April Mission Focus

Team Zambia will be traveling to beautiful Sub-Saharan Africa May 15-29, 2024.

This will be Catherine and Mark Bell’s 8th mission trip to Zambia in their 13-year partnership with the Christian Non-Government Organization (NGO) called the Phoebe Foundation Africa (PFA). The Bells fell in love with the culture, the people, and the churches and are in awe of the spiritual maturity of their friends and leaders that live in this amazing part of the world. 

PFA is a Christ-centered ministry that is led by Pastor Chris & Phoebe Chanda, who are a Zambian couple that have devoted their lives to serve in 10 villages throughout the entire country of Zambia. Their central mission is to serve the most vulnerable population in this African country, which are children who do not have adequate access to healthcare, shelter, education, food, and clean water. They have been orphaned due to losing one or both parents to various illnesses like malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, Covid, and cholera.

PFA strives to exude the love of Christ and empower the citizens within each village with life-sustaining resources, encouragement, and collaborative support. The Chanda’s pray for partnerships with churches like ours in the United States. First Presbyterian Church is honored to invest in this impactful ministry that is part of transforming lives every day in a way that has eternal significance.

This year PFA is in need of the following items that Team Zambia will take with them:

• Gently used or new soccer shorts & shirts for children and adults (mostly small & medium, with some large sizes)

• Deflated soccer balls

• Bibles to be distributed

Moreover, the team requests your prayers for:

• Safe travel and growing relationships in Christ

  The 3 counseling conferences that will be lead with Catherine’s expertise

• The soccer ministries that Mark will conduct where the gospel will be shared with many orphaned children

• The feeding programs that provide balanced meals

• Home visits

• Church services that Team Zambia will attend. 

Donation bins will be available at the entrances to both worship services for your convenience. Thanks so much for helping meet the needs of our friends in this majestic part of God's Kingdom! 

Letters for Confirmands

We are collecting letters for our Confirmands and would love for you to be part of their great cloud of witnesses!

Since September 2022, these confirmation students have participated in weekly classes that have taught, informed, encouraged and challenged their faith. Watching them grow over the past two years and take ownership of their faith has been a joy and an inspiration!

On Sunday, May 5, 2024, the confirmation students will have the opportunity to proclaim their faith to our church family and become members of First Presbyterian Church. As we prepare for this special day, we are asking friends and family to send in cards and letters of spiritual encouragement to our confirmands. Letters are not limited to, but could include a story or memory, something about your own faith or ways your life has been impacted by knowing this student. We invited you to speak love and truth that will spur them on in their faith. The kind words you share will not only encourage them as they prepare to be confirmed but also be kept for years as a reminder that they are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses that will love, guide, and encourage them as they continue to run the race. (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Confirmation Class of 2024

Joel Galliher

Josh Galliher

Mollee McClain

Moses Ong

Charlotte Osborne

Marissa Smith

Penn Story

If you would like to participate, please mail, email (karnold@fpcbristol.org) or deliver all cards and letters by May 1st to:

First Presbyterian Church

Attn.: Katie Arnold          

701 Florida Avenue

Bristol, TN 37620

Thank you for joining us as we celebrate this important and exciting time in the lives of our students! Contact Katie Arnold with any questions.

March Mission Focus: Shabach Beyond Center Nigeria

The work at Shabach Beyond Center Nigeria began in August of last year when your donations helped dig a well that provides life-giving, clean water to over 20,000 people in the Ungwan Boro community in Kaduna State, Nigeria. In addition, your support at that time provided for the initial steps in remodeling Jerry and Rachel Swam Sidi’s home that will serve as the Center. When completed, the Shabach Center will be (1) a training center for worship leaders who will then return to their various churches to point their congregations to the risen King Jesus; (2) a recording studio for Christian worship music; and (3) Christian housing for already adopted orphans, who will be taken care of by a full-time, paid housemother who will live on the property.

With God’s blessing through this month’s special mission offering, we can help complete and furnish the Center in time for its grand opening this summer. We invite you to be a part of this exciting work.

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, I needed clothes, and you clothed me, I was sick, and you looked after me, I was in prison, and you came to visit me." Through our 'in kind' offerings, we embody these words, extending our love to those experiencing vulnerability and adversity.

