HAPPY NEW YEAR!

And just then some people were carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.’ Then some of the scribes said to themselves, ‘This man is blaspheming.’ But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, ‘Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Stand up and walk”? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he then said to the paralytic—‘Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.’ And he stood up and went to his home. When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings. Matthew 9:2-8

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

               Have you made your New Year’s Resolutions yet?  Every year I make a list of things I’m going to change in the coming year.  Sometimes I do this consciously, but mostly I just have a growing list in the back of my mind the year before that sounds something like, “after the first of the year I’m going to…”   We do this because each January 1st feels like we’re getting a fresh start and of course everything will be better in the year ahead.  That’s really not such a bad thing.  Based on this principle it occurred to me in the early days of parish ministry that if we begin each new year with new hopes and expectations of ourselves and the world around us, it is “right and salutary” that we should begin each year with a worship that is centered around healing.  Of course anyone who has ever been wounded knows that in order for healing to happen the wound must be kept clean and protected.  So, this “Healing Worship” must begin with an extended order of “Confession and Forgiveness”.

               Please plan to make the healing worship on January 2 a part of your new year celebration.  I promise there will be no snakes, incense, rolling in the aisles, or speaking in tongues (I can’t even learn Spanish!).  There will be an opportunity to come to the altar, say a prayer for whatever needs healing in your life, and hear a word of peace.  This worship is aimed at starting your year with an awareness of our constant need for God’s healing in body, mind, spirit, and soul.  There will also be an extended order of “Corporate Confession and Forgiveness”.  Both of these liturgies come right out of our Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymnal.  Healing starts with letting go of the old grudges, hurts, annoyances and issues that we hold against ourselves and those who move in our lives.  What better way to start the new year.  What better way to start our year together.  I can’t wait to see what happens next!  With you on the Journey, Pastor Barb

Merry X-mas

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son,^* full of grace and truth. ¹⁵¹⁶From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. ¹⁷The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son,^* who is close to the Father’s heart,^* who has made him known. John 1:14-18

I ask myself whenever I see the words “Merry X-mas” which is worse?  To keep Christ’s name in the celebration and then make it the most important economic holiday of the year, or to take Christ’s name out and forget the origins of the holiday all together?  On the one hand maybe this civic holiday needs the name so folks will know that in the Christian Church anyway, we are celebrating something much more powerful than the best gifts from Toys r us.  On the other hand, do we want to have one of our most important celebrations, no less than the celebration of a God that dared to become human and live among us, cheapened to the point that more suicides happen during this season than any other (even Valentine’s Day!)?  Then there’s the whole issue of inviting folks who do not adhere to the Christian faith to join in a celebration that at its core at least is an invitation to focus on radical ideas like peace, joy, and love.  What a conundrum. 

As usual I don’t have the definitive answer.  But I do know this, this season is a celebration of Love.  And it is absolutely imperative that we who use the name of Christ to describe ourselves (“Christian”) live out the holiday in ways that model to the culture the importance of the God of Love.  So this year think about how you and your family will do that.  Put Christ back in the center.  Use the Advent devotionals and Advent wreaths to remember daily what it means to celebrate CHRISTmas.  Make a pledge to donate at least as much time and money to Christ’s work as you do to gift giving.  Find away to put Christ back in the middle of Christmas.  Then, share your ideas.  We all need to teach and encourage each other.  The Word became FLESH.  Let it live among you this holiday season.  With you  on the Journey, Pastor Barb

Library Highlights

Practicing our faith, a way of life for a searching people, edited by Dorothy C. Bass.  “Millions of Americans claim to be interested in deepening their spirituality, but many are swimming contentedly in shallow waters.  The essays in this highly readable volume challenge us to practice our faith with greater dedication and imagination.  Drawing inspiration from biblical tradition and from contemporary literature as well as their own experience, the authors show how such practices as hospitality, keeping Sabbath, forgiving and singing, among others, can forge more deliberate and rewarding connections with the sacred.”  “This book emphasizes not just the theory but the practice of our Christian life, and it does so in fresh and lively ways.”

Evangelism Empowerment Team (EET) Lays out plans for 2011

Evangelism Empowerment Team (EET) – Planning Schedule for 2011

At it’s December 13th meeting the EET giggled, contemplated, and brain-stormed ideas for the upcoming years which would set the Evangelism focus for each month.  Below are the focusses. 

January - 

- “Get to Know You” month.  New question on Nametags each of 5 weeks.

• Week 1 – Jan. 2, 2011 – Home State
• Week 2 – Jan. 9, 2011 – Hobbies
• Week 3 – Jan. 16, 2011 – Pets
• Week 4 – Jan. 23, 2011 – Interesting fact that few people know about you
• Week 5 – Jan. 30, 2011 – Number of siblings

-  Possible “Unhanging of the Greens”

February -

- “Ask a Friend to Church” Month – To coincide with Valentine’s Day and Knowing God’s Love.  Activities

to be announced.

- Possible “Souper Bowl” Party with youth and Hunger Fund

- Possible Spaghetti Dinner – W/ Youth

March -

- Ash Wednesday Worship, March 9, 2011

- Lenten Soup Suppers and Worship March 16, 23, 30

- Possible Pancake Breakfast – MIM (Shrove – March 6?)

