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WORSHIP AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Please join us ONLINE
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP
10am -- July 19, 2020
7th Sunday after Pentecost
Readings: Isaiah 44:6-8 & Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Live-streamed t
hrough the Advent website home page
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.
(We apologize for the difficulties some are experiencing trying to connect to worship via Youtube.com directly. Please access the service through the link on
adventlu.org website instead until we can get this resolved. Thank you for your patience!)
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ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL - SUNDAY 11am via ZOOM
"Interrupting Silence" - Starts July 26th
Coming Up in Adult Sunday School:
July 19th: Discussion led by Arlene Cash and Carol Schierlmann on the 21-Day Race Equity Challenge. Resources can be found at
www.eddiemoorejr.com --
Join even if you have not reviewed any of the resources. A video will be used for the class.
July 26th through September 20th:
"Interrupting Silence" by Walter Brueggemann
(No Sunday School on July 12 and September 6)
To connect: Go to adventlu.org --- click on About Us --- Member Dashboard -- zoom links -- look for Sunday School and click there
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WEDNESDAYS -- LUNCH AND LEARN 12 noon via ZOOM
"ENCOUNTERING GOD IN TYRANNICAL TEXTS"
To connect: Go to
adventlu.org
--- click on About Us --- Member Dashboard -- zoom links -- look for Wednesday Spiritual Development Class and click on that link.
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THURSDAY WEEKLY PRAYER AND DEVOTION at 1pm
E
ach week, we will have a devotion and community prayer on Thursdays. The thought prompt for the week, as well as time for the week, will be posted on the
Adventlu.org
website by end of day on Wednesdays but you don't need to read ahead to join. (When you go to the website, go to the HOME screen and scroll down to Weekly Devotion)
To connect: Go to
adventlu.org
--- click on About Us then Member Dashboard then Zoom links -- look for Thursday Weekly Prayer and Devotion and click
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FOR THE CHILDREN --
"Advent Children's Corner"
Found on the HOME screen of the
adventlu.org website --
Left side under weekly devotion info
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RADICAL LOVE ENDEAVOR PODCASTS
New podcasts continue to be added to our programming. Be sure to check regularly for new ones.
Listen on your phone
OR
Listen through the Advent website.
Go to
adventlu.org
>> Click Connections >> click Advent Podcasts
Scroll down to the middle of the screen to to red and tan Radical Love Endeavor block. A list of available links to our podcasts is listed.
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LUTHERAN MEN IN MISSION ZOOMING!
Our Lutheran Men in Mission invite you to join them via Zoom at 6:30pm on Tuesday, July 21st.
Click here for link to join.
Meeting ID: 841 9150 9272 Password: 764884.
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ADVENT RE-GATHERING TASK FORCE
Advent's Regathering Task Force continues working on plans for how we can safely re-gather during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have been meeting bi-weekly since early June and are working on establishing safety guidelines and protocols that need to be put in place prior to re-gathering. The ever-changing data on the spread of COVID-19 is preventing us from establishing a firm date for when we can re-gather for worship. The members of the Task Force are Chris Cochran, Rachel Eklund, Pam Isacks, Carolyn Osborne, Tony Poovey, David Park, Sandy Torrence, and Keith Wassum. Look for more details in future editions of e-news.
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ANGELS ALL AROUND US!
I don't get to Advent, the physical location, as often as I did before the pandemic. I had an errand that Thursday, however - I wanted to check our new Little Free Pantry in the yard at the Wubben Smith House, and I wanted to check our dwindling supplies for our
Grab and Go bags.
Little did I know that angels had been there before me.
First stop - our Pantry. It had been hard getting the small pantry going, and we had recently moved it to a more visible location. Usually when we checked, it needed a few items, perhaps a couple of cans of meat or some canned vegetables. This day, I opened the door and was shocked! The only items remaining on the four shelves were three cans of fruit, canned soup, dried beans, some pasta and a bottle of Hoisin sauce.
I was shocked. Our pantry had been found - showing both a need in the community and that we would need more food! I was worried. Esther bought food with a grant from the City of Charlotte, but $100 or so doesn't go that far. I imagined entering the red door of Advent and walking out with most of our pantry supplies to restock our Little Free Pantry.
