Disney’s new animated movie, Encanto, tells the story of a special family known as the Madrigals who live in a small village surrounded by the beauty of the Colombian mountains. Each member of the family has been granted a magical gift, except Mirabel. While one of her sisters is loved by all for her super strength and the other sister is adored by all for her gift of creating beauty through flowers, Mirabel struggles with her sense of value and self-worth. She is the only one in the family who does not appear to possess a magical gift; however, as their family home begins to crumble and the magic of Encanto begins to fade, Mirabel ends up being the only one who can save them. While everyone in her family and village is focused on the magic of each person’s gift, Mirabel is able to recognize something no one else can see—the magic and beauty of the person behind the gift. Through her courage and bravery, love and devotion to her family, Mirabel is able to restore the magic of Encanto by restoring the value of each person within themselves. As her grandmother begins to understand the error of valuing the gift over the person, she responds by singing: “The miracle is not some magic that you've got. The miracle is you, not some gift, just you. The miracle is you, all of you.”

Last Sunday, we saw the best of Christian community through the laying-on-of-hands during our observance of Deacon ordination. It was a time of prayer and encouragement, support and affirmation for our three first-time Deacons. It was an opportunity to share with them their value, not for what they can do, but for who they are in Christ. Through this sacred time of encouragement, smiles and laughter were seen and heard, tears were shed, hugs were given, prayers were offered, bonds were strengthened, and friends were made. By identifying and acknowledging the value we see in them, these three Deacons experienced a day they will never forget. This is what Christian community is all about—discovering our own value in Christ and acknowledging the value of others in Christ. How can we continue that practice this week? Who needs to hear from us: “The miracle is not some magic that you've got. The miracle is you, not some gift, just you. The miracle is you, all of you.” This is the message God offers us in Christ; this is the message God calls us to share with others in Christ. Who do we know that needs to hear it?

The Spiritual Disciplines in the Narrative of Joseph study continues tonight in the gym, as we discuss the discipline of submission. Our scripture passages are Genesis 46:1-7, 28-34; 47:1-12, 27-31; 48:1-22. Click here for tonight's study notes. Next Wednesday, February 23rd we will wrap up this study with the discipline of service.

Youth Volleyball: our first practice is February 27th. We plan to have two teams. Middle school practice will be from 1:00 until 2:30 PM. High school practice will be 1:30 - 3:00 PM.

Winter Jam '22: we will head out following Youth Choir to the Berglund Center; cost is $10 at the door. Bands/artists include Skillet, KB (the church clap guy!), Tauren Wells, Colton Dixon, I Am They, and Newsong!

Snow Tubing at Wintergreen: on March 5th we plan to go snow tubing, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. Cost is $24. Sign up by February 24th.

DNOW: a weekend of missions and discipleship April 8th - 10th. Our speakers are Kaidyn Settles and Deed Murphey; the Brian Gardner Band will be our music for the weekend. Sign up by March 15th.

Summer Camp: Week of Hope June 26th - July 1st in Charleston, SC. Sign up by March 13th with a $100 deposit.

The JOY Seniors February luncheon will be Tuesday, February 22nd beginning at noon in the gym. We will have our traditional beans and cornbread meal, plus chili, baked potatoes, and dessert. After our meal we will enjoy some table games. The cost is $10/person. Sign up at the JOY Seniors table by Friday of this week. We look forward to fellowship with everyone, so see you on the 22nd!

The Happy Hearts will be offering a spring/Easter wreath make-and-take project Tuesday, March 15th, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM in the small dining room. Please sign up at the JOY Seniors table. The cost is $10 to cover supplies. There will be a limit of 20 participants, so be sure to sign up early and reserve your spot. A completed wreath is on display on the bulletin board above the JOY Seniors table.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 19th and join the JOY Seniors for an Abbott bus trip to the Highland Maple Festival. Cost of the trip is $80 and includes breakfast. Join us for a day of fun and fellowship.

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.

Please note: the Disciples' Class is currently meeting in room 115 (the Pete Creasy classroom) each Sunday morning for Sunday School for the foreseeable future. If you do not already have a Sunday School class, you are welcome to join us!

Attention: High School Seniors! Applications are now being accepted for the Lovelace Scholarship, which is given annually to a graduating senior who is a member of Vinton Baptist Church and who will be attending 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, at WBHS, or by clicking here. Completed applications must be returned to the church office no later than Monday, April 11, 2022.

Christian sympathy is extended to Kathi Pennington and daughters Rae Lea, Amy and Ana, Judy & Hootie Kelley, and Staley & Carolyn Pennington in the death of husband, father, and brother Wayne B. Pennington on February 9th; and to Anthony & Cassie Bryant and family in the death of his mother, Avonda Bryant, on February 11^th.

We need volunteers for Children's Worship and for open spots in our Nursery. We have combined those open volunteer positions into one sign-up sheet. Please consider helping us in these crucial ministries. Click here to sign up (dates available through the end of March). Thanks for serving!

Colombia and Uganda are two countries whose children have received VBC shoeboxes, per Darlene McCaskill! If you donated a shoebox using a tracking label, please click here to track your box. Then let us know where yours have been delivered so that we can keep track of as many boxes as possible.