ADVENT LUTHERAN CHURCH
8840 University City Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28213
704-549-1555
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Weekly News and Prayers on March 18, 2021
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YouTube channel -- Advent Lutheran Church ELCA Charlotte
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WORSHIP AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP -- March 21, 2021
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Theme: Again and Again: We are Reformed!
Jeremiah 31:31-34 and John 12:20-33
To access the worship service:
Go to adventlu.org and then click on the link for the worship service on the home page.
Bulletin available prior to worship on the home page of the website.
No Zoom communion on March 28 as it will be included in the outdoor service that day. If you are viewing from home, we encourage you to have your elements ready to share at the point the congregation shares
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UPCOMING OUTDOOR HOLY SEASON SERVICES & TIPS
Over the next few weeks, we have outdoor services scheduled for the Advent family as well as our brothers and sisters in Christ at Newell Presbyterian, Torrence Grove AME Zion, and NuVision Church. Below is the schedule along with location. In addition, you will also find helpful reminders about our outdoor worship. We hope to see everyone at some point during this wonderful time of preparation for the celebration of our Lord's resurrection.
- Sunday, March 28 -- Palm Sunday service at 10am at Advent. We do expect a number of the other churches to participate and it promises to be a wonderful event. The outdoor service will be livestreamed but if there is inclement weather, there will be a normal live-streamed service from within the sanctuary.
- Thursday, April 1 -- Maundy Thursday service at 6:30pm at Advent and will be live-streamed. In the event of inclement weather, only an indoor live-streamed service will be available to the congregation.
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Friday, April 2 -- Good Friday -- two services -- 12 noon and 6:30pm at Advent. The 6:30 service will be livestreamed. In the event of inclement weather, only an indoor live-streamed service will be available to the congregation at 6:30.
- Sunday, April 4 -- EASTER SUNDAY!!! -- two services -- 7am (sunrise) and 10am regular worship, both at Newell Presbyterian Church located at 1500 Rocky River Road 28215. Details on the livestreaming of this service will be provided as soon as finalized.
Please take a moment to review the reminders below about our outdoor services:
- We ask that folks enter through the main entrance on Mark Twain (beside the church). If, however, if the grassy area is soggy from recent rain, we will hold the service on the asphalt at the entrance to the admin wing. In that case, entrance should be from the rear of the church on Sandburg Avenue. Just look for the sign at the main entrance directing you to the rear entrance if that's the case.
- Plan to arrive 20-30 minutes prior to service start time. This gives time to park and get situated with your chairs.
- When we are going to be able to worship on the grass, there should be squares painted on it. One family unit in the center area of each square, please.
- Bring your chairs; however, if you forget or don't have one, we will have some red ones available.
- Those who wish to stay in their car for the service will be able to tune in to FM station 91.1 to hear the service better. Also those cars will park front in to the grass or front in to the chairs if we are on the asphalt. When we're on asphalt, there is room for only 7 vehicles so others will have to be further back.
- Masks and social distancing continue to be required at all times.
- Family names (and contact info for non-members) will be taken upon entrance. This is for the purpose of contact tracing.
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ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL - SUNDAYS via ZOOM
Class resumes on April 11 with study of the book of Mark
To connect:
Meeting ID: 824 6793 5162 Password: 967619
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MONDAYS -- DEVO 2.0
12 noon via Zoom on these scheduled dates: March 29; April 19; May 3
Discussion of "LOVE IS THE WAY " by Bishop Michael Curry
To connect:
Meeting ID: 863 8714 4586 Passcode: 484478
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MONDAYS -- PARLOR CLASS 7PM via Zoom
"Sermon on the Mount -- A Beginner's Guide to the Kingdom of Heaven"
To connect:
Meeting ID: 863 5263 1572 Passcode: Parlor
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WEDNESDAYS -- LUNCH AND LEARN 11:45am via ZOOM
Class resumes on April 14 with study of the book of Mark
To Connect:
Meeting ID: 828 0443 8239 Passcode: 043459
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COLORFUL WORSHIP FOR FAMILIES
We offer Godly Play and other videos to our families with children. They are made with love and we hope you enjoy sharing a close time with God and your family through these offerings right in your own home.
