A blessed Good Friday and Happy Easter to all!

 “Thy Will Be Done” – Lenten Season Worship Series: “Not as I will, but as you will,” Jesus prayed to his Father the night before he went to the cross for our salvation. That is our prayer as well this Lenten and Easter season as we seek to do God’s will in our lives.

March 30, Good Friday Tenebrae Service, 7:00 p.m. – God’s Will is Done: In this service for Good Friday, we remember that on the cross Christ followed through with the will of God, crying out, “It is finished” as He breathed His last. This ultimate sacrifice serves as a model to look at our lives as a holy sacrifice to Him.

This service is a version of the ancient Tenebrae (meaning “darkness”) used by the church for centuries to impress upon the hearts and minds of believers the awful consequences of sin and the magnitude of Christ’s suffering love for us. Toward the end of the service, as we draw near to remembering the death of our Lord, the church is darkened. The extinguishing of the lights signifies the flight of the disciples and the darkness which covered the earth at the death of Christ. The removal of the Christ candle symbolizes the death of Jesus and its return points ahead to His resurrection. The noise of the closing of the Bible acknowledges that the Lamb of God’s sacrifice is complete – the Old Testament prophecies have been fulfilled.

April 1, Easter Sunday, 10:30 a.m. – God’s Will for the New Creation: In this service for Easter Sunday, we remember that when Christ rose from the tomb, He opened the door to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. God’s will for us is to fix our eyes on the new creation of perfect paradise prepared for us in heaven.

Please join us for a potluck brunch at 9:15 a.m. Bring a brunch dish to share; beverages will be provided. Family and friends are welcome. There will be an Easter egg hunt after the service. If you are participating and are able, please bring a dozen (or more) filled, plastic eggs to hide.

Tuesday evening Men’s Bible Study will meet on April 3. Our study will be Joseph: Carpenter of Steel.

Women’s Evening Bible Study is moving to Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. beginning April 3. The current study is “The God of All Comfort” by Donna Pyle.

Lumberton Volunteer Work Crews: On March 15, four members of Advent joined other workers in Lumberton to help repair and restore homes damaged by Hurricane Matthew, a demonstration of how God uses us for His good works. The workday was one of a series of events organized by Pastor Puls, Hope Lutheran, Winston Salem. Want get involved? Contact Pastor Scott or Dave Neely.

“Thy Will Be Done” – Lenten Season Worship Series: “Not as I will, but as you will,” Jesus prayed to his Father the night before he went to the cross for our salvation. That is our prayer as well this Lenten and Easter season as we seek to do God’s will in our lives.

March 25, Palm Sunday, 10:30 a.m. – God’s Will When We Are Not Willing: In this service for Palm Sunday, we remember that we are not always willing to do what God asks of us, but in His Palm Sunday entry into Jerusalem, Christ reveals to us that even tough roads are worth traversing for the good of the Kingdom. Note that for this service we will gather in the Fellowship Hall and Narthex with our palms to begin worship. All will process into the sanctuary during the opening hymn. Please write any prayer requests on the Prayer Request sheet in the narthex before the service begins.

March 29, Maundy Thursday, 7:00 p.m. – God’s Will and Joyful Service: In this service for Maundy Thursday, we remember that Christ asks His disciples to wash one another’s feet, as He has washed theirs, for the joy that was set before him. Serving one another with joy is a tribute to Him who is the Servant of All.

Good Friday, March 30, 7:00 p.m. – God’s Will is Done

Easter Sunday, April 1, 10:30 a.m. – God’s Will for the New Creation. Please join us for a potluck brunch at 9:15 a.m. Bring a brunch dish to share; beverages will be provided. Family and friends are welcome. Any questions please contact Lois or Maryanne. There will be an Easter egg hunt after the service. If you are participating and are able, please bring a dozen (or more) filled, plastic eggs to hide.

Choir Rehearsal: Thursday, March 29 immediately after the Maundy Thursday service. We plan to sing on 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. Practice files are available here.

Tuesday morning Women’s Bible Study has completed its interesting study of “Finding I AM.” We are in recess until after Easter.

Tuesday evening Men’s Bible Study will not meet on March 27. On April 3 our study will be Joseph: Carpenter of Steel.

Women’s Evening Bible Study is moving to Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. beginning April 3. The current study is “The God of All Comfort” by Donna Pyle.

