A happy and blessed Thanksgiving to all!

Cards Requested: Evie Casto, who has been attending Advent with her mom, Anne, has been hospitalized. Cards and notes of encouragement can be sent to:  Evie Casto, Pediatric Unit, Strategic Behavior Center, 2050 Mercantile Drive NE, Leland, NC 28451.

Hurricane Relief – Helping Our Neighbors: Reminder: Plan to help the children pack the buckets this Sunday, November 25 after the worship service. We will also continue to collect Walmart and Lowe’s Home Improvement gift cards or cash each Sunday through December and will send your donations to Pastor Williamson in Lumberton at the end of each month. Look for a collection spot in the narthex. Contacts: Carolyn Jones and Lydia Berrong

Christmas Decorating: The Sanctuary will be decorated for Christmas on Friday, November 30, at 10:00 a.m. All are welcome to help.

Women of Advent: Ladies, please join us for the Women of Advent’s Annual Christmas Breakfast Buffet on Saturday, December 1, at 9:30 a.m. at the home of Carolyn Hinkle, 185 Saxapawhaw Run, Chapel Hill, NC 27516. Enjoy a morning of delicious food and warm Christian fellowship. Bring your favorite brunch dish and a small wrapped gift for your Secret Sister on which you reveal your identity. If you do not have a Secret Sister, please bring a small wrapped gift to exchange with others who do not have a Secret Sister. RSVP to Carolyn by November 26 (919-967-3609 or cbhinkle@msn.com) to let her know the food item bringing. A printed flyer and directions to Carolyn’s will be in the church narthex Sunday. (Note: Park on the opposite side of street in front of her house. To avoid the steep front steps, you can drive to back of house to back porch entrance but no parking is allowed on the back street.)

Advent Services: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us)” Matthew 1:23. Join us for our Advent worship series, “God with Us.” Each week will focus on a different word picture of the coming Christ found in the poetic and prophetic words of Isaiah and will reveal how Christ continues be present with us even now. Light Supper at 6:15 p.m., Worship Service at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, December 5: Our Potter (Isaiah 64:8): God is with us as our Potter, who shapes according to his will.
Wednesday, December 12: Our Shepherd (Isaiah 40:11): God is with us as our Shepherd, who carries us close to his heart.
Wednesday, December 19: Our Living Branch (Isaiah 11:1): God is with us as our Living Branch, who died and rose to give us eternal life.
Sunday, December 23: Our Guide (Isaiah 2:3): God is with us as our Guide, who leads us according to his Word.

New Praise and Worship Band: There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.  1 Corinthians 12:4-6 Love to sing? Love to play instruments? Love to worship the Lord? Then we are looking for you! Contemporary worship at Advent is starting up. Make plans to join The New Praise and Worship Band. All musicians are welcome to join: singers, instrumentalists, computer-based musicians, sound techs, guitar, bass, drums, percussion, piano, flute, violin, cello, saxophone, etc. Please let Pastor Scott know how you would like to help. Don’t forget to ask your friends, family, and neighbors too! They may know someone who might be interested.

Sunday Adult Bible Study Leaders: Nov. 25 – Joe Schradie; Dec. 2 –  John Stow; Dec. 9 – Bob Serpas; Dec. 16 – Dave Neely

Readings for Sunday, November 25, Last S. of the Church Year: For those who wish to prepare for Sunday’s lessons, please read Is. 51:4–6 or Dan. 7:9–10, 13–14, Ps. 93, Jude 20–25 or Rev. 1:4b–8, Mark 13:24–37 or John 18:33–37

Thanksgiving Eve Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 21. Please join us to thank God for everything he has given us.

Stewardship: The final week of our stewardship emphasis focuses on love. God expects that the unshakeable love He gives us will naturally flow out of us into others. Christian stewardship should never consist of only occasional activities or three-week studies. It is a steady and increasing outflow that shares God’s love in us with others. By grace, our giving, helping, and serving are joyful expressions of gratitude motivated by love because of what God has given to us and done for us through Jesus. Sunday is the day to return your 2019 estimate of giving card. It is our hope that you will reflect on our God’s enormous love, be in awe of it, and renew your commitment to serve Him with the gifts, abilities, and opportunities He gives you.

