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GOOD NEWS AND WORSHIP UPDATE
SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT
MORNING WORSHIP
Sunday, December 10, 2023 @ 11 am
"God's Comfort"
Scripture reading: Isaiah 40:1-11
Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor
PLEASE REMEMBER YOUR PLEDGE CARDS THIS SUNDAY!!
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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 FOR DECEMBER - Sherry Bailey
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The Chancel flowers given in loving memory of
Roger Mainer Helm (5 December 1951 – 11 July 2011)
by his wife, Ginger Davis Helm.
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SPECIAL NEWS AND INFORMATION | |
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ADVENT NOTES
The holiday season can become so full so quickly. Full of parties, parades, gift wrapping and gift giving. However, we also know that not everything in the holiday season can be wrapped up neatly and placed under the tree. Things in this world can become messy and that change can happen quickly. And that is why Advent is so important. The season of advent calls us to wait and to watch for the coming incarnation at Christmas, and the coming of our Lord Christ again. The ancient Israelites knew this. That is why last week we read about the prophet Isaiah praying for God’s presence to become a reality in the world. Well this week, we get to explore how the prophet Isaiah was hoping for God’s presence along with God’s comfort. So join us this week as we read about God declaring “Comfort, comfort my people” in Isaiah 40.
May God Bless
Brandon
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UPCOMING CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Sunday, January 7th has been set for a Congregational Meeting to hear the report of the Nominating Committee for the election of Elders for the Class of 2026 and 2 new for the Nominating Committee for 2024 / 2025.
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UPCOMING ANNUAL REPORTS
Please note that members in charge or committees, teams, and groups should start preparing their 2023 annual reports. We would like to have all narrative reports submitted to the church office by early January so there will be time to edit and compile the information for our Annual Congregational Business Meeting on January 29th, 2024.
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MISSION COLLECTION REQUESTS
We have begun collecting can food items and other staples for our two families from Good Sam. We only have one family as of now, but we will continue to receive can goods and other staples for their Christmas meals.
We are also collecting warm clothing items for Jeff Douds of West Main Street Christian Church to have available for distributing them various homeless persons in need. Used jackets, coats, sweaters and other clothing items are appreciated. Also being requested are warm blankets to supplement the other items.
Can goods and used winter clothing items can be placed in the Heritage Room. We will have bins or totes available for collected items.
We will once again be sponsoring our annual Mitten Tree for other winter items of gloves, mitten, scarves, hat and socks that can be distributed to West Main Street Christian Church or to Good Sam. The Mitten Tree is in the side entry awaiting for these warm items we are seeking.
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2024 THEOLOGIAN-IN-RESIDENCE IS ANNOUNCED
Please mark your calendars for Tusculum University's 2024 Theologian-in-Residence lecture series. Note that it will take place in January this coming year on three successive Friday mornings beginning at 10 am. The series will take place in person and on ZOOM on Fridays: January 12, 19, and 26. The theme will be “Religion in Appalachia: Faith in the Mountains in the Past, Present, and Future.” The guest speaker will be Emily Morrell. Please mark your calendars for this annual event.
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FOOD, FOOD AND MORE FOOD
The Lunch Bunch this week:
December 10 - El Charolais
THERE IS A WINTER SCHEDULE (December-January-February) OF ALL LUNCH BUNCH LOCATIONS POSTED ON THE BULLETIN BOARD.
IF ANYONE HAS SUGGESTIONS FOR OTHER DINING VENUES, PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE TO ADD THEM TO OUR LUNCH ROTATION. THANKS.
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HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE COMING WEEK | |
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Thursday, December 6, 2023
10 am PW meeting at the home of Linda Brashear
Sunday, December 10, 2023 - Second Sunday in Advent
10 am Adult Sunday School reading "Born of a Woman," by John Shelby Spong
11 am Morning Worship, Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor (in-person YouTube / Facebook)
12:30 pm Lunch Bunch @ El Charolais
Monday, December 11, 2023
6 pm Bible Study
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
6 pm Session Meeting
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)
6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal
Sunday, December 17, 2023 - Third Sunday in Advent
10 am Adult Sunday School reading "Born of a Woman," by John Shelby Spong
11 am Morning Worship, Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor (in-person YouTube / Facebook)
12:15 pm Lasagna Christmas Fellowship Lunch
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GENERAL FUND: YEAR TO DATE: | |
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[2023 Annual Budget - $ 177,600
Budget through DECEMBER 8 Week #49 ($ 167,354)
Receipts $ 150,799.89
Disbursements -$ 153,253.15
Balance $ - 2,453.26
Please note that our financial cushion is dwindling as we approach the end of the year.
Make sure that your tithes and pledges are up-to-date. Thanks.
Please remember the 5 Cents per Meal Offering every first Sunday of the Month. The next special PC(USA) offering will
be on December 17th for the Christmas Joy offering
God has blessed the Church with incredible leadership in every time and place, but those leaders often need to be supported by their communities as well. This Offering addresses the support needed by some of our leaders, including supporting leadership development for communities of color, and providing support for Presbyterian church workers in their time of need.
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Cold day at Founder's Park but enjoyable. Maybe you will join us for our next walk on January 17th at King's Commons. See you there!! | |
THOUGHTS & PRAYERS
A special request by Michelle Browning. Her sister's best friend's mother, Donna Johnson was recently in a car accident and is now paralyzed. Donna is currently at Quillen Rehab and is in need to persons to sit with her while her daughter, Brandi, is at work. If you are able to assist, please click the following link.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4DAEAD23A5F9C16-46610631-SITTING#/
They ask that you please wear a mask when you are with Donna as she has compromised lungs. Feel free to bring a book or craft with you. We are mainly looking to have people there who can make sure the call button gets pushed and Donna gets assisstance if she chokes. Donna is at Quillen Rehab in Room 121. For questions, please contact Brandi Johnson at 423-794-8782. Thank you so much!!!
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For Friends and Family
Lynn Broome; Alynda Worrell-Welch’s mother-in-law, Shelly Welch; the Hughes family for son-in-law Bryce Bennett, and Debi's foster mother, Janet Vencel in Ohio; George, Jo & Nikki Rolling; Camilla Lyle's brother, Jeff McFee; Jonathan Sharp; Don Loughry; Rev. Maggie Lauterer; 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 recent ongoing humanitarian emergency between Israel and the Palestinians of Gaza. New emergencies include: earthquake off Mindanao island, Philippines; aftermath of Hurricane Otis (Category 5) in Acapulco, Mexico; recent flooding in South Florida; flooding and landslides in the Dominican Republic; tropical cyclone Mal in Fiji and Solomon Islands. 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..
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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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A Gospel of Hope
By Walter Brueggemann
(230/BRU)
Beloved and respected by scholars, preachers, and laity alike, Walter Brueggemann offers penetrating insights on Scripture and prophetic diagnoses of our culture. Instead of maintaining what is safe and routine, A Gospel of Hope encourages readers to embrace the audacity required to live out one’s faith.
This must-have volume gathers Brueggemann’s wisdom on topics ranging from anxiety and abundance to partisanship and the role of faith in public life.
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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.
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 15th. 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.) | | | | |
