Ministry Within and Beyond

There is a little song in the Christian tradition called "They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love," and if our congregation had a theme song, that might be it. As Presbyterians, we believe that the Christian faith is not only believing in Jesus Christ, it is also about walking in his way.  We want our beliefs to shape our practice, and vice-versa.  We want our congregation to be, not just an association of like-minded folks, but a living community of Christian worship and service. To paraphrase and expand a traditional Christian saying: We want to be "beggars telling beggars where to find bread ... and learning to share that bread with our neighbors." 

Given this great calling, our elders and pastor are always looking for new ways for our congregation to be in ministry together--both within the life of our fellowship but also beyond our walls out in the wider community.  We believe that the ministers of our church are its members, guided and encouraged by our session of elders and our pastor.  Ministry is, after all, what the church does together, always in response to the generous grace of God we have experienced through Jesus Christ. 

Here is an overview of some of the ministries in which we share.



Ministry Beyond Our Congregation

ACT for Missions

In 2003, Ernest Jones Jr. bequeathed to the Altavista Presbyterian Church a significant portion of his personal estate. Following a season of discernment, the Session chose to disburse that gift in three ways:  10% of the gift was immediately given to mission offerings and programs, including the hiring of the congregation's first seminary pastoral intern.  25% of the gift was used for necessary renovations and improvements to the church facilities.  The remaining 65% of the gift was invested with the Presbyterian Foundation under terms summarized here, thus creating the Altavista Congregational Trust for Missions.

The ACT for Missions trust is intended to challenge the membership of Altavista Presbyterian Church to offer both its time and treasure in Christian outreach and mission, at home or abroad.  The trust makes this challenge by providing an annual source of funding for mission work, as well as opportunities for additional matching funds and emergency payments.  For complete information on our missions trust, see the ACT for Missions page.

Mission Trips

APC is committed to helping neighbors in need, both near and far.  Over the past 10 years, our congregation has sponsored numerous hands-on mission efforts both right here in Altavista and as far as way as the Texas-Mexican border.  These trips are planned and executed by members of our Ministry Beyond the Congregation committee, and participation by our members has always been great.  Local projects have included workdays for the DAWN ministry (see below), Habitat for Humanity builds, and work projects in and around the homes of older members and neighbors needing assistance.  Mission work beyond our Altavista community has included trips to southwest Virginia and southern West Virginia, as well as a three-church mission week on the Texas-Mexico border in 2004.  More recently, our church has been sending work crews down to the Gulf Coast to work with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance--the disaster relief arm of our national denomination. PDA has been working on the Gulf Coast since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck there in 2006.  Contact the chair of the Ministry Beyond the Congregation committee for more information on forthcoming mission projects and trips.

DAWN

Members of APC were a key part of the original effort some 25 years ago to create DAWN - Donation A Week Neighbor.  DAWN is our community Christian outreach ministry, helping neighbors in need with emergency food, electrical and rent assistance, and overnight lodging in cases of temporary or transient need.  Over the years, dozens of APC members have collected food, served as volunteers working with clients at the DAWN office, and participated in special food collections and offerings in our congregation.  APC is proud to be a longtime partner in DAWN, sharing in this common ministry of Christian compassion with many sister churches in our community.

Mission Worker Sunday

Beginning in 2007, our Session set aside the first or second Sunday in each September as Mission Worker Sunday--an annual worship service to highlight, promote, and support the work of Christian missionaries around the world. 

 
Ministry Within Our Congregation

Bible Studies and Children's Church

Beyond the reading, hearing, and preaching of scripture during Lord's Day worship each Sunday, opportunities for the adults of our congregation to engage the scriptures include weekly Sunday School at 9:00 am, special women's and men's Bible studies, and weekly Lectionary Bible studies with the pastor.  Consult the monthly LINK newsletter for updates on specific offerings.

