Suntree/Melbourne Beach, FL The Advocat The Advocat e e March 2017 March 2017 Our Mission Statement: “We are followers of Jesus Christ for the sake of the world.” 2016-2017 Church Council Effective July 1, 2016 President Ed Mussler: Vice President Josh Pulver: Treasurer Bill Stanton: Recording Secretary Pat Ferris: Financial Secretary Carol Marshall: Members-at-Large Jon Arnold: HelenAnn Bower: Doris Dickinson: Chris Dickman: Karen Hagen: Tom Hawk: Bill Johnson: Ann Peterson: Bishop Schaefer 4 Celebraons 17 Chrisan Service 16 Council President 6 Each One Bring One 8 Family Promise 5K 16 Financial Report 6 First Communion 8 Genevans Concert 10 Good Friday for Kids 15 Grace Preschool 11 Handprint Wall 13 Lent and Bapsm 7 Lunch Bunch at M Beach 16 May I Pray with You 3 Memorial Giſts 18 Men's B'fast at M Beach 16 Murder Mystery 11 Pastor's Pen 2 Praise & Pinch 8 Prayer Concerns 18 Prayer Labyrinth 3 Quick Reference Page 19 Quilts and School Kits 14 Ruth Circle 16 Sarah Care 12 Table Talk 9 Town Hall Meeng 8 Transforming Prayer 5 Women at Suntree 16
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Suntree/Melbourne Beach, FL
The AdvocatThe Advocatee March 2017March 2017
Our Mission Statement:
“We are followers of Jesus Christ for the sake of the world.”
2016-2017 Church Council Effective July 1, 2016
President
Ed Mussler: Vice President
Josh Pulver: Treasurer
Bill Stanton:
Recording Secretary Pat Ferris:
Financial Secretary Carol Marshall:
Members-at-Large Jon Arnold:
HelenAnn Bower:
Doris Dickinson: Chris Dickman: Karen Hagen:
Tom Hawk: Bill Johnson:
Ann Peterson:
Bishop Schaefer 4
Celebrations 17
Christian Service 16
Council President 6
Each One Bring One 8
Family Promise 5K 16
Financial Report 6
First Communion 8
Genevans Concert 10
Good Friday for Kids 15
Grace Preschool 11
Handprint Wall 13
Lent and Baptism 7
Lunch Bunch at M Beach 16
May I Pray with You 3
Memorial Gifts 18
Men's B'fast at M Beach 16
Murder Mystery 11
Pastor's Pen 2
Praise & Pinch 8
Prayer Concerns 18
Prayer Labyrinth 3
Quick Reference Page 19
Quilts and School Kits 14
Ruth Circle 16
Sarah Care 12
Table Talk 9
Town Hall Meeting 8
Transforming Prayer 5
Women at Suntree 16
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To be a part of Advent is to recognize that
God has called us to follow Jesus Christ
together. The “We” in our mission statement is
not merely to insure correct grammar. God
has given each individual a unique set of
gifts. God has called each of us to Advent so
that, together, this ministry will have all of the
gifts, talents, and skills we need to do what
God has called us to do.
As we enter the season of Lent, commit
yourself to prayerfully discerning or
discovering your gifts and how God is calling
you to use them in the life and ministry of this
congregation.
It’s a good thing to be nourished and uplifted
by your attendance at Advent, but Christ
calls us to go beyond that. Christ longs for us
to go beyond sipping from the fountain of
living water to allowing that fountain to
spring up inside of us so that it flows out from
us into the world.
You and I, all of us together, are followers of
Jesus Christ for the sake of the world.
Let’s pray and ponder during this season of
Lent. If we take this as seriously as Jesus does,
what will that look like in our lives?
Praying with you,
“We are followers of Jesus Christ for the
sake of the world.”
You probably have noticed that we have
been saying this together at the end of
worship for the past several weeks.
What you may not know is that this is
Advent’s mission statement.
Over the course of the past two years our
leadership team has been doing the hard
work of discerning whom it is that God is
calling Advent to be and what it is that
God is calling us to do in our community.
One of the results of that work is the above
mission statement. This informs every
decision we make and guides every
activity we undertake.
Our hope is that, one day, everyone who
regularly attends Advent will have this
statement clearly connected with our
congregation and what it means to be a
part of Advent.
To be a part of Advent is to be a follower of
Jesus Christ.
