NEWSLETTER OF ADVENT LUTHERAN CHURCH … · Winter Sanctuary January ... We have provided funds and support for an Afghan family that ... helping with Wednesday night meals and classes

5901 San Juan Ave. Citrus Heights, CA 95610

Phone: 916 966-7242 Fax: 916 965-2114

Website: www.adventcitrusheights.org

Facebook: adventcitrusheightsca

E-mail: [email protected]

NEWSLETTER OF ADVENT LUTHERAN CHURCH

January 2017

Sunday Worship 9:30 am

January 1 Lessons & Carols

Wednesday Night Worship

Begins January 11

January 13 MOVIE NIGHT

January 22

Congregational Conversation

January 22—February 5 Souper Bowl of Caring

January Photo Supplement

Children’s Youth Program Chorale Sunday

Advent at Advent Scandinavian Dinner

Women’s Tea

Our Mission Statement: "With joy and thanksgiving we commit Advent Lutheran Church to be the Welcome Place, where through God's Grace, we Gather, Forgive, Grow, and Care."

New Year, New Spirit

First, I cannot thank you enough for the generous gift from the congregation!!! What an incredible surprise!!! Thank you so very much for the support you’ve shown me over the year; I have so enjoyed being part of this congregation!

Second, I want to thank everyone who helped make our Advent and Christmas worship so inspiring. The more one’s senses can be engaged in worship, the more one is drawn into the experience. I always seek to experience the work of the Holy Spirit during worship and I was moved many times in these services.

Looking ahead, it is time to re-engage in conversation about the future direction of Advent Lutheran. We’ve been encouraged to think “outside the box” which is difficult to do, since “the box” is what we know. Suggestions about participating in Citrus Heights events have been raised and should be examined as well as inventive ways of providing events for the neighborhood. Once we become more settled in a direction, we will answer some questions from the call profile again. Then the process will be turned over to the call committee to finish up the paperwork and submit it.

I see the Spirit at work in and among you, through the expected and the unexpected. As we enter this new year, may we continue to pray for the Spirit to lead us and fill us with the enthusiasm and boldness show in God’s people through the ages.

Thank you again for all that each of you brings to this ministry.

In Peace, Pastor Cindy

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Advent Lutheran Community Ministry Winter Sanctuary January 15 – 22, 2017

Pastor Cindy Beck In this interim time, Advent congregation has repeatedly stated that they wished to reach out to the community. God appears to have responded by bringing the ministry of Winter Sanctuary to

our awareness and Advent’s church council has endorsed our participation.

Going from “saying” to “doing” requires effort. Winter Sanctuary will not happen without members stepping forward to volunteer in various ministries. It is the time to live into community ministry.

Quick Overview of Winter Sanctuary at Advent: Guests will arrive at Advent between 6:00 – 6:20 PM. We anticipate between

20 – 30 people. As guests enter the facility, they will be directed to the cots and sleeping bags

provided by HART in order to set up their sleeping space. Once guests have settled, dinner will be served.

Dinner will be served either buffet style or by serving guests at the tables. During the meal volunteers from Advent should sit among guests and engage in

conversation and welcoming presence. After dinner, some volunteers will clean up while other volunteers continue to

engage with the guests through conversation, card/board/domino games, setting up a movie, etc.

Lights out at 10:00 PM. (Many guests fall asleep by 9:00 PM) A male and female volunteer will remain to spend the night, taking turns staying

up. At 5:00 AM a volunteer should begin making coffee and assemble breakfast. At 5:30 AM volunteers should begin waking up guests by turning the lights on

and off and in a normal voice announce it is time to wake up. Guests need to be up by 5:45 AM.

Guests need to roll up their sleeping bags and place their cots and bags off to the side, clean the restrooms, and other chores as directed.

Hand out to-go breakfast bags and have guests ready to get on the bus by 6:00 AM.

More details are in handouts available at the church. Volunteers are needed to pre-pare and serve meals, mingle with guests, spend the night, prepare to-go breakfast and coffee.

