Issue #415

The Weekly AVENUE

February 1, 2024

GOOD NEWS AND WORSHIP UPDATE

MORNING WORSHIP / COMMUNION

Sunday, February 4, 2024 @ 11 am

"From Pride to Humility"

Scripture reading: Daniel - Chapter 4

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.

ELDER OF THE MONTH FOR FEBRUARY - WILSIE BISHOP

* PLEASE NOTE: CHECK OUT OUR NEWLY UPDATED WEBSITE

https://wataugapc.org

SPECIAL NEWS AND INFORMATION

SERMON NOTES

The Book of Daniel is filled with people doing the extraordinary through the providence and sovereignty of the divine. The fourth chapter is no different. We find the king has had another dream. However, despite his earthly power, he is beginning see God’s power through Daniel’s gifts and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s faith. This chapter serves as a poignant reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God's mercy. Whether king or commoner, rich or poor, God's sovereignty extends to all corners of creation. So join us this week as we continue to learn from Daniel and his companions!

May God Bless

Brandon

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE

Join us on February 14th at 6 pm for a unique and meaningful Ash Wednesday service, where we mark the beginning of Lent with the beautiful and sacred tradition of the imposition of ashes. As we gather to reflect on our mortality and seek repentance, we'll embrace this spiritual journey together. This year, Ash Wednesday coincides with Valentine's Day—an unusual pairing that reminds us of love's transformative power, both divine and earthly. Join us as we receive the ashes, symbolizing humility, and embark on a season of introspection and spiritual growth together.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

The Adult Sunday School class is completing their reading and discussion John Shelby Spong’s Born of a Woman. The class plans to finish their discussion by the end of February.

The class as decided that their next book for discuss will be Elaine Pagel's, The Gnostic Gospels, a provocative study of the gnostic gospels and the world of early Christianity as revealed through the Nag Hammadi texts. They hope to begin this book on Sunday, March 3rd. So begin searching for your copy now.

GREEN WALK

Anyone is welcome to join in our walk at King Commons on Wednesday, February 7th @ 11 am. A nice time for fellowship and a leisurely stroll. Lunch following at one of our local downtown eating establishments. See you there!

MISSION COLLECTION REQUESTS

We are still collecting warm clothing items for Jeff Douds of West Main Street Christian Church to have available for distributing them various homeless persons in need. Used jackets, coats, sweaters, gloves, scarves, and other clothing items are appreciated. Also being requested are warm blankets to supplement the other items.

SIGN UP SHEET FOR CAFE LOLA

The Lunch Bunch will be dining at Cafe Lola on Sunday, February 12th, following worship. Michelle and Dave will be out of town but Michelle has reserved places for 14 persons ... the big table for 10 and the high top for 4. There will be a signup sheet on the bulletin board in the side entry this week. First come, first serve!!

FOOD, FOOD AND MORE FOOD

Upcoming Lunch Bunch:

February 4 @ Black Olive

February 12 @ Cafe Lola

February 17 - Valentine's Fellowship Potluck Lunch

February 25 @ Hachimi Japanese Cuisine

THERE IS A WINTER SCHEDULE (December-January-February)

OF ALL LUNCH BUNCH LOCATIONS POSTED ON THE BULLETIN BOARD.

IF ANYONE HAS SUGGESTIONS FOR OTHER DINING VENUES, PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE TO ADD THEM TO OUR LUNCH ROTATION. THANKS.

HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE COMING WEEK

Thursday, February 1, 2024

10 am PW meeting at WAPC 6 pm Energy Efficiency Commission meeting (via Zoom)

Saturday, February 3, 2024

9 am Holston Presbytery meeting @ Rogersville Presbyterian Church

Sunday, February 4, 2024

10 am Adult Sunday School reading "Born of a Woman," by John Shelby Spong

11 am Morning Worship / Communion, Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor

12:30 pm Lunch Bunch @ Black Olive

Monday, February 5, 2024

6 pm Weekly Bible study (in Conference Room)

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

11 am Green Walk @ Kings Commons with lunch afterwards

4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)

6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal

Sunday, February 11, 2024

10 am Adult Sunday School reading "Born of a Woman," by John Shelby Spong

11 am Morning Worship, Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor

12:30 pm Lunch Bunch @ Cafe Lola

Monday, February 12, 2024

6 pm Weekly Bible Study (in Conference Room)

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

6 pm Session Meeting

Wednesday, February 14, 2024 - ASH WEDNESDAY

4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)

6 pm Ash Wednesday Service

6:30 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal

FINANCIAL UPDATE

GENERAL FUND: YEAR TO DATE:

[2024 Annual Budget - $ 181,300

Budget through February 2, Week #5 ($17,433)

Receipts $ 59,061.46

Disbursements -$ 14,792.88

Balance $ 44,268.58

*NOTE: There will be a few other minor entries and adjustments

before the year is finalized. Terry Beckman

THOUGHTS & PRAYERS

For Friends and Family

Mike Keeler; Sue Shanks' college roommate, Sue Trevathan; Carolyn Matlack and familiy in the recent loss of her sister, Ellie; Jeff Morris; Alynda Worrell-Welch’s mother-in-law, Shelly Welch; the Hughes family for son-in-law Bryce Bennett; George, Jo & Nikki Rolling; Camilla Lyle's brother, Jeff McFee; Jonathan Sharp; Don Loughry; Rev. Maggie Lauterer; Sarah Suptin; Kelly Hodges.; Heather Hughes; Edna Campbell. Thanks for your prayers for Bryce Bennett; his ankle surgery went well yesterday.

Prayers for Others

Continue to pray for the people in Ukraine as they continue their fight against the Russian Invasion. For the recent ongoing humanitarian emergency between Israel and the Palestinians of Gaza. New emergencies include: severe flooding in southern California; disastrous flooding in both the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo; landslide in Yunnan Province of China. Prayers for U.S. troops and migrants seeking refuge along the southern U.S. border. And especially prayers for our nation and for strength, endurance, faith and courage for all. .

Prayer Requests

IN THE POTEAT LIBRARY

Please remember the library is open by appointment and 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.

Jesus: An Historian’s Review of the Gospels

By Michael Grant

(232/GRA)

The author looks at the gospels with an historian's eye, in search of the authentic Jesus. He seeks to separate those portions of the gospels that refer to the true career and teachings of Jesus, from the subsequent additions or inventions by the evangelists. The gospels are studied in the same way as other ancient historical sources, endeavouring to reconstruct what really happened and to uncover the truth of the historical Jesus.

Grant analyzes aspects of contemporary Galilean, Judean, Aramean and Roman culture in the gospels and other literature, to draw a powerful detailed -- yet easly readable -- character profile of Jesus and his teachings. He probes the gospels, supplemented by contemporary sources, to draw out a detailed view of the psychology and self-concept of Jesus.

Grant compares Jesus to the themes, goals and character of the Qumran teachers, Galilean sages and Old Testament prophets. He provides an extensive analysis of Jesus' relationship to John the Baptist. He establishes the unique aspects of Jesus' teachings, as well as the similarities with the developing rabbinic forms of the time. Notable differences are Jesus' unique self-confidence, assurance of his unique relationship to God and his novel personal authority.

REMINDERS

Congregational Concerns / Prayer Requests - Please contact the church office or Sherry Bailey with information.

Flower List - The 2023 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.

e-Avenue deadline - Please submit information to church office (office@wataugapc.org or 926-7942) at any time and for the February issue of the e-AVENUE, no later than Monday, January 15th. 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.

WATAUGA AVENUE PC IS ON .. click and see for yourself.

Visit our website

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.)