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GOOD NEWS AND WORSHIP UPDATE
MORNING WORSHIP
Sunday, May 14, 2023 @ 11 am
Sermon - "Seeking Security" | Scripture reading - Ruth chapter 3
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.
ELDER OF THE MONTH - DICK LURA
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SPECIAL NEWS AND INFORMATION | |
EASTERTIDE THOUGHTS
In the times of the judges, we hear of the story of two widows: Naomi and Ruth. There are returning to the house of bread, Bethlehem, because God is providing for God’s people. So Ruth goes, and gleans from the field of the Ish-Chayil, or man of valor, Boaz. There she finds safety and security through the providence of God. But Boaz is much more than a man of valor, he is a distant relative of Naomi. So will he become the means by which God redeems Ruth and Naomi? We come to the third chapter hoping and waiting for the conclusion of this story. So come and hear how God continues to provide for God’s people in food, security, and grace.
Yours In Christ,
Brandon
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ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
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The class has begun reading and discussing Philip Yancey's book, "Vanishing Grace: what ever happened to the Good News?" There is still time to join the class, just secure a copy of the book for yourself. Good used copies can be found on Amazon, as well as BetterWorldBooks.com.
The class meets in the Poteat Library at 10 am. If you wish to join the class there is always room for one more.
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SPREAD A LITTLE SUNSHINE
6th ANNUAL PLANT DISTRIBUTION PROJECT
Saturday, May 13th (depending on weather)
Deemed "Spread a Little Sunshine Campaign" by JCHA, everything is being prepared for us to do our annual plant distribution of tomatoes, peppers and marigolds, along with soil, to participating residents of the Johnson City Housing Authority. This is our sixth year working with both Evergreen Nurseries and the JCHA to bring a personal touch to the residents. There should be many requests with the delivery to approximately 125 households as we have done in past years. If there is no rain we will bag dirt from 8:30 - 10:00 am and begin delivering plants at 10 am. If it is to rain the dirt will be bagged prior to Saturday and delivery will begin at 10 am. Helpers should meet in the church parking lot to pick up their plants and supplies and get their route assignment. Members from Covenant Presbyterian Church have been invited to participate. We rejoice that this ministry is so well received and appreciated. Please contact Debi Hughes (423-794-8194) or the church office (423-926-7942) if you would like to assist. Thanks.
PLEASE NOTE: in case of rain the plant distribution will be postponed to a later date.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR JUNE 10th
On Saturday evening, June 10th, from 5:30 until 10:30 pm, everyone is invited to join David Robert Hughes, Carling Hughes Bennett and Sydney Hughes Adams for dinner and dancing at the Carnegie Hotel in celebration of the 40th wedding anniversary of their parents David and Debi Hughes. A joyous occasion not to be missed. Reservations are required. There will be a sign-up sheet in the side entry or you can call the church office to indicate your attendance. More details forthcoming.
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FOOD, FOOD AND MORE FOOD
The Lunch Bunch / Meal Schedule for MAY
May 14 @ Rainbow Asian Cuisine (2412 N. Roan Street, JC)
May 21 @ Fellowship Potluck Lunch (sign-up on bulletin board)
May 28 @ Carrabba's (175 Marketplace Blvd., JC)
IF ANYONE HAS SUGGESTIONS FOR OTHER DINING VENUES, PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE TO ADD THEM TO OUR LUNCH ROTATION. THANKS.
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SURVEYS FROM GENERAL ASSEMBLY
During the next several months a variety of General Assembly-mandated surveys will be distributed. The first is The GA-MC-12 CHANGING FAMILIES survey the is for members of the congregation and staff alike. This survey covers marriage and romantic relationships, family structures, and expressions of gender identity. For each of these sections, they ask about your statuses and identities, your thoughts and opinions on certain topics within these categories, and what you may need from the Church in terms of these topics. Your answers are entirely anonymous. They have absolutely no way of knowing who you are unless you tell them in one of the open-ended questions.
The link is https://surveys.pcusa.org/s3/Changing-Families-in-the-PC-USA
Please contact Research Services:research@pcusa.org if you have any technical issues with this survey. This survey will remain open through May 31st to allow churches ample time to share this survey with those in their fellowship. They thank you in advance for your patience and participation with the General Assembly mandated surveys.
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HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE COMING WEEK | |
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Saturday, May 13, 2023
8:30 - 10 am Bagging dirt in the church parking lot (weather permitting)
10 am Distribution of plants will begin
Sunday, May 14, 2023 - MOTHER'S DAY
10 am Adult Sunday School - reading "Vanishing Grace" by Philip Yancey
11 am Morning Worship, Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor (in-person YouTube / Facebook)
12:30 pm Lunch Bunch @ Rainbow Asian Cuisine (2412 N. Roan Street, JC)
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)
6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal
Sunday, May 21, 2023
10 am Adult Sunday School - reading "Vanishing Grace" by Philip Yancey
11 am Morning Worship, Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor (in-person YouTube / Facebook)
12:15pm Fellowship Potluck Lunch (sign-up sheet on bulletin board)
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
2 pm Green Team meeting (church parlor)
4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)
6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal
Sunday, May 28, 2023 - PENTECOST
10 am Adult Sunday School - reading "Vanishing Grace" by Philip Yancey
11 am Morning Worship, Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor (in-person YouTube / Facebook)
12:30 pm Lunch Bunch @ Carrabba's Italian Grill
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
10 am PW 5th Tuesday Work Day
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)
6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal
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GENERAL FUND: YEAR TO DATE: | |
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[2023 Annual Budget - $ 177,600
Budget through May 12, Week #19 ($ 64,892)
Receipts $ 88,450.49
Disbursements -$ 57,022.26
Balance $ 31,428.23
We will be receiving the PENTECOST special offering
on SUNDAY, MAY 28TH
The Pentecost Offering unites us in a church-wide effort to support young people (children at risk / youth / young adults) in Christ and inspire them to share their faith, ideas, and unique gifts with the church and the world. Please give generously!
