Readings for Sunday, January 19, The Second Sunday after the Epiphany, God Reveals His Glory in Christ and His Cross – For those who wish to prepare for Sunday’s lessons, please read Isaiah 49:1-7; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9;  John 1:29-42a. God’s salvation reaches to the ends of the earth. See what this means for you.

Sunday Adult Bible Study Leaders – January 19 – Bob Serpas; January 26 – John Cangelosi; February 2 – Joe Schradie; February 9 – John Stow; Feb 16 – Dave Neely. Come and join us at 9:15 a.m.

Men’s Tuesday Morning Bible Study – Tuesday, January 21 at 10:00 a.m.

Women’s Tuesday Evening Bible Study – Tuesday, January 21 at 7:00 p.m.

Choir Rehearsal – Choir will resume on Wednesday, Jan 22 at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Please join us!

Voter’s Meeting – Voter’s Meeting will be on Sunday January 26, 2020, following worship. We will vote on the 2020 Congregational Budget and discuss other important matters of Advent Lutheran Church. Additionally, we will vote on an LC-MS (Our national Church body) Constitutional Amendment.

Abundant Joy’s next “Basic Peer Counseling Training” begins Feb. 11, 2020 – This 12-week training equips women to serve as peer counseling volunteers and/or group facilitators.  If you have a personal relationship with Jesus, listen well, if you are actively engaged in a local church and are interested in encouraging others in their faith journey, contact Lynn Trogdon at abundantjoycwm@gmail.com or 919-943-0789 for more details and to set up an interview. Peggy Earnhardt is also available to answer any questions. pjearnhardt@triad.rr.com

Wishing you all Happy and Blessed New Year!

PORCH: Upcoming sort dates – January 13, February 10, March 16, April 20. Please bring non-perishables and canned goods. These items are taken to those with food insecurity needs in the area.

Men’s Tuesday Morning Bible Study – Tuesday, January 7 at 10:00 a.m.

Women’s Tuesday Evening Bible Study – Tuesday, January 14 at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday Adult Bible Class Leaders:  Jan.5 – Dave Neely; Jan. 12 – Pastor Scott; Jan. 19 – Bob Serpas; Jan. 26 – John Cangelosi

Readings for Sunday, January 5: For those who wish to prepare for Sunday’s lessons, please read 1 Kings 3:4-15; Ephesians 1:3-14; Luke 2:40-52; Matthew 2:1-12

Policy for canceling worship due to inclement weather or other emergency: The Pastor will confer with the President, the Chair of the Board of Worship, and an Elder to reach a decision about cancellation of a Worship service or other event. If the event is cancelled, the congregation will be informed by email no later than two hours before the event is scheduled to begin. The office manager will set up a phone tree to call all members who do not use email as soon as the decision is made and will notify local ABC & NBC television stations. The announcement will also be posted on the Advent website and Facebook as soon as possible. If a service is not cancelled and someone feels unsafe driving, they are encouraged to stay home.

Pastor Scott is on medical leave through September 8, 2019. In his absence, Advent Worship will be led by Pastor Greg Williamson on August 25, Pastor Lineberger on September 1, and Pastor McDaniels on September 8. If pastoral assistance is needed during the week, please contact the Elders: John Cangelosi or John Stow. Please continue to hold Pastor Scott, Gina, and the family in your prayers.

Rally Day will be on Sunday, September 8. Most activities will resume after summer break including:

Sunday School and Adult Bible Class – Sunday, September 8, 9:15 a.m. Classes will be offered for all ages. Adult Bible Study Leaders: Sept. 8 – Bob Serpas; Sept. 15 – John Cangelosi; Sept. 22 – Joe Schradie; Sept. 29 – John Stow

Men’s Bible Study – Tuesday, September 10 at 10:00 a.m. Please contact John Cangelosi for further information.

Women’s Evening Bible Study – continues to meet on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. Contact Karen Baker for further information.

Choir Rehearsal – Wednesday, September 11 at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Please join us!

Sunday School Help Needed: Teachers and assistants are needed for the K-2nd grade classes. If you have any questions, please contact Christine Struckmeyer or Carolyn Walker. We also need a teacher for the teenage class as Jonathan has departed for college. Please pray on this as growing and feeding young minds is what Jesus would have us do. Thank you.

