News from Advent Lutheran Church November 2017

News from Advent Lutheran Church November 2017 Staff Pastors Jason Peterson Andrea Windsor-Peterson Director of Music/Organist Melinda East Secretary Tara Spray Nursery Attendant Brandi Pate Church Council President Mary Filpus-Luyckx Vice President Ken Voss Secretary Jared Fischer Treasurer Steve Merzlak Diana Perry Erin Taylor Ministry Chairpersons Christian Education Heather Herrmann Fellowship Linda Jaath Service Jackie Voss Youth Marcy Jimenez

Words from the Pastors 2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1: 2-3 As we move forward from the celebration of the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation, we begin to look at what the next 500 years of the Church may look like. Will more denominations join together in ecumenical partnerships? Will Roman Catholics and Lutherans ever be able to commune with one another? Will the Church that we know now, look anything like the Church in 500 years? One thing we know for certain is that 500 years from now, those that call themselves Christians will still proclaim and agree that Jesus is Lord. We also believe that 500 years from now, Martin Luther s famous description of Christians will still remain: we are simul Justus et peccator, simultaneously saint and sinner. We know that Jesus died for us while we were still sinners, still in the action of sinning (sinner). We know that Jesus lived, died, and rose again so that we too may live a new life (saint). This paradox of saint and sinner is a theme we all live out each and every day of our lives. We strive to live up to the saintly side of our calling, but many times we still fall short. When we fall short we come back to the church where we are forgiven and renewed in Word, Sacrament, and Communal life together. This is one of the prominent themes that we explore on the first Sunday in November as we celebrate All Saints Day. The Rev. Tiffany Chaney on LivingLutheran.org writes about this paradox in light of the Gospel for November 5: Our lectionary text for All Saints Day, the beatitudes from Matthew 5:1-12, reminds us we are simultaneously blessed while still dealing with everyday struggles. The text doesn t say, Blessed are those who used to mourn or those who were poor in spirit or those who made peace before. The blessed are in the midst of serving God now; they are deep in the trenches. They are being persecuted and reviled and more, even now. And yet they are blessed. The Greek word makarioi used in this text means both blessed and happy. It s not about a lightweight, fleeting happiness common in our culture now but a deep, lasting gladness. One of the great contradictions in this text through the lens of today s culture is understanding how it is that someone is blessed and happy while, at the same time, poor in spirit, mourning, meek, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, merciful, and persecuted and reviled for their faith. These sound much more like sad and disgusted occurrences than blessed and happy ones, but in this contradiction we discover what it means to truly be blessed. We are blessed not because of what we have done but because of what Jesus has done, we are saints not because of what we have done but because of what Jesus has done. Encouraged by the legacy of the faithful saints who paved the way for us, we are reminded that, thanks to Jesus, we are blessed and we are saints. In Christ s love, Pastor Jason and Pastor Andrea

November Worship Schedule Sunday, November 5th All Saints Day Worship & Holy Communion 9:30 a.m. Sunday School & Conformation 10:45 am Men s Breakfast following worship Sunday, November 12th 23rd Sunday of Pentecost Contemporary & Holy Communion 9:30 a.m. Sunday School & Conformation 10:45 am Congregational Meeting & Youth Luncheon Sunday, November 19th 24th Sunday of Pentecost Worship & Holy Communion 9:30 a.m. Sunday School & Conformation 10:45 am Thanksgiving Dinner 5:30pm Worship Service 7:00pm Upcoming Dates And Events: Service of Lessons & Hymns December 3rd Christmas Cantata December 17th Chrismon Tree Decorating December 19th/6:30pm Children s Christmas Program Reception Following December 20th/6:00pm Sunday, November 26th Christ the King Worship & Holy Communion 9:30 a.m. Sunday School & Conformation 10:45 am

Thanks! I just want to thank everyone who is participating in our Music Program at Advent. You all are doing a great job! The choir is continuing to get new choir members (Thanks be to God!) and there is still room for more. We invite anyone who would like to sing with us to start now, since our Christmas Cantata is coming up soon. We practice from 6:00pm to 7:30pm on Wednesdays. We will be moving choir practice to Tuesdays temporarily from the last two weeks of November through the first two weeks of December. (Nov. 21, Nov. 28, Dec. 5, Dec.12) On Sunday, December 17th, our choir will present The Winter Rose by Joseph and Pamela Martin. The children and youth will present their Christmas Program the evening of December 20th. More information on that coming soon. Blessings! Melinda East Rehearsal Schedule: Thursday, November 9th: 6:00pm Contemporary Service, Sunday November 9th

