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 Like us on Facebook! (Advent Lutheran Church ELCA - Charlotte, NC)
Advent's Vision
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.
Advent
Holiday Schedule
Jan 6
Epiphany
8:30A
Traditional Blended Worship
9:45A
Farewell Reception - Ann Schado
9:45A
Spiritual Development for All Ages
11:00A
Contemporary Blended Worship
New Faces
We have had some staff changes in the last couple of weeks. If you see someone new, be sure to say hi!
Harriett Easley - Church Administrator
Harriett will be taking over Ann Schado's role after her retirement at the end of December. Be sure to email her at [email protected] for any announcements or prayer list additions.
Madeline DeGrace - Administrative Assistant
Madeline came back to work in November. Please be sure to include her on any emails ( [email protected]) about the Enews or Announcements.
Mars Licciardi - Worship Leader
Mars will be leading the music for the late service starting in January.
Rahsaan Lacey - Accompanist
Rahsaan will be playing the keyboard at the late service starting in January.
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Room In the Inn Volunteer Needs for Monday
Set up at 4pm Jan 7th
Breakfast 5:15 set up and then serve at 5:30am Tuesday Jan 8th
Second Driver 5:45am (your car, following the van) Tuesday Jan 8th
January Jubilee Year Event: Robin Whitley
October 1995 was a time of exciting and busy growth at Advent, and we decided to call our first associate pastor. Robin Whitley, a recent graduate of Southern Seminary, joyfully answered that call.. During her time with us, she also served as minister to Lutheran Campus Ministry at UNC-Charlotte, and even directed the choir when Advent's music director resigned.
Robin resigned in 1997, and is now an artist, musician, a speaker, and an author of three books. Robin will preach at Advent at both services on Sunday, January 13. Between services, we'll have a "Pastries with the Pastor" breakfast event to share memories and celebrate Robin's ministry with us. Follow her art at
http://jrobinwhitley.net or follow her on Facebook (Joy Robin Whitley).
Annual Chili Dinner 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19
One of Advent's oldest traditions continues on Jan. 19, as we host the Mabel and June Porter Chili Dinner starting at 6 p.m. in Orinson Hall. If you are attending UNCC basketball game, dinner will be ready - just drop by after the game for a bowl of hot delicious chili. If you're not going to the game, join us at 6 p.m.
Pat Kelly is our cook, and all donations this year will go to Galilee Ministries of East Charlotte. Toni Hagerman is Executive Director of this ministry, and several Advent members volunteer at Galilee Center, which serves as a meeting place for refugees, immigrants, and other residents of the city. Donation checks may be written to Advent Lutheran, memo "Chili Dinner."
January 19th Is An Advent Doubleheader! Another Advent Tradition
What an opportunity! On Saturday January 19th the Advent Lutheran Men will sponsor their Annual Family Basketball Outing at UNC Charlotte. The Annual June & Mabel Porter Chili Dinner sponsored by Social Ministry will immediately follow the game (meal donations accepted to support a local ministry). Go to UNC Charlotte campus for the 1st part of the doubleheader, Charlotte vs. Louisiana Tech University at 4 p.m. in Halton Arena, and then after the game come to the church for the chili dinner 6:00 p.m.(or whenever the game is over). Tickets for the game are only $5 per person and we will sit together as a group. Parking is free and convenient. For more information and tickets please see Keith Wassum in the Gathering Area after the service 01/06 and 01/13 or call Keith (704.597.1174) to make other arrangements to get your tickets. Tickets must be paid for at the time of sign-up. Deadline to purchase tickets is Sunday January 13th, for planning purposes it would be helpful if you purchase your tickets early! Friends and family are welcome
 Wednesday Night Dinners
As we prepare for another great adult and youth Wednesday program in the winter/spring, we have identified 4 nights that we need a team of folks to coordinate meals prior to the programming. This is a time of fellowship and we would love to be able to offer a meal. Do you have organizational skills OR cooking skills? This could be handled 2 ways - get a confirmed count each week, take an order for take out, pick up the food and handle the money OR get the count, get the groceries, prepare the meal and handle the money. This could be a great way to plug in your gifts to contribute nourishment to your Advent family.
