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GOOD NEWS AND WORSHIP UPDATE
MORNING WORSHIP
Sunday, February 19, 2023 @ 11 am
Sermon - "I AM the Way and the Truth and the Life"
Scripture reading - John 14:1-14
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.
Please note: There will be an Ash Wednesday Service in the Sanctuary
at 6 pm on February 22rd.
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SPECIAL NEWS AND INFORMATION | |
LENTEN SERVICES / STUDY
Mark your calendars. Plans are being made to have Lenten programs and services with Covenant. Covenant will have an Ash Wednesday service at 12 noon on February 22, while WAPC will have their service at 6 pm that evening.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant changes to the way people live their daily lives, including how they worship and gather as a church community. In the midst of these changes, the importance of the church being a beloved community that shares love and fellowship has become even more evident. The church has always been a place where people can come together to worship, find comfort, and build relationships with one another. However, during the pandemic, this sense of community has been disrupted, and many people have felt isolated and disconnected. So in this season of Lent, with Covenant Presbyterian Church, we will be hosting a weekly study that explores what it means to be the Church by looking at a diverse group of theologians and scripture. And we hope that you will join us!
The Monday evening Lenten Study is being planned from February 27 through April 3 to be alternated between WAPC and Covenant. The first meeting on February 27th will take place at 6 pm in the WAPC Fellowship Hall downstairs. A final listing of theme and subject for each session will be forthcoming. Maundy Thursday on April 6th will be at Covenant and Good Friday on April 7th will be at WAPC. Look forward to seeing you here.
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PRAYER PARTNER PROGRAM
The new Prayer Partner program has been announced with forms distributed by email and in the bulletin. If you wish to participate, please complete the form and place it in the offering basket in the Narthex, drop it by the Church Office or send it via email to office@wataugapc.org . The deadline for signing up is Sunday, February 19th.
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ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
The Adult Sunday School class is reading and discussing 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.
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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!!
February 19 @ El Charolais (1805 West State of Franklin - Kroger Plaza South)
February 26 @ Saint Patrick's Fellowship Potluck Lunch (Irish dishes welcomed)
Our February potluck on Sunday the 26th will have a St Patrick's theme so start planning what Irish dishes you might bring.
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HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE COMING WEEK | |
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Friday, February 17, 2023
10 am Tusculum Theologian-in-Residence series (in person & visa Zoom)(see note below)
Sunday, February 19, 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 @ El Charolais
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
7 pm Session Meeting
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 - Ash Wednesday
12 noon Ash Wednesday Service @ Covenant PC
4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)
6 pm Ash Wednesday Service @ WAPC
6:45 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal
Thursday, February 23, 2023
3 pm Green Team meeting (via Zoom)
Friday, February 24, 2023
10 am Tusculum Theologian-in-Residence series (in person & visa Zoom)(see note below)
Sunday, February 26, 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 Fellowship Potluck Lunch - St Patrick's theme - bring an Irish dish !
Monday, February 27, 2023
6 pm Lenten Study in Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)
6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal
Thursday, March 2, 2023
10 am PW meeting @ WAPC (hosted by Ginger Helm & Phyl Summers)
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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 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.
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GENERAL FUND: YEAR TO DATE: | |
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[2023 Annual Budget - $ 177,600
Budget through February 17, Week #7 ($23,908)
Receipts $ 28,360.71
Disbursements -$ 23,546.12
Balance $ 4,814.59
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FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
February 16 - Carolyn Hawk
February 20 - Phil Brandt & Stephen Patrick
February 24 - Jenny Darling
The Chancel flowers were given
in loving memory of
Henry Houston Patrick
(14 February 1920 – 17 February 2003)
and Christine Cashion Patrick
(24 December 1926 – 11 February 2013)
by their son, Stephen Allan Patrick.
PLEASE NOTE: THE 2023 FLOWER LIST IS AVAILABLE ON THE BULLETIN BOARD IN THE SIDE ENTRY
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For Friends
Prayers for the Higgs family with the recent death of Irene "Remy" Higgs this week; Sally Gerhardt; Laura Songer Mazzenga's nephew, Derek Miles who will be undergoing surgery; Carl Krell and family for the recent loss of his sister, Doris Krell Christie; Fred Burrell ; Janice Hollingshead; 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 (recovering from stem cell transplant surgery); 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.