Readings for Sunday, August 25 (Prop. 16),11^th Sunday after Pentecost: For those who wish to prepare for Sunday’s lessons, please read Is. 66:18–23, Psalm 50:1–15, Heb. 12:4–24 (25–29), Luke 13:22–30

The Cross of Christ Is the Way into the Kingdom of God: With the cross of Christ, the time has come “to gather all nations and tongues” (Is. 66:18). The sign of the cross is set forth in the preaching of the Gospel, the declaration of the Lord’s glory “among the nations” (Is. 66:19). Many “will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God” (Luke 13:29), but only by the narrow way of the cross. Those who refuse to follow Christ crucified will ultimately find only “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Luke 13:28), whereas Christ’s disciples, called from all the nations, will eat and drink with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of God. They will come into “the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem” (Heb. 12:22).

Daylight Savings Time begins this Sunday, March 11. Remember to set clocks ahead one hour when retiring on Saturday.

Lenten Services

Sunday Worship, March 11 – This Sunday we will “Return to the Lord Who Will Who Will Raise You Up.”

March 14, Mid-Week 4 – God’s Will and My Worldview: In this service, we remember that, on the road to Damascus, Paul had his worldview turned upside down when God called him to preach the name of the Christ he had been persecuting. We follow God’s will by putting the crucified Christ at the center of our worldview. Supper at 6:15 p.m., Worship at 7:00 p.m.

Choir Rehearsal: Wednesday, March 14 immediately after the mid-week service. We plan to sing on Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. Please join us whenever you can. Music is available if you can’t make it to rehearsals but want to sing with us for services.

Lansana Sheref Family Designated Fund: A fund has been created to help Lansana obtain F2A visas for his wife Doris, their son Joe Antony, and a child on the way. The amount needed includes government filing fees, legal fees, and airfare to bring everyone from Sierra Leone to Chapel Hill for an estimated total cost of $12,500. Two Advent families will each be donating a matching gift of $2000 which, if matched, would bring in $8000. Lansana is also contributing $2000. If you would like to contribute to help bring the family to Chapel Hill, you may put cash (in an envelope) or checks in the offering plate, hand to Judy Neely, or mail to the church (Attn: Judy Neely). Please note “Lansana Family Fund” on the envelope or in the memo line of your check. Checks should be made payable to Advent Lutheran Church. Any questions, contact John Stow.

Work Days at Lumberton: Volunteers from Hope Lutheran in Wake Forest will be working at homes affected by Hurricane Matthew would love to have others participate on any or all of the following dates: Thursdays March 15 and April 12; Saturday, April 28;. Please let Bill Jay (bjay1826@gmail.com) or Pastor Wayne Puls (wpuls@hopelutheranwf.org) know if you can make it on any of these dates, and they will get back to you with details.

Lumberton High School: Thank you for your generous gifts to support the “storm students” at Lumberton High School. Donations to the “Sharing Basket” on Feb. 25 and March 4 totaled $950!

Sunday Adult Bible Study Leaders: Mar. 11 – Bob Serpas, Mar. 18 – Dave Neely

Call Committee: On Sunday, October 8, we held a Call Service and the congregation voted unanimously to extend a Call to Rev. Scott Lohman of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aurora IL. Pastor Scott has received the Call Documents and he and his wife, Gina, are planning a visit October 25-27. The congregation will have a chance to meet with them the evening of Thursday, Oct. 26. Watch for details. Please keep Pastor Scott, his family, his current congregation, and Advent in your prayers that the Lord might lead him to a clear decision as to where He wants him to serve.

Change the World One Life at a Time: Sunday, November 5, 2017 at Dorton Arena on the NC State Fairgrounds. The worship service will begin at 12:30 p.m. Check our website for all the details including information about the event and volunteering.

Note that we will NOT be having classes or services at Advent that day. We are in the process of arranging transportation to Raleigh for anyone who needs it. Grace Lutheran, 824 North Buchanan Blvd, Durham will be having their 8:30 a.m. service.

Veterans: Help us prepare to recognize and honor veterans in our Advent Family. Take a moment to review and edit the list of veterans posted on the bulletin board in the hallway. You are invited to add yourself, your parents and siblings, and your children and grandchildren who have served or are serving. Contact: Carolyn Jones.

Worship Leaders: Pastor Greg Williamson – Oct. 15, Nov. 19; Pastor Larry Lineberger, Oct. 22; Pastor James McDaniels – Oct. 29, Nov. 12.

Sunday Adult Bible Study Leaders:
Oct .15 – John Cangelosi
Oct. 22 – John Stow
Oct. 29 – Joe Schradie
Nov. 5 – 500th Reformation at Dorton Arena
Nov. 12 – Bob Serpas
Nov. 19 – Dave Neely

Due to the ice and snow, Advent will NOT be open for Bible Class or Worship Services on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016. Stay safe and warm!