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WORSHIP AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Please join us ONLINE
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP 10am -- August 20, 2020
12th Sunday after Pentecost
Readings: Isaiah 51:1-6 and Matthew 16:13-20
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.
DID YOU KNOW??? All recordings of our worship services are saved on the Advent website under CONNECTIONS. Select YouTube Videos from there and you can view any service back to the March time frame. So if you miss us at 10am on Sundays, you can still view the service. ____________________________
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL - SUNDAY 11am via ZOOM
"Interrupting Silence" by Walter Brueggemann
July 26th through September 20th (No Sunday School on August 30 & 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
August 19 & 26, September 2 -- I and II Peter
September 9 -- Another Faces of Faith - TBD
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
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Bible Study with Bishop Smith
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Have you been missing your adult Sunday school class? Or maybe you wanted more after the synod's summertime journey through Matthew? Join this first-ever synodwide study of the Gospel of Mark led by Bishop Smith every Wednesday in September and October (beginning Sept. 9) from 7-8 p.m. The online class will be taught via Zoom.
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THURSDAY WEEKLY PRAYER AND DEVOTION at 1pm
New starting August 13 for 4 weeks!
RESILIENCY: SETTING FREE OUR LAMENT
(see description below)
(Note that each of the 4 weeks is stand alone - no problem if you miss one!)
No Prayer Group on 8/20! Be back 8/27!
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 (August 13, August 27, September 3, 10) that 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.
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COMING AUGUST 30, 11am-12:30pm via Zoom
Meeting ID: 824 6793 5162 Passcode: 967619
ADVENT TOGETHER PANEL DISCUSSION: WE ARE CALLED
"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)"
The purpose of this session is to provide an opportunity for Advent members to take a deeper dive into issues of racial and social justice. The conversation will highlight two moderated panel discussions featuring some of our African American/Black members and White/Allies members. The goal is to enhance understanding of diverse perspectives, challenge assumptions, and foster meaningful connections as believers and people of faith.
A Fishbowl approach (engaging methodology that incorporates active listening, storytelling and probing dialogue) will be used for this forum. Each panelist will explore personal connections to recent events, what's "in the ground" with respect to individual backgrounds/experiences, individual commitments to drive systemic changes in their lives, and collective commitments to foster systemic changes within the Advent community.
The panels will be moderated by Toni Hagerman and Arlene Cash.
 FAITH AND RACE CHECK IN
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 will be emailed to you early next week; it will also be available on our website at the same time. The survey is short and will take less than 10 minutes of your time. Your concerns and interests are very important to us. Please take a few minutes and participate. Thank you!
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Blood Drive Was Successful
 Advent hosted the UNCC/Advent Summer drive last week. We were well represented with 18 donors from the congregation. In addition, Claude and Mona Ingolia, Pam Rhynes, Diane Wassum, and Shannon Homesley served as volunteers to make hosting the drive possible.
With Advent's participation we:
- Filled 97 of 100 slots after last minute cancellations.
- Had very few no shows!
- Achieved 85 presenting donors (those who were processed through health histories).
- Collected 82 units of blood which may have saved or sustained 246 people (The original drive goal was 57 units).
- Processed 14 first time donors. Yeh!
- Able to safely conduct the drive.
Although I personally appreciate everyone's willingness to support the blood drive, I know it is appreciated much more by the hundreds of people that will be impacted by blood that was collected. You might not see it, but click this link to see how Your Participation as a Volunteer and Donor Was Life Saving.
I think the video says it all.
It is great to be part of an active and supportive congregation, particularly in these times. Many kudos from Keith Wassum.
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ADVENT FOOD MINISTRIES - THANKS FOR YOUR DONATIONS!
Your generosity was astounding for our drive-thru food drive on August 8, and it was terrific to see faces of so many in the Advent family. We ultimately collected over 700 food items! (This included a 50-item challenge donation from a member who said he would give 50 food items if we met our 200-item goal.) Brooke Summerour and a host of volunteers organized the new groceries in our current food pantry with labels for easy use, and it looks terrific. Food will be used by our Grab and Go bag ministry led by Emily Hebert, for our Little Free Pantry at the Wubben Smith House for any member, neighbor, or friend of the congregation who needs a little assistance with food. Occasional excess food items will be given to the Jamil Niner Food Pantry on the UNCC campus.
