News from Advent Lutheran Church December News from Advent Lutheran Church December 2018

Transcription

1 News from Advent Lutheran Church December 2016 News from Advent Lutheran Church December 2018

2 WORDS FROM THE PASTORS Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: A prophet to the nations that s what I had in mind for you. Jeremiah 1:5 from the Message Last month we spent much time reflecting on thankfulness, gratitude and cheerful giving. Everywhere we turned this past month, these themes were front and center. We read about gratitude and thankfulness in our devotions. We heard and studied about grateful living in the scriptures on Sunday mornings. We shared and heard many blessed stories about cheerful giving and stories of thanksgiving to God. We broke bread together over a special Advent Thanksgiving Meal. Our prayers were continually flooded with ways in which we are truly grateful for the many blessings we experience here in Augusta and as pastors at Advent. Thankfulness and gratitude were not only themes for this past month, but they are central to who we are as children of God. This notion of thankfulness really touched us in one of the devotions that Pastor Andrea uses regularly, Jesus Always by Sarah Young. In Sarah Young s devotional, she writes from the perspective of God told through scripture. It is truly amazing to experience how God has spoken so directly to us through these devotions. Before we came to Advent, the devotional, Jesus Calling, was given to us as we were discerning a new call. On our way to interview with the call committee of Advent, one of the devotions reminded us that God is holding us by the right hand and leading us in the ways we should go. After meeting with the call committee we felt very clearly that God was calling us to come to Augusta to be pastors at Advent. We are truly grateful to God for such a powerful devotional that continues to speak to us in our everyday lives as we walk closely with our Lord. One of the devotions from this past month in Jesus Always truly illuminated why it is that thankfulness is so important. Thankfulness is so very important for your growth in grace. It opens your heart and mind to My Word, enabling you to increase in wisdom and understanding. A thankful attitude helps you discover the myriad blessings I shower upon you even in the midst of hard times. A grateful heart protects you from discouragement and self-pity. It heightens your awareness of My continual Presence and helps you

3 grasp more fully the vast dimensions of My Love for you. So nurture well your thankfulness, beloved. Your gratitude will nourish your love for Me making it grow bright and strong! (Jesus Always pg. 347) The reason we have spent so much time talking about thankfulness and thanksgiving is because these themes are not just reserved for the month of November. As we approach Advent and Christmas, we again are reminded of the great gift that has been given to us in the birth of Jesus as we continue to pray for Jesus to come again. As we move into these two seasons, we continue to live with grateful hearts while remembering that we have a great and generous God. A special member at Advent gave us an excerpt from a book they were reading called, Run with the Horses: the Quest for Life at its Best by Eugene Peterson. In this excerpt from the book, there is a section called, The Great Giveaway. In this section, the scripture verse from Jeremiah is highlighted reminding us that like Jeremiah, we all have a divine appointment. The phrases, had in mind and gave, are central to God s words to Jeremiah. As Eugene Peterson wrote: God gives, God is generous, God is lavishly generous. Before Jeremiah ever got it together he was given away. That is God s way. God did it with his own son, Jesus. God gave him away. God gave Jesus to the nations. God did not keep him on display. God did not preserve Jesus in a museum. God did not show of Jesus as a trophy. This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life (John 3:16) (Run with Horses pg. 43) As we approach the Advent and Christmas seasons, we are reminded of this great gift that God has given each and every one of us. Eugene Peterson reminds us of what a lavishly generous God we have. Sarah Young reminds us that because of what God has already accomplished for us in Jesus Christ, we live life with grateful hearts. When we live our lives with grateful hearts, we are closely walking with the one who first came down to us as a child and we continue to pray, Come, Lord Jesus, Come. In Christ s love, Pastor Andrea and Pastor Jason

