Reformed by Grace, Sent in Love

Carl Taylor • Senior Pastor
October 1, 2026

8 Minute Read

Dear Advent Family,

As we step into October, I find myself thinking about how grace continues to shape us—not simply as individuals, but as a congregation. September gave us a beautiful picture of what that can look like. On God’s Work. Our Hands. Sunday, Advent moved from worship into service, preparing and delivering 78 meals to the Cocoa Veterans Village and sharing $360 in quarters with neighbors at six local laundromats. Those acts were simple, but they reminded us of something important: grace is not meant to remain inside the sanctuary. Grace moves. Grace notices. Grace serves. Grace meets people where they are. 

October now gives us several different opportunities to continue learning what it means to be Covered, Called, Grounded, and Sent. These words cannot simply be something we print on banners or repeat because they sound good. They are meant to shape the way we live together and the way we encounter the world around us. October, in particular, invites us to consider what happens when the grace we proclaim becomes visible in the way we care for creation, welcome our neighbors, use what God has entrusted to us, notice those who are struggling, and continually allow the Gospel to reform us.

On October 10, Advent will celebrate our St. Francis Day Pet Blessing, giving thanks for the animals that bring companionship, joy, comfort, and every now and then, a little holy chaos into our lives. We will also welcome the Florida Wildlife Hospital, which will be with us on October 10 and 11 with some of the animals in their care. This is more than an opportunity to bring our beloved pets to church. It reminds us that stewardship encompasses much more than money. The earth, its creatures, and the resources we enjoy are gifts entrusted to our care. Creation does not ultimately belong to us; it belongs to God. We are caretakers. Grace teaches us not only to love our neighbor but also to live responsibly and gently with all that God has made.

Then, on Saturday, October 17, from 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., Advent will celebrate our first Oktoberfest since 2019. There will be brats and German food, music, children’s activities, bounce houses, a magician, balloon artists, face painting, Kona Ice, laughter, fellowship, and plenty of opportunities simply to enjoy being together. But I hope we understand that Oktoberfest is about more than putting on a successful event. It is an opportunity to practice Christian hospitality. People will come onto our campus who may never have worshiped with us before. Some will come because their children want to play. Some will come because a friend invited them. Some may simply see the signs and decide to stop by. Whatever brings them here, our calling is the same: make room, offer welcome, and allow them to encounter a congregation that genuinely cares about people. As I recently shared with our Church Council, Oktoberfest’s success will not ultimately be measured by the program itself, but by whether those who come onto our campus encounter a congregation that is welcoming, relational, joyful, and genuinely interested in them. 

That hospitality requires all of us. Too much ministry can easily fall onto the shoulders of the same faithful people, and October gives us another opportunity to move from simply asking people to “help” toward helping one another discover where God is calling us to serve. You do not have to do everything. Nobody does. But every one of us has something to offer. Maybe your gift is preparing food. Maybe it is setting up tables. Maybe you are wonderful with children. Maybe you can greet someone at the door, sit beside somebody you do not know, or simply say, “Come sit with us.” Never underestimate what God can do with something that simple. Sometimes ministry begins by pulling out a chair and making room for one more.

October also begins our annual Stewardship Campaign, which will culminate on November 1. And I want us to approach this season carefully because stewardship can too easily become church language for, “We need money.” Christian stewardship is much larger than that. Stewardship asks what we are doing with everything God has entrusted to us—our time, abilities, relationships, possessions, resources, voices, and opportunities to serve. It asks us to look honestly at what is in our hands and prayerfully consider how God might use it for the sake of others.

I am also very aware that we begin this stewardship season at a time when many households are feeling genuine financial pressure. Groceries take more from the family budget than they once did. Housing, insurance, transportation, medical expenses, utilities, and the ordinary costs of life can create real anxiety. Some people are helping children and grandchildren while also caring for aging parents. Some live on fixed incomes and carefully consider every dollar that leaves the house. Some members of our congregation may be able to give more during this season, while others are doing everything they can simply to remain steady. Grace makes room for both. Stewardship is not a competition, and generosity cannot be measured only by a dollar amount.

