The. Newsletter of Virginia Heights Baptist Church

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Simon Dixon
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The summer study will be on Thursdays at 11am in the Gold Band Sunday School classroom. The schedule and topics are as follows: July 12: Early Christian Writings.

1 The Newsletter of Virginia Heights Baptist Church How did we get the New Testament? It had to be organized and decisions made as to what was included and excluded. Who did this and how? The pastor s summer study will focus on these and other issues related to the creation of what we now call the New Testament. The summer study will be on Thursdays at 11am in the Gold Band Sunday School classroom. The schedule and topics are as follows: July 12: Early Christian Writings. Both biblical and nonbiblical sources suggest a myriad The Virginia Heights church family lost a long-time, faithful member when Denny Lane Weddle passed away on Saturday, June 9th. D e n n y joined our church in 1958 when he transferred his membership from B e l m o n t Baptist in S o u t h e a s t. For over a half-century, Denny served us in so many ways as a Sunday School teacher, youth of Christian writings were prevalent in the First and Second Centuries, forcing church leaders to discern the need to determine which should be authoritative. July 19: Forming the New Testament Canon. There were several efforts to create a Christian canon before it was settled upon after 300 years! July 26: Transmitting the New Testament. After the New Testament was organized, it had to be transmitted, and this created some controversies and concerns as well. Join us in July! leader, trustee, deacon and choir member. His gentle spirit, humor, and many acts of kindness were well-known to our congregation. He was an active member of the Gold Band Sunday School Class who sat together at the memorial service. The service was held at Oakey s North Chapel on June 13 officiated by our pastor with interment at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Denny is survived by his wife of 53 years, Barbara, daughter Karen Baker and son David as well as many other family members. Well done, good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21). Two couples at Virginia Heights celebrated wedding anniversary milestones during June. Carey and Catherine Tuffy Steger celebrated their 50th Anniversary with a reception at the church on Saturday, June 17th. They were married in the Sanctuary of VHBC on June 15, 1962, by the church s pastor, Dr. Jesse E. Davis. Their first date was to a movie at the American Theater in downtown Roanoke! Tuffy is a life-long member of our church, and Carey joined in They are active members of the Gold Band Sunday School Class and are ordained deacons. Gene and Gerry Butler celebrated their 60th Anniversary on June 7th! They were married at Melrose Baptist Church in Roanoke. They met while Gerry was Christmas caroling with that church s youth choir. Shortly thereafter, Gene invited her to the Winter Dance at Roanoke College where he was a student. They honeymooned in Virginia Beach. Gene is an ordained deacon and active in the Fellowship Class, while Gerry is a member of the Vota Vita Class. They have been members of our church since On another marital note, John and Lois Welfare celebrated their 60th anniversary on May 31st!!

Bob and his family were for many years residents of the Raleigh Court area in the 1950s and 60s during which time the Slaughter family attended VHBC.

2 Nearly 250 persons filled the Sanctuary on Saturday, June 2nd, for the memorial service of decorated D-Day veteran John Robert Bob Slaughter, Sr. Bob Slaughter was familiar to many as the driving force behind the creation of the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford County. Bob and his family were for many years residents of the Raleigh Court area in the 1950s and 60s during which time the Slaughter family attended VHBC. The service was officiated by our pastor and members of Post 64, 29th Infantry Division Association, served as honorary pallbearers. Interment was at Everg r e e n Cemetery. Mr. Slaughter was 87 He is survived by his wife, Margaret, and sons Bob, Jr., and Hunter as well as other family members. Dear VHBC, My children are a most precious gift from God. Without your help Lauren and Nick could not have received the necessary surgery and medical treatment. Thank you for all the fundraisers, donations, support, love and many prayers. The special prayers we shared together and our strong faith in God gives us the strength to handle the days ahead. We are so blessed to have such a special church family. We love you all. - Lauren, Nick, James, and Teresa Brown New Member Spotlight A few months ago Ken and Lucy made VHBC their church home, uniting by transfer of church membership. Ken is our church administrator, having become a part of the church staff team a couple of years ago. He is the retired director of fiscal services for Roanoke City Public Schools. Ken also worked as a state auditor in Virginia and served in the US Army. Born in Mexico, Missouri, Ken is a graduate of William Fleming High School and Virginia Tech, and holds a Master of Business Administration from Lynchburg College. Lucy is also retired from the Roanoke City Public Schools, where she was the secretary/ bookkeeper at the Roanoke Valley Governor s School for many years. Lucy was born in Watha, North Carolina and is a graduate of Palmer College. Lucy spent many years working as a medical secretary at Lewis-Gale Clinic. Lucy is on the Board of Directors for the Roanoke Fellowship of Christian Athletes, who sponsor Chaplain Johnny Shelton, chaplain for the Virginia Tech football program. Their daughter, Heather, is currently serving in the US Air Force, stationed at Fort Belvior Community Hospital, where she is in the Family Medicine Residency Program. Her address is: Capt. Heather D. Mundy, MD 6415 Fenestra Court, Unit 106C, Burke, VA Dear Nelson and VHBC, We are so appreciative of all you did to provide the beautiful sanctuary, music, lovely message, and all the behind-the-scenes work that went into the memorable funeral and graveside services for Big Bob. Presbyterians though we are, I know Bob and I would not hesitate to be a part of your congregation if we were in Roanoke. - Judy Slaughter Dear Church Family, We would like to thank our church friends and family for all the thoughts, prayers, cards, and meals sent our way during our recent surgeries. It is a blessing to know we belong to such a supporting church. God bless each and every one of you. -Cheryl & Roger Pulliam Dear Church Family, Thank you for your love and support to our family in the passing of Denny. Your prayers, cards, calls, food and hugs helped us through this difficult time. Thanks also to Nelson for his support and uplifting funeral service. -The Weddle Family