You can access these videos in several ways: 1) From the home screen of the Adventlu.org website in the lower left side; 2) from the Advent Lutheran Church Charlotte ELCA YouTube channel; 3) or by clicking directly on this link:
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Full details of these events elsewhere in this email
Wednesdays -- B3 Boomwackers, Bells, Beats 6:45-7:15pm
Thursday, March 18 -- 1pm Adventurers via Zoom
Sunday, March 21 -- 10am Online worship
Sunday, March 21 -- 4pm Salty Sunday for Youth
Wednesday, March 24 - 9am-3pm Blood Drive at UNCC
Wednesday, March 24 -- Lenten service available at 6:30 via adventlu.org
Sunday, March 28 -- Outdoor Palm Sunday Worship
Wednesday, March 31 -- deadline for ordering Easter Eggs
Thursday, April 1 -- 6:30pm Outdoor Maundy Thursday service
Friday, April 2 -- 12 noon Outdoor Good Friday service
Friday, April 2 -- 6:30pm Outdoor Good Friday service
Sunday, April 4 -- 7am Easter Sunrise service outdoors at Newell Presbyterian Church
Sunday, April 4 -- 10am Easter service outdoors at Newell Presbyterian Church
Sunday, April 11 -- Adult Sunday School resumes with Study of Mark
Wednesday, April 14 -- 11:45am Wednesday bible study resumes with Study of Mark
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UPDATE FROM REGATHERING TASK FORCE
Your Advent Regathering Task Force has been meeting over the past months and developing policies and protocols to be followed when we ultimately return to in-person worship and use of the church facilities. We have been monitoring data such as "Percent Positive Test Rate" for Mecklenburg County as well as the ever increasing rate of vaccinations. All these data are trending positively over the past month and are expected to improve as we move into April and May.
Considering this, the Task Force has issued a recommendation to continue weekly outdoor worship services through April. As long as the % Positivity Test Rate remains stable and under 5.0% and the vaccinations continue their upward trend, the Task Force has set a "goal" of returning to indoor worship as soon as May 2nd. Indoor worship services will be held in the Orinson Fellowship Hall at first and protocols will be followed. (masks, social distancing, no singing, etc.)
The Task Force will continue to meet and enhance/adapt the protocols as statistics improve and we expect to issue further updates for you as we near Holy Week March 28 - April 4.
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PANDEMIC VERSION OF ADVENT'S ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT
This year the youth at Advent will be spreading the joy of Easter to YOU as a fundraiser for RLE Youth Missions. You may purchase candy-filled Easter eggs (2 choices of size) and with it, one of our youth will hide the eggs in your yard on Easter Eve. In other words, they will hide the eggs in your yard or that of someone you choose, on Saturday evening. Wake up on Easter morning with a yard of fun!!
You may choose a dozen candy-filled eggs for $10 or four dozen for $35. To place an order for your family or a gift for someone else, contact Brooke at youthandmilestones@adventlu.org. Please place orders by March 31st and limit the area to within 20 miles of the charlotte city limits. Happy Easter!
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YOU ARE INVITED
The Racial Justice Education and Worship Team will meet on Sunday, March 21 at 5:15pm via Zoom and you are invited to join in. This group provides studies, seminars and events that support congregation members in the journey to understand the issues and challenges surrounding racial justice work as we respond to God’s clear direction to fight for justice and freedom for all people.
To connect:
Meeting ID: 847 7322 2800 Passcode: 205758
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MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO YOUR COMMUNITY AND DONATE BLOOD!!!
The UNC Charlotte community wants to show how much it bleeds 49er Green! UNCC is teaming up with the American Red Cross for their annual 49ers for Life Blood Drive! While things may look a little different this year, our mission and commitment to our community remains the same. Roll up your sleeves this March, and help patients in need.
Wednesday, March 24 9 a.m to 3 p.m.
University of North Carolina Charlotte Student Union 340
Charlotte, NC 28223
Click below to join them -- For questions, contact Keith Wassum at knwassum@bellsouth.net
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NEW STUDY OF THE GOSPEL OF MARK
Adult Sunday School and the Wednesday Lunch Bible Study classes have just completed the study of the Book of Isaiah and are looking forward to the next journey together through the Bible! Join us as we study the Gospel of Mark. Pastor Ward and Carol Schierlmann will be leading both groups on the dive into this important part of the New Testament.