Lumberton Area Activities

Lumberton High School “Storm Support”:Our invitation to Advent members and friends to help LHS students with cap and gown fees and prom ticket costs brought in a total of $950 in gifts! Mr. Hammonds, LHS Guidance Counselor, sent the following email message of thanks: “Your gift is already in use. I actually had a family who had their house burn down (they are not “storm students”, but I wanted to help them anyway and knew you would not mind), so I provided some immediate help for them. We have purchased some prom tickets. -Prom is next week. We are now working on offering to pay for our “storm students” who are Juniors and Seniors to take the SAT or ACT. We will also use the funds to purchase caps and gowns. So a large THANK YOU to our fellow brothers and sisters, and may God continue to bless you.” Sharing gifts is a blessing for the recipient AND the giver.

Volunteer Work Crews: On March 15, four members of Advent joined other workers in Lumberton to help repair and restore homes damaged by Hurricane Matthew, a demonstration of how God uses us for His good works. The workday was one of a series of events organized by Pastor Puls, Hope Lutheran, Winston Salem. Want get involved? Contact Pastor Scott or Dave Neely.

Pastors Send Their Thanks: Your notes to the three pastors who led us during the search process were warmly received. Pastor Lineberger told Pastor Scott he was pleasantly surprised by all the cards, notes, and thanks – and amazed – he had never had such an outpouring of thanks! He sends his thanks to all. Pastor Williamson sent a message to thank the Advent family for your notes to him. Pastor said he “was humbled by the kind words. It was a pleasure to serve you.” He sends his greetings to all.

Lenten Services

Sunday Worship, March 18 –This Sunday we will “Return to the Lord Who Does Not Change.”

March 21, Mid-Week 5 – God’s Will and My Response: In this service, we remember that Lydia followed the will of God by responding in faith and hospitality when the Gospel message of Christ’s sacrifice was preached to her. We follow the will of God by responding in love and service to one another in return for what Christ has done for us. Supper at 6:15 p.m., Worship at 7:00 p.m.

Holy Week

Palm Sunday, March 25, 10:30 a.m. – God’s Will When We Are Not Willing. Note that for this service we will gather in the Fellowship Hall with our palms to begin worship. All will process into the sanctuary and to our seats during the opening hymn. Please write any prayer requests on the Prayer Request sheet in the narthex before the service begins.

Maundy Thursday, March 29, 7:00 p.m. – God’s Will and Joyful Service

Good Friday, March 30, 7:00 p.m. – God’s Will is Done

Easter Sunday, April 1, 10:30 a.m. – God’s Will for the New Creation. Please join us for a potluck brunch at 9:15 a.m. Bring a brunch dish to share; beverages will be provided. Family and friends are welcome. Any questions please contact Lois or Maryanne. There will be an Easter egg hunt after the service. If you are participating and are able, please bring a dozen (or more) filled, plastic eggs to hide.

PORCH: Collection date is Monday, March 19 so the last Sunday to bring donations is March 18. We need a volunteer to assume the duty of collecting and delivering Advent’s donations to PORCH. Contact: Carolyn Jones.

Choir Rehearsal: Wednesday, March 21 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. Practice files are available here.

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. 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 and would love to have others participate on any or all of the following dates: Thursday, April 12 and 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.

Sunday Adult Bible Study Leaders: Mar. 18 – Dave Neely

Lenten Services

Sunday Worship, March 4 –This Sunday we will “Return to the Lord Who Will Restore You.”

Wednesday, March 7, Mid-Week 3 – God’s Will and My Identity: In this service, we remember that Mary dutifully accepted the role God had given her to become the mother of our Savior. That Son would later accept his role, faithfully following the path his Father had in mind for him to save us all. Supper at 6:15 p.m., Worship at 7:00 p.m.

Choir Rehearsal will resume on Wednesday, March 7 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.

Spring Support for Lumberton High School Students: We have another opportunity to support the “storm students” at Lumberton HS. This time your donations will help 13 seniors pay cap and gown fees ($65) and 25 juniors and seniors get prom tickets ($35). Gifts of cash or checks in any amount are welcome. FYI, checks made out to “Lumberton High School” (memo line: Storm Support) are tax deductible. Look for the big white “Sharing Basket” in the narthex on March 4. Questions? Contact Carolyn Jonesor Lydia Berrong.

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: Saturdays, March 3 and April 28; Thursdays March 15 and April 12. 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.

PORCH: We need a volunteer to assume the duty of collecting and delivering Advent’s donations to PORCH. Contact: Carolyn Jones.

Sunday Adult Bible Study Leaders: Mar. 4 – John Stow, Mar. 11 – Bob Serpas, Mar. 18 – Dave Neely