This is an important time in helping discern ministry directions for Advent Lutheran. Prayerfully consider how you can support this endeavor.

Sign up sheets are in the Narthex. 3

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” –I Peter 4:10

Happy New Year Advent Family! As we look ahead to the new year, we should also celebrate the accomplishments of the past year. Our church and our Council are so blessed to have Bob Mathews at the helm during this period of reflection, change and challenge. He has taken the reins during a historical period in Advent’s history. He is committed to including all of us in making critical decisions that affect the future of our church. We Council members have appreciated his transparency and fairness in discussions of many issues faced during his tenure thus far. God has blessed us with the right man at the right time!

Tom Kent and I sit on the Council’s Community Outreach Committee and this year we’re proud to say Advent truly “walked the walk.” We have provided funds and support for an Afghan family that was forced to flee their country after supporting U.S. troops stationed there; we have provided a safe meeting place for a local Mongolian Christian Congregation and we brought Christmas cheer to a Citrus Heights family we adopted in December. Ongoing community outreach continues at Loaves and Fishes, St. John’s Program for Real Change, Women’s Empowerment and the Sunrise Food Ministry. We’re also grateful for the ladies in the Quilters and Heartstrings groups for their beautiful handmade donations to local nonprofits.

As we embark on a new year of service, I hope that we will increase our numbers not only for community service, but also for service to Advent. There are so many opportunities that include helping with Wednesday night meals and classes to serving as an Usher, Communion Assistant, Lector, Greeter, Altar Guild member and member of our Tuesday Crew. C’mon, sign up! You’ll find the rewards of service are immeasurable.

As we grow older in life, years somehow seem to shorten and New Year’s Day approaches with an ever-increasing tempo. The more mature we get, the more we realize that time is only relative; how we live means more than how long we live. Happily, we do not live by years, but by days. In His wis-dom, God does not show us all that lies ahead so we enter a new year to live it day by day. What is past is past. Today we start anew and what we do today will make our life for tomorrow. Chin up, shoulders straight, eyes a-gleam, let us salute the New Year, and each day let us follow more faith-fully, more courageously, more daringly the lead of our great Captain who bids us to follow Him. -William Thomson Hanzsche 4

Suzane Henderson

Ann Chehak

Treasurer's Report November

2016 YTD

(as of November 30, 2016)

Total 2016/2017 Budget $328,807.00

Budget Year to Date (YTD) $137,528.70

Actual Income $21,489.36 $127,799.37

Actual Expenses $27,112.35 $133,512.62

YTD Income less Expenses -$5,622.99 -$5,713.25

Benevolence to Date $1,217.00 $7,253.84

“The Greatest Story: Jesus”

NEW! Wednesday Bible Study groups beginning on January 11, 2017

2 Choices for You: 1:00 pm—2:00 pm or from 6:15 pm—7:00 pm

Both are in the Friendship Hall and are led by Pastor Mark Vance. All adults are welcome to participate.

This is a 16-session overview of the life and teachings of Jesus. It draws from all four Gospel accounts, while showing the distinctive message that each of the evangelists presents.

Each session relates a Biblical theme to life today and includes a video and drawings that reinforce the theme of the week.

Whether you are new to Bible study or a long-time Biblical scholar, you will find something of value in this course. Be sure to start the new year off with what many have called “the greatest story ever told”.

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Sunday School starting again on January 8th. Wednesday nights start again on January 11th.

SAVE THE DATE

VBS June 19-22

MOVIE NIGHT!

The Secret Life of Pets

January 13th

5:30 PM Hotdogs and Hamburgers 6:30 PM Movie

Souper Bowl of Caring January 22—February 5

Help our Youth

to help feed the hungry

Natalie Jones, Children’s Ministry Director

[email protected]

CHILDREN & YOUTH CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

A wonderful fun evening! The kids did a great job!

See lots more pictures in this month’s supplement.

