The Advocate : October 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.

As Lutherans we love to celebrate the Reformation together and to remember Luther and the other brave men and women who risked their lives to bring the Gospel back to a church that had gone astray. We also like to remind ourselves that the church is in constant need of reformation. As sinful human beings, it seems we can’t help losing sight of Christ’s mission and becoming stuck on things that are far less important. Because of this, the Holy Spirit is constantly stirring us up and re-forming our way of being church.

Lutherans like to remember the Reformation, we like to celebrate the Reformation, but we really don’t care for being re-formed ourselves.

In our heart of hearts, I think we believe that, although every other generation of Christians has needed reformation and repentance, we pretty much have it right so “don’t change anything!”

But without change, there is no growth and God loves us too much to allow us not to grow.

There is one particular area in need of growth in our congregation that the Holy Spirit has laid on my heart. I guess I would describe it as our “congregational self-image.”

Right now we are rather “compartmentalized.” We have “Saturday night people, 8:00 people, 9:30 people, and 11:00 people.” We have lots of small groups, but few know anything about those who are outside of their own. Instead of seeing ourselves as a body of believers, called together by the Holy Spirit, children of God and followers of Christ, too often we behave as consumers of religious services.

And, when we allow ourselves to become consumers of religious services, we feel no particular loyalty to or connection with other members of Advent unless they are a part of the activities we prefer.

I wonder if things could be different. Imagine with me what Advent would be like if all of us were here because we believed this was where God was calling us to be. Imagine what our congregation would be like if the people who attended each service celebrated and supported the people of other services. I wonder how our effectiveness in mission would change if our various activities and ministries knew about and cheered for each other as we served Christ alongside each other?

I am going to pray that (in this area and in every area) God will continually call us back to the heart of what it means to be church. As the song says, “It’s all about you, Jesus.” Pray and think with me about what Advent will look like as the Holy Spirit draws us together as the Body of Christ for the sake of this community and the world.

God has great things in store.
Serving with you,

Improving Advent’s Financial Tracking and Reporting
At the annual meeting in June, we (our Treasurer, David Holub; our Administrator, Carol Ann; and myself) committed to work with the Audit Committee to improve our accounting practices and our financial reporting.  Despite our considerable efforts over the last 3 years, both bookkeeping and financial reporting with our accounting system have remained unacceptable. 

Tracing contributions to our income statements was possible but difficult.  As one example of the reporting problems, not all income was reported through the Contribution Module’s Funds Report.  In addition, since more than one type of contribution were combined into a single income account, side calculations were necessary to compare a Funds Report (our contribution statement) to an Income and Expense Statement, our accounting statement.  This should not have been the case.  Reports were not easy to understand nor transparent to anyone, even to the most financially astute. Without going into the technical details, many of the bookkeeping entries were even more complex.  At the prodding of David Bedwell, who took the lead for the accounting committee, and of the council, we have decided to make some significant changes in our accounting policies and accounting structures to simplify the bookkeeping and to improve the reporting. 

David Bedwell, who has considerable accounting experience, kept asking us why we had income and expenses that were not reported on our Income and Expense statements.  He wanted to know why tracking from contributions to income was so difficult.  He wanted to know why our bookkeeping entries were so complex.  In addition, the council was unhappy with the reporting.  Financial reports were too difficult to read and understand.  We have responded with policy and structural changes in our accounting.

One of the policy changes is that all income and all contributions will be reported through the Contributions Module in the Funds Report.  In addition, there will be one for one correspondence between an account in the Contributions Module and an account in the Accounting Module.  Income on the Income and Expense statement matches the contributions or income on the Funds Report.  No side calculations are now required to track from the Contribution Module to the Accounting Module.

