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






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A dvent's V ision

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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Worshipping at
                  10am Sundays


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JUMP FOR JOY ... AND DUNK PASTOR WARD!!!  
 
Our church family picnic is turning up the fun factor with a bounce house and dunking booth! Come out on August 2nd from 5:30 - 8:00 for a wonderful time celebrating summer with your Advent family. There will be inside and outside games as well as a Song Station with Kristen Sakamoto. Our menu includes Grilled Chicken, Hamburgers, Corn, Red Slaw and Homemade Ice Cream.
 
Summer Reading program prizes will also be given out, so bring your kids and their passports full of stickers!


ANNUAL CHARLOTTE AREA LUTHERAN MEN CHICKEN AND CORN ROAST
The Charlotte Area Lutheran Men's annual CHICKEN and CORN ROAST will be held Monday, August 19, 2019 beginning at 6:00pm.  
 
The Event is being held this year at Morning Star Lutheran Church, 12509 Idlewild Rd, Matthews, NC  (704-907-0507).   Guest Speaker will be Tony Zeiss - Author, Central Piedmont Community College President, and Director of the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC.
 
Tickets are normally $10.00 each, but the Advent LMM will subsidize the cost of tickets for Advent's members making your price just $5.00 each.  Please see Claude Ingolia, Russ McKittrick, or Keith Wassum for tickets or information.


AUGUST FOOD ITEM:  Canned Meat (and Potatoes?)
For August, our food pantry is asking for canned meat - chicken, beef, ham, salmon, and tuna. Hmm, meat to go with all the potatoes that you're going to be hearing about soon! No, please just stick to canned meat this month. We appreciate your generosity in providing this somewhat costly source of protein for our hungry neighbors.


PRAYER AND MEDITATION OF THE DAY
We have been praying together via text message for over a month and I have heard positive feedback from many of you. In August, the Prayer of the Day will take the form of a meditation. This will allow for a broad range of material to keep us growing in our relationship with God. If you have not yet signed up or know someone who would like to receive these short messages every day, you can email spiritualdev@adventlu.org with the name, cell phone# and email or sign up online at www.adventlu.org under the Prayer of the Day tab.


USING YOUR VOICE TO SHAPE LEGISLATION
Advent's Social Ministry/Advocacy Board urges you to contact those in power to make decisions that affect our quality of life and/or that of special populations as a means of addressing our mission of "Love God, Serve Neighbor." You can express your opinion to our two US Senators - Thom Tillis and Richard Burr - at their websites through an email form or by telephone:
 
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/
Cabarrus County:  https://www.cabarruscounty.us/elected-officials        
 
So even when legislation does not go your way, you will know your voice has been heard. Make it a habit to contact your officials regularly!


Community Singers 
of Lake Norman
Invites YOU to our 1st Rehearsal
Christmas & Holiday Music
Monday, August 12th at 7 PM
Bethel Presbyterian Church
19920 Bethel Church Road
Cornelius, NC 28031
NO AUDITIONS     SING & ENJOY THE EVENING!
(for more information call 704.896.9999)   https://www.lakenormansings.com/

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                            SAVE THE DATE!!!                                     
"God's Work, Our Hands" day of service will happen at Advent on the morning of Saturday, September 7. We will receive 40,000 pounds of potatoes  that we will bag and then distribute to area food pantries and soup kitchens. There will be something for every age person to do to help feed lots of hungry neighbors. More details coming soon!


SHOW OFF YOUR MAN TOYS!!! 
We are in need of someone with a fork lift and a pallet jack to lend equipment and expertise the weekend of September 6-8. If you have access to this kind of equipment, please contact Toni Hagerman
( hagermanic@gmail.com ) or Pam Isacks ( pisacks@aol.com ).



ADVENTURE PRESCHOOL HAS AWESOME YEAR!!
Adventure Preschool ministry has had another awesome year! Our ministry continues to thrive and serve children from our community all year. We will be finishing up our summer session this week and looking forward to a little break before we are back in action with kiddos in September. The preschool is very excited that we have once again finished our fiscal year in a positive way. Each year this ministry gives back to the church an offering of at least 10%. This year we have made an offering back to the church for $500.00 which is a 12% offering from our income. The rest goes into our savings to help when needed. Thank you for all the continued support of this outreach ministry.