MEXICAN TRAIN DOMINOES January 28

Round Table Pizza 9500 Greenback Folsom

Winnie and Leonard Parish hosting

Thank You’s:

STERN-JOHNSON BIKE CLUB Bike Ride

January 14 & 28 9:00 am

Join the group at the Wells Fargo Bank parking lot on the corner of

Sunrise and Gold Country Blvd.

A big Thank You to everyone for all the Socks we donated to Loaves & Fishes. It really means a lot during this cold weather.

Dorothy Slade

Thank You Keith Johnson for picking up the Poinsettias to adorn our Church. Dorothy Slade

A BIG thank you to all who donated to the Gifting Tree and the Afghan Samadi Family’s Christmas. Special thanks to Kate Wicks for securing a sewing machine for the Afghan family! Advent is awesome!

Karyl Cimini and Linda Mathews

Dear Advent, Thank you on behalf of the Quilters for all who participated in the Quilt Sale December 4th. Your generosity in support of the Quilter’s effort is appreciated. We sold 15 quilts and will be donating three quilts to our Gifting Tree family. Others will be donated to Women’s Empowerment in Citrus Heights.

In His Love, Advent Quilters 8

DATE SUNDAY

12-4 100

12-11 132

12-18 139

12-24 7 pm

102

12-24 11 pm

38

12-25 33

WORSHIP ATTENDANCE

WORSHIP TIMES Sundays 9:30 am

Praise Service Sunday, January 8

Wednesdays at Advent Beginning January 11

7:00 pm We will have Weds at Advent on

January 18 Dinner at 5:30 pm/Hart Dinner 6:15 pm

Classes 6:15 pm Worship 7:00 pm

CHOIR Rehearsals

Come be part of the choir!

Join us on Wednesday nights 7:00 pm

Friendship Hall

All Are Welcome!

PICK A HYMN New opportunity—you pick a hymn you’d like

and let Lanny Johanek know. She’ll try to fit it in an appropriate service. Be patient! E-mail Lanny at: [email protected]

See lots more photos in this month’s supplement!

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DINNERS IN JANUARY Wednesdays at 5:30 pm

1/11/17 Kathy and Amy Soups (Chicken Noodle and Minestrone) 1/18/17 See sign up sheets in Narthex HART Homeless Shelter Week Dinner at 5:30 pm/Hart Dinner 6:15 pm

Classes 6:15 pm Worship 7:00 pm 1/25/17 Lanny Johanek Macaroni and Cheese

Come join the fellowship and good food!

2/1/17 Scott Barbu Pork Loin 2/8/17 Need volunteers 2/15/17 Worship Committee Potato Bar 2/22/17 Ken & Kathy Johnson Grilled Cheese & tomato soup 3/8/17 Need Volunteers 3/15/17 Bob Mathews

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Thanks to all who provided service to Loaves and Fishes guests on New Year’s Eve day. Wishing you a wonderful 2017.

Mary Grivna

Serve at St. John’s Monday, January 23

Join Jenny Stern and the women of Advent to

prepare and serve the noon meal at St. John’s Program for

Real Change on January 23rd at 10:00 am.

Jenny has it all coordinated; just lend a hand in this ministry.

Advent has designated the third Sunday of every month as our

“Food Closet Sunday.”

Please bring donations of food items or place monetary offerings designated to the “Food

Closet” in the offering plate.

“Like” us on Facebook!

See next page regarding Turkeys and other Thanksgiving basket needs.

Thank you for your support!

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Advent is set to host approximately 20-30 homeless from the Citrus Heights area by referral from the HART team. They will screen participants and provide check-in and morning pick up.

We will provide dinner and to-go breakfast plus supervision during the night.

Please see the sign up sheets in the Narthex to help during the week of January 15—21.

Homeless Assistance Resource Team

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WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT—CLOTHES DONATION Linda Mathews

The Women of Advent met last Fall to discuss places and ways we could help in our community. Lots of discussion shared some great ideas! Watch for more to come. Clothes for the ladies graduating from Women’s Empowerment was something we felt we could do and I agreed to help coordinate the donations. Their mission statement is: Women’s Empowerment educates and empowers women, who are homeless, with the skills and confidence necessary to secure a job, create a healthy lifestyle, and regain a home for themselves and their children.

