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 Like us on Facebook! (Advent Lutheran Church ELCA - Charlotte, NC)
Advent's Vision
We are Advent Lutheran Church. As diverse children of God, we strive to be the embodiment of that which God wants all people on earth to be. We love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. We love our neighbor as ourselves, and express this love in service to others.
By accepting God's gift of grace through our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, we are reconciled to God forever.
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Peruvian Brunch with Speaker: Saturday Jan 26 at 10a.m.
A Peruvian visitor is coming to talk to us about Serving Alto Cayma's work with the extremely poor people on the outskirts of Arequipa, Peru's 2nd largest city.
Mercedes Aragon translates all the letters going back and forth between Advent's sponsors and their sponsorees; she will share her insights on the effect these relationships make in the lives of the Peruvians' AND the American sponsors.
Sponsors and anyone interested in learning about Advent's Peru Mission are invited to
the gathering space
for an interesting talk and a taste of
Panettone
, the traditional Peruvian Christmas breakfast treat.
Hot Drinks for January
January's Food Item is Hot Drinks, which can push away the chill and heat you up in a minute. Think apple cider, hot chocolate, teas, and coffee! Spread warmth by bringing boxes or bags of hot drink options for our thirsty neighbors.
Niner United
Please honor us with your presence at the Annual Loy Witherspoon Award reception. The award celebrates the vibrancy of campus ministry at UNC Charlotte. This will be held at Advent Lutheran Church on February 21st at 7pm. No RSVP is needed.
Please also consider our 2019 Holy Land Pilgrimage which is open to all students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of Niner United.
Hot Dogs and Homework - Jan. 27 Tutoring Kickoff
The second semester tutoring ministry with our Robinsdale neighbors will kick off with a dinner and orientation session on Sunday, Jan. 27, at 5:30 p.m. in Orinson Hall. All potential students, their parents or guardians, tutors and potential tutors are invited to join this kickoff event. We'll get to know each other, talk about tutoring needs and ideas, and have an excellent dinner. If you've ever wanted to learn more about Hot Dogs and Homework, please join us. Just let us know you're coming, so we can be sure we have enough food. Contact Jennie Henderson at
jHendersonfit@gmail.com or Abby Bostian at
abostian@carolina.rr.com
Film and Faith
Join Pastor Ward in conversation about Films and Faith on January 25th at 7pm. The film we will be watching is Ex Machina, rated R. Please come if you are able!
Music with Mars
Youth and Children of all ages are invited to spend a musical hour each Friday evening with Mars and Pastor Ward! This will take place every Friday at 6:30 in the Sanctuary. All that is required is a willing heart (no musical skills necessary)! Please email them at wardm@adventlu.org and mario@marsguitar.com if you would like to attend.
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Readings
January 27th, 2019
The Third Sunday after Epiphany
Nehemiah 8:1-3,5-6,8-10
Luke 4: 14-21
Serving this week
:
Jan 27, 2019
Lay Assistant
8:30am Chris Rasmussen
11am Mary Lou Kuklentz
Usher Captain
8:30am Peter Christ
11am Pam Rhynes
Reader
8:30am Alex Christ
11am Dick Kuklentz
(Reading: Nehemiah 8: 1-3, 5-6, 8-10)
Greeters
8:30am John Lewis & Barb Blish
11am Keith & Diane Wassum
Acolytes
8:30am Emma & Meredith Tunnell
11am Colin Heberlig & James Hebert
Altar Guild
Diane Large & Cathy Bolen
Counters
Betsy & Dan Brown
Bread
Diane Jowers
Feb 3, 2019
Lay Assistant
8:30am Lenore Watson
11am John Basilice
Usher Captain
8:30am John Lewis
11am Abby Bostian
Reader
8:30am Jennifer Frisina
11am Eric Heberlig
(Reading: Jeremiah 1: 4-10)
Greeters
8:30am Joyce Veit & Tim Caldwell
11am Don Hagerman & Jon Eklund
Acolytes
8:30am Marti & Andi Honeycutt
11am Michael Goerke & James Hebert
Altar Guild
Diane Large & Cathy Bolen
Counters
Don Veit & Marc Jensen
Bread
TBA
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 Advent Album
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Week 41:
The world's current refugee crisis leads us to appreciate Advent's historical role in assisting newcomers to our country, going back to 1980 when interested members began donating their time and resources to help resettle refugees. In 1984 our church was honored by the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service of Greensboro for its work with three families from Poland and one from Laos. Former member Martha Sanburg, an active participant of Advent's Refugee Resettlement Committee, involved the congregation by asking for contributions of clothing, furniture, household items, and money. Pastor Dick Little notes in his highlights from 1988 that Advent also sponsored a Polish refugee family that year. Current member Toni Hagerman is Executive Director of Galilee Ministries, a refugee support center in Charlotte which promotes intercultural relationships and refugee self-sufficiency. This facility was the recipient of our 2019 Chili Supper donations! Pam Isacks and Esther Abdel-Hameed volunteer regularly at the Galilee Center, with Pam helping in the kitchen and community garden while Esther conferences with those having problems such as confusing mail or tax info. An interesting scenario: picture Esther explaining to a man that it's improper to answer the front door dressed only in underwear! Just proves we help as we can!