April -

- Lenten Soup Suppers and Worship April 6, 13

- Palm Sunday Worship April 17 w/ Processional around block

- Maundy Thursday Worship April 21

- Good Friday Worship April 22

- Easter Sunday Worship April 24

- Possible Easter Breakfast – Youth

- Possible Seder

May -

            – Intergenerational Celebration End of Sunday School Year Picnic (Poss. May 22)

            - Possible Bridge Blessing with other Churches (or June depending on when it’s done)

June -

            -Vacation Bible School June 19-24

            – VBS Celebration at Worship June 26

            - Possible Cross – Cultural Worship with Partner Congregations (or July)

July -

            – Outdoor Worship (Later in Month)

            – Possible Summertime Christmas Event

August -

            – Westminster Fair?

            – St. Bernie and Larry Celebrations

September -

            -Rally Sunday Homecoming Event September 11, 2011

October -

            – Run for the Cure – Oct. 2

            -Blessing of the Animals -  Feast of St. Francis – Oct. 9

            - National Boss Day – Oct. 16 (I added this one!)

            -Reformation Day – Oct. 30

November -

            – Joint Thanksgiving Worship (to be worked out with other Westminster Congregations)

            – Craft Fair

December -

            – Hanging of the Greens (on a Sunday?)

            – Caroling with Adventurers?

            – Christmas Eve Worship (Saturday)

            – Taize Worship

            – Children’s Program

Other focuses and ideas:

• Signage – 80th street, banners
• Publicity – Ads in papers, flyers
• Occasional skits in church about how to invite new folks
• Monthly Birthday celebrations at Coffee
• New member welcome and integration
• Sub-committee on welcoming guests and potential members
• NEED MONEY for 1 & 2

CPR Training at Advent

 On January 8th from 1:00PM to 5:30PM (ending time may vary) Heather Bordner, a member of Advent will be leading a CPR training event through her workplace, The Colorado Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Association.  The class will take place here at Advent.  This will be a basic “Heartsaver First Aid with CPR and AED (Automated External Defibrillator)” training class.  The course is conducted under the American Heart Association guidelines and includes a two year certification in CPR.  Contact the Advent Church office for more information, (303)428-7501

In order to do this correctly the cost of the class is $45 per person (if we have 15 people).  The cost includes the instructor, the book (which is required for certification), and the certification.  Snacks will be provided.  If this cost is too much for you, please come and talk to the pastor and we’ll try to find some financial assistance.  It is not too late to register, but we need to hear from you soon.  If you expressed an interest and haven’t turned in your check please do so as soon as possible.  Remember, the pastor is getting very old and may need your assistance if a sermon comes out wrong.  Now’s your chance to learn how!

Can Can Sunday

 

Jan 2  ….we are so thankful for all of the support given to the food bank.  We are stocking the shelves and handing out the baskets.  While we really do appreciate and accept all food donations that are listed, we are running low on a few things:  jelly, cereal, pork & beans, and tuna & hamburger helper.  Please consider these items on your next grocery trip.  Food can be brought to worship and placed by the Altar on January 2 or dropped by the office.

EET ( Evangelism, Empowerment Team) News

 The Evangelism Empowerment Team is excited to begin a new year of activities designed to bring out the evangelist in YOU! Each month, Advent will be lifting up one or two of our ministry groups, beginning with the music ministry. In the book, “52 Ways to Ignite Your Congregation: Practical Hospitality,” a good music program is identified as one of the ministries that is critical for stimulating the growth of a congregation. Our music is part of our identity as a faith community, and can be a powerful tool in spreading the Good News. Music also needs to speak to the current generation. With that in mind, we’ll be sending out a team of volunteers to observe contemporary or alternative styles of worship, and incorporating fresh elements of worship that will engage and energize the next generation.

Resolve to find and unleash YOUR inner evangelist in 2011, so that all may know Christ’s love!

Happy New Year from the EET: Lyle Berge, Jim Bohn, Cindy Lindholm, Ann Hibbs, Virginia Feighner, Judy Warhola, Judy Neve, and Tara Hoeg.

HEALING WORSHIP TO START THE NEW YEAR

Come and join us in a worship of Healing to begin 2011.  Sunday, January 2, 9:00AM.  All are welcome at the Communion Table

O COME LET US ADORE HIM! ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

CHRIST IS BORN, GOD BECOMES HUMAN AND LIVES AMONG US!  Come and celebrate this huge event in human history with us at Advent. 

Sunday,  December 19th: 9:00 AM  Contempletive style of Taize France. Friday,  December 24th: 4:00PM and 10:00 PM  Worship of Carols and Candlelight.  All are welcome at the communion table.  Sunday, December 26th: 9:00 AM  Traditional Lutheran Worship (French Hens not provided); Sunday, January 2nd, 2011:  9:00 AM  Start the year right with a service of Healing

Christmas at Advent Lutheran Church

Come celebrate Christ’s birth at the beautiful Candlelight and Carol Worship on Christmas Eve at 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.