News from Advent Lutheran Church January 2018 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 Erin Taylor Secretary Jared Fischer Treasurer Steve Merzlak At Large Council Members Diana Perry Angie Hubble Ministry Chairpersons Christian Education Heather Herrmann Fellowship Linda Jaath Service Jackie Voss Youth Marcy Jimenez
A Word from the Pastors 10 Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:10-11 The Angel announces the birth of the Christ Child, and for all people, it is truly good news of great joy. God has come down to us in Christ Jesus, the Lord. This is reason to celebrate and it is why we spend the Advent Season praying for our Lord to come again once and for all. Here at Advent, it seemed the Advent and Christmas season came more quickly than usual. How ever, in Advent Lutheran Church fashion, we celebrated the good news of great joy of our Messiah and Lord to the best of our gifts and abilities. Advent Lutheran Church is such a wonderful and blessed congregation along with Advent s staff, that we wanted to take a moment and thank all of you who helped make this Advent and Christmas season so special! First we give all thanks and glory and honor to God for the many blessings we have here at Advent Lutheran Church. We thank our God for calling us to be your pastors here in this place. Thank you Melinda for being our organist and music director. You truly have gone out of your way to make all of the special music and preparations for this Advent and Christmas season exceptional! We thank you for sharing your gift of music with us at Advent and for the generous gift of your time and dedication. It was amazing to see all the extra practices and rehearsals you did to make everything wonderful and such a gift of worship to our Lord. You go above and beyond in your musical calling and we are so grateful for you! Thank you Tara for your kindness, love, and dedication as Advent s Church secretary. You always work so diligently through the many hours and days it takes to put the bulletins and newsletters together each season of the year. You are always so caring and go the extra mile to make everything so organized and efficient in the church office. You bring such a glow of positivity that can be felt throughout the office and we thank you for all of your hard work. Thank you to all of you who serve on the Altar Guild throughout the year. Thank you Renee Blanchette for serving as the Altar Guild chairperson and for your care and attention to detail. Each of our altar guild members gives generously of their time behind the scenes. We thank you for the way you set up and prepare the worship space each and every Sunday, and for special worship times. We also thank you for the care and reverence that is displayed as you clean up after each worship service and clean and store the communion ware. Thank you to the choir for your sharing your gift of music. Thank you for all the practices you attend week in and week out, and especially the extra practices this past month. The music this year has been spectacular and has lifted our worship to God in such glorious ways! The Christmas Cantata, the Winter Rose, was especially meaningful, and because of the Cantata we will never look at a rose in the same way again. Your work and dedication is truly inspiring and lifts our worship to God! Thank you Maggie Heaney and members of the bell choir for all your practice and work with the bells. We truly enjoy hearing the special music you play that adds so much to our worship experience. We praise God for you all.
Thank you to all those who help to lead worship. A special thank you to all who serve as greeters, acolytes, crucifers, ushers, lectors, assisting ministers, and counters. Your dedication and use of your gifts each and every week help the whole church to give glory to God in the highest. Thank you Heather Herrmann, Lynn Reed, Jaime Sadenwasser, and Melinda East for all you did with the children s Christmas pageant and children s ministry this year, and especially at Christmas. The pageant was truly a fun time to watch the children remind us of what is important each Christmas season, Jesus Christ our Lord. The Children s anthems and bell pieces for the Christmas Eve service was truly uplifting and meaningful. Thank you for all of your leadership. Thank you to all of our special musicians who shared their musical gifts during the Christmas Eve services! We had over 9 pre-service music pieces from members of Advent. It was a amazing to hear the special musical pieces shared as an offering to God. This year we also had trum pet, tuba, and French horn players who added so much richness to all of our favorite Christmas hymns. What a glorious Christmas Eve worship time it was! Thank you to our praise band team who lead worship at Advent. Thank you Paul Filpus-Luyckx, Ken and Francesca Furlong, Pam Tipler, and Lee Hoops. We have learned a new liturgy and worship songs this past year and it has truly added to our worship time. We love serving God in many different ways and thank you for sharing your gifts with the people of God at Advent. Thank you to our awesome Banner ministry led by the truly talented Linda Jaath. The new Advent banners are beautiful! Thank you for this addition and for the hard work it took to have them ready for the season. May we be inspired by their words, prepare the way of the Lord. Thank you to the Fellowship ministry