ADVENTure eNews
     Weekly Publication
from Advent Lutheran Church
Charlotte, North Carolina
(Submission Deadline: Noon Wednesdays)






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A dvent's V ision

We are Advent Lutheran Church.  As diverse children of God, we strive to be the embodiment of that which God wants all people on earth to be.  We love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.  We love our neighbor as ourselves, and express this love in service to others. By accepting God's gift of grace through our faith in
our Lord Jesus Christ, we are reconciled to God forever.

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Worshipping at
                  10am Sundays


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BRING A FRIEND!   BE A FRIEND!
Sunday, July 28th will be BRING A FRIEND!  BE A FRIEND! Sunday.    What does this mean???   Ask and bring someone with you and your family for worship that day.   Afterwards, come to the gym and spend a little time assembling Advent Has Heart bags which we distribute to those in need.    Supplies for the bags are welcome:   small bottles of water, juice boxes, vienna cans, snack-size packages of crackers, fruit cups, gallon zip lock bags.  


JUMP FOR JOY ... AND DUNK PASTOR WARD!!!  
 
Our church family picnic is turning up the fun factor with a bounce house and dunking booth! Come out on August 2nd from 5:30 - 8:00 for a wonderful time celebrating summer with your Advent family. There will be inside and outside games as well as a Song Station with Kristen Sakamoto. Our menu includes Grilled Chicken, Hamburgers, Corn, Red Slaw and Homemade Ice Cream.
 
Summer Reading program prizes will also be given out, so bring your kids and their passports full of stickers!



2019 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL CANCELLED
After much prayerful consideration, the difficult decision has been made to cancel the 2019 Vacation Bible School scheduled for 7/29-8/2. Sadly, pre-enrollment figures have been extremely low.  Many thanks to those who volunteered to serve during this week!  Be sure to read the news about the congregational picnic on August 2 and make plans now to attend!   It will be loads of fun!!



SAVE THE DATE!
"God's Work, Our Hands" day of service will happen at Advent on the morning of Saturday, September 7. We will receive 40,000 pounds of potatoes that we will bag and then distribute to area food pantries and soup kitchens. There will be something for every age person to do to help feed lots of hungry neighbors. More details coming soon!
 


SHOW OFF YOUR MAN TOYS!!! 
We are in need of someone with a fork lift and a pallet jack to lend equipment and expertise the weekend of September 6-8. If you have access to this kind of equipment, please contact Toni Hagerman ( [email protected]) or Pam Isacks ( [email protected]).



ADVENTURE PRESCHOOL HAS AWESOME YEAR!!
Adventure Preschool ministry has had another awesome year! Our ministry continues to thrive and serve children from our community all year. We will be finishing up our summer session this week and looking forward to a little break before we are back in action with kiddos in September. The preschool is very excited that we have once again finished our fiscal year in a positive way. Each year this ministry gives back to the church an offering of at least 10%. This year we have made an offering back to the church for $500.00 which is a 12% offering from our income. The rest goes into our savings to help when needed. Thank you for all the continued support of this outreach ministry.

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CHRISTMAS IN JULY  
Lutheran Services of the Carolinas has provided Advent with a list of 52 foster children needing school supplies this fall.  Our Christmas tree is in the gathering space with the name, age and gender of each child on a gift tag on the tree. Please select a tag and fill a backpack with supplies; backpacks have been purchased for the Middle and High School students (but not for elementary.)   Supplies should be turned in by Sunday Aug 4.

Thank you, once more, for thinking of the little ones and "Living Generously"!


SOCIAL ADVOCACY
In our world of constant turmoil, we as Lutherans may be assisted in our mission to follow Christ by studying the ELCA's guidance on "Addressing Social Concerns":

As Scripture teaches, faith is active in love, and love calls for justice in the relationships and structures of society. Our grateful response to God's love and grace motivates us to live lives that demonstrate our responsibility for the well-being of society, communities and the environment.

In response to the ELCA call for working for social justice our Advent Social Ministry Board is expanding our mission to more intentionally support our congregation and our community in addressing social justice issues. If you are interested in getting regular updates on what's going on with social ministry/social justice initiatives in our church and in our community please join our AAA Google Group ( Advent Advocacy Activities). You can join the Google Group by contacting Shannon Homesley at  [email protected].


SUMMER SNACK TIME
The Food Pantry is asking for individual packs of chips and cheese cracker snacks for the month of July. We know this isn't the healthiest request, but sometimes a small snack other than fruit or veggies is what people crave. When there is a whole bag of chips, many have trouble limiting how much they consume. With a small pack, we are more likely to be satisfied with less. The convenience of these items is also much appreciated by those participating in Hit the Streets.

Thanks for thinking of all the hungry out there!