In the spirit of love and community, our Mission & Outreach Committee has recognized this month's mission offering, focusing on extending a helping hand to those in need during the chilly winter months. As a church family, we recognize the power we have to make a meaningful impact when we come together to support our local ministries. This month, we invite you to participate in an opportunity to give 'in kind' donations of physical items that will bring warmth and comfort to those facing the cold, as well as snacks for those who are hungry.

In collaboration with two local ministries, A Place to Be and Haven of Rest, our goal is to provide essential items that will make a significant difference in the lives of individuals navigating the challenges of winter. Instead of monetary donations, we are seeking offerings of individually wrapped snacks, gloves, and hats. To facilitate your generous contributions, collection bins will be placed outside the sanctuary and fellowship hall. For those who wish to tailor their donations to the specific needs of Haven of Rest, a document listing their current requirements will be available alongside the collection bins. This ensures that our contributions align with the immediate needs of the ministry, maximizing the impact of our collective generosity.

Rise Against Hunger — Feb 4

Rise Against Hunger Registration

You are invited to join us February 4 as we pack 10,000 meals for hungry folks in distressed areas of the world. We'll be meeting in the fellowship hall at 1:30 pm. Registration is open now.  

The Rise Against Hunger organization distributes food relief meals of vitamin and mineral-enriched rice, soy protein and dehydrated vegetables across 6 continents and 37 countries, including Ukraine, Cambodia, Ghana, Haiti, Madagascar, and many others. Some meals will travel to school feeding programs, providing essential nutrition to help children in areas of food insecurity. Provision of these meals also encourages students to attend school more regularly and perform to their best potential without suffering from empty stomachs. Other meals are used for food crisis relief in areas that have experienced natural disasters, political strife, armed conflict, or other local emergencies. Please support this mission effort by donating this month's offering or volunteering to help package meals together in the Fellowship Hall on February 4th!

Wear comfortable clothes that can get a little dusty, just in case some of the vitamin powder gets spilled. Anyone who wants to hang around after worship can bring a sack lunch to eat in the parlor before we get started.

Everyone who participates MUST register online at http://events.riseagainsthunger.org/FPCB2023.

Questions? Need help registering? Contact Sarah Gannaway at sgannaway@fpcbristol.org.

Home Groups, Spring 2024

The spring semester 2024 Home Groups have now concluded. The curriculum for our study was based on scripture that is the focus of our church’s vision statements. You can access and use previous material for personal study here.

Serve Orlando Mission Trip

Join FPC on an intergenerational summer adventure to Orlando, Florida to serve and play! Departing from the church on June 22, the group will head down to Orlando, Florida for a week of missions, beach, and Orlando fun. Experience the richness of working along side people of all ages and building new relationships within our church family. Participants will have the opportunity to serve with different ministries around Orlando. Each day is full of new opportunities and mission experiences.

The group will be housed in dormitories at Forest Lake Academy. Meals will also be provided by the academy. The week will include beach time and an optional day at Universal Studios! We will return home June 29.

The schedule will be flexible for families who are attending. We want it to be a rich and enjoyable experience for all!

This is an event you won’t want to miss!

Orlando Serve Registration

Overview, Schedule, Cost

FAQs

January Mission Focus: Bethel Tulama Elementary School

Bethel Tulama Elementary School, Ethiopia

Bethel Tulama Elementary School was established in 2012 to provide a quality Christian education for children of the Bethel Tulama Church in Dembi Dollo, Ethiopia.  This ambitious undertaking began with kindergarten classes and has now expanded through grade 8.

 Most recently, the school has informed us that they desperately need instructional materials at all grade levels. Let’s work together to support this worthy cause. A small contribution goes a long way in Ethiopia. The students, staff, and parents are always so grateful for any support that we send.

Donate online

Great Escape

Great Escape

July 22 - 27
Students: Current 5th grade - 8th grade

Great Escape is a camp for middle schoolers (rising 6th - 8th) to breakaway, grow, learn and have the best week of their life!  Get ready for a week of high energy games, engaging speakers and an awesome worship band.

