OUR

VISION, OUR HEARTS, AND OUR DOORS ARE ALWAYS OPEN

November 1, 2021

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The month of November has quickly come upon us. At least it feels that way to me. From my
perspective, October has flown by. For us, November is the month of giving. Historically, it was a time
of harvest celebration. Commercially, it is a time of preparation for the Christmas season of gift-giving.
As Christians, we know it to be true that thankfulness isn’t limited to one month out of twelve.

In fact, Paul tells us in Romans 1 that characteristics of the ungodly and unrighteous are that they neither
honor God nor “give thanks” (Rom. 1:18-21). First of all, that’s a striking and startling claim, that
ingratitude is a hallmark of unrighteousness. Upon deeper reflection, however, it makes sense. As
Augustine pointed out, and Calvin after him, the root sin of every human being is pride. Every sin, from
little white lies to sexual immorality to genocide, can all be traced back, in some form, to pride. Indeed,
pride then is the foil of thanksgiving.

Why should I be thankful or to whom should be grateful if all that I have I earned by the sweat of my
brow? “Certainly not to some distant God,” our culture encourages. “Perhaps to some near and dear to
you,” says the secular humanist. “To no one but yourself,” proclaims the atheist. If pride is a vice, it’s
opposite virtue is rightly humility. And it takes humility to be truly thankful.

The humble man recognizes that it is God who has given him the ability to work, both in physical and
material form. The humble woman recognizes that it is God who has given her the opportunity to
nurture and nourish the next generation. Though his labor may be hard and her child-rearing tiresome,
the humble person nevertheless recognizes the gifts from God. This is true regardless of social status or
wealth. I know some pretty ungrateful rich people and poor people.

The humble Christian (which should be a redundant statement) sees God’s free gift of grace and
responds both with faith and works. As we experience God’s daily providence, we grow more and more
in faithfulness, just as a child grows to trust, love, and honor her parents more and more. This growth in
faithfulness prompts us to also grow horizontally, that is to love our neighbor more and more. There are
many ways of showing gratitude to our neighbors, but I’d like to briefly highlight one.

Every November we collect our Children’s’ Thanksgiving Offering to support the Presbyterian
Children’s Home of the Highlands. I prompt you to learn more about them by visiting http://pchh.org.
We will collect this offering on November 21st. PCHH serves children who cannot live in their homes
because of abuse or neglect. Please consider giving generously.

Rev. Eduardo Soto, Jr., PASTOR

434-369-5286, office / 334-237-1895,
mobile

NOVEMBER

Birthdays Anniversaries

5 Allison Mabry
6 Alline Ritzer
10 Geraldine Kauffman
13 Betty Walton
16 Megan Ingram
19 Dana Taylor, Eann Janiak
21 Dean Barbour
24 Frank & Barbara Podrebarac
26 Darlene Robertson

Sermons This Month

November 7th • Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Mark 15:16-26
“The Lamb Sacrificed”

November 14th • Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Mark 15:27-39
“The Lamb Slain”

November 21st • Christ the King Sunday

Mark 15:40-47
“Unforeseen Faithful”

November 28th • First Sunday of Advent

Mark 16:1-8
“An Abrupt End”

SESSION HIGHLIGHTS

Altavista Presbyterian Church

October 17, 2021 meeting

• Reviewed the September, 2021 Treasurer’s Report.

• Decided to transfer $2,000 from reserves to cover the cost of installing a dehumidifier into the
sanctuary HVAC system.

• Approved minutes of the September 19, 2021 Stated Session meeting as presented.

• Elected Kevin deBernard as Commissioner & Martha Moore as Alternate Commissioner to the
November 18, 2021 Presbytery meeting.

• Elected Kevin deBernard as the Session representative on the 2022 Nominating Committee.

• Called a Congregational meeting for November 28, 2021, following Worship, for the purposes
of: (1) presenting the 2022 Operating Budget, (2) approving Pastor Ed’s 2022 Terms of Call &
(3) electing the 2022 Nominating Committee.

• Joys & concerns of the congregation were identified. Moderator Ed prayed for those listed & to
close the meeting.



September-2021 YTD
Pledges 7,744 79,407
Non-Pledges 1,310 15,265
Plate Offering 52 226
Total Expenses 12,208.90 101,886.42

The family of Lavalette Dunn (Bev Eubank’s mother) thank you for your acts of sympathy as they
grieve the loss of their Mom.

November 2021
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5 6
10 AM Bible Study 8 AM Men’s Bible 7:30 AM Donuts
Study & Coffee Served
Noon - Men’s 8 AM Church
Tuscan Grill Maintenance
6 PM Ministry Workday
Beyond Mtg.

