need financial assistance with this, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the church office! We have scholarships available.

Men’s Fellowship Breakfast

Join us for Bristol area’s Men’s Fellowship Breakfast that happens the third Saturday of each month

Saturday, February 21, at 8:00 am - DON’T MISS IT!

Meetings are held at First Presbyterian Church of Bristol

All men are welcome!

January Mission Focus: Brazil

Student Scholarships

FPC’s mission focus for January is targeting a critical need each year for the students at Bethel School in Felipe Camarão Brazil: closing the financial gap for our poorest students.  

Bethel School exists to serve the marginalized: those students who fall through the cracks in Brazil’s public education system and who have historically dropped out by the third grade. With deteriorating economic conditions, more families are being impacted. This year the fee of R$250 (or around US$50* -- *based on the current favorable exchange rate) is out of reach for 55 (42%) of the 130 students who learn and grow each day at Bethel School. For nearly twenty years, Bethel School has prepared students in the margins to successfully continue their education through high school and beyond, something that would have been nearly impossible for these kids without the nurture of a Christ-centered learning environment like Bethel School. 

The $50 fee covers the cost of uniforms, textbooks, workbooks, supplies and special events/field trips for the entire school year that begins in February – an incredibly small amount compared to the value of their educational experience. 

Our support to cover this cost will make a tremendous difference in these precious lives and their future success! Please consider a gift to sponsor one or two (or more!) of these students or make a gift of any size toward sponsorship to brighten the hope for the future every child deserves. 

When making your donation please note “January Brazil Mission Focus”.

Spring 2026 Home Group Study

New Year, New Journey: Join Our Discipleship Study 

As we step into 2026, what better way to start fresh than by diving deeper into what it truly means to follow Jesus? 

Beginning this January, our Home Groups are launching a dynamic 14-week study titled “Discipleship: What It Really Means to Follow Jesus.” Whether you’re new to faith or have walked with Christ for years, this series will challenge, inspire, and equip you to live as a wholehearted disciple in everyday life.

Each week explores a vital aspect of discipleship—from the gentle invitation of Jesus to the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, from the cost of commitment to the joy of community, and ultimately to the eternal reward that awaits faithful followers. With engaging discussions for both adults and children, this study is perfect for families, couples, and individuals seeking spiritual growth and deeper connection.

Starts: Week of January 12, 2026 

Location: Home Group gatherings (Wednesday nights at FPC and others that meet throughout the week in small group studies) 

All ages welcome—kids will have their own age-appropriate questions and activities!

Come discover how discipleship isn’t just a Sunday thing—it’s a way of life. Let’s grow together, encourage one another, and multiply the mission of Jesus in our homes, neighborhoods, and beyond.

Interested? If you’re not already a member of a regular Home Group, reach out to Pastor Dave to sign up or learn more. Let’s make 2026 a year of transformation—one step, one study, one disciple at a time!

December Special Mission Focus

The Minister’s Discretionary Fund – Extending Christ’s Compassion

At First Presbyterian Church of Bristol, TN, we believe that faith is best lived out through action. Each month, our mission focus highlights a way we can collectively serve as Christ’s hands and feet in the world. This December, we turn our hearts toward one of the most vital ministries of our church: The Minister’s Discretionary Fund.

A Fund That Meets Needs in Real Time. Life doesn’t always go as planned. A sudden medical bill, a looming utility shut-off, or an unexpected crisis can leave families feeling overwhelmed. That’s where the Minister’s Discretionary Fund steps in. Supported by the generosity of our congregation, this fund empowers our pastors to respond quickly and compassionately to urgent needs—providing hope when it’s needed most.

Advent: A Season of Giving and Light. As we journey through Advent, we are reminded that Christ came into the world as a light in the darkness. Our church, too, seeks to be a beacon of hope. By contributing to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund, you help extend that light into the lives of neighbors who may be struggling. Whether it’s keeping the heat on during a cold winter night or offering relief in a moment of crisis, your gift makes a tangible difference.

A Family United in Mission. FPC is more than a place of worship—it is a family bound together by service and compassion. When we give, we don’t just meet needs; we embody Christ’s love in action. Together, we can continue to be a source of healing, joy, and encouragement in our community.

