Norris Religious Fellowship

05/31/2026

All are welcome. “It is in community that we come to see God in the other. It is in community that we see our own emptiness filled up. It is community that calls me beyond the pinched horizons of my own life, my own country, my own race, and gives me the gifts I do not have within me.”
-Joan Chittister

Come, may your rest be a prayer.
Sunday, May 31, 2026
Trinity Sunday
Morning Psalm: Psalm 8
Sermon: “Five Essential Truths”
by Rev. Jack Conrad

🔹Sunday Greeters:
Jocelyn and Adam Trevino

🔹Coffee and Fellowship Hosts:
Joan Hughes

🔹We invite you to join us for refreshments in fellowship hall, following the Worship Service. If you are a newcomer, we invite you to introduce yourself so that we can greet and welcome you properly. However, we understand there are times where we might rather be anonymous for a while. We want you to be comfortable.
We are glad to have you with us today!

🔹 Pause at our prayer table in the back of the sanctuary for an opportunity to sign a notecard for someone in special need of prayer. You will also find our offering plate here, because all our gifts to God are prayerful offerings.

🔹First time visitor:
All are welcomed, no matter where you are on your personal journey. You will find love and support. Dress as you prefer. You will see a wide range of dress, from suits and dresses to shorts or jeans. We have parking in front of and behind the church. We recommend arriving a few minutes early to “settle in” before service. At the entrance, our greeters will warmly welcome you and hand you a bulletin that will help guide you through the service. We have no rules, and you are not under any obligation to do anything. We want you to simply receive what God has in store for you!

🔹 To view Sunday’s bulletin online: click the link in our weekly current e-news.

🔹We are a fellowship of God’s people.
An interdenominational church, worshiping in peace and harmony.
As such, we are open, tolerant, accepting of you and your belief.

“In things agreed upon unity,
In other things liberty,
In all things the will to be one.”

🔹 Photo: NRF Sanctuary

🔹 Artwork: “The Christ” Icon by, Brother Lavrans Nielsen, a Trappist monk at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky from 1957-76 R.I.P.
Br. Lavrans is a nationally recognized artist whose works spanned multiple mediums in sacred and contemporary art. He lived, worked and prayed alongside Thomas Merton. His work included oil & acrylic painting, liturgical fabric banners, woodcuts, engravings and calligraphy for several texts. Perhaps, most notably contributing the illustrations to Merton’s books.


Norris Religious Fellowship 2026

05/24/2026

All are welcome into this place, an oasis of stillness and quiet beauty in a world that can feel broken and foreign. Come, may your rest be a prayer itself.

Sunday, May 24, 2026
Day of Pentecost
Morning Psalm: Psalm 104
Meditation & Call: Ginny Ireland
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Sermon: “Another Take on a Pentecostal Church” by Dr Bill Ireland, NRF Minister

🔹 To view Sunday’s bulletin online: click the link in our weekly current e-news.

🔹Sunday Greeters:
Pat and Bob Gregory

🔹Childcare will be available

🔹Coffee and Fellowship: Please note there will be no coffee hour today, as set up for memorial service will be underway.

🔹 Pause at our prayer table in the back of the sanctuary for an opportunity to sign a notecard for someone in special need of prayer. You will also find our offering plate here, because all our gifts to God are prayerful offerings.

🔹First time visitor:
All are welcomed, no matter where you are on your personal journey. You will find love and support. Dress as you prefer. You will see a wide range of dress, from suits and dresses to shorts or jeans. We have parking in front of and behind the church. We recommend arriving a few minutes early to “settle in” before service. At the entrance, our greeters will warmly welcome you and hand you a bulletin that will help guide you through the service. We have no rules, and you are not under any obligation to do anything. We want you to simply receive what God has in store for you!

🔹We are a fellowship of God’s people.
An interdenominational church, worshiping in peace and harmony.
As such, we are open, tolerant, accepting of you and your belief.

“In things agreed upon unity,
In other things liberty,
In all things the will to be one.”

🔹 Photo: NRF Sanctuary, a welcoming oasis.


Norris Religious Fellowship 2026

05/17/2026

All are invited to make a conscious, active decision to pause, step off the hamster wheel of daily stress, and savor the sweetness of God. Let us gather, as one body, for the pure pleasure of emptying and offering ourselves to be tuned by God.

Today we enjoy the Gift of Music from Cindy Edgecomb and Tom Kellar.
“Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly”

Sunday, May 17, 2026
Seventh Sunday of Easter Year A
Guest Accompanist: Ethan Ferugson
Morning Psalm: 120
Gospel Text:
Matthew 27:47-52; Luke 19:41-42
Sermon: “Fight Like Jesus”
Rev. Ginny Bridges Ireland

🔹 Sanctuary Artwork: "Lamb of God" painting by artist Tom Dubois.
This piece depicts Jesus’s triumphal entry riding a donkey through the town, touching the hands and exciting the hearts of the townspeople. Dubois’s style combines vibrant, rich colors with meticulous detail.

🔹 To view Sunday’s bulletin online: click the link in our weekly current e-news.

