ADVENTure eNews
     Weekly Publication
from Advent Lutheran Church
Charlotte, North Carolina
(Submission Deadline: Noon Wednesdays)


CONTACT OUR STAFF

Pastor Ward
Harriett Easley
Pam Rhynes
Carol Schierlmann
Brooke Summerour
Annette Nolan
Sharon Thrower
Claude Ingolia






      Follow us on Twitter!  (@AdventCLT)    Follow us on Instagram! (adventlutheranclt)



               


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WORSHIPPING IN THE ADVENT WAY DURING DIFFICULT TIMES!

Palm Sunday morning worship (live streamed) on April 5  at 10am 
We are working at getting a good firm platform to bring the Palm Sunday service to you live.
  Watch for a short concise eNEWS by the end of day on Friday with details!!!   
Our apologies for the difficulties some of you have been experiencing!
 
There are links posted to http://adventlu.org website home screen for Sunday, March 29, service as well as the April 1 Lenten podcast.  Go to the home screen and scroll down about halfway and look at links on the left.

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ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
11am SUNDAYS by Zoom.  
This is a continuation of "Entering the Passion of Jesus".   
Carol will communicate with those who normally attend with details on how to connect online through Zoom.  
If you would like to join the group for the first time, contact her at [email protected] .   See article below on Congregational Lenten Book Study for description of book.

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WEDNESDAY LENTEN PROGRAMS
Available on Advent Friends by 12 noon on Wednesdays 
Watch for Holy Week service announcements to be sent on April 8th
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WEDNESDAYS --  LUNCH AND LEARN
Wednesday 'Lunch and Learn' via 'Zoom and Learn' at 11:45.  
Carol will communicate with those who normally attend with details on how to connect online through Zoom.  
If you would like to join the group for the first time, contact her at [email protected].   
See article below on Congregational Lenten Book Study for description of the book.

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THURSDAY DEVOTION -- NEW OFFERING

Each week, we will have a devotion and community prayer on Thursday at 7:30pm.  The thought prompt for the week will be posted on the Adventlu.org website by Wednesday but you don't need to read ahead to join.   (When you go to the website, scroll down on the home screen to Weekly Devotion and click on "What's In A Name". ) 

 The Zoom link to connect to the Thursday group will be posted on the member dashboard of the website.  (Go to the About Us tab and click on member dashboard.) 

If you have a devotion you would like to share with the community, email Carol Schierlmann at [email protected]. This is another way to stay connected to your faith and your Advent community while we are social distancing.

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Still working on plans for doing a children and youth Sunday School online.  More information coming when available.

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PRAYER REQUESTS
Our prayer list will continue to be updated.
Please send any new requests to either Pastor Ward ( [email protected]) or to Pam Rhynes ( [email protected]).
Look for prayer updates in the Prayers Requested section at the bottom of this and all eNEWS publications.

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Did you miss the letter from Pastor Ward published in eNEWS on March 26?  If so, click here to read it.
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ROOM IN THE INN CELEBRATION EVENT CANCELLED BUT ......

The RITI Movie and Volunteer appreciation dinner on April 6th has been cancelled because of our "Stay at Home" restrictions; however, there will be a reschedule event later.   Please feel free to watch Hungry for Love documentary. We know you will enjoy it  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9Gposvq8s_w&feature=youtu.be



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NEED FOR THE CHURCH

If anyone has a laptop no longer being used that has Windows 10 loaded on it and you're willing to donate it to the church, it would be greatly appreciated.   We need a laptop that can be used to control the LED street sign for Advent.   Our current software and laptop are too old to adequately allow Harriett to make updates to our sign.   

If you have one available you can donate, please contact Harriett at [email protected].

Thank you!

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WAYS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY

Social Ministry has provided a document with a number of ways we can serve our neighbors during this "Stay At Home" time of Coronavirus. 
Click here for the link to the document.

