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WORSHIP AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Please join us ONLINE
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP 10am -- September 6, 2020
14th Sunday after Pentecost
Readings: Ezekial 33:7-11 and Matthew 18-15-20
Live-streamed through 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.
Beginning with September, we will celebrate communion through Zoom on each 2nd and 4th Sundays until we are able to re-gather. Reminder and connection information will be posted prior to the Sunday. September 13 is the next date.
To view all older recordings of our worship services, there are 2 ways from the Advent website: 1) select CONNECTIONS and then "YouTube Videos" from there and you can view any service back to the March time frame (or) 2) if you want to have the bulletin as well: go to the Worship & Music tab at the top and then "Ways to Worship". So, if you miss us at 10am on Sundays, you can still view the service.
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ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL - SUNDAY 11am via ZOOM
"Interrupting Silence" by Walter Brueggemann
(No Sunday School on September 6 -- Resumes September 13)
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 11:45am via ZOOM
September 9 -- Faces of Faith - "The Penitent Thief on the Cross"
Beginning September 16 -- study of the book of Isaiah
If you are interested in participating in any of these classes and you are not already on Carol's mailing list, please contact her so she can share the necessary materials with you ( spiritualdev@adventlu.org)
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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WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY WITH THE BISHOP
 Bishop Tim Smith of the North Carolina Lutheran Synod is offering a Wednesday night Bible study of the Gospel of Mark beginning September 9, 2020 through the month of October. The class will be from 7-8pm through Zoom.
If you are interested in joining, register here to receive a link to the study. _______________
THURSDAY WEEKLY PRAYER AND DEVOTION at 1pm
Remaining weeks: September 10th and 17th
RESILIENCY: SETTING FREE OUR LAMENT
(see description below)
(Note that each week is stand alone - no problem if you miss one!)
E ach week, we will have a devotion and community prayer on Thursdays except for the 3rd Thursday. The thought prompt 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 look for Thursday Weekly Prayer and Devotion and click Zoom link.
RESILENCY: SETTING FREE OUR LAMENT: This will be a 4-week study but each week can be stand-alone. It was designed by the ELCA specifically for this time of hardship caused by Covid 19. We are living in unprecedented times - a health pandemic filled with economic uncertainty and unresolved racism. This added to each of our own personal challenges in daily life. Grief upon grief. Uncertainty upon uncertainty. Lament is that raw pain and unresolved grief from deep within. Unexpected turn of events unleashed by the spread of the deadly coronavirus leaves us unsettled, weary, and aching for better days. Please. Can we speed-dial through lament? Unfortunately, there is no quick fix. And no, God did not send these times to punish us or teach us. But, from this, we can grow in wisdom, maturity, and grace. By the grace of God, hope can take root and blossom with a beauty borne only from the struggle.
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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 _________________________________
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.
 FAITH AND RACE SURVEY
WE NEED YOUR INPUT IF YOU HAVE NOT YET RESPONDED!
Advent, along with many other churches, has increased the amount of focus we are giving to issues and events tied to faith and race. We have partnered with a research firm that has designed a (free) survey to help us understand which areas the congregation would most like to see Advent concentrating on.
This survey was emailed to you last week; it is also be available on our website and the link is added here. The survey is short and will take less than 10 minutes of your time. We are asking each member of your household 18 and over to complete their own survey. All responses are anonymous unless you choose to add your name at the end. Your concerns and interests are very important to us. Please take a few minutes and participate. Thank you!
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SEPTEMBER FOOD ITEM: PASTA TIME!
 During the month of September, we'd like to fill hungry stomachs with pastas and sauce,  macaroni and cheese boxes/packets, and canned pasta meals such as Beefaroni, SpaghettiOs, etc. Flip-top cans are ideal, but we'll accept any! These foods will be placed in Advent's regular food pantry and the Little Food Pantry.
Please set food items inside the entrance near the offices. Thanks!
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ADVENT TOGETHER PANEL DISCUSSION: WE ARE CALLED
Many thanks to all those who joined Zoom on August 30th for our panel discussion "We Are Called". This session provided an opportunity for Advent members to take a deeper dive into issues of racial and social justice to enhance understanding of diverse perspective, challenge assumptions, and foster meaningful connections as believers and people of faith.