Pray for Healing & Provision: Marge Rahn, Edgar Bollinger, Ruth Neumann, Tania Hayes, Art Suprek, Irmgard Crowder, Maggie Heaney, Jackie Voss, Daisy Morgan, Karen DeVilbiss, Ted DeVilbiss, Donna Meisner, Gary Lawrence, Diana Perry, Lee Hoops, Sheila Eastman, Nancy Bickley, Alice Glisson, Howard Erne, Hilda Sullivan, Patty Williams, Betty Kadlewicz, Jean Harrell, Virginia Reedstrom, Ed Merzlak, Collin Morgan, Tiffany Murphy, Randy Lester, Otis Smith, Raquel, Denise Jean. Pray for Our Deployed Military: Peggy Martin, Rob Gulbrandson, Rayland Dawood, Steven Johnson *Please note 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. We need some help! Please remember to re-lock The church door as you enter. This is to ensure the safety of our staff. We would also be grateful if you would take a moment and pull on the other two doors, to ensure they have closed tightly.

Advocacy Ministry Preparing for Disaster with Augusta Emergency Management Agency The Advocacy Ministry is sponsoring a presentation by the Augusta Emergency Management Agency on their Praise and Preparedness Program. This program involves preparing our church in case of disaster. Please sign up and join us on Saturday, November 18 th at noon. Lunch will be served. All are welcome. Sunday, November 19th 5:30 PM - Thanksgiving Dinner 7:00 PM - Thanksgiving Worship Service

Thanks be to God for such a wonderful week for Family Promise. Our guests had everything they needed and so much more. Thank you for all the wonderful donations from the people of God at Advent. We had two families, each with an adorable little girl. Both mothers are working and are looking forward to moving ahead to their own places. The Sunday school children and their teachers participated this year by gathering together and making a meal they prepared by themselves for the guest families. It was such a joy to see the children of Advent give of their time and talents to help. Thank you also to all the faithful participants who gave so generously to provide meals and food for the week. Thank you to all of our overnight hosts who gave their evening to spend the night and make sure our guests felt at home at Advent. It takes a real commitment to provide what is needed to host Family Promise for the week. Even the smallest contribution means so much and goes such a long way to make this week such a blessing for both our guests and for us as a church. It was amazing to see God at work through everyone who helped. To God be the glory! Thanks you again to all who participated making this week such a holy time for all who were involved. Nancy Tokarska Co-Coordinator Family Promise

GAP Food Pantry Item of the Month November is the month when we remember things we are thankful for: family, food, and warm clothing. There are many in our community who lack these basic needs. In November, Advent is requesting hats, gloves and socks (especially men s large) for clients of the Food Pantry. Last year we were able to donate these items to 100 people in need. The numbers of homeless that GAP serves in increasing, can you help us meet this increased need? Please bring your hats (that many of you have been knitting or crocheting during the year), gloves and socks to place in the Food Pantry donation bin by Sign-Up Central. If you have other clothing for winter months, please place those items in the clothing bins under the service table. They will be placed in the Clothes Closet at GAP. These items will be blessed at a service and distributed at GAP. Advent is truly blessed to have a congregation that meets the needs of so many. If you wish to make a monetary donation, please see the Pastors or Jackie Voss. Advent Children s Service Project Holiday events are coming and school holidays are planned for November. Add this special event to your calendar! All children are invited to attend the Advent Children s Service Project Event. Renee Blanchette will be leading the children in making Christmas gifts for the home-bound. Thank you Renee! When: December 2nd from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Where: Advent Lutheran Church Sponsored by: Service Ministry of Advent Lutheran Church We will make gifts; have snacks and a good time. Our shut-in s look forward to their gifts from the children, and talk about them all year! We need you! There is a sign-up sheet at Sign-Up Central. Please see Renee Blanchette or Jackie Voss if you have any questions.

Don t forget to turn back your clocks one hour at 2am Sunday, November 5th. Remember to Save! With all the holiday gatherings coming up, you will probably be buying items not usually on your shopping list. Remember to save your Box Tops for Education and soda pop-tops for Service Ministry. The Box Tops are being donated to Lamar-Milledge School in Richmond County. 163 box tops have been sent so far. The pop-tops are taken to the Ronald McDonald House in Augusta. We have donated 2 and 1/2 gallon bags of pop-tops this year. Sr. Barbara Lee assists the Youth Group by recycling soda cans. Please bring your rinsed and bagged soda cans and place them under the Service Ministry Table.

