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GOOD NEWS AND WORSHIP UPDATE
FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT / CHRISTMAS EVE
MORNING WORSHIP
Sunday, December 24, 2023 @ 11 am
"God with Us"
Scripture reading: Luke 1:26-38
Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor
please note: There is NO Sunday evening Christmas Eve service at WAPC
Covenant Presbyterian Church will have Christmas Eve service at 5 pm
Munsey Memorial will have a Nativity drama with children at 5 pm
and a choral worship service at 10:30 pm
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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 were given in loving memory of
Adison Baxter & Margretta Panola Hill Cashion
in honor of their 140th wedding anniversary, 18 December 1883, and
James Futhey & Margaret Elmina McLister Cashion
in honor of their 110th wedding anniversary, 18 December 1913,
given by their great-grandson / grandson, Stephen Allan Patrick.
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SPECIAL NEWS AND INFORMATION | |
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ADVENT NOTES
What is “Christmas”? It is three words: God in flesh; or four syllables: in-car-na-tion. The Gospel according to John (1:14) tells us, “The Word became flesh and lived among us, … full of grace and truth.” Christmas proclaims that God has come in flesh, has come “to save us all from Satan’s power.” Christmas celebrates far more than a birthday; Christmas acclaims the advent of messianic salvation. Christ was sent among us in order to save us. …
What we pay homage to at Christmas, therefore, is that the ultimate fulfillment of God’s saving purpose begins with the birth of Jesus, the messianic Savior. God’s only Son is born among us in order to save the world. This is the message of Christmas. So join us this Sunday morning at 11 am for our Christmas Eve Service!
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. The installation of new Elders will be on the following Sunday, January 14th.
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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 Friday, January 12th, 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
The perishable food items have been purchased and along with gifts will be delivered to one of our Good Sam families this afternoon. The food and gifts for our second Good Sam family will be delivered by Christmas Eve.
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.
Used winter clothing items can be placed in the Heritage Room.
Our annual Mitten Tree is overflowing with wonderful winter items of gloves, mitten, scarves, hat and socks that will 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 24 - open date (enjoy a meal with your families and loved ones)
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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Sunday, December 24, 2023 - Fourth Sunday in Advent / Christmas Eve
No Adult Sunday School this week
11 am Morning Worship, Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor (in-person YouTube / Facebook)
12:30 pm Lunch Bunch - open
No evening Christmas Eve service
Monday, December 25, 2023 - Christmas Day
No Bible Study this evening
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)
NO Chancel Choir rehearsal
Sunday, December 31, 2023 - New Year's Eve
No Adult Sunday School this week
11 am Morning Worship, Rev. Lee Clements, Guest Minister (in-person YouTube / Facebook)
12:30 pm Lunch Bunch - Wok & Hibachi
Monday, January 1, 2024 - New Year's Day
No Bible Study this evening
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)
NO Chancel Choir rehearsal
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CHRISTMAS LASAGNA LUNCH
We had a great turnout for our annual Christmas lasagna lunch. No Mrs. Stouffer's this time. Our lasagna was prepared by Michelle Browning and Linda Brashear. This was accompanied by fresh green salad and rolls. Desserts were prepared by members and delicious they were. We had plenty of food with take out boxes for most everyone. Thanks.
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GENERAL FUND: YEAR TO DATE: | |
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[2023 Annual Budget - $ 177,600
Budget through DECEMBER 21 Week #51 ($ 174,185)
Receipts $ 158,209.89
Disbursements -$ 162,178.81
Balance $ - 3,968.92
Make sure that your tithes and pledges are up-to-date. Thanks.
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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
John Hancock and the Mahoney family in the loss of his sister, Pat Mahoney in Saint Joseph, MO; Jeff Morris; 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: volcanic eruption of Mount Marapi in Western Sumatra, Indonesia; aftermath of Hurricane Otis (Category 5) in Acapulco, Mexico; recent flooding in the Northeast US, the Pacific Northwest; and Queensland, Australia; also an outbreak of anthrax in Eastern and Southern Africa. 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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SHEPARDS ABIDING
By Jan Karon
(F/KAR))
John M. Coward's study of newspapers and Native Americans could have been just another"how the press covered" description of newspaper content. Fortunately, Coward hasproduced an expert analysis of the complex interactions among reality, culture, and the newspapers that influenced public perceptions of Native Americans in the nineteenth century.
Using the Trail of Tears, the Sand Creek Massacre, Sitting Bull, and other case studies,Coward illustrates how Native Americans were disadvantaged by the intersection of Euro-American community attitudes with the development of journalistic practices. He shows how white settlers' love-hate relationship with Indians was both reinforced and exacerbated by newspaper reports that rarely represented a Native American perspective accurately.
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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.) | | | | |
