ADVENT LUTHERAN CHURCH

ADVENT LUTHERAN CHURCH Volume 26 Issue 2 February 2015 Join us for! 8:00 and 11:10 a.m. Traditional Services 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 10:25 a.m. Contemporary Service Inside this issue: Lent Schedule 2 Birthdays & Anniversaries 3 Souper Bowl 4 Memorials 5 Game Night 6 ABC Learning Center 7 Quilting 7 ARE YOU READY FOR LENT? Ash Wednesday begins on February 18th this year. It begins the fortyday season of Lent: forty days which correspond to the time Jesus spent in the desert wilderness being tempted by Satan. It is not a season we should enter into lightly, for this is one of the most important parts of the Christian year. Here we encounter our faith in all its fullness: in all its depth and height, in all its darkness and light, in all its pain and glory. Lent is a somber time, a time for reflection and growth, a time to change our ways and deepen our commitment to Christ. Our Lord entered into suffering and death during this period on our behalf. The least we can do is enter into the spiritual demands of the season for Him. At Advent, it is our custom to gather as God s people each Wednesday at 12 noon or at 7:30 p.m. for meaningful worship as we sing, pray and hear an interesting series of sermons as we will try to gain a better understanding of our Savior and our relationship with him as we examine what Jesus said about himself in his I AM statements. We will also have light suppers served from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. prior to our evening services except for on Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. These meals are great! They allow us to escape from the mid-week hurries and hassles. They give us a chance to gather together and be fed, both of food and fellowship. Please invite and bring your neighbors and friends to our suppers and to worship with you. I pray you will make every effort to be faithful in attending our mid-week services. It can make a difference in your life. It is important to set aside time for faith enrichment. Life is exceedingly busy and difficult, and Lent offers us a wonderful opportunity to renew and strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ. I am looking forward to seeing you in your Father s house during the Lenten season. Pastor Beck

2014 Lent/Holy Week/Easter Schedule Ash Wednesday, February 18 12 noon & 7:30 p.m. Service with Holy Communion Imposition of Ashes for those who desire Wednesday, February 25 I am the Door 12 noon & 7:30 p.m. 5:30-7:00 p.m. supper served by WELCA Wednesday, March 4 I am the Way 12 noon & 7:30 p.m. 5:30-7:00 p.m. supper served by the high school youth Wednesday, March 11 I am the Truth 12 noon & 7:30 p.m. 5:30-7:00 p.m. supper served by Brotherhood Wednesday, March 18 I am the Good Shepherd 12 noon & 7:30 p.m. 5:30-7:00 p.m. supper served by Advent Volunteers Wednesday, March 25 I am the Vine 5:30-7:00 supper served by the Church Council Palm Sunday, March 29th Choir Cantata Service 10:30 a.m. Maundy Thursday, April 2 I am the Bread Holy Communion 7:30 p.m. Good Friday, April 3 Tenebrae Service, 7:30 p.m. Festival of Easter, April 5 7:00-9:30 a.m.... Brotherhood Easter Breakfast served (freewill offering) 8:00 a.m.... Easter with Holy Communion 9:15 a.m.... Sunday School Easter Egg Hunt 10:25 a.m.... Easter Contemporary with Holy Communion 11:10 a.m.... Easter with Holy Communion Advent s Florist Retires! Dan Zarosky, Advent s florist and owner of Daisy s flowers, has retired after over 30 years of business. We have appreciated the beautiful floral arrangements he has provided for us over the years. The Board of Deacons has not been able to find a florist who delivers and is anywhere comparable to the price range we are accustomed to. At this time, if you wish to place flowers in the church on Sundays, you will need to contact your own florist and make arrangements to have the flowers delivered to the church or bring them yourself. If you have questions, please contact Sally Knerr or Holley King. 2

