WORLD VICTORY CHURCH & LIFE CENTER THE VISION OCTOBER 2016 PASTOR S MESSAGE

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1 WORLD VICTORY CHURCH & LIFE CENTER THE VISION OCTOBER 2016 PASTOR S MESSAGE Howard Walter Jones, D. Min. Senior Pastor God of Things and Society LOVING GOD WITH OUR HEART, SOUL AND MIND Profound soul-searching and vigorous intellectual reflection are necessary if we are to continue to grow in an understanding of our faith and our calling. Reflecting on one s primary task in ministry is vital, not only at the beginning of one s ministry, but also throughout the course of that ministry (James H. Cone, A Black Theology of Liberation). No one can escape the pain and agony, derived from questions and issues that we face today. Listed below are a few enquiries that we tend to struggle with as we dare to confront the many social, political and religious challenges of the God- Society in this day and time. For our sake, theology means to us things related to God, or God-Things. 1. Why do we suffer more than others? 2. Should we want others to suffer as much as we, or what? 3. What should be done by leadership to level the playing field, and whose responsibility is it anyway? 4. What can we do to assure people that God is able to bring change to all life? 5. What are some of our major hang-ups in the local church communities? 6. What is it that we need to know about the Gospel and the world so we can become more effective witnesses of Jesus Christ, and bring creative change in society? 7. Do we have a backwards theology or dualistic theology that separates the soul form the body; male and female; spirituality and sexuality; one religion good and another bad? 8. Should our theology be a constant struggle or should we absorb all of it at one time? What are some other things to consider when confronted with conflicting situations? 1. What s really going on? 2. How did I get involved? 3. What are my biases in this matter? 4. Should right and wrong be major factors? 5. How can I deal with Love for Self and Others? 6. How can I deal with the Interests of Self and Others? 7. How good am I at Forgiving Myself and Others? 8. What shall I do? Check out these ethical situations taken from biblical history, and renew your relationship with the same God of things and society who demands that we love Him with all our heart, soul and mind. He also wants us to love others as we love ourselves ourselves. In Loving Memory Ms. Annie Avent (Eulogized Oct. 3, 2016) 1 New Members Mr. Leven Ashby Ms. Renea Hammitt Mrs. Ethel Hammitt Mr. Anthony Johnson Mrs. Collette Johnson

2 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION WVCLC Life Application Bible Study meets every Sunday morning at 9:45 a.m. There is nothing to know or no level of Bible knowledge needed just come! There are no zingers no gotchas all we have is God and a desire to know how to apply God s word to our life situations. Sunday Scripture Schedule for the rest of this year: OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER Luke 18:9-14 Habakkuk 1:1-4 & 2: Psalm 145:1-5, Thessalonians 3:6-13 Jeremiah 23:1-6 Psalm 122 DEACON S MINISTRY The Deacon Board members are still doing an excellent job of communicating and visiting our neighborhood members and keeping them informed, especially, our sick and shut-in. Additionally, we deliver a small gift of flowers to our recently listed sick or shut-ins Romans 15:4-13 Matthew 11:2-11 Isaiah 7:10-16 Psalm 96 SILVER AND GOLD Senior Appreciation Month Seniors ages were recognized for the 11 th straight year. Highlights included: The Gallery of Fine Arts Original poem entitled A Sweet Message to Seniors, recited by Mrs. Jeanette Cartwright Performances by the Youth Choir Victory Praise Dancers The Senior Ensemble (composed of members age 50 and above) National Grandparents Day Taste A-Rama Honorees included: Oldest WIMPY Members: Mrs. Naomi Gill (97), Mrs. Mary Wrenn (97), Mrs. Catherine Sidney (100) Frequent World Victory Attendees: Mrs. Portia Wilson McClenny (94); Mrs. Dorothy Houston Torrence (96); World Victory Honorees: Mrs. Helen Davis (92); Mrs. Violet Boone Williams (91). Mrs. McClenny, Torrence and Davis are the mothers of World Victory Church members Portia Chambliss, Cheryl Farrior and Carlton Davis, respectively. Victory Praise Dancers Children s Choir Mrs. Violet Boone Williams Taste-A-Rama 2

3 Ms. S.A. Howard New Directress for the Men s Chorus and Compassionate Hearts FAMILY FUN FALL FESTIVAL and BINGO NIGHT Friday-October 28 6:30-8:00 p.m. Unity Hall Children-Wear Halloween Costumes, if you like VOTE!!! on ELECTION DAY November 8 Food and Fun for EVERYONE!!! Sponsored by the Life Center and the Women s 70 P.O.C.-Penny Parker WVCLC FOUNDER S DAY & CHURCH ANNIVERSARY Sunday November 6, 2016 Check Church Bulletins for more info Join Rev. Jones for Pastor s Hour Join Deacon Cox for Discipleship Training Every Wed. in Oct., Nov. and December 7:00 p.m. 3