We are proposing that on the 2nd Sunday of each month,

clean out your closet and donate the following:

Clothes suitable for job interviews and the work place Clothes hangers when possible Accessories such as jewelry, scarves, shoes and purses In season—winter clothes in winter/summer in summer

That’s it . . . we do the closet cleaning we need to do and the women get a confidence boost on their way to making a better life for themselves and their children. Can you help?

See you on Praise Band & Clothes Donation Sunday!

Meet Cynthia. She is the mother of four children. Two of her children have special needs. An abusive husband led to her homelessness and then a breast cancer diagnosis . . . Read more to find out how this inspiring woman’s story ends . . .

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God’s Work. Our Hands.

Our congregational

survey results show a large number of our

members are actively involved in care giving,

whether caring for family members,

friends or neighbors.

This series of work-shops is designed by Stanford University and sponsored by

Dignity Health.

This is your opportunity to learn

ways to improve your life and the lives of

others. Sign up to attend and

carpool in the Narthex.

Questions? Contact

Anna Lee Bjork 961-1693

ADVENT CARES

Led by Anna Lee Bjork, the Women of Advent are proposing to create a caring support group for our members and friends (men and women) in their on-going work of caring for others in their lives.

Join Anna Lee in attending this series as a kick-off to beginning our own support group in March.

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Alan Peterson, Gary's brother in the hospital with pneumonia and congestive heart failure

Christy Borges, mother of Laurel Cole’s grandson starting treatment for throat cancer

Tom Chancellor, recovering from foot surgery

Marty Maloney, friend of Karen Urban, hospitalized in Florida with heart issues

Gina and Meaghan McArdie, Curt and Pam Lipp’s relatives recovering from surgery

Zaiden Reeves, age 3, friend of Pam Lipp with rare stomach cancer

Maynard Johnson, home recovering from cancer treatment

Derald Simmons, Sr - father of Derald Simmons, Jr.- who suffered a stroke last week

Donna Baldasari, friend of Ken and Kathy Johnson request prayers for continued healing

Connie Smiley at home recovering from multiple surgeries

Simon Kairouz, diagnosed with recurrence of colon cancer

Naomi and John Howard and Kendra Sills, friends of Karen Urban with illness

Hanna, friend of the Chancellors with health issues

Cindy and Steve Clayton, sister of Tony Bubba and her husband both with cancer

Afghan Family seeking help to re-settle in the Sacramento area

Margaret Loman, friend of the Chancellor’s with stage 4 uterine cancer

James Myers, husband of Deb Clore-Myers in treatment for lung cancer

Those who continue their need to be lifted in prayer: Kay Johnson, Larry Brockemeier, Kathy Crump, Beryl

Baierl, Lillian Eggers, Diane White, Don Rogers, Ruth Cerniglie, Andy Goltz, Kim Berring, Ron Naswall, Jim and

Marilyn Pederson, Dave & Betty Yeager, Austin Kepler, Marty Jacobson, Joel and Carol Blaylock, Ann, sister-in-

law of Carol Whyte, Georgina Woodward, Lori Oberon, Les Mathews, Valerie Newbold, Brady, Alexandra

Chilcote, Marilyn Nelson, Kim and Mary Kennedy, Mary Rewolinski, Eleanor Wallace, Bruce Johnson, Darlene

and Bill Baker, Mike Jones’ father, James Hansen, Bruce Hansen’s father, Roger Dedman, Dorothy (Karen Urban’s

Mother), Doris Hale (Pam Lipp’s mother), Karen Peterson, Vic (son-in-law of Bill and Darlene Baker), Loretta

Gale, Ryan Patterson, Pastor Jim and Elaine Patterson, Mark Chesshire, Meghann Smiley, Allen Hansen, Bruce

