FROM THE PASTOR S DESK

`w z Vol. 45 No. 9 Sept. 3 Faith in Daily Labor Sunday Worship at 9:30 AM Sept. 10 God s Work. Our Hands. Sunday Worship at 8:00 & 10:45; service projects at 9:30 Sept. 16 Confirmation: service and intro to the New Testament 9:30 - Noon Sept. 17 By Heart: Conversations with Luther s Small Catechism begins 9:30 AM Sept. 20 Youth and Parent meeting with Pastor and Leaders the year ahead, including National Youth Gathering 7:00 PM Sept. 30 Oktoberfest to kick off Free Indeed emphasis 5:00 PM

2 FROM THE PASTOR S DESK By Pastor Anita Warner How will we observe the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation? How will we mark five hundred years since Martin Luther posted the Ninety-Five Theses in the city of Wittenberg, Germany? Our first instinct will be to throw a big party. Give thanks! Celebrate! And we will do that. Oktoberfest, anyone? Great refreshments to share following Faith of Our Neighbors and the Hymn Festival? But there is more to marking this milestone. Luther and a number of his reforming companions were teachers of university students, of pastors and bishops, of laypeople. So education has a rightful place in our observance. They took part in conversations with varying success - with Christians of various traditions. And to be candid, the events of the Reformation era resulted in divisions in the church that continue to this day. Luther and some who have followed his teachings have done and said some hurtful and damaging things. So lament and repentance will also color our observance. These are just a few of the dynamics of this anniversary, which extend to the fields of worship and music, the sciences and cultural studies, social action and public witness, and many more. I hope you will participate. If you are a parent of children or youth, I hope you will bring them to participate. We are making meaning and memories memories they can share with generations to come - as we answer this question of a 500-year observance together. Wonderful plans are being laid. And we are setting in motion the future life of our church. Who will we be in relation to all these things in the next centuries? How will our life together proclaim God s grace for all? See you in worship. SAVE THESE DATES: October 15: Faith of Our Neighbors: Christianity in the Lutheran Tradition 4-6 PM A big public event at Advent to explain the beliefs and practices of Lutheran Christians to neighbors of many faiths, with refreshments and fellowship following. October 22: Live Freely Celebration Worship at 8:00 & 10:45 Reformation Hymn Festival: Come, Christians, Join to Sing! 5:30-7:00 PM Public musical celebration with a festival choir, brass quintet, timpani, guest organist and more, with refreshments and fellowship following. October 29: Reformation Sunday festival worship in the morning, 8:00 & 10:45 Common Prayer with Lutherans and Catholics (St. Catherine and St. Mary Churches, with Advent and Good Shepherd Lutheran) in the evening, time and place TBA

3 BY HEART: CONVERSATIONS WITH LUTHER S SMALL CATECHISM Sunday mornings, 9:30 AM, beginning September 17, for seven sessions Like the Small Catechism itself, this course aims to create and nurture faith in God. It is for adults who have never encountered the Small Catechism, and it is for adults who studied and memorized it as adolescents or teens. It is for people who may wish to join our congregation. It is for those who find scripture to be an inaccessible forest of words, the Creed and Lord s Prayer to be rote exercise, the sacraments to be obscure rituals, and Martin Luther and his innovations to be largely irrelevant. It is for parents and grandparents who have promised to teach their children the faith. For those who are about to be introduced to the Small Catechism, and for those who know it well already, we hope the Holy Spirit will use this course to ignite and reignite in you the irrepressible spark generated still today by Luther s poetic words. So, the purpose of this course is to create space, at least, for conversations with Luther s Small Catechism, what Professor Hans Wiersma called Words that work as hard as real people do. You re invited to the conversation! YOUTH AND PARENT MEETING (Grades 7-12) September 20, 7:00 PM The hope of youth leaders and Pastor is that we can get great turnout at this meeting to set the schedule of youth events for the year! We hope all junior high and senior high youth and parents will come for an hour. We will lay out the retreats for each, the national youth gathering for high school, and decide on other fun events during the year. We need everyone to do something for fundraising and support, according to your abilities, and this is the meeting to sign up for your role. We have a great group of youth and intend to have more! Come be a part of setting the year in motion! If necessary, we will schedule a separate meeting on Sept. 28 at 6:00 PM. Please RSVP the church office! Saturday, October 7, 2017 10:00-11:30 am OBER Come enjoy a morning of art activities at Advent. Bring your own materials or explore an art medium. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.

