ADVENT LUTHERAN CHURCH
8840 University City Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28213
704-549-1555
Weekly News and Prayers on July 29, 2021
(Submission Deadline: Noon Wednesdays to Pam at Officeadm@adventlu.org) 
Follow us on Twitter!  (@AdventCLT)  Instagram! (adventlutheranclt)
YouTube channel -- Advent Lutheran Church ELCA Charlotte


10th Sunday after Pentecost
Readings: Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15 and John 6:24-35



ADVENT WORSHIP

COME JOIN US !!!!
Sunday, August 1, 2021 at 10am in Orinson Hall
Service will also be livestreamed at Adventlu.org


To access the online worship service:  
 Go to adventlu.org and then click on the link for the worship service on the home page


Serving this week:
Lay Assistant - Chris Rasmussen
Reading - Gerry Osborne
Altar Guild - Lynn McKittrick
ADVENT LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
Now on summer break - will return in September
____________________________________

MONDAYS -- Lunch & Learn (previously called Devo)
12 noon - 1pm via Zoom -- normally 1st & 3rd Mondays -- Next session is August 30
"The Book of Joy" is beginning August 30

To connect:
 Meeting ID: 863 8714 4586   Passcode: 484478
_________________________

PARLOR CLASS
Will gather at the Wine Vault for devotions and discussion
Watch for specific dates and times
Everyone invited to join!
____________________________

WEDNESDAYS -- LUNCH AND LEARN -- new name "Wednesday Word"
Now on summer break -- will return in September with study of John

Full details of these events elsewhere in this email


Sunday, August 1 -- 10am Worship in Orinson Hall
Sunday, August 1 -- "Christmas in July" supplies deadline for returning donations
Saturday, August 7 -- 9:30am Memorial Service for Freda Christ followed by reception
Sunday, August 8 -- 10am Worship in Orinson Hall
Sunday, August 8 -- 4:30pm REAP (Racial Equality Action Partners)
Sunday, August 15 - 10am worship in Orinson Hall
Friday -- Sunday, September 10-12 -- God's Work Our Hands weekend
September 24-26 -- Wild Women Weekend at Lutheridge
Sunday, November 7 -- NEW date for Crop Walk
CALLING FOR CARD MINISTERS 

Want to participate in a fulfilling Advent ministry that is easy to do, demands little time, and involves only a small amount of money?  If so, perhaps you’d like to become part of a rotating list of members who send cards to those who are experiencing illness, grief, and joyful occasions such as births.  Diane Jowers has coordinated this ministry for many years but is moving far away, and Debra Efird is going to try to fill her shoes. 
 
Card Ministers are asked to serve in 2-week stints, during which time they are typically assigned from 8-15 people to be the recipients of their cards, depending on current needs.  No, you do not send a card to everyone on Advent’s Prayer List during your time period! There is a system in place for immediate issues as well as long-term concerns, and names of recipients are monitored by the Card Ministry Coordinator.  You will be expected to purchase your own cards (dollar store!) and postage, but these can be reported as “Gift by Receipt” if you so choose. 

Is your interest piqued?  Please contact Debra Efird at debra_efird@yahoo.com or 980-621-1283.    
REMINDER !! RETURN CHRISTMAS IN JULY BOOKBAGS!

Just a reminder that all filled bookbags should be returned to the Gathering Space Christmas table no later than Sunday, August 1. They will be picked up next week by the Lutheran Services Foster Care Program. Many thanks to all of our families who have participated in helping out these children.

Any questions or problems should be directed to Pam Isacks at 704-236-1853.


CHRISTMAS IN JULY FOR LITTLE FREE PANTRY
 
Our Little Free Pantry wants our help.  Over the next two weeks, please donate canned items such as meats, vegetables, fruits, etc. to be placed in the pantry for our neighbors. Pasta and sauce, and macaroni and cheese are always needed. Place your foods in the boxes in the Gathering Space or inside the red entrance doors. Food goes quickly, so all donations are welcomed.
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR FREDA CHRIST

On Saturday, August 7, at 9:30am Advent will officially celebrate the life of our beloved Freda Christ who joined the church triumphant on November 19, 2020. Her ashes will be interred in the Columbarium following the service. The congregation is invited to participate. A reception will be held afterwards in Orinson Hall for the family and all who attend the service.

All attendees who have not been vaccinated are encouraged to wear a mask for their safety and that of those around them.
GIVING ENVELOPES

Wondering where your offering envelopes are? Well, the bad news is that if you did not pick them up early in the year when we put them out in the narthex and advertised in eNEWS that they were there, they have now gone missing! The good news is that a numbered envelope with your name on the box is not a necessity for you to get credit for your offering. Two options: 1) a check can just be dropped into the offering basket without an envelope or 2) there are some generic envelopes on the table with the communion kits in the Gathering Space and will also be available when we return to the Sanctuary. Just grab one when you come in, put your offering (cash or check inside) and be sure to write your name on the envelope. It's not necessary to put anything on the envelope except your name.