That is why stewardship at Advent must never be rooted in guilt, fear, or manipulation. We do not give in order to convince God to be generous toward us. We give because God has already been overwhelmingly generous toward us. Grace always comes first. The deeper stewardship question is not simply, “How much should I give?” It is, “God, what have you placed in my hands, and how are you calling me to use it faithfully?” That may involve financial resources, but it also includes time, compassion, ability, relationships, influence, prayer, and our willingness to serve.

And that conversation cannot end at Advent’s doors. We are living in a nation and a world where people are carrying real burdens. Some are frightened. Some are grieving. Some are lonely. Some are hungry. Some are struggling simply to keep a roof over their heads or meet basic needs. This is where our Christian understanding of mercy and justice matters. Mercy sees someone who is hurting and responds with compassion. Justice asks us to care enough to notice the circumstances that continue to wound our neighbors. We will not always agree about how every problem should be solved, but followers of Jesus are never given permission to stop caring about people who are hurting. Love of God and love of neighbor simply cannot be separated.

Then, on October 25, we will celebrate Reformation Sunday, marking 509 years since 1517, the year traditionally associated with the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther was certainly radical, but not simply because he wanted something different. At the heart of the Reformation was a stubborn insistence that the church keep returning to the Gospel—that our relationship with God rests not upon what we accomplish for God, but upon what Christ has already accomplished for us. We are justified by grace through faith. Grace is not a prize for the spiritually successful. Grace is God’s gift to sinners.

That means Reformation Sunday is about more than remembering Martin Luther, singing A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, and wearing red. The Reformation asks the church to keep examining itself. Are our traditions helping people encounter Christ, or have they become ends in themselves? Are our ministries forming disciples? Are our structures serving the Gospel? Are we close enough to our neighbors to know what they are carrying? Are we making room for people who have not yet found their place among us?

The Reformation was not change simply for the sake of change. It was a call back to what matters most. And more than five centuries later, the church still needs that call. We must continually allow the Gospel to re-form us—not chasing every new idea, not throwing away everything that came before us, but continually returning to Jesus Christ and asking whether the lives we are living together reflect the grace we proclaim.

Perhaps that is the thread running through all of October. Whether we are blessing animals, welcoming neighbors at Oktoberfest, considering our stewardship, noticing people who are struggling, or celebrating the Reformation, the question remains the same: What does grace look like when it leaves the page and becomes the way we live?

Grace cares for creation. Grace makes room at the table. Grace holds what God has given us with open hands. Grace notices the person who is struggling. Grace refuses to become indifferent to suffering. Grace reforms us when we become too comfortable. And grace continues sending the church back into the world.

Church, there is much in this world we cannot control. There are burdens we cannot solve by ourselves and questions whose answers are not easy. But we can decide what kind of people we will be in the middle of it all. We can be people shaped by grace—people who notice, welcome, give, serve, listen, forgive, and love. And when we lose our way, the Gospel keeps calling us back.

“The church should never become so concerned about preserving itself that it forgets the people Christ sent it to love.” — The Rev. Carl D. Taylor

So, Advent, as October begins, may we continue Walking in Grace—Covered by a love we did not earn, Called by Christ, Grounded in faith, and Sent into the world for the sake of our neighbor.

Reformed by grace. Sent in love.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Carl


Stay connected by subscribing below so you never miss an update.