As I got to my car, I remembered that Diane Wassum told me someone had left food on the porch at the house. I walked up the steps and saw evidence of our first angel - four boxes of food! It took me five trips to take the food from the House steps to the Little Pantry and to fill the shelves to overabundance! Around five items remained from the donated food. Thank you, Angel Number One!! Your donations were needed!
Next stop, Orinson Hall and Advent's kitchen. Again, angels arrived first. There were around 100 Grab and Go bags ready to be delivered, and in the kitchen were water, meats, fruit and chips. No note, except "for Sandwich making." Our teenagers had been hard at work, and an angel or two had arrived just in time with more bag supplies.
It was an amazing afternoon. I think God was probably shaking His head at my lack of faith. He provides.
One more angel appearance: As I left Advent, I again quickly stopped by the pantry. As I as checking the supplies one final time, a car stopped behind me. The woman called over to me and said, "Excuse me! I wanted you to know that what you are doing here is such a blessing. We appreciate you. I am going to do the same thing at my house." Another gift of love....God is at work every day!
UPDATE: Another angel visit - our pantry has a Roof! Thank you, angel Keith Wassum.
From Abby Bostian
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ADVENTURERS ZOOMING ON JULY 16th
Adventurers will be gathering by Zoom on Thursday, July 16th, 1pm for a time of conversation and fellowship. Please consider joining us.
Hope to see you there!
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HAVE YOU COMPLETED YOUR CENSUS FORM??
Have you completed your census form yet or did it get lost in the corona shuffle?? If you have not done yours yet, please go to
my2020census.gov and do it now!
Also, we have received communications that they are still looking for census workers and they explicitly state there is no face-to-face contact. If you're interested in earning $18-22 an hour plus 58 cent a mile mileage, apply online at
2020census.gov/jobs or call 1-855-562-2020 with questions.
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THRIVENT CHOICE DOLLARS SUPPORT ADVENT OUTREACH PROGRAMS
Four nonprofit organizations received donations from Advent in this past quarter all as a result of "Thrivent Choice Dollars" that came to us from Thrivent Financial.
The donations included a full sponsorship for the 2020 Charlotte CROP Walk for which Advent was a partial sponsor in 2019. Donations were also directed to Agape Kure Beach Ministries which was forced to cancel summer camp this year, to QC Family Tree which is immersed in racial justice activities in Charlotte's Enderly Park neighborhood, and to Bethlehem Lutheran Church in the Holy Land which is heavily impacted by the coronavirus.
If you are a Thrivent Financial member, you may be eligible to designate funds to nonprofit organizations. Eligible members are designated "choice dollars" based on insurance premiums, contract values and Thrivent volunteer leadership. The eligible members may then direct these dollars to nonprofit groups of their choice, including churches. Advent's church council, in coordination with our outreach board
, determines use of the funds received by Advent. There is no cost to the Thrivent member for these donations.
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From Advent's Micah 6:8 Group: WHAT IS OUR CALL AS LUTHERANS TO ENGAGE IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS AND EXERCISE OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO VOTE?
Below are excerpts from the ELCA's Draft Social Message on Government and Civic Engagement: Discipleship in a Democracy.
"Lutherans care about government because it is a gift from God intended for the safety and flourishing of human life. Yet too often and in too many ways, this gift has been abused. There is a spirit of broad dissatisfaction, mistrust, and even hatred of government in the United States:
- Government OF the people has come to be seen as distant and oppressive.
- Government BY the people has come to be seen as increasingly controlled by a small minority of elites.
- Government FOR the people has come to be seen as unjust in who benefits and who pays.
A realistic view of government involves holding in tension the failures of government with the recognition that God intends for government to protect society and to enable it to flourish. It involves walking the line between the extremes of idolatrous endorsement of the nation and cynical rejection of what it does. Living in this tension, the ELCA holds that all residents of the United States have a responsibility to make government function well-not to abandon our democracy but to engage it in a spirit of robust citizenship.
Lutherans need to affirm government in a way that realistically acknowledges its limitations and failures while holding fast to the belief that it is fundamentally necessary. Government at all levels in the United States merits both the active support and critical engagement of Lutherans."