First Pres will be attending the Smokies location, held at the Ocoee Retreat Center in Ocoee, TN.  The group will depart Monday, July 22 and return Saturday, July 27. Mornings include breakfast, quiet times and recreation. Afternoons include lunch, recreation, free time, small groups and an afternoon session! Evenings include dinner, evening sessions, counselor meetings, and aftermaths.

This is an event you won’t want to miss! 

More information and online registration form

Women’s Retreat

Join us Friday February 9th, 6:00 pm-9:30 pm and Saturday February 10th, 8:00 am-3:30 pm for the annual FPC Women’s Retreat.

We will meet at King University Chapel and Dining Hall for Worship, Scripture, Reflection, Fellowship, Food!

Our speaker is Laura Hicks Hardy, sharing on the topic of Sabbath Rest. Invite your friends and family who might enjoy this time of rest, rejuvenation and friendship.

Register online here or fill out a paper registration form at church. The total cost is $75, which includes 3 meals and all retreat materials. A $25 deposit due by February 2 to hold your spot. Scholarships are available.

Advent Caroling

Join us Sunday, December 10th at 3:30 pm at the church for an afternoon of festive cheer as we carol through the neighborhood. We’ll be singing traditional Christmas carols, so be sure to prepare your voices and your smiles! Bring warm clothes (it might be chilly!) and a festive spirit. We hope to see you there!

December Mission Focus - MDF

Minister’s Discretionary Fund

During the month of December, our special offering collected goes towards the Minister’s Discretionary Fund. Contributions to this fund have a huge impact assisting the local community as well as other special projects that may arise.

Over the last few years, this fund has assisted with projects such as air purifier distribution and the Kentucky flood relief supplies. This is perhaps the most broad reaching fund that FPC is able to utilize. Whenever needs arise in the community or church that may not fall into an existing support fund category, the Minister’s Discretionary Fund can help fill in the gaps. Your contributions have a lasting impact throughout the entire year to come.

If you feel led to contribute to this fund, we encourage you to give online to the “Christmas Offering for MDF” in the dropdown menu on our GIVE page. If you prefer to give by check, please note “Christmas Offering for MDF” on the memo line. We will not pass a special offering plate during Sunday services this month however, the entire offering collected during the Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion service will go towards this special offering.

Zambia Mission Trip

Join Mark and Catherine Bell as they lead their 8th mission trip to Zambia, May 16 - 30, 2024. As a mission partner, you will engage and serve our brothers and sisters in Christ in this beautiful community through home visits, fellowship, counseling, and soccer!

Deposits are due by February 1 to secure your spot.

For more information, contact them at ezer072663@gmail.com, or check out additional information about the trip here.

Brazil Mission Trip 2024

Complete information packet and application

Sign up by January 7, 2024

FPC enjoys a longstanding relationship with our mission partners in Brazil. When we visit, our mission is to encourage and support the pastors, school staff, and congregations, along with students and their families, during a week’s worth of activities and opportunities for meaningful worship and interaction. The time there allows us to walk alongside our brothers and sisters in person and strengthen our understanding of the joys and challenges they face every day.

Eligible participants:

• Willing to be ambassadors of First Presbyterian Church to our brothers and sisters at Felipe Camarão Presbyterian Church, Cidade Nova Church, and Bethel School.

• Those who come expectant of how God will use this experience in their lives and who are open to challenges of international travel and long days of uncertain schedules in a country whose culture, cuisine, language, and living conditions are different from our own.

• Those who are desiring to (1) to grow in Christ through the people you travel with and those you meet and through the experiences you will have on this trip, (2) to make a difference, and (3) to witness Christ’s power in the beauty and joy of human connection in His name.

The trip is scheduled for May 18 – May 26, 2024 and is open to all adults, high school juniors or seniors (with accompanying parent/responsible adult), and college students. Is God calling you to join the team for the first time (or a next time) to see firsthand how God is at work in these communities? Is God calling you to support this partnership in other ways?

Be a part of a team within our church body who will...