Dates needed: January 9, January 23, February 6, February 27
Wubben Educational Scholarship Recipients:
College/Post-High School Students; to be considered for a Spring scholarship distribution, we'll need your Fall 2018 grades. Please forward those at your earliest convenience to
[email protected]. (please cc:
[email protected]).
Adult Sunday School - Parlor Class
January schedule for Advent's Parlor Class (all are invited - class starts at 10 a.m.):
Jan. 6 - Max Lucado, "Unshakable Hope"
Jan. 13 - Pastries With the Pastor (Robin Whitley)
Jan. 20 - William Barber video presentation (9:45 a.m.)
Jan. 27 - Max Lucado, "Unshakable Hope"
Hot Drinks for January
January's Food Item is Hot Drinks, which can push away the chill and heat you up in a minute. Think apple cider, hot chocolate, teas, and coffee! Spread warmth by bringing boxes or bags of hot drink options for our thirsty neighbors.
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Readings
January 6th, 2019
The Epiphany of Our Lord
Isaiah 60: 1-6
Matthew 2: 1-12
Serving this week
:
Jan 6, 2019
Lay Assistant
8:30am Mona Ingolia
11am Angie Martin
Usher Captain
8:30am Tim Taylor
11am Abby Bostian
Reader
8:30am Peter Christ
11am Eric Heberlig
(Reading: Isaiah 60: 1-6)
Greeters
8:30am Barb Blish & Joyce Veit
11am Jon Eklund & Dick Kuklentz
Acolytes
8:30am TBA
11am TBA
Altar Guild
Barb Blish & Mary Carriker
Counters
Don Hagerman & Andy Hagle
Bread
Ruth Refsnider
Jan 13, 2019
Lay Assistant
8:30am Joe Moeller
11am James Bakke
Usher Captain
8:30am Mark Large
11am Ed Efird
Reader
8:30am Jeff Hibbeler
11am Debra Efird
(Reading: Isaiah 43: 1-9)
Greeters
8:30am Michelle Hagle & John Lewis
11am Charlene Bakke & Pat O'Rourke
Acolytes
8:30am TBA
11am TBA
Altar Guild
Velia Watson & Susan Hartsell
Counters
Dick Kuklentz & LD Shockley
Bread
Karla Jensen
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 Advent Album
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Week 38:
One of the Social Ministry Board's best features is the way it has linked our congregation with community-wide projects, such as Habitat for Humanity, Red Cross Blood Drives, and especially the CROP Walk. For many years, Advent had the largest number of walkers in Charlotte, in spite of its relatively small size. Some may remember "Sneakers" - the mascot who walked around in an outfit resembling a tennis shoe - drumming up support for this local and global hunger mission. Spoiler alert: "Sneakers" was usually Joe Strickland! Kirby and Cheri Strickland faithfully led Advent's CROP project for more years than you can count. Recently Jennie Henderson has shown strength in the leadership role. Our biggest donor is always the Wassum family, as no once can refuse contributing when facing Keith's charming smile. Another important community project involving Charlotte churches is the Room In The Inn program, which we joined in 2002 upon completion of Orinson Hall. Hot meals, warm beds, and even a worship service are provided for our homeless neighbors Monday nights, December-March. The Stricklands also led this vast effort at Advent, and just recently turned over the reins to an enthusiastic Caroline Grubb. If she asks for your help, please say yes!
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Quick Links
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Spiritual Development
Looking for a good read?
2018 Advent Book Club - all welcome
*We meet at the University Panera at 6pm
TBD: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
Spiritual Practices
Our small group on Spiritual Practices is off to a great start! Our first meeting centered on a visual form of prayer which was designed to help those of us whose minds may turn prayer thoughts into worries. Another week, we learned about both the monastic and scholastic forms of Lectio Divina. Lectio Divina means sacred reading and is an ancient form of spirituality that traces back to the first century. Our deep dive into Psalms 46 yielded new revelations for each person in the group.
