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Issue 2022-03
The AVENUE
MARCH
Welcome
GOOD NEWS AND WORSHIP UPDATE
Sunday, February 27, 2022 @ 11 am
Transfiguration of the Lord
Scripture: Exodus 34:29-35 and Luke 9:28-36
Sermon: "What Happens on the Mountain Doesn't Stay on the Mountain"
Interim Pastor: Rev. Sharon Amstutz

both in-person and on YouTube
LIVE STREAMING TO YOUTUBE, NOT FACEBOOK
Worship Streaming update- Moving forward we will try stream to the church’s YouTube channel, then post the service to FB later, access to YouTube is widespread and some in the church have chosen not to have FB accounts. Copies of the weekly bulletin will still be emailed to members/friends, since posting it is not an option on YouTube.
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SPECIAL NEWS AND INFORMATION
LENT HAPPENINGS
Watauga Avenue and Covenant Presbyterian Churches are teaming up for worship and Bible Study opportunities during Lent this year. This will be a wonderful experience of shared leadership, shared hospitality, and shared Christian experience. Here are the details:

Worship Services
Ash Wednesday: A service of prayer and the imposition of ashes will be held at 12:15 at Covenant. Come for a brief time of reflection.
Maundy Thursday: At Covenant. More information to come.
Good Friday: At Watauga Avenue. More information to come.

Bible Study
Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Covenant’s pastor, Maggie Rust, and I will be leading a discussion-based Bible Study each Wednesday using Rachel Held Evans’ book Inspired as our foundation.   To make the study accessible to all the study will be held both virtually and in-person each week.
 
In person: 3:30
In the spirit of true Christian fellowship, Covenant and WAPC will take turns hosting the in-person studies, and Maggie and I will take turns leading them.
[DATE
March 2 (Ash Wednesday)
March 9
March 16
March 23
March 30
April 6
April 13 (Holy Week) ]
[LEADER
Sharon
Maggie
Sharon
Maggie
Sharon
Maggie
Sharon]
[LOCATION
Covenant
WAPC
Covenant
WAPC
Covemant
WAPC
Covenant]
On Line: 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
TUSCULUM UNIVERSITY - THEOLOGIAN-IN-RESIDENCE
The final session will be led by Dr. Bennie Crockett, Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness & Planning, William Carey University. The theme for this year’s Theologian-in-Residence is “Translation Opens a Window” – Key Developments in English Bible History. This session will be both in-person and via Zoom.

If you would like to register for this final virtual or in-person session, please contact the Office of Alumni Engagement and Special Events at 423-636-0565 or by email at nrader@tusculum.edu.  Registration is necessary in order for them to provide the Zoom link to those who are registered and to maintain an accurate headcount for those that wish to join in-person on Feb. 25th. 
KING UNIVERSITY - INSTITUTE FOR FAITH & CULTURE
UPCOMING EVENTS INCLUDE:

please note: There are options to attending these events. Dr. Dotterweich messaged to say that morning events are almost always streamed at (https://webcast.king.edu ), and almost everything will be available afterward on YouTube – if they will like our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/kingfaithandculture), they can get the videos there, too.
HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE MONTH (noted when online)
Friday, February 25 - Tusculum University
10 am 31st Annual Theologian-in-Residence with Dr Bennie Crockett (in-person and via Zoom)
Final Topic: New Methods of Translation and the Abundance of English Bibles, 1900-2022

Sunday, February 27 - Transfiguration of the Lord
11 am Morning Worship, Interim Pastor, Rev. Sharon Amstutz (via YouTube)

Monday, February 28 - King Institute of Faith & Culture
In Concert: the Becky Buller Band
9:15 am @ King Memorial Chapel
7 pm @ Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Bristol, Virginia

Wednesday, March 2 - Ash Wednesday
12:15 pm Ash Wednesday service @ Covenant Presbyterian Church
3:30 pm Lenten Bible Study/Conversation (in person) @ Covenant Presbyterian Church
4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)
6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal
7 pm Lenten Bible Study (via Zoom)