We ask for God s care and healing for... Charlotte Anne Hohne, health concerns (Bob Hohne s sister), Ray Zuehlke, recovering from broken leg; Judy Roesler, recovering from surgery; Rick Place, health concerns (Lauren Place s father-inlaw); Betty Louis, health concerns; Marilyn Pahlazan, surgery (Cathy Tiemann s friend); Tim Shiery, health concerns; Herbert E. Rust, surgery (Aneva Rogas brother); Howard Klare, health concerns; Lola Grenwelge, health concerns; Loreldene Trevitt, health concerns; Esther Lehotsky, health concerns; Ann Grenwelge, health concerns; Virginia Scott, health concerns; Betty Theiss, health issues; Edith Nagel, stroke (Judy Hohne s mother); Anna Christy, health concerns (friend of James and Cathy Tiemann); Jackie Helke, Andy Allen, cancer; Aneva Rogas, health concerns; Bernadette McWilliams, health concerns; George Johnson, health concerns; Gary Roesler, health concerns; Betty Bailey, health concerns; Georgie Brandt, health concerns; Ocie Adams, health concerns; Sally Roesler, health concerns; Dave Smith Jr., health concerns; Gerry Jaynes, health concerns; Wilma Shiery, health concerns; Lavern Dannhaus, health concerns; and Ilene Brandt, health issues. (For a complete list of continuing prayer requests, log on to our website: www.adventhouston.org) Februar y Bir thdays 2/1 Doug Cassens Deborah Shiery 2/2 Garrett Rauder 2/3 Kara Cheek 2/5 Wyatt Brown David Liberty Harold Mooney 2/9 Alwin Oeser Steven Rodgers 2/10 Tim Heine 2/11 Peggy Leonhardt 2/12 Debbie Winkelmann 2/13 Brandon Haugrud 2/14 Joshua Hohne Judy Hohne 2/15 Tim Shiery 2/16 Mark Bollmann 2/18 Bryce Toler 2/20 Wayne Norden 2/21 Marcy Leonhardt Gary Mertz 2/22 Georgie Brandt Emily Shiery 2/23 Kailey Byfield Margaret Gryder 2/24 Cole Bennette Februar y Anniversaries 2/4 Joel and Ann Vest (9) 2/5 Harold and Pat Wisher (10) 2/9 Frank and Lori King (2) 2/12 Mr. and Mrs. Randall Fuchs (32) 2/14 Mike and Sally Knerr (21) Sam and Michele Smith (22) 2/20 RJ and Anna Dell Marth (60) 2/27 Dennis and Donna Klare (44) 3

State of the Church Meeting February 22, 2015 Our State of the Church Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2015 following the 11:10 am Service. There will be no potluck. It is important for you to attend. We will receive reports, hear the State of the Church Address and share ideas about Advent s Scout Recognition Sunday February 1, 2015 Advent will be recognizing all those who have been or who are currently active in Boy and Girl Scouts programs at our worship services on Sunday, February 1st. If possible, please come to worship in your scout uniform. What s happening in Adult Sunday School? Maribeth Charles, our Thrivent Representative, will continue her class on Caring for Our Aging Parents till Sunday, February 15, 2015. Pastor Beck continues to offer the Divine Drama Class on Sunday mornings at 9:15 10:15 am in the library till Sunday, January 25. We will take the month of February off from the Divine Drama Class as Pastor Beck will be teaching a 4 week class on What Do Lutherans Believe. All are invited for a refresher course. On Sunday, March 1, we will start the second 14 units of CROSSWAYS, entitled Our Narrative which will equip us to better understand the Bible s key themes and teachings, such as the Trinity, Sin and Grace, the Church and, Prayer and the Lord s Prayer, Holy Baptism and Holy Communion, Stewardship and Life Management and Eschatology. SOUPER BOWL OF CARING Get ready for the Souper Bowl of Caring on February 1st. Our High School youth will be gathering a free will offering following the conclusion of all three worship services. We are thankful that Thrivent Financial will help supplement our giving. As in years past, the offerings will be sent to MANNA to help feed the This story can fit 75-125 words. hungry in our community. Thanks for your Your headline is an important part of the newsletter and should be considered carefully. generous support! In a few words, it should accurately represent the contents of the story and draw readers into the story. Develop the headline before you write the story. This way, the headline will help you keep the story focused. Examples of possible headlines include Product Wins Industry Award, New Product Can Save You Time!, Membership Drive Ex- 4

For more information on Memorial Gifts, the memorial gift policies, and the council-approved categories for memorial gifts, please contact the church council president or vicepresident. Memorials/Honorariums Given Joe & Sybile Connor Joseph Connor Lorene Elijah Glenn, Connie and Michael Krebs Margie Haar Gary & Sally Roesler Gary & Debbie Mertz Diane Oetken Travis & Lavina Oevermann Carlos Lehotsky James & Lisa Goldsmith George Metherd Irma Metherd Thank you to the congregation! I would like to thank the congregation for both financial and personal support as I continue at TLU. I am a junior this year and my major is Youth and Family Ministry. Last year I was able to volunteer with the Youth and Family director at Emanuel's Lutheran Church in Seguin. She left the church to attend seminary and this year I am on staff as a part time Youth and Family Director. This work experience is also fulfilling my internship requirement at TLU. I work approximately 20 hours per week. I directed my first Christmas Pageant on 12/21 and plan monthly family event. I'll work there this summer also and hopefully until I graduate. In February I will be attending The ELCA Network of Youth and Family Ministry directors Extravaganza 2015. I am going with other Youth and Family majors at TLU as part of our course work. I receive the scholarship from the Advent Endowment fund and I appreciate it very much. I love the cards and gifts that I receive from several members. They always seem to arrive when I need a boost and I appreciate them very much. Thank you again for all of your support. Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I continue my journey. God's Peace, Alex Norden 5

