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WORSHIP AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP -- December 20, 2020
Fourth Sunday in Advent
Theme is "Those who hope are not alone!"
Readings: Isaiah 9:2-7 and Luke 1:26-38
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.
Any technical delays will be posted on the website under the link for worship.
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CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES -- DECEMBER 24, 2020
OUTDOORS AT 3PM, 5PM, 7PM weather permitting
Sign-ups Required
SEE FULL ARTICLE BELOW
In case of inclement weather, Pastor Ward will conduct a live service at 7pm from indoors (closed to the public) -- Available on adventlu.org
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ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL - SUNDAY 11am via ZOOM
Isaiah for Everyone by John Goldingay
(No classes 12/20, 12/27, 1/3)
To connect:
Meeting ID: 824 6793 5162 Password: 967619
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MONDAYS -- PARLOR CLASS 7PM via Zoom
November 30 - December 21
Light of the World: A Beginner's Guide to Advent
This study dives deeper into the biblical texts that surround the birth of Jesus. Read full details under new news below.
Click here to connect:
Meeting ID: 863 5263 1572 Passcode: Parlor
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WEDNESDAYS -- LUNCH AND LEARN 11:45am via ZOOM
Study of Isaiah
(No classes 12/16, 12/23, 12/30)
To Connect:
Meeting ID: 835 6174 4544 Password: 549160
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 Colorful Worship is back on online for our Advent Families. These videos are made with love and we hope you enjoy bringing God into your home. Look for these videos on our YouTube channel and our website. Enjoy by clicking the link below. Thanks from your Spiritual Development team at Advent.
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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 _________________________________
Full details of these events elsewhere in this email
Wednesdays -- B3 Boomwackers, Bells, Beats 6:45-7:15
Thursday, December 17 -- 1pm Adventurers monthly gathering via Zoom
Sunday, December 20 -- Online worship at 10am
Monday, December 21 -- 7pm Light of the World study final session via Zoom
Christmas Eve -- Outdoor candlelight services at 3, 5 and 7pm weather permitting
Sunday, December 27 -- online worship at 10am
Sunday, January 3, 2021 -- online worship at 10am
Sunday, January 3 -- Salty Sundays 4-5pm
Sunday, January 17 -- Salty Sundays 4-5pm
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CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES OUTDOORS
WEATHER PERMITTING
DECEMBER 24th -- 3PM 5PM 7PM
SIGN UPS REQUIRED
We are so excited that Advent will have three outdoor candlelight services with Holy Communion on Christmas Eve (weather permitting) at 3pm, 5pm, and 7pm. The 7pm service will also be streamed from the Advent website (adventlu.org) in the same manner as Sunday services. Connection link will be on left side of home screen. Sign-ups are required for the outdoor services using this following Sign-up Genius link:
You must indicate how many people you are expecting in your group so we can safely and properly plan. If you have any problems signing up via Sign-up Genius or don't have a computer to access it, please call Sharon Thrower at 704-622-7394 or Pam Rhynes at 704-641-1686 and you will be signed up manually. Leave a message with contact info if necessary.
In order to maintain the integrity of gathering safely, we ask all attendees to follow these guidelines:
- Bring your own chairs.
- Be sure to come prepared with coats and blankets as necessary to stay warm.
- Masks, properly worn, are required at all times when you are outside of your vehicle. Efforts to socially distance should be maintained.
- Plan to arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of the service. Information will be taken for contact tracing as you enter the parking lot.
- Enter through the Mark Twain entrance only. Exiting will be through the back entrance.
- Those staying in cars will park head in to the grass in designated spots not containing a cone. Overflow will back in to spaces along University City Blvd (there will be someone directing the flow of traffic in the parking lot).
- As you enter, you will receive a plastic bag containing candles, communion kits, and programs. Please return candles at the end of the service where indicated by the Pastor.
- Seating on the grass should be in the middle of the orange squares painted on the grass. Large families can spread into 2 or more squares as necessary but please ensure there will be 6 feet between the end person in your group and the center of the next square.
- A table with an offering box will be available on the sidewalk near the Campus Center for those wishing to bring their Christmas offering.
At this point, the weather is forecast to be cloudy and in the 50s on Christmas Eve. If that changes and we have rain, the services will be cancelled (pray for no rain!) and a notice will be published on the Advent website (adventlu.org) by 1pm on the 24th.
What a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas Eve and the birth of Jesus. We hope you will join us.