Claude Ingolia, our Financial Secretary, is in the process now of reaching out to all those who have been receiving envelopes to see if they are still needed. Please be on the lookout for his email and be sure to respond back to him right away.

Thank you.
GOD'S WORK, OUR HANDS!    SAVE THE DATE!
 
Advent will join together with our ELCA brothers and sisters for our annual congregation-wide service event the weekend of September 10-12. Service opportunities will focus on our immediate neighbors around our Advent campus including Our Neighbors’ Plate, UNCC students, the College Downs Neighborhood, Robinsdale Apartment Complex, Toby Creek Greenway, and Newell Elementary School. 

  • Timeslots for service will be offered for Friday and Saturday mornings, afternoons, and evenings.  
  • We will also offer options to join in service of our neighbors through remote options. 
  • A sign-up genius will be published soon! We would love 100% of our congregation to participate in some way! Service options will include mulching a pathway in the College Downs neighborhood, preparing goody bags for Newell Elementary school teachers, hosting a popsicle party at Robinsdale Apartments, cleaning up trash from Toby Creek Greenway, baking cookies for UNCC students, and placing picnic tables on Advent property. More details coming soon!
  • We will celebrate and share about our experiences of Serving our Neighbors on Sunday morning with worship at 10am in the sanctuary followed by a congregational meal in Orinson Hall (our gym).

Please plan to join with your Advent family in this wonderful opportunity to re-gather! For more information or to suggest a service opportunity, please contact Toni Hagerman at hagermanic@gmail.com.
BE GOOD TO YOURSELF! 
Hot weather has come to Charlotte. We all need to hydrate. Here are a few important benefits of drinking water:
  • Anti-aging effects on the skin
  • Improved physical performance
  • Weight management
  • Increased energy levels
  • Improved digestion
“Live Abundantly”  .... from your Advent Health Ministry Team
RACIAL EQUALITY ACTION PARTNERS MEETING

The Advent Family is invited to join REAP (Racial Equality Action Partners on the 2nd Sunday of each month (unless announced otherwise) at 4:30 via Zoom . Upcoming meeting dates are August 8, September 12, October 10. Click this zoom link to join:

Meeting ID: 832 7471 0159 Passcode: 060475.



ADVENT'S AUGUST BIRTHDAYS!!!!
ADVENT IS FEEDING THE HUNGRY
HOW YOU CAN HELP!

Little Free Pantry:   Add non-perishable food inside the Little Free Pantry in the side yard of the Wubben-Smith House or bring to church and place inside red doors. Food supplies can also be ordered from Amazon wish list https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/MNHZQ6F3AYHH?ref_=wl_share. Select Sharon Thrower Registry address.  Contact is Sharon Thrower preschooldirector@adventlu.org.

Grab and Go Bags for Roof Above: 
Financial support needed – add ‘sandwiches’ on the memo line of checks or select in Online-Giving.
Volunteers needed to drive bags to Roof Above every other week. Contact Debra Efird at debra_efird@yahoo.com.
Purchase easy-open cans of viennas or cases of bottled water. Leave on marked table in Orinson Hall.
Have viennas and bottled water picked up at your home – contact Abby Bostian (abostian@carolina.rr.com).
 
Our Neighbors’ Plate:  Needs volunteers on Wednesday/Thursdays or to provide desserts. Use Sign-Up Genius (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050b45acac2ea7f49-ourneighbors) to volunteer.  Also needs financial support for supplies. Add “Our Neighbors’ Plate” on memo line of checks or add as fund in Online Giving.
GIFTS FOR GOD FROM THE PEOPLE OF GOD!!!

To make your gift, you may:
  1. Bring your offerings to Sunday worship.
  2. 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.
  3. Use bill pay through your personal bank or credit union.
  4. Use Online Giving.  See the info below for details on using this tool. 
  5. Bring your offering by the church and leave it on the counter near the door to Pastor Ward's office.
  6. Drop an envelope containing your offering into the slot of the US Postal box at the corner of our parking lot near the office entrance.

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.
  1. This tool allows you to use a credit card, debit card, or bank checking or savings account payment.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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:  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.)      

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
All church office staff continue to work remotely.  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 (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.
Spiritual Development 

LOOKING FOR A GOOD READ?
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:
August 6 -- Check in
August 20 -- "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents" by Isabel Wilkerson
September 3 -- "The Giver of Stars" by Jojo Moyes
September 17 -- Check in
October 8 -- "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
October 22 -- Check in
November 5 -- Check in
November 19 -- "The Chocolatier" by Jan Moran (currently on sale on Kindle for $5.99)
December 3 -- "The Light Between Oceans: A Novel" by M. LO. Stedman
December 17 -- Check in

Meeting ID: 854 3805 8321    Password: 388838        

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 PODCASTS  
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 continue to meet using the church subscriptions to Zoom. Contact officeadm@adventlu.org or churchadministrator@adventlu.org to make your request and schedule the day/time on the church calendar.

