|
GOOD NEWS AND WORSHIP UPDATE
Sunday, October 23, 2022 @ 11 am
Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sermon - "Flipping the Tables - John 2:13-25"
Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor
| |
|
both in-person and on Facebook or YouTube (click here)
Comments: We have set our YouTube channel to accept comments. If you are viewing, we ask that you say hello or to let us know you are there so we can count you as part of our attendance.
| |
SPECIAL NEWS AND INFORMATION | |
NEW SERMON SERIES
The Gospel of John tells the story of Jesus from the beginning. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. It tells a story from the beginning about light and life. John the Baptizer came to testify about that light and that life. Then Jesus reveals the glory of God so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ. As we continue into this gospel story looking at the Messiah, Miracles, and Mission, the great hope is that Jesus will interrupt the monotonous patterns of our lives. So that we can hear the good news that calls us into a new life shaped by abundant and overflowing grace.
Yours in Christ
Brandon
| |
SERVICE FOR JACK HANSEL
Thememorial service for Jack Hansel will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2022 @ 1 pm in the Sanctuary. There will be a reception following in the Fellowship Hall.. Visitation will be Friday evening at Morris-Baker Funeral Home from 4 - 6 pm. Those attending are asked to wear an appropriate face covering for the duration of both indoor services.
A committal service will be conducted at 9:00 am on Monday, October 24, 2022, at Mountain Home National Cemetery. Those attending are asked to gather at the cemetery gate by 8:50 am to go in procession to the committal shelter.
| |
JOHN PHILIP NEWELL @ MONTREAT
There are two opportunities to hear John Philip Newell in person in October both sponsored by the NC School of Earth and Soul in cooperation with Montreat Conference Center.
The first is An Evening with John Philip Newell to be held on Monday evening, October 24 @ 7 pm In Anderson Auditorium. Newell will be introducing them main themes of his book, Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul, focusing on the three graces (nature, human soul, & awakening) of Celtic wisdom today. The cost is $20; registration (click here)
The second is a two day retreat, Celtic Wisdom 1 - Sacred Soul, that will be held beginning at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, October 25 and ending at 12:30 pm on Thursday, October 27. This retreat focuses on reawakening to the sacredness of every human being through the teachings of Pelagius, St. Brigid, and Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. There is a registration fee of $358; registration (click here). The program includes 8 sessions as well as other meals and activities. Please check the Montreat website for more details.
| |
FOOD, FOOD AND MORE FOOD
The Lunch Bunch is scheduled for:
OCTOBER 23 - RAINBOW ASIAN CUISINE
Our next Potluck lunch following Morning Worship will be on Sunday, October 30th. We look forward to more tasty treats and delights.
Lunches in November are planned for: Southern Craft BBQ; Bella Vita's; and Cafe Loa.
| |
DRIVE THRU TRUNK OR TREAT IS COMING
This year's Drive Thru Trunk or Treat is scheduled for Saturday, October 29th from 3-5 pm in the church parking lot. Bags will include assorted treats, healthy treats and school supplies. Students from ETSU / U-Kirk will be on hand to assist; other volunteers are also welcome. We are looking for a few volunteers to distribute flyers in the church neighborhood the week before the event. Contact Mike Miyamoto if you are able to assist.