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NEED LUMINARIES FOR CHRISTMAS EVE
We will greatly appreciate any luminaries that our church family can make for Christmas Eve. We'd like to place luminaries around the perimeter of the grassy area where we will worship if enough are available. If you are willing to help in this project, please bring your luminaries to the church before noon on December 24th. You may place them on the stage in the gym and if you want yours returned to you, please put your name on the bag or container somewhere. Special ones made by you that you want to bring for the service and then take it back home with you are perfectly welcomed.
Here is the eNEWS article that has a link to making luminaries. Please note that we cannot use real candles.
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HOW TO MAKE LUMINARIES
NEEDED FOR CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
We would love to have everyone add their light to the grounds at Advent for the Christmas Eve service. Each of us shines the light of Jesus; together, our light grows luminous and beautiful beyond measure. Click on this link
to get instructions for making a luminary. The guide includes instruction for a paper luminary or a more complex glass one.
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 OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE GALILEE MINISTRIES
Galilee Ministries of East Charlotte is holding a Garden Workday on Sunday, December 20 from 2-4pm. Please join us at 3601 Central Avenue to help support this place of beauty, rest, and nutritious food for our community.
Bring your own work gloves and wear a mask. This is a safe and meaningful way to serve our community this holiday season. We would love your help! For more info, please email us at galileeeast@gmail.com or see Pam Isacks or Toni Hagerman. Thank you!
OUR WUBBEN-SMITH HOUSE BECOMES A PARSONAGE
After many months of deliberations and prayers, we are pleased to announce that plans are underway for Pastor Ward and his family to move into the Wubben-Smith House during late January/early February. Pastor Ward is very excited about this new opportunity and phase in his life. We, as the church, are fortunate to have the option to provide favorable housing. In addition, we look forward to having the house used and cared for at all times while still maintaining ownership of the property.
Advent will continue to be responsible for major upkeep, mortgage, insurance, etc. Adjustments to Pastor Ward's salary will be made to cover the costs we incur that are directly attributable to his living in the house. Please join in welcoming him and his family to the neighborhood.
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On December 13 our Advent Racial Justice team sponsored a Zoom event with Ryan Carter from Habitat for Humanity speaking on Affordable Housing here in Charlotte and its intersection with racial justice. Interestingly, we discovered that Ryan is a member of Christ Lutheran Church and he also is serving on the N.C. Synod Task Force for Affordable Housing. For those of you who missed it and would like to watch the recording, please contact Diane Wassum ( dwassum@bellsouth.net) and she will send you the link.
Some action steps from Ryan for all of us: * Advocate for the construction of affordable housing in your neighborhood. * Let your elected officials know that the well being of other parts of town is important to you. * Look for ways segregation has impacted your neighborhood and ways you can help make amends. * Consider how housing has played a role in racial inequities in our community and what you can do to change this. * Think about ways COVID-19 has impacted others and how they may need help, especially with housing.
Look for more informative offerings in the future from our Advent Racial Justice Team!
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GRIEF DURING THE HOLIDAYS
These upcoming holidays are sometimes very difficult for those who are grieving. The Advent Health Ministry is providing the following link to a Grief Share organization which is holding virtual meetings.
Here are also two documents with information for those struggling during this time. To read the documents, please click on the desired link below.
If you are struggling with grief during this time, may you find peace in the love of our God and Savior that is always surrounding us. Our prayers are with you.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT BEFORE!!!
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ADVENTURERS CHRISTMAS GATHERING
Advent's Adventurers will gather by Zoom on Thursday, December 17, at 1pm, for conversation, jokes, games, music, and devotions. Any Advent member (or guest) is invited to join us.
Here is the link to the gathering:
Meeting ID: 886 3255 3654 Passcode: 143012
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ONGOING NEED: FOOD FOR OUR LITTLE FREE PANTRY
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Our Little Free Pantry has been a big hit with our neighbors, and we
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want to be sure to keep it well-fed. All types of non-perishable foods are needed. You can also put food directly in the pantry which is located in the side yard of the Wubben-Smith House on Bonnie Lane or bring it to the church and put it in the admin wing area on or near the chairs. If you have no fob into the church, contact abostian@carolina.rr.com to let her know you have food and arrange a time for you to bring it.
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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, at Med Assist or at Classroom Central, please contact Jim Hint
If you are interested in doing volunteer work at Second Harvest Food Bank, at Med Assist or at Classroom Central, please contact Jim Hintz (hintzes3@aol.com). Jim coordinates groups of Advent folks interested in serving. We have lots of ways you can serve.
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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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All church office staff continue to work remotely. 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 twice a month on Fridays, 6pm, per the schedule below.
