Reflections. From the Pastor s Pen... Highlights November 1 Jolly Agers, 9 a.m.

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1 N OVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016 From the Pastor s Pen... Reflections VINTON WESLEYAN CHURCH What are you thankful for this holiday? I believe these words will help you to count your blessings. The Bible says, For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. It was because of His great love that God sent Jesus to die for us so that we could have eternal life. To be sure, God s motive for sending Jesus was His love for us. If, however, God s love alone was enough for our entrance into Heaven, Jesus would not have had to die. Apart from the blood, there is no remission of sins and nothing impure will ever enter that New Jerusalem we call Heaven. May we all take time to count our blessings from God this Holiday Season. Highlights November 1 Jolly Agers, 9 a.m. November 5 Prayer Rally, 8:30 a.m. November 6 Family & Friend Day, 11 a.m. November 8 Election Day Vote November 11 Veterans Day November 20 Harvest Celebration, 6 p.m. November 24 Happy Thanksgiving November 27 Hanging of the Greens, 6 p.m. Let us remember Veterans Day on November 11 and give thanks for the sacrifice made by many women, men and their families. Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on God s goodness to you and His faithfulness. No matter what the trial may be or the storms of life that will come... God has promised to never leave us. That is a wonderful promise. Christmas will soon be here. For Christians, this time of the year is more than just a holiday; it is a Holy Day the day God gave His Son Jesus to the world. Let us give praise and thanks to God for His indescribable gift of Jesus to the world. Jesus came as a baby, lived a perfect sinless life and died on a cross to show His love for you. I ask, what will you do for Him this Holy Season...? You are Loved, Pastor Ricardo December 3 Prayer Rally, 8:30 a.m. December 4 Golden Rule Sunday School Class Christmas Dinner, 12:30 p.m. January/February Newsletter Articles Due December 6 Jolly Agers, 9 a.m. December 10 Abundant Life Sunday School Class Christmas Party, 5 p.m. December 11 Choir Christmas Sing-A-Long, 6 p.m. December 18 Choir Christmas Music/Drama AM & PM Services December 21 Christmas Caroling, 6:30 p.m. December 24 Christmas Eve Communion, 5 p.m. December 25 Merry Christmas December 28 No VWC Activities Family Time! HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017

2 HOUSE of PRAYER Sunday Morning Prayer 9:30 a.m. - Room 108 Sunday Morning Worship 11 a.m. Sunday Evening 6 p.m. Monday Night Prayer Meetings November 7, 14, 21 & 28 6:30 p.m. December 5, 12, 19 & 26 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Prayer & Bible Study Prayer 6:30 p.m. Bible Study 7 p.m. Come join us as we study Revelation. Prayer Rally November 5 & December 3 8:30 a.m. Prayer can made a difference PRAY! Jolly Agers (Senior Adults & Friends) November 1 & December 6 9 a.m. Famous Anthony s Vinton Come join us! Harvest Celebration November 20 6 p.m. VWC Fellowship Hall Everyone is invited to this special service of giving thanks to God and to help those who are less fortunate. Will you make a sacrifice to help others by giving an offering and canned goods? We are asking everyone to bring a bag of canned goods to help those in need in our community. Our goal is to receive 200 canned goods for Presbyterian Community Center. Financial donations are welcome. The celebration will include singing, testimonies, offering and desserts. Also, bring a dessert (cake, pie, cookies, etc.) to share with others. COME CELEBRATE GOD S BLESSINGS TO US! I will praise the name of God with song And magnify Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30 Deadline for canned goods: December 4. Please include your store receipt. It saves volunteer time when processing the food items Hanging of the Greens November 27 6 p.m. Come join us for an evening of blessings preparing our hearts and church for Christmas. Family and Friend Day November 6 11 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Worship Service 11:00 a.m. Dinner following AM service No PM activities Family Time! Invite your family and a friend or two and come join us for a time of Worship & Celebration. Special Music Message by Pastor Ricardo Rodriguez Covered-Dish Dinner Suggestions: One meat, two vegetables and a dessert. The church will provide bread and drinks. OUTREACH Vinton Wesleyan Church LOVE IN ACTION LOVING PEOPLE Operation Christmas Child Samaritan s Purse Franklin Graham We are partnering with Summerdean Church of the Brethren in filling shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Every shoebox offers an opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with a hurting child. RAM House Shoe Collection RAM House is collecting gently used or new shoes. Any type or size for men, women and children. Funds2orgs will pay RAM House 40 cents per pound for the shoes they collect. RAM will use the proceeds for operating expenses to help them to stay open to serve those most in need. Contact: Deloras Whitt Deadline: November 13

