A happy and blessed Thanksgiving to all!
Cards Requested: Evie Casto, who has been attending Advent with her mom, Anne, has been hospitalized. Cards and notes of encouragement can be sent to: Evie Casto, Pediatric Unit, Strategic Behavior Center, 2050 Mercantile Drive NE, Leland, NC 28451.
Hurricane Relief – Helping Our Neighbors: Reminder: Plan to help the children pack the buckets this Sunday, November 25 after the worship service. We will also continue to collect Walmart and Lowe’s Home Improvement gift cards or cash each Sunday through December and will send your donations to Pastor Williamson in Lumberton at the end of each month. Look for a collection spot in the narthex. Contacts: Carolyn Jones and Lydia Berrong
Christmas Decorating: The Sanctuary will be decorated for Christmas on Friday, November 30, at 10:00 a.m. All are welcome to help.
Women of Advent: Ladies, please join us for the Women of Advent’s Annual Christmas Breakfast Buffet on Saturday, December 1, at 9:30 a.m. at the home of Carolyn Hinkle, 185 Saxapawhaw Run, Chapel Hill, NC 27516. Enjoy a morning of delicious food and warm Christian fellowship. Bring your favorite brunch dish and a small wrapped gift for your Secret Sister on which you reveal your identity. If you do not have a Secret Sister, please bring a small wrapped gift to exchange with others who do not have a Secret Sister. RSVP to Carolyn by November 26 (919-967-3609 or cbhinkle@msn.com) to let her know the food item bringing. A printed flyer and directions to Carolyn’s will be in the church narthex Sunday. (Note: Park on the opposite side of street in front of her house. To avoid the steep front steps, you can drive to back of house to back porch entrance but no parking is allowed on the back street.)
Advent Services: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us)” Matthew 1:23. Join us for our Advent worship series, “God with Us.” Each week will focus on a different word picture of the coming Christ found in the poetic and prophetic words of Isaiah and will reveal how Christ continues be present with us even now. Light Supper at 6:15 p.m., Worship Service at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 5: Our Potter (Isaiah 64:8): God is with us as our Potter, who shapes according to his will.
Wednesday, December 12: Our Shepherd (Isaiah 40:11): God is with us as our Shepherd, who carries us close to his heart.
Wednesday, December 19: Our Living Branch (Isaiah 11:1): God is with us as our Living Branch, who died and rose to give us eternal life.
Sunday, December 23: Our Guide (Isaiah 2:3): God is with us as our Guide, who leads us according to his Word.
New Praise and Worship Band: There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 Love to sing? Love to play instruments? Love to worship the Lord? Then we are looking for you! Contemporary worship at Advent is starting up. Make plans to join The New Praise and Worship Band. All musicians are welcome to join: singers, instrumentalists, computer-based musicians, sound techs, guitar, bass, drums, percussion, piano, flute, violin, cello, saxophone, etc. Please let Pastor Scott know how you would like to help. Don’t forget to ask your friends, family, and neighbors too! They may know someone who might be interested.
Sunday Adult Bible Study Leaders: Nov. 25 – Joe Schradie; Dec. 2 – John Stow; Dec. 9 – Bob Serpas; Dec. 16 – Dave Neely
Readings for Sunday, November 25, Last S. of the Church Year: For those who wish to prepare for Sunday’s lessons, please read Is. 51:4–6 or Dan. 7:9–10, 13–14, Ps. 93, Jude 20–25 or Rev. 1:4b–8, Mark 13:24–37 or John 18:33–37