What is your favorite Bible story? Who is your favorite Bible character? We asked that question a few months ago, and the responses led to those about whom Pastor Jo and I will be preaching starting January 16 and going for seven weeks. We will see people in the Bible and what they did, and find ourselves sin their stories.

Some of the folks you will hear about are Moses, Jeremiah, David, Esther, Ruth, Joseph Justus, and Jesus. There is not enough time in a weekly sermon to tell the whole story of any of these folks, but we will tell enough so that you can get an idea of who they were and what they did! We will also help you learn from them in your spiritual journeys.

As you know, I love stories and love to tell them. We learn best from the stories that make up our lives and those stories let us know who and whose we are. Stories of the Bible, church stories, and life stories will be our focus in the first half of 2022.

After the Bible Stories, we will look at a great piece of literature, "Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo, and see how literature expresses faith. A Wednesday Night study will accompany this series of sermons during Lent. After Easter, I plan to tell stories that have stayed with me throughout my ministry; stories of success and failure that helped shape my ministry. I pray that these will touch your life.

Millions of seniors in our nation live at or below the poverty line. Help provide a hot meal on a cold day and remind thousands of seniors in need that the community has not forgotten them, especially at a time like this, when seniors are more isolated from their friends and family than ever.

For the month of January, give a senior a hot meal on a cold day. Some of the non-perishable food items our elderly neighbors need (no glass

containers, please check expiration dates):

• Soup

• Crackers

• Ramen Noodles

• Canned Meats (such as Tuna, Chicken, Vienna Sausages)

• Canned Vegetables

• Canned Fruit

• Peanut Butter/Jelly

• Oatmeal/Cream of Wheat

• Cereal/Cereal Bars

• Carnation Instant Breakfast

• Ensure/Boost

Low-salt, nutritious items are preferred.

Please drop your donations in the breezeway by the Soul Cafe. If you prefer to give money, make checks payable to Thrasher UMC with the memo line "Soup for Seniors" or give online to the Giving Tree with the same memo.

Training Event For All!

More information is available at: https://roanokeumc.org/page.php?pg=training

Thrasher’s Confirmation class for 2022 will begin on February 20, at 5:00 pm each week.

The Confirmands will have the opportunity to join the church on April 24, the Sunday after Easter.

Because there will be outings involved in our journey this year, we are recommending that all those who plan to be confirmed be vaccinated against COVID.

If you plan to be a part of the class this year, please see Bonnie Jones or email her at [email protected].

~ Prayer Ministry Team, led by Carol BeVille - Thursday mornings at 10:30am in the Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse. For more information and updates, contact Carol.

Nancy Adams, Omia Boone, Ann Brown, Frank & Jackie Bussey, Chris Camden, Bootie Chewning, Nancy Childress, David Clark, Steve & Robin Claris, Heather Corcoran, Wes & Diane Crow, Dennis & Dot Cummings, Sam Cundiff, Don Davis, Flax Dellinger, Wayne Dutton, Doreen Ens, Betty Ennis, Mitch Forrester, Jerry Foutz, Lori Kalinke & family, Bill Jones, Terry McVey, Meg Moore, Alfred & Theresa Morgan, Linda Rickabaugh, Linda Royal, Catherine Snead, Nancy Stone, Logan West, Frank Wolfe and family, and Janet Wood

Carrington Place - Harriet Overstreet

Harmony Memory Care - Geri Hill

Hermitage - Ann Holloman, Anita Reynolds, Ruth Sage, Solon & Claudine Simpson

Our Lady of the Valley - Billie Neal

Pheasant Ridge - James R. Jones

Richfield - Dot Saunders

Salem Terrace - Darlette Shimp

South Roanoke - Lucille Whitlow