Our VHBC youth just completed a week at Passport held at Wingate College in NC where they participated in daily mission activit i e s w i t h Habitat for Humanity and a local f o o d bank.

We can be very proud of our youth who were great examples of Christian conduct in all things.

We are a l s o g r a te f u l to our church family w h o Nan Bartol The Gardens at Warwick Forest, 1000 Old Denbigh Boulevard, Room 15A, Newport News, VA 23602 - Rick July Youth Activities 12th Music

will be going to Splash Valley on Saturday, July 14th. Everyone is asked to meet at the park at 1pm.

3 Our VHBC youth just completed a week at Passport held at Wingate College in NC where they participated in daily mission activit i e s w i t h Habitat for Humanity and a local f o o d bank. In addition, there was daily Bible study, worship, recreation, and fellowship with the week s theme being Life Together: Encountering Children s Ministry Christ, Embracing Community, Extending Grace. We can be very proud of our youth who were great examples of Christian conduct in all things. We even had an honor camper as Haley Courtney was the very first student recognized for o u t standing effort in her mission activity! We are a l s o g r a te f u l to our church family w h o Nan Bartol The Gardens at Warwick Forest, 1000 Old Denbigh Boulevard, Room 15A, Newport News, VA Rick July Youth Activities 12th Music and Ministry in the Fellowship Hall, 6:00pm 14th Outdoor Movie Night in the Courtyard, 8:30pm 17th Tentative trip to King s Dominion (see Rick if interested) Passport Kids The Children s Ministry will be going to Splash Valley on Saturday, July 14th. Everyone is asked to meet at the park at 1pm. The cost is $8 per child and $9 for adults, though a group rate might apply depending on the number of participants. The park closes at 7pm, but families can leave at their discretion. New Address made the camp possible with their prayers and financial support. We look forward to practicing all the things we learned and experienced there in our Roanoke community and church! Shown above is our own Mavis Ramirez at Passport Kids at Eagle Eyrie. Mavis was able to attend this children s camp June through a scholarship provided by our Women on Mission. Mavis had a great time! During the month of June we collected the annual offering for the ministries of the Roanoke Valley Baptist Association, most notably supporting the two Baptist Mission Centers in Roanoke City (Friendship House on Elm Avenue and the Community Center in Southeast). Our church s goal was $1,000, and we received a total of $1,244! We thank all those that gave! For July, we are collecting body wash (no bar soap) and shampoo (no conditioners) for patients and residents at the VA Hospital. Collection box is in the Welcome Center.

Memorial Gifts designated for the Music Program have been given in memory of Denny Weddle by Michael & Avis Kesterson, Doug & Barbara Pierce, and the Gold Band Class.

4 Memorial Gifts designated for the Music Program have been given in memory of Denny Weddle by Michael & Avis Kesterson, Doug & Barbara Pierce, and the Gold Band Class. Also received were memorial gifts designated for the Music Program from F. Courtney Hoge, Rosemary C. Price, Gene & Barbara Cowan, Col. Thomas & Alleene Dalzell, all of Roanoke; Barnett & Bonnie Beamer and John & Carolyn Montgomery of Salem; Roger & Dot Leonard of Hollins; Bill & Georgie Rakes of Moneta; and Ronald & Shirley Snowden of Abingdon. The photograph above is labeled Chapel Service and probably dates to around The small, A-frame building was VHBC s first building erected shortly after the congregation constituted itself in The chapel was located originally where our chapel building is today and then was moved toward Grandin Road in 1926 when the building holding our chapel was constructed.

