ADVENT LUTHERAN CHURCH
Charlotte, NC

Weekly News and Prayers on December 3, 2020 

(Submission Deadline:  Noon Wednesdays to Pam at Officeadm@adventlu.org) 
 


Follow us on Twitter!  (@AdventCLT)   Follow us on Instagram! (adventlutheranclt)
YouTube channel -- Advent Lutheran Church ELCA Charlotte

  
Click here for the December 1 edition of Synod News

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WORSHIP AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP -- December 6, 2020 
Livestreamed at 10am from adventlu.org

Second Sunday in Advent
Theme is "Those who hope prepare the way!" 
Readings:  Isaiah 40:1-11 and Mark 8:1-8


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.

Holy Communion on 2nd and 4th Sundays via Zoom at 10:45am
Watch for info the Thursday prior
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CHRISTMAS  TREE  LIGHTING  SERVICE
4:30pm December 6th -- Rain or Shine
Family Event for Everyone

Arrive by 4:15pm
Enter at Mark Twain; exit at rear of parking lot
Masks required at all times
Bring your chair to sit on the grass    OR
Participate from your car - park facing in towards the grass where there is no cone
For grass seating, one family in the center of each square

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COOKIE SWAP BEFORE AND AFTER PROGRAM
Medium tin $5; Large tin $10
Proceeds go to Love Endeavor Program

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ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL - SUNDAY 11am via ZOOM
 Isaiah for Everyone by John Goldingay 

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 

To Connect:
Meeting ID: 835 6174 4544   Password: 549160
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THURSDAY WEEKLY PRAYER AND DEVOTION 
Taking a short break -- 
Look for more information soon
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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
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Full details of these events elsewhere in this email

Wednesdays  -- B3 Boomwackers, Bells, Beats 6:45-7:15 
Saturday, December 5 -- Cookies due for cookie swap
Sunday, December 6 -- Online worship at 10am
Sunday, December 5 -- Confirmation at the church 3:30pm
Sunday, December 6 -- Tree lighting service outdoors at 4:30pm with cookie swap before and after ... rain or shine
Monday, December 7-- 7pm  Light of the World study session 2 via  Zoom
Friday, December 11 -- free concert from National Lutheran Choir at 9pm ET
Sunday, December 13 -- online worship at 10am with communion by zoom at 10:45
Sunday, December 13 -- deadline for Robinsdale gift cards
Sunday, December 13 -- 6-7pm how affordable housing, advocacy, and racial justice intersect via zoom 
Monday, December 14 -- 7pm  Light of the World study session 3 via  Zoom
Monday, December 14 -- provide 260 cookies to Men's Shelter
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

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GIVING TREE GOES VIRTUAL! 
HAVE YOU SIGNED UP YET???
DEADLINE COMING UP DECEMBER 13
 
Advent and our Robinsdale neighbors on Margie Ann Drive have developed a friendship over recent years.   We've tutored, played basketball, and welcomed our neighbors to delicious meals.  For several  years, Robinsdale resident names have adorned our Christmas Giving Tree.  You selected names, bought gifts and joined a Christmas party with photos, food, great crafts and Santa Claus!  
 
Well, it's 2020, and the celebration is going virtual!  This year, we will provide gift cards and Christmas stockings to every resident at Robinsdale.  If you can help, please use this Sign-Up Genius 
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0f48a4ac23a75-robinsdale, and commit to one, two or even more $25 gift cards, purchase the cards and give to either Debra Efird or Abby Bostian.  Place the cards in their Advent mailboxes, bring to outdoor worship services, drop them off at their houses, or mail to Abby or the church. 
 