3 Music Ministry, Joyce Rodriguez Reminders of God s Greatness and Goodness... September and October have been months that we have enjoyed the miraculous beauty of God s creation. The leaves and mountains in this part of the United States are breathtaking. It is a reminder of the greatness of God, our creator. We are now approaching November and December. During November, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving. We are reminded to be thankful for God s abundance to us. I personally am thankful for God s salvation. God gave His only Son to die on a cross for me and for you. At this time of year, especially, I am thankful for my family, church family, friends, job and all that God provides for me each day. In December each year, we reflect on the birth of God s Son, Jesus Christ. I always love the Christmas story and never tire of hearing it. Christmas songs and the beauty of the season are reminders of why we are truly celebrating Christmas. The choir will be presenting the musical Adore, December 18 th, in both the Sunday morning and evening services. There will also be a drama presentation with our music. I hope you will plan to attend both performances and invite your family and friends. This will be a wonderful opportunity for your family and friends to hear, and be reminded of, the birth of Jesus Christ and what that should mean to us personally. Prayer Ministry, Vickie Adkins O, Taste and See I ve tasted the goodness, from God s banquet table I ve feasted on His Word and now its a daily staple. I ve supped on the truth, with my Lord and Savior and now His Life and Way I ve come to daily savor. I ve been to the buffet, of God s benevolence and now I understand the meaning of excellence. I ve dined with my Redeemer, my healing, Comforter and now I know who is my daily bread Provider. I m blessed beyond measure, and I m loving the fullness now that I have tasted God I m filled with all His goodness! O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Psalm 34: Deborah Ann Belka I hope November and December will be a blessing to you and to your family as you reflect upon the goodness of our Savior and the gift He gave to us through His Son. House of Prayer Opportunities... Sunday Mornings 9:30 a.m., Room 108 November 5, 8:30 a.m. Prayer Rally Monday Night Prayer Meetings: November 7, 14, 21 & 28, 6:30 p.m. December 3, 8:30 a.m. Prayer Rally Monday Night Prayer Meetings: December 5, 12, 19 & 26, 6:30 p.m.

4 KICS Ministry, Vickie Adkins KICS Kids In Christian Service (Ages 2-12 years old) Sunday Morning 10 a.m. Sunday School 11 a.m. Children s Church Sunday Night 6 p.m. Bible Study/Games/Movies/Crafts Wednesday Night Awana Clubs (September-May), 6:15 p.m. November - My Church & Awana Month 2 Bring A Real Friend, 6:15 p.m. 9 Bring A Real Friend, 6:15 p.m. 16 Bring A Real Friend, 6:15 p.m. 20 Harvest Celebration, 6 p.m. 23 No Awana 24 Happy Thanksgiving! 27 Hanging of the Greens, 6 p.m. 30 Crazy Hat Night December 7 Bring A Real Friend, 6:15 p.m. 14 Christmas Party & Awana, 6:15 p.m. 21 No Awana Church Christmas Caroling, 6:30 p.m. 24 Christmas Eve Communion, 5 p.m. 25 Merry Christmas! 28 No Awana Family Time! She will have a son, and you will name him JESUS because he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21 Women s Ministry, Lois Dame Come join us for... Ladies Night Out November 17 Pot Luck VWC Fellowship Hall 6 p.m. Deadline: November 16 Be sure and invite a friend or two. We have a great time of fellowship and would love to have you join us! If you are planning to attend, please contact Lois Dame at by the deadline date. Thank you! THANKSGIVING It was not until President George Washington proclaimed Thanksgiving Day on November 26, 1789, that the celebration became an established event. In 1859, after several appeals had been made by Sarah H. Hale, all but two governors issued proclamations for Thanksgiving Day. She wrote to President Abraham Lincoln, enclosing a copy of President Washington s proclamation of 1789, and suggested that he establish a national Thanksgiving Day. At her suggestion, the President proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day on July 15, after the battle of Gettysburg in It is now the custom of the United States to proclaim the last Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day. The purpose of this day is to give thanks to God for all His blessings and benefits. The End? During his 1960 presidential campaign, John F. Kennedy often closed his speeches with the story of Colonel Davenport, the Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives: On May 19, 1780, the sky of Hartford darkened ominously, and some of the representatives, glancing out the windows, feared the end was at hand. Quelling a clamor for immediate adjournment, Davenport rose and said, The Day of Judgment is either approaching or it is not. If it is not, there is no cause for adjournment. If it is, I choose to be found doing my duty. Therefore, I wish that candles be brought. When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? Luke 18:8

