JANUARY SALTSHAKER NOW AVAILABLE

The January issue of our monthly newsletter, The Saltshaker, is now available. You can also find it in the Parlor, Welcome Center, or by clicking HERE.

NEW TOPICS FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL

Our next semester of Sunday School has begun. You can pick up an informational sheet from the Parlor or Welcome Center. You can also find the informational sheet on our website HERE.  

WOMEN’S SPRING BIBLE STUDY

Please join your AVPC sisters this spring as we study through the book of Galatians together. The Monday studies, which have already begun, are at 3:00 PM at the home of Nancy Klose. Wednesday morning studies will begin on January 17 at 9:00 AM in the Church Parlor, and Wednesday evening studies will begin on January 17 at 6:00 PM at the home of Lea Anne Parker. Friday studies will begin on January 19 at 1:00 PM at the home of Judy Bates. Study books are available in the Parlor for a cost of $10.00. If you would like more information, contact Amy MacCaughelty at amycmac6@gmail.com.

MEN’S SPRING BIBLE STUDY

There are many Bible study and fellowship opportunities for the men of AVPC this spring. The Sunday night group meets on the first three Sundays of each month from 5:00-6:30 PM at the home of Barry Parker, studying "Good and Angry" by David Powlinson. The men’s coffee group meets every Thursday from 9:00-10:00 AM in the Conference Room for coffee, devotionals, donuts, and life stories. The men’s breakfast group will meet on Mondays from 6:30-7:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall. This group will be studying the book of Hosea. If you would like more information, contact Blake Harris at blake@avpc.org.

LEGACY MUSEUM TRIP - JANUARY 13

The Mercy Leadership Team is inviting you to visit the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum in Montgomery on Saturday, January 13, 2024. The Legacy Museum is part of the vision of Bryan Stevenson, author of Just Mercy, a powerful book and movie informed by a Christian perspective about the injustices related to racism and material poverty in our justice system, and how to respond in a Biblical manner. You can sign up for the visit using THIS LINK.

CHANCEL CHOIR RESUMES THIS SUNDAY - JANUARY 14

Do you enjoy singing? Have you been thinking about joining the choir? If so, we would like to invite you to rehearse with the Chancel Choir, which resumes next Sunday, January 14, from 5:00 – 6:30 PM in the choir room. This is a great opportunity for you to “try it out” for a week or two to see if this is a way you would like to serve. The choir will sing in many of the morning worship services during the winter/spring season and on Easter Sunday. If you would like more information, contact Heather at heather@avpc.org.

FELLOWSHIP DINNER - JANUARY 14

Join us this Sunday, January 14, in the Fellowship Hall from 6:30-8:00 PM for a time of food and fellowship. We’ll be having chicken and dumplings.

MEMBERSHIP NIGHT - JANUARY 19

Are you thinking about church membership at Altadena? Come to our next Membership Event on Friday, January 19. Dinner is served at 6:00 PM, followed by an informational meeting. You will meet church staff and hear about ministry opportunities. You can sign up on the AVPC website HERE. Attendance at this or another weekend offered is required for church membership. The deadline to register is January 14.

WOMEN'S LUNCHEON - JANUARY 21

Ladies, you are invited to a small group luncheon on Sunday, January 21 after the late service. The women will meet in groups of 6-8 for lunch and fellowship. RSVP by following THIS LINK by January 14. 

COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE - JANUARY 21

On Sunday, January 21, Lifesouth Community Bloodcenters is hosting a blood drive in Altadena Park. No appointment is necessary. 

PRAYER SERVICE - JANUARY 21

Next Sunday, January 21, from 5:45 - 6:30 PM, the Prayer Ministry Team will be hosting a corporate time of prayer in the Conference Room. We plan to pray about the themes of compassion and peace as we continue to seek the Lord during our pastoral transition process. 

MISSION TRIP PHOTOS FOR ART GALLERY - DUE JANUARY 24

Missions Conference 2024 will be here soon. As part of our missions emphasis, we would like to have pictures of your past missions trips to display in the Gallery. Please submit pictures to Janet Friday (janetfriday@mindspring.com) by January 24. Please include information about the pictures - names, date, location, people served.

YOUNG ADULT DINNER - JANUARY 26

Join us for dinner and dessert on Friday, January 26 at the home of Russell and Katey Windsor. All who are out of college or working are welcome!

MEN’S PRAYER AND BREAKFAST - JANUARY 27

On January 27, from 7:30 – 9:00 AM, the Men’s Ministry is hosting a time of prayer and breakfast at the MacCaughelty home. All ages are welcome.

BABY SHOWER - FEBRUARY 5

The women of AVPC are hosting a baby shower on February 5 at 7:00 PM, at the home of Whitney Jones. This shower will be honoring Caroline Cwynar. You can contribute online by following THIS LINK, or in the collection envelope in your Sunday school class. Please designate ‘baby shower’ in the memo line of your check.

MISSIONS CONFERENCE 2023: FEBRUARY 7-11

We have some exciting opportunities coming for you to spend quality time with some of our missionaries during our upcoming Missions Conference. One piece of feedback we received in previous years was the congregation's desire to be able to spend more personal time with our missionaries. We are excited to provide some wonderful opportunities for you. Your small group can host a missionary for a meal on either Wednesday, February 7 or Thursday, February 8. You also have the opportunity to take a missionary to lunch for some special one-on-one time.  

Here are some missionaries we have coming to the Missions Conference this year who are available for small group gatherings and lunches.

Matt Allison - Serge

James Dougherty - Overseas Missionary Fellowship

Jack Hausen - Shepherds Fold

Stephen and Kellie Merwin - RUF- I at UAB  

If you would like to sign up, please follow THIS LINK OR contact Heather Sommer at heather@avpc.org. The deadline to sign up is January 28.

PASTOR NOMINATION FORM

If you know of a qualified pastoral candidate, you can use THIS FORM to recommend them to the Pastoral Search Committee. See the Pastor Profile on the website for the list of qualifications.

PRAYER PROMPT BOOKMARKS

The Prayer Prompt bookmarks from the Prayer Ministry Team are now available for use. Pick up your copy from the Parlor, the Welcome Center, or by following THIS LINK. Each month there will be a specific theme and Scripture verses for you to use in praying for the Pastoral Transition Process. The theme for the month of January is Compassion, Forgiveness, and Respect.

Pray the week of January 1 – January 6:

“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.”

Hebrews 12:14-15

Pray the week of January 7 – January 13:

“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrines that you have been taught; avoid them.”

Romans 16:17

Pray the week of January 14 – January 20:

“In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”

I Peter 3:15-17

Pray the week of January 21 – January 27:

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience, bearing with one another; and if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”

Colossians 3:12-13

Pray the week of January 28 – February 3:

“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions……Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.”

Romans 14:1 & 4

MISSIONS NEWS

OUR MISSIONARIES OF THE WEEK are Jeremy and Angel Martin, serving with Serge in Southall, London. Jeremy and Angel work with New Life Masih Ghar Church and are involved with diaconal ministry, discipleship, leadership development and hospitality. They are joined by their daughters, Riley, Genevieve, and Caroline. The Martins pray that the gospel of Christ Jesus will be proclaimed and the Kingdom comes to the multi-national community of Southall.