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Issue 2023-12

The AVENUE

DECEMBER

Welcome

GOOD NEWS AND WORSHIP UPDATE

Sunday, December 3, 2023 @ 11 am

MORNING WORSHIP

FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT / COMMUNION

Sermon - "God's Presence"

Scripture - Isaiah 64:1-9

Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor

both in-person and on YouTube or Facebook

WAPC Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgI_BKUlZH70GzG90xIQ1xA

Sherry Bailey - Elder of the Month of December

SPECIAL NEWS AND INFORMATION

ADVENT IS HERE

Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” During this season, the Church celebrates the incarnation of Christ coming into the world. In this time of preparation, we are asked to wait and watch for the coming of the Lord yet again. The next four weeks present an opportunity for each of us as we gather as a community and celebrate the birth of Christ and the hope of Christ’s return. This week, we get the chance to see what God’s people say when they are in the shadow of the incarnation. The people of God are restless and in dire need of salvation and liberation. That salvation and liberation will come for the captive Israel. But what about in our lives? Do we ever feel like we are looking out into the world wondering where God is in the midst of all the hardships? Well join us this week as we hear what the people of God have proclaimed in the past and what we can expect and hope for in this Advent season.

Yours in Christ

Brandon

STEWARDSHIP 2024

Pledge cards are available in the Narthex. There is a list of names next to the cards;

please sign to indicate that you have picked one up. We are only mailing cards to those who are homebound or who have not attended in person recently. The deadline for returning your cards is Sunday, December 10, during Morning Worship.

MISSION COLLECTION REQUESTS

We have begun collecting can food items and other staples for our two families from Good Sam. We only have one family as of now, but we will continue to receive can goods and other staples for their Christmas meals.

We are also 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 and other clothing items are appreciated.

Can goods and used winter clothing items can be placed in the Heritage Room. We will have bins or totes available for collected items.

We will once again be sponsoring our annual Mitten Tree for other winter items of gloves, mitten, scarves, hat and socks that can be distributed to West Main Street Christian Church or to Good Sam. The Mitten Tree is in the side entry awaiting for these warm items we are seeking.

ALTERNATIVE GIVING / GIFTING IDEAS

With holiday shopping season in full force, there are alternative resources for giving, not only for friends and family, but also to those who are in need worldwide. The following are just a few of those you may want to consider.

The Presbyterian Giving Catalog (Small Gifts, Big Impact)

- https://presbyteriangifts.pcusa.org/

Heifer International Gift Catalog: Holiday Giving Guide

- https://www.heifer.org/gift-catalog/index.html

Gifts of Joy from Save the Children - http://savethechildren.org/ (select gift catalog)

World Vision Gift Catalog - https://donate.worldvision.org/giftcatalog

Church World Service Best Gift - http://cwsbestgift.org

UPCOMING DECEMBER WALK

Additional walks are being planned: Wednesday, December 6th @ 11 am we will take a leisurely stroll through Founder's Park which will be decorated for the Christmas holidays. The group may share a lunch together afterward each walk.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

The Adult Sunday School class is reading and discussing John Shelby Spong’s Born of a Woman which challenges the doctrine of the virgin birth, tracing its development in the early Christian church and revealing its legacy in our contemporary attitudes toward women and female sexuality. Please order a copy of the book soon; it is available online from various sources and bookstores.

The class meets in the Poteat Library at 10 am. If you wish to join the class there is always room for one more.

LUNCH BUNCH / FOOD NEWS

The Lunch Bunch Schedule for DECEMBER

December 3 @ Cootie Brown's Campus

December 10 @ El Charolais

December 17 - Lasagna Christmas Fellowship Lunch

December 24 - open

December 31 @ Wok & Hibachi

PLEASE NOTE: members are requested to bring desserts

for the Lasagna Christmas Fellowship Lunch

THERE IS A WINTER SCHEDULE 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 MONTH (noted when online)

Sunday, December 3, 2023 - First Sunday in Advent / Communion

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

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

12:30 pm Lunch Bunch @ Cootie Brown's Campus (1404 West State of Franklin Blvd, JC)

Monday, December 4, 2023

NO Bible Study this evening

6 pm ETSU / U-Kirk supper furnished by WAPC

Wednesday, December 5, 2023

11 am Walk / stroll @ Founder's Park / lunch afterwards

4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)

