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GOOD NEWS AND WORSHIP UPDATE
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Sunday, December 11, 2022 @ 11 am
Sermon - "Nothing to Fear" | Scripture reading - John 6:16-21
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 | |
NEW ELDERS ELECTED
During our Called Congregational Meeting this past Sunday, we heard the report from the Nominating Committee. Elders elected for the Class of 2025 are Wilsie Bishop, Dick Lura and Susan Summers Turner. Dick and Susan are returning for a second term, while Hugh Broome rotates off this year. We thank Hugh for his valuable work on the Session these past 6 years. Nancy Fennell was also elected to a two year term filling in the vacancy for the Class of 2024.
Also elected were member to the Nominating Committee. Sue Shanks and Tom Shanks were elected for 2023-2024 and will be serving with Karen Martin and Ed Snodderly (2022-2023). We wish to thank Ginger Helm, Sally Gerhardt and Wilsie Bishop for their work on the committee this past year.
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GOOD SAM FAMILIES FOR CHRISTMAS
Our three families from Good Sam greatly appreciated of Thanksgiving food delivery a couple of weeks ago and are still collecting canned goods and other non-perishables for Christmas. Items can be brought and left in the container in the side entrance Items will be collected through Sunday, December 18th. So please keep this in mind when you are shopping in the near future.
We did finally receive basic information about gift ideas for our three families. This new information is posted on the Mission Bulletin board in the side entry. Hugh Broome is trying to get more details about the families' needs. If any of our homebound members would like this information, please contact the church office and a list will be emailed to you. These items will also be needed by the Sunday, December 18th deadline.
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KEEP OUR MITTEN TREE GROWING
We are sponsoring the Mitten Tree again this year for our annual contribution to Good Samaritan. It is found in the side entry for convenience and so everyone can enjoy seeing the new items being added week by week. The deadline for giving will be Sunday, December 18th. That's not a lot of time, but we know that you will be generous. Everyone is welcome to bring your items and place on the tree. We are looking for scarves, hats, socks, and, of course, gloves and MITTENS.
Doesn't our tree look fabulous !!!
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POINSETTIAS - DEADLINE NOW
We have begun taking requests for poinsettias for this Advent Season. Poinsettias purchased will be placed in the Sanctuary from Sunday December 18th until December 25th. A second separate email was sent earlier this week with the order form. Things have been a little slow this year with only 5 orders thus far. The deadline for ordering is Sunday, December 11th. However, we need to have a tally of potential plants purchased by Friday, December 9th. Please contact the church office ASAP if you are planning to order one or more poinsettias in honor or in memory of family members or loved ones. If you need an order form, please call the church office and one will be emailed to you. Thanks.
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FOOD, FOOD AND MORE FOOD
The Lunch Bunch is scheduled for:
December 11 @ Aubrey's (3029 Hamilton Place, JC)
December 18 - The Fellowship Team is hosting and preparing a special Christmas lunch following Morning Worship. NOTE: Please let the church office know if you will be attending no later than Sunday, December 11th or sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board. The Fellowship Team is also requesting that members bring their favorite dessert to share with others.
December 25 - Christmas Day (on your own)
IF ANYONE HAS SUGGESTIONS FOR LUNCH BUNCH DINING IN 2023, PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE SO IT CAN BE ADDED TO THE LIST!!
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CURRENT SERMON SERIES
As Christmas draws closer and closer with each passing week, we are called to joyfully wait for the coming of the Christ child. Now, our joy is secured in the knowledge that God fulfilled the promise to us through the incarnation of Christ. In this season, we echo the words that we hear the scripture of the angels saying "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people" (Luke 2:10). So this Sunday, we light the pink candle of joy to remind us that even in the midst of darkness, we are called to rejoice!
Yours in Christ,
Brandon
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HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE COMING WEEK | |
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Sunday, December 11 - Third Sunday of Advent
10 am Adult Library Sunday School Class (in Poteat Library)
11 am Morning Worship, Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor (in-person YouTube / Facebook)
12:30 pm Lunch Bunch @ Aubrey's (3029 Hamilton Place, JC)
Tuesday, December 13
7 pm Session Meeting
Wednesday, December 14
4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)
6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal
Sunday, December 18 - Fourth Sunday of Advent
10 am Adult Library Sunday School Class (in Poteat Library)
11 am Morning Worship, Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor (in-person YouTube / Facebook)
12:15 pm Christmas Fellowship Lunch (prepared by the Fellowship Team (see sign-up sheet and note above)
Wednesday, December 21
4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)
6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal
Saturday, December 24 - Christmas Eve
6 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (in-person YouTube / Facebook)
Sunday, December 25 - Christmas Day
11 am Morning Worship, Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor (in-person YouTube / Facebook)
Wednesday, December 28
4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)
NO Chancel Choir rehearsal
Sunday, January 1, 2023 - New Year's Day
11 am Morning Worship, Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor (in-person YouTube / Facebook)
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PLANTS FOR ADOPTION
There are still several plants in the Heritage Room available for adoption. Please stop by and pick one up soon. Thanks.