Don't know how to register to vote, how to get a mail- in ballot, who is on your ballot, what are the pressing issues and where do the candidates stand on these issues?
Here are some non- partisan websites that will help to guide you through the election process:
- You Can Vote https://www.youcanvote.org/ Is non partisan website that uses simple, evidenced-based methods to help people become civically engaged.
- Form for requesting mail in absentee ballot: https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/Forms/NCAbsenteeBallotRequestForm.pdf.
- League of Women Voters: https://www.lwv.org/local-leagues/lwv-charlotte-mecklenburg. For 100 years, they have been a nonpartisan, activist, grassroots organization that believes voters should play a critical role in democracy.
- Ballotpedia: https://ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina_elections,_2020. This page is an overview of the 2020 North Carolina elections, including your sample ballot, the offices on the ballot covered by Ballotpedia, featured elections, election dates, and frequently asked questions.
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NC ELCA RACIAL JUSTICE NETWORK
Under the guidance of the African Descent Strategy Team of the NC Synod, a Racial Justice Network
has been initiated. This is a network of Jesus followers across the state committed to being anti-racist leaders and committed to action in our hearts, our community, and our church. As the whitest denomination in the United States, we must actively dismantle white supremacy and name racism as a sin - and we do. Racism is a sin. White supremacy in all forms is condemned. This network is a space to live into these truths. We will listen to leaders of color, reflect, confess, and repent. We will ally ourselves for the sake of the world.
There are five key foci for this Racial Justice Network - NC Synod:
- We'll be able to get curated content and conversations that start with listening, are filled with grace, stretch us to be uncomfortable, and help us to be more like Jesus in this world.
- We will meet people who share our interests who live near us, who care about the same topics, who share your faith and commitment to be anti-racist.
- We will make better, more well-informed decisions about the things that are most important to you and how you speak in your church, on social media, and even in our own homes.
- We will swap stories, experiences, and ideas (not necessarily advice) around our shared mission for becoming anti-racist.
- We will find a little inspiration, thought-provoking conversations, and expert perspective each and every day.
Cost is $25 to join. All participant fees are being matched (doubled) by the synod office. 50% of these funds will be reinvested in our communities of color as a testimony to God's work in and through these communities. Additionally, as leaders of colors share wisdom or we make use of their tools, they will be compensated for their work.
To listen to Pastor John Spencer speak about the network, go to:
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FIRST RACIAL JUSTICE NETWORK COURSE OFFERED BY SYNOD
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The Synod's newly-formed Racial Justice Network, which now has over 200 members, will launch its first course, The Hidden Curriculum of White Supremacy, led by Dr. Shanitria Cuthbertson, on July 14. The course will be live every Tuesday for six weeks from noon to 1:15 p.m. and then posted for viewing when you are able. Additionally, you will be invited into a guided discussion on central questions and three chances each week for conversation with other members. Dr. Cuthbertson is a Charlotte native and completed a MSW/MDiv. dual degree from Duke and UNC, and completed her doctoral studies in Curriculum and Instruction-Urban Education from UNCC. She currently serves as mission developer of Emmaus, West Charlotte.
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Beyond statements and prayers, we are called to also act and respond to injustices. We invite you to sign the pledge, "I commit to study, prayer and action to become an anti-racist individual in an anti-racist church," and share your participation on social media using #ELCA4justice.
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BE FOREWARNED ... AGAIN!
IGNORE THOSE STRANGE EMAILS FROM PASTOR WARD!
There seems to be a rash (again!!!) of emails coming to a lot of us from Pastor Ward saying he needs our help or a request to click on a link with no explanation or something of that sort. Those requests are definitely fake (known as phishing)! One way to tell is to hover over the sending email. It will say "ThePastor" but it won't be from the adventlu.org domain. Please, please do not respond and definitely don't click on any links that don't have a legitimate accompanying note that makes sense to you. If you really want to make sure he doesn't need your help, call him first! As Pastor Ward always says ... if he truly needs your help, he will pick up the phone and call you or at the least he would specify his need in the note AND it would make sense to you! These phishing requests generally follow the pattern of wanting you to go purchase some gift cards and then send them the numbers off the back. You don't find that out, however, until you respond back to the fake Pastor Ward and their second note will ask you to do that. There are many variations of this old scheme so be very careful before you click on anything or respond to requests that just don't make good sense to you.