 
If you want to give a card but can't go out, just contact 
abostian@carolina.rr.com and she'll shop for you.   We want a card for every resident - nearly 80 persons - and would love to have an extra card for each Head of Household.  Any type of gift card will work, and Target, WalMart or a grocery store are certainly welcome.   Deadline for gift cards is December 13.
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ANNUAL COOKIE WALK SWAP FUNDRAISER
COOKIE DROP-OFF DECEMBER 5 2-5PM
COOKIE SWAP DECEMBER 6 BEFORE AND AFTER TREE-LIGHTING

This year we are swapping recipes for your delicious cookies.  We are asking you to bring at least 3 dozen cookies or more (with the recipe if you wish and we will make copies to share) to add to pre-packed cookie tins. Drop-off is December 5th between 2pm-5pm. Please, no nuts or peanut butter. 

The Cookie Walk and Recipe Swap will be December 6th before and after Tree Lighting Service which is scheduled for 4:30pm.   You may purchase from two size tins this year -- large Tin for a $10 donation and/or medium Tin for a $5 donation.    All proceeds go to support Radical Love Endeavor Missions.
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OPERATION LUNCH AND COOKIE MAKING -- UPDATE

 

This is what 130 lunches looked like as they were headed to be delivered on December 1st - the first day of the reworked Room In The Inn Program which offers overnight stays for our houseless neighbors. As a long-time Monday night host, (due to Covid none of the churches are host sites this season), Advent has been asked instead to provide lunches and cookies to the Men's Shelter December - March. Advent volunteered for each item a few times each month.
 

If you haven't already signed up and would like to know more, please click this link for additional
details: https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/30e0e49a9aa23a13-roof. You may also contact Caroline Grubb with questions (grubb@pipeline.com). 
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ARE YOU INTERESTED IN HOW AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ADVOCACY, AND RACIAL JUSTICE INTERSECT?
COMING EVENT DECEMBER 13 6PM
 
Please join us we as Advent hosts a Zoom event on Sunday evening, December 13th from 6:00 -7:00pm with guest speaker Ryan Carter, Advocacy and Outreach Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity Charlotte Region.
 
Ryan will discuss affordable housing concerns in Charlotte, impact of our new housing bonds, and where we can plug in to advocate for affordable housing for our neighbors.
 
Click here to join:
Meeting ID: 898 4991 1428    Passcode: Housing
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MECKLENBURG MINISTRIES UPDATES

Advent is an active member of Mecklenburg Ministries Mecklenburg Metropolitan Interfaith Network (MeckMIN) which promotes interfaith collaboration to foster understanding, compassion and justice. They envision a community that lives by the highest value and core virtues of its rich faith traditions and respects the dignity of every person. MeckMin is conducting weekly Zoom meetings to update the community with area non-profit needs as well as events sponsored by  the interfaith community. It is an excellent resource to find volunteer opportunities in and around Charlotte.  We will begin posting these communications and hope you will take a minute to look over them each week to see events and needs for the faith communities in our area. Here is the link to the  November 12th edition of the weekly minutes from the MeckMin website:
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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  

 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. Bring them to your service of choice to share and take back home when you leave as you carry your Christ-light back out into the world.
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR WREATH MAKING

If you received a wreath-making kit from church on the 22nd, here is the link to the video in YouTube that gives some ideas for how to make the wreath.   Click on this link to access the information:  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KARDCoofI_I
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AN INVITATION FOR YOU FROM THE NATIONAL LUTHERAN CHOIR!

 
NOTE THAT THIS IS 9PM EST!!!
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ONGOING NEED:  FOOD FOR OUR LITTLE FREE PANTRY

FROM THIS...

Our Little Free Pantry has been a big hit with our neighbors, and we
TO THIS....
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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DIVE DEEP INTO THE HISTORY OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST
NEW 4-WEEK BIBLE STUDY

STARTS NOVEMBER 30TH, 7PM, VIA ZOOM
LINK TO CONNECT:  
Meeting ID: 863 5263 1572    Passcode: Parlor

Advent is not only the perfect time to read the story of the birth of Jesus; it's also a great time to dive deeper into the biblical texts that surround the event. In Light of the World: A Beginner's Guide to Advent, author, professor, and biblical scholar, Amy-Jill Levine, shows how the Gospel narratives connect to the Old Testament; highlights the role of women in first-century Jewish culture; and emphasizes the importance of Mary's visitation, the census, the stable, the star of Bethlehem, and the flight to Egypt. 

