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GOOD NEWS AND WORSHIP UPDATE
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Sunday, December 25, 2022 @ 11 am
Sermon - "A Visit to the Manger" | Scripture reading - Luke 2:1-20
Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor
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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.
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SPECIAL NEWS AND INFORMATION | |
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OUR MITTEN TREE GROWS
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS CONTRIBUTED WARM AND COLORFUL ITEMS.
We will continue collecting items through the end of December.
Doesn't our tree look fabulous !!!
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FOOD, FOOD AND MORE FOOD
IF ANYONE HAS SUGGESTIONS FOR LUNCH BUNCH DINING IN 2023, PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE SO IT CAN BE ADDED TO THE LIST!!
January 1, 2023 @ Cootie Brown's Campus
January 8 @ TBD
January 15 @ TBD
January 22 -@TBD
January 29 @ Annual Congregational Business Meeting & Lunch
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ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
UPCOMING READ
The next book scheduled to be read by the Adult Sunday School class beginning on Sunday, January 8th @ 10 am
will be Adam Nicolson's book, "God's Secretaries: The Making of the King James Bible."
If you wish to join the class in the coming year there is always room for one more and you should have time to purchase or obtain a copy of this book. There are hardback, paperback and Kindle versions available through a variety of sources online.
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CURRENT SERMON SERIES
For the last four weeks, we have been waiting and hoping for the coming of the Christ child. We have watched and waited in hope, peace, joy, and love, and now, redemption draws near. So this Saturday on Christmas Eve, and this Sunday on Christmas Day, we light the Christ candle as a visible reminder and testimony of the one that put on flesh and moved into our neighborhood. We know that, in baby Jesus, God embraces creation. God embraces us humans by uniting with humanity. God embraces vulnerability. And for the, we humbly give thanks!
Yours in Christ,
Brandon
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HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE COMING WEEK | |
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Saturday, December 24 - Christmas Eve
6 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (in-person YouTube / Facebook)
Sunday, December 25 - Christmas Day
11 am Morning Worship, Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor (in-person YouTube / Facebook)
Wednesday, December 28
4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)
NO Chancel Choir rehearsal
Sunday, January 1, 2023 - New Year's Day
11 am Morning Worship / Communion, Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor (in-person YouTube / Facebook)
12:30 pm Lunch Bunch @ Cootie Brown's Campus
Wednesday, January 4, 2023
4 pm Medication Circle (zia Zoom)
NO Chancel Choir rehearsal
Thursday, January 5, 2023
10 am PW Circle meeting @ the home of Nancy Fennell
Sunday, January 8, 2023 - Epiphany Sunday
11 am Morning Worship, Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor (in-person YouTube / Facebook)
Installation of New Elders during Morning Worship.
12:30 pm Lunch Bunch @ TBD
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5th TUESDAY - PERSONAL HYGIENE BAGS
Just a friendly reminder and plenty of notice that there will be four PW 5th Tuesday Work Days coming up in 2023 (January 31, May 30, August 29, and October 31). It will be time to make more Hygiene bags during the coming year. So bring your (travel sized) items to fill those bags, including: shampoo, conditioner, combs (for men), hairbrushes (for women) small tissues, lotion, emery boards, toothpaste, toothbrush (and cover), Chapstick, face cloth, deodorant, soap and handwipes. Also remember to bring in those magazines, notepads, greeting cards, and calendars. The items you bring should be placed in the Mission Team room just off the Heritage Room.
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GENERAL FUND: YEAR TO DATE: | |
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[2022 Annual Budget - $ 155,900 (revised, adjusted)
Budget through December 20th, Week #51 ($152,902 - adjusted)
Receipts $ 150,437.63
Disbursements -$ 143,807.59
Balance $ 6,630.04
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CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING
If you would still like to contribute to the Christmas Joy Offering, there are still some envelopes in the narthex for your convenience. This offering provides assistance to current and retired church workers and their families in their time of need, and develops our future leaders at Presbyterian-related school and colleges equipping communities
of color.
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POINSETTIAS 2022
To the honor and glory of God,
given by Nancy Fennell
In honor of December birthdays,
son Jim & daughter Wendy,
given by Bea Ellis.
In loving memory of parents,
Audrey & Tommy,
given by Sue Ellen Sheffield.
In loving memory of
Paul James Ellis (03 May 1935 – 27 April 2010),
given by his wife, Bea Ellis.
In loving memory of
Roger Mainer Helm (5 December 1951 - 11 July 2011),
given by his wife, Ginger Davis Helm.