for providing the many special opportunities to eat together in God s name during Advent and Christmas. From the Wednesday nights in Advent to all the receptions following events, and everything in between were truly wonderful times together. Thank you to our congregational council members. You continue to lead in such faithful and faithfilled ways. Pastor Andrea and I are blessed to have members who have answered God s call to be leaders in the Church. Thank you for the many special personal gifts and the congregational monetary Christmas gift this year. We are always humbled by your love, generosity, and support. And a SPECIAL THANK YOU to the people of God at Advent. Your continued dedication and faithfulness to this Church really shines through each week. Pastor Andrea and I know that God IS at work at Advent. Each time we gather together for worship or fellowship or any gathering it feels like home for we are surrounded by family. We look forward to a blessed 2018. This truly is a season of good news of great joy and we feel extremely joyful for all the blessings God continues to pour out of his people at Advent Lutheran Church. In Christ s love, Pastor Jason and Pastor Andrea
January Worship Schedule Friday, January 5th, 2018 Special Epiphany Dinner & Worship Dinner at 6:00pm Worship at 7:00pm Sunday, January 7th Baptism of Our Lord Worship with Service of the Word 9:30am Congregational Potluck Breakfast & Sunday School 10:45am Sunday, January 14th Second Sunday After The Epiphany Contemporary Worship & Holy Communion 9:30am Sunday School & Confirmation Class 10:45am Baptism of Dalton and Skylar Suprek Sunday, January 21st Third Sunday After The Epiphany Worship & Holy Communion 9:30am Congregational Potluck Breakfast, Sunday School & Confirmation Class 10:45am Sunday, January 28th Fourth Sunday After The Epiphany Worship & Holy Communion 9:30am Sunday School & Confirmation Class 10:45am
Pray for Healing & Provision: Marge Rahn, Edgar Bollinger, Ruth Neumann, Tania Hayes, Art Suprek, Irmgard Crowder, Maggie Heaney, Ken Voss, Daisy Morgan, Ted DeVilbiss, Donna Meisner, Diana Perry, Lee Hoops, Sheila Eastman, Alice Glisson, Howard Erne, Hilda Sullivan, Patty Williams, Joe & Melissa Schneider, Mike Teffeteller, Kim Aiello, Connor Moran, Jean Harrell, Virginia Reedstrom, Ed Merzlak, Collin Morgan, Tiffany Murphy, Randy Lester, Otis Smith, Raquel, Denise Jean, Bradley Tupper, Philip Gaines, Jim Nichols, Joyce Lamb, Diana Walker (friend of Hilda Sullivan.) Verda Chambers, Craig Tucker (friend of Marcy Jimenez), Gayle Carlton (friend of Melinda East), Helen McVickers. Pray for Our Deployed Military: Peggy Martin, Aaron Hanes-Dodd, Rob Gulbrandson, Rayland Dawood, Steven Johnson. Beginning in January, on the first and third Sundays we will begin having a potluck breakfast. Look for more information to come on Sign-up Central.
MUSIC MINISTRY The Advent Christmas Season was wonderful! I want to thank EVERYONE especially those who helped with the music: the choir, children s choir, and hand bells choir. In the Christmas Choir Cantata, we had quite a few singers who sang solos and duets: Emma Fischer, Violet Herrmann, Heather Herrmann, Amy Smith, Pam Tipler, Jack Zamecnik, and Billie Zimmerman. Thank you also to our narrator, Paul Filpus-Luyckx, to Pastor Jason for turning the pages, to Pastor Andrea and Jason for figuring out the staging for me (something I m not very good at,) Kate Peterson for presenting the roses during the Cantata, and for Heather Herrmann for getting red folders for the choir. Thanks to Heather, the children (singing, acting, and playing crystal bells) for a wonderful Children s Christmas Pageant! We had a wonderful Christmas Eve, thanks to our choir, children s choir, crystal bell choir, and our guest musicians: Sam Cunningham, trumpet, Will Cawthon, French horn, and Morgan Anderson, tuba. Many of our soloists and duet singers from the Cantata also sang solos and duets in the Pre-Service Music. In addition to those we also had a trio with; Violet Herrmann, Kate Peterson, and Timmy Peterson, solos by Jim Smith, and Holly Sadenwasser and a solo by Ken Furlong who also gave the Greeting to begin the Pre-Service Music. In the Christmas Eve Morning service, we had a beautiful duet by Kate and Timmy Peterson. I m looking forward to a great spring season. Choir practice begins again on Wednesday, January 10th. It will be on Wednesday from 6:30pm - 7:30pm. This fall we welcomed quite a few new choir members, but we still have plenty of room for you, if you enjoy singing. Blessings! Melinda East
Children s Service Ministry Christmas Project Lyla Fischer, Elizabeth Ostendorff, Emma Fischer, Violet Hermann, Samantha Pate, Ali Prescott Christmas was a little merrier this year thanks to the efforts of the Children s Service Project. They made Christmas Trees to give to our home-bound members. They all worked very hard to make and decorate the trees. Each one was distinctive and showcased their creativity. Service Ministry is thankful to Renee Blanchette for chairing this special project again this year. Jackie Voss and Mary Filpus-Luyckx assisted on December 3 rd. Home-bound members were delighted at being remembered and amazed at the beauty of their gift. Thank you to all who participated. All children are invited to the Children s Service Project on January 27th from 1 3 PM to make Valentine s Day gifts for our home-bound members.