| |
HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE COMING WEEK | |
|
Thursday, October 20
4 pm Green Team (via Zoom)
Friday, October 21
4-6 Visitation for Jack Hansel @ Morris-Baker Funeral Home
Saturday, October 22
1 pm Funeral for Jack Hansel
Sunday, October 23 - Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
10 am Adult Library Sunday School Class (in Poteat Library)
11 am Morning Worship, Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor (in-person YouTube / Facebook)
12:30 pm Lunch Bunch @ Rainbow Asian Cuisine (2412 North Roan @ Best Western Hotel)
Monday, October 24
7 pm An Evening with John Philip Newell @ Montreat NC (registration required)
Tuesday, October 25 @ 5:30 pm - Thursday, October 27 @ 12:30 pm
NC School of Earth and Soul Retreat: Celtic Wisdom 1 - Sacred Soul @ Montreat NC (registration required)
Wednesday, October 26
4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom) - cancelled this week only
6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal
Saturday, October 29
3-5 pm Drive Thru Trick or Treat
Sunday, October 30 - Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
10 am Adult Library Sunday School Class (in Poteat Library)
11 am Morning Worship, Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor (in-person YouTube / Facebook)
12:15 pm Monthly Fellowship Potluck Lunch
Wednesday, November 2
4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)
6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal
Thursday, November 3
10 am PW Circle at the home of Bea Ellis
| |
2023 PLEDGE DRIVE
NOTE: Pledge Cards for 2023 will be available this coming Sunday in the nathex. Please take one person or family and check your name off the list for the committee will know who has them. For those individuals who have not returned to in-person worship, pledge cards will be made available to you either via email or you can stop by the office to pick one up. The committee wants to be sure that everyone has a pledge card and returns it in a timely manner. This information is used to help formulate next year's 2023 annual budget. Pledges will be received on Sunday, November 13th.
| |
GENERAL FUND: YEAR TO DATE: | |
|
NOTE: The Session approved an adjusted Annual Budget to include our new Pastor
as well as some other expenses that needed to be adjusted. The Annual Budget increased from $135,000 to $155,900. In order to meet this budget, we hope you will be faithful in your giving. The amount below, next to the week number, indicates what our receipts should be at this point to be on target with our budgeted giving.
[2022 Annual Budget - $ 155,900 (revised, adjusted)
Budget through October 18th, Week #42 ($125,919)
Receipts $ 107,581.66
Disbursements -$ 116,792.64
Balance $ (- 9,210.98)
| |
|
Thanks to everyone for your continued support the church with your tithes and offerings during this extraordinary time. We have a new pastor and our expenditures are increasing. Please make sure that you are faithful in your giving. There is much work that still needs to be done and the year is already beginning to wind down. 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.
| | |
|
|
OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS
October 24 - David Hughes
October 27 - Lanny Brashear
October 28 - Fred Burrell
October 29 - Bobbie Wilson
October 31 - Sharon Amstutz
OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES
October 27 - Stephen & Sue Shanks
The Chancel flowers are given in honor
of the bravery and perseverance of the people of Ukraine.
PLEASE NOTE: THE 2022 FLOWER LIST IS AVAILABLE ON THE BULLETIN BOARD IN THE SIDE ENTRY
| |
|
For Members / Regular Attendees
Ruth Crawford and the family of Jack Hansel; Don Loughry; Camilla & Hunter Lyle
For Friends
Rev. Maggie Lauterer; Lisbeth Henry friend of Craig Campbell and Matthew & Karen Clark; Delaney Estes, friend of Matthew & Karen Clark; Stephen Patrick's cousin, Linda Strock, diagnosed with stage4 inoperable esophageal cancer (squamous cell); Matthew Clark's friend, David F Smith; Sally Gerhardt's son, Fritz, is beginning his second round of chemo for multiple myeloma; Eddie & Pauline Everhart, neighbors of the Danks; Nathan Songer; the family of Olga Pastushenko from Odessa, Ukraine refugees in Romania; Sue Sheffield's nephews, Jeremiah Collins and Tanner Frye; Sue Shank's friends, Judy Klein, Mary Murphy and Rev. Dodie Rossell; Sarah Suptin; church neighbor, Dorothy Harvey, Kelly Hodges.
Special Prayers for Clinical and Medical Health Care Workers
The continued COVID pandemic concerns with cases still on the rise with the delta, lambda and mu variant strains, along with the new omicron virus with the highest number of overall cases in the United States, India and Brazil; a new strain BA2.12.1 subtype COVID cases are now on the rise in numerous European countries. And persons now affected by the rise in new active cases of the infectious disease, monkeypox.
Prayers for others
Special prayers for the people of the Ukraine in light of the military invasion by Russia and the ongoing humanitarian crisis there; 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 humanitarian crises in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean islands in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona; as well as, the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Cuba and Florida; also prayers for those affected by Hurricane Julia in Central American this past week; a cholera outbreak in Haiti and a famine declared in Somalia; as well the humanitarian and economic crisis in Sri Lanka. And especially prayers for our nation and for strength, endurance, faith and courage for all.
