Wishing all of you a Happy and Blessed New Year!

No Sunday School or Adult Bible Class this Sunday, Dec. 29. Pastor Larry Eckart will be leading Worship.

Adult Bible Class Leaders: Jan. 5 – Dave Neely, Jan. 12 – Pastor Scott, Jan. 19 – Bob Serpas

Readings for Sunday, Dec. 29, 1^st Sunday after Christmas: For those who wish to prepare for Sunday’s lessons, please read Is. 63:7–14, Psalm 111, Gal. 4:4–7, Matt. 2:13–23

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.

Adult Bible Class Leaders: Dec 22 – John Stow, Dec. 29 – No Bible Class, Jan. 5 – Dave Neely, Jan. 12 – Pastor Scott, Jan. 19 – Bob Serpas

Readings for Sunday, Dec. 22, 4^th Sunday in Advent: For those who wish to prepare for Sunday’s lessons, please read Daniel 12:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:42-49, Matthew 13:36-43

We invite you to celebrate with us this Advent and Christmas Season

“Arise, shine, for your light has come” (Isaiah 60:1) In this year’s Advent and Christmas series, we welcome the Christ Child, who is the light of the world, arising in our lives this season. In celebration, we, in turn, shine with the light of Christ in various ways for all the world to see the brightness of His love. Each week will focus on a different aspect of the light of Christ and how we are enlightened by Him throughout our lives.

Advent Week 4 – Sunday, Dec. 22: Eternal Light (Daniel 12:3) – We look forward to Jesus’ Second Advent, when we will be raised in glory to live in His presence and shine like stars forever. Come, Lord Jesus! Christian Education at 9:15 a.m., Worship Service at 10:30 a.m.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service – Tuesday, Dec. 24, 7:00 p.m.: Shining Light (Genesis 1:3) – On this night we celebrate that Jesus, the Light of the world, lies in a manger in Bethlehem. He is our Shining Light; the Light no darkness can overcome.

Christmas Day Services: We will not be having a Christmas Day service. Area Lutheran churches that will be having services include: Grace, Durham – 10:30 a.m.; Our Savior, Raleigh – 11:00 a.m.; Resurrection, Cary – 10:00 a.m.

May the HOPE of salvation, Jesus Christ, shine through you.
May God’s PEACE be made known in you and in our world.
May the JOY of knowing Jesus be in the words you speak, the songs you sing.
And, may the LOVE of God overflow in your heart.

Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas!

Installation Service: The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Blanke will be installed as the Pastor of Resurrection Lutheran Church, 100 W Lochmere Dr., Cary on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 4:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Members of Advent, you are invited.

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

Blessings Bags: Last week Pastor blessed the 84 care kits you helped create to share with homeless people you encounter in your community. We encourage you to take a couple of bags to keep in your car and be prepared to help.

Adult Bible Class Leaders: Dec. 15 – Bob Serpas, Dec 22 – John Stow, Dec. 29 – No Bible Class, Jan. 5 – Dave Neely, Jan. 12 – Pastor Scott, Jan. 19 – Bob Serpas

Readings for Sunday, Dec. 15, 3^rd Sunday in Advent: For those who wish to prepare for Sunday’s lessons, please read Malachi 4:1-6, 2 Peter 1:16-19, John 5:30-36

We invite you to celebrate with us this Advent and Christmas Season

Advent Sundays: Christian Education at 9:15 a.m., Worship Service at 10:30 a.m.

Advent Wednesdays: Worship Service at 7:00 p.m. We will NOT be having a dinner before the services this year.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service: Worship Service at 7:00 p.m.

“Arise, shine, for your light has come” (Isaiah 60:1) In this year’s Advent and Christmas series, we welcome the Christ Child, who is the light of the world, arising in our lives this season. In celebration, we, in turn, shine with the light of Christ in various ways for all the world to see the brightness of His love. Each week will focus on a different aspect of the light of Christ and how we are enlightened by Him throughout our lives.

Advent Week 3 – Sunday, Dec. 15: Healing Light (Malachi 4:2) – With repentant joy we anticipate the birth of our Savior. We listen to His Word and live according to it until He comes again.

Advent Week 4 – Wednesday, Dec. 18 and Sunday, Dec. 22: Eternal Light (Daniel 12:3) – We look forward to Jesus’ Second Advent, when we will be raised in glory to live in His presence and shine like stars forever. Come, Lord Jesus!

Christmas Day Services: We will not be having a Christmas Day service. Area Lutheran churches that will be having services include: Grace, Durham – 10:30 a.m.; Our Savior, Raleigh – 11:00 a.m.; Resurrection, Cary – 10:00 a.m.

Women of Advent: The Women of Advent will hold their annual Christmas Brunch on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 9:30 a.m. at the home of Carolyn Hinkle. All women and guests of Advent are invited to attend. A letter with more information and directions is in the Narthex. If there are any questions, please see Maryanne Warne.

Abundant Joy, CWM will be offering the following groups beginning in January.

• Philippians Bible Study (8 weeks) Tuesday evenings January 14-February 24, from 6:30-8:30 pm. No cost
• The Anger Workbook (13 weeks) Thursday mornings January 18-April 9, from 10 a.m.- noon. Cost $10
• It’s Okay Not to be Okay; Moving Forward One Day at a Time (9 weeks) Wednesday mornings January 22-March 18. Cost $7.00

For more information or registration, contact abundantjoycwm@gmail.com.

Blessing the “Blessings Bags”: Thanks again to all who donated items for our “Blessings Bags” and helped fill them last Sunday. After worship this Sunday, Pastor Scott will bless the bags on display in the Fellowship Hall. You will be invited to take a couple of bags to keep in your car and share with homeless individuals.

Christmas Cards to Your Advent Family: A small tree has been set up in the Narthex to display your cards. Please send or bring your cards and put them on or near the tree.

Adult Bible Class Leaders: Dec. 8 – John Cangelosi, Dec. 15 – Bob Serpas, Dec 22 – John Stow, Dec. 29 – No Bible Class, Jan. 5 – Dave Neely, Jan. 12 – Pastor Scott, Jan. 19 – Bob Serpas

Readings for Sunday, Dec. 8, 2^nd Sunday in Advent: For those who wish to prepare for Sunday’s lessons, please read Zechariah 9:14-17, Philippians 2:14-16, Matthew 5:13-16

We invite you to celebrate with us this Advent and Christmas Season

Advent Sundays: Christian Education at 9:15 a.m., Worship Service at 10:30 a.m.
Children’s Christmas Program will be during the service on December 8

Advent Wednesdays: Worship Service at 7:00 p.m. We will NOT be having a dinner before the services this year.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service: Worship Service at 7:00 p.m.

“Arise, shine, for your light has come” (Isaiah 60:1) In this year’s Advent and Christmas series, we welcome the Christ Child, who is the light of the world, arising in our lives this season. In celebration, we, in turn, shine with the light of Christ in various ways for all the world to see the brightness of His love. Each week will focus on a different aspect of the light of Christ and how we are enlightened by Him throughout our lives.

Advent Week 2 – Sunday, Dec. 8 and Wednesday, Dec. 11: Reflected Light (Zechariah 9:16) – We celebrate Jesus as the Light of the world as we reflect His light in our daily lives.