• Commit to pray for our brothers and sisters in Felipe Camarão

• Provide general direction for this global mission outreach (steering team)

• Be involved directly in the ministry and financial support of the Felipe Camarão church and school (annual contributions through First Presbyterian)

• Help fund the trip for someone else

Complete information packet and application

Stewardship… responding to God’s Love

Then Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” (John 21:19)

“Follow me.” These two words that Jesus spoke to Peter came at a time of great confusion. We remember that Peter had denied Jesus three times on the night before Jesus’s crucifixion. Now, Peter is face to face with the risen Lord after a gut-wrenching period of isolation, doubt, and fear, wondering what possibly would be next. Three times in this encounter the resurrected Jesus asks Peter to affirm his deep love for the Savior, Jesus, who was standing right in front of him and looking into his eyes. With each of Peter’s three replies, Peter gets more frustrated because he realizes he can’t convey such love with just words. Then Jesus helps him out by giving him the answer saying, “Follow Me.”

This past year was full of new-starts, re-starts, and changes as the Deacons and the Session joined together and worked through a re-visioning process that included approval of a new mission statement and changes to the structure of multiple committees. Many programs have been re-invigorated and are experiencing tremendous growth to include in children’s and youth ministries, Wednesday night supper, and the multigenerational mission trip to Orlando.

Jesus opened doors and said, “Follow Me” as we rethought approaches to serving our neighbors and giving us expanded opportunities for outreach. We grew in understanding of what it means to love one another, and again and again we witnessed the fruits in bountiful measure – and always More Than the Sum.

And now, emboldened with our new mission statement we can envision even greater opportunities for the church to share the love of Jesus with our neighbors near and far.

‘And Jesus said, “Follow me.”

It is with this knowledge that we look with great anticipation for how God will amaze us and lead us in 2024 and beyond. As we each seek to follow Jesus in the FPC church family, may we prayerfully consider how God is calling us to serve and financially support the work of the church toward reaching the $785,000 goal in faithful response to the love of God found in Jesus Christ. Join us in the campaign this month to reach that goal, and let’s look together to the joy of Stewardship Sunday, November 26, 2023 when we will gather in worship, remember what the Lord has done for us, and dedicate ourselves to the work the Lord has places before us. What a joy it is to live and serve together! To God be the glory!

Nominate Now!

Nominations for offices of Elder, Deacon and Trustee

Nominations are being accepted for the offices of Elder, Deacon, and Trustee. Five elders, five deacons, and one trustee will be elected for three-year terms that begin in January 2024.

The Nominating Committee invites you to prayerfully consider who you feel is being called to serve in these important roles. Who do you recognize in our church family as having the gifts, energy, and spiritual maturity to fulfill the assigned duties? Perhaps you yourself feel called and would like to be considered! If so, please feel free to nominate yourself!

The Nominating Committee will be accepting nominations through November 26.

Please put only one person per form (complete a new form for each additional name).

How to nominate:

• Fill out a printed form (available on the tables outside both services)

• Fill out the nomination form online

• Email your suggestion to nominations@fpcbristol.org

The Duties of Elders
The Book of Order, G-2.0301, states: As there were in Old Testament times elders for the government of the people, so the New Testament church provided persons with particular gifts to share in discernment of God’s Spirit and governance of God’s people. Accordingly, congregations should elect persons of wisdom and maturity of faith, having demonstrated skills in leadership and being compassionate in spirit. Ruling elders are so named not because they “lord it over” the congregation (Matt. 20:25), but because they are chosen by the congregation to discern and measure its fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and nurture its faith and life. Ruling elders, together with ministers of the Word and Sacrament, exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation as well as the whole church, including ecumenical relation- ships. When elected by the congregation, they shall serve faithfully as members of the session. When elected as commissioners to higher councils, ruling elders participate and vote with the same authority as ministers of the Word and Sacrament, and they are eligible for any office.

The Duties of Deacons
The Book of Order, G-2.0201, states: “The ministry of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of compassion, witness, and service, sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies or structures, or anyone in distress. Persons of spiritual character, honest repute, exemplary lives, brotherly and sisterly love, sincere compassion, and sound judgment should be chosen for this ministry.”