'HOW-TO' FOR FULFILLING COMMITMENTS TO JUBILEE CAPITAL APPEAL
For donations to the Jubilee Capital Appeal, just write Jubilee Capital on the memo line of your check.  If a donation check covers multiple funds, write each name on the memo line and amount of the individual donations.  The Online Giving tool available on the Advent website, also has an entry for giving to the Jubilee Capital Appeal.   Thank you for all the donations already coming in. 

 
YOGAFAItH CHANGES 
There will be no Yoga on July 29th.   Following that week Yoga will move from Mondays to Thursdays in the gym from 7-8pm.  Watch for more news soon on an upcoming Saturday class.  New people are still welcome to join us for Yoga and Faith with Tawnie.   Just a $5 donation.  Please bring your own mat.  Open to members and non-members so bring friends.  

If you have any questions please contact Brooke at  [email protected] .


WELLNESS ON WHEELS - OPEN TO ALL    
Services: Free Health screenings and health education including nutrition and chronic disease prevention.

When:  August 8; 10am-1pm. NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED.

Where: St. Luke's Missionary Baptist Church, 1600 Norris Ave., Charlotte NC

For additional information: Connect @WOWCLT on Twitter or Facebook.
                         "Live Abundantly"     Advent's Health Ministry Team


SUMMER OFFICE HOURS
The church office will be open 10 hours a day, Monday through Thursday and closed on Fridays.

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, 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  ( [email protected] ) or Pam ( [email protected] ). 
Thanks, we appreciate your help.

CHURCH AND WUBBEN SMITH HOUSE AIR CONDITIONING
Please be sure to return thermostats to the proper setting when leaving the building. This is especially important when using one of the classrooms heated or cooled by the remote-controlled wall units.  

ELECTRONIC 'GIVERS' PARTICIPATE IN WORSHIP
Electronic givers can find special cards in the pews that can be used when the offering plate is passed if desired.  .

 









Worship Schedule for July 28th 
WORSHIP TIME IS 10am
7th Sunday of Pentecost
Readings: Deuteronomy 30:9-14
  and Luke 10:25-37

Lay Assistant
   Andy Hagle
Usher Captain
   Peter Christ
Reader 
   Alex Christ
Greeters
   John Lewis & Joyce Veit
Acolytes
   Julie Estrella & Michael Goerke
Altar Guild
   Susan Casper
Counters
   James & Charlene Bakke  
Bread
   Diane Jowers



Worship Schedule for August 4th
WORSHIP TIME IS 10am
8th Sunday of Pentecost
Readings: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14 & 2:18-23
  and Luke 12:13-21

Lay Assistant
   Marylou Kuklentz
Usher Captain
   Jon Eklund
Reader 
   Debra Efird
Greeters
   Dick Kuklentz & Don Hagerman
Acolytes
   James Hebert & Donavan Hankins
Altar Guild
   Cathy Bolen & Lynn McKittrick
Counters
   Dick Kuklentz & L.D. Shockley  
Bread
   Cathy Bolen





In This Issue....... (Click Links Below)

Worship & Music Ministry

Quick Links

Advent's Website


UCF - Campus Ministry 




 

No flowers requested by members for 7/28


Spiritual Development 

LOOKING FOR A GOOD READ?
No Book Club gathering in August.   Next meeting is September 13, 6pm
at University Panera.  "The Little Drummer Girl" by John le Carre will be discussed.  All are welcome.   Contact  Jennie Henderson ( [email protected] )

 
PRAYER OF THE DAY -- AVAILABLE ON YOUR PHONE 
If you are anything like me, your phone or email buzzes all day long. And if your messages are like mine, most of them are additions to a long to-do list with the occasional joke or funny meme. We are offering the opportunity to join together in daily prayer. If you would like to receive daily prayers on your phone, go to   Advent website under Worship & Music/Prayer of the Day OR
write/curate these prayers specifically for Advent with the intent of experiencing the joy of praying as a community. 


ADVENT PODCAST UPDATE  
The 3rd Radical Love podcast is now available.   This latest one includes Pastor Dick.   Please take some quiet time to listen to these messages that have been created as a labor of love from your SD and Worship Team.  You can find a link to the podcast on the website or you can access via ITunes or your podcast app on android phones. Feedback is welcome.  






Nurture, Support & Fellowship 
   
 
Communicate and Connect: 
Join the closed "Advent Friends" Facebook group to stay abreast of events and see photos.
If you would like to receive occasional important Advent news via text message on your phone, please text 'Advent' to 96362 or scan the QR code on the notices posted around the building. 
(Please note:  you must be at least 16 years of age to participate in the program.  You may receive up to five (5) text messages per month for which you may be charged by your mobile phone carrier.  You may opt out of this service at any time by texting 'stop' to 96362 or by emailing  [email protected]


When shopping on Amazon.com, use "SMILE" 
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 - re-link your Harris Teeter VIC cards - #5494


Giving envelopes in the pews
Advent appreciates all gifts, but we also want to give credit where credit is due! If you give cash using the blank envelopes in the pews, please put your name on the envelope so we can properly record your donation. If you want part or all of your gift to go to any special fund other than the General Fund, please note that on the envelope also.

