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GOOD NEWS AND WORSHIP UPDATE
MORNING WORSHIP
Sunday, March 5, 2023 @ 11 am
Second Sunday in Lent / Communion
Sermon - "I AM the True Vine" | Scripture reading - John 15:1-17
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.
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SPECIAL NEWS AND INFORMATION | |
LENTEN THOUGHTS
In the Gospel of John, 7 different times Jesus tells his disciples who he was, who he is, and who he will be using I Am Statements. I am the bread of life. I am the light of the world. I am the door for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I am the resurrection and the life. I am the way, the truth, and the life. And in our series on this Gospel we have come to the final time that Jesus uses this phrase to say I am the true vine. And in this same passage, Jesus no longer calls his disciples servants, but instead calls them friends. What a friend we have in Jesus, what a friend we have in the great I AM!
Yours In Christ,
Brandon
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LENTEN SERVICES / STUDY
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 through April 3 to be alternated between WAPC and Covenant. The second meeting on March 6th will take place at 6 pm in the Covenant 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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ADDITIONAL LENTEN STUDY SERIES
Mark your calendars for Meditations on Love, the meditation circle being led by Rev. Lee Clements, Becky Keeler, and Mark McCalman to be held each Sunday evening in Lent (Feb. 26 - April 2) in the Jonesborough PC Fellowship Hall at 5:30 PM and last approximately 30 minutes. These services will complement the current book study on “The Great Spiritual Migration: How the World’s Largest Religion is Seeking a Better Way to Be Christian” by Brian McLaren. Themes for the meditations will focus on The Greatest Commandments: love for God, self, and neighbor. We invite you for prayers, scripture, singing, and silence that open our hearts to Jesus’ teachings and examples of love in action
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ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
The Adult Sunday School class is currently 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
The Lunch Bunch / Meal Schedule for MARCH
March 5 @ Freiberg's (203 E. Main Street, Downtown JC)
March 12 @ Mid-city Grill (106 S. Commerce Street, Downtown JC)
March 19 @ Carrabba's (175 Marketplace Blvd, North JC)
March 26 @ Fellowship Potluck Lunch
IF ANYONE HAS SUGGESTIONS FOR LUNCH BUNCH DINING IN 2023, PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE SO IT CAN BE ADDED TO THE LIST!!
Please note: our annual Church in the Park Father's Day service and picnic will return this year on Sunday, June 18 at the Meredith Pavilion / Winged Deer Park.
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COFFEE IN THE LIBRARY
Coffee in the Library will be scheduled for at least one Sunday each month following morning worship to give everyone an opportunity for fellowship and to browse our eclectic collection. New books are currently being added thanks to some donations and through purchase. Books are available for checkout for your convenience.
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HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE COMING WEEK | |
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Thursday, March 2, 2023
10 am PW meeting @ WAPC (hosted by Ginger Helm & Phyl Summers)
Sunday, March 5, 2023 - Second Sunday in Lent
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 Coffee in the Library
12:30 pm Lunch Bunch @ Freiberg's
Monday, March 6, 2023
6 pm Lenten Study @ Covenant PC Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)
6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal
Sunday, March 12, 2023 - Third Sunday in Lent - DAYLIGHT SAVINGS BEGINS
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 @ Mid-City Grill
Monday, March 13, 2023
6 pm Lenten Study @ WAPC Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
7 pm Session meeting
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)
6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal
Saturday, March 18, 2023
9:30 am Loaves & Fishes preparation at WAPC
3:30 pm Loaves & Fishes serving @ West Street Main Street Christian Church
Sunday, March 19, 2023 - Fourth Sunday in Lent
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 @ Carrabba's
2 pm Afternoon walk at Willow Springs Park (located off West Walnut & Huffine Road)
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GENERAL FUND: YEAR TO DATE: | |
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[2023 Annual Budget - $ 177,600
Budget through March 3, Week #9 ($30,739)
Receipts $ 67,880.49
Disbursements -$ 29,017.63
Balance $ 38,862.86
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MARCH BIRTHDAYS
March 9 - Ginger Helm
March 13 - Phyllis Summers
March 21 - Rev. Bob Lowry
MARCH ANNIVERSARIES
March 12 - Dave & Terry Beckman
March 20 - Phil & Marsha Brandt
PLEASE NOTE: THE 2023 FLOWER LIST IS AVAILABLE ON THE BULLETIN BOARD IN THE SIDE ENTRY
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For Friends
Sally Gerhardt (in rehab); Beth Gerhardt's friend Teri Chapa and son, Ormar Torres; Karen Martin's mother, Doris Martin; Jonathan Sharp; Michelle Browning's step-father, Rick Elm; 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); Sue Shanks' friend Judy Klein; Sarah Suptin; church neighbor, Dorothy Harvey; Kelly Hodges.; Edna Campbell.
