July 9, 2025
WELCOME
The Light of Summer
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).
The summer season bringeth many blessings from the hand of the Lord, and among them are the evenings filled with the gentle gleam of lightning bugs. These little lights, which dance and flicker in the warm night air, have been a delight unto my heart since my childhood days.
As a child, I remember how I would run and chase these glowing creatures with great joy and wonder. The Lord God, who formed the heavens and the earth, hath created these tiny lamps that do shine in the darkness as a testimony of His glory. The Psalmist declareth, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105), and these little lights do remind me of that truth, that even in the darkest night, God’s light guideth and comforteth.
The lightning bugs’ light is but a small flame, yet it shineth bright against the shadows. Likewise, the Lord calleth us to be “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14), to shine with His love and truth in a dark and weary land. We are called to let our lights so shine before men, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven
(Matthew 5:16).
These little creatures teach us a sacred lesson; that no light is too small when set forth by God. In like manner, our acts of kindness, faith, and love, though they may seem small, are precious in His sight and can bring much needed light to those around us.
As the summer breeze bloweth softly, and the lightning bugs do dance in the twilight, let us be thankful for the simple joys the Lord giveth. May the sight of these flickering lights stir in us a remembrance of the heavenly Light that never fadeth nor falleth.
Rejoice in the Lord always, and be ye lights in this world, even as the lightning bugs in the summer night.
Pastor Jason
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).
The summer season bringeth many blessings from the hand of the Lord, and among them are the evenings filled with the gentle gleam of lightning bugs. These little lights, which dance and flicker in the warm night air, have been a delight unto my heart since my childhood days.
As a child, I remember how I would run and chase these glowing creatures with great joy and wonder. The Lord God, who formed the heavens and the earth, hath created these tiny lamps that do shine in the darkness as a testimony of His glory. The Psalmist declareth, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105), and these little lights do remind me of that truth, that even in the darkest night, God’s light guideth and comforteth.
The lightning bugs’ light is but a small flame, yet it shineth bright against the shadows. Likewise, the Lord calleth us to be “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14), to shine with His love and truth in a dark and weary land. We are called to let our lights so shine before men, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven
(Matthew 5:16).
These little creatures teach us a sacred lesson; that no light is too small when set forth by God. In like manner, our acts of kindness, faith, and love, though they may seem small, are precious in His sight and can bring much needed light to those around us.
As the summer breeze bloweth softly, and the lightning bugs do dance in the twilight, let us be thankful for the simple joys the Lord giveth. May the sight of these flickering lights stir in us a remembrance of the heavenly Light that never fadeth nor falleth.
Rejoice in the Lord always, and be ye lights in this world, even as the lightning bugs in the summer night.
Pastor Jason
UPCOMING EVENTS
YOUNG AT HEART SUMMER PICNIC
Saturday, July 12th, 5:30 PM
Greene Family Farm
278 Dulaney Rd
Bristol, TN 37620
Cost is $5 for hamburgers and hotdogs with all the trimmings AND bring a covered dish or dessert.
Please sign up with what you will bring and pay at the Welcome Centers.
FUNFEST CHRISTIAN CONCERT
Thursday, July 24th
Tauren Wells & We Are Messengers
Discounted tickets are $10 and are available at the Welcome Centers and in the Church Office.
Tour The Holy Land
with Ralph Sexton and Roy Yelton
March 24 - 31, 2026
Brochures are available at the Welcome Centers
Saturday, July 12th, 5:30 PM
Greene Family Farm
278 Dulaney Rd
Bristol, TN 37620
Cost is $5 for hamburgers and hotdogs with all the trimmings AND bring a covered dish or dessert.
Please sign up with what you will bring and pay at the Welcome Centers.
FUNFEST CHRISTIAN CONCERT
Thursday, July 24th
Tauren Wells & We Are Messengers
Discounted tickets are $10 and are available at the Welcome Centers and in the Church Office.