The study begins April 11 for the Sunday class and April 14 for the Wednesday group. It will conclude on June 6 and June 9 with 2 weeks off during the time period. Preparation for the class involves reading the upcoming scripture from Mark each week as well as the accompanying study guide if desired ("Interpretation Bible Studies: Mark" by Richard I. Deibert -- available from Amazon and other bookstores).
We would love for some people to get involved with our studies who have never attended. Since our lectionary this year is from Mark, it would be a great way to better understand this Gospel. Please consider joining one of these classes. Connection information is given above under Worship and Learning Opportunities. Hope to see you there!
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ADVENTURERS MONTHLY MEETING
The Advent Adventurers Group will meeting via zoom for their monthly gathering on Thursday, March 18, 1pm. Everyone is invited who finds themselves available at that day and time. It will be a "virtual pinch those who don't wear green" time! Our program will be a sharing of Esther's trip to Africa in 2017 which promises to be very enlightening for those of us who have only dreamed of going to that continent. Hope you will join in.
To connect:
Meeting ID: 878 5005 2658 Passcode: 462757
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PLEASE REMEMBER OUR LITTLE FREE PANTRY !!
Just a reminder, Advent Family .... Our Little Free Pantry is always in need of items to be able to keep it fully stocked. There are several ways you can help:
- Bring non-perishable food items and place them directly into the Little Pantry which sits in the side yard of the Wubben-Smith House.
- Bring non-perishable items to the church and place them inside the red doors.
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Go to Amazon and access the Wish List that has been established for supplying items. The link is https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/MNHZQ6F3AYHH?ref_=wl_share . Remember to select the shipping option that says "Sharon Thrower's Gift Registry Address". This is to facilitate delivery since the church is still closed.
Sharon is the contact from the Social Ministry Board for the Little Free Pantry. If you have questions or ideas about the pantry, including donations and how to become more involved, feel free to contact her at PreschoolDirector@adventlu.org. Our Little Free Pantry is located on Bonnie Lane in the side yard of the Wubben-Smith House.
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HOW YOU CAN OFFER A HELPING HAND AS A VOLUNTEER
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HOW YOU CAN GIVE!!!
- You may mail a check to the church at 8840 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28213. All offerings received will go to General Fund unless otherwise designated on the memo line.
- You may use bill pay through your personal bank or credit union.
- You may use Online Giving. See the info below for details on using this tool.
- If you have a FOB and want to bring your offering by the church, please place it on the counter near the door to Pastor Ward's office.
Using Online Giving:
You may make a one-time gift through Online Giving or you may set up recurring donations which you can modify or cancel at any time.
- This tool allows you to use a credit card, debit card, or bank checking or savings account payment.
- The church does pay a small fee for payments made through cards and American Express is not permitted because their fee is too costly. The tool asks if you'd like to add a small amount to offset our cost.
- You can also designate where you want your gift to go.... General Fund for operating expenses or other special fund. A number of special funds are built into the tool already but if your choice is not listed, you can choose OTHER and type the name of the fund you want to get credit. You can do multiple donations in one entry.
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To use this tool you can go to the Advent website (adventlu.org) and click on GIVE in the upper right-hand corner of the main screen, OR you can click on the icon here in this note: Click here to access Online Giving now
(Remember to give to sandwiches and World Hunger -- Just add to your regular offering and mark appropriately on the memo line.)
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CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
All church office staff continue to work remotely. Contact staff by email or phone as both are being monitored by staff from home.
CALENDAR REMINDER
Making plans for an event at Advent, are you the leader of a small group or ministry leader with monthly meetings? Whatever the event or gathering (even zoom meetings) be sure to let the church office know the date, time, and room or space. Doing so is a big help in keeping the church online calendar current while communicating Advent activities and avoiding the possible mishap of overbooking a particular area. Call us at 704-549-1555 or email Harriett (churchadministrator@adventlu.org) or Pam (officeadmin@adventlu.org). Thanks, we appreciate your help.