CHRISTMAS IN JULY  
Lutheran Services of the Carolinas has provided Advent with a list of 52 foster children needing school supplies this fall.  Our Christmas tree is in the gathering space with the name, age and gender of each child on a gift tag on the tree. Please select a tag and fill a backpack with supplies; backpacks have been purchased for the Middle and High School students (but not for elementary.)   Supplies should be turned in by Sunday Aug 4.

Thank you, once more, for thinking of the little ones and "Living Generously"!


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. 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.


SUMMER SNACK TIME
The Food Pantry is asking for individual packs of chips and cheese cracker snacks for the month of July. We know this isn't the healthiest request, but sometimes a small snack other than fruit or veggies is what people crave. When there is a whole bag of chips, many have trouble limiting how much they consume. With a small pack, we are more likely to be satisfied with less. The convenience of these items is also much appreciated by those participating in Hit the Streets.

Thanks for thinking of all the hungry out there!



YOGAFAItH CHANGES 
Note that Yoga has moved from Mondays to Thursdays in the gym from 7-8pm.  Watch for more news soon on an upcoming Saturday class.  New people are still welcome to join us for Yoga and Faith with Tawnie.   Just a $5 donation.  Please bring your own mat.  Open to members and non-members so bring friends.  

If you have any questions please contact Brooke at  youthandmilestones@adventlu.org .



WELLNESS ON WHEELS - OPEN TO ALL    
Services: Free Health screenings and health education including nutrition and chronic disease prevention.

When:  August 8; 10am-1pm. NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED.

Where: St. Luke's Missionary Baptist Church, 1600 Norris Ave., Charlotte NC

For additional information: Connect @WOWCLT on Twitter or Facebook.
                         "Live Abundantly"     Advent's Health Ministry Team



SUMMER OFFICE HOURS
The church office will be open 10 hours a day, Monday through Thursday and closed on Fridays.

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  ( churchadministrator@adventlu.org ) or Pam ( officeadmin@adventlu.org ). 
Thanks, we appreciate your help.

CHURCH AND WUBBEN SMITH HOUSE AIR CONDITIONING
Please be sure to return thermostats to the proper setting when leaving the building. This is especially important when using one of the classrooms heated or cooled by the remote-controlled wall units.  

ELECTRONIC 'GIVERS' PARTICIPATE IN WORSHIP
Electronic givers can find special cards in the pews that can be used when the offering plate is passed if desired.  .

 









Worship Schedule for August 4th
WORSHIP TIME IS 10am
8th Sunday after Pentecost
Readings: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14 & 2:18-23
  and Luke 12:13-21

Lay Assistant
   Jennifer Frisina
Usher Captain
   Jon Eklund
Reader 
   Debra Efird
Greeters
   Dick Kuklentz & Don Hagerman
Acolytes
   James Hebert & Donavan Hankins
Altar Guild
   Cathy Bolen & Lynn McKittrick
Counters
   Dick Kuklentz & L.D. Shockley  
Bread
   Cathy Bolen

Worship Schedule for August 11th
WORSHIP TIME IS 10am
9th Sunday after Pentecost
Readings: Genesis 15:1 -6
  and Luke 12:32-40

Lay Assistant
   James Bakke
Usher Captain
   Ed Efird
Reader -- Genesis 15:1-6
   Pam Rhynes
Greeters
   Charlene Bakke & Tim Caldwell
Acolytes
   Andi Honeycutt & Ashley Watson
Altar Guild
   Velia Watson & Susan Hartsell
Counters
   Pam Rhynes & Tanya DeGrace  
Bread
   Joan Moeller

Quick Links




Flowers on the altar this week 
are given by Rich and Karen Schwartz in honor of the birthdays of their grandchildren, Ally, Noah, and Emma.