Game Night - Friday, February 13th at 6:00 p.m. Game Night is Friday, February 13 2015, at 6pm, in the fellowship hall. Everyone is invited. Please bring a guest and a dish to share. Thank you from your committee: Angie & Jimmy Cassens, Sally & Mike Knerr, and Lavina & Travis Oevermann. For information call 713-468-7443. Altar Guild Training Pastor Beck will conduct an Altar Guild Training session for those people interested in serving our Lord and His Church through this important ministry. We will meet on Saturday, February 28, at 9:30 a.m. in the sanctuary. All Altar Guild members and interested persons are invited to join us. Our training should last about an hour. Following the training we will enjoy some refreshments. Thank you s, Sympathies, etc. Advent congregation mourns the loss of member Diane Oetken who entered eternal life on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, at the age of 72 years. We offer our prayers and sympathy to her sons, James and Carl, and other family members and friends. Pastor Beck conducted her Memorial Service at Cy-fair Funeral Home in Cypress on Friday, December 19th. We will miss her. May God grant comfort and peace to all those who mourn with our Savior s promise of the resurrection to eternal life. The Beck family is deeply grateful to the members of Advent Lutheran Church for your kindness and generosity again this Christmas. We appreciate the cards and warm words of greetings, the gifts of candy and cookies, as well as the generous monetary gift presented on Christmas Eve on behalf of all of you. We thank God for the privilege of having you as friends, and we thank you for all that you mean to us. Sincerely, Pastor, Jodie, Christian, and Jeffrey Beck Thank you to Pastor Beck and Bruce Elijah for your visits during my stay in the hospital. Thank you to Circle I for the lovely throw and thank you to everyone who sent cards, phone calls and prayers. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated. - Nina Pieper The Brotherhood would like to thank everyone for their support by attending their Chili Supper. The proceeds go toward the Brotherhood's Love Projects in 2015. 6

ABC Learning Center The ABC Learning Center had a great start to the New Year at the Children s Noon Year s Eve Party. The event was a successful ministry outreach to the community and we plan to make this an annual event. We now have 17 students enrolled from infants through preschool, including a couple of babies who will be born soon. Mrs. Tori and Mrs. Tarita have recently hired two compassionate ladies to help care for the children. There are lots of volunteer opportunities for those interested in coming in for an hour or so per week: Story Time: come read a story to the children once a week Music Time: come lead the children in some singing Rocking: come rock a baby to sleep Feeding: come help feed the babies and children Anyone interested in volunteering must pass a criminal background check, FBI fingerprinting, and complete some training hours. Please contact abclearning@adventhouston.org for more information. As always, thank you for your continued support and generosity. New Addresses Doris Blevins Ray Zuehke Lynn Held 11500 Fallbrook Drive Heartland Health Services Brookdale Place at Champions Room #217 13631 Ardfield Drive 14050 Cutten Houston, TX 77065 Room #110 Houston, TX 77069 Houston, TX 77070 Quilt Day for Lutheran World Relief A quilt day for Lutheran World Relief is scheduled for Saturday, March 14, 2015 beginning at 9:00 am until???? in the fellowship hall. Lunch will be served. There will be all aspects of making a quilt, cutting quilt squares, sewing them together to make a 60 x 80 quilt top, ironing, then assembling the bottom, batting (middle) and the top to be hemmed together, then ready for tying. We need a lot of hands to help in this project. If you have an iron, ironing board, sewing machine and scissors, bring them along. Lutheran World Relief hopes to receive 500,000 quilts to hand out during disasters plus shipping some to the third world. The ELCA and MLCA are the two groups that provide quilts and other items to LWR. Please help us do our part. Questions, please call Angie Cassens 713/686-0165. 7

ADVENT LUTHERAN CHURCH 5820 PINEMONT HOUSTON, TX 77092 713/686-8201 WWW.ADVENTHOUSTON.ORG SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:00 and 11:10 a.m. Traditional Services 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 10:25 a.m. Contemporary Service THE ADVENTURE FEBRUARY 2015 Deadline for March Adventure: February 15th Are you Moving? Please notify the Church office of your address change. Phone: 713/686-8201 Fax: 713/686-9144 office@adventhouston.org www.adventhouston.org Advent Ministers... All Advent Members! Advent Staff Pastor AiM ABC Learning School Director Admin. Assistant Organist Chancel Choir Director Sexton Larry J. Beck Bruce Elijah Victoria House Chris Ray Holley King Scott McAdow Javier Montes Church Council President... Rodney Leonhardt, Sr.... 281/895-8083 Vice-President... James Cassens... 281/469-9583 Treasurer... Zak Leonhardt... 281/253-9258 Deacons... Sally Knerr... 713/772-0687 Education... Tyler Cassens... 281/469-9583 Organizations... Michele Smith... 713/895-7399 Outreach... Ricky Boehme... 713/426-3091 Property... Brad Morrison... 713/683-9908 Stewardship... Pat Wisher... 713/681-8216 Council Secretary... Shirley Taloff... 832/725-8541 Pastor... Larry J. Beck... 281/246-4779 A Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 8