Hansen’s son, Pat Meroney, Wendy Warren, Meagan Brown, Ray King , Kurt (Karyl Cimini and Karen Sorenson’s

father), Laurel Johnson, (Lloyd and Lois Sellers daughter in law), Skip Dean, (Tom Kent’s cousin), Julie (Amy

Gariano’s cousin), Keith McIntyre, Jason Butler, Ron and Dianne von Rajcs, friends of Lois Sellers, Emmy Lou

Cook, Bryon Steward (Joyce Rau’s nephew), Daniel Diego, Willa Clore, Richard Tolman, Karen, Kathy Johnson’s

sister in law, Wendy Slater, friend of Kathy Henricks, Helen Clouston, Diane Peterson’s mother, Gary Peterson’s

brother and sister-in-law

Family Members serving in the military: Brandon Lovett, Jane Lockhard’s grandson, Army; Scott Atchley, Air

Force; Alex Chesire, Air Force; Jason and Heather Stickney, nephew and wife of Keith and Joyce Montag, Air

Force; Charles Roney, Army; David Schedler, son of Paul Schedler, National Guard; Sara Elliott, daughter of Bill

and Diana Elliott, National Guard; Alex Reginato, friend of the Malaspino family, Marines; Brandon Drake,

grandson of Curt & Pam Lipp, Army; Sheldon Gray, Bernadette Kennedy’s grandson, Army, Caitlyn Werth,

Tom and Audrey Werth’s granddaughter, Navy

Please notify the church office to add or remove your prayer request. Thank you.

E-mail: [email protected]

Note: Long-term prayer requests are under “continued to be lifted up”

Connie Smiley 1-15 Dylan King 1-16 Doreen Rinde 1-17 Jason Rogers 1-17 Joyce Roper 1-17 Gloria Yost 1-17 Marilyn Hermanson 1-18 Allison Daby 1-19 Earl Rogers 1-19 Mathew Beck 1-21 Linda Parks 1-30

Lillian Imholz 1-1

Matthew Beck 1-2

Jesse Myers 1-3

Tyler Rinde 1-4

Doreen Scharlach 1-6

Christine Malaspino 1-7 Kirk Schutz 1-7

Joyce Rau 1-8

Dale Rinde 1-12 Lloyd Sellers 1-13

Kayla Cimini 1-14 Karen Strom 1-14 George Smith 1-14

Tom & Cornelia Chancellor 1-11 Howard & Janet Quinlan 1-15

Dave & Barbara Wammer 12-17* Belated Congratulations! 50th Anniversary!

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Assist. Ministers 9:30 am

January 1

Jon Schedler

January 8

Pat Johnson

January 15

Karen Urban

January 29

Darrell Broaddus

January 22

Tom Kent

Greeters 9:30 am

Carol Whyte

Dorothy

Michaelis

Gary & Diane

Peterson

Tony Bubba &

Leslie Scheurer

Jackie Michehl

& Dorothy Slade

Lector 9:30 am

Alice Davidson

Melinda

Malaspino

Carol Kent

Lois Sellers

John Hultman

Techie 9:30 am

Tom Werth

Keith Johnson

Deb Clore-

Myers

Deb Clore-

Myers

Troy Malspino

JANUARY 2017

Altar Guild: Ina McCoy, Kathy Johnson, Nita McGuire, Carolyn White

Breadmakers: Diane Peterson

Ushers: *Gary Peterson, Bill Bevier, Ken Johnson, Russell Beeck, Donald Rinde, Ina McCoy

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

9:30 AM Worship

with Communion

12:00 PM LOC

Worship

7:00 PM NA Mtg

2

6:00 PM AA

Mtg

8:00 PM AA

Mtg

3

12:00 PM AA Mtg

1:15 PM Social

Knitting

6:00 PM LOC

Bible Study

7:00 PM Boy

Scouts

7:00 PM Ch Ed

4

10:00 AM AA Mtg.