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MAY BIRTHDAYS
May 17 - Sally Lagle Morris
May 18 - Jo Rolling & Megan Turner
May 21 - Terry Beckman
May 26 - Marcia Songer & May Votaw
MAY ANNIVERSARIES
May 16 - Brian Bonfardin & Virginia Farr
May 21 - Matthew & Karen Clark - 40th
ALSO NOTE: THE 2023 FLOWER LIST IS AVAILABLE ON THE BULLETIN BOARD IN THE SIDE ENTRY FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE IN REQUESTING CHANCEL FLOWERS.
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For Friends and Family
Sally Gerhardt; Beth Gerhardt's friend Teri Chapa and son, Omar Torres; Jonathan Sharp; Michelle Browning's step-father, Rick Elm; Fred Burrell; Janice Hollingshead; Don Loughry; George, Jo & Nikki Rolling; Rev. Maggie Lauterer; Sue Shanks' friend Judy Klein; Sarah Suptin; Kelly Hodges.; Heather Hughes; Edna Campbell.
Prayers for others
Continue to pray for the people in Ukraine as they continue their fight against the Russian Invasion. For the people Sudan as they are caught between an armed conflict between rival factions of the military government of Sudan. For the victims of gun violence and mass shootings in the United States: Allen, TX, Nashville, TN, Louisville, KY, and more. Prayers for U.S. troops and migrants seeking refuge along the southern U.S. border. 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
GLOBAL DISASTER ALERT & COORDINATION SYSTEM (GDACS) - https://gdacs.org
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This is from the wedding of Sydney Hughes and Jared Adams
at the Hughes home on May 16th, 2015.
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WEDDING SHOWER FOR
ALYNDA & ALEC - May 6th
A fun time was had by all who attended the Wedding Shower for Alynda Worrell and Alec Welch last Saturday, May 6th. Along with Alynda and Alec, there were members of Alynda's family and close friends, as well as a nice group of WAPC members. The food and desserts were delicious and the entertainment was exciting and challenging. We extend our congratulations and best wishes to Alynda and Alec.
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We know nature is in trouble, but finding solutions requires wrapping our minds around the scope of what is taking place. That is why the World Wildlife Fund produces the Living Planet Report, a rigorous and authoritative biennial assessment of ecosystem health the world over. In the 2022 report, researchers assessed how 32,000 vertebrate populations—representing more than 5,000 species—fared over the past half-century. Since 1970, the populations of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, and amphibians in the study have declined by an average of 60%. "This is a wake-up call," says scientist Rebecca Shaw. "Nature is unraveling."
CLICK HERE FOR THE 2022 REPORT.
However, the report also highlights conservation successes that offer clear lessons. The populations that actually increased during the study—such as mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park and loggerhead sea turtles in North Cyprus—all shared a key factor: engaged communities of people actively participating in conservation. "Where you have real community engagement, you can have unique solutions that allow habitats to recover in lasting ways because they are being stewarded by the people who live there," says Shaw. She continues, "It is urgent that we use these successes as models for how to reverse nature loss." (GSN #148)
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JACOB'S NATURE PARK - MAY 7TH
The group enjoyed the walk at Jacob's Nature Park this last Sunday afternoon. They were joined by Janet Brown and Larry Edwards who indicated that it is the best location for bird-watching. Everyone managed to leave before the rains came.
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VIRTUAL CREATION ACTIVITY OF THE WEEK | |
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DARTMOOR NATIONAL PARK, DEVON, ENGLAND
POLYCHRONIS DRONE
(January 2022 | 5:11 min.)
Dartmoor is, since 1951, a National Park in Southern Devon, England (United Kingdom). The National Park covers almost 1000 km2. Dartmoor has been characterized by its gigantic granite rock formations which have been formed during the Carboniferous Period. The highest point in Dartmoor is the Hill Willhays which stands at 621 m above sea level.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4ZXATuaHY8
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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.
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God is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions That Run the World – and Why Their Differences Matter
By Stephen Prothero
(201.4/PRO)
In God is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions That Run the World, New York Times bestselling author of Religious Literacy and religion scholar Stephen Prothero argues that persistent attempts to portray all religions as different paths to the same God overlook the distinct problem that each tradition seeks to solve. Delving into the different problems and solutions that Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Confucianism, Yoruba Religion, Daoism and Atheism strive to combat, God is Not One is an indispensable guide to the questions human beings have asked for millennia—and to the disparate paths we are taking to answer them today.
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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 June issue of the e-AVENUE, no later than Friday, May 19th. 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.) | | | | |