4 MEN S FELLOWSHIP UPCOMING EVENTS THIRSTY THURSDAY AT MOUNTAIN MIKE S (Morgan Hill) September 14, 5-7 pm You re cordially invited to Advent s 7 th Annual Oktobertfest in celebration of the Free Indeed Stewardship Program. The date is Saturday, October 30 th from 5:00 until 7:00. Third Thursday of the month Bring a friend! BARBEQUE (Berkland Fellowship Hall & Courtyard) Your Stewardship Team will provide Grilled German Sausages with buns, caramelized onions, German style beer and other beverages. Watch for news in the worship bulletin that will include fun activities at the Oktoberfest celebrating Reformation 500. Please RSVP 408-779-3551 with number attending and side dish. October 14, 4-7 pm WORSHIP SERVICE SCHEDULE New Worship Schedule Times: Bring your own meat. Drinks, salad, and bread provided Surprise guest speaker Beginning Sunday, September 10, we will resume having two worship services. Worship times are 8:00 A.M. and 10:45 A.M

5 PALESTINE: UNLIMITED LUTHER FILM TO AIR ON PBS On Tuesday, September 12, at 8:00 P.M. EST. PBS will air "Martin Luther: The Idea that Changed the World" A Photographic Exhibit by 10 Finalists from the Karimeh Abboud Award Competition Dar al-kalima University College of Arts & Culture, Bethlehem, Palestine This is a full length feature film that dramatizes the events that shaped Luther and examines the questions he wrestled with, such as "Who am I," "What is my purpose?" and "How do I get right with God?" Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library at San Jose State University, Fourth Floor Gallery, September 5-28 Join us for a celebration in Room 225 on Sept.14 from 5:30-8:00 pm Co-sponsored by Students for Justice in Palestine CHICTAC FAMILY DAY Come celebrate traditional culture with people of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. The free Chictac Family Day will have activities for children and food available for purchase. The event will be held Saturday, Sept. 9, from 10 AM - 2 PM at Chictac Adams Heritage County Park, 10001 Watsonville Road. Let s meet there at 10 AM!

6 GOD'S WORK. OUR HANDS. SUNDAY On Sunday, September 10, "We Care Kits" will be assembled on God's Work. Our Hands. Sunday between worship services (9:30-10:45 A.M.) Please see www.advent-lutheran.org for a list of items needed. LWR School Kits will also be assembled. FAITH OF OUR NEIGHBORS- CHRISTIANITY IN THE LUTHERAN TRADITION Faith of our Neighbors- Christianity in the Lutheran Tradition will be held at Advent on October 15th from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. Reverend Tuhina Verma Rasche will be presenting at this Interfaith Community of South County sponsored event. Socializing and refreshments to follow. SOCKS NEEDED With God's Work. Our Hands. Sunday approaching, Advent Lutheran is looking to assist The Community Solutions Transitional Housing program in Morgan Hill with socks for the men in their criminal justice program who use clean and sober housing. Socks are needed by Sunday, September 10 and there will be a collection bin in the Narthex. REFORMATION HYMN FESTIVAL Come, Christians, Join to Sing! Sunday, October 22, 5:30-7:00 PM Public musical celebration with a festival choir, brass quintet, timpani, guest organist Elisabeth Pinter and more. Refreshments and fellowship follow. SAFE COMMUNITY TRAINING Are you discerning whether you are called to serve children and/or youth of Advent? You might be a leader, a teacher, an aide or chaperone, provide refreshments or transportation, play games, or something else. If your answer is "Yes, I am discerning!" then it is a requirement of Advent's Safe Community Policy that you attend Safe Community Training. The next training opportunity is Sunday, September 17 from 1:00-3:00 P.M. Please contact the church of office to confirm your attendance. THANK YOU! Thank you to all the church family who brought food to the reception for my son's (Rob Bowman) memorial. Your kindness is over whelming to our family and greatly appreciated at this difficult time. Love, Mary and Bill H. and family