🔹Sunday Greeter: David Hughes

🔹Coffee and Fellowship Hosts:
Deborah Belford & Kathy Decker
All are invited to join in fellowship hall after morning worship for refreshments and relaxed conversations.

🔹 Pause at our prayer table in the back of the sanctuary for an opportunity to sign a notecard for someone in special need of prayer. You will also find our offering plate here, because all our gifts to God are prayerful offerings.

🔹We are a fellowship of God’s people.
An interdenominational church, worshiping in peace and harmony.
As such, we are open, tolerant, accepting of you and your belief.

“In things agreed upon unity,
In other things liberty,
In all things the will to be one.”

🔹 Photo: “the things that make for peace” This picture was taken in the color filled center of the beautiful outdoor Santuario Maria Desatadora de Nudos, Cancún, México.
The tradition here is to tie on a free white ribbon with your own concerns (represented as knots) and turning them over to one’s ultimate Source.
It is also said: the faithful return to the sanctuary to tie a ribbon of colors as a sign of gratitude and testimony to the power of prayer.


Norris Religious Fellowship 2026

05/16/2026

This coming Sunday, May 17th,
Rev. Ginny Bridges Ireland will be preaching “Fight Like Jesus.” All are invited into this safe space to rest and savor the sweetness of the sabbath together.

Worship Service begins at 11

🔹All are invited to join in fellowship hall after morning worship for refreshments and relaxed conversations.

🔹First time visitor:
All are welcomed, no matter where you are on your personal journey. You will find love and support. Dress as you prefer. You will see a wide range of dress, from suits and dresses to shorts or jeans. We have parking in front of and behind the church. We recommend arriving a few minutes early to “settle in” before service. At the entrance, our greeters will warmly welcome you and hand you a bulletin that will help guide you through the service. We have no rules, and you are not under any obligation to do anything. We want you to simply receive what God has in store for you!

🔹We are a fellowship of God’s people.
An interdenominational church, worshiping in peace and harmony.
As such, we are open, tolerant, accepting of you and your belief.

🔹 Pause at our prayer table in the back of the sanctuary for an opportunity to sign a notecard for someone in special need of prayer. You will also find our offering plate here, because all our gifts to God are prayerful offerings.

“In things agreed upon unity,
In other things liberty,
In all things the will to be one.”

05/15/2026

The next distribution of the Norris Food Pantry will be held on Thursday, May 28th from 8-12 at Norris United Methodist Church

05/10/2026

People of Spirit, come let us gather together to worship the holy presence who sustains, guides and empowers us to love as Christ commands.

Today, we press pause and give thanks to the many forms of Moms! You are our constant supporters, biggest cheerleaders, and strongest advocates. You are the person we call when we need comfort and care. There is no better rest than in your home. Thank-you.

Sixth Sunday of Easter
May 10, 202 | Year A
Worship 11am
Choir Director: Lydia Barbour
Meditations & Call: Ginny Ireland
Morning Psalm: Psalm 66:8-20
Gospel: Text: Acts 17:16-21 NRSV
Homily: “While Waiting…”
Dr. Bill Ireland, NRF Minister

Jesus, you are the one, who taught us to pray, who sent the advocate, who unites us, who cared for his mother and whose mother stayed with him to the very end on the cross. Your majesty knows no end.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

🔹 To view Sunday’s bulletin online: click the link in our weekly current e-news.

🔹 After first hymn: children church will not meet today.

🔹All are invited to join in fellowship hall after morning worship for refreshments and relaxed conversations.

🔹 Pause at our prayer table in the back of the sanctuary for an opportunity to sign a notecard for someone in special need of prayer. You will also find our offering plate here, because all our gifts to God are prayerful offerings.

🔹First time visitor:
All are welcomed, no matter where you are on your personal journey. You will find love and support. Dress as you prefer. You will see a wide range of dress, from suits and dresses to shorts or jeans. We have parking in front of and behind the church. We recommend arriving a few minutes early to “settle in” before service. At the entrance, our greeters will warmly welcome you and hand you a bulletin that will help guide you through the service. We have no rules, and you are not under any obligation to do anything. We want you to simply receive what God has in store for you!

🔹We are a fellowship of God’s people.
An interdenominational church, worshiping in peace and harmony.
As such, we are open, tolerant, accepting of you and your belief.

“In things agreed upon unity,
In other things liberty,
In all things the will to be one.”

🔹 FB Photo: “How God Shows Up” reminds us how closely joy and grief can coexist in our stories.
Silk painting with digital drawing and collage
By Lisle Gwynn Garrity, A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org

🔹 Sanctuary Artwork, a print of Jesus Christ the Savior,
painted by Sr. Jeana Visel, OSB, Ferdinand, Indiana.


Norris Religious Fellowship 2026

05/08/2026

📣𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟬 𝗔𝗠 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 $𝟯𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
Norris Area Community Foundationn
2026 NACF Renaissance Run
Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC)
Citizens in Support of Norris Police & Fire
The Norris Community Library
Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee Andersonville Volunteer Fire Department Appalachian Arts Craft Center
East Tennessee Foundation

05/07/2026

TOT will be going on summer break. Make plans to join in on this last gathering Friday at 4.

Send a message to learn more