GOOD NEWS AND WORSHIP UPDATE
Sunday, March 27, 2022 @ 11 am
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 and Luke 15:1-3, 11b - 32
Sermon: "The Party Guy"
Rev. Sharon Amstutz, Interim Pastor
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SPECIAL NEWS AND INFORMATION |
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Watauga Avenue and Covenant Presbyterian Churches have teamed up for worship and Bible Study opportunities during Lent this year. This is a wonderful experience of shared leadership, shared hospitality, and shared Christian experience. Here are the details:
Bible Study
As of Ash Wednesday, Covenant’s pastor, Maggie Rust, and I began leading a discussion-based Bible Study each Wednesday using Rachel Held Evans’ book Inspired as our foundation. To make the study accessible to all the study will be held both virtually and in-person each week.
In person: 3:30
In the spirit of true Christian fellowship, Covenant and WAPC are taking turns hosting the in-person studies, and Maggie and I will take turns leading them.
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[DATE
March 30
April 6
April 13 (Holy Week)
]
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[LEADER
Sharon
Maggie
Sharon
]
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[LOCATION
Covemant
WAPC
Covenant
]
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On Line: 7:00 p.m. via Zoom |
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HOLY WEEK WORSHIP SERVICES |
PALM SUNDAY - APRIL 10
The day begins with a royal procession into the city of Jerusalem and ends when kingdoms clash and Jesus’ authority is rejected. Moving swiftly from celebration to disillusionment, Palm Sunday paints a vivid image of the fickleness of humanity and, if we will let it, stands as a hopeful reminder that God’s ways are not our ways.
MAUNDY THURSDAY - APRIL 14
Of all the things this last full day of Jesus’ life is known for - the Last Supper, the gracious and unexpected washing of dirty feet, Judas’ unthinkable betrayal of his friend and Jesus’ willingness to let him do so- the Church chose to name this day for the “new” commandment (Latin “mandatum”) Jesus gave his disciples: Love each other the same way you have seen me love you.
The Service
Worship, fellowship, and the Sacrament of Communion will take place around the supper table at Covenant Presbyterian Church at 5:30 Thursday evening. Pastors Maggie Rust and Sharon Amstutz will lead the service. Weather permitting, we will eat and worship outside. PLEASE R.S.V.P. to Covenant by Monday, April 11, if attending. (423-282-5324)
GOOD FRIDAY - APRIL 15
“Good” in the sense that it is, despite all appearances, a holy day, Good Friday sees Christians around the world commemorating the trial and crucifixion of Jesus through fasting, prayer, the Stations of the Cross, communal worship, and meditation. We sit with the disciples in their fear and confusion, and we sit with our own wonder and discomfort that Jesus would willingly allow himself to be humiliated, tortured, and executed.
The Service
Worship takes place at noon in the sanctuary at Watauga Avenue, and will be led by members of both churches, along with Pastors Maggie and Sharon. This service will balance scripture reading with prayer and music, while leaving plenty of room for silent meditation.
EASTER SUNDAY - APRIL 17
He is Risen!
He is Risen indeed!
If you are like me, you associate Easter Sunday services with the loud, glorious, triumphant singing of the beloved hymns of the day – and the more music the better! Come to hear the story of the empty tomb and the astonished disciples and celebrate what is surely the greatest miracle of all: death and fear and suffering have lost their power over us.
Join your church family in the sanctuary at 11:00 on Easter for the Church’s grandest celebration of the Church year.
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KING UNIVERSITY - INSTITUTE OF FAITH & CULTURE |
UPCOMING EVENTS INCLUDE:
please note: There are options to attending these events. Dr. Dotterweich messaged to say that morning events are almost always streamed at (https://webcast.king.edu ), and almost everything will be available afterward on YouTube – if they will like our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/kingfaithandculture), they can get the videos there, too.
Monday, March 28
Malcolm Guite, poet, priest, and musician at the University of Cambridge
9:15 am @ King Memorial Chapel
7 pm @ Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Bristol VA
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HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE COMING WEEK
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Sunday, March 27 - Fourth Sunday in Lent
11 am Morning Worship, Interim Pastor, Rev. Sharon Amstutz (via YouTube)
Monday, March 28 - King Institute of Faith & Culture
Malcolm Guite, poet, priest, and musician at the University of Cambridge
9:15 am @ King Memorial Chapel
7 pm @ Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Bristol VA
Tuesday, March 29
10 am PW 5th Tuesday workday
Wednesday, March 30
3:30 pm Lenten Bible Study/Conversation (in person) @ Covenant Presbyterian Church
4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)
6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal
7 pm Lenten Bible Study (via Zoom)
Sunday, April 3 - Fifth Sunday in Lent
11 am Morning Worship, Interim Pastor, Rev. Sharon Amstutz (via YouTube)
Wednesday, April 6
3:30 pm Lenten Bible Study (in person) @ WAPC
4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)
6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal
7 pm Lenten Bible Study (via Zoom)
Thursday, April 7
10 am PW Meeting
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GENERAL FUND: YEAR TO DATE:
2022 Annual Budget - $ 135,000
Budget through March 22th, 2022, Week #12 ($ 31,154)
Receipts $ 44,543.50
Disbursements - $ 28,332.78
Balance $ 16,210.72
Thanks to everyone for your continued support the church with your tithes and offerings during this extraordinary time. You are encouraged to mail your pledge to us or to drop it by the church office during regular business hours. Thanks.
