http://www.advent-umc.com/ PostNuke Powered Site en-us http://www.advent-umc.com/images/logo.jpg http://www.advent-umc.com/ bmeredyk@advent-umc.com http://www.advent-umc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1118 We need high school age youth and older who would like to put on short drama's related to the Scripture theme for Faith Builders. We do six units per year - but not all of them would need the assistance of the team. Please contact Cindy Yanchury - cindy@advent-umc.com if you'd like to be a team member! http://www.advent-umc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1117 Register now for Vacation Bible School! Our theme this year is Surfin' the Scriptures where children will have a chance to draw closer to God by learning God's Word for us. We have crafts and games and many other activities planned. Dates: June 23, 24, 25, 26 (Monday - Thursday) Time: 9:00 - 11:30 am Cost: $20.00 ($25.00 after May 31) Family Cap: $50.00 for three or more from the same family http://www.advent-umc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1116 We kick-off on Sunday, June 1st with Summer Faith Builders for children ages 3 - 3rd Grade. This fun and interactive class is need of volunteer teachers. All materials are provided and curriculum is available now for pickup. You can choose to teach one Sunday or many! http://www.advent-umc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1115 The Blessing of the Animals service has been rescheduled for WEDNESDAY night, May 14th at 7:00 pm. We will begin at 5:30 with games in the "back yard," follwed by a potluck supper (bring a dish to pass) and then have the blessing service at 7:00. Please join us on the west lawn and bring your favorite animal companion! Invite your friends, neighbors and co-workers to attend this annual service where we lift up and celebrate the joy our animal friends bring to us. http://www.advent-umc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1114 Over 30 people attended our meeting in March about starting small group ministry at Advent. The need and desire for a whole variety of groups was evident. The list includes things like: Parenting - parenting across all ages and stages of children/youth lives. Things like recovery ministry. Things like basic Christian practices as well as going deeper in my faith walk. All of these have one thing in common - they need trained facilitators! Join Pastor Cindy for our Small Group Facilitator training on Tuesday, April 29, 6:30 - 8:00 pm in the Emmaus Room. Child care provided with advance notice. http://www.advent-umc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1113 Tuesday, May 27th at 6:30pm in the Fellowship Hall inspirational speaker and author Bonnie Laabs will be our guest. Bonnie's message is real, relevant and appropriate for teens and adults. http://www.advent-umc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1112 Learn about--and experience--all of the above on Saturday, April 19th, 8am – 5pm, right here at Advent Church. This team-taught training will focus on some of the non-public speaking aspects of the Lay Speaking Ministries (forming small groups, growing through leadership, and identifying your spiritual gifts) as well as sermon/devotional preparation. A goal of the Lay Speaking Ministries program is to provide training opportunities and experiences to equip disciples of Jesus Christ to realize and respond to their personal ministry calls. http://www.advent-umc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1111 Just a reminder that the deadline for all newsletter articles is the 2nd Wednesday of the month. You can email them to newsletter@advent-umc.com. Please contact Sue Larson in the office if you have any questions. Thanks. http://www.advent-umc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1110 The email subscription service for our Advent Messenger newsletter is being temporarily suspended due to some technical difficulties. Members will still receive a hardcopy newsletter in the mail and the o­nline version can be found o­n our website. Sorry for the inconvenience.The most current Advent Messenger All NewslettersGoogle Calendar http://www.advent-umc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1108 On Monday, April 21, All women of Advent are invited to enjoy a wonderful dinner prepared by MACS, and then hear the message of speaker Karla Heeter. http://www.advent-umc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1107 Guys, Tuesday March 25 at 6:30pm in Fellowship Hall is the next MACS - Men About Christian Service Meet n Eat. http://www.advent-umc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1106 Feel free to join the current discussion about the Dalai Lama's book "Ethics for the New Millenium" Tuesday mornings at 6:15am at Eagan's Panera Bread. http://www.advent-umc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1105 Find strength for the week ahead through the power of prayer. Hungry for it? Then choose to be an active part of a new Advent prayer circle forming Sunday mornings at 7:30. This is your chance to rise and shine and make the most out of every Sunday. Let this be another avenue for quiet reflection and centering yourself in preparation for morning worship. We'll share a weekly continental breakfast at church and make room for the Holy Spirit through discussion, praise and prayer. http://www.advent-umc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1104 What do laundry soap, spaghetti, and pancake mix have in common? Give up? These items are all currently in short supply at our