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WORSHIP AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Please join us ONLINE
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP
10am -- August 2, 2020
9th Sunday after Pentecost
Readings: Isaiah 55:1-5 Matthew 14:13-21
Live-streamed t
hrough the Advent website home page
Communion by zoom at 10:45am
Bring your bread and wine/juice
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.
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ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL - SUNDAY 11am via ZOOM
"Interrupting Silence" by Walter Brueggemann
July 26th through September 20th (
No Sunday School on September 6)
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 12 noon via ZOOM
"ENCOUNTERING GOD IN TYRANNICAL TEXTS"
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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THURSDAY WEEKLY PRAYER AND DEVOTION at 1pm
E
ach week, we will have a devotion and community prayer on Thursdays. The thought prompt for the week, as well as time 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 Zoom links -- look for Thursday Weekly Prayer and Devotion and click
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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
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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.
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ADVENT VIRTUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, FOLLOWING COMMUNION.
Separate eNEWS later this week with details.
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ADVENT'S RE-GATHERING TASK FORCE UPDATE
While the ever changing data on COVID-19 has prevented us from establishing a date on when we can re-gather for Worship, several steps have been taken so that we can re-gather safely. They include:
- Installation of UV Sanitizing Lights/Filters for the HVAC systems in Orinson Hall, the Sanctuary, and the Pre-School wing. These eliminate 99.97% of air borne bacteria, mold, and certain viruses. The remaining HVAC units will have the same systems installed.
- Order and installation of hands free paper towel dispensers, hands free soap dispensers, and hands free sanitizer dispensers.
- Securing a "fogger" and the necessary chemicals that will be used to sanitize surfaces in the Church. There will be no need to wipe or touch after the spraying as the items are sanitized once the spray dries.
- Ordering mini one ounce hand sanitizer bottles and disposable face masks.
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RADICAL LOVE ENDEAVOR MISSION IMMERSION -
FOOD SCARCITY WEEK AUGUST 2-8
Advent's commitment to the most vulnerable in our community has never been more important. The headlines are full of news of layoffs and business closings. Demand at food pantries and soup kitchens is increasing.
During the week of August 2, Advent's Radical Love Endeavor is focusing on Food Insecurity and Food Scarcity. Watch for facts about food insecurity, for ways you can learn more, and for opportunities to serve and participate. Several ways are listed below for the entire congregation to be a part of this RLE week addressing hunger. Also watch for virtual posters sharing details of each activity.
Volunteer with Galilee Center and Second Harvest Food Bank
Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina
500-B Spratt Street, Charlotte NC 28206
We have another opportunity to volunteer to help sort and/or pack food for the needy at the Second
 Harvest Food Bank on Thursday, August 6. As you can imagine, a great many families remain in a condition of food insecurity due to the COVID pandemic, and many hands are required to keep up with the demand. S
pace is reserved spaces for 8 people to work in the morning (9-12), and another 8 people to work in the afternoon (1-4). Mus confirm no later than the 30th.
Contact Jim Hintz at
hintzes3@aol.com.
Poverty Simulation
Walk a simulated mile in the shoes of someone from a marginalized community. This poverty simulation only takes 15 minutes to complete and is appropriate & understandable for everyone. We encourage families with school age children to complete it together. Join us on August 5th at 7:00 and we will discuss your thoughts on the experience and outline ways you can plug in to help folks in Charlotte who find themselves facing hard food insecurity, homelessness and other impacts of poverty.
Food Donation Drive-thru Saturday, August 8 from 10-12:00
. Bring non-perishable food items and drop them off in the Advent parking lot with volunteers. We will restock our pantry and donate any overflow to the Jamil-Niner Food Bank at UNCC.
Oh, and while you are there you can sign up for the Crop Walk!
Feed your family for $1.39 each! 
What would it be like to depend on "food stamps" for your family's groceries? About 40 million Americans depend on the Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP is given to people who make less than $27,000 a year to support a family of 3. More than 2/3 of families who receive food assistance have children.
We, as citizens of the USA, have decided to support families who are stretched financially by providing some help with their grocery bills. Each person in the family is given $4.17 for each day by our government to purchase food. That works out to $1.39 for each person for each meal.
So, as part of the Radical Love Endeavor experience this week, here is a challenge:
Plan a meal that you could purchase using your family's allotment of SNAP resources. That means that you plan, prepare and eat a meal that costs only $1.39 for each person. No cheating! You cannot use leftovers or items you pull out of your cupboard or freezer. Go to the grocery store and actually purchase the items for your meal. You may spend $1.39 for each person in your household on the meal.
Take a picture of your feast! Share it, together with your menu, your challenges and surprises and on Advent's Social Media or send to Brooke at
youthandmilestones@adventlu.org.
Learn more about the SNAP program at
Other Radical Love Endeavor Opportunities:
Pray
- our prayer of the day will focus on what it means to be fed and the call to feed others. To sign up, just go to the website and put in your email or send your request to Carol at
Spiritualdev@adventlu.org
.
Devotion - our weekly devotion will be on Thursday August 4th at 1:00 and will center on this topic. The devotion and Zoom link will be posted on the homepage of
Adventlu.org by August 4th.
(Details coming soon about September's Love Your Mother Earth Week when we will focus on ways to be better stewards of Creation.)
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VOTING REMINDERS 
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FOR JULY: REQUESTING MEAT, PLEASE!