Another policy change is that all regularly occurring expenses will be reported in the Income and Expense statements.  For years, Advent has used “Designated Funds” as flow through accounts.  Income was added to the appropriate Designated Fund and appropriate expenses were subtracted from that fund.  Tracking income and expense for any of the Designated Funds was at best difficult.   David Bedwell kept questioning this practice.  He correctly pointed out that most of the Designated Funds were meant to cover or subsidize on-going expenses of the church; that is to be used for expenses we would incur whether or not the money in that fund was sufficient to cover the expense.  As these expenses are equal to roughly 20% of our total expenses, accounting for funds in this manner seemed unwise. We have therefore restructured all of the Designated Funds having these characteristics into Ministry Funds and Ministry Expenses.  Ministry expenses are now accounted for and reported as identifiable parts of general operations.  Income is still collected into appropriate Designated Funds but when a Ministry Expense is now incurred, income is transferred from the designated account to general operations.  In this manner, Designated Income is still traceable to the Funds Report and is aggregated in a Designated Fund for use to cover that type of expense.  Income transferred from that fund is also tracked as are the Ministry Expenses.  Beginning next year, we will budget both Designated Income and Ministry Expenses. 

To simplify the bookkeeping and to improve the reporting, we have also completed a restructuring of the accounting structure (Chart of Accounts).  While these policy and structural changes will require an adjustment on all of our parts, I am certain that as we get used to the changes we will all appreciate having made them.  Please continue to give us your feedback as we work to make Advent’s financial reporting truly transparent.

Yours in Christ, 

Bill Stanton

President, Advent

October 10, 2010
Installation of Sister Michelle at the 9:30 service
Installation of JW Snyder at the 11 am service
MEET & GREET POTLUCK LUNCHEON
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE 11 AM SERVICE

Oktoberfest
October 23rd, 11—3pm
(food served 12—3pm)

White Elephant Sale
& Bakeless Bake Sale
November 6, 2010
8 am—2 pm

Joyce Meyer Conference
November 18—20, 2010
Tampa, FL

Christmas Play
“God With Us”
(authored by Pastor Dave)
December 10th, 11th & 12th

Christmas Dinner Dance
December 12, 2010

October 23, 2010 from 11:00—3:00 PM
(Food will be served from 12-3 PM!)

This year the Men’s Group together with the Fellowship Committee is sponsoring the annual “Oktoberfest” with food, games, BIG BOUNCE COMBO house, Demolition and new this year, a concert hosted by our very own Disciple 13!

We’ve extended the times, added fun for the kids, and the music for everyone.
This will truly be a FUN FAMILY event!

Ticket prices for food and drink are
Pre-sale prices:
$10 for adults and $5 for kids 3-12 years old
Includes food and one drink
$25 for a family

At the door prices:
$12 for adults
$30 for a family

A wrist band for games, pony rides, bounce house etc.
$3.00 per person
(Cotton Candy will be $1.00 for those without wrist bands.)

All proceeds will benefit the 2011 Youth Mission Trip!

Tickets are on sale in the lobby. 

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer on the day of the event please contact Rudy Pacarro, Chris Dickman, Carol Stanton or Amanda Jones. Thank you and we look forward to seeing YOU there!

As members and friends of Advent Lutheran Church we will have an opportunity for a special experience in our worship life when  the Rev. Lavern Franzen will be with us as a representative of Lutheran Services Florida, our social ministry agency.  He will be present for our worship on the third Sunday in October, October 17.

Dr. Franzen is no stranger to most of us.  He is probably best known to many of us as the first Bishop of the Florida-Bahamas Synod of the ELCA.  He was elected to that position at the Constituting Assembly of our Synod in May, 1987, when the ELCA was in the process of formation.  He retired from that office after serving two terms as Bishop, and was elected Bishop Emeritus as that time.  He holds an earned Doctor of Ministry degree from Columbia Seminary and an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Newberry College.

Dr. Franzen will be with us to share his passion for a very special ministry in which we are also involved, that of Lutheran Services Florida.  He especially comes to invite our continuing support for that ministry.  This ministry came into existence officially some twenty-eight years ago when Florida church leaders of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, the American Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Church in America, and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches incorporated  the agency.  Their goal was to develop a better way to provide the care necessary for those thousands of people in our state who have very special needs, but for one reason or another cannot meet those needs by themselves.  The agency motto, “Bringing healing, hope and help to those in need.” continues to be the mission of LSF. 

