FIRST QUARTER MISSION:

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1 FIRST QUARTER MISSION: Started by Lutheran congregations in 1939, LIRS has welcomed more than 500,000 refugees, migrants impacted by detention, and unaccompanied migrant and refugee children. LIRS is our nation s second largest refugee resettlement agency. February 12 will be Refugee Sunday, when we will hear more about the work of LIRS. See the February and March newsletters for more information about LIRS. To contribute, make checks payable to Advent with the memo First Quarter Mission, or LIRS. CHRISTIAN MUSIC THEATER SUMMER 2017 Two sessions: June 25 to July 1, Wilderness People July 24 to July 29, Don t Shut Us Out

2 GROWING YOUNG Six essential strategies to help young people discover & love your church by Kara Powell, Jake Mulder, Brad Griffin Sunday morning conversations for youth and adults. We ll be working our way through this book and its meaning for our congregation. You are welcome to purchase and read this book, either in hardcover or as an ebook. All are welcome, whether or not you are reading this book. Bring your passion and interest in vibrant faith and vibrant ministry for today s world. In addition to working on the book s content and questions, we will spend time each Sunday growing the organizational side of our ministry with youth, children and families through developing teams. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Did you know that one of Martin Luther King Jr.'s advisers had recommended that he leave out the "I have a dream" phrase for his speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963? Luckily, King ignored that recommendation. That speech and quotes from many others have inspired us and given us the courage to act upon our own dreams. In honor of a great man, let us all hold our dreams up for the world to see and our hearts to embrace. 2

3 OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS A listing of how you can support the mission of this congregation at this time...children S AND YOUTH MINISTRY Children s Time is on Sunday mornings, 9:30 10:30 AM. All children are invited for active learning as we tell Bible stories together. Please contact Pete McElheny at peterandmasuyo.net if you would like to tell stories, lead music, lead a craft or art, or lead a cooking project. FAITH BASED TASK FORCE Do you have an interest in the homelessness situation in South County? We need someone who is interested in representing Advent on the Faith Based task force on homelessness in South County. Contact Marcia Nelson at COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST OPENING AT ADVENT There is an immediate opening for a part time (15 hours per week) paid position at Advent. For further information please go to our website at LET YOUR FAITH SHOW Our SCORE team has renamed our time and talent form to better reflect how our congregation might best use the gifts God has given to each of us. On February 5 th, the Stewardship Team, along with our ushers will be distributing our new Let Your Faith Show time and talent forms during each of the worship services. Please give prayerful consideration for giving to the church with your many talents and the gift of time. And let all of us give thanks to God for the many blessings in our lives, as we are renewed and refreshed in our calling to be Jesus hands and feet in the world. Your Stewardship Team 3

4 CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Sunday, January 29, 9:30 AM Annual reports will be available by Sunday, January 22. We encourage you to read the reports, in hard copy or online. All are invited and encouraged to participate in our annual budget meeting. Confirmed members of Advent in good standing are voting members for this meeting. The agenda is: 1. Opening Prayer 2. Approval of Minutes for Congregational Meeting on November 13, Presentation of the published 2016 Annual Report 4. Election of Council Treasurer, Stewardship chair & Communications chair 5. Election of voting members to the Sierra Pacific Synod Assembly, May 4-6, in Fresno 6. Approval of the 2017 Congregational Budget 4

5 DID YOU KNOW? From Your Stewardship Team Interfaith Community of South Valley Event Growing the Beloved Community Monday, January 16, 2017 Last year our South County Interfaith Clergy Group hosted Standing Together in Friendship at Advent, on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The lay group, Interfaith Community of South County (ICSC) was born that night. Both groups are going strong and the second annual Interfaith event was held on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, hosted by St. Mary s Catholic Church in Gilroy. All faiths and denomination from South County were warmly invited to be with and learn from our neighbors. There was both program with prayer and song, and fellowship and visiting time. Advent s mission focus of Growing the Beloved Community through service and the creative arts inspired the group to focus this year on the theme: Growing the Beloved Community. Father Jose Rubio of St. Mary s welcomed the group of over 100 participants, and clergy from all over South County participated in music, prayer and readings. The event continued with the singing of Kum Ba Ya and a presentation of Dr. King s, Growing the Beloved Community philosophy in three parts. The event culminated with everyone in attendance holding hands and singing We Shall Overcome. A welcome reception was held on the St. Mary s campus with many in attendance. If you participated in the Interfaith Service event, you are invited to take the communion elements to the altar for recognition of your stewardship at Advent and the local communities and to receive a blessing from Pastor Warner. Your Gifts and Participation Make a Difference! 5

6 THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Did you know that one of Martin Luther King Jr.'s advisers had recommended that he leave out the "I have a dream" phrase for his speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963? Luckily, King ignored that recommendation. That speech and quotes from many others have inspired us and given us the courage to act upon our own dreams. In honor of a great man, let us all hold our dreams up for the world to see and our hearts to embrace. FOOD OF THE MONTH FOR JANUARY Baby Food & Diapers Happy New Year!! Food of the month will be baby food and diapers for those newborn babies. However, you can donate other nonperishable foods as well. When you shop, pick up two of something, and put one in a bag for church. Then leave it by the door or stick it in your car so when you are running late for church, you haven't forgotten your food bag. Many people in south county need our help. This a simple way we can make a difference. If you are interested in helping others find food: - Make sure they have a picture I.D. - Call the Food Information Hotline at Give the zip-code of where the person lives and nearby zip-codes. 6

7 PILOT SAFE CAR PARK PROJECT IN MORGAN HILL All interested parties, faith-based communities, city officials, and people of good will are invited to gather for a meeting updating the progress of our pilot Safe Car Park project in Morgan Hill. We will give a brief timeline of the efforts, so far, and give you an opportunity to share with the group what your particular community is doing to aid our local unsheltered brothers and sisters. We ll outline what our next steps will be, and how we might move forward. Come and join the discussion. All are welcome. Place: St. Catherine O Donnell Center Peak Ave. (the building to the right of the church) Date and Time: Thursday, January 26 th 1pm SANTA CLARA COUNTY HOMELSS CENSUS AND SURVEY On January 24 th and 25 th, Santa Clara County will be conducting the 2017 Pointin-Time Count of the homeless in our county. If you would like to volunteer in this effort, there is a flyer in the Gathering area with more information. 7