News from Advent Lutheran Church October 2017

News from Advent Lutheran Church October 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

From the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA - Bishop Elizabeth Eaton This is the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. For the past year it has been All Reformation All the Time! Everything Martin Luther. The really observant have branched out to Philipp Melanchthon and Johannes Bugenhagen. True believers will dress their children up as Martin and Katie for Halloween, or if they tend toward the fear factor, Johann Tetzel. Bring in the extra brass. Fire up the choir. Sing the fight song ( A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.) Dress in red. Binge-watch every Luther film and documentary. (I particularly liked Joseph Fiennes as the young, hot Luther.) This is our year! Oct. 32. Now what? When I am out and about the church, I like to ask people what it means to be Lutheran what is distinctive about the Lutheran movement. Grace is almost always mentioned, along with justification. Some will say we are ecclesia semper reformanda the church always being reformed. Others point to our work for disaster relief, ELCA World Hunger, advocacy and other work for justice. Most of this is part of the Lutheran experience, but not unique to us. What then, did Luther uncover and what relevance does it have now? Interestingly, Luther did not give his greatest emphasis to reform or to reforming the church. Semper reformanda always reforming was actually coined in 1947 by Karl Barth, a Reformed theologian. Liberation in Christ through faith was the freedom that transformed Luther. This freedom is what he wrote about most frequently and most passionately. The Freedom of a Christian, a short and accessible treatise, is probably most familiar. I commend it to you. In this brief work and in others, Luther makes the case that liberation in Christ is both a freedom from and a freedom for. Freedom from is liberation from all spiritual bondage. We are set free from being trapped in ourselves, consumed by ourselves, from the belief or terror that we can and must save ourselves, that our self is the center of the universe. Life in Christ is not an inward-dwelling experience. We are free to get over ourselves. Freedom from is liberation from the law s accusation and judgment. We are liberated from terror and despair, which are soul-crushing. We are liberated from the incessant and impossible task of measuring up. Freedom from liberates us from estrangement from God and God s creatures. Caught in sin and standing before a God who demands righteousness, when we believe we are responsible for our salvation, breeds resentment toward God and the objectification of others.

Freedom for means that in Christ we are set free for loving and serving others. Freedom is a relationship, not a new set of activities or the demands of a new law. Freedom for means that in Christ we are set free for loving and serving others. Freedom is a relationship, not a new set of activities or the demands of a new law. Luther put it this way: Faith, however, is a divine work in us which changes us and makes us to be born anew of God. It kills the old Adam and makes us altogether different people, in heart and spirit and mind and powers; and it brings with it the Holy Spirit. O, it is a living, busy, active mighty thing, this faith. It is impossible for it not to be doing good works incessantly. And this is the work which the Holy Spirit performs in faith. Because of it, without compulsion, a person is ready to do good to everyone, to serve everyone, to suffer everything, out of love and praise to God who has shown them this grace (Luther s Works, 35:370-1.) No longer is God transactional and others a means to an end. This freedom is scandalous because it is based on unconditional grace. It is a gift. Think about it do we feel the burden being lifted? Think about it do we feel the complete love of God? Think about it do we now see others through God s eyes, free and beloved children? On Reformation Sunday we will hear Jesus promise: You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free (John 8:32.) On Oct. 32 and beyond let us live in that freedom.

October Worship Schedule Sunday, October 1 17th Sunday of Pentecost Worship & Holy Communion 9:30 a.m. Sunday School & Confirmation 10:45 am Sunday, October 8 18th Sunday of Pentecost Contemporary Worship & Holy Communion 9:30 a.m. Sunday School & Confirmation 10:45 am Sunday, October 15 19th Sunday of Pentecost Worship & Holy Communion 9:30 a.m. Sunday School & Confirmation 10:45 am Sunday, October 22 20th Sunday of Pentecost Worship & Holy Communion 9:30 a.m. Sunday School & Confirmation 10:45 am Sunday, October 29 Reformation Sunday (Don t forget to wear red) Worship & Holy Communion 9:30 a.m. No Sunday School or Confirmation Classes