We appreciate so much the willingness and openness to share in life experiences from Gene Reid, Jim Hintz, Tim Caldwell, Rob Beyersdorf, Andrea Hankins, Natalie Eklund, Eric Summerour, Marc Jensen, Lenore Watson, and Pam Isack. Thank you to all as well to Arlene Cash and Toni Hagerman who served as moderators.
If you were not able to be a part of this Zoom meeting, but would like to receive a link to the video recording, please send a note to officeadm@adventlu.org and the link will be forwarded to you.
"We are called to act with justice; we are called to love tenderly
We are called to serve one another; to walk humbly with God (ELW)"
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LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE
Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) brings God's hope, healing and renewal to people whose lives have been disrupted by disasters in the U.S. and around the world. When the dust settles and the headlines change, LDR stays to provide ongoing assistance to those in need. Currently, LDR is responding to:
- Hurricane Laura
- California wildfires
- Derecho storm in the midwest
- Covid-19
- and more ....
If you would like to make a donation to Lutheran Disaster Response, you can make a donation to Advent either by check or through Online Giving. Just be sure to write Disaster Response on the memo line. All offerings received for this will be sent to the ELCA and we will ask Wubben to match donations made by members.
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NEW OPPORTUNITY TO HELP AT CRISIS ASSISTANCE MINISTRY
Crisis Assistance Ministry is once again accepting volunteers for their ministry's Free Store Production Area, located at 500-A Spratt Street. Help is needed in a variety of roles, from sorting and inspecting donated items; sizing and hanging clothing; to stocking the Free Store, which provides families in our community with essentials free-of-charge.
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EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC
Thursday, September 16th -- 6pm by Zoom
ELECTION DAY 101: WHAT TO KNOW LEADING UP TO NOVEMBER 3
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. There are several options for voting this year: absentee ballots, mail-in ballots, early voting, and voting on Election Day. In Charlotte, registered voters will have the opportunity to cast ballots for the North Carolina governor, Mecklenburg County Commissioners, United States president, and more. The Mecklenburg County Board of Elections is offering a session on how and where to vote and about precautions being taken to make in-person voting safe as well as options for early voting and mail-in ballots. Former Charlotte Observer columnist Mary Newsom will highlight best practices in finding information on candidates and races, as well as sifting through what is and is not reliable information online. Lastly, the League of Women Voters of Charlotte Mecklenburg will share information on the vote411.org website. This nonpartisan workshop will help you be more informed in advance of Election Day.
Learn more and register here for this Zoom offering:
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RE-GATHERING TASK FORCE UPDATE 8-26-20
The Task Force and Council have established some criteria that will be used to help guide our decision on when to re-gather. The first is that the State of North Carolina must be thirty days into Phase 3 of Governor Cooper's COVID-19 Re-opening plan. This will enable us to see if the relaxation of the restrictions causes a spike in COVID-19 cases. The second criteria is that Mecklenburg County has a consistent positivity test rate of less than five percent. Lastly, we will take into account any guidance that the NC Synod has on dates for reopening.
The Task Force is also in the process of creating a survey to solicit feedback from the Congregation on when they would feel comfortable re-gathering, what precautions would be necessary, and what type of worship you would be willing to attend. We will release a video in the future that provides additional insight into some of the safety precautions that will be used to help us re-gather safely.
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FREE VIRTUAL STRETCHING CLASSES
We are living through a very stressful time right now and it's important to take care of  ourselves and our bodies in particular. Regular stretching releases stress and tension. Jennie Henderson, an ACE Certified Personal Trainer, is leading several stretching sessions for the Advent Family through Zoom. All skill levels are welcome. Modifications are offered. All you need is a water bottle, a chair, a space to lay down, and a resistance band/long towel. Any questions can be directed to jhendersonfit@gmail.com
Mondays 10am-11am
Meeting ID: 865 1772 4752 Password: 723860
Tuesdays 4pm-4:30pm
Meeting ID: 838 0259 7891 Passcode: 185541
Thursdays 4pm-4:30pm (Starting September 3)
Zoom Meeting notice will be available soon.33901?
Fridays 10am-11am
Meeting ID: 825 5020 8645 Password: 592797
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VOTING REMINDERS 
Time is of essence if you want to vote this fall by absentee ballot. The local newspaper reports that the Board of Elections is receiving a huge number of requests for absentee ballots so if you think you want to vote this way, you need to get your request in now. In case you didn't know ... even if you request an absentee ballot, you can still show up and vote in person for early voting or election day. Just don't try to vote twice!!!