Thursday, March 3
10 am Presbyterian Women (PW) meeting

Friday, March 4 - World Day of Prayer

Saturday, March 5
8 am Holston Presbytery meeting @ Waverly Road Presbyterian Church, Kingsport

Sunday, March 6 - First Sunday in Lent
11 am Morning Worship, Interim Pastor, Rev. Sharon Amstutz (via YouTube)

Tuesday, March 8
7 pm Session meeting

Wednesday, March 9
3:30 pm Lenten Bible Study (in person) @ WAPC
4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)
6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal
7 pm Lenten Bible Study (via Zoom)

Sunday, March 13 - Second Sunday in Lent - DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS
11 am Morning Worship, Interim Pastor, Rev. Sharon Amstutz (via YouTube)

Wednesday, March 16
3:30 pm Lenten Bible Study/Conversation (in person) @ Covenant Presbyterian Church
4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)
6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal
7 pm Lenten Bible Study (via Zoom)

Sunday, March 20 - Third Sunday in Lent
11 am Morning Worship, Interim Pastor, Rev. Sharon Amstutz (via YouTube)

Monday, March 21 - King Institute of Faith & Culture
Kellie Brown, Chair of the Music Department and Professor of Music at Milligan University
9:15 a.m. @ Memorial Chapel - Refuting the Silence: Musical Works that Defied the Nazi Cultural Agenda 7:00 p.m. @ Central Presbyterian Church, Bristol, Va. - The Sound of Hope: Holocaust Music as an Agent of Remembrance, Resistance, Resilience, and Reconciliation

Wednesday, March 23
3:30 pm Lenten Bible Study/Conversation (in person) @ WAPC
4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)
6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal
7 pm Lenten Bible Study (via Zoom)

Sunday, March 27 - Fourth Sunday in Lent
11 am Morning Worship, Interim Pastor, Rev. Sharon Amstutz (via YouTube)

Monday, March 28 - King Institute of Faith & Culture
Martin Guite, Poet, priest, and musician University of Cambridge
9:15 a.m. @ Memorial Chapel - An Unexpected Music: Poetry and Renewal
7:00 p.m. @ Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Bristol, Va. - Songs and Sonnets: An Evening of Poetry, Song, and Story

Wednesday, March 30
3:30 pm Lenten Bible Study/Conversation (in person) @ Covenant Presbyterian Church
4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)
6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal
7 pm Lenten Bible Study (via Zoom)
LECTIONARY FOR MARCH
February 27 - Transfiguration of the Lord
Exodus 34:29-35 and Psalm 99; 2 Corinthians 3;12 - 4:2; and Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a)

March 2 - Ash Wednesday
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 or Isaiah 58:1-12 and Psalm 51:1-17;
2 Corinthians 5;20b - 6:10; and Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
March 6 - First Sunday in Lent
Deuteronomy 26:1-11 and Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16; Romans 10:8b-13; and Luke 4:1-13

March 13 - Second Sunday in Lent
Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 and Psalm 27; Philippians 3:17 - 4:1; and Luke 13:31-35

March 20 - Third Sunday in Lent
Isaiah 55:1-9 and Psalm 63:1-8; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; and Luke 13:1-9

March 27 - Fourth Sunday in Lent
Joshua 5:9-12 and Psalm 32; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; and Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
A new command I give to you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34 (NIV)
SESSION NOTES
MARCH Elder of the Month - Sherry Bailey
Next Session meeting - Tuesday, March 8 @ 7 pm (TBD)
FINANCIAL UPDATE
2022 Annual Budget - $ 135,000
Budget through February 22, 2022, Week #8 ($ 20,769)
Receipts $ 37,572.50
Disbursements - $ 18,336.34
Balance $ 19,236.16

Thanks to everyone for your continued support the church with your tithes and offerings during this extraordinary time. You are encouraged to mail your pledge to us or to drop it by the church office during regular business hours. Thanks.