Special Adult Sunday School Class
In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr Day our Advent Racial Justice Small group will be hosting a special adult Sunday school class during the Sunday school hour on January 20. Please join us as we view a video from the Reverend Dr. William Barber III on the history of the African American struggle for racial justice. Following the video we will break up in small groups for discussion of the video. Dr. Barber is president of the NAACP's North Carolina state chapter, leader of Moral Mondays and the Poor People's Campaign. For those interested our Advent racial justice small group meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every month at 7:00 in the Parlor. All are welcome. For more information contact Diane Wassum 704 597 1174.
Enter the Story
Eugene Peterson, translator of The Message, writes: "Stories are the most prominent biblical way of helping us see ourselves in 'the God story,' which always gets around to the story of God making and saving us." What better way to continue growing in your relationship with God than immersing yourself in the sacred stories of the Bible! Starting in January, we will facilitate Enter the Story, which is a hands-on, fully participatory, multisensory opportunity to experience the biblical story through 7 interconnected lessons. The class is designed for adults and high school youth. Please contact Carol Schierlmann or Pastor Ward to let us know you would like to participate.
| Month |
Date |
Day |
Time |
Activity |
Location |
| January |
9 |
Wednesday |
6-8:00 |
Creation - Enter the Story |
Orinson |
| January |
23 |
Wednesday |
6-8:00 |
Disruption - Enter the Story |
Orinson |
| February |
6 |
Wednesday |
6-8:00 |
Israel's Journey - Enter the Story |
Orinson |
| February |
27 |
Wednesday |
6-8:00 |
Tabernacle - Enter the Story |
Orinson |
| March |
13 |
Wednesday |
5:30-6:30 |
Meal |
Orinson |
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6:30-7:00 |
Lenten Service |
Sanctuary |
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7-8:30 |
Kingdom - Enter the Story |
Orinson |
| March |
27 |
Wednesday |
5:30-6:30 |
Meal |
Orinson |
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6:30-7:00 |
Lenten Service |
Sanctuary |
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7-8:30 |
Journey to the Cross - Enter the Story |
Orinson |
| April |
10 |
Wednesday |
5:30-6:30 |
Meal |
Orinson |
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6:30-7:00 |
Lenten Service |
Sanctuary |
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7-8:30 |
Restoration - Enter the Story |
Orinson
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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
Hot Dogs and Homework Update
Advent's Tutoring Program with our Robinsdale neighbors will kick off full force in January.
We are seeking volunteers to: 1) provide transportation for students, 2) cook and serve hot dogs, 3) meet with students for homework help and conversation, 4) assist with recreational opportunities, and 5) to set up or clean up for each session. Contact Abby Bostian (
[email protected]
) or Jennie Henderson (
[email protected]
) to be on mailing list or to volunteer. You may volunteer as frequently as you can - one time, monthly, twice a month or every week.
Tentative Tutoring Schedule will be Thursday night (note change from earlier), with neighborhood pick-up at 5:45, ending at 7:30 p.m.
January Jubilee Year Event: Robin Whitley
October 1995 was a time of exciting and busy growth at Advent, and we decided to call our first associate pastor. Robin Whitley, a recent graduate of Southern Seminary, joyfully answered that call.. During her time with us, she also served as minister to Lutheran Campus Ministry at UNC-Charlotte, and even directed the choir when Advent's music director resigned.
Robin resigned in 1997, and is now an artist, musician, a speaker, and an author of three books. Robin will preach at Advent at both services on Sunday, January 13. Between services, we'll have a "Pastries with the Pastor" breakfast event to share memories and celebrate Robin's ministry with us. Follow her art at
http://jrobinwhitley.net or follow her on Facebook (Joy Robin Whitley).
Help Advent Celebrate 50 years of Worship and Service.
Several men told me "What goes on behind the scenes of the Men's BBQ, STAYS behind the scenes of the Men's BBQ!" But I was able to tease out a few good stories of 50 years of Advent BBQ's! Read about them at
adventlutheranlore.blogspot.com
Big Dreams...Believers Give Generously
Because of your generosity, one of Advent's three BIG DREAMS is becoming a reality: to market Advent to the community by upgrading the Advent website. A special committee has formed to work with Perry Productions, to implement Phase I of this project [launch date in early 2019]. Our website is a 21st Century tool that will help us proclaim the Gospel to many more people who are seeking a community where ministry, hope and grace are abundant.