Subscribe to Pastoral Letters Updates

By subscribing, you agree to receive email communication from Advent Lutheran Church. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Up Next
From this Collection: Pastoral Letters
September 30, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
The Spirit at Work
“The Holy Spirit has called me through the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, made me holy, and kept me in the true faith, just as he gathers, enlightens, and makes holy the whole Christian church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one common, true faith.” - Martin Luther’s Small Catechism, explanation on the 3rd article of the creed. Dear siblings in Christ, Happy Reformation month! October is always a great month in the Lutheran church because we get to celebrate the anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, and how Martin Luther paved the way for our current denomination to be born. Last month we were reminded of the importance of serving our neighbor, which was one of the things Luther was adamant about. We practiced “God’s Work. Our Hands” which served as a great reminder of what we can do together, not by our own works, but by the grace of God. Reformation month reminds us that the church is always changing in some way or another. Sometimes in big ways, sometimes in small ways. But always, we hope, by the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit. Last month, I was able to attend my first in-person Synod Council meeting, where I got to participate in the work of the wider Lutheran church across Florida and the Bahamas. It was a great experience, learning about the ways God is at work not just at Advent, but through the whole Synod, the ELCA, and the Christian Church as a whole. This month, PC and I will attend the “Conference on Ministry” with other rostered clergy in our synod, a chance to connect and learn together. The keynote speaker is one I am particularly excited for, because we get to hear from the ELCA Presiding Bishop, Yehiel Curry. Yet another reminder that the church is not just one building or one place, but “one common, true faith” in Jesus Christ. Overall, as the weather turns (at least a little bit) cooler and we move into the month of October, I am grateful for the many ways God continues to be at work: at Advent, in the community, in the ELCA, and through all our Christian siblings. What a blessing it is to walk together in grace. Peace and Blessings, PA

