Greetings Members and Friends,

Wouldn’t it be great if life was void of any kind of pain or any

kind of suffering? Wouldn’t it be great if there was no more

sickness, no more trials, no more struggling? I think we

would all agree it would be worth a try.

Unfortunately, however, we know that this is not the case.

From the most righteous Saint to the lowliest Sinner, we all

experience trials and we all experience pain. We all

experience loss and we all go through things in life we would

rather not.

The good news however, is that even in our pain, we can

experience the presence of God and we can somehow gain

from the pain we endure.

In Romans 8, we are reminded that even though not all things

are good, God can and does take all things and use them for

good.

This reminds me of how Bald Eagles build their nests. At the

very bottom they start with thorns and briars. Then they add

feathers and a soft bedding for when their babies hatch. After

a while however, as the babies grow up, they pull out the soft

bedding, making it so uncomfortable that the baby birds soon

choose to make their way out of the nests.

Much in the same way, God can take the uncomfortable

events in our lives and use them to mature us and further us

along in our faith.

Grace & Peace, Pastor John

The Presby October 2021

Wytheville Presbyterian Church 285 Church Street

Wytheville, VA 24382

Phone: (276)228-4715 Email:

wpchurch@embarqmail.com

wythevillepresbyterianchurch.org

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am - 2:00pm

Rev. Dr. John Langham, Pastor Jim Gearhart, Clerk of Session Becky Absher, Music Director Wendy Morrison, Office Mgr.

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Session Digest: The Session met for its Stated September

2021 meeting on September 19 in the Session Room.

Pastoral Concerns: Ruth Absher, Kitty Baird, Juanita Ball, Shirley and Joe Cavender, Joanne Cannoy, Ruth Anne

Chitwood, Eural Clippard, Kevin Craft, Hayden Cundiff, Colleen Dunford, Delores Durham, Mimi Friedman, June Helton,

Carola Hider and Brent Hider, Art and Betty Inman, Darlene Litton, Janine

Madden, John Matheny, David and Ida McElroy, Bill and Susan Pollard, Dorothy Repass, Nancy Scott, Debra Seneda, Roger

Shepherd, Michael and Rachael Weller, Ernest Williams, Jr., Louella Williams,

Millie Wilson. Joyce Wertman and her daughter were added to the list. Motions approved by the Session:

Session approved a motion that on Dec. 10, 2021, the local Sheetz Company (who sponsor a Christmas Gift Program for

families in need) use the Fellowship Hall from 10:00-1:00 to wrap Christmas

presents and to deliver gifts to each family from the Choir Room from 3:30 to 6:30. Session accepted the August Finance

Report. Review of Calendar of Events: September 26, 2021 Pastor John

away. Martin Dotterweich, a professor from King University will fill the pulpit

October 3, 2021 World Communion Day Minute for Stewardship (Stewardship Committee)

October 10, 2021 Minute for Stewardship (Missions Committee)

October 16, 2021 Mountaintop Experience (Royal Oak Presbyterian) Dr. Ray Jones III, Speaker. The topic is “Rethinking Church

for the 21st Century-The Practices that Take Us Deeply Into God’s Love and Purpose”

October 17, 2021 Minute for Stewardship (Finance Committee) Cove Service

October 23, 2021 Wytheville Concert Series (WPC Sanctuary) Piano, Harold Brown and Kevin Matheson, Violin

October 24, 2021 Minute for Stewardship (Property Committee)

Stated Session Meeting October 31, 2021 Stewardship

Thanksgiving Luncheon Trunk or Treat Scheduled

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Men of the Church: The Men of the Church will be meeting on

Tuesday, October 12 at 6:30 p.m. Please bring a meat to grill. Salad, potatoes, drinks and dessert will be provided.

Please bring a few dollars to donate towards these. Please let Pastor John or

the church office know if you are planning to attend.

* * * * * *

5 Cents a Meal: Please remember the 5 cents a meal

offering on October 17. You may bring it to the church, or mail it in with your pledge. Please make a separate check.

* * * * * *

Cove Service:

The Cove Service will be held on Sunday, October 17 at 7:30 p.m. Please bring your lawn chairs. We will be gathering on the

lawn. Plan to social distance. * * * * * *

Newsletter & Office Information:

Information for the November newsletter needs to be in the church office by

Monday, October 25.

* * * * * *

Hope Packs:

We will be packing bags for Hope Packs

the 4th Wed. of every month at 5:00 p.m. Please plan to help with project!

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Presbyterian Women: The Presbyterian Women will begin their Fall meetings on Monday, October 4.

Circle 1 will meet at 11:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall and Circle 3 will meet at

7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We will be studying Lesson 1 in our new books “What My Grandmothers Taught Me.”

* * * * * *

Stewardship Luncheon:

Our annual Stewardship Luncheon will be held on Sunday, October 31 immediately

following worship service. It will be our traditional turkey dinner. Please plan to

stay and fellowship that afternoon. All are invited!

* * * * * *

Mission Committee Update HAITI DISASTER RELIEF

The session will be supporting the Haiti Disaster Relief with a check of $300.00.

Personal contributions can be made directly on-line or can be made by writing a check to WPC with Haiti Relief written

on the bottom. The checks must be into the church by September 19 and will be

sent to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance that week. UPCOMING PROJECTS:

December – AngelTree.org - WPC registered to work with three families and a total of 10 children.

January 2022 – School Supply Project – 90 children will be assisted, 30 from each

of the following elementary schools: Max Meadows Elementary School, Sheffey Elementary School, and Speedwell

Elementary School. Spring 2022 – The committee is discussing the possibility of hosting a very

unique event at WPC this spring. Stay Tuned for more information in the future!

* * * * * *

Old Hymn Books and Bibles

Available:

Thanks to Esther Hider the Church Library has been cleaned and reorganized. Many old hymn books need

to find a home. If you would like one for your personal use or know someone who would like the old hymnbooks, please feel

free to take them. The hymn books will be available in the Church Library for two

weeks and then will be donated and will not be available. Also, there are several Bibles that have come apart and need to

find a home. If you know of anyone who could repair or would like the Bibles,

please feel free to take them. Both the hymnbooks and Bibles are in a box on the floor in the Library.

* * * * * *

WCC to Host Concert:

Internationally acclaimed pianist and Virginia native, Harold Brown will perform with violinist Kevin Matheson on

Saturday, October 23 at 7:00 p.m. at Wytheville Presbyterian Church. The

Wytheville Concert Series will kick off its 12th season with two of the most famous works written for violin and piano:

Beethoven’s “Spring Sonata” and Brahms masterful “Sonata No. 3 in D Minor.” Mr. Brown has been heard throughout the

United States, in Europe, Australia and South America, as well as on television

and radio, in recital, in chamber music, and as a soloist with symphony orchestras. Mr. Brown has participated in

numerous music festivals and has often appeared in master classes and lecture

recitals. He has an extensive repertoire ranging from Bach to Messiaen. His performances of Ravel’s complete piano

works have garnered high critical acclaim.

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