How to Give:

• Visit our church website: fpcbristol.org  (Click “GIVE NOW” on the home page)

• Use the designated envelopes in the pews or chairs in the Fellowship Hall

• Contact Sheila Minton, FPC’s Business Administrator, for more information

During December, every special offering collected will go directly to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund. The entire offering from our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will also support this mission. Please note “Christmas Offering for MDF” on the memo line if giving by check, or select “Minister’s Discretionary Fund” from the dropdown menu on our GIVE page online.

Your Impact Lasts All Year. This fund is one of the broadest-reaching ministries at FPC, filling gaps where other support funds may not apply. Your generosity ensures that throughout the year ahead, our pastors can continue to respond with compassion and care whenever needs arise.

Thank you for being a vital part of our mission. May we give joyfully, serve faithfully, and shine Christ’s light brightly in Bristol and beyond.

November Mission Focus

Bristol Emergency Food Pantry

As we reflect and remember with gratitude God’s abundant generosity to us, let’s collect goods for our neighbors in Bristol by supplying the Bristol Emergency Food Pantry with canned or dry goods, soaps, deodorants, shampoos and cleaning detergents – with a special emphasis on hygiene items and cleaning products. Collection bins will be located outside the Fellowship Hall and in the Narthex. You may also leave your donation in the church office. Thank you for remembering and loving your Bristol neighbors!

Men’s Breakfast

Join us for Bristol area’s Men’s Fellowship Breakfast that happens the third Saturday of each month

Saturday, October 18, at 7:30 am - DON’T MISS IT!

Meetings are held at First Presbyterian Church of Bristol

All men are welcome

October Mission Focus

Calling All Sweet Souls: Trunk or Treat Needs Your Candy! 

It’s that time of year again—when pumpkins grin, costumes twirl, and Fairmount Elementary School transforms into a playground of spooky delight! Our annual Trunk or Treat celebration is October 28, and we’ll need your help to make it a sugar-coated success.

This beloved event is more than just a parade of ghoulishly decorated trunks and costumed kiddos—it’s a chance for our church to serve the neighborhood with joy, generosity, and a whole lot of candy. As part of our October Mission, we’re collecting in-kind donations of Halloween candy to share with the children of Fairmount.

Here’s How You Can Help:

· Donate Candy: Drop off bags of individually wrapped Halloween candy in the bins located in the Fellowship Hall or by the church office. The more, the merrier—and the sweeter!

· Decorate a Trunk: Feeling festive? Volunteer to decorate your vehicle and hand out treats in the school parking lot. Don’t be shy—bring your creativity and your candy stash!

· Spread the Word: Invite friends, neighbors, and fellow church members to join in the fun or contribute to the candy collection.

Whether you’re a wizard with a wand or a pirate with a peg leg, your participation helps bring smiles to the faces of Fairmount’s children and reminds them that they’re loved and supported by their community.

So grab a bag (or five) of your favorite sweets, and let’s make this Trunk or Treat the most magical one yet. After all, nothing says “mission accomplished” like a child with chocolate on their cheeks and joy in their heart.

Questions or want to reserve a trunk space? Reach out to Audrey Arndt, Dave Welch, or Lilly Osborne—they’ll help you conjure up the details.

Volunteer Opportunity

Wednesday Fellowship Help Needed

Do you have an extra hour to spare on Wednesday afternoons? Yes, even you can join this fun crew that, under Sarah’s careful instruction, prepares the wonderful supper served on Wednesday evening at church. Number served is usually around 100+ so extra hands are helpful. Slicing tomatoes for the salad, sprinkling cinnamon on a dessert, learning how to use The Beast (a/k/a the dishwasher), or simply helping to set tables. If you’d like to join the crew, even as a “floater” to fill in when a regular crew member is absent, contact Sarah Gannaway sgannaway@fpcbristol.org

September Mission Focus: Nigeria

Kindness That Quenches More Than Thirst!

As the seasons shift and September rolls in, First Presbyterian Church is gearing up for a month of mission that’s bursting with purpose, compassion, and community impact. Our September Mission Focus is all about extending hope—drop by drop, skill by skill, and meal by meal — ad addressing some critical needs in Nigeria.

