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OUR
VISION, OUR HEARTS, AND OUR DOORS ARE ALWAYS OPEN

February 1, 2022
I am very excited about how our season of revitalization has begun. If you haven’t had a chance
to participate, in simplest terms, what we’ve been doing is inventorying our strengths and
weaknesses and our needs and abilities. This has been very helpful for Pastor Tom, the Session,
and the revitalization team to get a glimpse of the feelings of the congregation. The church is
abuzz with energy as we continue along in each step of the process. All this energy needs to be
rightly focused so we do not lose focus of the center of our faith: the Word of God.
In God’s Word we learn much. We learn about Christ and His mediatorial work in our
redemption. We learn about God’s covenantal promise to remain steadfast to His elect, who in
turn will remain faithful to Him. We learn about our duties as children of regeneration, what God
expects of us and what we should expect of ourselves. There is more that we learn but space does
not allow it and you get the picture that without the Bible there is no Christian faith.
As we move from inventorying to interpreting to innovating, it is vitally important that our

revitalization (pun intended) remain focused on the Word of God. Becoming a more relevant and
vibrant congregation doesn’t begin with changing worship styles, adding more service projects,
attracting the young and the many, building a gym and hangout spot, or any other good and
necessary vision. Relevancy and vibrancy are measured not by programs during the week, butts
in the pews, or funds in the bank. Relevancy and vibrancy, from God’s perspective, is measured
by faithful disciples living faithfully in His Word. That is the measure that matters to me and I
want it to matter to you, too.
The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) is not a trite slogan or vague directive. It is a clear
and concise command for every church in every age. Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying,
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of
all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the
end of the age.” Notice Jesus introduces this commission by restating “all authority has been
given [Him].” If all heavenly and earthly authority rests in Jesus, then you better believe any and
all commands He gives are given with the full weight of that authority. Therefore, the Great
Commission is not a pithy motto, general suggestion, and certainly not optional.
There are four elements to the commission: “Go,” “Make disciples,” “Baptizing them,” and
“Teaching them.” These are fairly self-explanatory, but we’ll unpack these four in fullness on
February 20th when I interrupt my Genesis series to speak on this important imperative.
Rev. Eduardo Soto, Jr., PASTOR

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

FEBRUARY
Birthdays Anniversaries
2 Al Smith
5 Alex Eubank
15 Ivey Janiak
16 Shirley Jefferson
18 Charlotte Mabry, Margaret Gafford
22 Dianne Emmett
27 Kiernan deBernard

MARK YOUR CALENDAR…

The Revitalization program and luncheon that was Postponed Sunday, January
16th has been rescheduled for Sunday, February 13th after worship. Food for the
luncheon will be provided.

SERMONS THIS MONTH
FEBRUARY 6 • FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Genesis 1:28-31 “Preeminent Stewards”
FEBRUARY 13 • SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Genesis 2:1-14 “Paradise Formed”
FEBRUARY 20 • SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

*Matthew 28:18-20 “Our Commission”
FEBRUARY 27 • EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Genesis 2:15-25 “A Suitable Helper”
off-series sermon

HAPPENING THIS MONTH

YOUTH GROUP – FEB. 6 T H & 20 T H
Youth Group meets Sundays at 5:00 PM
in the youth room. All youth 8th through 12th
graders are welcome!
We continue a discusson on the Portraits of
Christ in the Gospel of John.
BIBLE STUDY — FEB. 1 S T , 8 T H , 15 T H , & 22 N D

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 — FEB. 2 N D , 9 T H , 16 T H , & 23 R D

Men’s Bible study meets Wednesdays at
8:00 AM in the Sunday School Room.
We start a new discusson on the Acts of the
Apostles.
FOR GREATER DETAIL ON THESE AND OTHER

DISCIPLESHIP OPPORTUNITIES, CHECK OUT OUR
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER EXPOSITOR DIGEST.

February 2022
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5
10 AM Bible Study 8 AM Men’s Bible
Study
Noon - Men’s
Lunch at Main
Street Café
6 PM Ministry
Beyond Mtg.
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
10 AM Worship 10 AM Bible Study 8 AM Men’s Bible
Children’s Church Study
Communion
Collect Two Cents-
A-Meal Offering
5 PM Youth Group
Mtg. at the Church
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
10 AM Worship 10 AM Bible Study 8 AM Men’s Bible Presbytery Mtg.
Children’s Church Study
Noon - Men’s
Revitalization Lunch at Mama 1 PM DAWN
Luncheon after Rosa’s Board Mtg.
Worship
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
10 AM Worship March Link 10 AM Bible Study 8 AM Men’s Bible
Children’s Church Deadline Study
Session Meeting
after Worship
5 PM Youth Group
Mtg. at the Church
27 28
10 AM Worship 5:30 PM C.E. Mtg
Children’s Church
7 PM SPARKS
Mtg.
Altavista Presbyterian Church
Session Highlights
January 23, 2022 meeting
• Revisited the Nursery Worker line item in the 2022 Operating Budget. That line
item ($2,600) was determined to be adequate.
• Approved requesting Community Outreach Block Grants from the Presbytery of

the Peaks for the following: $1,500 for the Campbell County Literacy Program,
$1,500 for Kairos Prison Ministry & $1,500 for the Altavista Outreach &
Enrichment program.
• Reviewed the November & December 2021 Treasurer’s reports.
• Approved minutes of the November 21, 2021 Stated Session meeting, the
November 28, 2021 Congregational meeting & the December 12, 2021 Called
Session meeting as presented.
• Approved APC’s Annual Statistical Report to Presbytery.
• Elected Chip Roark as Commissioner & Mark Younkin as Alternate

Commissioner to the February 17, 2022 Presbytery meeting.
• Approved the following Worship services: Ash Wednesday on March 2, 2022;

Maundy Thursday on April 14, 2022; Good Friday on April 15, 2022; &
Christmas Eve.
• Joys & concerns of the congregation were identified. Moderator Ed prayed for
those listed & to close the meeting.

December-2021 YTD
Pledges 6,380 99,760
Non-Pledges 2,384 21,873
Plate Offering 32 281
Total Expenses 15,077.26 149,153.12

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OUR

VISION, OUR HEARTS, AND OUR DOORS ARE ALWAYS OPEN

As we move from inventorying to interpreting to innovating, it is vitally important that our

Rev. Eduardo Soto, Jr., PASTOR

MARK YOUR CALENDAR…

FEBRUARY 6 • FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

FEBRUARY 13 • SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

FEBRUARY 20 • SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

FEBRUARY 27 • EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

HAPPENING THIS MONTH

BIBLE STUDY — FEB. 1 S T , 8 T H , 15 T H , & 22 N D

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY — FEB. 2 N D , 9 T H , 16 T H , & 23 R D

FOR GREATER DETAIL ON THESE AND OTHER

• Approved requesting Community Outreach Block Grants from the Presbytery of

• Reviewed the November & December 2021 Treasurer’s reports.

• Approved APC’s Annual Statistical Report to Presbytery.

• Elected Chip Roark as Commissioner & Mark Younkin as Alternate

• Approved the following Worship services: Ash Wednesday on March 2, 2022;

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