4 Sunday, December 2nd 1st Sunday of Advent Service of Lessons and Hymns for Advent Worship & Holy Communion 9:30am Sunday School & Confirmation 10:45am Wednesday, December 5th Midweek Advent Dinner 6:00pm Worship 7:00pm Sunday, December 9th 2nd Sunday of Advent Worship & Holy Communion 9:30am Sunday School & Confirmation 10:45am Wednesday, December 12th Midweek Advent Dinner 6:00pm Worship 7:00pm Sunday, December 16th 3rd Sunday of Advent Worship & Holy Communion 9:30am Sunday School & Confirmation 10:45am Tuesday, December 19th Services of the Blessing of the Greens Decorating of the Christmon Tree Reception to follow Sunday, December 23rd 4th Sunday of Advent/ Christmas Program Worship & Holy Communion 9:30am No Sunday School or Confirmation Christmas Program will be held during worship. Following the program, Fellowship & Cookies in the Fellowship Hall, and then decorate the sanctuary for Christmas Eve Monday, December 24th Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Worship 7:00pm Sunday, December 30th 1st Sunday of Christmas Service of Lessons & Carols for Christmas 9:30am No Sunday School or Confirmation

5 Pray for Healing & Provision: Marge Rahn, Edgar Bollinger, Tania Hayes, Mary & Art Suprek, Irmgard Crowder, Maggie Heaney, Daisy Morgan, Alice Glisson, Hilda Sullivan, Suzanne Fouche, Lee Hoops, Betty & David Kadlewicz, Steve & Debbie Merzlak, Jared Fischer, Emerson Johnson, Brett Billings, Ray Kung, Erika Larson, Virginia Reedstrom, Otis Smith, Raquel, Diana Walker (friend of Hilda Sullivan), Bruce Carlton (brother of Melinda East's neighbor), Judy Younce (Debbie Merzlak's sister), Tony Cruize, Lucy McKinley (Renee Blanchette's Aunt), Greg Dross, Jay Prescott (Ina & Alli Prescott's dad), Toni Jimenez (Sam & Marcy Jimenez's Aunt), Alton Andrews (Heather & Ivan Fernandez, Heather's father) Family and friends of Lesley Hammett. Pray for Our Deployed Military: Peggy Martin, Rob Gulbrandson, Rayland Dawood, Steven Johnson *Please note that the prayer list is updated at the beginning of each month. If you would like to remain on the List (or the name of your loved one), please contact the church office. We will add your name immediately.

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7 Children & Adult Choir Christmas Program Sunday, December 23, 2018 during worship Starry Night, Noisy Night Clip Clop Moozy Cowfee Rehearsal Schedule All rehearsals are scheduled from 10:00am -11:30am. Until December 15, non-speaking student roles can plan to be at all rehearsals from 10:30am -11:30am. On Sundays we will practice program songs immediately following the church service in the choir loft for minutes. December 1: 10-11:30am December 8: 10-11:30am December 15: 10-11:30am * All cast- run through including choir, townspeople and narrators December 22: 10-11:30am * Dress rehearsal- All cast including choir, townspeople and narrators *Please contact Heather Herrmann or heaherrmann@gmail.com if you are unable to attend a rehearsal.

8 ADVENT FELLOWSHIP Wednesday Nights Dec 5th & Dec. 12th Dinner 6:00pm Worship 7:00pm Please Sign-Up on Sign-Up Central to let us know if you are able to attend and/or would like to bring a food item.

9 Church Council Christmas Party When: Dec. 7th at Where: The Peterson s Children and significant others are invited. Stephen Ministry Christmas Party When: Dec. 10th at Where: The Peterson s Please bring a wrapped ornament for an ornament exchange!

10 Strength For Suffering This group meets on the second Saturday of the month. We gather in the library at 10:00am. This ministry is for those who suffer from chronic pain. We comfort one another and listen to each person s struggles and joys. We stop and pray for everyone s request and then discuss a chapter in the book The Strength you need: The Twelve Great Strength passages of the bible. We are also blessed by Jim s service dog, Saddie, who sometimes sit at the table with us! If you would like more information or a copy of the book, Please contact Pastor Andrea.