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; extreme rainfall / flooding in New Zealand; 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); Myanmar (humanitarian); Lebanon (economic). The victims and survivors of the recent devastating earthquake in southeast Turkey and northern Syria. And especially prayers for our nation and for strength, endurance, faith and courage for all.
Special Prayers for the Women of Afghanistan
Currently, Afghanistan ranks 170th out of 170 countries for women’s inclusion, justice and security. Contributing to the crisis are chilling announcements from the Taliban banning women from attending university and working for NGOs like the International Rescue Committee. The latter decision forced the IRC and other NGOs to suspend services, because they cannot deliver services without female staff.
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
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Who are these happy people? | |
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There are roughly 2,000 species of fireflies, each with its own characteristic flash pattern that it uses to communicate. Some glow in unison as part of their mating ritual, a natural phenomenon that occurs in a handful of places, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Unfortunately the lights of many firefly species are in danger of flickering out. Threats to the bioluminescent beetles include habitat loss, pesticides, and paradoxically, a growing firefly tourism industry. Roughly 1 million people seek out the bugs' dazzling courtship displays each year. Light pollution from headlamps and vehicles can hinder mating success, and pairs that perch on low vegetation are easily trampled.
COVID-19 lockdowns gave the fireflies in the Smokies a respite. More males and females found one another in the darkness, so more eggs were laid and more clutches likely survived. However, more important than a temporary breather is the ongoing land protection work in the region. For two decades The Nature Conservancy has partnered with public agencies and private landowners to preserve more than 10,000 acres connecting portions of national forests and state wildlife management areas with the national park. These efforts safeguard key habitat, create natural pathways, and eliminate threats posed to a number of species including fireflies. (GSN #136)
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WALK AT KINGS COMMONS
The group had a wonderful time on their walk yesterday. Nice weather and good fellowship. They hope that you will join them next time.
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VIRTUAL CREATION ACTIVITY OF THE WEEK | |
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NATURAL BEAUTY OF THAILAND
AO PHANG NGA MARINE NATIONAL PARK
CHANNELING NATURE (OCTOBER 2021 | 7:06 min.)
Declared as a marine national park in 1981, Ao Phang Nga National Park is situated along the coast of Phang-Nga Province south of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. The popular attractions are James Bond Island, other picturesque limestone karst islands, a number of white sandy beaches and a few caves. The turquoise waters surrounding the islands are consistently calm, very ideal for canoeing. There are interesting canoeing spots that are sea level caves, leading to inland lagoons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uru34pWTetE
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IN THE POTEAT LIBRARY
NOTE: The books donated by Sally Gerhardt are currently in process; those books not being added to the library collection are being placed on a book truck in the Heritage Room for your browsing and taking. 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.
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The Canon of Scripture
By F.F. Bruce
(220.1/BRU)
Winner of two 1990 Christianity Today Awards: Readers' Choice (1st place; theology & doctrine) and Critics' Choice (1st place; theology & doctrine). A 1989 ECPA Gold Medallion Award winner!
How did the books of the Bible come to be recognized as Holy Scripture? Who decided what shape the canon should take? What criteria influenced these decisions? After nearly nineteen centuries the canon of Scripture still remains an issue of debate.
Protestants, Catholics and the Orthodox all have slightly differing collections of documents in their Bibles. Martin Luther, one of the early leaders of the Reformation, questioned the inclusion of the book of James in the canon. And many Christians today, while confessing the authority of all of Scripture, tend to rely on only a few books and particular themes while ignoring the rest.
Scholars have raised many other questions as well. Research into second-century Gnostic texts have led some to argue that politics played a significant role in the formation of the Christian canon. Assessing the influence of ancient communities and a variety of disputes on the final shaping of the canon call for ongoing study.
In this significant historical study, F. F. Bruce brings the wisdom of a lifetime of reflection and biblical interpretation to bear in answering the questions and clearing away the confusion surrounding the Christian canon of Scripture. Adept in both Old and New Testament studies, he brings a rare comprehensive perspective to his task.
Though some issues have shifted since the original publication of this book, it still remains a significant landmark and touchstone for further studies.
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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 March issue of the e-AVENUE, no later than Wednesday, February 15tth. 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.) | | | | |