February 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 8:00 a.m. Traditional 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Divine Drama 10:25 a.m. Contemporary 11:10 a.m. Traditional 1 8 2 7:oo p.m. ALC 7:00 p.m. FH 7:00 p.m. TOPS 9 3 9:15 a.m. Inwood Bridge Club 10:30 a.m. Staff Mtg. 10 4 9:30 a.m. WELCA Circle I 11:00 a.m. Bible Study 5:30 p.m. Deacons 6:30p.m. Chancel Choir 11 5 6:00 p.m. Pray for Advent 7:00 p.m. ALCM (Brotherhood) 12 6 7 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning breakfast and Bible study 9:00 a.m. Property 10:00 a.m. Cocker Spaniel Rescue 13 14 8:00 a.m. Traditional 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Divine Drama 10:25 a.m. Contemporary 11:10 a.m. Traditional Full Sack Sunday 7:oo p.m. ALC 7:00 p.m. FH 7:00 p.m. TOPS 9:15 a.m. Inwood Bridge Club 10:30 a.m. Staff Mtg. 7:00 p.m. WELCA Circle II 11:00 a.m. Bible Study 5:30 p.m. Deacons 6:30 p.m. Stewardship 6:30p.m. Chancel Choir 6:00 p.m. Pray for Advent 6:00 p.m. Education 7:00 p.m. Outreach 6:00 p.m. Game Night 7:oo a.m. Saturday morning breakfast and Bible study 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Divine Drama 10:30 a.m. 11:45 a.m. Fish Fry Adventure Deadline 9:00 a.m. Quilting 7:oo p.m. ALC 7:00 p.m. TOPS 9:15 a.m. Inwood Bridge Club 10:30 a.m. Staff Mtg. 6:00 p.m. Executive Board 7:00 p.m. Church Council 11:00 a.m. Bible Study 12:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday 6:30p.m. Chancel Choir 7:30 p.m. Ash Wednesday 6:00 p.m. Pray for Advent 7:00 p.m. WELCA Circle IV 7:oo a.m. Saturday morning breakfast and Bible study 9:00 a.m. Alsguth Family Reunion 2:00 p.m. Dulcimer Group 22 8:00 a.m. Traditional 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Divine Drama 10:25 a.m. Contemporary 11:10 a.m. Traditional 12:15 p.m. Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting 23 7:oo p.m. ALC 7:00 p.m. TOPS 24 9:15 a.m. Inwood Bridge Club 10:30 a.m. Staff Mtg. 7:00 p.m. WELCA Board Meeting 25 11:00 a.m. Bible Study 12:00 p.m. Lent 5:30 p.m. Soup Supper 6:30p.m. Chancel Choir 7:30 p.m. Lent 26 6:00 p.m. Pray for Advent 27 28 7:oo a.m. Saturday morning breakfast and Bible study 9:00 a.m. Altar Guild Training 9

Advent Service Participants Schedule February 2015 Time Asst. Minister Lectors Comm. Asst. Greeters Ushers 8:00 Lavina Oevermann Harry Saenger Sally Knerr, Patti McCann Bobie & Nina Pieper Terry & Linda Holmes, Ed Ludwig 1 11:10 Mark Dentler Scott Wieding Mark Dentler Dorothy Preuss Gary Roesler, Aneva Rogas 8:00 Ellie Tyson Jodie Beck Jodie Beck, Jeff Beck Mike & Sally Knerr Travis & Lavina Oevermann, Joel Vest, Zack Arriola 8 11:10 Ricky Boehme Sara Boehme Ricky Boehme Aneva Rogas James & Cathy Tiemann 15 10:30 Keith Tyson Dick & Jeanette Miller Tyler Cassens, John Cassens Curtis & Yvonne Wendler Cassens Family 8:00 Connie Bathe Michele Smith Sally Dresch, Terry Holmes Sam & Michele Smith Mark Bathe, Larry Dresch, Paul & Clareace Parnham 22 11:10 Rod Leonhardt Wanda Robinson Rod Leonhardt Virginia Scott, Martha Leonhardt Leonhardt Family 10