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FOR JULY: REQUESTING MEAT, PLEASE!
Yes, we just focused on meat a few months ago. But food pantries - including our new Little Free
 Pantry - always need canned meat. Please bring canned chicken, pork, corned beef, beef stew, beefaroni, and Vienna sausages. Cans or packets of tuna, salmon, and sardines are also welcome.
Pop-tops are good but not required. Place donations inside the red door entry near offices if possible; otherwise, place outside the red doors but please follow up by contacting Esther Abdel-Hameed at
esther_uae@hotmail.com
.
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CHRISTMAS IN JULY
Normally, during July/August, our congregational members would be asked to take the name of one of the 50 foster children from the Christmas tree at Advent, purchase school supplies to fill a backpack and return it for delivery to Lutheran Services This year our school supplies drive will have to be done differently, thanks to the Coronavirus.
The bookbags have already been purchased thanks to a Wubben award. Rather than filling the bag, we would like to send the foster parents $40 in gift cards for purchasing supplies and we invite you to write a short note to go along with the bookbag to the student when delivered. Here's how it works:
Step 2: Buy 1-5 $20-gift-cards online or in person from Target or Walmart; if you have participated in the past, 
you know what you typically spend (buy physical cards, not e-cards, please!)
Step 3:
W
rite a short note to go with the bookbag if you wish and mail the note and gift-cards by July 26
to:
Pam Isacks
9029 JM Keynes Dr. #62
Charlotte NC 28262
Not as much fun as back-to-school shopping but just as helpful to foster parents that must be so grateful to have school resume!
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YOU CAN REQUEST AN OUTREACH AWARD FROM THE WUBBEN ENDOWMENT!!!
Have you wished you could provide a financial gift to an outreach organization you support, especially during these difficult times?
Advent's Wubben Distribution Board is accepting applications for outreach awards for many ministries which are important to you. Recent awards have included the purchase of backpacks for foster children with Lutheran Family Services, St. Jude's in honor of Waylon Kuklentz, a Chili Dinner match to fund Room in the Inn, our sandwich-making ministry, Niner United, Loaves and Fishes, Galilee Ministries, mission support and many others.
The Wubben Outreach Award Fund was established in 2010 as a result of a generous endowment from Dr. Bill Wubben, a long-time Advent member and Professor of Economics at the University of N.C. at Charlotte. The Endowment also provides funding for Spiritual Development activities, including college scholarships, educational opportunities, special programming and other ministries.
Since its inception ten years ago, the Wubben Endowment has provided roughly $600,000 to support Outreach and Spiritual Development, and with good investment management, is still near the original amount given by Bill Wubben. Funds are allocated annually for distribution, and funds are still readily available this calendar year.
Using the Wubben Outreach Award is a good way to get a two-for-one deal! You can make a contribution to a particular agency and request an outreach award as well. If you do this, please be sure to put on your application for the Wubben award that this is a matching gift request. Note that it is NOT required that you make a donation. We are just sharing this little tip.
All active and confirmed members of Advent are eligible to request an award. The Outreach application and additional information is available through the
adventlu.org website. Go to ABOUT US, select Member Dashboard, scroll way down the page to the square entitled Wubben downloads. You will find the Outreach application there as well as the guidelines for the awards. Applications should be emailed to the current chairperson of the Wubben Distribution Board , Jon Eklund, at
jonkeklund@gmail.com. Jon and another board member, Debbie Poovey, will serve through the end of July. Serving with them are Steve Grubb, Jeff Hibbeler and Peter Christ. Thanks also to members of our Wubben Investment Board which manages the fund. Currently those people are Andrea Hankins, Wayne Miller, and Erik Slattum.
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NO VBS ..... BUT WE ARE DOING CAMP-IN-A-BOX
This summer our youth program is supporting Camp Agape as we do Camp in-a-box in lieu of our annual VBS program. This is a family activity full of devotions, crafts, outdoor activities and also includes a t-shirt. We will have a DRIVE-THRU Lemonade Stand Pick- up on July 19th at 1:30 in the Advent parking lot. Many of you have been contacted already. However, this is open to Grandparents of kiddos as well.