7 GREETINGS TO OUR ADVENT FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF... Did you know????... - that Bob n Ellie Q. are moving? - that Bob n Ellie Q. are moving in two weeks?...(sept 8 th ) - that Bob n Ellie Q. are moving to Canyon Lake, CA? (near San Diego) - that Bob n Ellie Q. have had their fingerprints n DNA all over Advent for over 30 years? - that their fingerprints n DNA are on ministries started..and church projects and building maintenance? Ellie: Community Table Bob: Carpentry Narthex Neighbors Painting Pastoral Partners Electrical Plumbing Bathroom Repair Now that you know a little about what they have done here at Advent I know that you would like to Thank them and wish them God Speed as they journey on to their new home and destination. Everyone is invited to a FAREWELL reception in their honor on: Date: Sunday September 3, 2017 Time: 11:00 a.m. (after church service) Venue: Advent Berkland Hall Goal: Great send-off with loving memories of Advent RSVP: Nancy L. Please: Bring a Card for them if you can Final Did You Know?...Our loss here at Advent is their new church s gain! Peace n Blessings, Nancy L.

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11 QUARTERLY MISSION PROJECT For the third quarter of 2017, Advent Lutheran will focus on supporting the rural village of Awaso located in Ghana, Africa as its mission project. Advent s own parishioner, Jacqui K. will be making her fifth trip to Ghana this September and October where she will be helping open the new junior high school located in Awaso, as well as assisting with ongoing projects in the village. Awaso Academy International is a private, independent school that provides high quality education to the children of Awaso. The school is directed by Father Paul Mensha, a Catholic priest. Most schools in Awaso have no running water or electricity, are unable to attract credentialed teachers and suffer from overcrowding with four to five children per desk. It is the goal of Awaso Academy to enable its students to pass Ghana government exams, continue their education, secure better paying jobs and build self-esteem. The academy opened in October 2010 and has added a grade each year. They have also recently built a junior high building and will be adding the seventh grade to their campus this fall. 2. Financial support to purchase needed materials while in Ghana. There are certain materials that need to be purchased in Ghana as the government requires certain types of books and required materials. 3. Sponsor a student at the Awaso Academy International. The sponsorships are for individual students at the academy whose family cannot afford the school tuition. The sponsorship provides the student with school tuition, daily bus transportation to and from school, and breakfast and lunch provided at the school. The cost is either $40 per month, or an annual fee of $480. Please see Jacqui or visit the Awaso Hope Foundation website for more information. Donations can be brought to Advent Lutheran Church. Items received after July 17th will be forwarded to Ghana on your behalf and Jacqui will make plans for their use and see that they are distributed by Father Paul upon arrival. If you are considering a financial donation, please make checks out to Advent Lutheran with Ghana Mission or Third Quarter Mission written on the memo line. There are three way to support this mission: 1. Donation of school supplies for the nursery through 6th grade, and/or donate specific curriculum needs for the 7th grade. Please see list of 7th grade needed materials.

12 LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF SUPPLIES ARE NEEDED FOR THE 2017 GOAL OF 200+ SCHOOL KITS In this 500th anniversary of the Reformation, we remember Martin Luther's emphasis on education as we complete the 2017 School Kit Project for Lutheran World Relief (LWR). LWR is working around the globe to help in disaster relief and recovery. One area of focus is children who are displaced from their homes and schools. Whether it is a refugee camp or a disaster relief location, LWR makes use of the School Kits to keep kids learning and feeling "normal". When the immediate danger is past, and food, water and shelter are secured, the need for the School Kits becomes important. Each School Kit will contain: 4-70-sheet spiral notebooks wide or college-ruled approx. 8" X 10-1/2" 1 centimeter ruler - or one with both inches and centimeters 1 pencil sharpener 1 blunt tip scissor 5 unsharpened #2 pencils 5 ballpoint pens - blue or black ink (no gel pens) 1 box of 24 crayons 1 two-inch eraser Special Note: Items with religious, military symbols or camouflage cannot be used in the LWR kits. Back to School sales have begun and extend through August and early September. Different items are on special week by week. Feel free to purchase any or all of the items. Monetary donations are gladly accepted and will be used by savvy shoppers for bargain hunting, and for shipping costs for the 300+ kits later in the fall. Collection boxes for donations will be in the Narthex/Gathering Area. Look for the wooden school desks and the sample School Kit bags. Packing supplies and the colored back packs will be underwritten by Thrivent this year. School Kits will be assembled on Sunday, September 10 as part of God's Work Our Hands Sunday. Supplies needed for Baby Care Kits Baby Care kits consist of: 2 receiving blankets (max. size 52 x 52 (crocheted or knitted blankets can be used) 4 diapers (flat fold preferred 2 T-Shirts (6 mos. To 24 mos.) 1 sweatshirt (with or without a hood) 2 pairs of socks 2 pajamas (footless) 2 4 oz. or larger bars of soap 2 diaper pins Hand towel Baby Care Kits will be assembled on September 10 as part of God's Work Our Hands Sunday.