6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal

Thursday, December 6, 2023

10 am PW meeting at the home of Linda Brashear

Sunday, December 10, 2023 - Second Sunday in Advent

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

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

12:30 pm Lunch Bunch @ El Charolais

Monday, December 11, 2023

6 pm Bible Study

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

6 pm Session Meeting

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)

6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal

Sunday, December 17, 2023 - Third Sunday in Advent

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

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

12:15 pm Lasagna Christmas Fellowship Lunch

Monday, December 18, 2023

6 pm Bible Study

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)

6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal

Sunday, December 24, 2023 - Fourth Sunday in Advent / Christmas Eve

No Adult Sunday School this week

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

12:30 pm Lunch Bunch - open

Monday, December 25, 2023 - Christmas Day

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)

NO Chancel Choir rehearsal

Sunday, December 31, 2023 - New Year's Eve

No Adult Sunday School this week

11 am Morning Worship, Rev. Lee Clements, Guest Minister (in-person YouTube / Facebook)

12:30 pm Lunch Bunch - Wok & Hibachi

Monday, January 1, 2024 - New Year's Day

Visit our calendar

SESSION NOTES

December Elder of the Month - Sherry Bailey

Next Session meeting - Tuesday, December 12 @ 6 pm

FINANCIAL UPDATE

[2023 Annual Budget - $ 177,600

Budget through November 30, Week #48 ($163,939)

Receipts $ 148,829.89

Disbursements -$ 152,839.97

Balance $ - 4,010.08

Thanks to everyone for your continued support the church with your tithes and offerings. You are encouraged to mail your pledge to us or to drop it by the church office during regular business hours. Please note that our financial cushion has dwindled, so please make sure you are up-to-date with your pledges. Thanks.

Please remember the 5 Cents per Meal Offering this week

and every first Sunday of the Month. We will receive the special PC(USA) offering

for the Christmas Joy offering on December 17th.

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

December 7 - David Ramquist

December 15 - Carl Krell

December 25 - Nancy Spahr

December 29 - Karen Clark

December 30 - Pat Mooney

December 31 - Jennifer Wood

DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

December 4 - Hugh & Lynn Broome

December 18 - Tommy & Anne Causey

December 20 - Dick & Theresa Lura (43rd)

December 27 - Lanny & Linda Brashear (56th)

THE 2023 FLOWER LIST IS AVAILABLE ON THE BULLETIN BOARD IN THE SIDE ENTRY

Request Chancel Flowers

THOUGHTS & PRAYERS

For Friends and Loved Ones

Lynn Broome; Alynda Worrell-Welch’s mother-in-law, Shelly Welch; ; the Hughes family for son-in-law Bryce Bennett, and Debi's foster mother, Janet Vencel in Ohio; Marty Shanks; George, Jo & Nikki Rolling; Theresa Lura; Camilla Lyle's brother, Jeff McFee; Jonathan Sharp; Don Loughry; Rev. Maggie Lauterer; Sarah Suptin; Kelly Hodges.; Heather Hughes; Edna Campbell.

Prayers for others

Continued prayers for all those that suffer from wars or threats of wars, those experiencing natural disasters, and those under oppression and marginalization. This includes, but is not limited to places such as: Ukraine, Palestine, Russia, Ukraine, Acapulco, Dominican Republic, and the Philippines. Faithful God, surround us with you everlasting arms. Hear our cries of despair, heed our calls for justice, and do not let us lose hope. In the name of Jesus, our Savoir. Amen.

Submit Prayer Requests

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Does anyone remember what year was this?

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.

Ancient-Future Time: Forming Spirituality Through the Christian Year

By Robert E. Webber

(263/WEB)

Millions of Christians worldwide follow the liturgical Christian calendar in their worship services and in their own personal devotions. The seasons of the Christian year connect believers of diverse backgrounds and offer the sense of unity Jesus desired.

Robert Webber believes that we can get even more out of the Christian calendar. He contends that through its rich theological meanings the Christian year can become a cycle for evangelism and spiritual formation. He offers pastors, church leaders, and those of the "younger evangelical" mind-set practical steps to help achieve this end, including preaching texts and worship themes for Lent, Easter, Pentecost, Advent, and Christmas.

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 $65 each.

e-Avenue deadline - Please submit information to church office ( office@wataugapc.org or 926-7942) for the January2024 issue of the e-AVENUE no later than Friday, December 15th. 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.

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.)

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