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ADVENT HOSTS SUMMER BLOOD DRIVE - WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
As you may know, during this pandemic the demand for blood is as high as ever, and because there have many cancellations of blood drives, there is a shortage of blood. To help out, Advent is teaming up with the Red Cross and UNC Charlotte to host a summer blood drive in Orinson Fellowship Hall from 10am to 3pm on Thursday, August 13th. Because UNCC is not scheduling any events in their space at this time Advent has stepped up to serve as a host for this blood drive. Now all we need is for anyone who can donate to step up and schedule an appointment. Many have asked what can we do during the pandemic, and here is an opportunity for those who are able and willing to donate blood.
The Red Cross has established enhanced blood donation protocols to ensure the safety of donors, staff, and volunteers including temperature checks, masks, distancing, and cleaning. Also, shortages due to canceled blood drives have prompted the American Red Cross
to offer to test donations for coronavirus antibodies for anyone who donates.
The antibody tests, authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, will be performed on samples taken during donation, and results should be available within seven to 10 days.
Click here for information about the antibodies testing.
If you plan to participate in this important drive, I want to encourage you to
click here now to make a reservation. You can also go to the Red Cross website (
americanredcross.org), click on GIVE
BLOOD, and type in
UNCC, which is the sponsor code for this drive, and proceed to register from there. Walk-in donations will be welcomed too, of course, but a reserved time shortens the wait and helps our host better plan for the number of donors.
Also, you can use Rapid Pass on the day of the event to shorten the on-site registration process. See
www.redcrossblood.org/rapidpass
for details.
Thanks in advance for your consideration.
For questions please contact Keith Wassum (
knwassum@bellsouth.net
or 704-597-1174).
Help us
make a difference
by helping someone who needs our blood donations
.
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HOW YOU CAN OFFER A HELPING HAND
LOAVES AND FISHES
needs help with volunteer delivery drivers for their home delivery program - Contact
FREEDOM SCHOOL PARTNERS has developed a program to ensure that much needed educational and basic resources will go directly to families. Their R.E.S.P.O.N.S.E. (Reading and Enrichment for Scholars Plus Other Needed Supplies and Essentials) Program will occur via pop-up sites at multiple locations this summer and be supplemented by a virtual component. Sites close to Advent are Enderly Park @ QC Family Tree Houses, Hickory Grove @ The Grove Church, Hidden Valley @ Parkwood CME Church. Needs volunteers and snacks and water to distribute at sites. Contact Tommy Hudnall at tommy@freedomschoolpartners.org.
MEDASSIST
(medassist.org)
provides lifesaving
prescription medications, patient support, advocacy and related services to
uninsured North Carolina residents
.They need volunteers to help sort donations. Contact Elena at
elenasepulveda@yahoo.com.
BLOCK LOVE CHARLOTTE
provides restoration, resources, education and essential tools to individuals occurring hardship in our community. Donation needs are shorts for men/women, underwear short sleeve shirts, tank tops, sneakers, work boots, new towels and washcloths. Group also provides lunch each Saturday at N. Tryon Street and Phifer Avenue. Needs waters, gatorades, and fresh fruit. Group is listed on Amazon Smile Wish List. Donations can be sent to Block Love Charlotte, 7137 Founders Club Court, Charlotte, NC 28269. Check website
blockloveclt.org
for latest updates to needs. Monetary donations can also be made through the website.
GALILEE MINISTRIES
at 3601 Central Avenue, is currently serving three home cooked, hot meals a week... Tuesday dinner from 5-6pm and Wednesday and Thursday lunch from 11:30am-12:30pm. The meals are served take-out style and are offered free to the community. Donations of any amounts make a difference in feeding our neighbors during this time of crisis. Donate through this link http://galilee.dionc.org or on the fundraiser on Galilee's facebook page
https://galilee.dionc.org/Donate/donate-to-galilee.html.
HARRISBURG FOOD PANTRY
donations may be mailed to Rocky River Presbyterian, 7940 Rocky River Road, Concord NC 28075.