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MAKING FACE MASKS AT HOME

There has been a lot of publicity about people making face masks at home.   We received information produced by Atrium on how to go about doing this but the file is too large to add into this document.    If you are interested in learning how, send a note to [email protected] and Pam will send the file to you.  
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GIVING DURING THIS TIME OF LIMITED CHURCH OPERATIONS
Any ongoing help and support will be greatly appreciated during these times  
  1. 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.
  2. You may use bill pay through your personal bank or credit union.
  3. You may use Online Giving.   See the info below for details on using this tool. 
  4. 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:
  1. 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.
  2. This tool allows you to use a credit card, debit card, or bank checking or savings account payment.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.  
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ADVENT BOOK CLUB

The Advent Book Club will meet via Zoom on April 8 at 6pm.   There is no one specific book to be discussed at this gathering.    Participants will discuss whatever they are reading at the time.   If you need connection information for the Zooming, contact Jennie Henderson at [email protected].

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In case you missed it before .....


CONGREGATIONAL BIBLE STUDY FOR LENT
SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 11 AND WEDNESDAYS AT 11:45
ALL CONDUCTED VIA ZOOM
IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY PARTICIPATING AND WISH TO JOIN, PLEASE SEND EMAIL TO [email protected]


All the congregation is invited to participate in a congregational Lenten Bible Study that is underway covering the book "Entering the Passion of Jesus".   If you miss a session, you will still be able to participate in other weeks.    The book is available on Amazon or other bookseller.   The 6 chapters of this book are being discussed.  They are:
Jerusalem, Risking Reputation
The Temple:  Risking Righteous Anger
Teachings:  Risking Challenge
The Fist Dinner:  Risking Rejection
The Last Supper:  Risking the Loss of Friends
Gethsemane:  Risking Temptation


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"MEAT" THE NEED FOR MARCH
(This will continue to be a great need during this time)
(You will need your FOB to bring this to the church.   Place donations on the chairs right inside the double red doors to the office area.)

             Food pantries always need canned meat due to it typically being more expensive than vegetables and beans. With the exception of the vegetarians out there, meat forms the basis for most meals and provides needed protein. Please bring canned chicken, pork, beef stew, beefaroni, Spam, and Vienna sausages. Sardines, tuna, and salmon are also quite welcome!

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CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
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.

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, 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 ( [email protected]) or Pam  ( [email protected] ).    Thanks, we appreciate your help.



 






 
 


Spiritual Development 

LOOKING FOR A GOOD READ?
Come and join the Advent Book Club.   Meeting  normally at  6pm  at University Panera on dates specified BUT BECAUSE OF STAY AT HOME MANDATE, WILL BE ZOOMING FOR APRIL.  All are welcome. Contact  Jennie Henderson ( j[email protected] ). 

April 8 -- participants will discuss whatever they are reading at the time (will be done by ZOOM)
May 15 -- "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury
June 12 -- "Endurance:  A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery" by Scott Kelly
           (Note:   Book titles are subject to change)

PRAYER AND MEDITATION OF THE DAY
If you are interested in receiving short daily prayer and devotions, please email  [email protected]  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.  



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.  Contact the church office to make your request and schedule the day/time.

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.  Upcoming schedule is as follows:  March 24, April 28, May 26.  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  [email protected]

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, 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.

Outreach

USING YOUR VOICE TO SHAPE LEGISLATION
Your US Representative is determined by which district you live in. To find yours, use this link and key in your zip code:   https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative.
The same goes for your NC state Senator and Representative. To locate yours, go to this site and key in your full address:    https://www.ncleg.gov/RnR/Representation

Some may prefer contacting local level leaders such as city council, county commissioners, and school board members. Here are sites at which to find such information. Mecklenburg County:   https://charlottechamber.com/public-policy/elected-officials-contact-information/


SOCIAL ADVOCACY
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  [email protected] .


 
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.   