The Duties of Trustee
The Book of Order, G-4.0101, states: “The (trustees of the) corporation shall have the following powers: to receive, hold, encumber, manage, and transfer property, real or personal, for the congregation, provided that in buying, selling, and mortgaging real property, the trustees shall act only after the approval of the congregation, granted in a duly constituted meeting; to accept and execute deeds of title to such property; to hold and defend title to such property; to manage any permanent special funds for the furtherance of the purposes of the congregation, all subject to the authority of the session and under the provisions of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The powers and duties of the trustees shall not infringe upon the powers and duties of the session or the board of deacons.”

November Mission Focus: Escola Bethel in Felipe Camarão

FPC’s mission focus for November is targeting two needs voiced by our mission partners in Brazil: closing the financial gap for the poorest students in the school and purchasing a freezer for the school’s kitchen.

We are grateful to God for our longstanding partnership with Felipe Camarão Presbyterian Church in Natal Brazil and the Bethel School that is adjacent to the church. Funding the school’s construction in 2003-04 and supporting operations since then, the school is a beacon of hope in the community, providing an excellent pre-school and early elementary education for 130 of this poor community’s most needy children each year. Without the school, many of these students would fall through the cracks, with some predicted to drop out of school as early as 3rd grade. But instead, we see our students move on from Bethel well prepared and motivated to continue their education, with many completing high school and some going on to college.

No tuition is charged to attend the school; however, to encourage involvement and ownership in the educational process, families of students are expected to contribute an amount R$320 (equivalent to approximately US$80) at the start of the Brazilian school year in January. This fee covers the costs for textbooks, workbooks, uniforms, and educational supplies for the entire year. With careful planning, most families are able pay this and do so gratefully, but there are about twenty families for whom this amount is simply unattainable.

School Director Rosângela spoke about this when she and her husband Pastor João Batista visited Bristol in August. In previous years, the teachers and administration have scrambled to find ways to cover these unbudgeted costs. This year, FPC’s Missions and Outreach Committee deemed it worthy of our attention to help raise the funds to purchase the necessary supplies and uniforms for these students.

Now, to the freezer! We all know that nutrition plays an important role in a student’s success. João Batista works with various organizations in the region and receives regular commodity distributions of fresh fruits and vegetables, sometimes unexpectedly. For example, in the summer they received on short notice a truckload of papaya and melons! Even after distributing to the church and school families and many neighbors around the church, without freezer storage some of this produce goes to waste, when it could have been stored and used throughout the year to feed the students.

Our first priority is assisting with the student fees for the coming school year (~$1,600). Funds over this amount will go toward the freezer purchase. The total needed to fully fund both projects is around US$2,900. When making your donation please note “November Brazil Mission Focus.”

Men’s Breakfast

Join us for Bristol area’s Men’s Fellowship Breakfast that happens the third Saturday of each month. This Saturday, October 21, at 7:30 am is the next one - DON’T MISS IT! All meetings are held at First Presbyterian Church of Bristol. All men are welcome.

October Mission Focus: Rise Against Hunger

FPC’s mission focus in October is getting ready for a meal-packing party for Rise Against Hunger (formerly Stop Hunger Now). Rise Against Hunger packs and distributes nutrient-dense meals to areas of high need across the world. On November 5, we will work together to pack 10,000 meals for people in need, and it will only take about two hours to get the job done! 

The meals we pack could be sent to any of 38 countries, from Burundi to Zimbabwe. Rise Against Hunger also works with communities in these countries to improve their own long-term food security. In 2022, volunteers for Rise Against Hunger packed 44.5 million meals. You can learn more about this great organization here.

Register to participate on November 5.

Africa Impact Project

When the King University men play the Converse University men on the King soccer field Saturday, October 14, at 3:30 p.m., the ultimate winner will be the Africa Impact Project. Co-created by the leaders of the Phoebe Foundation Africa, Pastor Chris and Phoebe Chanda of Zambia, and FPC member Coach Mark Bell, the project is a Christian discipleship sports ministry that reaches out to orphans and vulnerable children in Zambia by sharing the gospel through soccer.

The upcoming game will also honor the Shabach Beyond Center Nigeria, founded by our own Jerry and Rachael Swam Sidi, that will also serve orphans. The other African countries and ministries represented on the KU men’s soccer team will also be highlighted. The goal is to help foster awareness about the mutually enriching experience of intercultural relationships from a global ministry perspective. Everyone at FPC is invited to this free match. Invite your family and friends!