Hurricane Relief – Helping Our Neighbors: Reminder: This Sunday, November 18 is the deadline to bring the cleaning supplies you chose for “Hope Buckets” from the Thanks-Giving-Tree in the narthex. We will gather your donations and determine what additional items we may need to purchase. Plan to help the children pack the buckets on Sunday, November 25.

We will also continue to collect Walmart and Lowe’s Home Improvement gift cards or cash each Sunday through December and will send your donations to Pastor Williamson in Lumberton at the end of each month. Look for a collection spot in the narthex. Contacts: Carolyn Jones and Lydia Berrong

Sunday Adult Bible Study Leaders:Nov. 18 – John Cangelosi; Nov. 25 – Joe Schradie; Dec. 2 –  John Stow; Dec. 9 – Bob Serpas; Dec. 16 – Dave Neely

Readings for Sunday, November 18, Twenty–sixth S. after Pentecost: For those who wish to prepare for Sunday’s lessons, please read Dan. 12:1–3, Ps. 16, Heb. 10:11–25, Mark 13:1–13 and, from the Stewardship Series, 1 Chronicles 29:1-21a; 1 John 4:7-5:3; John 12:1-8

Memorial service will be held for Dwain Warne at Advent today, November 9, at 2:00 p.m. A reception will follow. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Advent Lutheran Church and a note on the memo line “Dwain Warne Memorial.” The family plans to forward all donations to the Lumberton Hurricane Relief effort. Please keep the family in your prayers.

Yard Clean-up at Advent: Tomorrow, Saturday, November 10 at 9:00 a.m. Please join us if you can. Lunch will be provided.

Stewardship: This Sunday’s stewardship focus turns our attention towards faith, the most precious gift anyone can receive from God. We will hear that stewardship is faith in action and is a whole-life response to God’s acts of creation and redemption. We look forward to your joining us for both Bible study and worship.

Sympathies: Former Advent member Arthur Anderson passed away this week. His memorial service will be held Sunday, Nov. 11 at 4:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Chapel Hill. Please remember his wife Jan and family in your prayers.

PORCH: The next PORCH sort date is November 12. Please keep bringing non-perishables and canned goods to church. These items are taken to those with food insecurity needs in the area.

Hurricane Relief – Helping Our Neighbors: We are collecting Walmart and Lowe’s Home Improvement gift cards or cash each Sunday through December and will send your donations to Pastor Williamson in Lumberton at the end of each month. Look for a collection spot in the narthex. In November, help us gather cleaning supplies for “Hope Buckets.” Check the “Thanks-Giving-Tree” in the narthex for information about how you can help. Return items by 11/18 and help the children pack the buckets on 11/25.

Sunday Adult Bible Study Leaders:Nov. 11 – Dave Neely; Nov. 18 – John Cangelosi; Nov. 25 – Bob Serpas; Dec. 2 –  John Stow; Dec. 9 – Joe Schradie; Dec. 16 – Dave Neely

Readings for Sunday, November 11, Twenty–fifth S. after Pentecost: 1 Kings 17:8–16, Ps. 146, Heb. 9:24–28, Mark 12:38–44 and, from the Stewardship Series, Romans 3:21-31, Luke 7:1-10.

Daylight Savings Time ends November 4, 2018. Turn clocks back one hour when going to bed on Saturday, November 3.

Stewardship: This Sunday we begin our 3-week stewardship emphasis, “Transformed by Grace, Faith, and Love.”As God’s people, we have been given the high honor of being his stewards, called to manage faithfully all that we’ve been given according to God’s will and benefit. Because of God’s generous gifts of grace, faith, and love, we can accomplish all that God asks us to do. Join us for Bible study and worship this week as we focus on grace. Using the attached Stewardship Devotions will lead us to understand that it is not what we do, not what we give, not how we serve –but what God does, what God gives, how God serves.