Prayer Ministry 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, Nikki Whitaker, Jean Harrell, Virginia Reedstrom, Ed Merzlak, Collin Morgan, Tiffany Murphy, Randy Lester, Otis Smith, Raquel, and Denise Jean. Pray for Our Deployed Military: Peggy Martin, Rob Gulbrandson, Rayland Dawood, Steven Johnson

Music Ministry Choir has begun practicing again (Wednesdays at 6:30pm) We are very happy to have three new members; Heather and Violet Herrmann, and Emma Fischer, and also most of the members who sang with us last season. We still have plenty of room for more, so if you enjoy singing, please come sing with us. The choir room is coming together well (still a work in progress.) A great big Thanks! to Sister Barbara Lee for all her time and effort spent here. She has a wonderful gift for organization! And many thanks to the Property Committee for their great ideas and support in planning improvements to the choir room. On Sunday morning December 17th, we plan to present our Christmas Cantata, The Winter Rose by Joseph and Pamela Martin. Although not difficult, there is a lot of music to learn, so we are asking anyone interested in singing The Winter Rose with us to start practicing with us as soon as you can. (We want all singers but especially need more men.) The Youth and Children will soon begin practicing their Christmas Program which will be presented Wednesday evening December 20th. We also look forward to Bells beginning soon. Blessings! Melinda

GAP Food Pantry Item of the Month Food stamps help to feed many families, but they are never enough to cover all their basic needs. And they do not cover other essentials, like paper products. This month Advent is collecting paper products like toilet tissue and personal size tissues. This is always a much-requested item and supplies often run out. Can you add one or two items to your shopping list to make a difference in the lives of so many? As always, we are so grateful for your continued support for the less fortunate in our community. If you would like to make a monetary contribution to this effort, please see Jackie Voss or the Pastors.

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS WORSHIP SERVICE Saturday, Oct. 7 11AM ADVENT LUTHERAN CHURCH REAR PARKING LOT Please bring your animals for a Blessing! (Keep animals always in your care) 3232 Washington Road Augusta, GA 30907 706-860-0439 www.adventaugusta.org advluch@adventaugusta.org

FAMILY PROMISE at ADVENT Advent will be hosting guests from Family Promise the week of October 15 th. We will be providing shelter, meals and support for families as they go from being homeless to being self sufficient members of our community. There will be ample opportunity for your help and support. Can you: Cook a meal? Spend the night? Spend some time? Provide supplies? Look for the board in the Narthex and please see how you can help. Remember you don t have to cook a whole meal by yourself sign up with a friend! Nancy Tokarska Co-coordinator, Family Promise

God s Work Our Hands was a success thanks to you! This year we were able to: Bag 60 lbs of grits for the GAP Food Pantry Bag 50 lbs of rice for the GAP Food Pantry Double bag grocery bags for the GAP Food Pantry Pack over 250 toiletry kits for the homeless Pack over 50 oral hygiene kits for the homeless Provide 50 lunches for the residents of Maxwell House Paint part of the interior at GAP Clean and restock the Free Food Pantry Provide two boxes of needed supplies to the hospitalized veterans at the Charlie Norwood VA Hospital Special thanks to: Paul Filpus-Luyckx for leading the painting crew at GAP The Men s Breakfast Group for providing meat, cheese and bread for our Pot Luck lunch on Sunday The Children s Service Ministry who worked very hard and accomplished so much

Have You Seen the Service Ministry Information Center? Check out the Service Ministry Table and Bulletin Board in the hallway outside the Adult Classroom. There you can find information on everything Service Ministry does and how you can help. There are places for your donations of clothes, grocery bags, pop-tops from soda cans and much more! This year we are collecting Box Tops for Education that can be found on many food products, as well as other items you buy. All you have to do is cut out the coupon and put it in the labeled box. This is one way you can help others by just using what you already use! This year your Box Tops for Education will help the students of Lamar-Milledge Elementary School of Augusta, GA. This school is located in an impoverished area and families often buy generic products to stretch their food dollars. Your contribution will help the school purchase needed items they might not otherwise be able to buy. You can find a list of what products have Box Tops for Education on the bulletin board. Bonus secret! Be sure to look for the fun way to learn and win a prize! Details on the bulletin board!