For Men:  If you are interested in participating, please contact Pastor Ward for more info.  

For anyone: "Exiles" small group that reads and discusses books or videos. Meets 2nd and 4th Tuesday. Contact Pastor Ward or Carolyn Osborne.

Faith on Tap: Meets 2 Thursday nights in the month at Armoured Cow. If interested in attending, please contact Pastor Ward or Andy Goerke.
FREE VIRTUAL STRETCHING CLASSES VIA ZOOM
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.

Mondays at 9; Wednesdays at 5:30; and Fridays at 10am
To join click this link:
Meeting ID: 847 4089 4973   Passcode: 382321 
______________________________
 
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.
Outreach

ELCA DISASTER
It seems there is always a natural disaster somewhere in the world that is very tragic. The ELCA is well known for assisting victims of hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, or other natural disasters. The team and the funds contributed directly reach victims. To donate at any time, make your donation payable to Advent with "ELCA disaster relief" in the memo line, and we will send your contribution in with others received.  We also typically ask the Wubben Distribution Board to match any offerings made by the congregation.
Youth at Advent    
COLORFUL WORSHIP FOR FAMILIES

Colorful worship will begin a new series in the early fall. Meanwhile, you may enjoy previous videos of Godly Play in several ways: 1) From the home screen of the Adventlu.org website in the lower left side; 2) from the Advent Lutheran Church Charlotte ELCA YouTube channel; 3) or by clicking directly on this link:    https://youtu.be/XLJmLWy1t98
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 grandchildren of Esther Abdel-Hameed
Josh Baker, nephew of Abby Bostian
Lindsay Baker, niece of Abby Bostian
Lemont Bell, friend of Gene Reid
Willie Chatman, friend of Gene and Brenda Reid
Ida & James Chisolm, members
Dallas Collins, family member of co-worker of Gloria Peters
Alpha Omega Curry, friend of Lenore Watson
Deborah DuBose, friend of Abby Bostian
Charliese Eichler, sister of Marylou Kuklentz 
Keri Eichler, niece of Marylou Kuklentz
Mike Eleazer, father-in-law of Kathryn McKittrick Eleazer
Eileen Folkerth, mother of Susan Goerke
Jan Frick, friend of Marylou Kuklentz
Jennifer Frisina, member
Judy & Allen Gould, friends of Russ McKittrick
Dwight Hartsell, member
Doug Hodge, friend of Gary Moe
Donnell Horton, former member of Advent and daughter of Leo Peeler
Nylah Howard, member of Advent's brownie troop
Andrew Hunt, brother of George Hunt
Linda Kelly Family, family of Sarah Sue Hardinger's son-in-law
Stacy Krayenhagen, friend of Karla Jensen
Marylou Kuklentz, member
Waylon Kuklentz, grandson of Dick & Marylou Kuklentz
Bobbi Larson, member
Teresa Ledford, member
GiGi Logan, friend of Harriett Easley
Ray Matthews, father of Jesse Priser
Susan McCoy, friend of Sarah Sue Hardinger
Carol Morton, sister of Ruth Refsnider
Lucy Mullis, sister of Dwight Hartsell
Dave Park, member
Leo Peeler, member
Noel Petrea, member
Jacita Petway, friend of Lenore Watson
Jesse Priser, member
Pattie Quigley, mother of Jennie Henderson
Kalvin Roberson, member
Shannon Roberson, member
Richard Schulz, brother-in-law of Dan & Jan Otolski
Kassidy Sechler, young Rowan County teenager who collapsed during ball game on July 17
Susan Severance, sister of Anne Brown
Penny Short, cousin of Caroline Bunn
Rashaad Sinclair, family friend of Caroline Bunn
Pam Simyon, daughter-in-law of Dick & Mary Lou Kuklentz
Wylee Stephens, grandson of Harriett Easley
David Townsend, friend of Esther Abdel-Hameed
Laura Tucker, friend of Marylou Kuklentz
Joyce Veit, member
Herbert Watson, member
Naomi Watson, grandmother of Brooke Watson-Summerour
Beverly Williams, member
Lewis Williams, member
Renate Wilson, mother of Tanya DeGrace

Deaths - We remember and celebrate the lives of those who have died, especially..
Mary Ann Petrea Nelson, sister-in-law of Noel Petrea - on July 19

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. 102
or Pam Rhynes at Officeadm@adventlu.org or 704-549-1555 ext 105