Sympathies: It has pleased Almighty God to summon from this vail of tears the soul of Dwain Warne. A memorial service will be held for Dwain at Advent on Friday, November 9, at 2:00 p.m. A reception will follow. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Advent Lutheran Church and a note on the memo line “Dwain Warne Memorial.” The family plans to forward all donations to the Lumberton Hurricane Relief effort. Please keep the family in your prayers.

Hurricane Relief – Helping Our Neighbors: Pastor Greg Williamson is helping coordinate SED hurricane response efforts in Lumberton. We will collect Walmart and Lowe’s Home Improvement gift cards (or cash) each Sunday through December and send your donations to Pastor Williamson at the end of each month. Look for a collection spot in the narthex. In November, help us gather cleaning supplies for “Hope Buckets” to send to Lumberton families working to get back in their homes. Check the “Thanks-Giving-Tree” in the narthex for information about how you can help. Return items by 11/18 and help the children pack the buckets on 11/25.

Readings for Sunday, November 4, Observation of All Saints’ Day: Rev. 7:(2–8) 9–17, Ps. 149, 1 John 3:1–3, Matt. 5:1–12; Readings for Stewardship Series – Grace: Genesis 22:1-14, 2 Corinthians 8:1-15, John 1:1-2, 14-18

Advent’s 30^th Anniversary and Reformation will be celebrated this Sunday, October 28 with a potluck lunch after the worship service. Please bring a dish to share – all food items are welcome. Suggestion – bring one of your favorite German foods such as German potato salad, red cabbage, brats, Black Forest cake, German chocolate cake, or strudel. Apple cider, lemonade, and coffee will be provided.

Helping Our Neighbors in Lumberton: Pastor Greg Williamson is helping coordinate SED hurricane response efforts in Lumberton. Gift cards for Walmart and Lowe’s Home Improvement are especially helpful as he works with families right now. (There are no fees on store cards as there are on Visa cards). We will collect gift cards (or cash) each Sunday through December and send your donations to Pastor Williamson at the end of each month. Look for a collection spot in the narthex. We will keep you informed as we confirm other ways to help. Carolyn Jones and Lydia Berrong, Outreach

Thrivent Hurricane Relief: In addition to relief efforts your church may be involved with, Thrivent members and others can help hurricane victims in the following ways:

• Donate. Thrivent will match up to $1 million in personal donations made through Thrivent.com to specific disaster relief organizations helping with the recovery efforts. Thrivent will pay the processing fees for these donations, so 100 percent goes to help*. Eligible members can also direct Thrivent Choice Dollars®.
• Volunteer. Thrivent members can share their time and talent to help with recovery efforts by leading a Thrivent Action Team.

Visit the Disaster Response page on Thrivent.com for details on these opportunities and to see the list of organizations included in the match

Honoring Advent Veterans: Please help us update our list of Advent’s veterans. The current list is posted on a bulletin board across from the mailboxes.

Women’s Evening Bible Study will be starting “Experiencing God’s Presence” from the Jesus Calling Bible Study Series on Tuesday, October 30, 7:00 p.m.

Readings for Sunday, October 28, Observation of Reformation Day: For those who wish to prepare for Sunday’s lessons, please read Rev. 14:6–7, Ps. 46, Rom. 3:19–28, John 8:31–36 or Matt. 11:12–19

Advent’s 30^th Anniversary and Reformation will be celebrated on Sunday, October 28 with a potluck lunch after the worship service. Please bring a dish to share – all food items are welcome. Suggestion – bring one of your favorite German foods such as German potato salad, red cabbage, brats, Black Forest cake, German chocolate cake, or strudel. Apple cider, lemonade, and coffee will be provided. If you plan ahead or want more ideas, a sign-up sheet will be in the church narthex. Any questions contact Lois Durr or Maryanne Warne.

