Sunday, June 9, 2024 @ 11 am

Sermon: "Giving"

Scripture reading: Matthew 6:1-4

Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor

SERMON NOTES

When the people crowded around Jesus to hear his teachings, experience his preaching, and receive his healing, Jesus does just that. He takes them up the mountain to preach, teach, and heal. And it is in that sermon that we hear God’s blessings and God’s callings. This week, Jesus begins this section of scripture with the phrase, When you give. Remember, the words we say are important. Jesus is already assuming that we are giving to those in need and now he is coming to show us how to give. Do not give so that you receive praise, give because it is God’s righteousness being manifested in the world. So join us this week as we go again to the Sermon on the Mount. 

May God Bless

Brandon

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

Now meeting in the Conference Room, the class began a new discussion format that will be prompted by a video series on the “History of Christianity” by Dr. Matt Baker. Dr. Baker explores Christianity and its branches from its early origins to the present using a genealogy chart of the “Christian Denominations Family Tree.”  The class is open to all church members, and we would welcome additional participants.

WAPC INTERPRETATIONS FOR JULY

What’s in a Name?

Next Month: Tuesday, July 2, 2024

“I will speak my own name.” – Maya Angelou

“I read in a book once that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but I’ve never been able to believe it. I don’t believe a rose would be as nice if it was called a thistle or a skunk cabbage.” – Anne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery

The stories you tell ring differently when you know something about the people in them. Compare these different translations of the same passage. How do the different names change the way we see these characters?

1. Man women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. – Matthew 27:55-56 NIV

2. Many of the honored women who had walked the road with him from the time he was in Circle of Nations (Galilee) were there …. These were some of the women who had served him in his journeys. Strong Tears (Mary Magdalene) .. and Brooding Tears (Mary), the mother of He Takes Charge (James) and He Increases (Joses) were among them, and also the mother of the two sons of Gift of the Creator (Zebedee). – Matthew 27:55-56, First Nations Version

Reflection Guidelines:

What is the story behind your name? How did your family decide? What did your parents hope to convey with your name? Who did they hope you would become? Throughout the Bible, a name change indicates a turning point in peoples’ lives (e.g. Jacob to Israel, Abram & Sarai to Abraham & Sarah, Saul to Paul, etc.). Think of a time you grew to fit your name, or your name or its meaning changed to tell a different story about your life.

You may most closely attach to God names like “YHWH” or “Father,” but Hagar is the only biblical figure to name God based on her own experience: El Roi. This can mean either “God who sees [me]” or “God whom I’ve seen.” What changes about Hagar’s and God’s stories when we imagine one meaning to be primary over the other?

CHURCH IN THE PARK

Our annual Father's Day Church in the Park service will take place next Sunday, June 16th @ 11 am at the Winged Deer Park Meredith Pavilion. Plans are underway and we are excited that we once again have to opportunity to worship and commune with nature. The meal will consists of BBQ pork/chicken and all the fixings. Donations will be gladly be accepted.

LUNCH BUNCH / FOOD NEWS FOR JUNE

June 9 - Wahaca Mexican Kitchen

June 16 - Church in the Park @ Winged Deer Park - Meredith Pavilion

June 23 - Tommy Thai

June 30 Burg'r & Barrel

A SUMMER LUNCH BUNCH SCHEDULE (June-July-August) is now on the bulletin board. Happy Dining!!

IF ANYONE HAS SUGGESTIONS FOR OTHER DINING VENUES, PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE TO ADD THEM TO OUR LUNCH ROTATION. THANKS

Please note: Constant Contact is having various technical issues, including run-on items; i have worked around most issues, but cannot fix others. I have notified the company several times and they are well aware of the problems.