Alisha Ungs

Pastor of Discipleship

Currently Reading
October 1, 2026 • 8 Minute Read
Reformed by Grace, Sent in Love
Dear Advent Family, As we step into October, I find myself thinking about how grace continues to shape us—not simply as individuals, but as a congregation. September gave us a beautiful picture of what that can look like. On God’s Work. Our Hands. Sunday, Advent moved from worship into service, preparing and delivering 78 meals to the Cocoa Veterans Village and sharing $360 in quarters with neighbors at six local laundromats. Those acts were simple, but they reminded us of something important: grace is not meant to remain inside the sanctuary. Grace moves. Grace notices. Grace serves. Grace meets people where they are. October now gives us several different opportunities to continue learning what it means to be Covered, Called, Grounded, and Sent. These words cannot simply be something we print on banners or repeat because they sound good. They are meant to shape the way we live together and the way we encounter the world around us. October, in particular, invites us to consider what happens when the grace we proclaim becomes visible in the way we care for creation, welcome our neighbors, use what God has entrusted to us, notice those who are struggling, and continually allow the Gospel to reform us. On October 10, Advent will celebrate our St. Francis Day Pet Blessing, giving thanks for the animals that bring companionship, joy, comfort, and every now and then, a little holy chaos into our lives. We will also welcome the Florida Wildlife Hospital, which will be with us on October 10 and 11 with some of the animals in their care. This is more than an opportunity to bring our beloved pets to church. It reminds us that stewardship encompasses much more than money. The earth, its creatures, and the resources we enjoy are gifts entrusted to our care. Creation does not ultimately belong to us; it belongs to God. We are caretakers. Grace teaches us not only to love our neighbor but also to live responsibly and gently with all that God has made. Then, on Saturday, October 17, from 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., Advent will celebrate our first Oktoberfest since 2019. There will be brats and German food, music, children’s activities, bounce houses, a magician, balloon artists, face painting, Kona Ice, laughter, fellowship, and plenty of opportunities simply to enjoy being together. But I hope we understand that Oktoberfest is about more than putting on a successful event. It is an opportunity to practice Christian hospitality. People will come onto our campus who may never have worshiped with us before. Some will come because their children want to play. Some will come because a friend invited them. Some may simply see the signs and decide to stop by. Whatever brings them here, our calling is the same: make room, offer welcome, and allow them to encounter a congregation that genuinely cares about people. As I recently shared with our Church Council, Oktoberfest’s success will not ultimately be measured by the program itself, but by whether those who come onto our campus encounter a congregation that is welcoming, relational, joyful, and genuinely interested in them. That hospitality requires all of us. Too much ministry can easily fall onto the shoulders of the same faithful people, and October gives us another opportunity to move from simply asking people to “help” toward helping one another discover where God is calling us to serve. You do not have to do everything. Nobody does. But every one of us has something to offer. Maybe your gift is preparing food. Maybe it is setting up tables. Maybe you are wonderful with children. Maybe you can greet someone at the door, sit beside somebody you do not know, or simply say, “Come sit with us.” Never underestimate what God can do with something that simple. Sometimes ministry begins by pulling out a chair and making room for one more. October also begins our annual Stewardship Campaign, which will culminate on November 1. And I want us to approach this season carefully because stewardship can too easily become church language for, “We need money.” Christian stewardship is much larger than that. Stewardship asks what we are doing with everything God has entrusted to us—our time, abilities, relationships, possessions, resources, voices, and opportunities to serve. It asks us to look honestly at what is in our hands and prayerfully consider how God might use it for the sake of others. I am also very aware that we begin this stewardship season at a time when many households are feeling genuine financial pressure. Groceries take more from the family budget than they once did. Housing, insurance, transportation, medical expenses, utilities, and the ordinary costs of life can create real anxiety. Some people are helping children and grandchildren while also caring for aging parents. Some live on fixed incomes and carefully consider every dollar that leaves the house. Some members of our congregation may be able to give more during this season, while others are doing everything they can simply to remain steady. Grace makes room for both. Stewardship is not a competition, and generosity cannot be measured only by a dollar amount. That is why stewardship at Advent must never be rooted in guilt, fear, or manipulation. We do not give in order to convince God to be generous toward us. We give because God has already been overwhelmingly generous toward us. Grace always comes first. The deeper stewardship question is not simply, “How much should I give?” It is, “God, what have you placed in my hands, and how are you calling me to use it faithfully?” That may involve financial resources, but it also includes time, compassion, ability, relationships, influence, prayer, and our willingness to serve. And that conversation cannot end at Advent’s doors. We are living in a nation and a world where people are carrying real burdens. Some are frightened. Some are grieving. Some are lonely. Some are hungry. Some are struggling simply to keep a roof over their heads or meet basic needs. This is where our Christian understanding of mercy and justice matters. Mercy sees someone who is hurting and responds with compassion. Justice asks us to care enough to notice the circumstances that continue to wound our neighbors. We will not always agree about how every problem should be solved, but followers of Jesus are never given permission to stop caring about people who are hurting. Love of God and love of neighbor simply cannot be separated. Then, on October 25, we will celebrate Reformation Sunday, marking 509 years since 1517, the year traditionally associated with the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther was certainly radical, but not simply because he wanted something different. At the heart of the Reformation was a stubborn insistence that the church keep returning to the Gospel—that our relationship with God rests not upon what we accomplish for God, but upon what Christ has already accomplished for us. We are justified by grace through faith. Grace is not a prize for the spiritually successful. Grace is God’s gift to sinners. That means Reformation Sunday is about more than remembering Martin Luther, singing A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, and wearing red. The Reformation asks the church to keep examining itself. Are our traditions helping people encounter Christ, or have they become ends in themselves? Are our ministries forming disciples? Are our structures serving the Gospel? Are we close enough to our neighbors to know what they are carrying? Are we making room for people who have not yet found their place among us? The Reformation was not change simply for the sake of change. It was a call back to what matters most. And more than five centuries later, the church still needs that call. We must continually allow the Gospel to re-form us—not chasing every new idea, not throwing away everything that came before us, but continually returning to Jesus Christ and asking whether the lives we are living together reflect the grace we proclaim. Perhaps that is the thread running through all of October. Whether we are blessing animals, welcoming neighbors at Oktoberfest, considering our stewardship, noticing people who are struggling, or celebrating the Reformation, the question remains the same: What does grace look like when it leaves the page and becomes the way we live? Grace cares for creation. Grace makes room at the table. Grace holds what God has given us with open hands. Grace notices the person who is struggling. Grace refuses to become indifferent to suffering. Grace reforms us when we become too comfortable. And grace continues sending the church back into the world. Church, there is much in this world we cannot control. There are burdens we cannot solve by ourselves and questions whose answers are not easy. But we can decide what kind of people we will be in the middle of it all. We can be people shaped by grace—people who notice, welcome, give, serve, listen, forgive, and love. And when we lose our way, the Gospel keeps calling us back. “The church should never become so concerned about preserving itself that it forgets the people Christ sent it to love.” — The Rev. Carl D. Taylor So, Advent, as October begins, may we continue Walking in Grace—Covered by a love we did not earn, Called by Christ, Grounded in faith, and Sent into the world for the sake of our neighbor. Reformed by grace. Sent in love. Grace and Peace, Pastor Carl