In loving memory of
Earl Snodderly (21 July 1917 – 9 November 2015)
& Willie Matheny Snodderly (13 March 1927 – 6 April 2018),
given by the Bailey/Snodderly family.
In loving memory of
Justin “Jack” Copp, Jr (21 February 1923 - 9 December 2013)
& Virginia Anne Broyles Copp (13 June 1926 – 10 April 1998),
given by Juistin & Elaine, J F & Alyssa Copp,
and Dan, Hannah & Persephone Mrazik.
In loving memory of
Adison Baxter & Margretta Panola Hill Cashion
in honor of their 139th wedding anniversary, 18 December 1883, and
James Futhey & Margaret Elmina McLister Cashion
in honor of their 109th wedding anniversary, 18 December 1913,
given by their great-grandson / grandson, Stephen Allan Patrick.
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DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
December 25 - Nancy Spahr
December 29 - Karen Clark
December 30 - Pat Mooney
DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
December 27 - Lanny & Linda Brashear
PLEASE NOTE: THE 2023 FLOWER LIST IS AVAILABLE ON THE BULLETIN BOARD IN THE SIDE ENTRY
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For Friends
Ginger Helm's brother, Larry Ray Davis (pancreatic cancer); Don Loughry; George, Jo & Nikki Rolling; Rev. Maggie Lauterer; Stephen Patrick's cousin, Linda Strock, diagnosed with stage4 inoperable esophageal cancer (squamous cell); Sally Gerhardt's son, Fritz, scheduled to have a stem cell transplant on January 16th; Nathan Songer; 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. Please be mindful of the rise in influenza cases this season. There is now a worldwide increase in measles due to the lack of vaccination during COVID, as well as outbreak of avian flu..
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 throughout the south due to recent tornados and snow storms. Ongoing disasters include flooding in New South Wales, Australia; the prolonged water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi; the aftermath of various hurricanes across the Caribbean islands, Central America and Florida; the Horn of Africa hunger / food crisis; as well as new disasters now unfolding: Mauna Loa volcano is erupting again 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
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Looks interesting .... who are these fine members
and when was this event?
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According to analysts at the Solar Energy Industries Association, the US solar industry installed some 23.6 gigawatts of generating capacity in 2021—making last year solar energy's biggest year of growth yet in the United States. For the third year in a row, solar represented the biggest source of new US electricity-generating capacity, accounting for nearly half (46%) of all new capacity built last year.
Also noteworthy is the fact that big increases in the number of solar installations in 2021 occurred in blue and red states alike. Texas accounted for the most new solar capacity overall, installing 77% more in 2021 than it had the year before and more than four times as much as in 2019. Equally notable were dramatic increases in Illinois, Indiana, and Virginia. These numbers are especially impressive considering lingering uncertainty around federal and state policies that provide incentives for solar and that global supply and demand issues drove solar installation prices higher in 2021. (GSN #128)
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VIRTUAL CREATION ACTIVITY OF THE WEEK | |
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RWENZORI, MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON, UGANDA
AMAZING PLACES ON OUR PLANET
(January 2017 | 15:46 min.)
Rwenzori: the most scenic, beautiful, mystic, diverse mountain in Africa.
Rwenzori mountains are located on the border between DR Congo and Uganda. Rwenzori Mountains National Park is a Ugandan national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
"The Rwenzori Mountains are the highest and most permanent sources of the River Nile, and constitute a vital water catchment. Their multitude of fast flowing rivers, magnificent waterfalls and stratified vegetation make the property exceptionally scenic and beautiful."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNDoMBDDyAE
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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.
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Grace Happens Here: You Are Standing Where Grace is Happening.
By Max Lucado
(234/LUC)
Max Lucado looks at grace from all directions and reveals that no matter which way you look at it, God’s grace is always there, ready to do wonders in your life. This beautiful gift book is filled with powerful quotes, Scripture, and stories that will transform your heart and mind with a deeper understanding of God’s healing grace. The message gently and eloquently encourages you to accept completely His grace and forgiveness as well as extend the same blessing toward others.
"When grace happens, generosity happens. Unsquashable, eye-popping big heartedness happens. Receiving grace today? Liberality is in the forecast for tomorrow. When you meet a bountiful person, you are standing where grace is happening."
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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.
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 January issue of the e-AVENUE, no later than Friday, December 16th. 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.
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WATAUGA AVENUE PC IS ON .. click and see for yourself. | | |
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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.) | | | | |