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Quick Links
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Spiritual Development
Looking for a good read?
2018 Advent Book Club - all welcome
*We meet at the University Panera at 6pm
TBD: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
Spiritual Practices
Our small group on Spiritual Practices is off to a great start! Our first meeting centered on a visual form of prayer which was designed to help those of us whose minds may turn prayer thoughts into worries. Another week, we learned about both the monastic and scholastic forms of Lectio Divina. Lectio Divina means sacred reading and is an ancient form of spirituality that traces back to the first century. Our deep dive into Psalms 46 yielded new revelations for each person in the group.
Enter the Story
Eugene Peterson, translator of The Message, writes: "Stories are the most prominent biblical way of helping us see ourselves in 'the God story,' which always gets around to the story of God making and saving us." What better way to continue growing in your relationship with God than immersing yourself in the sacred stories of the Bible! Starting in January, we will facilitate Enter the Story, which is a hands-on, fully participatory, multisensory opportunity to experience the biblical story through 7 interconnected lessons. The class is designed for adults and high school youth. Please contact Carol Schierlmann or Pastor Ward to let us know you would like to participate.
Month Day Time Activity Location
Feb 6 Wed 6:00-8:00 Israel's Journey - Enter the Story Orinson
Feb 27 Wed 6:00-8:00 Tabernacle - Enter the Story Orinson
Mar 13 Wed 5:30-6:30 Lenten Meal Orinson
6:30-7:00 Lenten Service Sanctuary
7:00-8:30 Kingdom - Enter the Story Orinson
Mar 27 Wed
5:30-6:30 Lenten Meal Orinson
6:30-7:00 Lenten Service Sanctuary
7:00-8:30 Journey to the Cross - Enter the Story Orinson
Apr 10 Wed
5:30-6:30 Lenten Meal Orinson
6:30-7:00 Lenten Service Sanctuary
7:00-8:30 Restoration - Enter the Story Orinson
Adult Sunday School - Parlor Class
January schedule for Advent's Parlor Class (all are invited - class starts at 10 a.m.):
Jan. 27 - Max Lucado, "Unshakable Hope"
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Nurture, Support & Fellowship
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 aschado@adventlu.org.)
When shopping on Amazon.com, use "SMILE"
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 - re-link your Harris Teeter VIC cards - #5494
Hot Dogs and Homework - Jan. 27 Tutoring Kickoff
The second semester tutoring ministry with our Robinsdale neighbors will kick off with a dinner and orientation session on Sunday, Jan. 27, at 5:30 p.m. in Orinson Hall. All potential students, their
 parents or guardians, tutors and potential tutors are invited to join this kickoff event. We'll get to know each other, talk about tutoring needs and ideas, and have an excellent dinner. If you've ever wanted to learn more about Hot Dogs and Homework, please join us. Just let us know you're coming, so we can be sure we have enough food. Contact Jennie Henderson at
jHendersonfit@gmail.com or Abby Bostian at
abostian@carolina.rr.com
Help Advent Celebrate 50 years of Worship and Service.