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14 COUNCIL S CORNER September 2017 News Advent's Strategic Focus is Growing The Beloved Community in South County through service and the creative arts. The vision development process for Advent's Beloved Community Arts Center (BCAC) is underway! Interested representatives from Voices staff and families plus SCORE leaders have met three times. We discussed mutual strengths, issues to address, opportunities for the BCAC, and the gains, pains, and jobs of parents of BCAC participants and of Advent's congregation. Most recently, we drafted an opportunity statement - a short, concise statement that expresses what BCAC is and does. At our next meeting we will strive to define the scope of BCAC, what it is and what it is not. THE BCAC is a signature ministry vision for Advent, is owned solely by Advent, will be ongoing and sustainable, will tap into the majority of Advent's members and friends, and will build on our strengths, passions, and core values. An opportunity to do some faith development with Advent's children and youth! Engage in "Growing Young" by connecting with the age group leaders. Youth activity teams are formed for various age groups: Preschool (Lead Margie S.), Grades 6-8 (Lead Jacqui K.), and Senior High/Grades 9-12 (Lead Daniel C.). Perhaps you are being called to lead a group yourself. Leaders are still sought for Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, and young adults. Contact Pete McE. to learn more. Are you discerning whether you are called to serve children and/or youth of Advent and our South County community with "Growing Young" or the Beloved Community Arts Center? You might be a leader, a teacher, an aide or a chaperone, provide refreshments or transportation, play games, or something else. If your answer is: "Yes, I am discerning! then it is a requirement of Advent's Safe Community Policy that you complete the Child/Youth Worker Registration form before beginning your work with Advent's children and/or youth. Advent has scheduled the next Safe Church Community training opportunity for Sunday, September 17, from 1:00-3:00 PM. Please contact the Advent Church office to confirm you will attend. You can read the Safe Church Community policy here: http://advent-lutheran.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/safe_community_policy.pdf Advent is actively looking for a condo to purchase. This will provide suitable housing for our Director of Music and Worship Arts, Kyle Jones. Thanks to the congregation for approving the resolution at the June 18 Special congregational meeting. Advent Council is authorized to consolidate a condo mortgage with our current mortgage and to extend the loan period, thus our monthly payments will be less than the current monthly mortgage payment of $7800. The Reformation 500 task force met on Sunday, August 20th and will meet again on September 17 at 12 noon in the library. The following events are scheduled or planned: Saturday September 30 is Oktoberfest Sunday October 15 is Faith of Our Neighbors: Christianity in the Lutheran Tradition. The program will be held from 4:00-6:00 PM with socializing and refreshments to follow. The keynote speaker will be Rev. Tuhina Verma Rasche. Pastor Anita will also present. The Interfaith Community of South County (ICSC) supports this event.