Carl Taylor

Senior Pastor

September 1, 2026 • 5 Minute Read
Grace with its Sleeves Rolled Up
Dear Advent Family, As we move toward September, I find myself grateful for the way God continues to gather us, stretch us, and gently lead us forward. August has been full. We concluded our summer Come & See experience, blessed backpacks and prayed over our children, youth, teachers, administrators, school employees, and families as another school year began. We gathered for Rally Day with food, laughter, ministry displays, bounce houses, magic, Kona Ice, and the wonderful energy that comes when the Advent family simply enjoys being together. And before August is finished, we have another important beginning to celebrate. On Sunday, August 23, we will bless the beginning of Advent’s 2026–2027 Faith Formation year. We will pray over our children, youth, teachers, leaders, volunteers, parents, grandparents, and every person who helps nurture faith within this congregation. Our Faith Formation ministries include Faith Builders for children 3K through 5th grade, Senior Youth for grades 6–12, Confirmation, KidsTown, and Adult Faith Formation. Then, on Sunday, August 30, our KidsTown kiddos will officially begin another year together. I hope we do not miss the grace in all of this. Faith Formation is not simply about classes, schedules, curriculum, or getting children into the right room at the right time. It is about creating places where people can ask questions, discover Scripture, experience community, and learn over time what it means to trust the promises of God. And that is not only for children. The truth is, every one of us is still being formed. Some of us are strong in faith right now. Some are tired. Some have questions we have never quite been able to answer. Some are carrying grief. Some are caring for aging parents, raising children, facing health concerns, wrestling with finances, navigating relationships, or simply trying to make it through another week. And yet God meets us there. -- God does not wait until we have everything figured out. God does not require us to arrive polished, certain, or spiritually impressive. Grace meets us exactly where we are and keeps calling us forward. That is what I hope Walking in Grace: Covered, Called, Grounded, and Sent continues to mean for Advent. We are Covered by a grace we did not earn and cannot lose because we had a difficult week. We are Called by Christ—not because we are perfect, but because Christ chooses ordinary people like us. We are Grounded in the promises of Scripture, prayer, worship, Baptism, and Holy Communion. And then, covered, called, and grounded, we are Sent into the world to love our neighbor. September gives us a beautiful opportunity to live that out. On Sunday, September 13, Advent will participate in God’s Work. Our Hands. This is an opportunity for us to turn our attention outward and serve the community around us. Sometimes churches can become very good at looking inward. We take care of our programs, our buildings, our schedules, our traditions, and one another—and there is nothing wrong with caring for the family God has entrusted to us. But the church of Jesus Christ can never stop there. There is a world beyond our doors that God deeply loves. There are people who are lonely. Families who are struggling. Neighbors who need encouragement. People who are hungry. People who simply need someone to notice them. And sometimes the most powerful witness the church can offer is not a sermon or a program. Sometimes it is simply showing up with open hands and an open heart. That is what I love about God’s Work. Our Hands. It reminds us that grace has feet. Grace shows up. Grace serves. Grace listens. Grace gets its hands dirty. And grace does not ask whether someone deserves to be loved before deciding to love them. As we move through September, our ministries will continue settling into the rhythm of another year. Faith Formation will be underway, Bible study and other opportunities for discipleship will continue, and preparations for Oktoberfest will move into high gear. There will be plenty to do. But I want us to be careful about something: the goal is not simply to become busier. A busy church is not automatically a faithful church. What matters is whether what we are doing helps people encounter Jesus, grow in faith, build meaningful relationships, serve their neighbors, and discover where God may be calling them. And please hear this with grace: you do not have to do everything. But I do believe God calls each of us to do something. Maybe this is the year you serve in a ministry for the first time. Maybe you return to something you once loved. Maybe you join a Bible study. Maybe you work beside someone at God’s Work. Our Hands. Maybe you volunteer at Oktoberfest. Maybe you will invite someone to worship. Maybe you simply begin praying, “Lord, show me where you need me.” ---- That prayer may be more than enough to begin. Please hear this as you read, I am grateful for you. I am grateful for those who quietly serve week after week without recognition. I am grateful for our children laughing on campus, for our seasoned members who continue to pray and encourage, for families trying to raise children in faith, for volunteers who keep showing up, and for everyone who continues to believe that God still has something for Advent to do in this community. So, as September begins, may we keep our eyes open for where Christ is already at work—and may we have enough courage, humility, and grace to join Him there. We will not do everything perfectly and we do not have to. We are walking in grace. Covered when we are weary. Called even when we feel inadequate. Grounded when the world feels uncertain. Sent because somebody beyond our walls needs to experience the love we have already received. Grace and Peace, Pastor Carl

