Sunday, May 19, 2024 @ 11 am

Sermon: "Your Words Matter"

Scripture reading: Matthew 5:33-37

Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor

SERMON NOTES

Since Easter, we have been in the Sermon on the Mount. And for the past few weeks we have walked through the antitheses of Jesus. Antitheses is the complicated theological word that just means to contrast. Because Jesus is getting at the spirit of the law, not simply the letter of the law. And this week, we come to the section where Jesus teaches us about oaths. Jesus tells us that the words that we say, the integrity behind those words, and the actions that fulfill those words matter deeply. So join us this week, as we look at the Pentecost promise of the Spirit responding to our ‘yes’s’.

May God Bless

Brandon

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

Now meeting in the Conference Room, the class began a new discussion format that will be prompted by a video series on the “History of Christianity” by Dr. Matt Baker. Dr. Baker explores Christianity and its branches from its early origins to the present using a genealogy chart of the “Christian Denominations Family Tree.”  The class is open to all church members, and we would welcome additional participants.

STEWARDS OF CREATION - 7th annual PLANT GIVEAWAY

Every year for the past 7 years, Watauga Avenue Presbyterian Church has partnered with the Johnson City Housing Authority for our plant distribution. We go into neighborhoods around the city that have signed up to receive a pepper plant, a tomato plant, and a marigold plant. A few people gathered in the church parking lot to bag dirt or separate plant groupings. Some loaded up the back of their car with maps in hand. And some came and prepared coffee and brought snacks for others. At the end of this distribution, we were able to give away plants to over 110 households in Johnson City. A special thank you to all that helped with this project and we look forward to growing and expanding to reach more homes in the coming years with the hope of God’s new growth!

WALK SCHEDULED

A green walk has been scheduled for Sunday afternoon, May 26th at 2 pm at Sycamore Shoals State Park. Everyone invited; park near the tennis courts and we will begin from there. See you there!!

ATTENTION CREATIVE PEOPLE!

WAPC INTERPRETATIONS.

Have you been wanting to make some art, but need some inspiration or maybe some motivation in the form of a deadline? We've got both. Each month a prompt will be provided, based on a Biblical story, verse or theme. You may interpret the prompt in whatever form or medium you choose - drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, fiber. It could even be music or poetry. After receiving the prompt, you will have a month to create. We will then meet together at the church to share and discuss our interpretations. No experience necessary!

You are invited to create a piece of art reflecting on this prompt - "The Kingdom of God is like .... ". The group will meet on the first Tuesday of each month beginning on June 4th at 7 pm. We hope to see you there!!

CHURCH IN THE PARK

Our annual Father's Day Church in the Park service will take place on Sunday, June 16th @ 11 am at the Winged Deer Park Meredith Pavilion. Plans are underway and we are excited that we once again have to opportunity to worship and commune with nature. More details will be forthcoming soon! Stay tuned! We hope to see you there!!

LUNCH BUNCH / FOOD NEWS FOR MAY

May 19 - Pentecost Fellowship Potluck Lunch

May 26 @ Hachimi Japanese Cuisine

A SUMMER LUNCH BUNCH SCHEDULE (June-July-August) is now on the bulletin board. Happy Dining!!

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

Please note: Constant Contact is having various technical issues, including run-on items; i have worked around most issues, but cannot fix others. I have notified the company several times and they are well aware of the problems.

Saturday, May 18, 2024

1 - 4 pm Holston Presbytery special Elder training session

Sunday, May 19, 2024 - Pentecost

10 am Adult Sunday School video series "The History of Christianity" by Dr. Matt Baker

11 am Morning Worship, Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor (in-person YouTube / Facebook)

12:15 pm Pentecost Fellowship Potluck Lunch

12:30 pm Growth Committee @ Fellowship Potluck Lunch

Monday, May 20, 2024

6 pm Weekly Bible Study (in Conference Room)

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)

6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal

Sunday, May 26, 2024 - Pentecost

10 am Adult Sunday School video series "The History of Christianity" by Dr. Matt Baker

11 am Morning Worship, Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor (in-person YouTube / Facebook)

12:30 pm Lunch Bunch @ Hachimi Japanese Cuisine

2 pm Green Walk @ Sycamore Shoals (park near tennis courts)

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)

6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal

Sunday, June 2, 2024

10 am Adult Sunday School video series "The History of Christianity" by Dr. Matt Baker

11 am Morning Worship / Communion, Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor (in-person YouTube / Facebook)

12:30 pm Lunch Bunch @ Cootie Brown's Campus

Monday, June 3, 2024

12:30 pm Staff Meeting / Lunch (in Conference Room)

6 pm Weekly Bible Study (in Conference Room)

The 5 cents per meal offering is taken the first Sunday of each month.

The Pentecost Offering will be taken this Sunday, May 19, 2024.

The Pentecost Offering unites us in a church wide effort to support young people in Christ and inspire them to share their faith, ideas, and unique gifts with the church and the world. Pease give generously,

NEW SESSION COMMITTEES and CHAIRS

      a. Connections - Sherry Bailey & Jenny Darling

      b. Finance – Nancy Fennell

      c. Growth – Karen Clark

      d. Mission – - Susan Turner & Debi Hughes

      e. Personnel – Wilsie Bishop

      f. Property– Dick Lura & Ed Snodderly

THOUGHTS & PRAYERS & JOYS

UPCOMING MAY BIRTHDAYS

May 17 - Sallie Lagle Morris

May 18 - Jo Rolling & Megan Turner

May 21 - Terry Beckman

May 26 - Marcia Songer & May Votaw

For Friends and Family

Brandon Davis' sister, Celeste Davis Evans & family (house fire); Nancy Spahr; Michelle Browning's friends and co-workers, Jay and Bevi; Sue Sheffield's friend, Charlotte Woody (hospice); Marat Moore; Camilla Lyle's brother, Jeff McFee; Sue Shanks' college roommate, Sue Trevathan; Jeff Morris; Alynda Worrell-Welch’s mother-in-law, Shelly Welch; George, Jo & Nikki Rolling; Jonathan Sharp; Don Loughry; Rev. Maggie Lauterer; Sarah Suptin; Kelly Hodges.; Heather Hughes; Edna Campbell.

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.

Climate Church, Climate World: How People of Faith Must Work for Change

By Jim Antal

(261/ANT)

Climate Church, Climate World argues that climate change is the greatest moral challenge humanity has ever faced. Hunger, refugees, poverty, inequality, deadly viruses, war—climate change multiplies all forms of global social injustice. Environmental leader Reverend Jim Antal presents a compelling case that it’s time for the church to meet this moral challenge, just as the church addressed previous moral challenges.

Antal calls for the church to embrace a new vocation so that future generations might live in harmony with God’s creation. After describing how we have created the dangers our planet now faces, Antal urges the church to embrace a new vocation, one focused on collective salvation and an expanded understanding of the Golden Rule (Golden Rule 2.0).

He suggests ways people of faith can reorient what they prize through new approaches to worship, preaching, witnessing and other spiritual practices that honor creation and cultivate hope.

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