We are still receiving the 5 Cents per Meal offering that is usually taken on Communion Sundays. If you would like to make a contribution to this offering please do so and designate it on your checks.
The ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING special offering will be taken
during the Lenten season. We are asked to join in God's call to share our
bread with the hungry, to aid and shelter people overcoming catastrophe and conflict, and to resource communities working to cast off the bonds
of poverty and oppression.
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The Chancel flowers were given
in hope and strength and courage and peace to persons in struggle and conflict throughout the world.
PLEASE NOTE: THE NEW 2022 FLOWER LIST IS AVAILABLE ON THE BULLETIN BOARD IN THE SIDE ENTRY
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For Members / Regular Attendees
Hugh Broome; David Robert Hughes (stationed on Korean DMZ); Don Loughry; Camilla & Hunter Lyle; Jack Hansel.
For Friends
Mathew Clark's father, Gene Clark; The family of Olga Pastushenko from Odessa, Ukraine refugees in Romania; Joel Carillet, local photojournalist in Ukraine; Linda Solly; Sue Sheffield's nephew, Jeremiah Collins; Sue Shank's friend, Judy Klein; Sharon Amstutz's brother, Paul Hagood; Theresa Lura's cousin, Randy Carter; Sarah Suptin; church neighbor, Dorothy Harvey; Chris Stansell's parents, Rev. Donald & Velma Stansell.
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; COVID cases are now on the rise in numerous European countries.
Prayers for Others
Special prayers for the people of the Ukraine in light of the military invasion by Russia and the heightening 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 from recent ongoing disasters including wildfires in North Gyeongsang Province of South Korea; aftermath of torrential rain and flooding in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia; as well as the devastating wildfires in Corrientes Province, Argentina; among numerous other ongoing crises and disasters. And especially prayers for our nation and for strength, endurance, faith and courage for all.
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UPDATE ON ETSU CAMPUS MINISTRY (UKirk) |
On Monday evening, March 21st, a total of 14 people got together for an outdoor meal and worship service on a beautiful second day of spring. The meal was sponsored by WAPC and included selections from Tomy Thai’s, Hawaiian fruit drinks, and Klondike bars.
Special guest was Dave Cohn, the new director of Holston Camp. He gave a summary of recent happenings at the Camp, while also fielding questions. Their new day care center has about 125 children from the area, and their summer programs are well attended. They plan to build a greenhouse using local expertise, to get a head start on the growing season. The project will be used to supplement camp meals, save money, and provide an educational experience. Dave was also looking for potential college student camp counselors for their programs.
Another new face was Matt from Bristol, who has recently been approved to do the music at the Monday UKirk events twice a month. He also has an MDiv. and works full-time in Bristol.
Director John Golden gave a sermon from Luke on inviting the least of us to the banquet rather than those most likely to reciprocate. This was followed by individually-initiated prayers, primarily for the people of Ukraine. Their new slogan will be “UKirkians for UKrainians.” New participants were Matt and Karen Clark, who proceeded to interact with the students and look for potential applicants for WAPC’s open positions. All in all, it was a wonderful afternoon and evening, filled with fellowship, good food, and hope for the future.
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Who is this smiling woman and where is she? |
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Aquaculturists in Oregon are developing a specialty food industry centered on a marine alga that had been called "the bacon of the sea." This "bacon" delivers plenty of protein with a splash instead of an oink. Dulse (rhymes with pulse) is a seaweed found in the northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Northern Europeans have eaten it for centuries, but most Americans have never tried it or even heard of it. Oregon State University researchers patented a strain that can be grown in tanks on land using only seawater and sunlight—all while absorbing carbon dioxide in the course of photosynthesis.
As a food product, the benefits of dulse are several. It grows rapidly. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and protein. And some say that when strips are smoked and fried, it does taste like bacon. Chuck Toombs's company farms dulse on the Oregon coast and sells it fresh to restaurants and dried in stores. "People are demanding more plant protein," Toombs told Oregon Public Broadcasting, "and we are going to be able to supply that."
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VIRTUAL CREATION ACTIVITY OF THE WEEK |
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Rovsan Osmanov
(February 2014 | 6:37 min.)
Symbioclips (June 2021 | 4:27 min.)
Two short films featuring spring flowers and relaxing music.
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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.
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Illuminated Prayers
By Marianne Williamson
(242 Wil)
"I think of prayer as a spiritual lifeline back to where I most want to be," Marianne Williamson writes in this new book of universal prayers. Prayer is a powerful force that can lift spirits, guide journeys, and heal the heart. Illunimanted Prayers is a small volume of spiritual wisdom to bring the power of prayer into our daily lives.
Illustrated in the manner of an illuminated manuscript, Illuminated Prayers offers a treasured keepsake of the power and enduring relevance of Williamson's message: Prayer illuminates our souls, and with prayer we can change the world.
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Congregational Concerns / Prayer Requests - Please contact the church office or Sherry Bailey with information.
Flower List - The 2022 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 $30 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, March 18th. This includes team and committee meetings, news, planned events and other newsworthy items.
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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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.) |
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