The Witness
Volume 40, Issue 11
March 16, 2022
A Prayer for St. Patrick's Day
Though historians have many different theories about the details of St. Patrick’s life, what I remember most about him is a prayer attributed to him. Whether we choose to wear green or not on St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow, may we spend a few moments with the words of a prayer that Christians across the world have shared and offered for centuries.
 
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.

I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me;
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s hosts to save me
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude.

Christ shield me today
Against wounding
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of creation.
 -- Travis
TONIGHT!
We have a special presentation from Ann Cranwell at 6:15 PM in the gym: "Navigating the Aging Process." Ann will discuss practical information (documents to prepare, as well as tips and tricks she has learned through her own experience) designed for those who are getting older and want to ensure their paperwork is in order, as well as those who are caring for aging relatives and need direction in navigating the process. We hope you'll join us.

Children's Choirs, Youth Worship Leadership class, as well as Praise Team and Chancel Choir rehearsals will continue as scheduled.
This Sunday, March 20th
We hope you'll plan to join us this weekend for worship on the third Sunday of Lent. Travis' sermon is "Crisis of Sin," and the scripture is Luke 13:1-9.
Thrive Student Ministry
Youth Volleyball: Our first games are tomorrow night in the VBC gym beginning at 6:30 PM. Going forward, our Sunday practices for EVERYONE will be 1:30 - 3:00 PM.

Youth Worship Leadership: This time is open for any and all youth to participate. Students will practice reading scripture and public speaking, writing prayers and litanies, and learning the role and importance of each element in worship. We are also preparing for Youth Sunday (March 27th)!

DNOW: A weekend of missions and discipleship April 8th - 10th. Sign up ASAP to get a t-shirt. Cost is $60/person. Click here for the sign up sheet and more info.

Summer Camp: Week of Hope Mission Trip June 26th - July 1st in Charleston, SC. Sign up NOW with a $100 deposit. There will be a Parent/Student Pre-trip Meeting April 24th at 4:00 PM. Click here for trip details and participation form.
Next Wednesday, March 23rd:
Exercise in Letting Go, presented by Danielle Alexander, Outreach Coordinator with Good Samaritan Hospice
On March 23rd, in lieu of Adult Bible Study, we will have another unique presentation: an exercise in which we will be led through the last three months of our lives as we prepare for our own deaths. This exercise can be emotional and uncomfortable, but it creates an understanding of and empathy for the end-of-life process. We hope you'll join us for this important discussion.

March 23rd dinner: breakfast for dinner, cheese omelettes, bacon, hash rounds, and biscuits with jelly. Please make your reservation by 5 PM Tuesday, March 22nd. Costs are $6/adult, $5/child (ages 4-12), children 3 and under are free, max per household is $18, first-time guests are free.
JOY Seniors
Reminder: If you signed up for the Highland Maple Festival, we will depart VBC at 7:00 AM this Saturday.

JOY Seniors luncheon March 29th, featuring guest speaker Melissa Gaona of WDBJ7 and Street Ransom. Box lunches are available from McAlister's at a cost of $10/each. Please sign up at the JOY Seniors table, pay (checks payable to "VBC JOY Seniors"), and make your sandwich selection. Sign up by Friday, March 25th.

Crystal Springs Steam Pump Tour Tuesday, April 12th. We will depart VBC at 9:00 AM and will have lunch at The Roanoker. Your only cost is your lunch. Please sign up at the JOY Seniors table.

Morehead City, NC trip May 10-12, including a visit to the History Museum of Carteret County, the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, wild horse dolphin cruise, Cape Lookout National Seashore, and other opportunities. Roundtrip motor coach transportation will be provided by Abbott bus. Costs are listed in the JOY Seniors brochure, and payments can be made in installations. Sign up at the JOY Seniors table.
Youth Choir Mission Tour
The Youth Choir will tour their way to Kennedy Space Center in Merritt Island, FL June 4th-9th. The cost is $200 per participant. All participants need to sign up in the choir room. Payment can be made in full by April 3 (the deadline to sign up). Itineraries and permission forms will be available May 1.
Passport Kids' Camp registration is underway! Camp will take place June 15 - 18 at Eagle Eyrie in Lynchburg. Register your child by March 27th by completing a registration form (click here or find a copy in the church office) and submitting a $100 camp deposit. Questions? Contact Sarah Hurt.
Lillie Johnston
Clearview Manor #402
1150 Vinyard Road
Vinton VA 24179
Thanks to the Mary Martha Class for their donations to the Youth Choir Mission Tour, Food Pantry, Blessing Box, and Vacation Bible School.

Thanks to the Dorcas Class for donations to the Blessing Box and Ukrainian missionaries.

Thanks to the Fellowship/Berean Class for their donation to the Blessing Box.