Thanks! The Yard Sale held last month was a great success thanks to YOU! The donations just kept coming in and there was something to catch every shopper s eye all under the expert leadership of Nancy Tokarska, Chairperson. Thank you to the Hubble family for donating Krispy Kreme donuts. Thank you also to Pastor Andrea for leading the Youth in the selling of hot dog lunches. All proceeds will go to help our Youth attend The National Youth Gathering. Thank you also to the Youth who helped carry purchases to their cars. Thank you to all the workers made the set up, sale and clean up go smoothly. Thanks to the AA Group who helped carry items in. We would like to thank the following people: Nancy Tokarska Patty Williams Betty Kadlewicz Jackie Voss Gayle Ricklefs Renee Blanchette Heather Hermann Diane Aizcorbe Pastor Andrea Kate Peterson Timmy Peterson Angie Hubble Zach Hubble Stormi Hubble Pastor Jason Erin Taylor Brandi Pate Carole Hope Alli Prescott Lynn Reed Ann Simon And a very special Thank You to Ken Voss, our special volunteer who was present for all three days and did everything possible to make our sale a success. A very special thank you is also in order for Nancy Tokarska and Jackie Voss! With our profits we have so far donated $1000 to the Youth Group towards The National Youth Gathering in Houston Texas and $300 to Thrivent for Hurricane Relief (who matched the funds). And there are still funds that will be donated.

Family Promise Success Thanks to everyone who worked so hard during our week of Family Promise. Thank you also to everyone who helped make the Family Promise fundraiser a success. Jim Smith was our golfer again, and played 108 holes! That is incredible! Thank you Jim. Your donations helped to raise over $94,000 at the Golf Fundraiser to help homeless families and make sure that Family Promise can continue to bless and help those in the program. The people of God at Advent serve the Lord with gladness and generosity. Advent Annual Angel Tree The Advent Angel Tree will be up Sunday, November 12 th. Instructions are on the back of the angel you choose. White angels are children ages 12 and under. Green Angels are Senior Angels in nursing homes and have no family. Please consider making their Christmas joyful by remembering them at this special season. There will also be a Food Basket Tree that you can select from to give to each of the Angel Tree families. All food items and gifts must be returned to the church, wrapped and with Angel Tag attached by December 17 th.

NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING Picture 30,000 high school youth from across the ELCA learning, playing, singing, worshiping, and serving the city of Houston that is where our high school youth will be June 27-July1, 2018! If you are in grade 8-12 and want to find out how to be a part of this life changing event, please join us Sunday November 5th at 12:00pm for more information and planning. Lunch will be provided. YOUTH/PARENT MEETING On Sunday November 5th, following Sunday School and Confirmation the youth and parents will meet to discuss the Youth Group. We will also discuss fundraising possibilities to aid our youth in their up coming trip. Please bring your ideas! SPECIAL THANK YOU Thank you so much to Angie Hubble for donating Krispy Kreme donuts for our guests at the Yard Sale. Thank you also to Angie Hubble, Erin Taylor, Ann Simon, Pastor Andrea and all the youth for working so hard selling hot dog lunches that day. All proceeds will go to help our youth head to Houston this summer.

YOUTH FUNDRAISERS FOR SUMMER CAMP Dine in or Take out Sunday November 12 Following the congregational meeting 2018 WALL CALENDARS ARE ON SALE! These beautiful calendars are made with indent and smudge proof paper and feature professional photographs and a weekly Bible verse for only $10. This fundraiser will benefit youth summer programming.

TRUNK-OR-TREAT Thank you to everyone who participated in this year s event. We handed out thousands of pieces of candy, ice cream, and lots of popcorn! We had 21 spaces filled. Thank you so much to all of our participants. Thank you also to Ingrid Zamecnik for making balloon animals and hats for every child. Each family was welcomed to Advent and given information about our church. There was also bouncy slide fun and thrills from a spooky haunted. Thank you so much to Marcy & Sam Jimenez and all of the youth for your creativity time and effort making this year s Trunk or Treat spectacular. SUNDAY SCHOOL Classes are off to a great start! There is still room for more participants in all of our classes (preschool-adult). Thank you to all the teachers and students for your faithfulness. CHRISTMAS PAGEANT This year s pageant will take place Wednesday evening, December 20. We will have Saturday rehearsals from 9:30-10:30 on December 9 and 16.

We thank God for the wonderful worship opportunities that Celebrated the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. Thank you to Resurrection Lutheran Church for hosting our Joint Reformation service. Thank you to all of those at Advent who joined in the celebration.

