SHARE:  

Issue #449

The Weekly AVENUE

December 5, 2024

GOOD NEWS AND WORSHIP UPDATE

MORNING WORSHIP


Second Sunday in Advent, December 8, 2024 @ 11 am

Sermon: "Prepare the Way"

Scripture reading: Luke 3:1-6

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.

 

ELDER OF THE MONTH FOR DECEMBER - SHERRY BAILEY

* PLEASE NOTE: CHECK OUT OUR NEWLY UPDATED WEBSITE

https://wataugapc.org

SPECIAL NEWS AND INFORMATION

SERMON NOTES


This Sunday is the second Sunday in the Season of Advent. The Sunday of Peace! Remember, Advent is this time of waiting and preparation and this week, the focus is on the peace that Christ brings to our hearts and to the world. As we explore that, we come to a section of scripture detailing an encounter with John the Baptist. He calls us to prepare the way of the Lord and reminds us of God's promise to make all things new through the peaceful Kingdom of Heaven. So, join us this week as we again light the candles and tell the stories of the God of the Universe moving into our neighborhood. 

May God Bless

Brandon

BIBLE STUDY ADVENT SERIES - THROUGH DECEMBER 16TH


ADVENT DREAMS FOR CHRISTBEARING PEOPLE

Join Laura Huff Hileman for our Monday night Advent series in which we explore the Matthew dreams (plus a few visions and angels from Luke). You’ll learn a bit about the ancient-but-new Christian spiritual practice of dreamwork; hear some insights from Carl Jung; and practice listening and responding to your own dreams.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL


This series follows a Yale University on-line course on ”New Testament History and Literature” with Dr. Dale Martin who was the Woolsey Professor of Religious Studies at Yale. This 26 part series began the first Sunday in August.  The series has 8 sessions remaining. The class welcomes any who are interested in joining us at 9:45 a.m. in the Conference Room. 

CALLED CONGREGATIONAL MEETING on DECEMBER 15TH


A Called Congregational Meeting has been scheduled for December 15th immediately following Morning Worship to hear the report of the Nominating Committee with candidates for the Elder Class of 2027 and new members of the Nominating Committee. 

SPECIAL NEEDS


Anna Gerhardt, Sally's daughter lives in Barnardsville, NC. She has asked our help to assist with various items for her work. Her ongoing basic needs are diapers for premmie / newborn through 1 year. She will keep us informed of other needs as they arise. Thank you all for your generosity during this time. 

MISSION COMMITTEE REQUESTS


The Mission committee is requesting that members and friends of the congregation assist them in collecting can goods and other non-perishable food items The food we are giving the families for Thanksgiving has been purchased and will be delivered following worship on Sunday. We will continue to collect and gather can goods and other non-perishable food items for their Christmas. We have the names of the three families; family information on their Christmas needs will be posted on the Mission bulletin board in the side entrance hallway. 

With Advent just a week away we know that everyone loves to help us decorate our Mitten Tree with winter items that will be given to various agencies serving the needy and homeless.  We will be looking for mittens, gloves, scarves, hats or caps, socks and other items.  The Mitten tree will be placed in the side entrance hall by December 1st.  Thanks to all who participate.

PW MEETING ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7


Members of PW are encouraged to bring Christmas ornaments, recipes and stories to the December meeting that can be shared with others. The meeting begins at 10 am in the Fellowship Hall.

WAPC INTERPRETATIONS FOR JANUARY


Prompt: "Pick a Number"

Next Month:

Tuesday, January 7, 2024

"You don’t have to

be a mathematician to have a feel for numbers."

- John Forbes Nash


The December meeting was cancelled so the prompt for January remains the same as before. If anyone wants the fuller prompt information, please contact the office and it can be emailed to you.

LUNCH BUNCH / UPCOMING FOOD NEWS


 December 8 – El Charolais

December 15 – Christmas Fellowship Lunch

 December 22 – Tommy Thai

December 29– White Duck Taco



A WINTER LUNCH BUNCH SCHEDULE (December-January-February) is posted 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

HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE COMING WEEK

Please note: If you have committee meetings or other church events planned for December, please let the office know before Tuesday noon, November 26th for the December calendar in next Week's e-AVENUE. Thanks.