Advocacy Ministry Disaster Response and Evacuee Shelter at Advent How should we at Advent respond to the recent disasters? How should we prepare to help those in the future? Should we plan mission trips to support those in Houston, Florida or Puerto Rico? Should we plan for an Evacuee Shelter? We will discuss these ministries and start planning this October. With the pending arrival of hurricane Irma, Advent was officially named a Shelter Congregation by the Southeastern Synod. Lead by the Spirit, Pastor Jason and Pastor Andrea, worked with Synod and then gathered congregation members to quickly put a plan in place and call for volunteers. Fortunately, Irma moved west and quickly lost strength, so we were not needed as a shelter. But will we be needed in the future? How do we prepare? We all have friends and family who were caught in the path of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma or Maria. How can we help? Can we partner with a church, synod or Lutheran Disaster Response to journey there and help rebuild? At the suggestion of the Service Ministry, the disaster response ministry will be housed within the Advocacy Ministry. Lunch is provided. All are welcome, bring a friend, let us know you are coming by signing up at Sign-up Central. The first meeting is Saturday, October 21, noon to 1:30.

ADVENT BOOK CLUB 2017 2018 Meetings are on the 4th Monday of the month at 7:30pm unless otherwise noted. Join us on Monday, October 23rd at 7:30pm in the Adult Sunday School Room as we meet to discuss the book, A Piece of the World. The Discussion Leader for the evening will be Gayle, and the Hostesses are Susan & Patty. All are welcome! Friends, Food and Funds for GAP Ministry Jason's Deli is donating 15% of dinner purchases on October 27, 2017 to GAP Ministries. You can enjoy a delicious dinner and support GAP at the same time. So that your order will qualify, you must make a reservation by October 24 by clicking here. Just come to Jason's Deli on 2907 Washington Road between 5:00 and 10:00. Look for the GAP volunteer in a blue t-shirt to check in before you order. Take-out orders will also qualify for the donation.

Come ONE! Come ALL! For ADVENT S In The Church Parking Lot Saturday, October 28th 2:00pm - 4:00pm We need your CARS! And YOU Too! ALL Decorated to give out CANDY from your TRUNKS or CHAIRS. Please BE here by 1:00pm To DECORATE your car & get SET UP. Please See Sign-Up Central for Other Opportunities to Help!

Reformation Sunday October 29th, 9:30am There will be a Potluck after the worship service. If you can volunteer to help, or to bring a food item, please sign-up on Sign-up Central. The Joint CSRA Reformation Service; Sunday, Oct 29th at 7:00pm Pre-Service Music 6:45pm Reception following service Lutheran Church of the Resurrection 825 Greene Street, Augusta, GA

What does Golf have to do with Homelessness? When Family Promise Has a Fundraiser! Family Promise is having a fundraiser to help homeless families in the Augusta area. It is a nonprofit organization founded in 1997. About one in every four homeless person is a child. Family promise is a network of 22 congregations throughout the Augusta area that work together to provide a "hand up" to dozens of homeless families each year. The host congregations provide overnight lodging two - four times a year for a week at a time. The families are provided with lodging and meals as well a life skills and parenting classes. The Golf Marathon is October 30 th. We need sponsors for our golfer, James Smith, who has graciously consented to golf for this cause. There are pledge sheets in the Narthex. Won't you consider donating to this worthwhile cause to help homeless families?

10/8 Patti Agenbroad 10/11 Patsy Puczkowski 10/13 Tom Alderson 10/15 Peter Kohler 10/15 Nancy Bickley 10/16 Ruth Neumann 10/16 Karen Smith 10/21 Sophie Van Bladel 10/22 Nikki Whitaker 10/24 Gary Lawrence 10/27 Don Plueger 10/27 Dale Reedstrom 10/28 Ted DeVilbiss 10/30 Jane Burnette 10/30 Max Van Bladel 10/31 Karen DeVilbiss 10/31 Michael Licitis Happy belated birthday to Billie Zimmerman! She had a September Birthday. 9/20/17 10/4 Ron & Bille Zimmerman 10/9 Steve & Debbie Merzlak 10/15 Rick & Erin Taylor