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NEW ADVENT LEADERS
The people listed below were elected to leadership positions at the congregational meeting on Sunday, August 16th. Many thanks to those who participated in the meeting.
Council Vice President -- Gary Martin replacing Chris Cochran (who moves to President -- many thanks to Tony Poovey for his leadership during this past year)
Secretary of Council -- Jennifer Canipe -- re-elected - no term expiration
Treasurer -- Pam Rhynes -- re-elected - no term expiration
Council Liaison Property -- Wayne Miller replacing Gerry Osborne
Council Liaison Spiritual Development -- Deloris Bainbridge replacing Natalie Eklund
Council Liaison Worship -- Arlene Cash replacing Susan Hartsell
Council Liaison Youth -- Donavan Hankins replacing Alyssa Schrader
Wubben Investment -- Mark Large replacing Wayne Miller
Wubben Distribution -- Lisa Droste replacing Jon Eklund
Wubben Distribution -- Kelly Schrader replacing Debbie Poovey
Nominating Committee -- Arlene Cash replacing Cathy Bolen
Nominating Committee -- Mona Ingolia replacing Caroline Grubb
Nominating Committee -- Marc Jensen replacing Gene Reid
Council Liaison Nurture & Fellowship -- no replacement as yet to replace Esther Abdel-Hameed
Many thanks to all those whose terms are expiring. We appreciate your service very much!
Council members whose terms have not expired are as follows:
Council Liaison Social Ministry -- Toni Hagerman
Council Liaison Witness -- Charlene Bakke
Council Liaison Stewardship -- Anne Brown
Wubben Investment -- Erik Slattum and Andrea Hankins
Wubben Distribution -- Steve Grubb, Peter Christ, Jeff Hibbeler
Nominating Committee -- Peter Christ, Deb Efird, April Hibbeler, Diane Large
There is an effort underway to add photos and names to the Advent website for all the council. Look for that soon.
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FREE DISINFECTING SERVICES FOR COUNTY RESIDENTS
The church has received information from the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services that they are partnering with Bio-One to offer FREE disinfecting services to residents of the county. There are only 3 requirements: 1) over the age of 60; 2) Mecklenburg County residents; 3) able to leave home for 3 hours while work is being performed. If you are interested, call 980-314-6800 or send an email to SFA-Events@MecklenburgCountyNC.Gov.__________________________
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. __________________________
ADVENTURERS GATHERING BY ZOOM
Advent's Adventurers group will meet by zoom on Thursday, August 20, 1pm.
Meeting ID: 886 3255 3654 Passcode: 143012
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FOOD OF THE MONTH FOR AUGUST: YOUR CHOICE!
Instead of selecting a special item for the month of August, Social Ministry is inviting you to give anything you want (as long as it's nonperishable)! In conjunction with Radical Love Endeavors, we are focusing on Food Insecurity for the first week of August and will conclude with a drive-by food drive at the church on Saturday, August 8 from 10 am -12 noon. So buy what's on special at the store and bring any amount, whether a couple of cans or a whole bag, by the church to help reduce hunger. We will have people stationed to receive your food items to ensure they are taken where needed. Can't make the food drive day? Food donations will be welcome anytime at the usual spot by the chairs in the hall near the church office, or they can be left outside if you contact Esther Abdel-Hameed at esther_uae@hotmail.com.
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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 
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.
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"
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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To stay "in the know" about our Youth, please join our 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 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
Freddie Bridges, mother of Michelle Hagle
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
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
Sabo Family, members
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
Deaths -- We remember and celebrate the lives of those who have died, especially ....
Erica Miller, friend of Pam Rhynes' family on August 8 Grace Stegall, aunt of Lisa Williams on August 9 Marlene Quigby, aunt of Jeannie Henderson on August 10
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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