To be a part of Advent is not primarily
about what Jesus or the congregation can
do for you. It is much more about
equipping you to do what Jesus calls all
followers to do, that is, to bring the ministry
of Jesus Christ to the world around you.
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May I Pray with You?May I Pray with You? Pastor Rick Funk
Has anyone every asked you this question? You
may wonder why it would matter that your prayers
and concerns are accompanied by
another person.
Christianity is a team sport. We were not
intended to travel this spiritual journey
alone, but there are times when we feel
very alone. When great sadness or deep
stress strikes our life, we could feel as
though we are on a tiny, flimsy raft in a
strong, stormy sea.
It is at those moments that we cry out to God,
“Help!” which is, in fact, the most honest and
authentic prayer.
Some of us enjoy sharing our story with its sorrows
and surprises. Others prefer to remain more
anonymous with the details of their life. We all, at
times, are praying this prayer for help.
If someone offers to pray with you, it is as if part of
the answer to your prayer is, “You are not alone.” In
the book of James he encourages us to “… pray for
one another.” (James 5:16) The fancy word for
praying for one another is intercession. Richard
Foster in his book, Prayer, says, “Intercession is a
way of loving others.”
In our church services, we incorporate a time for
intercession during the prayers when we conclude
one of Prayers of the People with the phrase, “…
especially those we name either aloud or silently.”
On the last Sunday of the month, we have prayer
partners stationed at the back of the sanctuary
wearing red stoles who are available to pray with
you after communion.
Those who pray with you don’t have any special
access to God or secret insight into his ways. They
are simply demonstrating that they are on are your
side. They are willing to share your burden for a
season. No one should have to carry the whole
load alone.
Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered in my
name, there I am in the midst of them.” When we
pray with and for one another, we are acting as the
body of Christ, supporting and encouraging one
another along the way.
May we all enjoy the privilege of praying with and
for one another as a sign of our unity in Christ. By
this we are saying, “I’m here for you.” What a
blessing to know that I can depend on this
community to care for me in my time of need.
When that happens, I would love for you to come
up to me and ask, “May I pray with you?”
Prayer LabyrinthPrayer Labyrinth Pastor Rick Funk
During Lent, you may notice a series of concentric
paths on the lawn between the Admin Building and
the sanctuary. Rest assured, these are not
strange crop circles marked by aliens as a
cryptic message of extraterrestrial life. It is a
prayer labyrinth. What’s a prayer labyrinth?
I’m glad you asked! This is an ancient
method to provide structure and
intentionality to our prayers. A labyrinth is
not a maze. You don’t have to figure it out.
There’s only one way in and one way out.
You simply walk slowly and pray deeply.
The labyrinth was created as a means for someone
who could not afford the time or money to go on a
pilgrimage. So consider this as the pilgrimage coming
to you. Come to the labyrinth as an intentional
moment of stepping out of the day to day busyness
of your life and pause and pray.
There are many ways to pray during your walk. I
would like to suggest one.
Pause at the beginning. Say a simple prayer, such as
“Lord, help me.” “Lord, be with me.” “Lord, give me
peace.” “Lord, give me direction.”
As you begin your journey towards the center, the
path will twist and turn sometimes taking you closer to
the destination, sometimes removing you to the outer
rim. Consider the twists and turns in your own life; that
which has interrupted your plans; that which has
surprised you; that which has confused you; that
which has saddened you. Pray out your concerns and
frustrations and questions to God.
Once you arrive at the center, pause again. Wait.
Listen. Look around if you want. Has the Lord brought
to your mind or attention any thoughts, ideas,
persons, places, direction? Were you aware of a verse
from the Bible, or words to a song? Ponder that.
Consider what God may be stirring up in you. It may
not be a complete answer, but it might be a start.
When you are ready, reverse course and start your
journey outwards. You are about to re-enter your life.
As you prepare to “go home” what will be different?
Do you have a different attitude or perspective? How
will you treat those around you? How will you
approach the tasks and responsibilities before you?
Pray that the Lord would guide you and comfort you
in this process.
As you exit, pause one last time. Say this simple
prayer, “Thank you, Lord.” May your life be lived in
thanksgiving to the One who has given you all that
you need. Blessings!