Outreach
  
If you wish to financially aid those devastated by hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, or other natural disasters, Lutheran Disaster Response will directly reach the victims.  To donate, go to www.elca.org/disaster   .....     
or if you prefer, make your donation payable to Advent with disaster relief in the memo line, and we will send your contribution in with any others received.   
You can donate to provide aid in the area of greatest need or to a need you specify.  



Youth at Advent         

 
 

                    
UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS
 
 
MILESTONE AND YOUTH GROUPS AT ADVENT
 
KIDS 4 CHRIST
The Kids 4 Christ youth group is for children Kindergarten through 2nd grade.  This group celebrates several milestones, including First Communion and Blessing of the Backpacks.  We meet once a month to learn and enjoy the fellowship of others in our group.  
 
MUSTARD SEEDS
The Mustard Seeds youth group is for children 3rd grade through 5th grade and also meets once a month.  We celebrate our 3rd grade Bibles milestone.  In addition to monthly meetings, there are other opportunities throughout the year including BYG camp and Youth Quake. 
 
MIDDLE SCHOOL/Route 67
The Middle School youth group is for youth 6th grade through 7th grade and prepares students for entering confirmation. We celebrate our Mission and Service Milestone.  This group includes fellowship, study, mission and BYG-er camp.  
 
CONFIRMATION
This group meets throughout the year for two consecutive years as they learn about what it means to be a Christian and a Lutheran.  They explore the Bible, Christian history and faith development. 
 
HIGH SCHOOL
This group ranges from fellowship to mission trips.  We have a dynamic schedule to accommodate busy high school students grades 9 th -12 th .

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 the church office with updates.


Illness or Other Needs   
Bill Aldred, friend Marylou & Dick Kuklentz
Lemont Bell, Gene Reid's friend
Arlene Bostian, Phil Bostian's mother  
Lauren Bradshaw, friend of Sarah Sue Hardinger  
Ida & James Chisolm, members  
Renee Cox, Niece of Brenda Reid  
Tanya DeGrace, member
Carol DiRe, member
Kailyn Douglas, friend of Lisa & Andy Robinson 
Mary Jane Falls, Friend of Betsy Dailey *
Eileen Folkerth, Susan Goerke's mother
Michael Funke, nephew of Barb Blish
Jennifer Gazda, member   
Consvella Harge, friend of Marie Cochran *
Dean Jarrett, Carol Schierlmann's uncle 
Jeannie Jones, former Preschool teacher and friend of Marie Cochran *
Dick Kuklentz, member
Waylon Kuklentz, grandson of Dick & Marylou Kuklentz
Jeff Larson, son of Bobbi Larson
Richard & Phyllis Lester, Sharon Thrower's parents 
Ray Matthews, Jesse Priser's father 
Vicki McCombs, Friend of VDC community 
Justin Mertz, Diane Jowers' nephew
Mertz Family, Diane Jowers' family    
Rick Messina, member
John Nolan, husband of Annette Nolan
John & Alice Olenchuk, friend of Lisa Robinson 
Debbie Shownes, friend of Susan Hartsell
Richard Schulz, Dan & Jan Otolski's brother-in-law 
Pam Simyon, Mary Lou Kuklentz' daughter-in-law
Rob Simyon, grandson of Dick & Marylou Kuklentz *
Pastor John Spencer *
Myra Steele, sister-in-law of Jennifer Frisina
Bill Tomon, coworker of Andy Robinson *
Debbie Trumpf, friend of Bobbi Larson
Nancy Varger, aunt of Mona Ingolia
Joshua Waits, friend of Lisa Robinson
Ware Washam, friend of Sarah Sue Hardinger
Herbert Watson, Member
Helen Webb, Kuklentz' daughter-in-law * 
Beverly Williams,member  
Lewis Williams, member
Renaté Wilson, Tanya DeGrace's mother
Bethany, friend of Lisa & Andy Robinson 
Robert, Friend of Lisa & Andy Robinson

Births
Krispen Ledford, born July 9, 2019, son of Teresa Ledford

Celebrations

Deaths
We remember and celebrate the lives of those who have died, especially ...
Lester Tyson, father of Dale Tyson, died July 12, 2019
Nancy LaValley, mother of Deloris Bainbridge, died July 18, 2019


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 [email protected]   or 704-549-1555 ext. 101  
or Harriett Easley at [email protected] 
or 704-549-1555, ext. 100