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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.
We have had some staff changes in the last couple of weeks. If you see someone new, be sure to say hi!
Harriett Easley - Church Administrator
Harriett will be taking over Ann Schado's role after her retirement at the end of December. Be sure to email her at heasley@adventlu.org for any announcements or prayer list additions.
Madeline DeGrace - Administrative Assistant
Madeline came back to work in November. Please be sure to include her on any emails (mdegrace@adventlu.org) about the Enews or Announcements.
Mars Licciardi - Worship Leader
Mars will be leading the music for the late service starting in January.
Rahsaan Lacey - Accompanist
Rahsaan will be playing the keyboard at the late service starting in January.
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Annual Chili Dinner on Saturday, 6 p.m.
"Best Chili Ever!!" Yes, that's what will be served at the annual Mabel and June Porter Chili Dinner at 6 p.m. this Saturday, Jan. 19.
Pat Kelly is our cook, and all donations this year will go to Galilee Ministries of East Charlotte. Toni Hagerman is Executive Director of this ministry, and several Advent members volunteer at Galilee Center, which serves as a meeting place for refugees, immigrants, and other residents of the city.
If you are attending UNCC basketball game, dinner will be ready - just drop by after the game. If you are out of town and want chili for later use, contact Pam Isacks (PIsacks@aol.com) with your request. 26 ounces of chili will be sold for $6 or your freewill offering.
Please also bring a bread or dessert if you are able.
Give as you are able when attending the event. Checks may be written to Advent Lutheran, memo "Chili Dinner." Wubben Fund will match all donations, so give generously!
January 19th Is An Advent Doubleheader! Another Advent Tradition
What an opportunity! On Saturday January 19th the Advent Lutheran Men will sponsor their Annual Family Basketball Outing at UNC Charlotte. The Annual June & Mabel Porter Chili Dinner sponsored by Social Ministry will immediately follow the game (meal donations accepted to support a local ministry). Go to UNC Charlotte campus for the 1st part of the doubleheader, Charlotte vs. Louisiana  Tech University at 4 p.m. in Halton Arena, and then after the game come to the church for the chili dinner 6:00 p.m.(or whenever the game is over). Tickets for the game are only $5 per person and we will sit together as a group. Parking is free and convenient. For more information and tickets please see Keith Wassum in the Gathering Area after the service 01/06 and 01/13 or call Keith (704.597.1174) to make other arrangements to get your tickets. Tickets must be paid for at the time of sign-up. Deadline to purchase tickets is Sunday January 13th, for planning purposes it would be helpful if you purchase your tickets early! Friends and family are welcome
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.
Adventurers January Gathering:
Please join the Adventurers group for our January 17th gathering of soup, sandwiches, and desserts. Designated people are bringing the soup and sandwiches and we will provide desserts from the food kitty so it is not necessary for anyone else to bring foods.Donations may be made to the food kitty, if desired, by those who aren't contributing food. Please plan to arrive no later than 11:55am as we have a special treat coming up at noon prior to eating. Some of the Adventure PreSchool children will be joining us for the special treat. A friend of Marylou Kuklentz has been training her dog for performing a special dance routine and she will bring that to us in the gym at noon. When you arrive that day, please proceed to the chairs in the gym. After the performance which will be about 15 minutes, we will return to the Gathering Space to eat and assemble the care packages for the elderly and then have devotions and communion. We look forward to seeing you. Bring friends!
New 2019 Flower Chart in the Narthex
Consider ordering flowers in honor of or in memory of a loved one for anniversaries/ birthdays. The arrangements are $40 each, and the monies can be put in the collection basket.
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.
Modern Western Square Dancing
Join our friends at Mallard Creek Presbyterian Church on January 24th at 7pm for an evening of dancing! Please call Karol-Jean at 704-962-2264 if you have any questions.