Helping Our Neighbors in Lumberton: Pastor Greg Williamson is helping coordinate SED hurricane response efforts in Lumberton. Gift cards for Walmart and Lowe’s Home Improvement are especially helpful as he works with families right now. (There are no fees on store cards as there are on Visa cards). If you would like to contribute, please bring your gifts cards to church and look for a collection spot in the narthex. We will keep you informed as we confirm other ways to help. Carolyn Jones and Lydia Berrong, Outreach

A Lament for Hurricane Victims: From ancient times, God’s people have turned to lament to give voice to their grief, to call upon a seemingly silent God. In the Bible, acrostic laments help organize grief and structure sorrow. More importantly, they give us words when all speech seems to fail us. Here is a lament written especially for victims of hurricanes.

Readings for Sunday, October 21, 22nd Sunday after Pentecost: For those who wish to prepare for Sunday’s lessons, please read Eccl. 5:10–20, Ps. 119:9–16, Heb. 4:1–13 (14–16), Mark 10:23–31

Sermons: Missed the Sermon last Sunday? Read it here and check out recordings from previous Sundays as well.

Helping Our Neighbors in Lumberton: Pastor Greg Williamson is helping coordinate SED hurricane response efforts in Lumberton. He tells us that gift cards for Walmart and Lowe’s Home Improvement are especially helpful as he works with families right now. (There are no fees on store cards as there are on Visa cards). We will start collecting gift cards on Sunday, October 14. We will keep you informed as we confirm other ways to help. Carolyn Jones and Lydia Berrong, Outreach

Hurricane Relief: Continue to check the SED and the Thrivent Disaster Response pages for updates and for information on how you can help. Please continue to pray for all those affected by the hurricanes including many in our area who may be without power for several days.

Advent’s 30^th Anniversary will be celebrated on Sunday, October 28 with a potluck lunch after the worship service. Watch for more details.

Readings for Sunday, October 14, 21st Sunday after Pentecost: For those who wish to prepare for Sunday’s lessons, please read Amos 5:6–7, 10–15, Ps. 90:12–17, Heb. 3:12–19, Mark 10:17–22.

Men’s Gathering: TONIGHT, Friday, October 5. The gathering will kick off with a catered pulled pork meal at 6:00 p.m. followed by a program/presentation by Pastor Scott, ending approximately 9:00 p.m. There is a suggested donation of $11.00 per person for the meal. Any excess amount received will go to Hurricane Florence victims. Bring a friend, but let us know, so we can plan on enough food!!! Questions? Contact John Stow, Dave Neely, Bill Ackerman.

Touched by Grace: TOMORROW, Saturday October 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The primary need is for Advocates to guide the guests through the clinic experience. Also needed are persons with bilingual skills, English and Spanish. More info here. If you were unable to attend the training, Grace will have a quick training prior to the event on October 6.

Reformation readings: As we approach the 501st anniversary of the Reformation, you and your family can read every day during October selected readings from the Book of Romans—a book that greatly influenced Martin Luther. Copies of the calendar will be available in the narthex on Sunday, October 7.

Advent’s 30^th Anniversary will be celebrated on Sunday, October 28 with a potluck lunch after the worship service. Watch for more details.

Grocery and Shopping Bags: The Inter-Faith Council for Social Service in Chapel Hill needs grocery and shopping bags to help clients who come to them for groceries and other staples. Look for a donations box in the narthex.

Hurricane Relief: Continue to check the SED and the Thrivent Disaster Response pages for updates and for information on how you can help.

Readings for Sunday, October 7, 20th Sunday after Pentecost: For those who wish to prepare for Sunday’s lessons, please read Gen. 2:18–25, Ps. 128, Heb. 2:1–13 (14–18), Mark 10:2–16

Thank You Advent: We received a letter from Pastor Scott’s father thanking Advent for a ‘wonderful display of Christian service’ helping Pastor Scott, Gina, and Jonathan move into their new home.

