There are NO Wednesday evening activities tonight.

A Higher Note

VBC is planning a mission trip to India in October of 2025. The dates are still fluid at this time but we are looking at October 14-24. A few weeks ago, we held a meeting for those interested and had a nice turnout. The cost for the trip will be $2500. This includes air, transportation, meals and lodging. We are asking that commitments to participate be made by March 2. If you are interested but did not have the opportunity to attend the meeting, you can see me for the information that is available at this time. We are working with Bill Ross, Biju Chacko and Saji Kumar to help with the details and sight locations for the trip.

The Chancel Choir is having so much fun working on the musical, “Celebrate Life.” We are planning a revival of the 1972’s release to be presented on Palm Sunday, April 13 at 10:30 am. If you are planning to sing with the choir for this presentation, please come and get on board soon as we are moving rather quickly in our rehearsals. We have several former youth choir and music ministry participants returning for the presentation. All are welcome to come join in the fun. 

-- Chris

This Sunday @ VBC

Please join us for Sunday School at 9:15 AM. Click here for our current Sunday School brochure.

This Sunday Travis will wrap up his series on evangelism. The message is "Investors," and the scripture is Haggai 1:4-8. If you can't join us in person for worship, livestream is available through the Vinton Baptist Church app, at www.vintonbaptistchurch.org, and through our Facebook page.

Following are our other activities this Sunday:

• 11:45 AM Youth Choir
• 4:00 PM Art from the Heart/Mission Kids in the small dining room; please plan to pick up at 5:30 PM.
• 4:00 PM Weeknight Worship rehearsal
• 5:00 PM Handbells rehearsal
• 5:30 PM Youth Dinner/Extreme

Fun & the Son Valentine Exchange Tomorrow!

Newborn - PreK children and their adults are invited to join us tomorrow, February 13th, 9:30 - 10:30 AM for a special play group that celebrates our love for our friends (weather permitting). We will have special snacks and a valentine exchange, too! If you are not on Betty Jo Overstreet's contact list, but would like to attend this event, please confirm the schedule with her, as it is subject to change due to the weather.

Upcoming JOY Senior Events:

Day Trip to God's Pit Crew Tuesday, February 18th

We will travel to Danville to tour God's Pit Crew and have lunch, which will be prepared by their personal chef. We will depart VBC at 9:30 AM, have lunch, tour the facility, and return home. The cost of the entire trip is only $12/person. The deadline to sign up and pay is this Sunday or when the bus is full, although you are also welcome to drive and meet us there.

Senior Break Out Tuesday, February 25th

We will travel to Mac & Bob's in Salem for lunch. The cost of this trip is whatever you spend on lunch. Sign up at the JOY Senior table by February 23rd.

An updated 2025 JOY Seniors brochure is available at the JOY Senior table in the Welcome Center, or just click here. It includes details about the Biltmore/Billy Graham Library trip in the fall.

Upcoming Youth Events

Please note that the Youth outing to Winter Jam for tomorrow evening is now CANCELED.

February 23rd is Youth Sunday! Our praise band will lead in worship, and our seniors will preach. Our youth will also help teach Sunday School.

Youth Volleyball practice also begins February 23rd, 1:30 - 3:00 PM. We will practice March 2nd, 16th, and 30th, as well as April 6th, 13th, and 27th.

Mark your calendars for DNOW weekend March 7th - 9th. Click the following links for more details and for the registration form.

The Dr. Charlie J. Lovelace, III

Memorial College Scholarship

Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 Lovelace Scholarship, which is awarded each year to a graduating senior who is a member of Vinton Baptist and who will attend a four-year college or university. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded for the student's first year of school. Applications are available in the church office and by clicking here. Completed forms must be returned to the church office no later than 4:00 PM March 19th.

Thursday Morning Small Group

Travis' Thursday Morning Small Group is canceled for tomorrow. We hope to get started with our weekly meetings next Thursday, February 20th at 10:00 AM.