ADVENT'S MINI-FOOD PANTRY
continues to collect canned meat, packaged crackers, snacks, cookies, water for the Little Free Pantry and for the bags of food prepared by our young people for distribution. If you have a fob, place food donations inside the red door near the offices. If you do not have a fob, donations may be placed outside the red doors or contact Esther Abdel-Hameed (
esther_uae@hotmail.com.
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Virtual Walk is on Sunday, October 11th, 2020. You can sign up now to walk and start fundraising. Go to:
to help!
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GIVING DURING THIS TIME OF LIMITED CHURCH OPERATIONS
Any ongoing help and support will be greatly appreciated during these times
- 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.
- 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, or you can click on the GIVE symbol that is in each weekly eNEWS.
(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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Office closed because of the Shelter in Place mandate. T
he church office normally would be open 10 hours a day, Monday through Thursday and closed on Fridays. Contact staff by email or phone as both are being monitored by staff from home.
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
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 every 2 weeks through October, on Fridays, 6pm.
July 24 - Book Club Check-in
August 7 - "Endurance: My Year in Space" by Scott Kelly
August 21 - Book Club Check-in
September 4 - "Before We Were Yours" by Lisa Wingate
September 18 - Book Club Check-in
October 2 - "Wrong Place, Wrong Time: Trauma and Violence in the Lives of Young Black Men" by John Rich
Upcoming suggested books:
For November - "The Sandcastle Girls" by Chris Bohjalian
For December - "Finding Chika" by Mitch Albom
For January - "Pachinko" by Min Jin Lee
For February - "Half Broke Horses" by Jeanette Walls
For March - "The Book of Longings" by Sue Monk Kidd
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"
NOTE: Small groups can continue to meet using the church subscription to Zoom or to WebEx. Contact the church office to make your request and schedule the day/time on the church calendar.
For men:
What does it mean to be a man in contemporary American society? This group meets one Tuesday night a month in the evening and will discuss current events, read books and consult the ancient texts as they seek each other's wisdom and friendship. See Pastor Ward for more info.
Theology on Tap: This group meets with new friends from Newell Presbyterian Church monthly at the Armored Cow Brewery in the Sam's University parking lot at 7pm to discuss contemporary topics. Please see Pastor Ward or Carol Schierlmann with questions.
Micah 6:8 Ministry (new name for Social Justice group): This group focuses on issues of racial and social justice. They take advantage of local opportunities to learn about and advocate for social justice. Meeting dates and times are at 7pm on the 4th Tuesday of the month. Beginning book study of "America" Original Sin" by Jim Wallis. Contact is Diane Wassum.
Bible in Action: This group will study the Bible together utilizing many different platforms. Contact is Pastor Ward.
COMMUNICATE AND CONNECT:
Join the closed "Advent Friends" Facebook group to stay abreast of events and see photos.
If you would like to receive occasional important Advent news via text message on your phone, please text 'Advent' to 96362 or scan the QR code on the notices posted around the building.
(Please note: you must be at least 16 years of age to participate in the program. You may receive up to five (5) text messages per month for which you may be charged by your mobile phone carrier. You may opt out of this service at any time by texting 'stop' to 96362 or by emailing
churchadministrator@adventlu.org
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 Smile.Amazon. 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.
GIVING ENVELOPES IN THE PEWS
Advent appreciates all gifts, but we also want to give credit where credit is due! If you give cash using the blank envelopes in the pews or if you drop offerings by the church, please put your name on the envelope so we can properly record your donation. If you want part or all of your gift to go to any special fund other than the General Fund, please note that on the envelope also.
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Outreach
USING YOUR VOICE TO SHAPE LEGISLATION
In our world of constant turmoil, we as Lutherans may be assisted in our mission to follow Christ by studying the ELCA's guidance on "Addressing Social Concerns".
As Scripture teaches, faith is active in love, and love calls for justice in the relationships and structures of society. Our grateful response to God's love and grace motivates us to live lives that demonstrate our responsibility for the well-being of society, communities and the environment.