We are still receiving the 5 Cents per Meal offering that is usually taken on Communion Sundays. If you would like to make a contribution to this offering please do so and designate it on your checks.
HOLSTON PRESBYTERY NEWS
Holston Presbytery meetings 2022
Meetings in March, June and December begin at 9 am; meeting in September begins at 2 pm.
Saturday, March 5, 2022 @ Waverly Road, Kingsport
Saturday, June 4, 2022 @ Strawberry Plains
Tuesday, September 6, 2022 @ Colonial Heights, Kingsport
Tuesday, December 6, 2022 @ Hopewell

Diana Moore, Transitional Stated Clerk
Diana is an ordained Minister of the Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (SA), and has served congregations within Holston Presbytery, including serving as Assistant Clerk of the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission.

Stephanie Ratcliffe, Transitional Treasurer/ Financial Manager
Stephanie has degrees in Human Resource Management and Accounting.
The Chancel flowers were given
in honor special February birthdays.

FEBRUARY / MARCH BIRTHDAYS
February 24 - Jenny Darling
March 1 - Lynn Broome
March 9 - Ginger Helm
March 13 - Phyllis Summers
March 21 - Rev. Bob Lowry

MARCH ANNIVERSARIES
March 12 - Terry & Dave Beckman
March 20 - Phil & Marsha Brandt


THE NEW 2022 FLOWER LIST IS AVAILABLE ON THE BULLETIN BOARD IN THE SIDE ENTRY
THOUGHTS & PRAYERS

For Members / Regular Attendees
Debi Hughes; David Robert Hughes (stationed on Korean DMZ); Pat Mooney; Don Loughry; Camilla & Hunter Lyle; Jack Hansel.

For Friends
Stephen Patrick's friend, Eileen Queener; Sue Sheffield's nephew, Jeremiah Collins; Sally Gerhardt's friend, Rosemarie Shields; Sue Shank's friend, Judy Klein; Sharon Amstutz's brother, Paul Hagood; Karen Frederick; Theresa Lura's cousin, Randy Carter; Sarah Suptin; church neighbor, Doris Harvey; Linda Solly; Chris Stansell's parents, Rev. Donald & Velma Stansell.

Special Prayers for Clinical and Medical Health Care Workers
The continued COVID pandemic concerns with cases still on the rise with the delta and lambda variant strains, along with the new mu and omicron virus with the highest number of overall cases in the United States, India and Brazil with cases on the rise throughout Europe in France, Finland, Spain and Poland among others; and especially seniors who are once again in "lock down" in long-term health care facilities; new disaster of scorpion bites in Egypt due to excessive flooding that caused scorpions to leave their burrows and escape into the streets and homes biting people.

Prayers for Others
Special prayers for the people of the Ukraine in light of the military invasion by Russia; for our military members who serve our country here and abroad, as well continued prayers for our fragile planet during this time of extreme weather conditions, and for those who have suffered loss from recent ongoing disasters including wildfires in Corrientes Province, Argentina; mudslides in Petropolis, Brazil; wildfires in Colorado and California; floods and landslides in Guatemala. And especially prayers for our nation and for strength, endurance, faith and courage for all.
A Blast from the Past
Who are these people and why are they happy ??
NOTEWORTHY GREEN SPACE NEWS
Despite its ubiquity, or perhaps because of it, air pollution has rarely gotten the sustained attention it deserves. That is an outrage given that air pollution is a global killer causing an astonishing seven million premature deaths every year. But it is also an opportunity because this is an environmental problem that we can actually fix. Last year the United States celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Clean Air Act. This single statute resulted in a 77 % decrease in the nation's air pollution. It lengthened millions of American lives, saved trillions of dollars, and according to the American Lung Association, became the most powerful public health law enacted in the 20th century. 