All of our children, up through grade 5, are encouraged to participate in our weekly Children's Church time, held during the latter portion of our Lord's Day worship service.  Our children share in worship with their families up through the Passing of the Peace, at which point they and their teachers for the month depart the sanctuary and share in Bible study and curriculum that is age appropriate.  Parents and adults share in the leadership of Children's Church, with pairs assigned for each month.  Furthermore, other adults in the congregation are invited to serve as "assistants," sharing in the discussion and activities with the children on specific Sundays.

Koinonia Meals

"Koinonia" is the Greek work used in the New Testament to describe the "partnership" or "sharing" of the early Christians in the fellowship and common ministry of Christ.  We use this rich word to describe our gatherings for fellowship and friendship. Typically held every other month after Lord's Day worship, our congregation gathers in our Fellowship Hall for a lunch.  This is great time for members to "catch up" with one another, and to share in table fellowship together.  While occasionally "pot luck," typically a small group of members take on a special menu and provide lunch for the rest of the church body.  Consult Sunday bulletins and the monthly LINK newsletter for information on specific dates and menus.

Clusters

We annually divide our congregation into 12 clusters, each one being assigned to one of our active elders on our Session.  We use these clusters as a communication phone tree, passing along to our members and regular attenders important reminders, information, or prayer concerns.  Once a year, we also gather these clusters for fellowship events and meals, allowing our congregation to get to know itself better.  Cluster elders are always available to answer questions about the ministry of our church, as well as to pass on to the entire Session any questions, comments, or concerns our members may have.

Prayer Fellowship

Every Wednesday morning at 9:30, a group of APC members meets in the Pastor's Study for an hour of intercessory prayer.  While naturally we pray for members of our own fellowship here at APC, we also pray for persons in our community, events and issues in our nation and world, and for anything else brought to our attention.  Anyone is welcome to participate in this ministry, and joys and concerns are gladly welcomed.  Speak to the pastor or Elder Janet Sodders if you would like a prayer request included on any given Wednesday morning.

Women's Circles

APC has two Women's Circles that meet once a month for fellowship, Bible study, and service projects and/or special offerings.  Both groups meet on the first Tuesday of every month, one in the morning and one in the evening.  Women of all ages are welcome to share in either group.  Contact the church office for specific dates and times.

Presbyterian Men

The men of our church meet often throughout the year for various fellowship activities and work projects.  On the first Friday of every month, all the men of the church with a lunch hour free are invited to meet at Napoli's Restaurant in downtown Altavista at 11:45 for a fellowship lunch.  The men hold workdays throughout the year to spruce up our buildings and tend to our grounds.  Quarterly fellowship events have included cookouts, volleyball games, a night at the Lynchburg Hillcats baseball stadium, bowling, etc.  We frequently hold a winter-time breakfast Bible study for all men.

 
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Sunday Mornings

  • Adult Sunday School  9:00 am
  • Children's Nursery 9:45 am
  • Lord's Day Worship 10:00 am
  • Children's Church 10:00 am

Upcoming Events

  • Prayer Fellowship
    March 17, 2010 (9:30 am)
    A weekly gathering of members for intercessory prayer for others. Pastor's Study
  • Lenten Service and Lunch
    March 17, 2010 (12:00 pm)
    Sponsored by the Altavista Ministerial Association, different preacher will offer a brief sermon.  A light lunch is provided after every service.
  • Lord's Day Worship
    March 21, 2010 (10:00 am)
  • Children's Church
    March 21, 2010 (10:30 am)
    This is for Kindergarten to 2nd graders.  They leave for the Children's Church right after Children's sermon.
  • Send off lunch for Rev. Sung and Sunny
    March 21, 2010 (11:15 am)
    We will have a send off lunch for Rev. Sung and Sunny after worship service.  Please bring a potluck dish to share. 
  • Stated Session Meeting
    March 21, 2010 (11:15 am)
    After the send off lunch for Rev. Sung and Sunny. 
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