Thanks to the Open Door Sunday School Class for their donation to the Ukrainian missionaries.
Christian sympathy is extended to Sue Shaver, Anita & Chip Bolton, Tim Bolton, and Elizabeth Mauck and families in the death of sister and aunt Norma Cooper on March 15th.
Update on Ukrainian Missionaries
If you contributed to the Zubtsov family and their cause, and would like to receive regular email updates from them, please contact Kim Yonce in the church office. They have been in Germany for a couple of weeks now and are waiting on the American Embassy to find out if their children will be issued visas. They are now able to have church via Zoom. They continue to raise funds for Ukrainian soldiers and refugees. Please continue to pray for Bogdan, Zhenia, and their three children. We have closed our donation window for these particular missionaries. However, if you would like to continue to financially support the relief effort in Ukraine, you may make contributions payable to VBC with "Ukraine BGAV Response" noted in the memo. Please see the below announcement regarding BGAV Ukrainian support.
Easter Offering
This year's Easter Offering will be equally split between the following two ministries:
  • VBC Blessing Box - The Blessing Box is the large, red, plastic box located in the edge of the Breezeway. Several times per week, the box is stocked with nonperishable food items and various toiletries for folks to come by and take what they need from the box. This ministry operates independently of the Food Pantry and does not share any Food Pantry funding. It is an alternative for individuals who cannot get to the Food Pantry during its designated hours, or who might need items in between Food Pantry visits. This local ministry has become important in meeting the needs of our community.
  • BGAV Ukrainian Relief - The BGAV is collecting funds, which are being channeled through the European Baptist Federation, to meet the needs of Ukrainians through established partners. The BGAV has asked for both financial and prayer support for these efforts. Please click here for a video explaining how your gifts help. This national relief effort shares the love of Christ to a hurting, war-torn world.
The Dr. Charlie J. Lovelace, III
Memorial College Scholarship
Attention: High School Seniors! Applications are now being accepted for the Lovelace Scholarship, a $1,000 scholarship awarded for the student's first year at a four-year school. Applications are available in the church office, at WBHS, or by clicking here. Deadline: Monday, April 11, 2022.
Blessing Box
Updated list of items needed for the Blessing Box: lotion, syrup, Spam, canned chili, canned fruit, juice boxes, peanut butter, shampoo, and individual sized applesauce (any flavor). Donations can be dropped off at the Missions Tables (please do not place items directly in the Blessing Box). Thank you!
Pillows on Patrol
Packets are now ready to be picked up to make pillows (a sewing machine is needed) and fleece blankets (can be made by hand) for our local police officers to give to children who need comfort during officer involved calls. Pick up your materials at the Missions Tables. Please click here for a tutorial on making pillows. If you have questions, please see Whitney Russell or Laura Lea Harris. Completed projects can be returned to the Missions Tables or church office.
Please click here for the registration form for Egg My Yard, which you can print, complete, and return with payment by April 6th. Forms are also available at the Welcome Center.

Please also note that we are collecting plastic eggs and peanut-free candy or toys to stuff into the eggs. Please drop off donations at the Missions Tables.
Donations Needed for Homebound Easter Baskets
Please drop off in the appropriate bin at the Missions Tables any of the following items to help fill our Easter baskets for our homebound folks: large print word search booklets, sugar free candies, small hand sanitizers, and small tissue packs.

We also need folks who are willing to deliver these baskets the week of April 10-16. (Baskets will be ready for pickup at the church on Sunday, April 10th.) Please see Joanna Williamson if you can help.
Missions Update from Emily Nicely
Thank you so much for the prayers while my friends and I served in Comoros. I am so thankful for your support. -- Emily
Attention: Undergraduate Students & their Parents
The Williamson family has a special Easter treat for each of our undergraduate college students to let them know that we're thinking of them this semester. However, we are in needs of names and addresses again. Please contact Joanna Williamson or the church office (540-343-7685) with your student's name and current address. We want to make sure that we include everyone. Thank you!
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Youth Choir Mission Tour Fundraiser
Charlie Chattin has once again been very busy on behalf of the Youth Choir! As of Sunday, we will have 30 additional birdhouses available for sale to benefit the Youth Choir; stop by the Welcome Center and check them out. Now is a perfect time to place a birdhouse outside and enjoy the spring season. Each birdhouse is $20. Thanks to Charlie and to you for helping support the Youth Choir!
Dear Vinton Baptist Church and the Sunday School classes that my mother, "Ginnie" Hall, attended,
My family and I wish to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the beautiful flowers you sent in memory of my dear mother, "Ginnie" Hall, who recently passed away. Vinton Baptist Church was an integral part of my mother's life for many decades, even after she could no longer drive to Vinton to attend services, including her beloved Sunday School class, each week. When I collected my mother's mail at Brandon Oaks near the end of her life, there were several cards from her Sunday School class. This meant so much to her, and to me, because it shows the love that resonated from her church family. God bless you for your love and thoughtfulness during this very difficult period for my family and me. Regards,
Tim Hall, London, UK (and Renee, Alex, Alivia, & Abby)
Please note that all articles and notices for The Witness are due by noon the Monday prior to publishing.

Due to Kim's vacation schedule, articles and notices for the March 30th Witness will be due by noon March 24th.