11 The Great Avent Cookie Marathon On Friday, December 14th, we will gather in the kitchen to make cookies. The cookies will go in the Holiday food Baskets for GAP ministry which Zack Hubble is organizing. He would like 2 dozen per basket, for 100 baskets, which totals 2,400 cookies! We are using store bought dough, and would gladly accept any donations. This idea is to 1) help Zack with his senior project, 2) gather and work as the women of the church, while also given the opportunity to bond, 3) Wear comfy clothing and in the evening, have a glass of wine together. 4) Have Fun! For more information please contact Zack Hubble or Pastor Andrea Pastor Andrea will begin at 1:00pm, please join us when you can! Also, a Big Thank You to the Advocacy Ministry For continuing the Baking on Saturday, December 15th

12 Service Ministry Christmas At Advent A Time of giving and/or receiving. How can you help? ANGEL TREE: Children and Elders We work with a Church in downtown Augusta to help families who are the mostly the working poor. These gifts are all the children will receive for Christmas. The Elder s are from the nursing home or shut-ins who don t have any family caring for them. Gifts need to be at the church by December 16th. FOOD: Baskets go to families to provide the means to make a wonderful meal. Just pick an item from the food tree and bring it to the church. WARM FOR THE WINTER: It s getting colder, HATS, GLOVES, and SOCKS are given out through GAP Ministries. Folks staying at the Salvation Army or other shelters do not get to stay there during the day but must go outside and walk the streets, stand under the bridge and etc. until the evening. If you can help, please place items in the box in the narthex. As you shop for your family and loved ones please remember those who are without. We are so blessed, so let us be a blessing to others. We have already received our greatest gift. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ and this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. Romans 3:22

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14 SERVICE PROJECT December 16th, we will join the service ministry to help wrap presents for the angel tree. This project will take place after Sunday school. After we have finished with the project, the youth group will head to the movies to watch the Grinch. Join us for this special service and fellowship event. LIGHT SHOW Saturday, Dec. 15th: The Youth would like to invite the congregation to join them in going to Hopeland Lights. Meet at the church at 4:45pm, the tour starts at 6:00pm POINTSETTIAS Poinsettias are on sale for $15 each, beginning December 2nd. Flowers can be purchased in honor of, or in memory of, a loved one. They may be taken home after Christmas. There will be a table in the Narthex with youth present, who can help you. Thank you for your poinsettia purchase. Your purchase will help a youth go to camp while beautifying the sanctuary for Christmas Eve worship!

15 The Epiphany Eve Meal and Worship will change this year! The Day of Epiphany this year falls on a Sunday. Therefore, we will have a special Epiphany worship service Sunday, January 6th at 9:30am. Following the service we will have an Epiphany luncheon followed by flaming cherries jubilee. This is always a wonderful tradition we share to start the season of Epiphany!

16 FAITHFUL SERVANTS 12/2/18 12/9/18 12/16/18 12/23/18 12/30/18 Assisting Ministers Mary Filpus-Luyckx Tom Alderson Pamela Tipler Ingrid Zamecnik Heather Herrmann Lectors Violet Herrmann & Timmy Peterson Alli Prescott Bob Holm Diana Perry Vicki Kohler Communion Assistants Maggie Heaney Mary Suprek Carol Billings Marcy Jimenez Lynn Reed Acolytes/ Crucifiers Max Van Bladel/ Kate Peterson Wyatt Tokarska/ Timmy Peterson Emma Fischer/ Brian Sadenwasser Stormi Hubble/ Holly Sadenwasser Violet Herrmann/ Kate Peterson Ushers Dieter/Ulrike Beck Sam Jimenez/ Jim Williams Bob Holm/ Steve Merzlak Vicki &Peter Kohler Mary Filpus-Luyckx Timmy Peterson Greeters Renee Blanchette/ Lisa Cheek Bobby Bisbee/ Julie Fillgrove Maggie Heaney/ Carole Hope Shirley Chipman/ Linda Lawrence Vicki &Peter Kohler Missionary Support Given by *Sign up outside church office* *Sign up outside church office* *Sign up outside church office* *Sign up outside church office* *Sign up outside church office* Flowers Given By In Memory of Rudiger Lichti By Lisa Cheek To the Glory of God, In Honor of Our Veterans By Joy Jiminez *Sign up in Narthex* Poinsettias Poinsettias Hospital/Shut In Ministers Gayle Ricklefs Martha Ostendorff Gayle Ricklefs Martha Ostendorff Gayle Ricklefs Visitor of Visitors Lisa Cheek Linda Lawrence Lisa Cheek Linda Lawrence Lisa Cheek Fellowship Coffee Hour Coffee & Treats Coffee & Treats Coffee & Treats Potluck Luncheon Coffee & Treats Altar Guild Sat. Renee Blanchette Renee Blanchette Renee Blanchette Renee Blanchette Renee Blanchette Altar Guild Late: Renee Blanchette Renee Blanchette Renee Blanchette Renee Blanchette Renee Blanchette