Yes, we just focused on meat a few months ago. But food pantries - including our new Little Free
 Pantry - always need canned meat. Please bring canned chicken, pork, corned beef, beef stew, beefaroni, and Vienna sausages. Cans or packets of tuna, salmon, and sardines are also welcome.
Pop-tops are good but not required. Place donations inside the red door entry near offices if possible; otherwise, place outside the red doors but please follow up by contacting Esther Abdel-Hameed at
esther_uae@hotmail.com
.
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ADVENT HOSTS SUMMER BLOOD DRIVE - WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
If you haven't signed up yet, please consider it today!
As you may know, during this pandemic the demand for blood is as high as ever, and because there have many cancellations of blood drives, there is a shortage of blood. To help out, Advent is teaming up with the Red Cross and UNC Charlotte to host a summer blood drive in Orinson Fellowship Hall from 10am to 3pm on Thursday, August 13th. Because UNCC is not scheduling any events in their space at this time Advent has stepped up to serve as a host for this blood drive. Now all we need is for anyone who can donate to step up and schedule an appointment. Many have asked what can we do during the pandemic, and here is an opportunity for those who are able and willing to donate blood.
The Red Cross has established enhanced blood donation protocols to ensure the safety of donors, staff, and volunteers including temperature checks, masks, distancing, and cleaning. Also, shortages due to canceled blood drives have prompted the American Red Cross
to offer to test donations for coronavirus antibodies for anyone who donates.
The antibody tests, authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, will be performed on samples taken during donation, and results should be available within seven to 10 days.
Click here for information about the antibodies testing.
If you plan to participate in this important drive, I want to encourage you to
click here now to make a reservation. You can also go to the Red Cross website (
americanredcross.org), click on GIVE
BLOOD, and type in
UNCC, which is the sponsor code for this drive, and proceed to register from there. Walk-in donations will be welcomed too, of course, but a reserved time shortens the wait and helps our host better plan for the number of donors.
Also, you can use Rapid Pass on the day of the event to shorten the on-site registration process. See
www.redcrossblood.org/rapidpass
for details.
Thanks in advance for your consideration.
For questions please contact Keith Wassum (
knwassum@bellsouth.net
or 704-597-1174).
Help us
make a difference
by helping someone who needs our blood donations
.
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HOW YOU CAN OFFER A HELPING HAND
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.
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.
(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. 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.
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.
August 7 - "Endurance: My Year in Space" by Scott Kelly
August 21 - Book Club Check-in
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"
NOTE: Small groups can continue to meet using the church subscription to Zoom or to WebEx. Contact the church office to make your request and schedule the day/time on the church calendar.
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 (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
churchadministrator@adventlu.org
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 or if you drop offerings by the church, 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.
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Outreach
USING YOUR VOICE TO SHAPE LEGISLATION
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
ShannonHomesley@gmail.com .
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.
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Youth at Advent
Check out the new "Advent Children's Corner"
Left side under weekly devotion info
- - - - - - -
GODLY PLAY -- 7 FACES
Go to Connections and select YOUTUBE VIDEOS
Scroll to the video
- - - - - - - -
To stay "in the know" about our Youth, please join our new Remind App by signing up here:
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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 (
officeadm@adventlu.org or
churchadministrator@adventlu.org)
Illness or Other Needs
Josh Baker, nephew of Abby Bostian
Lindsey Baker, niece of Abby Bostian
Sheryl Belk, friend of Betsy Brown
Lemont Bell, friend of Gene Reid
Freddie Bridges, mother of Michelle Hagle
Amos Brown, former member
Tim Caldwell, member
Sharon Charity, frequent visitor
Ida & James Chisolm, members
Freda Christ, member
Nell Clayton, aunt of Janet Rasmussen
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
Emma Fettig, member
Eileen Folkerth, mother of Susan Goerke
Amber Gazda, member
Jennifer Gazda, member
MaryJo Gouge, friend of Janet Rasmussen
Andrea Hankins, member
Consuella Harge, friend of Marie Cochran
Dwight Hartsell, member
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
Dick Moser, the uncle of Sharon Thrower
Anita Ortiz, mother-in-law of Herbert & Lenore Watson's Son
Sabo Family, members
Richard Schulz, brother-in-law of Dan & Jan Otolski
Lori Shownes, friend of Susan Hartsell
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
Lindsay Thiemann & family, members
David Townsend, friend of Esther Abdel-Hameed
Dan Trabilsy, grandson by marriage of Peg Buckstad
Laura Tucker, friend of Marylou Kuklentz
Harold Twitty, member
Connie Van Brunt, mother of Ayisha McMillan-Cravotta
Linda Ann Wassum, sister-in-law of Keith & Diane Wassum
Herbert Watson, member
Beverly Williams, member
Lewis Williams, member
Renaté Wilson, mother of Tanya DeGrace
Gerry Wisner, brother of Terry Wisner
Celebrations
The birth of a new baby boy, Rook Rockwell, to Lindsay, Andy, Zane, and Owen on July 12
Deaths -- We remember and celebrate the lives of those who have died, e
specially
....
Audrey Sutphin, mother of Tim Fullmer, on July 8
Catherine Staplefoote, sister of Teleah Amaker, on July 9
Bonnie Mitchell, friend of Pastor Ward, on July 18
Sharon Stancher, friend of Pastor Ward, on July 23
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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