local food shelves. Advent is lending a helping hand again this year with our Share While You Shop program. All you have to do is sign up for one (or more) item(s) on our Share While You Shop board located in the Narthex, and from March-August when you do your shopping, buy $5.00 worth of that item each month and bring it to Advent. The Outreach Committee will deliver the items to the food shelf that operates out of St. John Neumann Church in Eagan. With your help, we can keep this food shelf full for those in our community who are in need. Contact Joe Koerner at 651-454-6072 with questions. http://www.advent-umc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1103 Help our Parent's Day Out program purchase equipment for on-going operations when you buy yummy Schwan's frozen foods. To make a purchase go to: www.schwansfundraising.com and click on "Start Shopping" Enter our campaign number: 1005063 and before you know it you'll have lots of great food delivered right to your door and in your freezer AND you'll be helping out this awesome new ministry! http://www.advent-umc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1101 Join us for this mid-winter Beach Party! Jesus spent a lot of time on the beach and so will we - enjoy beach theme games & crafts while we get ready for summer and all that it brings. http://www.advent-umc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1100 Are you ready to be part of a small group where you can: connect with others and form deep, lasting relationships; study and grow together in your faith; and serve our world? Then come and learn more about this new ministry at Advent Church! Join us on Sunday, March 9th in the Emmaus Room, Noon – 1:00 pm for a light lunch and conversation. Child care provided if you call or email Cindy Yanchury before March 6th. 651.454.3944 x 12 cindy@advent-umc.com http://www.advent-umc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1094 Lindsey's notes for Wednesday night Youth Groups from January 23-May 14th are available online one week prior to topic discussion. You can find these through the link on either the Mid High Youth or Senior High Youth pages. Please e-mail any questions or concerns to Lindsey at lindsey@advent-umc.com http://www.advent-umc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1091 Feel free to join the current discussion about the Dalai Lama's book "Ethics for the New Millenium" Tuesday mornings at 6:15am at Eagan's Panera Bread. http://www.advent-umc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1085 Faith Builders at Advent Church was recently able to order many, many supplies such as paint, glue sticks, Model Magic clay and much more just by using the points found on Campbell's products. When you purchase any Campbell's soup products, Swanson's, Prego sauces, Goldfish Crackers or Pepperidge Farm items look for the points or proof of purchase - bring them to the Fellowship Hall where you will find the container in which to place them. It looks like a big soup can! PLEASE note! The process for the soup labels has changed and they will no longer accept the front of the label! Please cut out only the points on the back or bring us the WHOLE label and we have someone who will cut the points out for us. http://www.advent-umc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1079 Guys! Coffee & Conversation continues each Tuesday morning at 6:15 for about an hour at the Eagan Panera. http://www.advent-umc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1068 Children ages 3 – 5th Grade gather every Sunday to learn, grow and have fun together. Ages 3 – 4 meet in the Bethany Room (located across the hall from the restrooms) in a self-contained classroom with their teachers/aides. Grades K – 5 meet in the Fellowship Hall with Workshop Leaders (teachers) and their Faith Friends (class assistants who escort them to the stations each week). All of our teachers, Workshop Leaders and Faith Friends are carefully screened as they enter into this ministry. Please join in praying for them as they lead the children! http://www.advent-umc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1041 BeFrienders are volunteer lay ministers who provide pastoral care to people in difficult and/or transitional situations, such as illness, loneliness, relocation, job change, parenting challenges or loss of a loved one.  They embody the caring presence of God and of the community and serve as a living reminder of God’s love.  BeFrienders are trained to provide a listening presence to others, not to be experts in whatever situation they might encounter.  If you would like to learn more about BeFriender Ministry, or would like to have a BeFriender contact you, please contact Sue Larson at slarson@advent-umc.com or call 651-454-3944 http://www.advent-umc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1015 The Horticulture committee is in need of a volunteer to take responsibility for the care and watering of our indoor plants in the Sanctuary and Narthex. If you are interested, please contact the Church Office or Mark Krueger. http://www.advent-umc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1004 The Advent Outreach Committee continues to host packing sessions at Feed My Starving Children from 4:30 to 6:30 o­n the third Saturday of each month. FMSC provides a highly nutritious meal to starving children throughout the world. In just two hours, you can be part of helping to feed thousands of people. Sign-up in the narthex or contact Jerry or Joni Fenner (651-688-8689) to reserve a block for your group or committee.