Preteen Spring Schedule

On February 23rd, the Preteens will meet at Firehouse Skate & Play at 3:00 PM for laser tag and skating. The cost is $20/person. Pickup is 5:00 PM.

On March 30th, we will have Dinner & Devotion at the church, 4:00 - 5:30 PM.

On April 27th, we will go to Treetop Quest. The cost is $29/person.

Passport Kids Camp is scheduled for June 11th - 14th at Eagle Eyrie. The total cost is $200, and a $100 deposit is due March 31st; the balance is due May 1st.

Please see Whitney with any questions. All 3rd - 5th graders are invited to all Preteens events!

Young Adult Ministry

If you are between the ages of 18 and 28 (approximately), we invite you to be a part of our refreshed Young Adult Ministry at VBC. Please plan to join us for a Lenten study beginning Sunday, March 9th at 9:15 AM. We will meet each Sunday between March 9th and Easter. The location is TBD. We are in the process of seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit and dreaming about what this ministry could entail, and we would love to have your input as we make plans. If you have suggestions or want to talk further about this ministry, please contact Kim Yonce at 540-343-7685 or kim@vintonbaptistchurch.org.

Joan Williamson

c/o Star City Rehab #308

1047 Mecca Street NE

Roanoke VA 24012

Christian sympathy is extended to the friends and family of Jack Kendrick, who passed away February 7th; and to Denise & Jeff Newton and Brittany & Jeremy Ramsey and families in the death of Reba Conner Spangler on February 4th.

Sunday, February 9, 2025:

Sunday School: 192

10:30 AM Worship

• in person: 307
• online: 340

Thank you to the Dorcas Sunday School class for their donation to Boys & Girls Club.

Please note that if you made a memorial or honorarium gift online in the past week, and if it is not listed above, we will list it in next week's issue of The Witness.

Church Counseling

We have individual adult and youth, family, and marriage counseling available at no charge for church members and their families. This ministry is offered by Cathy Abraham, LPC. If you, or someone you know, is interested, please call the church office at 540-343-7685 for more information. Days and times are flexible.

Bible Reading Plan

This week we have been reading about the tension between Pharoah/Egypt and Moses/YHWH, as well as the miracles and plagues that accompany this dispute. Note that, according to the scriptures, there is a clear progression apparent in the sequence of the plagues. The first two plagues could be duplicated by the "magicians" in Egypt; they were able to accomplish the same things that Aaron and Moses were. With the third plague we are told, "But when the magicians tried to produce gnats by their secret arts, they could not. And the gnats were on men and animals" (7:18). Not only that, but the magicians sound a warning: "The magicians said to Pharoah, 'This is the finger of God'" (7:19a). Beginning with the fourth plague, God says, "'"But on that day I will deal differently with the land of Goshen, where my people live; no swarms of flies will be there, so that you will know that I, the Lord, am in this land. I will make a distinction between my people and your people"'" (8:22-23a). I'm curious what you think about this sequence and would love your feedback.

I have created a Facebook group for those who are reading with us through our current reading plan. If you are on Facebook, please click here and ask to join. I would love to get your thoughts on the passages we are reading.

-- Kim

"Phone Tree" Notifications

Please be aware that we are switching providers for our "phone tree" service that we use to remind you of last-minute changes to our services/activities, such as the weather-related phone calls and texts that we have sent you this week. This change will take place tomorrow or Friday. Phone calls should still display as originating from "Vinton Baptist Church." The number that our texts come from will likely be different. If we need to make changes to your phone number(s) or if you would like to switch from phone calls to texts, please let us know. Also, if you usually get your information from email or social media and would like your phone number removed from the calling/texting list, please let us know, as we are charged for this service per phone number/text. Thank you!

Vinton Baptist Church Family,

Thank you so much for your prayers, cards, and calls during the sickness and death of my sister, Ruth Housman. You are such a blessing!

Barbara Slusher