The Advocate : July 2010

Welcome to this month's issue of The Advocate! If you are having trouble viewing the newsletter, you can view the full HTML version of the newsletter online.

I have a goal, a vision really, and I believe it is from God for us. It isn’t something that came to me in a dream or in some mystic encounter with God. It came from listening to the Scriptures, to the Holy Spirit, and to you. I see Advent continuing to grow in three vitally important ways.

I see Advent continuing to grow in three vitally important ways.

We will grow in our worship life together. Our worship services will become even more Spirit-filled, overflowing with the awesome majesty, power, and mystery of God. Our music, our preaching, our reading, our liturgical leadership, our technical support, will grow in excellence so much that people will come just to experience this amazing thing they have heard about. Regardless of why they come, when they do come, they will hear the Gospel and the Holy Spirit will change them.

This worship life (which will be such a blessing to God) will empower us to a new sense of unity and love for one another. We will seek opportunities to fellowship, serve, learn, and have fun together. We will be known as a congregation that loves deeply, each other and the community around us. Youth with adults, folks from all different kinds of services and neighborhoods, will feel very much a part of the one body of Christ called Advent.

Our worship life will empower growth in our Christian service and outreach to the community and to the world. The many and excellent ways in which our congregation reaches out to those in need will continue to grow in numbers and variety of volunteers and each will be moved because of the great love of God which they have experienced personally and in our worship life together.

Yes, it’s pretty clear that I believe everything we are and everything God longs for us to be flows out of our worship life, our relationship with God as the community Christ has called together as Advent Lutheran Church. We can do all kinds of great, fun, helpful, and educational things, but if they are not flowing out of our deep love for Christ, each other, and the world they mean little.

In the coming months I am going to be pondering and praying about how we, as a congregation, can even more effectively sink our roots deep into our relationship with God. Ponder and pray with me, will you?

Peace,

What a terrific VBS!  With the help of God and our many volunteers, we were able to bring the news of salvation through Jesus to about 90 children.

It is a good testimony to the strong faith of our members and friends of Advent who despite the loss of our very capable and inspirational Christian Education Director, Emily Miner, have used their gifts to once again make this VBS program possible.  Our heartfelt thanks to those who gave us guidance as we tried to coordinate this large program -- your advice was invaluable:  Kelly Cook, Kelly Neeley and Arlene Velazquez.

Our thanks to Carol Stanton for her wonderful organizational skills -- talk about "behind the scenes."  Without her help we would not have the fabulous slides for our opening and closings.  She was also a great help with sound choreography and thinking of the very important details!

God has blessed Advent with so many generous and talented people.  Special thanks to our Station Leaders who invested many hours of their time to creatively lead their area of this ministry:  Julia Lima, Kristina Petrik, Lauren Sicoli, Lauren Squires, Kristi Pohland, Lynne Borchers, Tara Carillo, Nicolle Willner, Evelyn Krutki

Thanks to our enthusiastic Station Assistants, Crew Leaders and Crew Leader Assistants who braved the Florida heat and unending energies of the young ones under their care: T.J. Jesse, David Neeley, Nikki Leahy, Cindy Gordon, Sara Atkinson, Joshua Jeffries, Lauren Cato, Jared Jeffries, Melina Cato, Andrew Loso, Vicky LeSage, Amanda Napolitano, Joshua Velazquez, Zoe Dickman, Chris Dickman, Jenni Snow & Angel, Kim Fiore & Morgan Maggard, Emily Palumbo & Brittnie Todd, Eddie Wolchick & Nick Palumbo, Lucile Zimmermann & Alyssa Nelson, Melissa Bassignani, Matthew Martorelli, Rudy Pacarro & Caitlin Mallick, Chris Zepp & Michael Mallick, Deanna Dickman , Melissa Whitaker, Liz Johnson & Leslie Boston-Hyde, Evelyn and Kelly Krutki, Kari Taylor & Ellie Hutchin, Evelyn Lester & Julia Cobb, Jordan Maggard, Kiera Barrett, Cindi & Katie Read

Thank you to another pair of "behind the scenes" nursery attendants, Randi Nelson and Amy Scalia, who made it possible for us to have more volunteers.