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Dear sisters and brothers of the Dear sisters and brothers of the
FloridaBahamas Synod,FloridaBahamas Synod,
For the past three and a half years it has been my
season to serve as bishop of the Florida Bahamas
Synod. While this was never an office I sought, it has
been a remarkable honor and privilege to serve as this
synod’s chief pastor. There have been many joys and
privileges associated with serving as a bishop in this
church. At the same time, I would be less than truthful
if I didn’t confess that the rigors and responsibilities of
this office, both on the territory of this synod and in
the wider church, have taken a toll on me spiritually
and personally, not to mention the toll it has taken on
my family during my regular absences.
Following the Christmas holidays, I spent time with Pr.
Jennifer and my children reflecting on the toll this
office is taking on my spirit. I have spent time in prayer
and shared my struggles in this call with our presiding
bishop. I have come to the realization that this call is
not suited to my spirit. This reflection has led me to
the decision to resign as bishop of the Florida
Bahamas Synod as of March 5. I have not come to this
decision lightly or easily, but the weight this office has
put on my soul these last years has led me to be at
peace with this decision.
It has been the greatest honor of my ministry to serve
as your bishop, and there are many, many ways that I
will miss it. I am not sure what the Lord of the Church
has in store for me next, but I will take some time
over the next several months to listen. Please pray for
me as I will pray for you in the time ahead. In the midst of all the changes and challenges of life, we know
that God’s love in Christ is the one anchor.
Life in the synod will go on as usual. Soon, an interim
bishop will be appointed who will carry on and oversee the work of the Office of the Bishop until the
next bishop is elected. The Synod Council is meeting
this weekend and will communicate further details in
the days ahead.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Thanks be to God!
Yours in Christ,
Robert G. Schaefer
The Rev. Robert G. Schaefer, Bishop of the FloridaBahamas Synod
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ in Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ in
the FloridaBahamas Synod:the FloridaBahamas Synod:
Grace, mercy and peace be to you this day. On behalf of
the Synod Council, I write at the conclusion of our
meeting in Tampa this weekend. It has been an emotional
time for all, as we talked with Bishop Schaefer and began
to process his decision to resign as our synodical bishop.
Our surprise, sadness, and concern for him and his family
was mixed with moments of laughter as we remembered
our time together. We are extremely grateful for his
ministry, and have been blessed by his 3 ½ years of
leadership as our bishop. We give thanks for his deep
faith, his irrepressible sense of humor, his inspired and
clear leadership and his care and concern for God's
church. It has been a blessing to serve alongside him.
Because we really are church together, we have been in
contact with Presiding Bishop Eaton
and the ELCA Director of Synodical
Relations, Pastor Walter May, about
care of the Office of the Bishop. Both
have repeatedly assured us of their
accompaniment and assistance
through the process of calling a new
bishop. Just as when a pastor leaves a congregation, the
Presiding Bishop will identify a candidate for interim
bishop and the Synod Council will call someone to that
position. If, due to scheduling and the calendar, we are
unable to call an interim bishop by March 5, an "acting
bishop" will be appointed.
In this transition time, the Office of the Bishop will
continue providing vital and substantial presence and
leadership throughout the synod. Current ministries and
initiatives will continue under the leadership of the
Assistants to the Bishop: Pr. Jim Graeser, Pr. Jaime
Dubon, Deacon Connie Schmucker, and Michele Hilton.
The synod staff will continue guiding congregations in
transition, walking with leaders in all ways, and providing
resources and information for ministry.
As you might imagine, there are many details to work out
to elect and call a new bishop. Given that the 2017 Synod
Assembly is soon, we do not plan to hold a bishop's
election at that assembly. It is more likely that we will
hold a special, much shorter, Special Assembly for the
sole purpose of calling a bishop later this year. We are
balancing the need for some time to process this change
(Continued on page 5)
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and to set up a meaningful discernment process, with
the financial costs of holding another assembly in this
fiscal year. We commit to you to provide you with our
plans as we finalize them.
Finally, we ask for your prayers. Pray for Bishop
Schaefer and his family. Join us in giving thanks to God
for his willingness to use every ounce of his giftedness
to further God's mission in our territory and for his
family as they have supported him. Please pray for the
staff and their families as they continue to serve in this
transition; for our Presiding Bishop as she discerns
interim bishop candidates; and for the Synod Council as
we work to be faithful leaders. We know that this is
God's church, and the work of the synod—through the
ministry you all are involved in—will continue.