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Spiritual Development
LOOKING FOR A GOOD READ?
Come and join the Advent Book Club. WE WILL BE ZOOMING AS LONG AS NECESSARY. See connection info below. All are welcome. Contact Jennie Henderson (jhendersonfit@gmail.com). Group will be meeting twice a month on Fridays, 6pm, per the schedule below.
Upcoming dates and suggested books:
March 19 -- Check in
April 9 -- "The Answer is ...: Reflections on my Life" by Alex Trebek
April 23 -- Check in
May 7 -- "Bleak House" by Charles Dickens (free on kindle)
May 21 -- Check in
June 4 -- "If You Ask Me (and, Of Course You Won't)" by Betty White
June 18 -- Check in
July 9 -- "The Last Year of the War" by Susan Meissner
July 23 -- Check in
August 6 -- "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents" by Isabel Wilkerson
August 20 -- Check in
September 3 -- "The Giver of Stars" by Jojo Moyes
September 17 -- Check in
October 8 -- "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
October 22 -- Check in
November 5 -- Check in
November 19 -- "The Chocolatier" by Jan Moran (currently on sale on Kindle for $5.99)
December 3 -- "The Light Between Oceans: A Novel" by M. LO. Stedman
December 17 -- Check in
Meeting ID: 854 3805 8321 Password: 388838
PRAYER AND MEDITATION OF THE DAY
If you are interested in receiving short daily prayer and devotions, please email spiritualdev@adventlu.org with the name, cell phone# and email or you may sign up online at www.adventlu.org under the Prayer of the Day tab.
ADVENT PODCAST UPDATE
There are more Radical Love podcasts available. Please take some quiet time to listen to these messages that have been created as a labor of love from your Spiritual Development and Worship Teams. You can find a link to the podcasts on the website or you can access via ITunes or your podcast app on android phones. Feedback is welcome.
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Nurture, Support & Fellowship
ADVENT SMALL GROUPS
"A great way to connect with people" "I love applying the Bible to my daily life"
For Men: If you are interested in participating, please contact Pastor Ward for more info.
Theology on Tap: This group meets with new friends from Newell Presbyterian Church monthly to discuss contemporary topics. Please see Pastor Ward or Carol Schierlmann with questions.
Tattoos on the Heart (formerly known as "Bible in Action": This small group has reading and discussing Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless by Gregory Boyle. This small group is meeting on Zoom. Please contact Pastor Ward for more information.
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FREE VIRTUAL STRETCHING CLASSES VIA ZOOM
Regular stretching releases stress and tension in our body. Jennie Henderson, an ACE CertifiedPersonal Trainer, is leading some stretching sessions for the Advent Family through Zoom. All skill levels are welcome. Modifications are offered. All you need is a water bottle, a chair, a space to lay down, and a resistance band/long towel. Any questions can be directed to jhendersonfit@gmail.com.
Classes are currently held on Tuesdays & Fridays at 3pm. via Zoom.
Meeting ID: 847 4089 4973 Passcode: 382321 wdz09
COMMUNICATE AND CONNECT THROUGH ADVENT FRIENDS ON FACEBOOK:
Join the closed "Advent Friends" Facebook group to stay abreast of events and see photos.
USE "SMILE" WHEN SHOPPING ON AMAZON.COM
Don't forget - when shopping on Amazon, access the site through http://smile.amazon.com/ch/56-1182420 and simply do all of your Amazon on-line ordering through Amazon Smile. Amazon will donate 0.5% of what you buy to Advent - not much, but if you're shopping anyway with Amazon, why not use Smile. Every penny will be used in service to God and His people.
BENEFIT ADVENTURE PRESCHOOL
If you shop at Harris-Teeter, be sure your VIC card is linked to our Adventure PreSchool ... we are group #5494.
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Outreach
USING YOUR VOICE TO SHAPE LEGISLATION
ELCA DISASTER
It seems there is always a natural disaster somewhere in the world that is very tragic. The ELCA is well known for assisting victims of hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, or other natural disasters. The team and the funds contributed directly reach victims. To donate at any time, make your donation payable to Advent with "ELCA disaster relief" in the memo line, and we will send your contribution in with others received. We also typically ask the Wubben Distribution Board to match any offerings made by the congregation.