GAP Food Pantry Item of the Month The requested item of the month for the Food Pantry is hot chocolate packets. The weather is cold and this is an item that can be carried easily for quick warmth and refreshment when needed. We can t imagine not having a warm place to go to at the end of the day, or not having the ability to have a hot meal or warm drink whenever we want. But this is the daily life of many. Please remember them as you shop for your groceries. The donation box is located by Sign-Up Central. If you would like to make a monetary donation please see Jackie Voss or the Pastors. Also, please remember the Little Free Pantry. Donations can be placed on the table in the back hallway or be placed directly in the Pantry.
Angel Tree 2017 Advent is such a generous congregation! The 2017 Angel Tree was such a blessing to so many. Over 250 gifts for our Angel Tree participants were donated making Christmas special. In addition to the gifts, over 400 pounds of food were collected to feed families not only Christmas dinner, but for a week. We were able to share the joy of Jesus birth through gifts but also the love of Christ by providing food to their families. What a blessing for everyone! Over and over we heard stories of how parents would not be able to provide Christmas gifts for their children without us. Our elder angels expressed the joy of receiving Christmas presents, some of whom told us it had been years since they had received a gift! Every family who received a food basket also received 3 dozen homemade Christmas cookies thanks to Amy Smith, Mary Filpus-Luyckx, Jackie Voss and the Youth Group. Some special contributions were made by our members who used Thrivent Action Team Grants to provide for others. Donna Meisner used her grant to purchase turkeys for the food baskets. Nancy Tokarska used her grant to provide additional food items for the food baskets. In addition to the Angel Tree donations, Service Ministry also asked for donations of warm hats, gloves and socks. Nancy used a second grant to provide a very warm Christmas by providing additional warm winter hats, gloves and socks for GAP clients. But receiving donations and packing items is only part of the job. A big thank you goes to Peter Kohler, Bob Holmes and Pastor Jason for transporting items to True Vine Church so they could be distributed. I also want to thank the entire Service Ministry for their tireless efforts and generosity of their gifts of time and caring. I am so proud to be a member of this ministry and of Advent Lutheran Church for caring for all of God s people. Jackie Voss, Chairperson Advent Service Ministry
All I want for this New Year is Someone to talk to, who can help me find my way around the area because I have recently moved here and do not know anyone. Someone who will listen to what I am feeling without thinking I am crazy because everyone says I should be happy since my youngest left the nest, but I m not. Someone to talk to about my fear and rejection and who will give me encouragement and hope after being let go from my job of 20 years. Someone to vent my thoughts to and confide in so I do not make my spouse more anxious and worried about my situation. Someone I can open up to about my fears as I am trying to be strong and brave for others even though I feel empty and helpless following my cancer diagnosis. Someone who will just be there while I cry and pray with me. All I want for this New Year is... A Stephen Minister! Our congregation has a group of people who have been trained to walk beside others through the tough times. We offer compassion- not advice. We care- not judge. Conversations are always strictly confidential so you are free to express how you truly feel. We pray to God about you asking for His comfort and guidance.
ADVENT BOOK CLUB 2018 Meetings are on the 4th Monday of the month at 7:30pm unless otherwise noted. Join us on Monday, January 22nd at 7:30pm in the Adult Sunday School Room as we meet to discuss the book, The Naked Gardener. The Discussion Leader for the evening will be Jan, and the Hostesses are Jackie & Donna. All are welcome! NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING Four Advent youth are heading to Texas in June! Their time in Houston will include a day of Bible study with our synod, a day of interactive learning visiting exhibitions, building walls for houses, and playing games, and a day of youth coming together in the city to complete service projects. Each day will end with hearing speakers, singing, and worshiping, and the week will culminate with 30,000 high shoolers together for worship and Holy Communion. This life changing experience is made possible with the help of our congregation; we thank you for supporting our fundraising efforts. Please keep Jamie Jimenez, Stormi Hubble, Marissa Goodrich, and Kate Peterson in your prayers as they get ready for this part of their faith journey.