Our thanks to Sue and Mikey Nichols for their expertise in the sound booth.  What would we do without them?!

We wouldn't have had a smooth opening without the organization of our registration team on Monday morning:  Kay Malito, Ella Holub, Marie Maynard and Karen Hagen as our escort.

A special thanks to Katie Gordon, Kamy Jesse and Pastor Dave for making our openings and closings memorable.  Katie's and Kamy's roles were key to our program and they really stepped out of their comfort zone.  Pastor Dave -- it was old hat for you but you were terrific and that's why we wanted you to be Sailor Jack!

The generous folks of St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church and Suntree United Methodist Church created and donated the awesome props that we used for our sets and in our classrooms.  Don Rydeen, Bill Petrik, Kristina Petrik, Pete Jolly, Bill Stanton and Harry Maynard were our prop movers and haulers.  Bill Stanton “rolled out the ocean and sky” and Carole Wilen, our resident artist, used her skill to make the waves and clouds on the backdrops come alive!  Thanks to Cindy and Terri Gordon for reconstructing the ship’s cabin and taking care of the “week before” preparations!

Our thanks to Doris Jannke for recruiting efforts.  Because of her many calls and contacts volunteer positions were filled!

In gratitude,

Amanda Jones
VBS Directors

July 16th  from 3 -7 PM - In cooperation with the Flock University small group, the Fellowship Committee will be organizing the Big Red Bus Blood Drive! We will have a soup, sandwich, and cookies/pie while the drive is happening.  Please join us!

August 8th- Fellowship will be hosting an End of Summer Family Picnic. This event will be held from 12:30 to 3 PM and will be complete with games, activities, music, and fun. It is a BYOB event (Bring Your Own Basket…picnic basket that is) so you bring what you want to eat and drink and we will provide the rest!

September 10th – Rock the Universe Outing! Cost is only $41 per person and includes admission to Universal Studios Orlando from 4PM-1AM with concerts from Skillet, Toby Mac, and other Christian Rock Bands throughout the night. We need to buy the tickets in increments of 11 people to lock in this price so contact Chris Dickman or Carol Stanton and make checks payable to Advent Lutheran Church if you want to go! This will be an event to remember so sign up soon!

The Evangelism team continues to meet monthly on the 2nd Monday of every month.

I am so grateful for each of the members:

Amy Scalia…Scheduling of Welcome Center and greeters
Mary Larson…Welcome letters to visitors and new member class invitations
Rob Palumbo…Printing and design work
Tara Carrillo…Publicity
Don Hagen…Outreach Ideas…Evangelism meeting report
Kristina Petrik and Amanda Jones…Facebook
Doug Torgerson ……Member-at-large
George Geiger…… Member-at-large
Kristi Poland …….Help with new member class set-up

On Saturday, September 25th we will have our next new member’s session from 9 am – 12 noon.  Each week letters of welcome continue to go out to visitors.  All visitors will be invited to attend this awesome new member session with Pastor Dave.

Some thoughts on Evangelism that we have tried to impart this year…….

• Be clear on our focus.  Make room for God to work.
• Build a common purpose…what’s working…what’s not working.
• How do we increase our impact on the community?
• Helping people align themselves to God!
• Want visitors and members of the congregation to “know God”.
• Help all to connect.
• And lastly……
• “Growing together to make Christ known!”

God’s blessings to all,
Doris Jannke, Acting Evangelism Commissioner

In the past two months, we have talked with you about the characteristics of a Christian Steward.  By definition, a steward does not own property, but rather manages someone else’s property.  As a Christian Steward, we manage what God has entrusted to us.  God has blessed each of us with all that we have, whatever that might be.

In Matthew 28, Christ commissioned His disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you . . .”.   Christ’s disciples were stewards of all that Christ had taught them.  This commission is the mission of the church.  There is church because there is mission, not vice versa. The church is participating in the mission of God. Advent’s mission is a subset of this larger mission. Our stewardship of all that God has blessed us with helps to build up and sustain God’s earthly kingdom.