15 Sunday October 22 is Commitment Sunday. Hymn Festival on October 22 from 5:30-7:00 PM Other events are being considered! You can help make them happen! Contact Ed M. or just show up at our next meeting on September 17! No updates on Advent's Murphy Frontage Improvement project to report. The Busk property development project to the north of Advent has not commenced construction. Anti-Racism training will hopefully be scheduled in November. If you would like to help plan this event, please contact Janel J. (Resources) Council scheduled the annual Congregational Meeting on November 12, 2017, from 9:30-10:30 AM. Update on some Action Items of SCORE and Council. Item Description Responsible group & person Two youths at Church Council meetings Exec - Ed Focused Youth Activity Teams; Preschool (Margie S.), Jr. High/Grades 6-8 (Jacqui K.), Sr. High/Grades 9-12 (Daniel C.). Ages K-2, 3-5, & Young Adults need leaders. Refresh Advent welcoming experience Faith Development - Peter Remarks SCORE: Engagement - Mark In progress On hold In progress 3 leaders identified, need 3 more Put together financial and practical guidelines for planning an intern year Anti-racism training Exec - Ed SCORE: Resources Janel Completion expected September 2017 November 2017 Guests are always welcome at Council and Executive committee meetings that are held in the Berkland Fellowship Hall. Executive committee meetings are on the 2 nd Monday of each month. Council meetings are on the 4 th Tuesday of the month. In September, Executive meets on Monday, September 11 at 7:00 PM, and Council meets on Tuesday, September 26 at 7:00 PM. (Meetings are also listed on the Advent s website calendar, http://advent-lutheran.org/advent-master-calendar/) Your 2017 Council roster: Ed M., President Kathy M., Secretary Marcia N., Community Connections Grant L., 1 st Vice President Norm O., Treasurer Carrie M., Operations Jacqui K., 2 nd Vice President Peter McE., Faith Development Joyce G., Stewardship Greg K., Financial Secretary Brenda H., Communications Valerie S., Worship & Music Your SCORE leaders: Kris A., SLT Lead Valerie S., Outreach Grant L., Sustaining Strengths Janel J., Resources Bill M., Capabilities Mark G., Engagement Peace, Ed M.

16 The daily schedule involved opportunities for water skiing, wake boarding, banana boat, swimming, group Bible study, worship, and more. Safety is a top priority for the well-trained staff and chaperones. The trip was open to other youth in our community. From Your Stewardship Team Each week a different Ministry or group at Advent Lutheran is recognized both in the bulletin and during worship service. The members are asked to bring the Communion elements to the altar along with the offerings for the day and receive a thanksgiving prayer and blessing from Pastor Warner. This recognition came about after careful review of the Cottage Meeting survey results, particularly question # 18; I tell stories of how this congregation makes a difference in the lives of others. These ministries and groups do make a difference and we wanted to share them with you. Here are their stories. August 6, 2017 Houseboat Participants SHASTA LAKE HOUSEBOAT TRIP The youth houseboat trip was held August 7- August 12. The trip involved 12 youth and two adult chaperones driving to Shasta Lake and spending a week on the lake with Sonshine Ministries staff. It s been a few years since Advent has participated so it s nice to see that we were present and represented again this summer. August 13, 2017 Educators both current and retired We celebrated those who make or made their livelihood in the field of education and those who help make those educational communities a better place through their volunteerism. These include school council members, dedicated members of the school board, moms and dads who volunteer in their children s classrooms, superintendents of school districts, principals, vice-principals, classroom teachers, crossing guards, school playground monitors, student teacher interns, counselors, school nurses, district office and school staff, and the many others who touch the lives of our students. August 20, 2017 Cantors Did you know that we currently have seven cantors who lead the congregation during worship at Advent Lutheran Church? There are three cantors who serve at the early service and four at the late service. Our cantors rehearse with Celebration on Wednesday evenings. Besides leading hymns, psalms and the liturgy, cantors are visible leaders of the musical and spoken word during worship.