Please check your church mailbox for a letter giving you a brief financial statement of your support for the first quarter of the new fiscal year which began July 1, 2018.
Please renew your intention for making Christ known as you support Advent's many ministries through your giving on a regular basis. If you realize that you are a bit behind, there is time to catch up! Won't you consider the convenience of automating your giving? For additional information, please contact Claude Ingolia, Financial Secretary, at
[email protected].
Stewardship for All Seasons Steering Committee
Adventurers Christmas Gathering
You are invited to the Adventurers Christmas Gathering on Thursday, December 20, 12noon, in the gathering space. All food is provided; HOWEVER, if you are able, we ask that attendees bring an monetary offering for our Christmas Jars which will benefit the elderly in Alta Cayma AND bring some of the following items which will be used for gift bags for the elderly. Here are items that are still needed for the bags: Chap stick, 2-3 oz bottles of hand sanitizer, travel size soaps, handkerchiefs, bandanas (Hobby Lobby has them for 99 cents), nail clippers, gloves (AC Moore has them for 99 cents), crew socks (preferably packages that can be separated), travel size lotions. It promises to be a joyous time. Please come and bring friends! Hope to see you there.
January 19th Is An Advent Doubleheader! Another Advent Tradition
What an opportunity! On Saturday January 19th the Advent Lutheran Men will sponsor their Annual Family Basketball Outing at UNC Charlotte. The Annual June & Mabel Porter Chili Dinner sponsored  by Social Ministry will immediately follow the game (meal donations accepted to support a local ministry). Go to UNC Charlotte campus for the 1st part of the doubleheader, Charlotte vs. Louisiana Tech University at 4 p.m. in Halton Arena, and then after the game come to the church for the chili dinner 6:00 p.m.(or whenever the game is over). Tickets for the game are only $5 per person and we will sit together as a group. Parking is free and convenient. For more information and tickets please see Keith Wassum in the Gathering Area after the service 01/06 and 01/13 or call Keith (704.597.1174) to make other arrangements to get your tickets. Tickets must be paid for at the time of sign-up. Deadline to purchase tickets is Sunday January 13th, for planning purposes it would be helpful if you purchase your tickets early! Friends and family are welcome
Wednesday Night Dinners
As we prepare for another great adult and youth Wednesday program in the winter/spring, we have identified 4 nights that we need a team of folks to coordinate meals prior to the programming. This is a
time of fellowship and we would love to be able to offer a meal. Do you have organizational skills OR cooking skills? This could be handled 2 ways - get a confirmed count each week, take an order for take out, pick up the food and handle the money OR get the count, get the groceries, prepare the meal and handle the money. This could be a great way to plug in your gifts to contribute nourishment to your Advent family.
Dates needed: January 9, January 23, February 6, February 27
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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.
You can donate to provide aid in the area of greatest need or to a need you specify.
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.
Hurricane Florence & Michael Donations
You can donate in several ways to support Hurricane Florence & Michael disaster relief.
1) Thrivent members: You can donate through Thrivent.com to specific organizations helping hurricane victims, and Thrivent will match your donation dollar for dollar. This matching opportunity will run until the $1 million match is met or until Dec. 31, 2018, whichever comes first. Thrivent will help pay processing fees to ensure 100 percent of your donation goes directly to help those in need.
3) You can make a donation payable to Advent with memo "Hurricane Relief," and Advent will send all donations through the Synod.
50 Hours of Service
Social Ministry has a vision: brightly colored hands throughout the Gathering Space reflecting the 50 Hours of service from each member during our Jubilee year.
What do you do?
* Give God, your church, your fellow humans an hour of service.
* Select a colorful hand from tables in the gathering space,
* Record each hour of service on a finger - When you have five hours (one on each finger), tape the hand in the Gathering Space. Write your name on the hand or remain anonymous
* Continue recording each hour of service until you have posted 10 hands (five per hand for 50 hours).
* There are NO service police! If it is service to you, it's service to God.
Watch our hand collection grow!
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.