Carl Taylor

Senior Pastor

September 1, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Blessings Abound
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” - Ephesians 1:3 Dear Siblings in Christ, It seems hard to believe that August has already passed us by and we have made it to September. As we look ahead this month, we can also reflect on the blessings God has already given us. It seems like just yesterday we were sending our kids off with a backpack blessing, and now school has been in session for nearly a month. We are so grateful for the many children participating in this year’s faith formation programming, including Faith Builders for grades K-5, senior youth group for grades 6-12, and Confirmation class for students in grades 6-8. In addition, Pastor Carl and I will continue to teach Bible Club weekly at Grace Preschool this year with a new group of students, starting this month. But Faith Formation isn’t just for children, all of us are walking in our faith journeys which never stop. There will be opportunities for young adults with the Gather Space Coast Group, the women’s group will be hosting listening meetings to determine what that can look like this year, and the men’s group, B.U.I.L.D. will continue to meet as well. There are so many ways to get involved at Advent as the fall programming continues, and I invite you to find ways to participate! The month of September is a great time to try out choir, which practices every Tuesday night, to attend a Bible Study on Wednesday nights, or perhaps find a volunteer opportunity that helps you feel spiritually connected. And that’s not all – there is still more to look forward to as Fall quickly approaches. The Stewardship team has some great ideas and we are excited to share more with you all, so look for more information in the near future! Not to mention, this month, we will participate in “God’s Work. Our Hands” as a reminder of how Christ’s Kingdom is much larger than the four walls of the sanctuary or a Weekend of worship. And then on September 26, we will be welcoming rostered leaders and lay people as we host the Space Coast Conference meeting. Both serve as great reminders that we are more than just a church building. We are part of something bigger, and each of us is an “awesome” child of God, just as Pastor Derek from the Synod Office reminded us last month when he came to guest preach. God has blessed us with so many spiritual blessings just as Ephesians says, and I am grateful for each and every one of you who helps share those blessings with others. As we enter into Fall programming, may God’s love surround you, and may you feel Christ’s abundant blessings as you share those blessings with others. Peace and Blessings, PA