Upcoming dates and suggested books:
December 18 -- Check in
For January 8 - "Pachinko" by Min Jin Lee
January 22 -- Check In
For February 5 - "Half Broke Horses" by Jeanette Walls
For February 19 -- Check in
For March 5 - "The Book of Longings" by Sue Monk Kidd
March 19 -- Check in
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:
The Men's Group has started reading How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi and is meeting via Zoom. If you are interested in participating, please contact Pastor Ward for more info. The current schedule is 7:15 on November 9, November 23, December 8, and December 21.
Theology on Tap: This group meets with new friends from Newell Presbyterian Church monthly to discuss contemporary topics. Please see Pastor Ward or Carol Schierlmann with questions.
Tattoos on the Heart (formerly known as "Bible in Action" This small group has reading and discussing Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless by Gregory Boyle. This small group is meeting on Zoom. Please contact Pastor Ward for more information.
FREE VIRTUAL STRETCHING CLASSES VIA ZOOM
During these stressful times, it's important to take care of ourselves and our bodies in particular. Regular stretching releases stress and tension in our body. Jennie Henderson, an ACE CertifiedPersonal Trainer, is leading some 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.
Classes are currently held on Tuesdays & Fridays at 3pm.
NOTE: No classes on 12/22 or 12/25 -- special 9am stretch on December 24th -- same zoom link!
Join Zoom Meeting
COMMUNICATE AND CONNECT THROUGH ADVENT FRIENDS ON FACEBOOK:
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 Amazon Smile. 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 "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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We are very excited to welcome back our online Colorful worship for our Advent Families. These videos are made with love and we hope you enjoy bringing God into your home. Look for these videos on our youtube channel and our website. Because of technical difficulties, we are just now getting the October 18 video available. Enjoy by clicking the link below. Thanks from your Spiritual Development team at Advent.
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EVERY 1st AND 3rd SUNDAY 4-5pm
Zoom link to join:
Meeting ID: 843 9148 4685 Passcode: 866800
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 B3 - BOOMWACKERS, BELLS, and BEATS! For children 4th-7th grade who want to learn a new instrument and have some fun. Come, join B3 -- the new Youth Band! Meets Wednesday nights 6:45-7:15pm (Social distancing and masks required)
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Stay up to date with youth communications!!!
Grades 6-12 are invited to join Brooke Summerour on GroupMe at
"Advent LUTHERAN CTL 6th-12th"
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Also we have a Advent Youth Instagram page
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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
Ashton Family, daughter and family of Esther Abdel-Hameed
Lemont Bell, friend of Gene Reid
Bethann Bluder, sister-in-law of Esther Abdel-Hameed
Fred Bridges, father of Michelle Hagle
Ida & James Chisolm, members
Thomas Clement, uncle of Jennie Henderson
Marie Cochran, member
Paul Coleman, friend of Advent VDC community
Dallas Collins, family member of co-worker of Gloria Peters
Carol DiRe, member
Deborah Dubose, friend of Advent at Robinsdale
Inez Easley, mother-in-law of Harriett Easley
Charliese Eichler, sister of Marylou Kuklentz
Mike Eleazer, father-in-law of Katherine McKittrick Eleazer
William Ensley, friend of Janet Rasmussen
Emma Fettig, member
Eileen Folkerth, mother of Susan Goerke
Jan Frick, friend of Marylou Kuklentz
Susan Goerke, member
MaryJo Gouge, friend of Janet Rasmussen
Colleen Graven, sister of Richelle Draper
Dwight Hartsell, member
Cindy Henderson, sister of Sharon Thrower
Claude Ingolia, member
Dick Kuklentz, member
Waylon Kuklentz, grandson of Dick & Marylou Kuklentz
Bobbi Larson, member
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
Tyler Oddman, friend of Harriett Easley
Anita Ortiz, mother-in-law of Herbert & Lenore Watson's Son
Leo Peeler, member
Barney Quigley, uncle of Jennie Henderson
Kalvin Roberson, member
Richard Schulz, brother-in-law of Dan & Jan Otolski
Pam Simyon, daughter-in-law of Dick & Mary Lou Kuklentz
Kirby Strickland, former member
Mary Faith Strickland, former member
David Townsend, friend of Esther Abdel-Hameed
Laura Tucker, friend of Marylou Kuklentz
Herbert Watson, member
Jenny Weems, friend of Astrid McLendon
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, especially..
Clyde Mullis, brother-in-law of Dwight Hartsell on November 26
Fred Lichtenstadter, father of Kristen Basilice on November 27
Bobby Short, uncle of Caroline Bunn on December 1
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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