1/7/18 1/14/18 1/21/18 1/28/18 Assisting Ministers Mary Filpus-Luyckx Tom Alderson Heather Herrmann Lynn Reed Lectors Vicki Kohler Diana Perry Paul Filpus-Luyckx Bob Holm Communion Assistants Maggie Heaney Maria Pravato Gayle Ricklefs Carol Billings Acolytes /Crucifiers Max Van Bladel/ Kate Peterson Brian Sadenwasser/ Zach Hubble Stormi Hubble/ Sophie Van Bladel Timmy Peterson/ Holly Sadenwasser Ushers Linda Lawrence/ Jim Williams Dieter & Ulrike Beck Carole Hope/ Sam Jimenez Tim Sadenwasser/ Tom Alderson Greeters Shirley Chipman/ Julie Fillgrove Peter Kohler/ Robert Perry Erin Taylor/ Pam Tipler Renee Blanchette/ Bobby Bisbee Flowers Given By In Memory of my Mother, Hilda Pollich By Hilda Sullivan *Sign up in Narthex* *Sign up in Narthex* *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 Gayle Ricklefs Martha Ostendorff Visitor of Visitors Lisa Cheek Linda Lawrence Gayle Ricklefs Martha Ostendorff Fellowship Coffee Hour Congregational Potluck Breakfast Men s Breakfast Congregational Potluck Breakfast Coffee Only Altar Guild Sat. Martha Ostendorff Martha Ostendorff Martha Ostendorff Martha Ostendorff Altar Guild Late: Mary Suprek Mary Suprek Mary Suprek Mary Suprek
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 Office is Closed 2 Bible Study 10:00am 3 Staff Meeting 10:00am 4 Bible Study 6:30pm 5 Epiphany Eve Dinner 6:00pm Worship 7:00pm Flaming Cherries Jubilee After worship 6 7 Worship with Service of the Word 9:30am Cong. Potluck Breakfast & Sunday School 10:45am 8 Bell Practice 6:00pm 9 Service Ministry 2:30pm Ministry Night 6:30pm 10 Choir Practice 6:30pm - 7:30pm 11 Praise Band Rehearsal 6:00pm Stephen Ministry 6:30pm 12 13 Property Meeting 9:00am 14 Contemporary Worship & Holy Communion 9:30am Sunday School & Confirmation 10:45am 15 Bell Practice 6:00pm 16 Bible Study 10:00am Church Council 6:30pm 17 Choir Practice 6:30pm - 7:30pm 18 Bible Study 6:30pm 19 CONTINUED FOR JAN 20TH Augusta Chinese Church 6pm-9:30pm 20 Advocacy 12pm -1:30pm Service Ministry Tea/St. Helena Convent 2:00pm 21 Worship & Holy Communion 9:30am Cong. Potluck Breakfast Sunday School & Confirmation 10:45am 22 Bell Practice 6:00pm Book Club 7:30pm 23 24 Choir Practice 6:30pm - 7:30pm 25 Stephen Ministry 6:30pm 26 27 Aug C/C/C 8am - 6pm Lydia Project 9:00am Children s Service Ministry 1pm - 3pm 28 Worship & Holy Communion Worship 9:30am Sunday School/ Confirmation 10:45am 29 Bell Practice 6:00pm 30 31 Choir Practice 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Happy Birthday Megan Tokarska - Jan 2 Greg Van Bladel - Jan 2 Irmgard Crowder - Jan 4 Art Suprek - Jan 5 Kenny Odeen - Jan 6 Carolyn Teffeteller - Jan 9 Carol Billings & Brenda Hoops - Jan 11 Dean Summers - Jan 13 Barbara Williams - Jan 16 Erin Taylor & Brent Billings - Jan 18 Joey Tupper - Jan 23 Diane Aizcorbe - Jan 24 Kateri Engelin - Jan 24 Hilda Sullivan - Jan 27 Gary Agenbroad - Jan 27 Tamara Paulus - Jan 30 Happy Anniversary Pastors Jason & Andrea Peterson, January 6th 3232 Washington Road Augusta, GA 30907 Phone: 706-860-0439 Web: adventaugusta.org Email: advluch@adventaugusta.org DATED MATERIAL ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Deadline for February Newsletter Articles: Monday, January 23rd