Third Well, Third Wave of Life 
Thanks to the incredible generosity of FPC and MEF, our first well is actively serving 20,000 people, and our second well in Ungwan Yelwa, Kaduna, Nigeria is now providing clean drinking water to over 30,000 people. On December 26, 2024, we celebrated the unveiling of the Shabach Center and the drilling of this life-giving well. Now, we’re setting our sights on the third well—a new source of clean water for another community in need. With your help, we’ll continue to turn scarcity into abundance and thirst into thriving.

Empowering Widows Through Skill & Strength 
Inflation has hit hard, and many widows in Nigeria are struggling without a source of income. That’s why we’re investing in marketable skill acquisition and empowerment programs—giving women the tools to build sustainable livelihoods and reclaim their independence. These programs are transforming lives with dignity and opportunity.

Feeding 300 Widows with Love 
Last year, through MEF funding and the Shabach Food Pantry, rice, spaghetti, cornmeal, spices, and macaroni were distributed to 300 widows. This year, we’re doing it again—ensuring that these women receive the nourishment they need during difficult times. It’s more than food—it’s a message of care, solidarity, and hope.

Your Kindness Quenches More Than Thirst 
Clean water and food give hope. Skill training gives opportunity. And your kindness makes it all possible. Whether you give, pray, or share the hope of this mission with others, you’re part of a movement that’s changing lives across continents.

Let’s make September a celebration of generosity and grace. Together, we’re not just meeting needs—we’re multiplying miracles.

“Kindness quenches more than thirst.” 

Let’s keep the flow going.

Children & Youth Assistants Needed

In Matthew 28:19, Jesus instructed his followers to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” While we might be tempted to consider discipling and teaching as a task just for missionaries, it’s important to remember that discipleship begins in our own churches, too! 

There are several opportunities this fall to try out discipling others, by assisting in a variety of classes throughout the week. If you’ve been wanting to get involved or help out but didn’t know how to start, try being an assistant!! Please contact Lilly Osborne or Katie Arnold or the church office if you are interested in helping with any of the children or youth ministry programs.

Help Serve Our Neighbors

We will be serving our unhoused neighbors at Sharing Christ Ministry (on Sept. 13) and A Place to Be (on Sept. 17).  

We are looking for volunteers to bring casseroles, applesauce, dinner rolls, and Little Debbie cakes. We are also looking for volunteers to help set up, serve and clean up for both locations. 

If you can help, click HERE to sign up.

Casserole recipe found HERE.

Questions? Please call or text Cyndi Madison at 423-967-0873 or email her at cyndimadison58@hotmail.com. 

Fall 2025 Home Groups Have Concluded

…but Spring 2026 is coming!

We hope you enjoyed gathering with friends and neighbors and now have some new perspectives from our Fall Home Group series on the Fruit of the Spirit, which has now concluded. If you wish to access this or past semester studies for your personal study, click here.

Our Spring 2026 Home Group study is set to begin during the week of January 12-18, 2026. Watch for an announcement here and in the FPC’s Windows newsletter.

We have groups that meet every Wednesday at the church following the Fellowship Supper. There are also several groups that meet throughout the week in homes.

If you’re not currently a part of one of the Home Groups, please contact Dave Welch ( dwelch@fpcbristol.org ).

Be a Fairmount Reading Buddy

This is a unique opportunity for community members to support and inspire kindergarten, first, and second grade students on their reading journey. Thirty minutes of your time will make a huge difference in the life of the elementary student you will partner with!

Reading Buddies help ensure that young learners enter third grade reading on grade level with a love for learning. No previous teaching experience is required! As Kay explains, it's not just about teaching someone to read - it's about being a friend to a young person, being someone who cares. Please email Kay Ward to let her know you want to be part of this important program with Bristol Tennessee City Schools.

If your schedule will allow you to be a BTCS Reading Buddy (whether it’s at Fairmount or another elementary school), your presence will matter more than you know. Research shows that reading on grade level by third grade is a game changer – and having a caring adult by a student’s side can make all the difference.

As motivational speaker Rita Pierson once said, “Every child deserves a champion – an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best they can possibly be.”  Reading Buddies’ mentors have been those champions for many of our elementary school students, and we look forward to welcoming you into our elementary schools this year!

If you mentored a student last year -- or if you would like to mentor a student this year – please contact Kay Ward for some important information.