|
GOOD NEWS AND WORSHIP UPDATE
MORNING WORSHIP
Sunday, January 22, 2023 @ 11 am
Sermon - "I Am the Good Shepherd" | Scripture reading - John 10:1-21
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 | |
ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING - JANUARY 29th
Our Annual Congregational Business Meeting and Souper Lunch will be held on Sunday, January29th following Morning Worship. Please be there!
| |
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
UPCOMING READ
The Adult Sunday School class has begun reading and discussion Adam Nicolson's book, "God's Secretaries: The Making of the King James Bible."
The class meets in the Poteat Library at 10 am. If you wish to join the class in the coming year there is always room for one more.
| |
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 22 @ Rainbow Asian Cuisine
January 29 @ Annual Congregational Business Meeting & Souper Lunch
Our February potluck on Sunday the 26th will have a St Patrick's theme so start planning what Irish dishes you might bring.
| |
FROM THE PASTOR
In 2023, in Tennessee, it is unlikely that we know someone that works as a shepherd. However, in the Ancient Near East, the listeners to Jesus’ preaching and teaching would have been intimately familiar with that profession. Therefore, it makes total sense that Jesus draws on the familiarity when he says “I AM the Good Shepherd” in John 10. The Word that became flesh and blood and moved into our neighborhood came as the Good Shepherd so that we can hear his voice, leading us to life. The shepherd leads in front and calls the sheep to follow. And Jesus is calling each of us and all of us into abundant life.
Yours in Christ,
Brandon
| |
HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE COMING WEEK | |
|
Saturday, January 21, 2023
5 pm Special Mission Presentation & Potluck Dinner @ Covenant Presbyterian Church
Sunday, January 22, 2023
10 am Adult Sunday School - reading "God's Secretaries" by Adam Nicolson
11 am Morning Worship, Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor (in-person YouTube / Facebook)
12:30 pm Lunch Bunch @ Rainbow Asian Cuisine
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)
6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal
Sunday, January 29, 2023
10 am Adult Sunday School - reading "God's Secretaries" by Adam Nicolson
11 am Morning Worship, Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor (in-person YouTube / Facebook)
12:15 pm Annual Congregational Business Meeting & Souper Lunch
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
10 am PW 5th Tuesday Work Day
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)
6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal
Thursday, February 2, 2023
10 am PW Circle @ the home of Nancy Fennell
Friday, February 3, 2023
10 am Tusculum Theologian-in-Residence series (in person & visa Zoom)(see note below)
Saturday, February 4, 2023
9 am Holston Presbytery Meeting @ Tusculum University, Greeneville
| |
FUN NEWS
If you are looking for something to do, our own Dick Lura is playing Norman Thayer in the upcoming production of "On Golden Pond" at the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre from January 20th - February 5th. You might want to check out a performance. Break a leg Dick!! For information visit - http://www.jonesboroughtheatre.com/on-golden-pond
| |
5th TUESDAY - PERSONAL HYGIENE BAGS
Tuesday, January 31st will be our first PW 5th Tuesday Work Day of 2023. We will be making more Hygiene bags for 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. Highlighted items are especially needed. The items you bring should be placed in the Mission Team room just off the Heritage Room.
| |
SPECIAL INVITATION FROM COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - January 21st
Grace and Peace!
Covenant Presbyterian Church is hosting a visit from our Mission Co-Workers at the US/Mexico border on January 21st and 22nd. Mark and Miriam Adams Maldonado have been involved with the ministry of Frontera de Cristo for 25 years, working to foster a community of hospitality, justice, and compassion on both sides of the border.
There will be a Mission Presentation and Potluck Dinner on Saturday, Jan. 21, beginning at 5:00pm. As friends of Covenant, we wanted to extend this invitation to your church & worshipping communities as well. Come to learn more about immigration and this unique ministry, and share food, fun, and fellowship!
If you have any questions, feel free to let me know.
Blessings to you on this last day of Christmastide!
Rev. Maggie Rust
| |
TUSCULUM THEOLOGIAN-IN-RESIDENCE FEBRUARY 2023
For over 30 years Tusculum has sponsored the Theologian-in-Residence Series. The theme for this year's lecture series is "The Satan and the Forces of Evil" led by Dr. Ryan Stokes, director of graduate theological studies and associate professor of Biblical Studies at Carson-Newman University. They will be held in person and via Zoom.
The series will consist of four lectures on Fridays in February beginning at 10 am:
February 3 - "The Origin of Satan: the Satan in the Old Testament"
February 10 - "Fallen Angels, Evil Spirits and Demons"
February 17 - "The Satan in the Dead Sea Scrolls and Other Early Jewish Writings"
February 24 - "Satan in the New Testament'
It is necessary to register in advance so they have an accurate headcount for seating, and more importantly for each of the lunches. If you plan to join by Zoom, please be sure to provide your email address. Please contact Kim Kidwell, Associate Vice President of Institutional Advancement at 423-636-0525 or 423-636-7303 x5788 (office) or 423-525-7745 (cell). Or you may send an email to kkidwell@tusculum.edu.