Through LSF, our congregation is part of the network of congregations and individuals working together for just these purposes.  From its very small beginning with three employees and three areas of ministry, Lutheran Services Florida has grown into an agency with some five hundred employees and over sixty fields of ministry.  Through some of these ministries we provide care to abused children or to children at risk in other ways; we offer help to refugees fleeing possible political or religious persecution; and we reach troubled teen-agers needing special counseling and guidance.  Our guardianship ministries provide care for elderly people who are too frail to care for themselves any longer. Through that same guardianship program we also care for the infirm or those who are incapacitated but who have no one to provide for them.  We could easily mention many more helping ministries, such as our care for survivors of natural disasters, including most recently the help we provided refugees from Haiti after the tragic earthquake there.  Our ministries also include assistance to many other homeless families.  Those  ministries vary greatly,  but those who receive our help have one thing in common:  They are people in need of our assistance.

Obviously  there are so many people in need of help  it would be impossible for us to provide that care by ourselves. The range of ministries is too wide even for single congregations to carry them out alone. We are happy to say that in Florida, the Florida-Georgia District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, and the Florida-Bahamas Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America  work together through  Lutheran Services Florida.  We are enabled to meet the ministry challenges more successfully as we join together with fellow Lutherans to do so.

There is much more to say about Lutheran Services Florida and we’ll have an opportunity to hear about  it very personally when  Dr. Franzen will be our guest.  Over twenty-eight years ago, as Auxiliary Bishop of the  Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches, he was one of those involved in the formation of our agency.  He has personal knowledge of its ministries, beginning from day one.  So we know you won’t want to miss his presentation!  Mark your calendars now!

GOD’S LISTENERS
(A new Small Group Ministry)

Help for those who are dealing with loss and grief.
Loss of a job, the breakup of a family, the death of a loved one, the loss of good health, all of these things (and so many others) can leave a person feeling isolated and emotionally drained. It is easy to wonder if there is something wrong with you, if your feelings are normal, or if you are losing your mind.

God’s Listeners is a new small group ministry beginning at Advent specifically designed to help those who are dealing with loss and grief. Through focused discussion, excellent materials, and opportunities to walk with others who are also experiencing loss and grief, this ministry will be a great help to those who are going through these difficult times.
God’s Listeners will have their first meeting on October 10th at 4 PM in the adult Sunday School room in the Education buildling. This is an open group so people from all ages are invited to join in at any time.

At the Saturday/Sunday worship services on October 23/24, October 30/31 and November 6/7, you will be hearing messages with the theme, “Excel in the Grace of Giving.” We encourage you to be present to hear Christ's, and the Bible's teachings on Stewardship.

We pray that the messages offered will help us in our journeys as faithful and generous stewards. By the power of the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacrament, we are molded and transformed into stewards who follow God’s ways and become more Christ-like in our giving. As Christians, we are motivated to give by the gift of God’s grace through his son. With hearts filled with God’s love and grace, we can give faithfully.

Giving is our faith response to God’s gifts. God wants us to give willingly and cheerfully out of hearts filled with love and gratitude for our present and eternal lives. We also give out of obedience because God’s Word directs us to give. The Apostle Paul said, “But just as you excel in everything … in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us … see that you also excel in this grace of giving” (2 Corinthians 8:7). Just as Paul urged the people in Corinth to give, we are urged to “excel in this grace of giving.”

There will be a Bible Study on November 7th at 9:30 a.m. in the Knoedler's Center with the theme of “Excel in the Grace of Giving.” This exciting message on what the Bible has to say about Christian Stewardship will give you the opportunity to ask questions and dialogue with your fellow Christians.

Your response to God's love will be received at the alter on Stewardship Saturday/Sunday, November 13th and 14th.

May God bless and keep us in His peace and joy as we give to Him!

Stewardship Commission

Advent’s Stephen Ministry
Christ Caring for People through People

"Love one another ... as I have loved you." John 13:34

Our Stephen Ministry program equips lay persons to provide distinctively Christian, one-to-one care to anyone in our congregation who is going through a difficult time and in need of support from a Christian friend.

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion." Colossian 3:12

Stephen Ministry - Meeting the Needs of People
There are times when each of us needs the care of another person...a Christian friend...a Stephen Minister.  If you are dealing with any of the following challenges in your life, please contact us so that we can help:

• Hospitalized
  
• Terminally ill and their families
  
• Grieving a death or serious loss
  
• In job crisis
  
• Aging and elderly
  
• Needing the support of a Christian friend
  
• Facing life transitions
  
• Separated or divorced
  
• Experiencing birth or adoption
  
• In spiritual crisis
  

"Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

Stephen Ministry Multiplies Our Christian Caregiving and Outreach
Our Stephen Ministers work together with our pastors to reach more people with Christian care than pastors can by themselves. People who receive care from a Stephen Minister:

• Receive quality Christian care.
  