Room in the Inn 
Room In The Inn, a program through the Urban Ministry Center where we host 14 homeless neighbors, starts here at Advent Monday December 3rd and will run every Monday evening through March 25th. We need volunteers before, during and after. Sign ups are in the Narthex. Please consider how you can help out, it only works with lots of team effort from members of Advent Lutheran, St Thomas Aquinas, Harrisburg United Methodist and Newell Presbyterian. If you have questions please contact Caroline Grubb 704-608-8474 or Esther Abdel-Hameed 727-614-6063.
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Youth at Advent
Summer Reading
Crazy right? The weather just turned chilly and I am talking about summer. Hear me out. Next summer,we would like to have a summer reading program for the kids and youth. Consequently, we would like to start building a library for them. So....when your school has a book fair or when you are cleaning out your book shelves and find a few gems that your kids have outgrown, think of the Advent Library! If we start now, by June we should have a nice selection.
UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS
BYGER camp at Camp Agape
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
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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.
Illness or Other Needs
Austin, Andy Thiemann's cousin
Lemont Bell, Gene Reid's friend
Arlene Bostian, Phil Bostian's mother
Hanni Braun, member
Pr Steve Cheyney, Campus Ministry pastor
Ida & James Chisolm, members *
Cindy Clayton, Janet Rasmussen's cousin *
Ray Clayton, Janet Rasmussen's cousin
Ed Cochran, Chris Cochran's father
Marie Cochran, member *
Creasy family, Sharon thrower's sister's in-laws
Steve Currin, Janet Rasmussen's cousin
Carol DiRe, member
Amy Dodson, member
William & Lesley Ensley, Janet Rasmussen's friends
Eileen Folkerth
Anita Gallagher, member
Jennifer Gazda, member
Barbara Gillet, Linda Miller's friend
SarahSue Hardinger, member *
Dwight Hartsell, member *
Walter Hartshorne, Debbie Poovey's uncle
Kiersten Hathcock, member
Scott Hill & family, Carol DiRe's friend
George Hunt, member *
Phuong Huynh, Ann Schado's niece
Dean Jarrett, Carol Schierlmann's uncle
Dick Kuklentz, member *
Brittany Lane, Ann Schado's daughter
Sue Lenczewski, known to Lisa & Andy Robinson
Richard & Phyllis Lester, Sharon Thrower's parents
Angie Martin, member *
Ray Matthews, Jesse Priser's father
Justin Mertz, Diane Jowers' nephew
Mertz Family, Diane Jowers' family
Rick Messina, member
John & Alice Olenchuk, known to Lisa & Andy Robinson
Pattie Quigley, Jennie Henderson's mother *
Jay Richardson, know to Joyce Veit
Grace Robinson, known to Lisa & Andy Robinson
Sarah, known to Lisa & Andy Robinson
Richard Schulz, Dan & Jan Otolski's brother-in-law
Pam Simyon, Mary Lou Kuklentz' daughter-in-law *
Myra Steele, Jennifer Frisina's sister-in-law
Alex Sterba & family, known to Lisa & Andy Robinson
Ted Thiemann, Andy Thiemann's brother
Harold Twitty, member
Michael Vayda, Osbornes' daughter-in-law's brother
Edna Wagshal, Karen Montaperto's mother
Ware Washam, SarahSue Hardinger's friend
Herbert Watson, Member
Helen Webb, Mary Lou Kuklentz' family member *
Beverly Williams, member
Laura Williams & family, member
Lewis Williams, member
Aiden Wilson, Chris Connelly's friend's son *
Renaté Wilson, Tanya DeGrace's mother
Births
Charley Marie & Quinn Alan Davis-Jensen, twin granddaughters of Marc & Karla Jensen
Deaths
We remember and celebrate the lives of those who have died, especially
Mike McFarland, Jennifer Frisina's DIL;s father
Mother/grandmother of Alice Luttman & Shelby Luttman
Ken Scott, Ed Efird's friend
Always keep ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and NC Synod Bishop Tim Smith in your prayers.
or 704-549-1555 ext. 101 or Harriett Easley at [email protected]
or 704-549-1555, ext. 100 for additions or updates to this listing.
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