Sunday, June 9, 2024

10 am Adult Sunday School video series "The History of Christianity" by Dr. Matt Baker

11 am Morning Worship, Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor (in-person YouTube / Facebook)

12:15 pm Growth Committee (in Conference Room)

12:30 pm Lunch Bunch @ Wahaca Mexican Kitchen (100 Hamilton Place, JC)

Monday, June 10, 2024

NO Weekly Bible Study this week

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

6 pm Session Meeting (in Fellowship Hall)

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)

6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal

Sunday, June 16, 2024 - Father's Day / Church in the Park - Winged Deer Park

NO Adult Sunday School

11 am Morning Worship, Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor (no streaming)

12:15 pm Fellowship Picnic following service

Monday, June 17, 2024

6 pm Weekly Bible Study (in Conference Room)

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

4 pm Meditation Circle (via Zoom)

6 pm Chancel Choir rehearsal

Sunday, June 23, 2024

10 am Adult Sunday School video series "The History of Christianity" by Dr. Matt Baker

11 am Morning Worship, Rev. Brandon Davis, Pastor (in-person YouTube / Facebook)

12:30 pm Lunch Bunch @ Tommy Thai (1736 W. State of Franklin, JC) 2 pm Green Walk @ Jacob's Nature Park (park in lot off Kings Springs Road)

The 5 cents per meal offering is taken the first Sunday of each month.

NEW SESSION COMMITTEES and CHAIRS

      a. Connections - Sherry Bailey & Jenny Darling

      b. Finance – Nancy Fennell

      c. Growth – Karen Clark

      d. Mission – - Susan Turner & Debi Hughes

      e. Personnel – Wilsie Bishop

      f. Property– Dick Lura & Ed Snodderly

THOUGHTS & PRAYERS & JOYS

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS FOR JUNE

June 9 - Bea Ellis

June 16 - Brian Bonfardin

June 21 - Ed Snodderly

June 26 - Ruth Crawford

For Friends and Family

the family of Elizabeth Doriot (former member who died last week); Phyl Summers; Bettie Hodge; Nancy Spahr; Michelle Browning's friends and co-workers, Jay and Bevi; Sue Sheffield's friend, Charlotte Woody (hospice); Marat Moore; Camilla Lyle's brother, Jeff McFee; Sue Shanks' college roommate, Sue Trevathan; Alynda Worrell-Welch’s mother-in-law, Shelly Welch; George, Jo & Nikki Rolling; Jonathan Sharp; Don Loughry; Rev. Maggie Lauterer; Sarah Suptin; Kelly Hodges.; Heather Hughes; Edna Campbell; Mary (diagnosed with stomach cancer).

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.

Paul: A Man of Grace and Grit

By Charles R. Swindoll

(225.9/SWI)

The apostle Paul. The converted terrorist, inspired author, amazing teacher, and patient mentor. This colossal figure strode boldly onto the stage of the first-century world and left an indelible signature of greatness never to be forgotten. His life? Magnificent! And his ministry? Impressive. While assigned sainthood by some today, by his own description he was "the chief of all sinners." No other person in the Bible, aside from Christ Himself, had a more profound influence on his world and ours than Paul.

He was a man of real grit, with a firmness of mind and spirit and unyielding courage in the face of personal hardship and danger. Tough, tenacious, and fiercely relentless, Paul pursued his divine mission with unflinching resolve. And God used him mightily to turn the world upside down for Christ in his generation.

But Paul's message and his style were also marked by gentle grace. This man, who tormented and killed the saints of God, understood and explained grace better than any of his contemporaries. Why? Because he never got over his own gratitude as a recipient of it. God's super-abounding grace transformed this once-violent aggressor into a humble-but-powerful spokesman for Christ. A man with that much grit desperately needed that much grace.

Perhaps that's why Paul's life is such a source of hope for us. If the chief of sinners can be forgiven and become God's chosen vessel, can He not forgive and use us as well? He can, if we too become people of both grace and grit.

Paul is the sixth of a multi-volume series exploring Great Lives from God's Word and searching them to find the qualities that made them great. Join us for an exciting, in-depth look at this amazing life, as only Chuck Swindoll can describe it: Paul: A Man of Grace and Grit.

WATAUGA AVENUE PC IS ON .. click and see for yourself.