• Deepen their relationship with the Lord.
  
• Grow in their desire to participate in Christian community.
  
• Come to value ministry from another lay person, while continuing contact with the pastor.
  
• Enabling our entire congregation to grow as a warm, loving, nurturing community, where people are cherished and cared for in Jesus Christ.
  

"Encourage one another and build one another up." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

About the Leaders of Advent's Stephen Ministry
Stephen Leaders are pastors and volunteers who have completed Stephen Series Leader's Training and are commissioned to our congregation.

How You Can Support Our Advent's Stephen Ministry
Pray for our Stephen Leaders and Stephen Ministers as they provide Christian care to others.
Pray for all who are receiving confidential care through the Stephen Ministry . Tell Stephen Leaders about those who might benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister. Be sure to get that person's permission first. Receive Stephen Ministry support when you are in need of Christian care.

For more information about Stephen Ministry or about how to become a Stephen Minister, contact Kristina Petrik (321) 684-1420 or kmpaaf@yahoo.com

And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
(Matthew 14:19)

Starting in October, Advent Lutheran’s Food Pantry will begin to collect all the fixings for Thanksgiving meals. These items are put together in “baskets” that will provide a full Thanksgiving meal for families in our congregation and in our area. If you would like to donate fixings for a holiday dinner, please feel free to drop your donation off at anytime in October or November. Below is a list of items commonly contained in one of our Thanksgiving “baskets.”
Food Gift Certificates or
Turkey, chicken, and ham
Aluminum roasting pans
Stuffing mix
Boxed Potatoes
Rolls or bread
Cranberry sauce
Gravy
Canned vegetables and fruits
Cake mixes or fixings for a pie
Apple juice or other juice

For more information, contact Kristina Petrik at 321-684-1420
‘Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto Me.’ (Matthew 25:40)

Hello from your Property Commissioner Pete Jolly.
The property work day for September was held on Saturday, September 11th. Work accomplished included trimming of the hedge type bushes around the Knoedler Center and Sanctuary buildings, trimming of some of the trees around the church property and removing the trunks of the last three palm trees on the north side of the Sanctuary. Some pressure washing was also accomplished. Thanks to the following people for their work efforts during this work day:

Amos, Christian and Wyatt Jones, Cailin, Michael, Reese Mallick
Ken Zepp
Bob Borchers
David Bedwell
Don Rydeen
Pete Jolly
Thanks also to Audrey and Harlan Nassen and Ron Klein who continue upkeep work on their parking lot islands.

The first Saturday in October is the 2nd but I will be out-of-town at that time. Therefore I would like reschedule the next work day.   I will send out an E-mail later confirming this date and giving planned work. There may be other unscheduled work sessions called as necessary during the month.

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,
Pete Jolly

Saturday, November 6, 2010
8am to 2pm

Please bring in your tenderly used items for our White Elephant sale. 
(please NO CLOTHING)

You may leave your donations on the porch by the playground
Monday thru Friday, 9 am to 3:30 pm.
Large items will not be picked up until October.

All Proceeds to Benefit our Seminarian, Leah Lawson.

The Women of Faith will be in Tampa on October 15 - 16, 2010 at the St. Pete Times Forum.  We have 25 tickets reserved for the event.  Three of these seats are handicap accessible.
        
If we have more than ten people sign-up, the tickets are $89 per person, and if we reach 25 attendees, we get one free ticket.  A box lunch will be provided in the price of the tickets.
        
I have reserved a block of seven rooms at the Howard Johnson Inn, Ybor City (four miles from the venue).  These rooms have two double beds in them, and will accommodate four people to a room.  The rooms are $49 plus tax to be split among four people in each room.
        
The event begins on Friday, October 15 from 10:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.  On Saturday, October 16, the program runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
        
Please encourage your friends and family to come with you.  I guarantee that you will all have a wonderful time.  You will laugh some and cry some.
        