In 2 Corinthians 9:7, the Apostle Paul writes:  “Each man must decide in his heart what to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”.  Why do you suppose that God loves a cheerful giver?  It is because, when we are cheerful in our giving, God knows our giving is born of grace.  Unless our stewardship is born out of grace, it will become forced or pinched, a pale reflection of what God wants it to be.  Our goal as your Advent Stewardship Commission is to raise-up “cheerful” Christians who, through their time, talent, and offerings, are as ungrudging in their giving as our God is in sending us His Son.

For God’s redeemed people, stewardship begins with an understanding that we are “entrusted with the secrets of God” (1Corinthians 4:1).  Unless we take seriously our vocation as stewards of God’s grace, the broader stewardship of the mission of God will not be achieved.  It is redeeming grace that empowers us to live as stewards over all that which God entrusts to us.  Christ’s redemptive work extends beyond our personal salvation to embrace heaven and earth (Revelations 21:1).  The day will come when we will be stewards of that new heaven and earth.  We prepare for that future role by serving as faithful stewards today.

We are in the summer months here at Advent.  The financial giving and  helping hands by members historically decreases during July, August and September but the programs, outreach and  bills continue. We ask each of you to examine how you can use your time, talent, and the treasure God has entrusted to you to sustain God’s mission here at Advent this summer.

Thank you notes were received from the following people: 
Carol & Dick Tangen
Bart & Dorothy Rinehart
The notes are posted on the bulletin board outside of the main office. 

Advent donates to those in need through SVAAC.  Financial aid and food is distributed here at Advent on Thursday nights. We need food donations for this food pantry. 

We need the following food items:

• Pasta
• Pasta sauce
• Peanut Butter & Jelly
• Canned Vegetables

Please check out Publix for BOGOs (buy one - get one!)

Please leave the items in the bin located in the Knoedler Center. If you have any questions or would like to help, please call Kristina Petrik at 321-684-1420.

Aloha,

I hope that you’re all doing well. The Men’s group has been active this hot summer, and some of us have lost weight because of it…Hooray. The Men and Women from Advent worked at the “Make a Difference” day at the New Beginnings house that helps women get their lives again. We worked in the hot sun pulling weeds, vines, and other invasive plants. I’m so grateful to those who participated in this, to be the “hands and feet” of Jesus. Matthew 25:40, “…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

The Men and Women’s group also gave the approval to buy the batteries needed to make the church’s golf cart functional again. Funds from these two Advent small groups will cover the costs. The Men’s group raises money from the October Fest, and monthly offerings at the breakfast.

The Men’s group participated in the Small Group leadership meeting and we will be having a “booth” at the upcoming Small Group Fair. This fair will help people to know what the many Advent small groups do for spiritual growth, ministry, and fun. There will be more “joint” small group events happening at Advent in the future.

Vacation Bible School was another Men’s group project that Jesus called us to participate in. Being a Crew Leader and helping little ones see the joy of Christ in Bible study, games, and song was a very moving event for the Men that participated in this.

The annual October Fest is scheduled for Saturday. October 23, 2010. There is already some discussion with other small groups to make this a “family” event, so stay tuned.

As you can see, the Men’s group is about fellowship and working together for God’s Kingdom. If you are interested, please come to the next Men’s Breakfast in the Knoedler Center. We meet every third Saturday of the month.

Mahalo,
Rudy Pacarro

Our next men’s breakfasts will be Saturday, July 17th at 9:00 am And August 21st at 9 am!

To all the women at Advent, we extend an invitation to you to attend our Second Annual Women’s Retreat on Saturday, August 28th  from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm  We will spend a fun day fellowshipping, learning, praying, singing, and eating.

The theme of this year’s Bible study is entitled “Pray Always” from Lutheran Woman Today magazine, which includes the Bible studies from the June, July, and August issues.  You will be provided with copies of the Bible studies; all you need to bring is your Bible and yourself.  Box lunches will be provided by HoneyBaked Ham, and you’ll have your choice of several different sandwiches, including a vegetarian selection.