At a national conference for clergy, Francis Chan highlighted seven questions all ministers should ask themselves before they deliver a sermon.

5 At a national conference for clergy, Francis Chan highlighted seven questions all ministers should ask themselves before they deliver a sermon. They are great questions, and I believe appropriate for anyone who dispenses counsel, advice, teaching or opinions from a Christian perspective (by that I mean you!). Thus, I share Chan s seven questions. (1) Am I worried about what people think of my message or what God thinks? We share with fear, a conviction that what we are about to say is in accord with God s Word and not just seeking the amen of another. (2) Do I genuinely love these people? We teach with love. The Bible admonishes us to speak the truth with love. (3) Am I accurately presenting the message? In short, do we know of what we speak? Have we prepared, or are we just shooting from the hip? (4) Am I depending upon the Holy Spirit s power or my own cleverness? You and I have the opportunity to speak with power if what we say is guided and informed by the Spirit. (5) Have I applied this message to my own life? There s a common saying do as I say but not as I do. If that s the case, then what we say, if not aligned with what we do, lacks integrity. (6) Will this message draw attention to me or to God? Wow. This question can penetrate both bone and marrow in my profession. I had a seminary professor who remarked on many occasions, Never let yourself stand in the way of a good sermon. I interpreted this to mean that too often it s the minister who wishes to be the center of attention rather than the Lord of the worship service. (7) Do people really need this message. We share with a sense of urgency. Am I preaching a message that is relevant, meaningful and practical? Good questions can help prepare a good message...whether delivered from a pulpit or over a cup of coffee with a friend. - Nelson No Wednesday Evening Services During July. Sunday Coffee Bar July 1 July 8 July 15 July 22 July 29 Sunday School June June June June Doug Pierce Diane Smith Peggy Clifton Shirley Hawks Shelby Hamlett Tithes & Offerings June 3 $6, June 10 6, June 17 1, June 24 3, Sunday Bus Service July 1 Clay Lester July 8 Carey Steger July 15 Sam Lowman July 22 Randy Obenchain July 29 Carey Steger Financial Summary Through May 31, 2012 Operating Income: Offerings $ 84,888 Other* 16,447 Total $101,336 *Rent, Fees, Investment Income Operating Expenditures: Total $ 112,633 Net Gain (Loss): $ ( 11,297) Fund Balances: Operating $ (5,552) Designated 35,060 Endowments 900,655 Total Funds $ 930,162

Monthly Planner Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 12:00 PM Property Committee 10:30 AM WOM 6:15 PM Softball vs Green Ridge Warriors @ Moyer Field #1 Church

6 Monthly Planner Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday :00 PM Property Committee 10:30 AM WOM 6:15 PM Softball vs Green Ridge Moyer Field #1 Church Offices Closed Perdue, Virginia 7:15 PM Softball vs FCC Oakey's Ball Diamond Wheeler, Ben Independence Day Ramirez, Adam Buchanan, Jean 6:15 PM Softball vs FCC Moyer Field #4 10:20 AM Ladies 11:20 AM Praise Mundy, Lucy 11:00 AM Summer Study 6:00 PM Youth Music & Ministry in Fellowship Hall 6:15 PM Softball vs FCC Oakey's Ball Diamond 1:00 PM Splash Valley 8:30 PM Outdoor Movie Night Pulliam, Cheryl Sykes, Gaynell 6:00 PM Finance 8:15 PM Softball vs Salem Moyer Field #1 Youth Kings Dominion Trip 10:20 AM Ladies 11:20 AM Praise 11:00 AM Summer Study 7:15 PM Softball vs Shiloh Moyer Field # Ramirez, Minda 10:20 AM Ladies 11:20 AM Praise 6:30 PM Quarterly Business Meeting 11:00 AM Summer Study Garber, Melia Light, Lola Mattox, Michael Carson, Bill Patteson, Ralph 29 Alexander, Wanda Jun 2012 S M T W T F S Aug 2012 S M T W T F S

This Saturday, April 30th 8am. In the Fellowship Hall

This Saturday, April 30th 8am. In the Fellowship Hall May 2011 This Saturday, April 30th 8am In the Fellowship Hall Sponsored by the Berean Class Bake Sale by the Worshippers Class Church will provide meat, drinks, and condiments Last Name A-H Salad I-P Vegetable