17 Kyle Jones, our Director of Music and Worship Arts, schedules and rehearses with the cantors on a weekly basis. For more information about our cantor program, you may contact Kyle at 408-779-3551. August 27, 2017 Interfaith Walk for Peace with Prayer Approximately 200 people including about a dozen members of Advent participated in the Interfaith Walk for Peace with Prayer on Saturday afternoon, August 19. The participants met in front of the sculpture next to the Morgan Hill Community Center where they heard from Pastor Anita. The walk took the group up the east side of Monterey Road to Main Street where they crossed to the west side of Monterey Road and walked to the Methodist Church. Rabbi Debbie Israel was the keynote speaker with Pastor Anita moderating. Father Rubio of Saint Mary Church in Gilroy provided music and Father Ron Koch of Good Shepherd Lutheran church in Gilroy sang a song followed by everyone in attendance singing We Shall Overcome. The hour long walk and prayer was also attended by Morgan Hill s Mayor Steve Tate, two Morgan Hill Council members and one Gilroy Council member. Watch the bulletin and website for another Inter-faith event coming in the next few months. On the inside of the tri-fold brochure used at the Cottage Meetings in 2009 were all of the ministries at Advent. When members were asked to open the brochures, most were astounded at the scope of what is offered at Advent. We literally have and will continue to celebrate a different ministry each week. We hope you have enjoyed learning a little more about what Advent Is and Does and the next time someone asks you, What does your church do to make a difference in the lives of others? you can say Let me tell about my church, Advent Lutheran, and the wonderful things were are doing here. You ll have a great story to tell. Your Gifts and Participation Make a Difference! From Your Stewardship Committee OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAITH ENGAGEMENT WITH ADVENT'S CHILDREN AND YOUTH Are you interested in serving children and sharing God's love with them? If you haven't yet discovered the blessings of children's ministry, the rewards are incredible. Advent is seeking out leaders for grades K-2, grades 3-5, and young adults. If you are interested, please contact Pete M.. HURRICANE HARVEY DISASTER RELIEF Remember that Lutheran Disaster Response is a good way to give to support those struggling now and later from this disaster. To give, make checks payable to Advent with the notation Hurricane Disaster Response

18 September 17 23 continued DAILY BIBLE READINGS September - 2017 September 1-9 Fri Romans 9:30-10:4 Christ the stumbling stone Sat Psalm 18:1-3, 20-32 God the Rock Sun Jeremiah 15:15-21 God fortifies the prophet Psalm 26:1-8 Your love is before my eyes Wed Romans 12:9-21 Live in harmony Matthew Proverbs 16:21-28 1:1-7, 20-33 The rebuke to The Peter call Mon Fri 2 Samuel 11:2-26 David sins Tues Sat 2 Samuel 11:27b- 12:15 Nathan rebukes David Wed Matthew 12:22-32 Jesus comes to cast out Satan Thu Jeremiah 17:5-18 The vindication of the righteous Fri Revelation 3:1-13 Rewarding those with endurance Sat Psalm 17 The righteous shall see God September 10-16 Sun Ezekiel 33:7-11 The prophet s responsibility Psalm 119:33-40 The path of your commandments Romans 13:8-14 Live honorably as in the day Matthew 18:15-20 Reconciliation in the community of faith Mon Leviticus 4:27-31; 5:14-16 Atoning for sin in the community Tues Deut 17:2-13 Punishment for sin in the community Wed Matthew 21:18-22 Jesus teaches about communal prayer Thu Lev 16:1-5, 20-28 The scapegoat cleanses the community Fri Romans 13:1-7 Obeying authority Sat Psalm 119:65-72 The law humbles me September 17-23 Sun Genesis 50:15-21 Joseph reconciles with his brothers Psalm 103:[1-7] 8-13 The LORD is full of compassion and mercy Romans 14:1-12 Diversity in the community of faith Matthew 18:21-35 A parable of forgiveness Mon Genesis 37:12-36 Joseph s brothers sin against him Tues Genesis 41:53-42:17 Joseph acts harshly against them Wed Matthew 6:7-15 Forgiving one another Thu Genesis 45:1-20 oseph forgives his brothers Fri Romans 14: 13-15:2 Building each other up Sat Psalm 133 How good it is to live in unity September 24-30 Sun Jonah 3:10-4:11 God s concern for Nineveh Psalm 145:1-8 The LORD is slow to anger Philippians 1:21-30 Standing firm in the gospel Matthew 20:1-16 The parable of the vineyard workers Mon Genesis 27:1-29 The younger son gets the blessing Tues Genesis 28:10-17 God blesses the runaway Jacob Wed Matthew 19:23-30 The last will be first Thu Isaiah 41:1-13 God will be with last Fri Romans 16:1-20 Workers in the church of Rome Sat Psalm 106:1-12 God s mercy Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God s judgment seat. It is written: As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God. So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Romans 14: 1-12

19 "MARY & MARTHA CIRCLE" ADVENT WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY GATHER MAGAZINE -- THE APOSTLE'S CREED Session One: We believe in God Wednesday, September 13th Fellowship -- 10:00 AM Bible Study -- 10:30 AM All Women of Advent are invited! Please join us and bring a friend, if you wish.