5 Jolly Agers, Darrell English Jolly Agers, a group of senior adults from VWC, along with family and friends they have invited (age is not a factor), meets the first Tuesday of each month at 9 a.m. at Famous Anthony s in Vinton. The Jolly Agers enjoy a great time of fellowship, which includes breakfast, devotions, prayer, stories of times gone by and present concerns, laughter and maybe a hug or two. It makes a good start to a great day! Come join us for breakfast! We pray you have a Blessed Thanksgiving and a Joyful Christma season! Jolly Agers What is Truth and How Can I Know It? God s Word warns us of people in the world who will try to deceive us. They will say what they do and say is right, which is far from the truth. Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter (Isaiah 5:29)! For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist (II John 7). God has given us the Holy Spirit at salvation to help us know and discern the truth and to convict of sin. But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged (John 16:7-11). He has given us His Word to show us what the truth is what is right and what is wrong. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (I Timothy 3:16-17). It is very important to study God s Word yourself and learn from godly men, who God has called to preach the truths of His Word, so that you will not fall into the deception of Satan. And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming (Ephesians 4:11-14). How will I know if it is true? If anything you hear or are being told goes against the Word of God, it is not of God. Also, remember the characteristics of God. God is all-knowing, all-wise, all-powerful, allpresent, infinite, sovereign, triune, holy, just, loving, good, kind, righteous, gracious, merciful, compassionate, truthful, faithful... Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure (Isaiah 46:9-10). Scripture proves Scripture. God is holy, just and cannot lie. He will never do anything that has not already been written in His Word. And His Word is TRUTH! Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth (John 17:17). Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them (II Timothy 3:12-15). D. Lang 2016 Building Fund Campaign Building Our Future Together Current Report is as follows: Commitments: 27 Total Committed: $17,020 Total Received (September ) $1,195 Total Received to Date: $15,136 You can make a pledge to give weekly, monthly or a one-time gift. Offerings and gifts are given in addition to your regular weekly tithe. A tithe is a tenth of your gross earnings and is a command from the Lord. It is taught in the Old and New Testament. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (II Corinthians 9:7).

6 Student Ministry, Don & Doris Linkenhoker Choose to Know Him More? Wow, 2016 is coming to a close soon. Fall is here and winter will be following close behind. November is the season of THANKSGIVING December is the season of GIVING. With these two seasons in mind, here are a couple of questions to think about and ask yourself... What are you THANKFUL for? THANKFULNESS is not a once-a-year season. We should be THANKING God for the blessings He gives us DAILY. Are you THANKFUL? What is the greatest GIFT that was ever given to us? God the Father gave His only begotten Son as a GIFT a GIFT of love and salvation that we might have a right relationship with Him. Have you accepted this GIFT of love and salvation? If so, are you THANKING God for His GIFT DAILY? The CHALLENGE is on! Are YOU ready to accept it? Teens, you each have a Prayer Journal and Devotional Book of your own a daily calendar to write your prayer requests in and a devotional book to read daily. Now is the time to take the challenge get focused and get ready to grow in the Lord. You will get to know Him in a personal way. How do you get to know someone? By spending time with them Jesus is no different! We want JESUS CHRIST to be an attraction to you. Just keep it simple and talk to Him like you talk to your friends and family. Jesus knows your heart and Jesus wants you to know Him more. Get Alone With God SEEK HIM. Go into your room, close the door and pray to your Heavenly Father (Matthew 6:6). He wants to hear from YOU! It takes discipline to find a quiet place. Turn off our electronics and get away from our distractions and meditate quietly on the Lord. We have to work at quietness, but it takes quiet to make a difference in our lives. Our souls are strengthened by stillness and steadied by solitude. Be Still and Know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 Meeting Times Sunday School 10 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship 11 a.m. Sunday Evening 6 p.m. Wednesday Night 6:30 p.m. Weekly Lessons: * Double Blessings * Plans and Purposes * Mountaintop Experiences * Quiet Retreats Song Playlist (used along with our lessons): * If We re Honest Francesca Battistelli * Same Power Jeremy Camp * Christ in Me Jeremy Camp * Follow You Leeland & Brandon Heath Thank You, Vinton Wesleyan Church, for the encouragement, prayers and support. Thank You, Parents and Grandparents, for entrusting us with your teen(s). Come By and Check Us Out! See what your teen(s) are learning. I can do all things through Him Who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 Dates to Remember... November 6 Family & Friend Day, 11 a.m. November 20 Harvest Celebration, 6 p.m. November 27 Hanging of the Greens, 6 p.m. December 21 Christmas Caroling, 6:30 p.m. December 24 Christmas Eve Communion, 5 p.m.