7 8 9 10 11 12 13
9 AM Adult Sunday 5:30 PM Christian 10 AM Bible Study 8 AM Men’s Bible
School Ed Mtg. Study
10 AM Worship 7 PM SPARK Mtg.
Communion
Children’s Church
Collect Two Cents-
A-Meal Offering
6 PM Youth Group

Deadline to Return
OCC Items

14 15 16 17 18 19 20
10 AM Worship 10 AM Bible Study 8 AM Men’s Bible 9 AM Zoom
Children’s Church Study Presbytery Mtg.
Noon -Men’s Lunch
OCC Packing Party Main Street Cafe 1 PM DAWN
after Worship Board Mtg.
5 PM Youth Group

21 22 23 24 25 26 27
10 AM Worship December Link 10 AM Bible Study Church Office Thanksgiving Day
Children’s Church Deadline Closed Church Office
Collect - Children’s Closed
Thanksgiving
Offering
Session Meeting
after Worship
6 PM Youth Group

28 29 30
10 AM Worship 10 AM Bible Study
Children’s Church

Congregational
Mtg. after Worship

HAPPENING THIS MONTH!

SUNDAY SCHOOL — NOV. 7TH
Adult Sunday school meets Sundays at 9:00 AM
in the Sunday School room.
We continue to discuss the central truths of the
Reformation.

YOUTH GROUP — NOV. 7 T H , 14 T H , & 21 S T

Youth Group meets Sundays at 6:00 PM in the
youth room. All youth 8th through 12th graders are
welcome!
We continue to discuss Rebecca McLaughlin’s
book Confronting Christianity.

BIBLE STUDY — NOV. 2 N D , 9 T H , 16 T H , 23 R D , & 30 T H

Bible Study meets Tuesdays at 10:00 AM in the
Sunday school room.
We continue a systematic exposition of the
Westminster Confession of Faith.

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY — NOV. 3 R D , 10 T H , & 17 T H

Men’s Bible study meets Wednesdays at 8:00
AM in the Sunday School Room.
We continue to examine and discuss the Book of
Job.

FOR GREATER DETAIL ON THESE AND OTHER DISCIPLESHIP

OPPORTUNITIES, CHECK OUT OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
EXPOSITOR DIGEST.



ALTAVISTA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
707 BROAD STREET - P O BOX 126 - ALTAVISTA, VA 24517
434-369-5286 – Office phone - 434-369-1101 – FAX
office@altapres.org - email - www.altapres.org - web site



Packing Party
after worship
November 21, 2021

ALTAVISTA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
707 BROAD STREET - P O BOX 126 - ALTAVISTA, VA 24517
434-369-5286 – Office phone - 434-369-1101 – FAX
office@altapres.org - email - www.altapres.org - web site



Hello All,

It's that time of year again and our Operation Christmas Child Tree is now up for you to choose
ornaments to purchase items for our shoebox gifts- Gospel Opportunities!

Ornaments are labelled with the ornament number on one side and the item(s) to be purchased on
the other side. When you choose your ornament please put your name on the list beside the
corresponding number for that ornament. All items need to be returned to the church with
ornament attached, by Sunday, November 7th so I have everything in time to set up for our
packing party which will be right after worship on Sunday, November 14th.

Since I started keeping records in 2008, APC has provided 925 shoebox gifts to children around
the world. What a great way to show them God's love and care for them! Thank you so much for
your continued support of this wonderful ministry!

If you want to participate and are unable to do the shopping I will be glad to do it for you, just let
me know. And, if anyone has any questions please feel free to call me at 434-660-5523.

May God bless you all!

Barbie Andrews
Ministry Beyond the Congregation

The Property Committee
HELP NEEDED
is requesting your help!
We’re going to be shorthanded giving food out for The Property Committee has
Daily Bread next Monday and Thursday. We will planned a “F all Clean-up
need a couple of people for Monday and could use Day” for Saturday, November
6, beginning at 8 am and
at least 3 for Thursday. Food is given out in the
ending around Noon. Please
boat ramp parking lot at English Park. You will consi der coming out and
need to be there by 11:10am and it takes about 30 helping with “sprucing up” our
minutes. Please let me know if you can help. Church Building. Donut s and
Thanks! Coffee will be served at 7: 30
and then the work will begin.
Barbie Andrews Any help will be ap preci ated.
Many hands make light work!!
434-660-5523

ALTAVISTA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

707 BROAD STREET - P O BOX 126 - ALTAVISTA, VA 24517
434-369-5286 – Office phone - 434-369-1101 – FAX
office@altapres.org - email - www.altapres.org - web site