In response to the ELCA call for working for social justice our Advent Social Ministry Board is expanding our mission to more intentionally support our congregation and our community in addressing social justice issues. We now have a small group dedicated to that initiative called Micah 6:8. If you are interested in getting regular updates on what's going on with social ministry/social justice initiatives in our church and in our community please join our AAA Google Group (Advent Advocacy Activities). You can join the Google Group by contacting Shannon Homesley at
ShannonHomesley@gmail.com .
If you wish to financially aid those devastated by hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, or other natural disasters, Lutheran Disaster Response will directly reach the victims. To donate, make your donation payable to Advent with disaster relief in the memo line, and we will send your contribution in with any others received.
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Youth at Advent
Check out the new "Advent Children's Corner"
Left side under weekly devotion info
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GODLY PLAY -- 7 FACES
Go to Connections and select YOUTUBE VIDEOS
Scroll to the video
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To stay "in the know" about our Youth, please join our new Remind App by signing up here:
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NO VBS ..... BUT WE ARE DOING CAMP-IN-A-BOX
This summer our youth program is supporting Camp Agape as we do Camp in-a-box in lieu of our annual VBS program. This is a family activity full of devotions, crafts, outdoor activities and also includes a t-shirt. We will have a DRIVE-THRU Lemonade Stand Pick- up on July 19th at 1:30 in the Advent parking lot. Many of you have been contacted already. However, this is open to Grandparents of kiddos as well.
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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 the church office with updates (
officeadm@adventlu.org or
churchadministrator@adventlu.org)
Illness or Other Needs
Josh Baker, nephew of Abby Bostian
Sheryl Belk, friend of Betsy Brown
Lemont Bell, friend of Gene Reid
Freddie Bridges, mother of Michelle Hagle
Amos Brown, former member
Tim Caldwell, member
Sharon Charity, frequent visitor
Ida & James Chisolm, members
Freda Christ, member
Thomas Clement, uncle of Jennie Henderson
Carol DiRe, member
Charliese Eichler, sister of Marylou Kuklentz
Mike Eleazer, father-in-law of the McKittrick's daughter
William Ensley, friend of Janet Rasmussen
Emma Fettig, member
Eileen Folkerth, mother of Susan Goerke
Amber Gazda, member
Jennifer Gazda, member
MaryJo Gouge, friend of Janet Rasmussen
Andrea Hankins, member
Consuella Harge, friend of Marie Cochran
Dwight Hartsell, member
Jeannie Jones, former Preschool teacher & friend of Marie Cochran
Dick Kuklentz, member
Waylon Kuklentz, grandson of Dick & Marylou Kuklentz
Phyllis Lester, mother of Sharon Thrower
Ray Matthews, father of Jesse Priser
Hilda Mertz, mother of Diane Jowers
Justin Mertz, nephew of Diane Jowers
Rick Messina, member
Dick Moser, the uncle of Sharon Thrower
Anita Ortiz, mother-in-law of Herbert & Lenore Watson's Son
Sabo Family, members
Richard Schulz, brother-in-law of Dan & Jan Otolski
Lori Shownes, friend of Susan Hartsell
Pam Simyon, daughter-in-law of Dick & Mary Lou Kuklentz
Myra Steele, sister-in-law of Jennifer Frisina
Kirby Strickland and family, member
Mary Faith Strickland, former member
Laura Tucker, friend of Marylou Kuklentz
Harold Twitty, member
Connie Van Brunt, mother of Ayisha McMillan-Cravotta
Linda Ann Wassum, sister-in-law of Keith & Diane Wassum
Herbert Watson, member
Beverly Williams, member
Lewis Williams, member
Renaté Wilson, mother of Tanya DeGrace
Gerry Wisner, brother of Terry Wisner
Celebrations
The birth of a new baby boy, Rook Rockwell, to Lindsay, Andy, Zane, and Owen on July 12
Deaths -- We remember and celebrate the lives of those who have died, e
specially
....
Carole Johnson, member & mother of Brenda Cicenia, on June 25
Cheri Strickland, former member, on July 1
Betty Taylor, mother of Tim Taylor, on June 28
Pastor Sherrill Curtis, friend of Pastor Ward, on June 24
Audrey Sutphin, mother of Tim Fullmer, on July 8
Catherine Staplefoote, sister of Teleah Amaker, on July 9
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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