7 Food for Thought... SPIRITUAL WARFARE Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, But against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand, firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, the breastplate of righteousness in place. And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:10-18 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Romans 13:12-14 (NIV) CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS... November 1 Jolly Agers, 9 a.m. 5 Prayer Rally, 8:30 a.m. 6 Family & Friend Day, 11 a.m. Dinner following the service 7 Monday Night Prayer/Discipleship Class, 6:30 p.m. 12 Adult Choir Practice, 9 a.m. 13 LBA Meeting, 7:10 p.m. 14 Monday Night Prayer/Discipleship Class, 6:30 p.m. 19 Rodger Reeves & Tammy Light s Wedding VWC, 4 p.m. 20 Harvest Celebration, 6 p.m. 21 Monday Night Prayer/Discipleship Class, 6:30 p.m. 23 No VWC Activities Family Night 24 Happy Thanksgiving 27 Hanging of the Greens, 6 p.m. 28 Monday Night Prayer/Discipleship Class, 6:30 p.m. December 3 Prayer Rally, 8:30 a.m. 4 January/February Newsletter Articles Due 5 Monday Night Prayer, 6:30 p.m. Golden Rule Christmas Dinner, Fellowship Hall 6 Jolly Agers, 9 a.m. 10 Abundant Life Christmas Party Fellowship Hall 4:30-9 p.m. 11 Choir Christmas Sing-A-Long, 6 p.m. 12 Monday Night Prayer, 6:30 p.m. 18 Choir Music/Drama, 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. 19 Monday Night Prayer, 6:30 p.m. 21 Church Christmas Caroling, 6:30 p.m. 24 Christmas Eve Communion, 5 p.m. 25 Christmas Service, 11 a.m. No PM Activities Merry Christmas 26 Monday Night Prayer, 6:30 p.m. 26-Jan.1 Pastor s Vacation 28 No VWC Activities January Sunday School, 10 a.m.; Worship, 11 a.m. No PM Activities Happy New Year Birthday for Jesus Offering We will be honoring Jesus with a Special Offering. All gifts, whether small or large, are needed. The offering will be received December 18 & 25 during the AM and PM services. Our special offering this year will go toward improving the church technology: computer, software and website Thank You!

8 246 Jefferson Avenue Vinton, VA SUNDAYS: Sunday School Morning Worship Evening Worship 10 a.m. 11 a.m. 6 p.m. REACHING WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIFE: Children s Ministries: KICS Summer Fun Nights, 6:30 p.m. (June-August) Awana, 6:15 p.m. (September-May) Youth Ministry, 6:30 p.m. Prayer, 6:30 p.m. Adult Bible Study, 7:00 p.m. TEACHING EXALTING Church Office Hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Address: 246 Jefferson Avenue Vinton, VA Phone: (540) You can find us on Facebook. Our Staff: Ricardo Rodriguez Lead Pastor Jerry Miller Lay Leader Don & Doris Linkenhoker Student Ministry Joyce Rodriguez Music Director Debbie Lang Secretary

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