The cost for this wonderful experience will be $10 per person.  This fee includes lunch, a morning snack, and beverages.  Registration deadline is August 22nd.  Please fill out the enclosed registration form and turn it into the office, along with a check for $10.00.

HOLD THE DATE!

Women of Faith will be in Tampa on Friday, October 15 and Saturday the 16th.  Please mark the date on your calendar.  We are promised 25 tickets.  If we fill 25 seats, we will get one ticket free.

Invite your friends and/or family for an inspiring, sometimes funny, spiritually enlightening weekend.

If you have any questions, contact Jean Ott or Lynn Borchers.

Advent Backpack Project

Although it is still six months away, we are filling backpacks to give to the homeless at Christmas! We are way behind our goal of 200 backpacks. Every year at Christmas time the youth go out to daily bread and distribute these backpacks. Daily Bread's soup kitchen serves between 200 and 250 people daily, the kitchen is open seven days a week, 365 days a year, providing a hot mid-day meal plus hygienic services, including shower, laundry and mail service, to any one in need. Will you help us reach our goal?
We still need (January) SOCKS, (February) FLASHLIGHTS, (March) ZIPLOC BAGS, (April) CAN OPENERS, (May) Toothpaste and Toothbrushes and we are collecting Water Bottles in July! Please leave the items in the baskets marked BACKPACK PROJECT underneath the bread tables in the narthex.

Advent Preschool

The preschool Open House is scheduled for Wednesday, August 4th from 9:00 - 12:00. 
At this time we have one opening in our VPK Class.
School will begin on Monday, August 9th.  Please call Chris at 254-7139 for more information.

Advent's Christ-centered Thespians (ACT) will be putting on a Christmas Musical this December and we need you to be a part of it!  We need actors (mostly children and youth), singers and dancers (pre-school, children and youth), musicians, scene designers, costumers, concessioners, advertisers, ticket-takers and so many others (adults and youth) to make this happen.

Rehearsals will begin early September.  Please come and be a part of this special event.  Family friendly planning meetings are normally held the 1st Sunday of the month.  Our next meeting is Sunday, July 11th @ 7:00 pm.  Hope to see you there!

ACOLYTE GUILD

One of the goals of Worship & Music has been to form an Acolyte Guild. With prayers and watching,  please welcome Carl Ott, with the help of his wife Jean Ott, as he works with us and all the services to form the Acolyte Guild.

Carl has presented to us many wonderful ideas and we intend to help him encourage individuals and families to unite in fellowship and worship in a growing form of leadership in the Acolyte Guild.

Please be on the look out in the announcement sheet and on the slides for retreats and workshops for everyone interested in leading as an acolyte in any service.

Soul Fusion Student Ministries

We are expecting Advent’s new Christian Education/Youth Director (Melody Nettnin) to be in-place about August 1st.  The Advent Youth Leadership Team is eager to begin working with Melody and using her fresh ideas for Advent’s Youth Ministries.

The Adult Youth Leadership Team includes: Rick Rowe, Karen Jesse, Alberta-Jo Parker, Eddie Wolchick, Cindy Gordon, Terri Gordon and Kristina Petrik

Youth Mission Trip, July 3-10, 2010:  Advent Youth are really looking forward to the upcoming Youth Mission Trip to Birmingham, AL and they sincerely thank Advent members for their support of this mission trip.  Chris and Megan Dickman have volunteered to help lead the 2010 Youth Mission Trip while Albert Jo Parker has been the point person for Mission Trip Fund Raising.  There are currently 20 youth and 5 adults signed-up for the mission trip.  Advent Youth will provide the congregation with a summary of their Birmingham, AL Trip after they return.

Respectfully Submitted
Bob Borchers
Church Council Representative for Advent Youth

Sign-up now for your free family portraits Saturday July 24th hosted by Kevin Stover Photography!

Portrait times will be between 3 and 7pm at the Knoedler Center.  We will have a large white backdrop with studio lights and umbrellas.  Sign-up times are in 10-minute intervals. Sitting fee is FREE and pictures will be posted on a password protected online gallery.  Print fees are $25 for each 8x10 and all proceeds benefit Advent.