17 12/4 Bill Burkman 12/6 Renee Blanchette 12/6 Martha Ostendorff 12/7 Art Rahn 12/8 Jack Zamecnik 12/13 Maria Pravato 12/18 Bob Holm 12/20 Jim Williams 12/20 Brian Sadenwasser 12/22 Marge Rahn 12/22 Judy McQueen 12/24 Dory Toth 12/25 Alan Ostendorff 12/28 Tim Sadenwasser 12/30 Marilyn Tupper 12/2 Mike & Caroline Teffeteller 12/10 Bob & Teresa Holm

18 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 1 Property 9am Rehearsal for Christmas Program 10am - 11:30am 2 1st Sunday of Advent Service of Lessons & Hymns 9:30am Sun. School & Confirmation 10:45am 9 2nd Sunday of Advent Worship/Holy Communion 9:30am Sun. School & Confirmation 10:45am 16 Worship/Holy Communion 9:30am Sun. School & Confirmation 10:45am 23 Christmas Program Children/ Adult Choir 9:30am Fellowship & Cookies 3 10 Stephen Ministry Christmas Party at The Peterson s Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 7:00pm 4 Bible Study 10:00am Choir Practice - 7:30pm 11 Service Min.2:00pm Min. Night Choir Practice 6:30-7:30pm 18 Choir Practice - 7:30pm 5 Advent Dinner Worship 7pm 12 Advent Dinner Worship 7pm 19 Decorating the Chrismon Tree 6 Bible Study Toastmasters 13 Toastmasters 20 Toastmasters Toastmasters 7 Council Christmas Party at The Peterson s 14 1pm Cookie Marathon 21 Serv. Min. Angel Tree 8am-11am NDTP Christmas Party 11am - 3pm 8 Strength for Suffering 10:00am Rehearsal for Christmas Program 10am - 11:30am 15 All Cast Rehearsal for Christmas Program 10am - 11:30am Aug Chinese Christian Church 6pm-9pm 22 Dress Rehearsal for Christmas Program 10am - 11:30am For All Cast 30 Service of Lessons & Carols for Christmas 9:30am 31

19 Dates that would not fit on the Calendar: Friday, Dec. 14th: The Great Advent Cookie Marathon! Come to the church at 1:00pm to make Christmas Cookies for Zach Hubble s Senior Project (GAP Holiday food baskets ) 200 dozen! Saturday, Dec. 15th: Advocacy Meeting 11:30-2pm. Making cookies for Advent s Holiday food basket. Light Show Trip The Youth would like to invite the congregation to join them in going to Hopeland Lights. Meet at the church at 4:45pm, the tour starts at 6:00pm Sunday, Dec. 16th: Last Day for Angel Tree/Holiday Food Basket Drop off Following church, we will prepare the sanctuary for the Christmas Program Set (Take down the altar, set up set, set-up the Christmon Trees, & hang the wreaths) Angel Tree wrapping will happen after Sunday School. Following this event, the Youth are going to the movies to see The Grinch Anyone is welcome to join! Friday, Dec. 21st: Service Ministry Angel Tree Assembly & Delivery 8-11am

20 Merry Christmas from the staff Pastor Jason and Pastor Andrea Peterson, Melinda East, Tara Spray and Brandi Pate 3232 Washington Road Augusta, GA Phone: Web: adventaugusta.org DATED MATERIAL ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED