For more information concerning the CDC and Elementary school:
"BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING” UPDATE: June 15th, is the opening day of our “Blessed to be a Blessing” $50,000 matched funds extended campaign through 12/31/08. The $50,000 will be given by a generous Christian donor in $10,000 increments. As we match this amount, the next $10,000 will be received and continue until the donor has given the total of $50,000. A combined grand total of $100,000 for Advent. You do not need to pledge any given amount. What a much needed blessing, an enticement for a called pastor! Let us join together as one body in Christ to achieve this goal. We have proof of what we can do – look around. With God, anything is possible.
WORSHIP SIGN-UP SHEET: Please note the new sign-up chart for readers, liturgists, acolytes, children’s message and communion assistant on the bulletin board in the narthex. This chart covers several months, so anyone interested in signing up for a particular Sunday this summer may do so.
SPECIAL SUMMER MUSIC: The last choir performance for the summer will be on Sun., May 18th. If you enjoy singing or playing an instrument and would like to perform at one of the services during the summer months, please contact Lois Schultz.
TAX REFUNDS: Are you looking for a place to earn solid returns in interest on your savings and help build more Lutheran churches and schools? Consider one of the investments available through the Lutheran Church Extension Fund. Rate of return sheets are available at the LCEF display on the bulletin board. Contact our congregational LCEF representative, Clarence Fry, for any additional information on LCEF investments that you may need.
VBS – SABBATICAL: All great ministries need to take time to rest, recharge and regroup so they can plan for a better future. From time to time, Billy Graham would take off a year from evangelizing…occasionally, Oak Grove Church takes off a year from producing the Living Christmas Tree…and this year Advent’s VBS is taking off a year and will not be held this summer. They do expect to be back next summer, though, so everyone needs to pray about volunteering and donating funds so that more children may be blessed by this ministry. Please remember that for many children, VBS may be their first or only exposure to Jesus.
AIR CONDITIONER FOR THE CDC: Last summer the air conditioner for the CDC offices failed. We managed to "limp along" for the rest of the summer with a borrowed window unit. Because of the noise and the really inadequate cooling we had hoped the budget would allow repairs this spring. This has not been the case. If you would like to make a donation to the required $1997 repairs, please use a "designated gift" envelope.
SERVICES AVAILABLE ON CD & SERMONS ON THE INTERNET: Remember that if you miss a service, it is taped every week and the CD’s are available for your use. Also, if you are visiting a member of the congregation who has been sick and unable to attend church, they might appreciate the chance to listen to the service they have missed. CD’s are available in the church office. The sermons are here, on the church's web site.
PRAYER CIRCLE REMINDER: To request immediate intercessory prayer, call Gail Noske at (410) 893-1923. Prayer is an invitation into the heart of the Father.
ADULT BIBLE CLASSES:
LUTHERAN CHURCH EXTENSION FUND: The LCEF uses your invested dollars to build Lutheran churches and schools. Call LCEF today at 1-800-843-5233 or visit at www.lcef.org.
SHOPPING AT GIANT: If you do your shopping at the Giant supermarket, please register for a card under their “A+ Bonus” program. Doing so will benefit Advent Elementary school.
RECEIPTS: Please save grocery and gift receipts from contributions to Food Collection items and Christmas gifts for our “adopted” families. Place in the brown envelopes attached to the bulletin board. We receive reimbursement grants from Thriven Financial for Lutherans for our involvement.
PAINT DISCOUNT: Advent Lutheran now has an account with the Sherwin Williams store in Bel Air. Church members will receive a 20% discount on non-sale items and a 5% on sale prices. Additionally, at the end of the year, 3% of total sales will be refunded back to the church. So, if you are involved in some home improvement projects using paint, please consider Sherwin Williams!!
CHRISTIAN FICTION: From Arlene Wilke: Please feel free to check out. Process is simple. Just sign your name in the card in the back pocket and leave on the shelf – when you return the book, just insert the proper card back into the pocket – great and easy reading! Book marks are available on the shelf also.
FOOD DONATION SUNDAY - The first Sunday of each month is food donation Sunday.
AFTER SERVICE PRAYER TIME: At the last Voters’ Meeting, the congregation voted to include a time of corporate prayer immediately following the worship service while we are still gathered together. Please share your petitions to the Lord. If you are willing to be a prayer leader, please indicate it on the schedule in the narthex. Lord, hear our prayer!
Advent Email Prayer/Annoucement List: Join the Advent e-mail list and get announcements, upcoming events, and prayer request, direct to your inbox. Simply send a blank message from your email address to AdventLutheranChurch@yahoogroups.com. Contact Paul Tennant with questions at 410-569-7016 or ptathome@comcast.net.
ADOPT A FAMILY ADDRESS: Advent has adopted a Hurricane Katrina family in need of assistance. They are receiving mail at the following address: Peggy Antonucci, 837 Dolphin Cove, Kenner, Louisiana 70065-2978. We all know how much a card or letter can mean during a time of hardship so if the Lord lays it on your heart, please send a note of encouragement and support to the Antonucci family.
Lutheran Mission Society Funds: The Lutheran Mission Society is in critical need of funds to assist in the resettlement of individuals and families in our area, and to help mothers and children with housing. Please send your contributions to the Lutheran Mission Society, 1201 S. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21240.
Paper Recycling: Paper recycling bins have been provided through the Abitibi Consolidated Recycling Division have been placed in the parking lot directly next to the CDC entrance. This is not only a way to get rid of clutter and clean up the environment, but it is also a fund raiser!!! Advent will be paid $5.00 per ton of paper turned in for recycling. Acceptable items: newspapers, magazines, advertising inserts, office paper, junk mail and envelopes. Not accepted: phone books and cardboard.
Continue your prayers for our missionaries: Kedra Larsen, Botswana, Africa; Chuck & Susan Weatherstone, Mali, West Africa; Ed & Mary Fox & their children, Carolyn & Don, Guatamala; Steve Cohen, St. Louis, MO, for "Apple of His Eye"; Susan & Chuck Weatherstone (Mali, W.Africa); and all un-named missionaries we support at home and abroad.
Southeastern District Prayer Partners: Prayer partners are needed who will faithfully and regularly pray for the work of the Gospel in the hearts and lives of people. Partners receive regular prayer requests for mission needs and new outreach opportunities. If you would like to become a Prayer Partner for Mission, complete the form located on the bulletin board and return it to church office or send it to the Southeastern District Office.
Pastoral Hospital Visits - Due to LHRRA regulations (privacy act) hospitals may no longer contact your church for you when you are hospitalized. If you would like to receive a pastoral visit or an elder visit when you are in the hospital, please have a family member notify the church office and your call will be handled promptly.
THE APPALACHIAN AREA - is one of the poorest pockets of poverty in the USA. We plan to make regular trips to that area with clothing, baby items, paper back novels and household cleaning items. If you care to donate to this program, you may bring them to the church any Sunday and we'll collect and store them.