If you are interested in attending, please contact Jean Ott at 610-4620.

Aloha,
The Men’s Group has teamed with the Fellowship Committee to make this a new “family friendly” Oktoberfest on October 23,  2010, from 11 AM to 3 PM. There will be the traditional Oktoberfest food that the men have been serving up for years, but now there will be bounce houses, rides, games, cotton candy, a Christian music concert, and other activities to make a fun time at Advent.

Please sign up on one of the lists in the narthex of the church or see one of the men carrying clipboards. We need to know how many people are planning on attending the event so we can buy enough…but not too much…food. If you can also pay, that would really make our job easier.

The Men have supported the Advent monthly work days during the hot summer, worked at the New Beginnings cleaning up their “jungle,” and met to have fellowship at our monthly meetings.

We meet on the 3rd Saturday of each month in the Knoedler Center kitchen at 9 am to approximately 10 am.  Please come by and visit our service/fun oriented ministry.

Our next men’s breakfast will be held on October 16th at 9:00 am where we will finalize our plans for the Oktoberfest. 

Mahalo,

Rudy Pacarro

Below is the schedule for activities of the Women of Advent:
General Meeting - 1st Monday  month at 10:00 am (September - May) 
Quilting - 2nd Monday of each month at 10:00 am
Bible Study - 3rd Monday of each month at 10:00 am
Quilting - 4th Monday of each month at 10:00 am

Thank you for all the Campbell’s soup labels, aluminum pop tops, Betty Crocker box tops, eye glasses & cell phones that you have brought in this past year.  Please continue to collect these items.  Unfortunately we do not need stamps or empty prescription bottles any more.  However, we can add wrapped bath size soap to our list.  
Thank you, Advent Lutheran Church Women

It’s good to be here!
One of my mother’s words of wisdom is, “If it’s of the Lord, it will work out.”  My journey to Advent has definitely confirmed that.  In these last few weeks, as I said goodbye to family and friends in Minneapolis, and as I’ve begun to make friends with the family of Advent Lutheran Church, these words have rung true.  Every time I wonder how the logistics of moving and starting a new job are going to go, I pause to remember all that has worked out so far…and my faith is strengthened enough to take one more step forward.

           
I want to say thank you so much to everybody for the warm welcome I have received as I’ve joined the staff and community of Advent.  I have been welcomed with open arms by members of the congregation and staff alike.  What a gift your smiles, hand shakes and hugs have been to me.  It is indeed good to be here.

           
As I continue to get to know Advent, I am beginning to get excited about what I sense God has been doing and what God will continue to do in and through you for the sake of the church, your community and the world.  I am excited to step into the conversation about the role of children, youth and their families in this work and in this community.

           
Much of what I will be doing and how I will be doing it is still being discussed and discovered.  But I am confident that God has guided both me and Advent this far, and I am confident that God will continue to guide us forward.  Like my mother always said, “if it’s of the Lord, it will work out.”

Trusting God to be with us,
Sister Michelle

Night of Joy…sure enough!!
            A mix of youth and adults traveled together on September 10 to Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Orlando for Night of Joy 2010, a night of Christian music and fun.  The evening included working through fears of roller coasters by going on rides together, navigating the crowds to find food and water, and texting back and forth to try to figure out where everybody else was.  Oh, and there was some pretty dynamic music mixed in there as well!  Where else but a Christian music festival would you be part of a hoe-down with the pop group The David Crowder Band, a gangsta-lean with the hip hop group Group1 Crew, and a fist-pumping jump with the rock group Barlow Girl?  And those were just some of the bands!
           
Night of Joy is a night for youth and adults to get together to hear Christian groups from all over the country share what God has laid on their hearts.  Each group had a message…if you could handle the volume, the guitars, the drums and the lights. For some it was a time to sing, jump and pray with artists whose lives and music inspire them.  For others it was a time to sit back (or stand, since there were very limited places to sit) and marvel as thousands…yes, thousands…of youth gathered to hear the message that God loves them, that Jesus died for them, and that the Holy Spirit guides them.