AND Thank you to the many volunteers who took time out of their busy schedules to help the Sheref family move to their new home in Durham. You are appreciated!

Men’s Retreat – PLEASE READ FULLY!: The Men’s retreat, previously scheduled for Oct 5-7 has been cancelled due to the storm damage at Salter Path. We are, however, planning a men’s gathering on Friday, October 5. The gathering will kick off with a catered pulled pork meal at 6:00 p.m. followed by a program/presentation by Pastor Scott, ending approximately 9:00 p.m. There is a suggested donation of $11.00 per person for the meal. Any excess amount received will go to Hurricane Florence victims. Bring a friend, but let us know, so we can plan on enough food!!! We hope this is a fun filled, fellowship time and hope you can attend. Any questions/concerns, let us know:  John Stow, Dave Neely, Bill Ackerman.

Touched by Grace is a clinic designed to serve the medical, physical, and spiritual needs of guests who attend. This will be held at Grace Lutheran Church-Durham on Saturday October 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Many helpers are needed to make Touched by Grace a success. The primary need is for “Advocates” – helpers who guide the guests through the clinic experience, eat a snack or meal with the guests, engage in prayer with guests and, most importantly, show the love of Christ through their actions. Also needed are persons with bilingual skills, English and Spanish, as many who participated last year are of Hispanic background. You can sign up to help and find out more info on training, etc. here. If you are unable to attend one of those training times, Grace will have a quick training prior to the event on October 6.

Reformation readings: As we approach the 501st anniversary of the Reformation, you and your family can read every day during October selected readings from the Book of Romans—a book that greatly influenced Martin Luther. Copies of the calendar will be available in the narthex on Sunday, October 7.

Grocery and Shopping Bags: The Inter-Faith Council for Social Service in Chapel Hill needs grocery and shopping bags to help clients who come to them for groceries and other staples. Look for a donations box in the narthex.

Hurricane Relief: At this time, we are asking the congregation to pray for all of those in need and to give us His direction on our course of action. As relief organizations get a better understanding of the immediate and long term needs we will form a plan of action. To stay up to date on status and for information on how you can help, check out  the disaster relief info from the SED and the Thrivent Disaster Response page.

Readings for Sunday, September 30, 19th Sunday after Pentecost: For those who wish to prepare for Sunday’s lessons, please read Num. 11:4–6, 10–16, 24–29, Ps. 104:27–35, James 5:(1–12) 13–20, Mark 9:38–50

We the Church: The follow-up meeting to discuss the implications for us evident in the “We the Church: The Priesthood of All Believers” video we viewed earlier in the summer will be held after worship this Sunday, September 23 at noon. We have all been given a mission to spread the gospel and reverse the trend of shrinkage in the church. Let’s talk about what we can do to accomplish it as a church and as individuals.

The Sherefs will be moving into their new home and could use assistance on Monday, September 24. Please contact Dave Neely or John Stow if you are available to help.

Men’s Retreat: The Men of Advent retreat is scheduled for October 5-7 at the Trinity Center in Salter Path, NC but may be rescheduled due to storm damage. To see how the center fared, visit their website or facebook page.

Hurricane Relief: The council has discussed what direction our Disaster Response should take. At this time, we are asking the congregation to pray for all of those in need and to give us His direction on our course of action. As relief organizations get a better understanding of the immediate and long term needs we will form a plan of action. To stay up to date on status and for information on how you can help, check out the disaster relief info from the SED and the Thrivent Disaster Response page.

Missionaries: We support LCMS missionaries Shauen and Krista Trump. Check out what they are doing in Field Notes, their monthly newsletter.

Touched by Grace: Grace Lutheran Durham will have their annual event on Saturday, October 6. You can sign up to help and find out more info on training, etc. here.

Readings for Sunday, September 23, 18th Sunday after Pentecost: For those who wish to prepare for next week’s lessons, please read Jer. 11:18–20, Ps. 54, James 3:13—4:10, Mark 9:30–37