Are you experiencing a difficult time, such as grief, divorce, job loss, illness, relocation, loneliness, or other life struggles? A Stephen Minister may be able to offer the support that you need. Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation trained to listen, care, encourage, pray, and walk alongside you during a tough time. It is always confidential. To learn more please talk with one of our pastors or a Stephen Minister. A GriefShare Presentation of How to survive the Holidays will be presented at Aldersgate Methodist Church. Sunday, November 12, 2017 at 3:00 pm. There is a notebook that goes with this presentation and it is $5.00 This is a very helpful 40 minute video for those who have lost a loved one. Please see Ann Simon further information.

Happy November Birthdays November 6 Cheryl Fouche Matt Reed Rick Reed November 7 Lewis Huerth November 14 Juergen Jaath Kaleigh Jablonski Charlotte Miller November 18 Lily Summers Diana Perry Derek Herrmann November 19 Marcy Jimenez Addison Koch Happy November Anniversaries November 16 Nick & Josie Pravato November 29 Greg & Sarah Van Bladel

5 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Worship & Holy Communion 9:30am Sun. School & Confirmation 10:45am Youth Meeting 12 Contemporary & Holy Communion 9:30am Sun. School & Confirmation 10:45am 19 Worship 9:30am Sun. School & Confirmation 10:45am Thanksgiving Dinner 5:30pm Service 7:00pm 26 Worship & Holy Com. 9:30am Sun. School & Conf. 10:45am Reformation Potluck After Worship Don t forget to turn back your clocks 1 hour on Sunday 11/5! 6 13 20 27 Book Club 7:30pm 7 Bible Study 10:00am Staff Meeting 12:00pm 14 Service Ministry 2:30pm Ministry Night 6:30pm 21 Bible Study 10:00am Choir Practice 6:00pm - 7:30pm Council 6:30pm 28 Choir Practice 6:00pm - 7:30pm 1 Choir Practice 6:00pm - 7:30pm 8 Choir Practice 6:00pm - 7:30pm 15 Choir Practice 6:00pm - 7:30pm 22 29 2 Bible Study 6:30pm Toastmaster s 9 Praise Band 6:00pm Stephen Ministry 6:30pm Toastmaster s 16 Bible Study 6:30pm Toastmaster s 3 10 17 23 24 Office Closed 30 Stephen Ministry 6:30pm Toastmaster s 4 Property Meeting 9:00am Bluebirds Across SC & GA 10:00am 11 Craft Fair At Our Redeemer Lunch Provided 9:00am - 2:00pm 18 Advocacy 12:00pm - 1:30pm Augusta Chinese Church 6pm-9:30pm 25 Lydia Project 9am - 12pm

11/5/17 11/12/17 11/19/17 11/26/17 Assisting Ministers Heather Herrmann Lynn Reed Bobby Bisbee Mary Filpus-Luyckx Lectors Mary Suprek Tim Sadenwasser Violet Herrmann Ken Furlong Communion Assistants Gayle Ricklefs Carol Billings Marcy Jimenez Lynn Reed Acolytes /Crucifiers Brian Sadenwasser/ Kate Peterson Sophie Van Bladel/ Stormi Hubble Holly Sadenwasser/ Timmy Peterson Zach Hubble/ Max Van Bladel Ushers Dieter & Ulrike Beck Steve Merzlak/ Timmy Peterson Bob Holm/ Diana Perry Jim Williams/ Jared Fischer Greeters Carol Billings/ Bobby Bisbee Renee Blanchette/ Shirley Chipman Peter & Vicki Kohler Bob & Diana Perry Flowers Given By In Memory of My Mom By Lynn Reed In Memory of Jan Reedstrom In Memory of Al Hope By Carole Hope *Sign up in Narthex* Missionary Support Given by *Sign up in Narthex* *Sign up in Narthex* *Sign up in Narthex* *Sign up in Narthex* Hospital/Shut In Ministers Carol Billings Marcy Jimenez Gayle Ricklefs Liza Fincher Visitor of Visitors Gayle Ricklefs Martha Ostendorff Gayle Ricklefs Martha Ostendorff Fellowship Coffee Hour Men s Breakfast Youth Fundraising Lunch Coffee Only Coffee Only Altar Guild Sat. Renee Blanchette Renee Blanchette Renee Blanchette Renee Blanchette Altar Guild Late: Mary Suprek Mary Suprek Mary Suprek Mary Suprek

3232 Washington Road Augusta, GA 30907 Phone: 706-860-0439 Web: adventaugusta.org Email: advluch@adventaugusta.org DATED MATERIAL ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Deadline For December Newsletter Entries November 14th