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HOW YOU CAN OFFER A HELPING HAND
WANT TO BE A VOLUNTEER? If you are interested in doing volunteer work at Second Harvest Food Bank or at Med Assist, please contact Jim Hintz ( hintzes3@aol.com). Jim coordinates groups of Advent folks interested in serving.
HELP NEEDED TO SERVE MEALS -- Houses of faith in Charlotte have been asked to sign up for a weekly slot to serve meals to previously unsheltered residents who are now living in three hotels in Mecklenburg County. Food is provided by an outside contractor, and Roof Above is working with residents to find permanent housing. Time slots for meal service are two people for two hours for either lunch or dinner, and we would be making a commitment for one day a week now through September. If you are interested in participating in the meal service program, please contact Abby Bostian (abostian@carolina.rr.com) or Jim Hintz (hintzes3@aol.com). If enough people are interested, we'll make the commitment to help and contact you about schedules.
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 or Jim Hintz (hintzes3@aol.com) to join an Advent group.
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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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. Click here to access Online Giving now
(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. The 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.
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"
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: 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.
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.
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Outreach
USING YOUR VOICE TO SHAPE LEGISLATION
If you wish to financially aid those devastated by hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, or other natural disasters, Lutheran Disaster Response will directly reach victims. To donate, make your donation payable to Advent with "ELCA disaster relief" in the memo line, and we will send your contribution in with 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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See main screen in lower left corner under the Advent Children's Corner or
Go to Connections and select YOUTUBE VIDEOS -- Scroll to the video
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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 officeadm@adventlu.org or churchadministrator@adventlu.org) to provide updates.
Illness or Other Needs
Jessie Amaker, grandmother of Teleah Amaker
Ashton Family, daughter and family of Esther Abdel-Hameed
Josh Baker, nephew of Abby Bostian
Lindsey Baker, niece of Abby Bostian
Sheryl Belk, friend of Betsy Brown
Lemont Bell, friend of Gene Reid
Abby Bostian, member
Freddie Bridges, mother of Michelle Hagle
Anne Brown, mother of Teleah Amaker
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
Ann Farabee, sister of Abyy Bostian
Emma Fettig, member
Eileen Folkerth, mother of Susan Goerke
MaryJo Gouge, friend of Janet Rasmussen
Consuella Harge, friend of Marie Cochran
Dwight Hartsell, member
Richard Henderson, nephew of Sharon Thrower
Jeannie Jones, former Preschool teacher & friend of Marie Cochran
Jasmin Kivett, friend of Harriett Easley
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
Caroline Morton, sister of Ruth Refsnider
Dick Moser, the uncle of Sharon Thrower
Tyler Oddman, friend of Harriett Easley
Anita Ortiz, mother-in-law of Herbert & Lenore Watson's Son
Kalvin Roberson, member
Shannon Roberson, member
Richard Schulz, brother-in-law of Dan & Jan Otolski
Pam Simyon, daughter-in-law of Dick & Mary Lou Kuklentz
Myra Steele, sister-in-law of Jennifer Frisina
Kirby Strickland & family, members
Mary Faith Strickland, former member
David Townsend, friend of Esther Abdel-Hameed
Dan Trabilsy, grandson by marriage of Peg Buckstad
Laura Tucker, friend of Marylou Kuklentz
Linda Ann Wassum, sister-in-law of Keith & Diane Wassum
Herbert Watson, member
Beverly Williams, member
Lewis Williams, member
Lisa Williams, member
Renaté Wilson, mother of Tanya DeGrace
Gerry Wisner, brother of Terry Wisner
Terry & Carol Wisner, members
Jeff Woods, uncle of Carol Schierlmann
Celebrations
Thanksgiving for the marriage of Adam Bostian and Kristin Rosser on August 28th. Phil and Abby Bostian are the proud parents!
Deaths - We remember and celebrate the lives of those who have died, especially..
Grace Stegall, aunt of Lisa Williams on August 9
Marlene Quigby, aunt of Jeannie Henderson on August 10
Nell Clayton, aunt of Janet Rasmussen on August 31
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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