Yes, the music was loud.  Yes, the style of each band is not for everybody.  But the good thing is that we serve a God who hears the screams of excited youth as well as the sighs of exhausted adults.  And that, finally, is one of the messages of Night of Joy—that it is good to be together with a variety of God’s people, listening to a variety of music, and hearing a variety of messages. 

It was, indeed…a night of joy
Sister Michelle Collins

Youth & Christian Ed Director

The Women of Advent are invited to attend the Space Coast Conference Fall Gathering on Saturday, October 9, 2010, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Melbourne.
        
The cost of this event will be $15 per person to cover the travel, honorarium, and lunch for their guest presenter, Cristy Fossum who is from Columbia, North Carolina.  Cristy is the author of two books in the Sunday by Sunday series.  She also gives presentations and workshops.  She will share with us the theme "Christian Community:  Blessing and Challenge."
        
Because of the cost of this event, Jo Ann Young, Space Coast Conference President, is asking each congregation to get at least five women to attend.
        
We also have a chance to purchase Ms. Fossum's books (Sunday by Sunday Volume I or II, or both).  Each book costs $16.  Large print books cost $18 a book.  These books must be ordered in advance so Ms. Fossum can send them to St. Timothy in advance of the meeting.  The orders, and payment of the books, must be in by September 20.  Book order forms will be at the Welcome Center at the back of the church.
        
Please come to this event.  I know you will have fun, and will get to know more women in our community from outside our church. 
                                                                                                                        Jean Ott

The preschool staff is so grateful to all the people who spread mulch and cleaned the playground equipment to get the school ready for Open House.

Thank you!  We had an extremely successful Open House and are looking forward to a great school year!

“God With Us”

Performances:  Friday, December 10th, Saturday, December 11th, Sunday, December 12th

Produced by Advent’s Christ-Centered Thespians (ACT) and authored by Pastor Dave, God With Us will have acting and singing parts for all ages with no prior experience needed. We will find just the right role for you, whether onstage or behind the scenes. Be part of celebrating Christmas at Advent!

Participation is open to all; it is not necessary to be a member of Advent. Parents should plan to accompany their children to the casting event.  Rehearsals will be held each Sunday evening.

Comfort quilts are simple lap quilts that are given to Advent members who are going through chemotherapy, are homebound, or have long-term, serious medical conditions.  The quilts bring warmth and comfort to those who need it most.

There are several ways you can get involved in this ministry:

1.  Serene Harbor & Women’s Center. Shirley Piper reported that the needs of these 2 organizations are very similar and she will continue to purchase monthly supplies of toiletries. 

2.  DOCK.  Shirley reports that new curriculums are in place which will strengthen the 40+ kids that attend the afternoon sessions each day.  Additional volunteers are always needed whether it is to tutor, mentor or just play games with the kids.  The DOCK is holding Strike For Hope II at Shore Lanes in Palm Bay as a fund raiser.  The commission voted unanimously to purchase a lane ($150) for a BTW family.

3.  The Haven.  Kristina reported that she and Bill supplied the dinner in August.  Judy reports (via email) that volunteers are needed for Oct. and Nov.

4.  SVAAC Community Care and Advent Food  Pantry.  Kristina reports that $350 was distributed to families in need so far in September!  In addition to monetary support 26 folks were given a bag of food each in the last week.  This need is very high.  There will be a Thanksgiving Food Drive this year in our congregation as in past years with non-perishable items and certificates for turkeys to be distributed by our Community Care.

5.  Bread Ministry.  This ministry continues to bring in $200+ each month for our use in community service  We have several new volunteers to fill the voids we had including Ian and daughter Hailey Scalia.  What a blessing!  The folks at Trinity Towers fell in love with this little girl who hands out stickers to all when she goes with her Dad.  Unfortunately a theft of the Bread Money was reported on 8/22.  Someone (or 2) is stealing $ from the Bread can.  Please keep your eyes open.  A new process of removing the contributions after each service is hoped to eliminate this problem.

6.  Brevard Interfaith Coalition.  Advent will be hosting this Service Group on Feb. 17th.

7.  Kristina reported that Homeless Handout packages are available to the congregation in the West wing of the Narthex. 8.  New Beginnings.  Kristina reported that wall painting is completed and thanks the dedicated volunteers.  The youth group painted a fabulous mural. 