1:00 PM Lutheran Basics

Bible Study

5:30 PM Dinner

6:15 PM Classes

7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal

7:00 PM Worship

5

8:00 PM AA

Mtg

6 7

8:00 AM LOC

Women's Group

8

8:45 AM Sunday

School

9:30 AM Worship

with Communion

12:00 PM LOC

Worship

7:00 PM NA Mtg

9

6:00 PM AA

Mtg

8:00 PM AA

Mtg

10

12:00 PM AA Mtg

1:15 PM Social

Knitting

6:00 PM LOC

Bible Study

7:00 PM Boy

Scouts

11

10:00 AM AA Mtg.

10:00 AM Finance Comm

1:00 PM Lutheran Basics

Bible Study

5:30 PM Dinner

6:15 PM Classes

7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal

7:00 PM Worship

12

10:00 AM Wom

en's Bible Study

5:30 PM Worshi

p Meeting

7:00 PM Council

Mtg

8:00 PM AA

Mtg

13 14

8:00 AM LOC

Women's Group

9:00 AM Stern-

Johnson Bike

Club

15

8:45 AM Sunday

School

9:30 AM Worship

with Communion

12:00 PM LOC

Worship

7:00 PM NA Mtg

16

9:30 AM Quilt

ers

6:00 PM AA

Mtg

8:00 PM AA

Mtg

17

12:00 PM AA Mtg

1:15 PM Social

Knitting

6:00 PM LOC

Bible Study

7:00 PM Boy

Scouts

18

10:00 AM AA Mtg.

1:00 PM Lutheran Basics

Bible Study

5:30 PM Dinner

6:15 PM Classes

7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal

7:00 PM Worship

19

7:00 PM P.O.N.

A

8:00 PM AA

Mtg

20

21

8:00 AM LOC

Women's Group

22

Souper Bowl of

Caring BEGINS

8:45 AM Sunday

School

9:30 AM Worship

with Communion

10:30 AM

Congregational

Conversation

12:00 PM LOC

Worship

7:00 PM NA Mtg

23

10:00 AM Ser

ve Lunch at St.

John's Shelter

6:00 PM AA

Mtg

8:00 PM AA

Mtg

24

12:00 PM AA Mtg

1:15 PM Social

Knitting

6:00 PM LOC

Bible Study

7:00 PM Boy

Scouts

25

10:00 AM AA Mtg.

1:00 PM Lutheran Basics

Bible Study

5:30 PM Dinner

6:15 PM Classes

7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal

7:00 PM Worship

26

8:00 PM AA

Mtg

27 28

8:00 AM LOC

Women's Group

9:00 AM Stern-

Johnson Bike

Club

10:30 AM

Loaves &

Fishes

29

Souper Bowl of Car-

ing

8:45 AM Sunday

School

9:30 AM Worship

with Communion

12:00 PM LOC

Worship

7:00 PM NA Mtg

30

9:30 AM

Quilters

6:00 PM AA

Mtg

8:00 PM AA

Mtg

31

12:00 PM AA Mtg

1:15 PM Social

Knitting

6:00 PM LOC

Bible Study

7:00 PM Boy

Scouts

LOC—Love of Christ—Mongolian Church

Click here Join the fun!

January 15—21 5:00 PM - 6:00 AM HART Homeless Shelter

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Advent Lutheran Church 5901 San Juan Avenue Citrus Heights, CA 95610

ADVENT WORSHIP SCHEDULE

SUNDAY 9:30 am Worship with Holy Communion

ADVENT LUTHERAN PROGRAM STAFF:

Pastor Cindy Beck [email protected]

Bob Mathews, Council President bobmathewshome@hotmail .com

Dave Wammer, Music Director [email protected]

Natalie Jones, Children’s Ministry Director [email protected]

Beth Mora, Secretary [email protected]

John Hultman, Financial Secretary Dana Bennett, Bookkeeper Bruce Crain, Organist Email: [email protected] Website: www.adventcitrusheights.org Phone: (916) 966-7242

Deadline for the next Newsletter: January 21, 2016

Please submit all articles to Beth Mora at: [email protected]

Check out the newsletter on our website!