You are invited to join the Parlor Class for this exciting study November 30, December 7, December 14, and December 21.
 
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HOW YOU CAN OFFER A HELPING HAND    

HIGHLIGHTED DURING THE ADVENT SEASON:
Check out Habitat for Humanity's new alternative gift market at  https://www.habitat.org/donate/?link=628.   It is an online market where folks can buy donations in honor of a loved one and the gift recipient will receive a winter holiday card sharing the donation with them. You can purchase lumber for a family in need or other supplies for those working towards a home.

Loaves and Fishes is in need of warehouse volunteers, volunteers for Thanksgiving boxes, and more. Their biggest need is delivery drivers for the over 5000 people served by home delivery. It is a contact-free action and deliveries are concentrated in a single delivery area. Opportunities are posted every Friday for the Tuesday and Thursday morning shifts the following week. 
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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 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  
  1. 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.
  2. You may use bill pay through your personal bank or credit union.
  3. You may use Online Giving.   See the info below for details on using this tool. 
  4. 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.
  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, 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.)         
   

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:

For December 4 - "Finding Chika" by Mitch Albom
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

Connection info:  Click here for zoom link to book club meeting!      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 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.  

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: 
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. 
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.

Outreach

USING YOUR VOICE TO SHAPE LEGISLATION
     Your US Representative is determined by which district you live in. To find yours, use this link and key in your zip code:  https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative.
     For your NC state Senator and Representative. To locate yours, go to this site and key in your full address:   https://www.ncleg.gov/RnR/Representation
     For local level leaders such as city council, county commissioners, and school board members. Here are sites at which to find such information. Mecklenburg County:  https://charlottechamber.com/public-policy/elected-officials-contact-information/       Cabarrus County:   https://www.cabarruscounty.us/elected-officials

 
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.   

Youth at Advent       

Check out the "Advent Children's Corner" 
Found on the main screen of the adventlu.org website
Left side under weekly devotion info
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GODLY PLAY --  Available by link on the Adventlu.org website 
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
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)

Contact Natalie Eklund (neklund13@gmail.com)     OR
Laura Torrence (lctorrence@ctc.net)
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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
You can find our page on Instagram at adventluyouthctl



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
Laura Angell, friend of Jennie Henderson
Ashton Family, daughter and family of Esther Abdel-Hameed
Lemont Bell, friend of Gene Reid
Fred Bridges, father of Michelle Hagle
Ida & James Chisolm, members
Thomas Clement, uncle of Jennie Henderson 
Paul Coleman, friend of Advent VDC community
Dallas Collins, family member of co-worker of Gloria Peters
Carol DiRe, member
Inez Easley, mother-in-law of Harriett Easley
Charliese Eichler, sister of Marylou Kuklentz 
Michael Eleazer, husband of Katherine McKittrick Eleazer
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
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
Shannon Roberson, member
Richard Schulz, brother-in-law of Dan & Jan Otolski
Pam Simyon, daughter-in-law of Dick & Mary Lou Kuklentz
Mark Steele, brother of Jennifer Frisina
Kirby Strickland, former member
Mary Faith Strickland, former member
Bill Toney, former member
Eva Toney, mother of Bill Toney
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
Birth of London Kathleen Rose Basilice, daughter of Trevor Basilice and Faith;
grand-daughter of John & Kristen Basilice

Deaths - We remember and celebrate the lives of those who have died, especially..
Betty Ingolia, aunt of Claude Ingolia on November 9
Freda Christ, member on November 19
Grady Leopard, grandfather of Sandy Torrence on November 18
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:
Please contact Pastor Ward at ThePastor@adventlu.org, or 704-549-1555 ext. 102
or Harriett Easley at ChurchAdministrator@adventlu.org, or 704-549-1555 ext. 101 or Pam Rhynes at officeadm@adventlu.org ext 103