9.  Homeless Veterans Shelter.  Tammy reports that she and Bill were given a tour of the new facility in Merritt Island.  Tammy passed around photos of the new quarters.  While the facility is new and funds for the building came from the VA and other government funds, the furnishings (furniture, rugs, dishes, etc.) are sadly lacking.  The vets (74 of them including some women) have requested help in this.  Tammy has volunteered to help at our White Elephant on Nov. 6 and identify items at the close of the sale that can be used.  Bill, Don and Pete will help with trucks.

10.  Helping Hands.  Doug reports that this faith based organization located in Cocoa can send a truck to pick up all remaining items from the White Elephant sale on Nov. 6.  Doug was asked to request the truck be at Advent at 3 PM on the 6th.  HH will sell the items and use the funds to help the Cocoa homeless.

11.  Advent’s Backpack Ministry.  Kristina reports that the NEW BACKPACK ministry will arrive at Advent the weekend of Oct. 2 and 3.  The congregation will be given the opportunity to purchase a complete Backpack for $25.  Kristina has a goal of 200 backpacks this year.  OK was given to purchase items ahead of time with reimbursement to quickly follow.

12.  Hacienda Girls Ranch.  Jeanne will develop a Christmas list with the Ranch leaders for next meeting. 

13.  Annual Angel Christmas Tree.  Christian Services is  looking for volunteers to run this much needed ministry.  Gift recipients might be:  DOCK, Brevard Interfaith Coalition, Hacienda, Veterans, and Women’s Center.  

Thrivent Grant.  We will be applying to Thrivent for a grant for our Community Care program.  Kristina will draft a reply and send to Ron for editing.

15.  It was decided not to contribute to a request from the Salvation Army for funds.  It was decided to postpone action on both ELCA’s request for Missionary Support and LWR’s request for coffee orders until Sister Michelle returns and looks into both of these items—probably early in the new year.

Ron Klein

Commission Chair

A donation was made by the following people in memory of Dee Neal.
Ron & Li Klein
Bernie Blumhagen
Dolores Martin
Hilde Henry
Jim Eller
Sharon Bell
Grace & Darrell Stead
Ursula Aamodt
Carole Kripinski
Triumph Enterprises
Cathy Guilford
Jo Smith
Lil & Bill Remensnyder
David & Jeanne Bedwell
Rob & Joan Robbins
Bob & Jean Prais
Fred & Lucile Zimmermann
Betty & Ron Symons
Herbert & Brenda Landman
Vicki & Steven Knight
Ed & Dot Kroen
Jyl & Dennis Lee
 Mariette & Leonard Present
Ruth Clark

Each session will include a powerful message from Joyce and worship with Matt Redman.

LOCATION: St. Pete Times Forum
401 Channelside Drive
Tampa, FL 33602

Reasons to Attend
If there’s one thing people who attend a Joyce Meyer conference agree on…it’s that everyone will have fun.

See Joyce Live
You may have read her books or seen her on TV—but there is nothing like the experience of seeing her in person.

Life-Changing Message
At each and every conference and each and every session, Joyce can’t wait to teach a new, Bible-based, world-transforming message to people of all ages.

Relentless Prayer
Before each session, every single volunteer, stagehand, production person, worship musician and, of course, Dave and Joyce, pray that you will walk away from the conference a new person—restored, revived and refreshed.

Spiritual Vacation
People talk about taking a vacation to the beach or the mountains to let their mind rest. Ever thought of taking a spiritual vacation? That’s exactly what attending a Joyce Meyer conference is like—a little R&R for your spirit.

The Most Beautiful Moment
Attend a Joyce Meyer conference and you’ll see something amazing: Thousands of people worshipping one God. It’s awe-inspiring to be in an auditorium packed with people all with the same goal of worshipping.

Everyone Is Invited
Men and women of all ages are welcome. Bring husbands, wives, daughters, sons, parents or grandparents. Everyone will have fun and experience God in a new way.

Free
And the final reason to attend a Joyce Meyer conference is because it’s free! Where else can you worship with the world’s best Christian worship bands, hear a life-changing message and encounter God with thousands of other people for 3 days free of charge?

Contact Kristina Petrik for more information (321) 684-1420 or kmpaaf@yahoo.com

Please Remember in Your Prayers:

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