1 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Worship & Holy Communion 9:30am Sun. School & Confirmation 10:45am 2 3 Bible Study 10:00am Staff Meeting 12:00pm 4 Choir Practice 6:30pm 5 When Help Can t Wait 2pm - 9pm Praise Band 6:00pm Bible Study 6:30pm 6 7 Property Meeting 9:00am Blessing of The Animals 11:00am 8 Contemporary & Holy Communion 9:30am Sun. School & Confirmation 10:45am 9 Columbus Day! 10 Service Ministry 2:30pm Ministry Night 6:30pm 11 Choir Practice 6:30pm Pastor s Will Be On Vacation 10/11/17-10/18/17 12 Stephen Ministry 6:30pm 13 14 15 Worship & Holy Communion 9:30am Sun. School & Confirmation 10:45am 16 17 Bible Study 10:00am ALS 6pm - 8pm Council 6:30pm 18 Choir Practice 6:30pm 19 Bible Study 6:30pm 20 21 Advocacy 12:00pm - 1:30pm Chinese Church 6pm-9:30pm 22 Worship & Holy Communion 9:30am Sun. School & Confirmation 10:45am 23 Book Club 7:30pm 24 Signup For Jason s Deli GAP Donation Day *See Newsletter Article* 25 Choir Practice 6:30pm 26 Stephen Ministry 6:30pm 27 Jason s Deli GAP Donation Day 5pm - 10pm 28 Lydia Project 9am - 12pm 2pm - 4pm 29 Worship & Holy Com. 9:30am Sun. School & Conf. 10:45am Reformation Potluck After Worship 30 Family Promise Golf Marathon 31 Join Us For The Joint CSRA Reformation Service at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection 825 Greene Street, Augusta, GA Sunday, Oct 29th at 7:00pm Pre-Service Music 6:45pm

10/1/17 10/8/17 10/15/17 10/22/17 10/29/17 Assisting Ministers Jamie Sadenwasser Bobby Bisbee Heather Herrmann Mary Filpus-Luyckx Ingrid Zamecnik Lectors Ken Furlong Diana Perry Violet Herrmann Scott Boeke Bob Holm Communion Assistants Carol Billings Marcy Jimenez Maria Pravato Mary Suprek Barbara Plumley Acolytes /Crucifiers Lily Summers/ Holly Sadenwasser Sophie Van Bladel/ Stormi Hubble Lily Summers/ Max Van Bladel Zach Hubble/ Timmy Peterson Stormi Hubble/ Kate Peterson Ushers Bob & Diana Perry Tom Alderson/ Jim Williams Carole Hope/ Sam Jimenez Dieter & Ulrike Beck Steve Merzlak/ Timmy Peterson Greeters Don & Mable Plueger Julie Fillgrove/ Carole Hope Peter & Vicki Kohler Lynn Reed Patty Williams Erin Taylor/ Tom Alderson Flowers Given By Ron & Billie Zimmerman Oct 4th Anniversary *Sign up in Narthex* In Honor of Rick & Erin Taylor s Anniversary In Memory of Neil Williams By The Williams Family *Sign up in Narthex* Missionary Support Given by *Sign up in Narthex* *Sign up in Narthex* *Sign up in Narthex* *Sign up in Narthex* *Sign up in Narthex* Hospital/Shut In Ministers Jackie Voss Patty Williams Don & Mable Plueger Patty Williams Carol Billings Visitor of Visitors Maria Pravato Gayle Ricklefs Maria Pravato Gayle Ricklefs Maria Pravato Fellowship Coffee Hour Coffee Only Coffee Only Coffee Only Coffee Only Potluck Altar Guild Sat. Linda Lawrence Linda Lawrence Linda Lawrence Linda Lawrence Linda Lawrence Altar Guild Late: Linda Lawrence Linda Lawrence Linda Lawrence Linda Lawrence Linda Lawrence

3232 Washington Road Augusta, GA 30907 Phone: 706-860-0439 Web: adventaugusta.org Email: advluch@adventaugusta.org DATED MATERIAL ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Deadline For November Newsletter Entries October 23rd