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5th TUESDAY - PERSONAL HYGIENE BAGS
Just a friendly reminder and plenty of notice that there will be four PW 5th Tuesday Work Days coming up in 2023 (January 31, May 30, August 29, and October 31). It will be time to make more Hygiene bags during the coming year. So bring your (travel sized) items to fill those bags, including: shampoo, conditioner, combs (for men), hairbrushes (for women) small tissues, lotion, emery boards, toothpaste, toothbrush (and cover), Chapstick, face cloth, deodorant, soap and handwipes. Also remember to bring in those magazines, notepads, greeting cards, and calendars. The items you bring should be placed in the Mission Team room just off the Heritage Room.
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GENERAL FUND: YEAR TO DATE: | |
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[2022 Annual Budget - $ 155,900 (revised, adjusted)
Budget through December 6th, Week #49 ($146,905 - adjusted)
Receipts $ 144,872.63
Disbursements -$ 135,699.56
Balance $ 9,173.07
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CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING
The Christmas Joy Offering provides assistance to current and retired church workers and their families in their time of need, and develops our future leaders at Presbyterian-related school and colleges equipping communities of color.
We will receive the Joy Offering on December 18th.
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DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
December 15 - Carl Krell
December 25 - Nancy Spahr
December 29 - Karen Clark
December 30 - Pat Mooney
DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
December 18 - Tommy & Anne Causey
December 20 - Dick & Theresa Lura
December 27 - Lanny & Linda Brashear
PLEASE NOTE: THE 2023 FLOWER LIST IS AVAILABLE ON THE BULLETIN BOARD IN THE SIDE ENTRY
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For Friends
Ginger Helm's brother, Larry Ray Davis (pancreatic cancer); Craig Campbell's friend Pamela Stecker (with RSV); Don Loughry; Rev. Maggie Lauterer; Delaney Estes, friend of Matthew & Karen Clark; Stephen Patrick's cousin, Linda Strock, diagnosed with stage4 inoperable esophageal cancer (squamous cell); Matthew Clark's friend, David F Smith; Sally Gerhardt's son, Fritz, scheduled to have a stem cell transplant on January 16th; 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..
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; a new strain BA2.12.1 subtype COVID cases are now on the rise in numerous European countries. And persons now affected by the rise in new active cases of the infectious disease, monkeypox. Please be mindful of the rise in influenza cases this season. There is now a worldwide increase in measles due to the lack of vaccination during COVID, as well as outbreak of avian flu..
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 from recent disasters, including a 5.6 earthquake in Western Java, Indonesia and a massive snowstorm in Western New York. Ongoing disasters include flooding in New South Wales, Australia; the prolonged water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi; the aftermath of various hurricanes across the Caribbean islands, Central America and Florida; the Horn of Africa hunger / food crisis; as well as new disasters now unfolding: Mauna Loa volcano is erupting again 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/
US FEMA - DECLARED DISASTERS - https://www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations
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What are these youth doing and why are they happy? | |
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Electric vehicles (EVs) cost less to operate and maintain than gasoline vehicles and have low or no tailpipe emissions. However, given their large batteries and the emissions associated with electricity generation, people often ask if EVs are indeed a climate-friendly choice. The answer, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, is a resounding "yes!" Three analyses by the UCS found that everywhere in the United States—even in regions with fossil fuel-heavy electricity generation—the average new fully electric car results in lower global warming emissions over its lifetime than a comparable gasoline-powered car.
Because today's electric grid is much cleaner than it was 10 years ago, the UCS findings illustrate impressive gains. For example, more than 90% of people in the United States today live in areas where driving the average EV produces lower emissions than the most fuel-efficient gasoline car on the market. Ten years ago less than half of all drivers did so. To speed additional climate benefits and to encourage more drivers to choose electric vehicles, the report recommends bringing even more renewable energy onto the grid, developing robust battery recycling programs, and making EVs more accessible and affordable. (GSN #126)
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VIRTUAL CREATION ACTIVITY OF THE WEEK | |
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HAUTES PYRANEES (FRANCE)
GLOBE TROTTER (August 2020 | 07:52 Min.)
The Western Pyrenees National Park covers a significant area, and includes well-known attractions such as the Cirque de Gavarnie and the Pont d'Espagne within Hautes-Pyranees. The entire area is a favorite destination of hikers and mountain enthusiasts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcSgHGB2ex4
PYRANEES
MATHIEU STANIC (June 2017 | 02:43 min.)
Marvelous short video at Monte Perdio - Ordesa Valley Pirineos. Pic de Néouvielle - Réserve Naturelle de Néouvielle - Pyrénées
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRcLbFK5ftg
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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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John Among the Gospels
By D. Moody Smith
(226/SMI)
John's relationship to the other canonical Gospels has from Christian antiquity been the subject of serious discussion and debate. Did John know them? Did he use them as sources for his own spiritual gospel? If so, can his eccentricities in using them be explained?
In John Among the Gospels D. Moody Smith confronts these questions, describing how the relationship of the Fourth Gospel to the Synoptics has been understood, particularly in modern biblical scholarship.
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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 January issue of the e-AVENUE, no later than Friday, December 16th. 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.) | | | | | |