Youth at Advent         



To stay "in the know" about our Youth, please join our new Remind App by signing up here:

UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS



AUGUST 4-7, 2020     9AM-NOON
REGISTRATION FORMS AND VOLUNTEER SIGN-UPS SOON TO FOLLOW.
CONTACTS:   CAROL SCHIERLMANN OR BROOKE SUMMEROUR

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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 ( [email protected] or  [email protected])

Illness or Other Needs

Bill Aldred, friend Marylou & Dick Kuklentz 
Josh Baker, nephew of Abby Bostian 
Lemont Bell, friend of Gene Reid
Lauren Bradshaw, friend of Sarah Sue Hardinger 
Freddie Bridges, mother of Michelle Hagle 
Lynn Butts, extended family of Harriett Easley
Cedric, friend of Lisa Williams
Steve Cheyney, Campus Pastor
Ida & James Chisolm, members
Freda Christ, member 
Marie Cochran, member 
Carol DiRe, member
Angel Duggins, sister to Laurie Stimac's daughter-in-law 
Harriett Easley, Advent staff member
Charliese Eichler, sister of Marylou Kuklentz 
Mike Eleazer, father-in-law of the McKittrick's daughter 
Eileen Folkerth, mother of Susan Goerke
Jennifer Gazda, member  
MaryJo Gouge, friend of Janet Rasmussen 
Michelle Griffin, friend of Jennifer Canipe
Consuella Harge, friend of Marie Cochran 
Dwight Hartsell, member
Billy Johnson, son of co-worker of Jennifer Cannipe
Mark Johnson, co-worker of Jennifer Canipe
Jeannie Jones, former Preschool teacher & friend of Marie Cochran 
Bill Kirkpatrick, friend of Gene Reid
Dick Kuklentz, member
Waylon Kuklentz, grandson of Dick & Marylou Kuklentz
Bobbi Larson, member
Gerald Lee, friend of Marylou Kuklentz
Phyllis Lester, mother of Sharon Thrower 
Ray Matthews, father of Jesse Priser
Matamba Mbayabu, friend of Advent
Hilda Mertz, mother of Diane Jowers
Justin Mertz, nephew of Diane Jowers
Angelina Messina, mother of Rick Messina
Rick Messina, member
Dick Moser, the uncle of Sharon Thrower 
Charles "Ned" Patterson, uncle of Deloris Bainbridge
Chip Priser, member
Dolores Reid, daughter-in-law of Gene & Brenda Reid
Shannon Roberson, member *
Doug Robertson, brother of Anne Brown
Eric Sanburg, former member *
Richard Schulz, brother-in-law of Dan & Jan Otolski
Schwarzer family, family of Tanya DeGrace
Pam Simyon, daughter-in-law of Dick & Mary Lou Kuklentz
Myra Steele, sister-in-law of Jennifer Frisina
Cheri Strickland, member
Mary Faith Strickland, member
Dale Trabilsy, grandson by marriage of Peg Buckstad
Harold Twitty, member
Herbert Watson, member
Leah Weist, niece of friend of Diane Jowers
Beverly Williams, member
Lewis Williams, member
Renaté Wilson, mother of Tanya DeGrace


Celebrations


Deaths  -- We remember and celebrate the lives of those who have died, e specially ....


Richard Graven, father of Richelle Draper on March 13
Emma Jean Watson, mother of Herbert Watson on March 20
Catherine Jacobs, extended family member of Dwight & Susan Hartsell on March 22
Theodore Watson Sr., grandfather of Brooke Watson-Summerour on March 24
David Lange, friend of Gene & Brenda Reid on March 17



Always keep ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and NC Synod Bishop Tim Smith in your prayers.  
  
For additions or updates to this listing:
Please contact Pastor Ward at [email protected], or 704-549-1555 ext. 102
or Harriett Easley at [email protected], or 704-549-1555 ext. 101 or Pam Rhynes at [email protected] ext 103