May you continue to live into the synod's mission of
Boldly Proclaiming Christ, Passionately Making Disciples,
and Faithfully Doing Justice. May the Holy Spirit
continue to stir in your hearts.
Peace be yours,
Cheryl Stuart
Vice President of Council, FloridaBahama Synod
(Continued from page 4) Transforming PrayerTransforming Prayer
Georgia Van Hoesen, Stephen Leader
On Sunday, March 5th at the Melbourne Beach
Campus, we will be commissioning two new
Stephen Ministers. Please welcome Karen Lucher
and Don Mitchell.
As Stephen Ministers, our team considers prayer to
be one of the most important tools in our bag of
spiritual resources to help with our caring
relationships. Our new team members have
completed 50 hours of classroom instruction to
equip them to serve in this very meaningful ministry.
Saying prayers doesn’t always come naturally to us
humans. The easiest times seem
to be when we are desperate.
We cry to God and beg for
mercy. Please help us in our
plight. Please make the pain go
away. Please bring me strength
and courage and comfort and
on and on. What would compel
God to listen to us?
Our Psalm today sheds some light on how the
psalmist learned how to transform his prayers from
exhortation to praise and confession. Initially, his
prayers were merely groans. (Ps. 32:3) Then in verse
5, he acknowledged his sin to God. Now this seems
to catch God’s attention. The psalmist concludes
that when all who are faithful, offer prayer to God,
then their sins will be forgiven.
Thomas Merton once wrote, “The theology of
prayer begins when we understand that we are in
trouble. Prayer (really) begins with those moments
of honesty when we stand naked before God,
confessing our impotence or our self-importance,
confessing our inability to make sense out of life and
abandoning our wills to the one who created and
redeemed us.”
Prayer does not blind us to the world, but it
transforms our vision of the world and makes us see
it all, all people, and all the history of mankind in the
light of God.”
It sounds to me like we just need to include one key
element to our prayers…the element of faith in God
and by His grace, we come in touch with the
source of our life.
So people of Advent, I ask for your transforming
prayers today to bless our whole Stephen Ministry
Team that we might go forth and serve God. If you
are not comfortable yet with coming up with your
own prayer, just go ahead and repeat the LORD’s
Prayer, which is after all, the true model of
transforming prayer.
6
often wonder how I would react if I was still a
daily newspaper writer working on my editorial
column and my manager editor calls out,
“Mussler this time I need a piece from you that is
going to be widely read! Make it happen!” No pres-
sure here – just come up with a well-written, sharply
crafted editorial grabbing mass attention to the
point where the water-cooler conversation is, “Hey!
You gotta read Ed Mussler’s column!”
If I were tasked to come up with a widely-read edi-
torial what would be my subject? Would I please my
editor by giving my viewpoint on the refugee ban or
fake news? I have a better idea. I can build a ro-
bust readership on a column on how I feel on the
recent political marches and my reaction to the
cries of injustice. Better yet, I can absorb a huge au-
dience if I go international and give a sharp-witted
outlook on topics covering North Korea; China, Rus-
sia; Iran and the rest of the Middle East.
There are so many subjects I could choose from in
hopes of hearing my editor sing my praises by stand-
ing on a desk in the middle of the newsroom pro-
claiming, “Listen up y’all (remember I was a newspa-
per writer in southeast Alabama), I want to make
sure everyone reads Mussler’s article today – he
nailed it! I cannot believe how many people have
called; emailed or texted me regarding his editorial.
Give it up to Ed!” Just as my editor’s accolades con-
clude, the newsroom erupts in a roar of adoration
over my column and then my fellow writers hoist me
upon their shoulders as they carry me throughout
the building chanting “Ed, Ed, Ed.”
A topic that does not grace our newspapers; social-
media pages; morning television broadcasts or blow-
ing up our Twitter accounts is how fortunate we are to
be followers of Jesus Christ. Just think - Jesus came to
Earth to take on our sins by dying so we could have
everlasting life. How could someone not want to read
or hear more about a man who walked on water;
healed the afflicted; preached love and forgiveness;
was crucified on a cross only to rise from the dead a
few days later? Even better – these feats were ac-
complished by the son of God without the intention of
making an above-the-fold headline in the likes of the
Jerusalem Daily News.