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COLORFUL WORSHIP FOR FAMILIES
We offer Godly Play and other videos to our families with children. They are made with love and we hope you enjoy sharing a close time with God and your family through these offerings right in your own home.
You can access these videos in several ways: 1) From the home screen of the Adventlu.org website in the lower left side; 2) from the Advent Lutheran Church Charlotte ELCA YouTube channel; 3) or by clicking directly on this link: https://youtu.be/yTYsJIwqwb0
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UPCOMING PLANS FOR CONFIRMATION GROUP
March 31 at 5pm -- A Zoom meeting to introduce faith statements. At-home assignment with parents will be to write a faith statement which will be included in the faith boxes they receive at Confirmation. To connect to meeting via zoom:
Meeting ID: 815 6245 3705 Passcode: 765488
April -- Focus on baptism and hopefully an outdoor event near water at the end of the month. There will be a Zoom meeting as well.
May -- Completion of Faith Projects. Evening of Honor on May 22nd and Confirmation on May 23rd Pentecost Sunday.
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SALTY SUNDAYS
EVERY 1st AND 3rd SUNDAY 4-5pm
6th - 12th graders
Zoom link to join:
Meeting ID: 843 9148 4685 Passcode: 866800
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B3 - BOOMWACKERS, BELLS, and BEATS!
For children 4th-7th grade who want to learn a new instrument and have some fun.
Wednesday nights 6:45-7:15pm -- Social distancing and masks required
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Stay up to date with youth communications!!!
Grades 6-12 are invited to join Brooke Summerour on GroupMe at
"Advent LUTHERAN CTL 6th-12th"
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Prayers Requested
Before adding someone to our prayers, please be sure you have the person's permission. Please let us know when prayers may no longer be needed. Names will be removed from the list after two months unless updates are received. An asterisk (*) after a name means an update is needed. Please contact officeadm@adventlu.org or churchadministrator@adventlu.org) to provide updates.
Illness or Other Needs
Lizzie Akins, former Spiritual Development intern for Advent
Kathleen Basilice, mother of John Basilice
Trevor Basilice, member
Lemont Bell, friend of Gene Reid
Regina Bressler, sister of John Lewis
Ida & James Chisolm, members
Dallas Collins, family member of co-worker of Gloria Peters
Carol DiRe, member
Charliese Eichler, sister of Marylou Kuklentz
Eileen Folkerth, mother of Susan Goerke
Jan Frick, friend of Marylou Kuklentz
Jennifer Gazda, member
MaryJo Gouge, friend of Janet Rasmussen
Marla Hamilton, cousin of Janet Rasmussen
Linda Hoffman, friend of Peg Buckstad
Nylah Howard, member of Advent's brownie troop
Waylon Kuklentz, grandson of Dick & Marylou Kuklentz
Ray Matthews, father of Jesse Priser
ilda Mertz, mother of Diane Jowers
Justin Mertz, nephew of Diane Jowers
Robert & Kathryn Mertz, nephew and grand-niece of Diane Jowers
Rick Messina, member
Lucy Mullis, sister of Dwight Hartsell
Anita Ortiz, mother-in-law of Herbert & Lenore Watson's Son
Pattie Quigley, mother of Jennie Henderson
Kalvin Roberson, member
Richard Schulz, brother-in-law of Dan & Jan Otolski
Pam Simyon, daughter-in-law of Dick & Mary Lou Kuklentz
Mary Faith Strickland, former member
David Townsend, friend of Esther Abdel-Hameed
Laura Tucker, friend of Marylou Kuklentz
Stephanie Vincent, member
Herbert Watson, member
Beverly Williams, member
Lewis Williams, member
Renate Wilson, mother of Tanya DeGrace
Celebrations
Deaths - We remember and celebrate the lives of those who have died, especially..
Tanya Wilmore, cousin of Herbert Watson on February 23
Paul Coleman, friend of Advent's Via da Cristo community on March 4
Mable Thomason, aunt of Jean-Berrier Tate on March 10
Always keep ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and NC Synod Bishop Tim Smith in your prayers.
For additions or updates to this listing:
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