ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION TODAY November 13, 9:30 AM in the sanctuary Everyone is welcome to our congregation s annual meeting. Voting members for the meeting, in accordance with our congregation s constitution, are confirmed members. Such confirmed members, during the current or preceding calendar year, shall have communed and shall have made a contribution of record to this congregation. Members of this congregation who have satisfied these basic standards shall have the privilege of voice and vote at every regular and special meeting of the congregation. The order of business for the meeting is: a. Opening devotions. b. Approval of the minutes of the previous meeting. c. Election of these Council members (2-year terms): President Second Vice President Treasurer Communications chair (1 year term) Community Connections chair Stewardship chair Worship and Music chair d. Presentation of the proposed budget for the following fiscal year. e. Transforming Church process update f. New Director of Music and Worship Arts position g. Any other business brought to the congregation. Election of voting members sent by our congregation to the 2017 synod and conference assemblies will be held at the January 29 congregational meeting.
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS A listing of how you can support the mission of this congregation at this time. ADOPT A SPOT We have started an Adopt-A-Spot to help maintain our church facility throughout the year. See the sign-up sheets in the gathering area and be thinking about which area you (or a team) could adopt and take care of (i.e., clean, keep neat, weed, etc.) on a regular basis. Many hands will make light work! CHILDREN S AND YOUTH MINISTRY Children s Time is on Sunday mornings, 9:30 10:30 AM. All children are invited to 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. SUPPORT FOR HOMELESS FAMILIES WHO SLEEP IN THEIR VEHICLES Contact Kathy Munk at 408-332-8482 for contact information to connect with a new community group that is forming, with police department support, for this new effort, likely out of the St. Catherine s church parking lot. 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 408-779-4481. 2
CHURCH DIRECTORY UPDATES We will soon be adding an insert to our Church Directory to include the contact information of new members. We would also like to include any changes to the current directory. If you have had any changes in address, phone number, email address, or family members, please contact Sherry Quick at the church office or at office@advent-lutheran.org with your updates. Look for directory sheets in the gathering area. CECELIAS CLOSET NEEDS COATS AND SWEATERS ALL SIZES Sew Seeds will be collecting gently used coats and sweaters in the bin in the gathering area until December 18. Cecilia's Closet works with the Compassion Center, Community Solutions, the homeless, and the police department. GROWING YOUNGER Six essential strategies to help young people discover and love your church by Kara Powell, Jake Mulder, Brad Griffin. Beginning November 6, Sunday morning conversations for youth and adults will be working our way through this book. You are welcome to purchase and read this book, either in hardcover or as an ebook. If you are willing to present a summary and facilitate a conversation on any chapter in this book, please contact Pastor Anita. 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, we will spend a few minutes each Sunday growing the organizational side of our ministry with youth, children and families through developing teams. 3
CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM preparation begins today! There will be a Children s Christmas program during worship on Christmas Eve, December 24, at 7:00 PM. The program will feature the Christmas hymn From Heaven Above to Earth I Come by Martin Luther, and other well-known Christmas carols. All children are invited to participate! Junior high school and high school youth are invited to have speaking parts and/or support the children in learning the songs, and to help in teaching. Adults are warmly invited to help in all the ways listed below. The children and others will begin working on music during Children s Time, 9:30-10:30 AM, every Sunday beginning today, Sunday, November 13. Please contact the church office if you can help: - teach a short lesson during the last 20-30 minutes of Children s Time - work with costumes during December - copy music onto CDs for families or create.mp3 files to share 4
DID YOU KNOW? From Your Stewardship Committee Many Americans mistakenly believe that Veterans Day is the day America sets aside to honor American military personnel who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained from combat. That's not quite true. Memorial Day is the day set aside to honor America's war dead. Veterans Day, on the other hand, honors ALL American veterans, both living and dead. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for dedicated and loyal service to their country. November 11 of each year is the day that we ensure veterans know that we deeply appreciate the sacrifices they have made in the lives to keep our country free. Armistice Day To commemorate the ending of the "Great War" (World War I), an "unknown soldier" was buried in highest place of honor in both England and France ( (in England, Westminster Abbey; in France, the Arc de Triomphe). These ceremonies took place on November 11th, celebrating the ending of World War I hostilities at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). This day became known internationally as "Armistice Day". In 1921, the United States of America followed France and England by laying to rest the remains of a World War I American soldier -- his name "known but to God" -- on a Virginia hillside overlooking the city of Washington DC and the Potomac River. This site became known as the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier," and today is called the "Tomb of the Unknowns." Located in Arlington National Cemetery, the tomb symbolizes dignity and reverence for the American veteran. In America, November 11th officially became known as Armistice Day through an act of Congress in 1926. It wasn't until 12 years later, through a similar act that Armistice Day became a national holiday. The entire world thought that World War I was the "War to end all wars." Had this been true, the holiday might still be called Armistice Day today. That dream was shattered in 1939 when World War II broke 5