Writing of Christ’s love is a joyful subject and the rea-
son the Bible is still a widely read book – sorry New York
Times’ best-seller list. If I were a columnist in 2017 truly
wanting to write about a great individual whose
teaching and message still resonates more than 2,000
years later – well then I start typing on my keyboard
about Jesus Christ. As I am writing this article I can
honestly express how good it makes me feel to be a
Christian. I feel so blessed, my favorite hymn is playing
in my head and with my best inner Elvis Presley voice I
sing (again I am no Josh Pulver or Chris Dickman – so it
is a very, very soft voice) the final verse of “How Great
Thou Art” where it states, “When Christ shall come,
with shout of acclamation, and take me home, what
joy shall fill my heart. Then I shall bow, in humble ado-
ration, and then proclaim, ‘My God, how great Thou
art.’”
I
Actuals for
Jan
Year To
Date
Actuals
Year To Date
Budget
Annual
Budget
General Operating Contributions 61,725 61,725 67,646 799,200
General Operating Expense 51,531 51,531 56,001 799,200
Difference 10,193 10,193 11,644 0
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Lent and Baptism
March 1, Ash Wednesday, begins the church season of Lent. In the early history of the Christian church, Lent was a time set aside to prepare new believers and inquirers for baptism. This was a five- or six-week process of education and preparation that led to their baptism at the Easter Vigil service (the night before Easter).
This year (in liturgical terms, Year A of the three year cycle of Sunday readings), the Old Testament Lesson and the Gospel Lesson each week are connected by a common theme.
Sunday Old Testament Gospel Lent 1 March 5 Genesis 2:15-17 and 3:1-7 Matthew 4:1-11 Adam and Eve are tempted Jesus is tempted in the wilderness Lent 2 March 12 Genesis 12:1-4a John 3:1-17
Abraham receives a blessing Nicodemus learns what it is to be born of the spirit
Lent 3 March 19 Exodus 17:1-7 John 4:5-42
Moses strikes a rock and water flows from it
Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that he is the source of living water
Lent 4 March 26 I Samuel 16:1-13 John 9:1-41
David is anointed Jesus anoints and heals a man born blind
Lent 5 April 2 Ezekiel 37:1-14 John 11:1-45
The Valley of the Dry Bones and the question: Can the dead be raised to life? Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead
These themes are central to Christian life. Temptation, blessing, our need for the living water of the Spirit, our need for healing, and God’s promise of resurrection.
If you were baptized more than 50 years ago, if it has only been months, or if you are preparing for baptism, the Holy Spirit can use these truths to teach and transform you. Praise and thanks be to God!
Lori Jahn, Traditional Worship Planning Team
8
Praise & Pinch Feedback Praise & Pinch Feedback
Process BeginningProcess Beginning
This method of feedback deals with joys, concerns,
feelings, and opinions you may have about what is
(or is not) happening at Advent. It provides an
opportunity for you to communicate about ways we
are doing well in our ministry together and areas
that might need attention. Such input and
feedback helps us all to be faithful in carrying out
our mission.
Here’s how the system works. There is a secure/
confidential box at each site located in the narthex.
These boxes are for receiving “Praise & Pinch” forms.
Near each box are 1) copies of these instructions, 2)
blank copies of the “Praise & Pinch” forms, and 3)
diagrams of the Role Renegotiation Model for
sustaining meaningful relationships. (This is the model
on which the feedback system is based.)
Write out your praise or pinch on the form, sign it,
and place it in the confidential Praise & Pinch Box.
Forms will be collected by a lay member of the
Communications & Trust Task Force. You will be
contacted to let you know that your form has been
received and to clarify with you the content of your
input and what you would like to see happen. You
will then be told how your message will be handled.
Following this conversation (#s 3 & 4 above) your
message will be delivered to the appropriate
ministry, person, or group. Follow through will include
communicating to you the final outcome of your
feedback.
Throughout this process confidentiality will be
maintained according to the outline in the Dealing
with Criticism in Organizations document.
FIRST COMMUNION CLASFIRST COMMUNION CLASSS A First Communion class will be offered on
Saturday, March 18th at 11:00 am in the Knoedler
Center. The class will last for
approximately 2 hours. This class is for
children 4 and up who would like to
begin receiving communion. Families
are encouraged to participate in the
class with their children. For more information or to
RSVP please contact Pastor Rick Funk for details.
There will be a Town Hall meeting on
March 19th at 5 pm at our
Melbourne Beach Campus.