UPDATE on Sally (no longer in Mars Hill) - new transitional address - Givens Estates (Skilled Nursing & Short Term Rehabilitation), 600 Barrett Lane, Asheville, NC 28803. Currently in Room 208 and phone 828-552-5829.
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 heavy snowfall, tornadoes and high winds across California and Oregon, the Great Plains, Midwest and Northeast U.S, extreme rainfall / flooding in New Zealand and Sao Paulo, Brazil; 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 a recent second 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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Where is this and what are they doing? | |
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In New Mexico's Jemez Mountains, intensifying wildfires are driving efforts to make forests more resilient to climate change. In 2011, the Las Conshas fire burned 156,000 acres, leaving no surviving trees to naturally reseed the area. Now the Nature Conservancy and Native American Pueblos are gathering a million seeds from the healthiest trees in the hottest, driest sites. They are looking for trees that can withstand the harshest conditions rather than those that grow the tallest. Seedlings are drought-hardened in the nursery and then transplanted in sites most likely to experience favorable conditions as the climate heats up.
The project aims to engage youth and develop a workforce that can replenish seed reserves that are now more than 40 years old. It also prioritizes tree species and reforestation sites that are as important culturally as they are ecologically. (GSN #138)
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VIRTUAL CREATION ACTIVITY OF THE WEEK | |
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OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, WASHINGTON
MORE THAN JUST PARKS (May 2015 | 4:27 min.)
OLYMPIC is a visually stunning journey through Olympic National Park. This video is the culmination of a month spent backpacking through Olympic National Park. It is unlike any park on the planet offering glacial mountain peaks, old-growth rainforests, and over seventy miles of wilderness coast - all within a day's drive. Filming locations include: Hurricane Ridge, Obstruction Point, Hoh Rainforest, Quinalt Valley, Queets Valley, La Push, Ruby Beach, Crescent Lake, Staircase, Kalaloch, and more.
A Film by The Pattiz Brothers, Will & Jim.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jQ_eu3b_BA
More Than Just Parks - https://morethanjustparks.com/
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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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Breakfast with God: Inspirational Thoughts to Start Your Day God’s Way
By Honor Books, Inc.
(242/BRE)
Here's the nutritious spiritual breakfast you've been craving! These fresh one-a-day meditations give you a powerful combination of scriptures, stories, quotes, and other uplifting ingredients to get you going--and growing--in the right direction.
That cup of coffee may be the first thing your body craves in the morning, but your heart and your mind also need wake-up stimulation--from God's Word! From the Quiet Moments With God series of devotionals, Breakfast With God gives you a balanced beginning to every day. You'll find renewed enthusiasm, challenging direction and a quiet refuge on every page.
You wouldn't expect to make it through the morning without a nutritious breakfast, so why skimp on spiritual nourishment? Start your day with full-strength spiritual inspiration!
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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 April issue of the e-AVENUE, no later than Friday, April 17tth. 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.) | | | | |