out in Europe. More than 400,000 American service members died during that horrific war. Veterans Day In 1947, Raymond Weeks, of Birmingham Ala., organized a "Veterans Day" parade on November 11th to honor all of America's veterans for their loyal and dedicated service. Shortly thereafter, Congressman Edward H. Rees (Kansas) introduced legislation to change the name of Armistice Day to Veterans Day in order to honor all veterans who have served the United States in all wars. In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day, and called upon Americans everywhere to rededicate themselves to the cause of peace. He issued a Presidential Order directing the head of the Veterans Administration (now called the Department of Veterans Affairs), to form a Veterans Day National Committee to organize and oversee the national observance of Veterans Day. Congress passed legislation in 1968 to move Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. However, as it became apparent that November 11th was historically significant to many Americans, in 1978, Congress reversed itself and returned the holiday to its traditional date. All veterans are asked to take the communion elements to the altar for recognition of your service to our country, your stewardship at Advent and to receive a blessing from Pastor Warner. Your Gifts and Participation Make a Difference! THOUGHT FOR THE DAY The veterans of our military services have put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms that we enjoy. They have dedicated their lives to their country and deserve to be recognized for their commitment. Judd Gregg former Governor & Senator Veterans Day was Friday, November 11 th. 6
LIVE FREE UPDATE Advent Lutheran exists as evidence of God s generous love known to us in Jesus Christ. Our Live Free emphasis has helped us see the importance of setting our hopes on God, living richly in a deeper sense. This way of living is a priceless treasure and also the solid foundation upon which we can build our lives. To date, our personal commitments to the General Fund (Mission and Ministry) have reached $177,092 with 48 households pledging and $59,744 to the Mortgage Fund with 39 pledges. Through thoughtful stewardship by our congregation, the mortgage will be paid off in 2021. You are invited to attend a congregational meeting at 9:30 today, November 13, 2016 for a presentation of how we as a congregation use the resources that have been entrusted to us in the coming year. We hope you will be present. Thank you to each and every person and household who have made commitments of giving to Advent in 2017. If you haven t yet made a commitment of giving, we invite you to do so. General Fund commitment cards are white and Mortgage Fund commitment cards are green. Both are on the Resource Table in the gathering area. You may put completed cards in the offering plate or turn them in to the church office. In Christian fellowship, Your Advent Stewardship Team 7
SANTA CRUZ EL SALVADOR It is time to put together gift bags for our children in El Salvador. Please remember it needs to be a gallon size bag with your name and your child s name. If you don t know your childs name, I will add that. Gift bags are due by Sunday December 4th, to either Catherine Holmes or Lori Katterhagen. For those that presently do not have a child to sponsor we are always looking for new people to either give a one-time donation or to become a prayer partner and sponsor a child in El Salvador. For more information please see either Tom or Judith Dunham, Lori Katterhagen, Ian Hopkins or Catherine Holmes. We are have a craft sale to support Santa Cruz Al Salvador between and after services on November 13th and December 11th. Thank you for your support. 8
FOURTH QUARTER MISSION Provide gas and grocery cards for those in need in our community. Your contribution will go toward purchasing these cards for the church office to distribute to people requesting assistance. Checks should be made out to Advent Lutheran Church with 4th Quarter Mission-Gift Cards on the memo line. HOLIDAY CARE PACKAGES FOR OUR MILITARY We want to reach out to Advent s five young military members and thank them for their current service. So we are assembling Thanksgiving/Christmas care packages to mail to them. Non perishable munchies, cookies and candy are needed and welcome. Also cards and letters. Look for the collection box and an information flyer in the Gathering area on Sundays and in the church office during the week. Look at the military board in the Gathering area for their pictures and names: Ryan Cabral Colin Fleming Christine Himebauch Luke Northcott T.J. Ornduff Questions? Call Linda Loftesness at 408-779-0438. 9
NURSERY CARE IS AVAILABLE ALL MORNING IN BERKLAND FELLOWSHIP HALL CHILDREN Grades 4-6: Magnificent Mondays on the third Monday of each month CONFIRMATION December 10 Service, preparing for Christmas together HIGH SCHOOL AND ADULTS Annual Meeting of the Congregation today at 9:30 AM Growing Young next Sunday at 9:30 AM MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDY Tuesday mornings @ 10:00 AM All are welcome every Tuesday in the Library WOMEN S SPIRITUALITY CIRCLE Meets on Thursdays @ 10:00 AM in Library WOMEN S BIBLE STUDY MARY AND MARTHA CIRCLE Meets 2 nd Wednesday of the month @ 10:00 AM in Berkland Fellowship Hall INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP SPIRITUAL DIRECTION For support in your prayer life, deepening your relationship with God and living out your faith with the gifts you are given, please contact Lee Tyler at 778-1876 or ltyler3@juno.com 10