Spiritual Development 

LOOKING FOR A GOOD READ?
No Book Club gathering in August.   Next meeting is September 13, 6pm
at University Panera.  "The Little Drummer Girl" by John le Carre will be discussed.  All are welcome.   Contact  Jennie Henderson ( jhendersonfit@gmail.com )

 
PRAYER OF THE DAY -- AVAILABLE ON YOUR PHONE 
If you are anything like me, your phone or email buzzes all day long. And if your messages are like mine, most of them are additions to a long to-do list with the occasional joke or funny meme. We are offering the opportunity to join together in daily prayer. If you would like to receive daily prayers on your phone, go to   Advent website under Worship & Music/Prayer of the Day OR
write/curate these prayers specifically for Advent with the intent of experiencing the joy of praying as a community. 


ADVENT PODCAST UPDATE  
There are 3 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 SD and Worship Team.  You can find a link to the podcast on the website or you can access via ITunes or your podcast app on android phones. Feedback is welcome.  



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  churchadministrator@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


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
  
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   .....     
or 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.   
You can donate to provide aid in the area of greatest need or to a need you specify.  

Youth at Advent         

                       
UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS
 
 
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 56
The Middle School youth group is for youth 5th grade through 6th 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 .

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   
Bill Aldred, friend Marylou & Dick Kuklentz
Lemont Bell, Gene Reid's friend
Arlene Bostian, Phil Bostian's mother  
Lauren Bradshaw, friend of Sarah Sue Hardinger  
Ida & James Chisolm, members  
Renee Cox, Niece of Brenda Reid  
Tanya DeGrace, member
Carol DiRe, member
Kailyn Douglas, friend of Lisa & Andy Robinson 
Mary Jane Falls, Friend of Betsy Dailey *
Eileen Folkerth, Susan Goerke's mother
Michael Funke, nephew of Barb Blish
Jennifer Gazda, member   
Consvella Harge, friend of Marie Cochran *
Ann Hess, wife of former Advent Pastor Bernie Hess
Dean Jarrett, Carol Schierlmann's uncle 
Jeannie Jones, former Preschool teacher and friend of Marie Cochran *
Dick Kuklentz, member
Waylon Kuklentz, grandson of Dick & Marylou Kuklentz
Jeff Larson, son of Bobbi Larson
Richard & Phyllis Lester, Sharon Thrower's parents 
Ray Matthews, Jesse Priser's father 
Vicki McCombs, Friend of VDC community 
Justin Mertz, Diane Jowers' nephew
Mertz Family, Diane Jowers' family    
Rick Messina, member
John Nolan, husband of Annette Nolan
John & Alice Olenchuk, friend of Lisa Robinson 
Pam Rhynes, Member
Debbie Shownes, friend of Susan Hartsell
Richard Schulz, Dan & Jan Otolski's brother-in-law 
Pam Simyon, Mary Lou Kuklentz' daughter-in-law
Rob Simyon, grandson of Dick & Marylou Kuklentz 
Pastor John Spencer *
Myra Steele, sister-in-law of Jennifer Frisina
Debbie Trumpf, friend of Bobbi Larson
Nancy Varger, aunt of Mona Ingolia
Joshua Waits, friend of Lisa Robinson
Ware Washam, friend of Sarah Sue Hardinger
Herbert Watson, Member
Helen Webb, Kuklentz' daughter-in-law  
Beverly Williams,member  
Lewis Williams, member
Renaté Wilson, Tanya DeGrace's mother
Christopher Woolen, NC State Trooper paralyzed from neck down after accident on 7/22/19
Bethany, friend of Lisa & Andy Robinson 
Robert, Friend of Lisa & Andy Robinson

Births

Celebrations

Deaths
We remember and celebrate the lives of those who have died, especially ...
Lester Tyson, father of Dale Tyson, died July 12, 2019
Nancy LaValley, mother of Deloris Bainbridge, died July 18, 2019
Claire Miley, friend of Emma Tunnell, died July 21, 2019 in jet ski accident.


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 ThePastor@adventlu.org   or 704-549-1555 ext. 101  
or Harriett Easley at ChurchAdministrator@adventlu.org 
or 704-549-1555, ext. 100