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View this email in your browser What's Happening at Advent! Sunday, October 02, 2022 17th Sunday after Pentecost 10:00 am – Worship with Holy Communion Worship Bulletin We give thanks for those assisting with Sunday's worship: Pastor - Rev. Alexander P. Stall, Jr.; Assisting Minister - Debbie Lewis; Altar Guild - Joy Duncan; Greeter - Ismay Lovell; Usher - Shelley Bennett; Organist - Rhonda Rose; Videographer - Nancy Jairrels; Social Hour Host - Ismay Lovell; Counters - John Matzner and Rensford Lovell.  NEXT SUNDAY: Healing Service Blessing of the Pets This special service has been postponed until Sunday, October 23. All pets and their pet parents are invited to join us on the outdoor labyrinth at 11:45 am. All are Welcome! Summer seems to have checked out exactly on time this year – the weather turned cooler and crisper right on the first day of autumn. I expect we’ll see some return of warmer weather (this is the DC area, after all), but for now, we’re just soaking up the seasonal change, and getting ready for the last part of the year!   Last Sunday (September 25), Advent was blessed with several visitors to our sanctuary for worship! It was wonderful to see and then to talk with them after our time of worship. I encourage everyone who attends to reach out during our time of fellowship and talk to new faces! As we say, “We welcome you wherever you are on your spiritual journey, be it for an hour, a season, or a lifetime!” Encourage visitors to fill out a green card, just to let us know they were here – and especially if they would like us to reach out to them to share more information. Those of you who are “regulars” are also encouraged to fill out the card if there is a prayer request, a special need, or anything we can do to be in ministry together!   In the sermon from last Sunday, I mentioned the “Invisible Gorilla” experiment that demonstrates how we can “over focus” on our own goals at the expense of what is going on around us. By now, you know the punchline, but in case you’d like to see the video, you can see it here – “Selective Memory Test.” If you missed the sermon, you can find the recording on our Facebook page.   In this season, we are going to re-start practices like passing the offering plate and bringing the gifts forward to the table, and we need help! If you are willing to be an usher or an assisting minister let me know – email the office (adventlc@hotmail.com) or me directly (Pr.Alex.Advent@icloud.com). We’ll help you learn the ropes and would LOVE to have you serve.   Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be looking at projects and activities for the Advent and Christmas seasons. Even as Advent continued to serve during the pandemic, we hope to be able to continue some of the food drives and giving this year. Watch the announcements and the “What’s Happening” email for updates. As always, any ideas for efforts and projects are welcome, especially if you can help us organize and manage the effort!   In this week’s gospel passage, Jesus is going to talk about faith the size of a mustard seed. He is reassuring his disciples that “more faith” isn’t what we need – what we need is the smallest amount of trust in God’s promises – even that tiny amount enables us to carry on, as we are each able, even in times of uncertainty and doubt. We can live and love outward, with and for each other, without worry that we aren’t good enough. You don’t have to earn God’s love – that frees you to live for God as you are able!   Grateful always, Pr. Alex You are invited to make a special gift to support relief in Puerto Rico through the Metro DC Synod's Building Puentes ministry fund.   Building Puentes is a partnership with the Delaware-Maryland Synod and the Caribbean Synod to give support, aid and relief to the churches and pastors who need financial support now more than ever. Please consider making a gift to this fund before Reformation Sunday, October 30.   Every bit of the total gifts collected will go to the Building Puentes ministry fund. Make your gift Found a Problem? Report it! Items that need attention can now be reported to our Operations Team via Advent’s website. Report issues with the building, grounds, technology, etc., by selecting Maintenance Request from the menu. COMING UP! HEALING SERVICE - October 9 @ 10 am. Individual prayers for healing and laying on of hands will be offered during the morning worship service. ADVENT BOOK CLUB - October 15 @ 3 pm.  Join the discussion of The Promise by Damon Galgut. Email the office for Zoom link. COUNCIL MEETING - October 16 @ 11:30 am. Everyone is invited to attend the meeting in the Fellowship Hall. Fall Work Day! 9 am Saturday, October 22 We’ll spread mulch, dig up a few shrubs that haven’t made it through the summer, and do some light trimming and thinning of the iris beds (you're free to take a few!).   Can’t work outside? Then head inside where we’ll dust, organize, polish the dedication plaques in the sanctuary, and more. It will be a morning of exercise, fun and fellowship.   Lost & Found Have you misplaced or left something behind at Advent? Maybe it's in the Lost and Found drawer (in the credenza where the Nekcsei Bible is displayed). The latest addition is a white tube of beautiful red lipstick. Facebook Website Email Office Email Pastor Alex Make a Donation Copyright © 2022 Advent Lutheran Church, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 2222 S. Arlington Ridge Road, Arlington, VA 22202 Office Hours: Tuesday - Thursday, 11 am - 3 pm Phone - 703-521-7010