EACH ONE BRING ONEEACH ONE BRING ONE
Mr. Andrew Weeks has been a business executive and
management/systems consultant in the U.S. and
Canada for many years. When returning to organized
religion, he became more sensitized to
the needs of newcomers and aware of
how few churches were providing an
organized response to those needs. He
has combined his systems and
management skills with his desire to
empower churches to be effective and intentional in
their evangelism programs. Andrew has been
presenting in Canada and the U.S. for regional groups
of churches, dioceses and synods.
Please join us on Sunday, March 19th at our
Melbourne Beach Campus where Andrew will preach
at the 9 am and 6 pm services, offering ten personal
and practical challenges for evangelism. Andrew will
also lead a dialog after the 9 am service in the
fellowship hall where his ten challenges can be
discussed.
On Saturday March 25 and Sunday March 26th
Andrew will preach at our Suntree Campus and lead
a dialog on Sunday at the 10 am Connect hour.
9
Table Talk: Conversations During LentTable Talk: Conversations During Lent Pastor Rick Funk
What is it?
Table Talk is an opportunity for families and friends to gather around a table and share conversations about
their lives and spiritual journey. During this season of Lent, we will discuss “Living Our Baptism – Five gifts of
discipleship.” We will follow a simple 5 step process:
Share your highs and lows
What went well this past week? What did not go so well?
Read a passage from scripture (Lenten readings will be provided each week)
Talk about how that reading connects with your life
What does this mean to you? How can you apply it to your life?
Pray for one another
Bless one another
Mark one another with the sign of the cross and say, “(Name), Child of God,
may God be with you in your highs and lows.”
Who does this?
This could be your family, your family and another family, your family and singles or seniors or single seniors, a
mixed group of couples and singles – whatever group of people is comfortable for you. The size should be
limited to about 8 so everyone has a chance to talk and share.
When is it?
We will set aside time during the 10 am connect hour for Table Talk. You can start whenever your group is
ready, and you can finish whenever your group is done. There is no set timetable. Much of that will depend on
the size of your group and the ages represented.
Where is it?
We will hold this in the Knoedler Center, but you could literally do this anywhere – at home, at a restaurant, in
a park – anyplace that is suitable for conversation.
How do we do this?
You don’t need any special training or instruction for this. No one needs to be an expert on any topic or
passage of scripture. This is a conversation, not a class. You simply gather around a table, share your highs and
lows of the week, read the passage, talk about it, pray for one another and conclude with a blessing. If you
have any questions about this, please contact Pastor Rick.
Note: The 5 step process was developed from materials from Faith5.org. Living our Baptism: Gifts of Discipleship was written by John and
Yes. A murder will occur during the evening. Will it be you? Or…was it you who committed the murder?
Who did it? How? Where? WHY?
Adults: $10; Youth (13 to 17) free
Reservation deadline: March 13 Karen Hagen
Grace Preschool at Grace Preschool at
Advent Advent -- Melbourne BeachMelbourne Beach Grace Preschool received a Thrivent Action Grant
for the purpose of creating and tending to a multi-
purpose vegetable, flower, butterfly and pollinator
garden. Incorporating gardening into our preschool
curriculum teaches children responsibility and helps
to develop a love and respect for nature as well as
adding a place of enjoyment and beauty for not
only our school but the congregation and
community as well. Our gardens have been certified
as a Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife
Federation.
The preschoolers are enthusiastic gardeners! Rumor
has it that fairies were even spotted in the gardens!
Stop by and take a look. You might even see a fairy!
Grace Preschool wishes to thank Patty Cooper and
Thrivent!
Grace Preschool is currently accepting in-house
registration for the 2017/2018 school year.
Registration will be open to the public on Friday,
March 3, 2017.
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GRACE PRESCHOOL TEAMED UP WITH THE MB CAMPUS LUNCH BUNCH CREW TO PROVIDE A LOVE-FILLED
VALENTINE’S DAY TO GUESTS OF SARAH CARE IN MELBOURNE. OUR STUDENTS MADE BEAUTIFUL HANDMADE
VALENTINES’ CARDS THAT WERE PASSED OUT DURING A BEAUTIFUL AFTERNOON CONCERT PERFORMED BY THE
LUNCH BUNCH CREW.