Several men told me "What goes on behind the scenes of the Men's BBQ, STAYS behind the scenes of the Men's BBQ!" But I was able to tease out a few good stories of 50 years of Advent BBQ's! Read about them at
adventlutheranlore.blogspot.com
Big Dreams...Believers Give Generously
Because of your generosity, one of Advent's three BIG DREAMS is becoming a reality: to market Advent to the community by upgrading the Advent website. A special committee has formed to work with Perry Productions, to implement Phase I of this project [launch date in early 2019]. Our website is a 21st Century tool that will help us proclaim the Gospel to many more people who are seeking a community where ministry, hope and grace are abundant.
Please check your church mailbox for a letter giving you a brief financial statement of your support for the first quarter of the new fiscal year which began July 1, 2018.
Please renew your intention for making Christ known as you support Advent's many ministries through your giving on a regular basis. If you realize that you are a bit behind, there is time to catch up! Won't you consider the convenience of automating your giving? For additional information, please contact Claude Ingolia, Financial Secretary, at
cruinc1@gmail.com.
Stewardship for All Seasons Steering Committee.
Wednesday Night Dinners
As we prepare for another great adult and youth Wednesday program in the winter/spring, we have identified 4 nights that we need a team of folks to coordinate meals prior to the programming. This is a
 time of fellowship and we would love to be able to offer a meal. Do you have organizational skills OR cooking skills? This could be handled 2 ways - get a confirmed count each week, take an order for take out, pick up the food and handle the money OR get the count, get the groceries, prepare the meal and handle the money. This could be a great way to plug in your gifts to contribute nourishment to your Advent family.
Dates needed: January 9, January 23, February 6, February 27
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Outreach
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, go to
www.elca.org/disaster.
You can donate to provide aid in the area of greatest need or to a need you specify.
If you prefer, make your donation payable to Advent with disaster relief in the memo line, and we will send your contribution in with any others received.
Hurricane Florence & Michael Donations
You can donate in several ways to support Hurricane Florence & Michael disaster relief.
1) Thrivent members: You can donate through Thrivent.com to specific organizations helping hurricane victims, and Thrivent will match your donation dollar for dollar. This matching opportunity will run until the $1 million match is met or until Dec. 31, 2018, whichever comes first. Thrivent will help pay processing fees to ensure 100 percent of your donation goes directly to help those in need.
3) You can make a donation payable to Advent with memo "Hurricane Relief," and Advent will send all donations through the Synod.
50 Hours of Service
Social Ministry has a vision: brightly colored hands throughout the Gathering Space reflecting the 50 Hours of service from each member during our Jubilee year.
What do you do?
* Give God, your church, your fellow humans an hour of service.
* Select a colorful hand from tables in the gathering space,
* Record each hour of service on a finger - When you have five hours (one on each finger), tape the hand in the Gathering Space. Write your name on the hand or remain anonymous
* Continue recording each hour of service until you have posted 10 hands (five per hand for 50 hours).
* There are NO service police! If it is service to you, it's service to God.
Watch our hand collection grow!
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, 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.
Room in the Inn 
Room In The Inn, a program through the Urban Ministry Center where we host 14 homeless neighbors, starts here at Advent Monday December 3rd and will run every Monday evening through March 25th. We need volunteers before, during and after. Sign ups are in the Narthex. Please consider how you can help out, it only works with lots of team effort from members of Advent Lutheran, St Thomas Aquinas, Harrisburg United Methodist and Newell Presbyterian. If you have questions please contact Caroline Grubb 704-608-8474 or Esther Abdel-Hameed 727-614-6063.
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Youth at Advent
Summer Reading
Crazy right? The weather just turned chilly and I am talking about summer. Hear me out. Next summer,we would like to have a summer reading program for the kids and youth. Consequently, we would like to start building a library for them. So....when your school has a book fair or when you are cleaning out your book shelves and find a few gems that your kids have outgrown, think of the Advent Library! If we start now, by June we should have a nice selection.
UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS
BYGER camp at Camp Agape
MILESTONE AND YOUTH GROUPS AT ADVENT
KIDS 4 CHRIST
The Kids 4 Christ youth group is for children Kindergarten through 2nd grade. This group celebrates several milestones, including First Communion and Blessing of the Backpacks. We meet once a month to learn and enjoy the fellowship of others in our group.
MUSTARD SEEDS
The Mustard Seeds youth group is for children 3rd grade through 5th grade and also meets once a month. We celebrate our 3rd grade Bibles milestone. In addition to monthly meetings, there are other opportunities throughout the year including BYG camp and Youth Quake.
MIDDLE SCHOOL/Route 67
The Middle School youth group is for youth 6th grade through 7th grade and prepares students for entering confirmation. We celebrate our Mission and Service Milestone. This group includes fellowship, study, mission and BYG-er camp.
CONFIRMATION
This group meets throughout the year for two consecutive years as they learn about what it means to be a Christian and a Lutheran. They explore the Bible, Christian history and faith development.
HIGH SCHOOL
This group ranges from fellowship to mission trips. We have a dynamic schedule to accommodate busy high school students grades 9
th
-12
th
.
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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.
Illness or Other Needs
Austin, Andy Thiemann's cousin
Lemont Bell, Gene Reid's friend
Arlene Bostian, Phil Bostian's mother
Hanni Braun, member
Claudia Brizzaoara
Pr Steve Cheyney, Campus Ministry pastor *
Ida & James Chisolm, members
Cindy Clayton, Janet Rasmussen's cousin *
Ray Clayton, Janet Rasmussen's cousin
Steve Currin, Janet Rasmussen's cousin
Carol Daley, cousin of Carolyn Osborne
Carol DiRe, member
Amy Dodson, member *
Kailyn Douglas, friend of Lisa Robinson
William & Lesley Ensley, Janet Rasmussen's friends *
Eileen Folkerth, Susan Goerke's mother
Jennifer Gazda, member
Barbara Gillet, Linda Miller's friend
Dwight Hartsell, member
Walter Hartshorne, Debbie Poovey's uncle
Kiersten Hathcock, member *
Scott Hill & family, Carol DiRe's friend *
Phuong Huynh, Ann Schado's niece
Dean Jarrett, Carol Schierlmann's uncle *
Dick Kuklentz, member
Brittany Lane, Ann Schado's daughter *
Teresa Ledford, member
Richard & Phyllis Lester, Sharon Thrower's parents
Ray Matthews, Jesse Priser's father
Justin Mertz, Diane Jowers' nephew
Mertz Family, Diane Jowers' family
Rick Messina, member
Joe Moeller, member
John & Alice Olenchuk, friend of Lisa Robinson
Jesse Priser, member
Margaret Rader, Michelle Hagle's aunt
Jay Richardson, known to Joyce Veit
Richard Schulz, Dan & Jan Otolski's brother-in-law
Pam Simyon, Mary Lou Kuklentz' daughter-in-law
Rev. Brian Spahr, Pastor friend of Michelle and Andy Hagle
Myra Steele, Jennifer Frisina's sister-in-law *
Ted Thiemann, Andy Thiemann's brother
Doug Tilden
Harold Twitty, member
Edna Wagshal, Karen Montaperto's mother
Deb Walton, cousin of Laura Williams
Ware Washam, SarahSue Hardinger's friend
Herbert Watson, Member
Helen Webb, Mary Lou Kuklentz' family member
Robin Whitley
Beverly Williams,member
Bob Williams, uncle of Mike Williams
Laura Williams & family, member *
Lewis Williams, member
Renaté Wilson, Tanya DeGrace's mother
Manohar
Births
Lillian Margaret Rasmussen, granddaughter of Chris & Janet Rasmussen, and daughter of Kyle & Jessica Rasmussen
Deaths
We remember and celebrate the lives of those who have died, especially
George Folkerth, the father of Susan Goerke
Gina Guthrie, friend of Lisa Robinson, and the family of Gina Guthrie
Always keep ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and NC Synod Bishop Tim Smith in your prayers.
or 704-549-1555 ext. 101 or Harriett Easley at heasley@adventlu.org
or 704-549-1555, ext. 100 for additions or updates to this listing.
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