| |
THANKS SALLY FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR WAPC | |
We will miss you Sally, but we know you won't be far away. In fact, you have already invited us to drop by your new place at Mars Hill Manor just across the border in NC anytime we are passing that way. Thanks again! | |
GENERAL FUND: YEAR TO DATE: | |
|
[2023 Annual Budget - $ 177,600
Budget through January 20th, Week #3 ($10,246)
Receipts $ 17,020.71
Disbursements -$ 9,801.62
Balance $ 7,219.09
| |
CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS for 2022
PLEASE NOTE: If you pledged or made contributions to the church, year-end statements are ready to be picked up. They will be available in the narthex on Sunday morning. If you do not pick yours up, it will be mailed to you this next week. Thanks for your contributions!
| | |
|
|
JANUARY / FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
January 25 - Hugh Broome
February 1 - Pat Locke
February 2 - Caitlin Bailey Smith
February 3 - Bob Danks
February 6 - Sue Ellen Sheffield
February 9 - Alice Burrell
JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES
January 22 - Bob & Suzanne Caponero
The Chancel flowers were given
in honor of
Sally Gerhardt
by the Presbyterian Women (PW).
PLEASE NOTE: THE 2023 FLOWER LIST IS AVAILABLE ON THE BULLETIN BOARD IN THE SIDE ENTRY
| |
PRAYER PARTNER PROGRAM
There has been some interest in reviving the Prayer Partner Program with some modification to fit our current needs. Please think about this. More details to follow. Letters and forms will be distributed within the next several weeks. We hope that many of you will sign up.
| |
|
For Friends
Janice Hollingshead (severe burns); 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.; Edna Campbell.
PLEASE NOTE: several have called to ask, but you can read updates to Janice Hollingshead's condition and progress on her daughter's Facebook page - Melinda Honeycutt.
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 U.S. including various storms and weather phenomena including earthquakes, flooding and landslides in California, and severe tornados in Alabama & Georgia; and the various complex humanitarian disasters worldwide for 2023 include: Somalia (hunger); Ethiopia (drought); Afghanistan (economic); Democratic Republic of Congo (armed conflict); Yemen (economic and hunger); Syria (health crisis); South Sudan (food); Burkina Faso (armed conflict); Haiti (gang violence and hunger); Ukraine (displacement) 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/
INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE - https://rescue.org
US FEMA - DECLARED DISASTERS - https://www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations
| |
Who is this and what is happening here? Could it be important? | |
|
Plastic—invented less than a century ago—is now concerning researchers who have found this omnipresent pollutant can carry land-based pathogens to places throughout the ocean where they would normally never be found. The researchers studied microbeads, often found in cosmetics, and microfibers, found in clothing and fishing nets. Those that float can travel long distances, spreading pathogens far from their sources on land. Plastics that sink may concentrate pathogens near the bottom of the sea where filter-feeding animals like zooplankton, clams, mussels, oysters, abalone, and other shellfish live, increasing the likelihood of their ingesting plastic and pathogens.
To prevent microplastics from reaching the ocean, cities can step up storm water treatment technology, and manufacturers should follow best-management practices that capture waste. On the home front, consumers can avoid exfoliants, cleaners, and toothpaste that contain microbeads. They should also install filters on their washers and dryers. (GSN #132)
| |
VIRTUAL CREATION ACTIVITY OF THE WEEK | |
|
DISCOVER NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK, RWANDA
TRAVEL RWANDA (JULY 2013 | 2:05 min.)
One of the oldest rainforests in Africa, Nyungwe is rich in biodiversity and spectacularly beautiful. The mountainous region is teaming with wildlife, including a small population of chimpanzees as well as 12 other species of primate, including the L’Hoest’s monkey endemic to the Albertine Rift.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHSorync2FI
EXPERIENCE AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK, RWANDA
AFRICAN PARKS (OCTOBER 2015 | 1:03 MIN.)
Akagera National Park is Central Africa’s largest protected wetland and the last remaining refuge for savannah-adapted species in Rwanda.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edqH92aeIuM
| |
|
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 Great Shift: Encountering God in Biblical Times
By James L. Kugel
(220.9/KUG)
Why does the Bible depict a world in which humans, with surprising regularity, encounter the divine—wrestling an angel, addressing a burning bush, issuing forth prophecy without any choice in the matter?
These stories spoke very differently to their original audience than they do to us, and they reflect a radically distinct understanding of reality and the human mind. Yet over the course of the thousand-year Biblical Era, encounters with God changed dramatically.
As James L. Kugel argues, this transition allows us to glimpse a massive shift in human experience—the emergence of the modern, Western sense of self.
In this landmark work, Kugel fuses revelatory close readings of ancient texts with modern scholarship from a range of fields, including neuroscience, anthropology, psychology, and archaeology, to explain the origins of belief, worship, and the sense of self, and the changing nature of God through history.
In the tradition of books like The Swerve and The Better Angels of Our Nature,The Great Shift tells the story of a revolution in human consciousness and the enchantment of everyday life. This book will make believers and seekers think differently not just about the Bible, but about the entire history of the human imagination.
| |
|
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 February issue of the e-AVENUE, no later than Wednesday, January 18tth. 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. | | |
|
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.) | | | | |