4 Box of Blessings Oct. 24-Nov. 17 Collection Boxes: Unity Hall; Sanctuary back entrance Sign-up sheets are in Unity Hall Bring food donations to church by Thur.-Nov. 17 th If you know of a family needing assistance, give their contact information to Renee Carter (757) for consideration. Sponsored by the Women s 70 THANKSGIVING PRAISE BREAKFAST Thur.-Nov. 24 9:00 a.m. Unity Hall Sponsored by the Men s 70 OPERATION BLESSING SHARE Annual Christmas Angel Tree Project Kick-Off mid-nov Ends mid-dec. Select on angle from the Angel Tree Attach tag & put unwrapped gift back under the tree P.O.C.-Audrey Croslin WIMPY HOLIDAY LUNCHEON PROGRAM Wed.-Dec. 7 Noon Unity Hall Featuring: Caroling Talent presentations Delicious Lunch Note: Nov. WIMPY Cancelled Women s 70 Holiday Breakfast & Time of Fellowship Date: Sat.-Dec. 10 Time: 9:30 a.m. Place: Embassy Suites (1700 Coliseum Dr.-Hpt.) Gift Exchange Gently used or re-gifted items in the $15 -$20 range RSVP by Dec. 1 st to Renee Carter at (757) CHRISTMASTIME AT WORLD VICTORY Date: Sunday-December 18 (following morning service) in Unity Hall Holiday Dinner Entertainment Caroling Winter Wonderland Fashion Extravaganza Looking for elves, talent, & models P.O.C.-Joyce Carter 4

5 What Christmas Means to Me WVCLC Members share their thoughts and fondest memories of Christmas Theresa Avans The birth of Christ and a time to give to those less fortunate. David Avans The time to enjoy Jesus birthday and remember He died on the cross for our sins. Shirley Bacote Christmas is a very special time of the year as we celebrate the birth of our savior. It's when families and friends share their love for each other by sending cards and spending time with each other at gatherings. They share their spiritual love as well as material gifts as the wise men did for Jesus. Christmas is a joyous time of year for me. Christian Cox Christmas is a celebration when Family and Friends come together and give thanks to God for the birth of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It's His Birthday. Kim Freeman Throughout my nearly 60 years of life, Christmas has held different meanings for me. During my childhood years, Christmas meant going with my dad and Sheila to pick out our tree and watching as he stood yards away and threw tinsel on its branches. It meant waiting for my mom to say it was time to cut the fruitcake that was baked weeks prior and stored carefully in an airtight container. It meant time out of school and visits from family and friends. As I grew older, Christmas morphed into a time when I could give presents to the people who had given me so much throughout my life. Sheila and I would combine our ideas and money to come up with gifts that would let our mother and father know that we appreciated what wonderful parents they had been. In later years, with a family of my own, new traditions were started. Christmas breakfast with Penny and her family enabled me to participate in the excitement of sharing the day with children. Travel to tropical destinations meant relaxation and more family time. One thing that has remained constant over all of my years is the knowledge that Christmas means more than decorations, presents and food. It is a time of faith made whole; a time of marvelous hope; a time of kindness and of remembrance. Christmas is the time when mankind received the greatest gift of all..the birth of Jesus. To paraphrase a Dickens quote I will honor the true meaning of Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year. Brenda Poole Christmas means love to me, because it was the time of the year when God showed how He loved the world. He gave His only son to take away our pains, but I also think that He allowed us (humans) to continue the celebration to show just how much love can be displaced and shown to others on His special day. It is God s way of assuring others are shown in a vision of kindness regardless of what else may or may not have occurred during that year. Christmas is a time for us to share our love and joy. 5

6 WEDDING BELLS RING AT WVCLC Deacon Joie Coppedge and his wife Debra are happy to announce the marriage of their daughter Lauren to Benjamin K. Whetstone on September 24 th. The wedding was held at World Victory and the wedding party enjoyed lunch at Schlesenger's after the ceremony. Congratulations are extended to Marva Farrish and Leven Ashby, who exchanged marriage vows on October 15 th at World Victory Church. Martin Luther King Celebration Monday-January 16 Noon-1:00 p.m. Unity Hall Breakfast with the Pastor Sat.-January 21 9:00 a.m. Golden Corral-Newport News (Sponsored by the Men s 70) Annual Church Meeting **************************** Pastor s Anniversary Be on the lookout for announcement of exact date and time for each activity. Newsletter Notes: Thanks for your contributions in As the New Year approaches, we want to put special emphasis on your GOOD NEWS.Share with your WVCLC congregation. Let us know about your civic activities, new jobs, promotions, retirements and awards. Share interesting, humorous and exciting things that have happened in your life. Newsletters are distributed by do your part to save a tree. If you are not receiving the newsletter by , notify Joyce Boisson at jboisson@cox.net to be added to the distribution list. Some hard copies are available in Unity Hall for persons without Newsletter Schedule Submission Date Distribution Date Sun.-Jan. 8 Sun.-Jan. 22 Sun.-Feb. 12 Sun.-Feb. 26 Sun.-April 9 Sun.-April 23 Sun.-July 9 Sun.-July 23 Sun.-Oct. 8 Sun.-Jan. 22 is a non-profit newsletter of WORLD VICTORY CHURCH AND LIFE CENTER 5900 Jefferson Avenue - Newport News, VA (757) Rev. Dr. Howard Walter Jones, Senior Pastor Rev. Jeffrey Jones, Associate Minister Rev. Craig Burgess, Associate Minister Joyce R. Boisson, Editor jboisson@cox.net (757) Cynthia Pugh, Assistant Editor cdpugh@verizon.net (757) Rev. Maurice C. Carter, Founder 6