Tour The Holy Land
with Ralph Sexton and Roy Yelton
March 24 - 31, 2026
Brochures are available at the Welcome Centers
Salt & Light Ladies Ministry
Monday, August 4th, 6:00 PM- Ladies Night Out
Monday, September 15th, 6:00 PM - Ladies Ministry Night
Sunday, September 14th - Informational Meeting
For Potential Festival of Tables Decorators
In the FLC Connection following the AM Worship Service
Monday, October 6th, 6:00 PM—Faith & Fire
At the Greene Family Farm in Bristol
Saturday, November 8th - Festival of Tables
(Decorators needed - See Teresa Pierson for more info)
December 1st - Ladies Christmas Party
Mark you calendars and join us for these events. More information to come.
Monday, September 15th, 6:00 PM - Ladies Ministry Night
Sunday, September 14th - Informational Meeting
For Potential Festival of Tables Decorators
In the FLC Connection following the AM Worship Service
Monday, October 6th, 6:00 PM—Faith & Fire
At the Greene Family Farm in Bristol
Saturday, November 8th - Festival of Tables
(Decorators needed - See Teresa Pierson for more info)
December 1st - Ladies Christmas Party
Mark you calendars and join us for these events. More information to come.
HG Nursery & HG Kids Ministry
We would love for your children to join us:
Sunday School each Sunday 9:15 - 10:15 am
Kid’s Worship and Nursery 10:15 am
Wednesday Evenings 6:30 pm
K-5th grade classes meet in the Children’s building.
6 weeks - Pre-K classes meet in the Nursery.
Sunday School each Sunday 9:15 - 10:15 am
Kid’s Worship and Nursery 10:15 am
Wednesday Evenings 6:30 pm
K-5th grade classes meet in the Children’s building.
6 weeks - Pre-K classes meet in the Nursery.
Martha Ministry
Ministers to families who have had a death in their family by providing a meal.
For more information about this opportunity to serve, please contact Teresa at 423-245-3141.
For more information about this opportunity to serve, please contact Teresa at 423-245-3141.
Care House Ministry
Thursdays, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Food Pantry and Clothing Closet
Donations will be accepted during this time.
Current needs are men’s, women's and children’s summer clothing.
The Care House will also be open briefly after the AM Worship Service for donations.
For more information or to volunteer, please contact:
Troy McPherson at 423-963-6829 or
Gaines Faust at 423-863-7313
Food Pantry and Clothing Closet
Donations will be accepted during this time.
Current needs are men’s, women's and children’s summer clothing.
The Care House will also be open briefly after the AM Worship Service for donations.
For more information or to volunteer, please contact:
Troy McPherson at 423-963-6829 or
Gaines Faust at 423-863-7313
Prayer Requests
Do you have prayer requests or someone you would like to place on the Nursing Home/Shut-In list? Would like to receive the prayer list by email?
Please contact Teresa at tpierson@higherground.org or call the
Church Office at 423-245-3141.
Please contact Teresa at tpierson@higherground.org or call the
Church Office at 423-245-3141.
Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed to greet at the FLC Desk. If you could volunteer a day a week or even a day a month, any time you could volunteer helps.
Contact Teresa in the Church Office at 423-245-3141.
Volunteers are needed for the Security Team. If you are interested in serving on a team,
contact Jerry Quillen or call
the Church Office at 423-245-3141.
Join the Media Team! - No experience necessary!
Training will be provided and all ages are welcome
Stop by the Media Center in the church sanctuary
Ask for Amber Price or Theresa McMahan to learn more.
Contact Teresa in the Church Office at 423-245-3141.
Volunteers are needed for the Security Team. If you are interested in serving on a team,
contact Jerry Quillen or call
the Church Office at 423-245-3141.
Join the Media Team! - No experience necessary!
Training will be provided and all ages are welcome
Stop by the Media Center in the church sanctuary
Ask for Amber Price or Theresa McMahan to learn more.
Family Life Center
Gym, walking track, and exercise room
Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday
7:30 am - 10:30 am
Closed Wednesday and Friday
Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday
7:30 am - 10:30 am
Closed Wednesday and Friday