November 7, 2019

Whatever you do, in word or deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God through him.
[Colossians 3:17]

Dear Friends,
    We are nearing the end of our church's liturgical year. Advent begins in two weeks. For this Sunday, I will look at the great passage from Isaiah that describes the "peaceable kingdom"--the realm of God that we is both here and not here. It is the kingdom that we seek. It is the kingdom which is ruled by God's power of love and forgiveness.
    On a personal note, I would like to wish my father, Robert Edington, a happy birthday. On Monday, he turns 90. I will be going to Mobile on Sunday to join the celebration and will return Wednesday.
    I look forward to seeing you all on Sunday.

    In Christ,

Middle School Youth: Join us on Wednesday  November 20 from 6-7:30 pm. This week we will explore the Biblical theme of Rebellion as we continue our study of the Bible as one story. Plus, you will not want to miss out on our fellowship activity as we will practice our comedy skills through a series of improv activities.
Lend a Hand. We are currently looking for a small team of volunteers to assist with children's programming (1st-4th grade) on Wednesday nights. The materials will be planned in advanced. We just need people who are willing to implement them. If you are interested, please see Michael.
Youth Furnishings:  Have any old love seats or couches that need a new home? Please contact Michael as we are trying to create a space just for our youth.
How to reach Michael.
email: mjschulte.14@gmail.com
phone: 618-979-6320

[WEDNESDAY SPEAKER]
Following this week's Wednesday Fellowship Meal, John Grant will speak to us about the Compassionate Hands ministry here in Wilson County.

[2020 PLEDGES]
If you have not yet submitted your Pledge for 2020, please consider doing so. Your pledge is greatly appreciated.

[WEDNESDAY NIGHTS IN DECEMBER]
Dec 4 - Chrismon Tree Decorating
Dec 11 - Ugly Christmas Sweater Advent Festival
Dec 18 - Visit from Santa

[SOUP COOKOFF RESULTS]
There were 10 delicious soups at last night's Soup Cookoff plus the usual spread of wonderful desserts (and some jalapeño cornbread). Each soup was a winner but the top three creations were:
1. Chicken Tortilla by Beth Bouton
2. Clam Chowder by Jessica Fain
3. Chicken Wild Rice by Lisa Clark
Thank you to everyone who participated.

[OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIVING AND SERVICE]
1. BE AN ELF. On the bulletin board in the back hallway are a list of items that you can donate to a Wilson County senior citizen as part of our Santas for Seniors program. Pick and item off the list, buy 12 of that item, and distribute the items among the 12 boxes.

2. GIVE A HAND. In the Fellowship Hall is a display showing one of the cots that we use when we house the homeless through the winter at our Annex. To make this program work, we need donations of laundry supplies and other sundries. Please choose a "hand" that is lying on the cot and purchase the item listed on the hand.

3. BE COMPASSIONATE. Sign up to volunteer for Compassionate Hands. Each Saturday, we need volunteers to provide meals, drive, spend the night, and do laundry. The signup list is on the podium in the Fellowship Hall.

4. BE A KNITTER. Each Monday at 3:00 pm, knitters, crocheters, and other crafty folk are invited to gather at the church to create warm handmade hats, scarves, and socks for those served by Compassionate Hands. If you have yarn or completed items you would like to donate, please contact Kristy in the church office or Robin Orewiler at 865-548-0918.

[GUATEMALAN MISSION TRIP]
The Presbytery of Middle Tennessee is organizing a medical mission trip to Guatemala on March 7-14, 2020. Non-medically trained people are needed for the mission. The trip includes a day at the Mayan ruins of Tikal. 
Click here for extensive details about this trip.

[PRESCHOOL OPENINGS]
The FPC Preschool (Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00-2:00) has openings in the 4-year-old class.

[NEEDED FOR LOCAL MISSIONS]
FPC has two ongoing collections benefiting the following organizations:
1. Wilson County Schools Family Resource Center. We collect food and personal hygiene items for students whose families are struggling. Donations can be left in the plastic tub in the back hallway.
2. Wilson County Community Help Center.
Monetary donations are used to purchase food items for the Help Center. Write Help Center on your check.

November 20
Thanksgiving Feast
Presentation by John Grant

[UPCOMING FELLOWSHIP MEALS]
Nov 20 - Thanksgiving Feast
Nov 27 - no meal

Friday December 6
9:00 am - Wreath Making

Sunday December 8
6:00 pm - Keyboards at Christmas

Sunday December 22
11:00 am - Choir's Christmas Cantata

Tuesday December 24
7:00 pm - Christmas Eve Service

An archive of sermons and bulletins
(audio and text) can be viewed here.

  Nov 17 - Going Nowhere text | audio
  Nov 10 - Stumbling Blocks text | audio
  Nov 3 - Grieving with Grace text | audio
  Oct 27 - Do Unto Others: Give with Mercy text | audio
  Oct 20 - Do Unto Others: Be Pleasantly Surprised text | audio
  Oct 13 - Do Unto Others: Lose the Victim Mentality text | audio
  Oct 6 - Atomic Faith text | audio

          ...more sermons

[NOVEMBER SESSION MEETING HIGHLIGHTS]
Building and Grounds Committee
•To approve acoustics in the Sanctuary, the drapery on the front of the balcony railing has been removed. Alternatives are being considered.
•A special committee will be named to consider the installation of a Columbarium on the church grounds.
•The Session approved a garden bench to be placed in the atrium in memory of Harold Gordon Bone.
Outreach Committee
•With the cold weather, Compassionate Hands has used the Annex during the week to shelter homeless men. The usual Saturday night housing of women begins in December.
Membership Roll Review Committee
•The Session approved the recommendations presented by the Membership Roll Review Committee for updating our membership.

[WORSHIP LITURGY]
Scripture - Isaiah 65:17-25
17    For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind.
18    But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight.
19    I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress.
20    No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live out a lifetime; for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth, and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed.
21    They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22    They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
23    They shall not labor in vain, or bear children for calamity; for they shall be offspring blessed by the LORD-- and their descendants as well.
24    Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear.
25    The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpent--its food shall be dust! They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, says the LORD.

Prayer of Confession
God of Creation,
You construct holy places and invite us to reside within.
You establish your kingdom with doors wide open.
Your sacred realm is ruled by the spirit of shalom.
We confess that we reject your domain and opt for our own private fortresses where we may hurt and destroy at will.
Forgive us, we pray.
Create in us new hearts and continue to call us to citizenship on your holy mountain.
Amen.