Monthly Archives: November 2021

It’s Advent…must be a conspiracy!

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Has Advent & Christmas become an un-Christian burden?

It’s hard to believe it’s the season of Advent once more. Starting today, November 28, it marks the beginning of the church year, and leads up to the second-most important Christian holiday, Christmas; the first being Easter.

Celebrated by the Western Church since the 4th or 5th century, it has grown in practice to incorporate activities not envisioned by the early church fathers. Take for example the sale of Advent Calendars which now embrace almost everything the heart could desire. Yep, growing from their 19th century origin via German Lutherans, marking the days with special calendars until Christmas, they have grown to be a spendy little pre-Christmas tradition of their own.

Now anyone can celebrate Advent by purchasing spendy Advent calendars featuring
beauty items, candy, kids toys (think Legos), wine, liquor, and almost anything ones heart desires. This has become so much like Christmas, as anybody can celebrate it without out believing in it.

The folks at Advent Conspiracy have wonderful tools to direct us all to a better way to lead us to Advent and Christmas celebrations that are totally Christ focused. They challenge us to “Make Room for Jesus”. It’s not your Advent we are honoring, it’s Jesus’.

ct

2021 Hunger Print Now Available – Don’t Delay!

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The 2021 print is titled “Friends in Christ” and measures 7 3/8” X 6 1/4”. The cost of this year’s print is $30. Prints are available for pick-up at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 8427 Jewel Lake Road, Anchorage, AK during office hours Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Phone: 907-243-2301. Correct change is appreciated or checks made payable to Gloria Dei Hunger Prints. A variety of prints from previous years are also available . They are also available in the church office.

Backstory
In 1979, Anchorage artist Marianne Wieland attended a Bible study at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church where Pastor Rick Halvorson spoke about world hunger. In an effort to make a difference, the first of what was to become known as the “hunger prints” was created.The embossed prints, hand produced in her studio with the help of volunteers, follow a different biblical theme each year. The entire proceeds of these yearly prints are designated to hunger projects both locally and worldwide. The money raised through 2020 has totaled nearly $300,000.

I’ve collected a number of years of these prints. These prints make wonderful spiritual pieces for your home, and thoughtful gifts for Christmas and other special occasions during the year. Type Wieland in the search window to see other prints and past writeups of this meaningful ministry.

Thank you Marianne for your service to mankind!

ct