Melbourne Beach Lunch Bunch at Sarah CareMelbourne Beach Lunch Bunch at Sarah Care On February 8th, twelve members of the Lunch Bunch from the Melbourne Beach campus traveled to Sarah
Care on US 1 in Melbourne to serenade the residents in song following a delightful lunch at Meg O'Malley's .
Leading the group in song was Bill Ferris and accompanying them on organ was Betsy Stansifer. Songs ranged
from "A Bicycle Built for Two" to "Old MacDonald's Farm." All of the residents enjoyed the songs and many
joined in the singing. Following the final song, "God Bless America," Valentines made by the students of Grace
Preschool at Melbourne Beach were distributed to each resident. A great time was had by all!
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MAKE A LASTING IMPRESSIONMAKE A LASTING IMPRESSION
JOIN OUR HANDPRINT WALLJOIN OUR HANDPRINT WALL Purchase a handprint tile for you, your child or your loved one to commemorate your years at Grace
Preschool and Advent Lutheran Church, Melbourne Beach campus.
Tiles are available for $25.00 each and all proceeds benefit the Grace Preschool playground fund.
Forms are available in the Melbourne Beach front office.
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Quilts and School KitsQuilts and School Kits Over the past year, women of the Melbourne Beach campus sewed 40 quilts and women of the Suntree
campus put together 96 school kits for donation to Lutheran World Relief. These gifts of love were blessed in
our worship services recently, before being sent on their way to help needy people in this country and around
the world.
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ADVENT LUTHERAN CHURCH WOMEN AT SUNTREEADVENT LUTHERAN CHURCH WOMEN AT SUNTREE
March 6 at 10 AM. Business meeting. We will be discussing the Gathering of the Space Coast Conference of
Women we are hosting on April 22nd.
March 20th at 10 A.M. Bible Study
Melbourne Beach Men's Breakfast & Bible StudyMelbourne Beach Men's Breakfast & Bible Study Men's Breakfast & Bible Study will meet Thursday, March 16th at 7:30am. We will be beginning the Book of
Ruth. All are welcome! If you have any questions, please call Bill.
Melbourne Beach Lunch BunchMelbourne Beach Lunch Bunch Lunch Bunch will meet Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at Shells of Melbourne, 1490 W. New Haven Ave.,
Melbourne at 12 noon. Feel free to bring a friend. Please sign the sheet on the bulletin board in the Narthex or
call Gary.
Christian ServiceChristian Service Time to mark your calendars for the annual backpack outreach. This year we are including boots as part of
our theme - Backpacks and Boots. Many employers, as a safety issue, require boots to get a job. The "working
homeless" at His Place Ministry lack the funds to purchase boots. Providing these boots gives them the means
to work. With your generous contributions we hope to provide boots as well as the backpacks which have
been so well received. The backpacks contain socks, sunglasses, a rain poncho, sunscreen, mosquito
repellent, flashlight. and assorted toiletries. Please consider any financial contribution toward our outreach
project. This campaign runs from March 12-26. Use your envelope and mark it Backpack Outreach. Thank you
for your support.
Family Promise 5KFamily Promise 5K Do you like walking, running or supporting a good cause? If so, Advent has created a team to walk/run the
"There is No Place Like Home" 5K on March 10 2017 at 6:00 PM benefitting Family Promise of Brevard. The race
is $25 (if you register before March 9) or $30 (if you register day of the race) and if you register by Feb. 24 you
get a race t-shirt! $18 of each registration goes to Family Promise of Brevard. If you would like to join our
Advent team please go to https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/RaceGroup-347213?raceId=39559 and
contact Joyce Cowart or Stefanie Canjar!
THANK YOUTHANK YOU Many thanks to all the folks that bring in the pop tops for Ronald McDonald House, Coupons for Education,
eye glasses for the needy and empty prescription bottles. They are all very much appreciated. Please keep
them coming. Thank you!
The Ruth Circle in Melbourne Beach ResumesThe Ruth Circle in Melbourne Beach Resumes The Ruth Circle at the Melbourne Beach is resuming its study of The Story of Ruth by Sr. Joan Chittister on the
last Thursday of each month at 1 p.m. They meet in the small chapel office off of the fellowship hall. The next
meeting will be March 30th. All women are invited to join in the lively discussion of this delightful book. You do
not need the book to join in the fun. We hope you will be able to attend this group led by Georgia Van