Saturday, December 7, 2024

10 am PW meeting (in Fellowship Hall)

Sunday, December 8, 2024 - SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT

9:45 am Adult Sunday School / Open Yale series "New Testament History and Literature"

10:30 am Café WAPC (in the Heritage Room)

11 am Morning Worship, Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor

12:15 pm Growth Committee (in Conference Room)

12:15 pm Finance / Stewardship Committee (in the Parlor)

12:30 pm Lunch Bunch @ El Charolais

Monday, December 9, 2024

6 pm Bible Study Advent Series w / Laura Huff Hilerman (in Conference Room)

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

6 pm Session meeting (in Fellowship Hall)

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

11 am Green Walk @ Kings Commons (meet in children's park in front of public library)

4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)

6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal

Sunday, December 15, 2024 - THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT

9:45 am Adult Sunday School / Open Yale series "New Testament History and Literature"

10:30 am Café WAPC (in the Heritage Room)

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

12 noon Called Congregational Meeting to hear the report of the Nominating Committee

12:15 pm Christmas Fellowship Lunch 

Monday, December 16, 2024

6 pm Bible Study Advent Series w / Laura Huff Hilerman (in Conference Room)

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)

6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal

Founder's Park Christmas

JOHNSON CITY HOLIDAY TREES VOTING


The Candy Land Christmas trees are decorated by local businesses and non-profit organizations, showcasing the creativity and holiday cheer of the community. New this year, the Johnson City Junior Council — comprised of selected area sophomores and juniors — will vote for their favorite tree. In addition, Candy Land Christmas will

continue the tradition of a People’s Choice Award. Online voting will take through December 15th. The first-place winner will be awarded a complimentary tree for the 2025 Candy Land Christmas. To vote, visit www.johnsoncitytn.org/treevoting. WAPC is Tree 104.

FINANCIAL UPDATE

GENERAL FUND: YEAR TO DATE:

[2024 Annual Budget - $ 181,300

      Budget through December 6 / Week #48 ($167,353)

    Receipts $ 150,130.81

     Disbursements - $ 155,311.90

     Balance $ (- 5,181.09)

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

The Christmas Joy Offering honoring God's gift of Jesus Christ by providing assistance to current and retired church workers in their time of need will be taken during Advent this Sunday, December 8. 2024.

SESSION COMMITTEES and CHAIRS

      a. Connections - Sherry Bailey & Jenny Darling

      b. Finance – Nancy Fennell (meets quarterly)

      c. Growth – Karen Clark (meets 2nd Sunday of the month)

      d. Mission – Debi Hughes & Susan Turner (meets during Potluck lunch)

      e. Personnel – Wilsie Bishop (meets 1st Sunday of the month)

      f. Property– Dick Lura & Ed Snodderly

Next Session meeting - Tuesday, December 10, 2024 @ 6 pm

NOTE - Deadline for all Committee Annual Reports is Friday, January 10, 2025.

You are welcome to submit them earlier.

THOUGHTS & PRAYERS & JOYS

For Friends and Family

The Songers' grandson, Levi Songer (back surgery); Matthew Clark's friend, Mark Finucane; Camilla and Messina Lyle; Camilla Lyle's brother, Jeff McFee; Karen Clark's brother-in-law, Mark Hanna;  Alynda Worrell-Welch’s mother-in-law, Shelly Welch; George, Jo & Nikki Rolling; Don Loughry; Rev. Maggie Lauterer; Sarah Suptin; Kelly Hodges.; Heather Hughes; Edna Campbell.

Prayers for Others

Special prayers for our nation and for strength, endurance, faith and courage for all in the upcoming elections this week with a peaceful outcome. Continue to pray for the people in Ukraine as they continue their fight against the Russian Invasion. For the ongoing humanitarian emergency between Israel and the Palestinians of Gaza that has spread to Lebanon and Iran. Ongoing clean-up and recovery from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Continue to pray for others in peril or suffering from natural disasters, hunger, poverty, wars and political conflict. May God Bless!

Prayer Requests

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.

The Lost Gutenberg Bible

By Margaret Leslie Davis

(093/DAV)


"An addictive and engaging look at the ‘competitive, catty and slightly angst-ridden’ heart of the world of book collecting.” - The Houston Chronicle 

For rare-book collectors, an original copy of the Gutenberg Bible—of which there are fewer than 50 in existence—represents the ultimate prize. Here, Margaret Leslie Davis recounts five centuries in the life of one copy, from its creation by Johannes Gutenberg, through the hands of monks, an earl, the Worcestershire sauce king, and a nuclear physicist to its ultimate resting place, in a steel vault in Tokyo. Estelle Doheny, the first woman collector to add the book to her library and its last private owner, tipped the Bible onto a trajectory that forever changed our understanding of the first mechanically printed book.

The Lost Gutenberg draws readers into this incredible saga, immersing them in the lust for beauty, prestige, and knowledge that this rarest of books sparked in its owners. Exploring books as objects of obsession across centuries, this is a must-read for history buffs, book collectors, seekers of hidden treasures, and anyone who has ever craved a remarkable book—and its untold stories.

 

REMINDERS

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. 


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 Sunday, December 15th. 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.

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.)