CENTER FOR DISASTER PHILANTHROPY - https://disasterphilanthropy.org/
UN OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA) - https://reliefweb.int/
US FEMA - DECLARED DISASTERS - https://www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations
| |
Who are these people and what are they doing ? | |
|
At the mouth of the Columbia River, endangered southern resident orcas gather in early spring hoping to gorge on chinook. The endangered chinook—the largest of the West coast salmon—comprise the majority of the diet of these endangered marine mammals. For about 80 years, four federal dams have blocked salmon runs along the lower Snake River, making it difficult for adult salmon to move upstream to spawn and for juveniles to make their way back to the ocean. These dams put the chinook's future at risk, and they are also causing orcas to starve. Before the dams, millions of salmon would return from the Pacific Ocean via the Columbia River bound for the Snake. Now only an estimated 5% of Snake River salmon make it back to the ocean.
In 2018 the Orca Task Force, a group made up of government agencies, scientists, tribes, and nongovernmental organizations, recommended dam removal as one of many options. Last October Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced a study assessing how to replace the services currently provided by the dams. At the same time Washington Senator Patty Murray is working to secure funding for an evaluation of the costs and impacts of dam removal through the 2022 Water Resources Development act. One can only hope that these efforts can make change before it is too late. (GSN #120)
| |
VIRTUAL CREATION ACTIVITY OF THE WEEK | |
|
ALGONQUIN PARK, ONTARIO, FALL COLORS
Need4Life (October 2016 | 4:03 min.)
Amazing aerial images of the best fall colours in Algonquin Park. Autumn is a special time of the year to visit the forests of Algonquin Park.
Algonquin Provincial Park is a provincial park located between Georgian Bay and the Ottawa River in Ontario, Canada, mostly within the Unorganized South Part of Nipissing District. Established in 1893, it is the oldest provincial park in Canada.
The park is considered part of the "border" between Northern Ontario and Southern Ontario. The park is in an area of transition between northern coniferous forest and southern deciduous forest. This unique mixture of forest types, and the wide variety of environments in the park, allows the park to support an uncommon diversity of plant and animal species. It is also an important site for wildlife research.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xogutVRiaq0
| |
|
IN THE POTEAT LIBRARY
NOTE: The library is open by appointment. 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 Case of God
By Karen Armstrong
(211/ARM)
Moving from the Paleolithic age to the present, Karen Armstrong details the great lengths to which humankind has gone in order to experience a sacred reality that it called by many names, such as God, Brahman, Nirvana, Allah, or Dao. Focusing especially on Christianity but including Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Chinese spiritualities, Armstrong examines the diminished impulse toward religion in our own time, when a significant number of people either want nothing to do with God or question the efficacy of faith. Why has God become unbelievable? Why is it that atheists and theists alike now think and speak about God in a way that veers so profoundly from the thinking of our ancestors?
Answering these questions with the same depth of knowledge and profound insight that have marked all her acclaimed books, Armstrong makes clear how the changing face of the world has necessarily changed the importance of religion at both the societal and the individual level.
Yet she cautions us that religion was never supposed to provide answers that lie within the competence of human reason; that, she says, is the role of logos. The task of religion is “to help us live creatively, peacefully, and even joyously with realities for which there are no easy explanations.”
She emphasizes, too, that religion will not work automatically. It is, she says, a practical discipline: its insights are derived not from abstract speculation but from “dedicated intellectual endeavor” and a “compassionate lifestyle that enables us to break out of the prism of selfhood.”
| |
|
Congregational Concerns / Prayer Requests - Please contact the church office or Sherry Bailey with information.
Flower List - The 2022 Flower List has been posted on the bulletin board in the side entry. Please sign up to sponsor flowers for our weekly worship services in honor or in memory of loved ones.
Arrangements are $65 each.
Liturgists - 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 (office@wataugapc.org or 926-7942) at any time and for the November issue of the e-AVENUE, no later than Friday, October 21st. This includes team and committee meetings, 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.) | | | | | |