Those of us who remember the Los Angeles, Gary, or Pittsburgh of 50 years ago know vividly how much impact the act had. Still the problem is far from solved. Air pollution disproportionately harms the poor and people of color who live where it is the worst. Despite having regulations gutted in recent years, the Clean Air Act has survived although damaged. Environmentalist Mustafa Ali is convinced that the time is right to build on the act's achievements. He believes a new generation understands how important it is to have clean air and hopes they will not only understand the value of the act but will be willing to do the hard work of enhancing it.
VIRTUAL CREATION ACTIVITY OF THE WEEK
Amazing Places on the Planet
(June 2018 | 14:58 min.)

One of the most stunning and beautiful places in the world, the Wulingyuan Scenic Area in China's Hunan Province has more than 3,000 sandstone pillars and peaks, some higher than 200 meters/660 feet. Its amazing views became inspiration for the "Avatar" movie and it is on the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Wulingyuan Scenic Area includes 4 parts, all covered in the video: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Suoxi Valley Nature Reserve, Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve and the Yangjiajie Scenic Area.
IN THE POTEAT LIBRARY
LOOKING FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT,
CHECK OUT THE POTEAT LIBRARY
NOTE: Please remember that you are welcome to drop by the church library if you are looking for something new to read. We ask that you to sign out any books on the register sheet found on the file cabinet in the corner with the call #, book title, your name and date checked out. The white book cart inside the library has new titles. There is also an orange book cart in the Heritage Room that has books free for the taking. Come and browse.
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption
By Bryan Stevenson
(347.3)
Bryan Stevenson was a young lawyer when he founded the Equal Justice Initiative, a legal practice dedicated to defending those most desperate and in need: the poor, the wrongly condemned, and women and children trapped in the farthest reaches of our criminal justice system. One of his first cases was that of Walter McMillian, a young man who was sentenced to die for a notorious murder he insisted he didn’t commit. The case drew Bryan into a tangle of conspiracy, political machination, and legal brinksmanship—and transformed his understanding of mercy and justice forever.

Just Mercy is at once an unforgettable account of an idealistic, gifted young lawyer’s coming of age, a moving window into the lives of those he has defended, and an inspiring argument for compassion in the pursuit of true justice.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE STARRING MICHAEL B. JORDAN AND JAMIE FOXX • A powerful true story about the potential for mercy to redeem us, and a clarion call to fix our broken system of justice—from one of the most brilliant and influential lawyers of our time.
“[Bryan Stevenson’s] dedication to fighting for justice and equality has inspired me and many others and made a lasting impact on our country.”—John Legend

NAMED ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL BOOKS OF THE DECADE BY CNN • Named One of the Best Books of the Year by The New York Times • The Washington Post • The Boston Globe • The Seattle Times • Esquire • Time 
REMINDERS
Congregational Concerns / Prayer Requests - Please contact the church office or Sherry Bailey.

Flower List - Sign up to sponsor flowers for our weekly worship services in honor or in memory of loved ones. Arrangements are $30 each. 

Liturgists - On Hiatus - We are always looking for new people to be liturgists. Please contact the church office, if you would like to volunteer.

e-Avenue deadline - Please submit information to church office (wapc@churchwapc.net or 926-7942) for the April 2022 issue of the e-AVENUE no later than March 17th.  This includes team and committee reports, news, planned events and other newsworthy items.

Facebook - Please remember to friend and follow our Watauga Avenue Presbyterian Church Facebook page [https://www.facebook.com/Watauga-Avenue-Presbyterian-Church-94712920937/ ].  All news and events will be reported there.  

Photos needed - We welcome contributions to our Facebook page via your comments and photos of church events and activities.  Please also submit your photos to the church office for archiving. It will be wonderful to have a visual record of all of the positive things that Watauga Avenue Presbyterian Church does for our community.

Established 27 September 1892, Watauga Avenue Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ. Reformed in theology and Presbyterian by way of organization, it is related to Holston Presbytery, the Synod of Living Waters, and to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
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