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Readings
January 20th, 2019
The Second Sunday after Epiphany
Isaiah 62: 1-5
John 2: 1-11
Serving this week
:
Jan 20, 2019
Lay Assistant
8:30am John Lewis
11am Teleah Amaker
Usher Captain
8:30am Gene Reid
11am Jon Eklund
Reader
8:30am Lenore Watson
11am Susan Hartsell
(Reading: Isaiah 62: 1-5)
Greeters
8:30am Barb Blish & Tim Caldwell
11am Diane & Keith Wassum
Acolytes
8:30am Donavan Hankins & Ashley Watson
11am Michael Goerke & Julie Estrella
Altar Guild
Mary Christ & Cathy Bolen
Counters
Diane & Keith Wassum
Bread
Jennifer Frisina
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 Mike & Anita Gallagher
11am Connie Searing & Don Hagerman
Acolytes
8:30am Emma & Meredith Tunnell
11am Colin Heberlig & James Hebert
Altar Guild
Diane Large & Cathy Bolen
Counters
Betsy & Dan Brown
Bread
Diane Jowers
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 Advent Album
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Week 40:
Besides Jim Hintz's work with Peru mentioned last week, Advent boasts another member - Betsy Dailey - who has developed an international mission. Raised as the child of missionaries, Betsy spent her first 17 years in India before going to the US to earn a degree in Early Childhood Education. Later, in 1987, she returned to India, along with her husband Philip, and stayed over ten years. Moved by the extreme poverty, she started the Crèche program, which serves 250 preschool-age children six days a week. They learn everything from the alphabet and counting to how to maintain personal hygiene, play games, and sing songs. They also receive meals, clothing, and medical support. The program was originally administered solely through the Betsy Elizabeth Trust, but with expansion it was necessary in 2008 to form the Help Kids India non-profit organization to assure adequate funding. Advent members occasionally lend financial support, and Betsy assures us a little goes a long way. Though her husband recently died, Betsy has not lost her focus on promoting a better life for the poorest children of India. She is currently President of the Board for Help Kids India and faithfully demonstrates a Christ-like caring for "the least of these."
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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.
Special Adult Sunday School Class
In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr Day our Advent Racial Justice Small group will be hosting a special adult Sunday school class during the Sunday school hour on January 20. Please join us as we view a video from the Reverend Dr. William Barber III on the history of the African American struggle for racial justice. Following the video we will break up in small groups for discussion of the video. Dr. Barber is president of the NAACP's North Carolina state chapter, leader of Moral Mondays and the Poor People's Campaign. For those interested our Advent racial justice small group meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every month at 7:00 in the Parlor. All are welcome. For more information contact Diane Wassum 704 597 1174.
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 |
Date |
Day |
Time |
Activity |
Location |
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| January |
23 |
Wednesday |
6-8:00 |
Disruption - Enter the Story |
Orinson |
| February |
6 |
Wednesday |
6-8:00 |
Israel's Journey - Enter the Story |
Orinson |
| February |
27 |
Wednesday |
6-8:00 |
Tabernacle - Enter the Story |
Orinson |
| March |
13 |
Wednesday |
5:30-6:30 |
Meal |
Orinson |
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6:30-7:00 |
Lenten Service |
Sanctuary |
| |
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7-8:30 |
Kingdom - Enter the Story |
Orinson |
| March |
27 |
Wednesday |
5:30-6:30 |
Meal |
Orinson |
| |
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6:30-7:00 |
Lenten Service |
Sanctuary |
| |
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7-8:30 |
Journey to the Cross - Enter the Story |
Orinson |
| April |
10 |
Wednesday |
5:30-6:30 |
Meal |
Orinson |
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6:30-7:00 |
Lenten Service |
Sanctuary |
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7-8:30 |
Restoration - Enter the Story |
Orinson
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Adult Sunday School - Parlor Class
January schedule for Advent's Parlor Class (all are invited - class starts at 10 a.m.):
Jan. 20 - William Barber video presentation (9:45 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
January 19th Is An Advent Doubleheader! Another Advent Tradition
What an opportunity! On Saturday January 19th the Advent Lutheran Men will sponsor their Annual Family Basketball Outing at UNC Charlotte. The Annual June & Mabel Porter Chili Dinner sponsored by Social Ministry will immediately follow the game (meal donations accepted to support a local ministry). Go to UNC Charlotte campus for the 1st part of the doubleheader, Charlotte vs. Louisiana Tech University at 4 p.m. in Halton Arena, and then after the game come to the church for the chili dinner 6:00 p.m.(or whenever the game is over). Tickets for the game are only $5 per person and we will sit together as a group. Parking is free and convenient. For more information and tickets please see Keith Wassum in the Gathering Area after the service 01/06 and 01/13 or call Keith (704.597.1174) to make other arrangements to get your tickets. Tickets must be paid for at the time of sign-up. Deadline to purchase tickets is Sunday January 13th, for planning purposes it would be helpful if you purchase your tickets early! Friends and family are welcome
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
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 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 *
Myra Steele, Jennifer Frisina's sister-in-law
Ted Thiemann, Andy Thiemann's brother *
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
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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