Join us for this fun and unique fund-raiser!  We would love to see you there with your spouse, kids, grand kids, or even for a beautiful portrait of yourself!  We recommend white or black shirts. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity.

Please email us at info@kevinstoverphotography.com or call us at 321.604.0259 to reserve your spot! We will also have sign-up tables after services on 7/10-7/11.

July Birthdays

They might be a person you see on the street, in a car or on the bus.  They might be a family member, your neighbor, co-worker or friend.  You might sit by their side at church or stand behind them in a store.

The Faces of the Advent Food Pantry are those who have been touched by the issues of hunger or those who are suffering from hunger itself.  They are the folks at the soup kitchens, other food pantries, and shelters. They are the individuals, families and seniors that receive groceries from Advent’s Food Pantry.

Advent Food Pantry needs Canned Meals: Stews, Soups, Tuna, Ravioli, etc., Peanut Butter, Cereal, Canned Fruits and Vegetables, Rice, Pasta and Dried Beans, Hygiene Items: Toothpaste, Shaving Items, Soap, etc., Infant Products: Diapers, Wipes, Paper Products: Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, etc. Check out Publix for BOGO’s. Or purchase a gift card and we’ll do the shopping for you!

We would also like to recognize and thank our awesome volunteers who come and help every Thursday night: Art Griffin from Hope Episcopal Church, Phil and Jennifer Taylor from Grace Communion International and Sue and Mikey Nichols from Advent.

Want to Be Part of the Stephen Minister Training Class? Here’s What to Do:

Advent will be training a new class of Stephen Ministers soon! This is a wonderful opportunity for you to grow in faith, develop stronger relational skills, and bring Christ’s love into the lives of hurting people. If you are interested in being part of this class, pick up a copy of the Stephen Minister Application from the welcome center. Fill it out and return it to Kristina Petrik. We will then schedule a time during the next few weeks when you can meet with a couple of our Stephen Leaders to learn more about the training and so we can learn more about you. If you have any questions, talk with one of our Stephen Ministry Leaders: Kristina Petrik, Rick Rowe, Ellen Williams, and Jacquie Rowe.
Act now, there are only a few spots left. Time's running out!

For more information, contact Kristina Petrik 684-1420. God has plans for you to grow.

The property work day for June was held on Saturday, June 5th. Work accomplished included cleaning and stripping of the tile floors in the Ed Wing in preparation for waxing, trimming of some trees around the grounds and cleaning up the lower trunks of several of the palm trees in front of the Sanctuary. The remaining palm trees will be cleaned up as time and opportunity permit. Thanks to David Bedwell, Mark and David Holub, Al Steen, Bill Stanton and Pete Jolly for a good work day.

I would also like to thank Ron Klein and Tony Porada for ongoing work accomplished in the Memorial Garden which includes installing edging around the planters, replacing “winter killed” plants, weeding planters, trimming plants and applying weed control. Thanks also to Ron for maintaining several of the “islands” in the parking lot area.

The next scheduled property work day is July 10th. This is the second Saturday of July due to the first Saturday falling in the July 4th Holiday weekend. The main work scheduled will be spreading approximately 6 yards of mulch in the school play ground area. The first Saturday in August is the 7th and that will be our August work day. An E-mail will be sent out as the date gets closer and tentative work items are set. There may be other unscheduled work sessions called as necessary during these months.

If anyone is interested in getting on my E-mail list for these work sessions or joining the Property Committee please feel free to contact me.  My contact information is as follows:

                        Phone              321-610-7790
Cell                  703-283-0716
E-mail               old_plane_man@yahoo.com

God Bless,

What: Pressure washing, yard work, and painting
Who: Everyone!
When: July 24th
When: 8:00a.m until 11:00am
Where: New Beginnings Ministry

We need workers for:
Yard work
Painting
Repairs
Little jobs
Big jobs

Please direct all concerns member/attendee and extended family & friends to the office (x 221) or Pastor Dave (x 222).    The cards are in the pew racks. Fill one out and place it in the Prayer Box located near the Baptismal Shell.

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