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WORSHIP AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP -- November 29, 2020
First Sunday in Advent
Theme is "Those who hope keep awake!"
Readings: Isaiah 64:1-9 and Mark 13:24-37
Sermon by Meghan Large Richter
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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ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL - SUNDAY 11am via ZOOM
Isaiah for Everyone by John Goldingay
All are welcome to join in
(No Sunday School 11/29 resumes 12/6)
To connect:
Meeting ID: 824 6793 5162 Password: 967619
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MONDAYS -- PARLOR CLASS 7PM via Zoom
Starts November 30 for 4 weeks
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: 835 3346 6442 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 _________________________________
 CHURCH EVENTS 
YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS!
Full details elsewhere in this email
Wednesdays -- B3 Boomwackers, Bells, Beats 6:45-7:15
Sunday, November 29 -- online worship only -- no outdoors worship
Monday, November 30 -- 7pm Light of the World study begins via Zoom
Tuesday, December 1 -- provide 130 bag lunches and cookies to Men's Shelter
Wednesday, December 2 -- Advent volunteers to Second Harvest (see Jim Hintz)
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 -- 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
Tuesday, December 15 -- deadline for Robinsdale gift cards
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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If you need to print a copy of the Advent schedule sent by eNEWS on November 20, please Click Here for the link. ___________________________________
GIVING TREE GOES VIRTUAL!
HAVE YOU SIGNED UP YET???
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
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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ARE YOU INTERESTED IN HOW AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ADVOCACY, AND RACIAL JUSTICE INTERSECT?
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
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
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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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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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ROOM IN THE INN
SIGNUPS TO PROVIDE FOOD
As many of you know from previous announcements, Room In the Inn will look very different this year due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. In an effort to streamline the process, no churches will be hosting neighbors on site this season. Instead, men will be housed at The Men's Shelter and women and children will be housed in hotels or at the Salvation Army. As a result, the need for volunteers has drastically changed but is still critical for the success of the program.
Advent has signed up for 8 dates December through March, to provide 130 bag lunches and 260 medium sized cookies. Those numbers seem daunting for one person to take on, so the opportunities are divided up and lots of volunteers are needed! Here is the link to sign up Roof Above - Men's Shelter Food. Please make sure to read all the details as to what's needed and how to make it/wrap it! We also have access to Amazon wish lists and lists of "stuff" needed. Caroline Grubb is happy to answer any questions - grubb@pipeline.com.
As always, with many hands helping Advent will continue to make a difference in the lives of our houseless neighbors.
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.
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
- 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:
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
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.
NO STRETCHING ON 11/27!!
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
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
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
Freda Christ, member
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
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
Clyde Mullis, brother-in-law of Dwight Hartselll
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
Bobby Short, uncle of Caroline Bunn
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
Jesse 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..
Betty Ingolia, aunt of Claude Ingolia on November 9
Freda Christ, member on November 19
Grady Leopard, grandfather of Sandy Torrence on November 18
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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