Alisha Ungs

Pastor of Discipleship

August 1, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
August is Here!
July may have moved at a different pace as we move through our Summer Series of “Come & See”, and now August is arriving with plenty of life, energy, and opportunities to gather as the family of Advent. The weekend of August 2 will mark the final weekend of summer and our final weekend of Come & See. Throughout the summer, we have experienced worship in fresh and unexpected ways, and we are grateful for everyone who came with an open heart, ready to see what God might reveal. Then, on the weekend of August 8 -9, we will celebrate the Blessing of the Backpacks for all our children and youth as they prepare to begin a new school year. We will surround our students, teachers, administrators, and families with prayer, reminding them that wherever they go, they are covered by God’s grace. And we are only getting started! On Sunday, August 9, from 3:00–5:00 p.m., Advent will host Rally Day, and everyone is invited. There will be bounce houses, magic shows, Kona Ice, hot dogs, chips, and plenty of activities for children and families. Each Advent ministry will also have a table in the KC Building, giving our congregation and community an opportunity to see the many ways God is working through Advent— and to discover where they may be called to connect, serve, grow, and belong. So come on out, bring your family, invite a friend, and let’s kick off the new ministry season in a big way. At Advent, there is a place for you, a ministry for you, and grace enough for all of us. Come and see. Come and connect. Come and celebrate Grace and Peace, Pastor Carl

Carl Taylor

Senior Pastor

July 30, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Woven Together
“For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we may walk in them.” - Ephesians 2:10 Dear Siblings in Christ, Last month, Pastor Carl and I attended the ELCA Rostered Minister Conference, an opportunity to gather with other pastors, deacons, bishops, and leaders in ministry. The theme was “Woven Together.” Throughout the week, the keynote speakers reminded us of the many ways God weaves us together into a beautiful tapestry of creation. And while they did so, an artist wove an actual tapestry. At the end of the conference, she showed everyone the beautiful work of art that had been created. It was a wonderful reminder how all of us are part of a bigger picture, but each of us is an important individual thread as well. Around here, although we meet for three different expressions of worship each weekend, we are also “woven together.” Each ministry, each worship experience, and each moment, is a colorful thread that helps make the beautiful tapestry that is Advent Lutheran Church. Over the summer we practiced “Come and See” as an opportunity to listen to Christ’s invitation to try new things and experience worship in different ways. Now, as summer winds down and school resumes, programming, ministries, and other things are ramping up for the fall. Most exciting of all is the upcoming Rally Day on August 9. It will be an opportunity for us to see and hear all about how God is working through the ministries of Advent. Individually, each person is a lovely and colorful thread. But together, we are woven into a beautiful tapestry, followers of Jesus Christ for the sake of the world, Walking in Grace: Covered, Called, Grounded, and Sent. Peace and Blessings, PA

Alisha Ungs

Pastor of Discipleship

July 1, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Covered for the Road Ahead
Siblings in Christ, July has a way of slowing some things down while reminding us that life keeps moving. Families travel. Children are home from school. Calendars shift. Some people are away, some are returning, and some are simply trying to catch their breath. And somewhere in the middle of it all, somebody is probably asking, “How is summer already moving this fast?”But here is the good news: grace does not take the summer off. Even when routines change, God remains faithful. Even when people travel, the church keeps praying. Even when the heat rises, ministry continues. Even when the calendar feels scattered, the Spirit is still gathering us, forming us, and sending us. As we move through July, we also continue stepping into Year Two of Walking in Grace with our theme: Covered. And let’s be clear: covered does not mean hidden. Covered does not mean passive. Covered does not mean we avoid hard conversations or pretend everything is easy. Covered means we belong to God. Covered means grace holds us while truth shapes us. Covered means mercy gives us courage for the road ahead. That matters for us as a congregation. This summer, we also kicked off a new worship series on Father’s Day weekend called “Come and See.” And yes, that title is intentional. We are changing some things up in our worship experience this summer, but we are not giving everything away ahead of time. Why? Because some things are better experienced than explained. Some things have to be encountered. Some things require you to show up, lean in, and discover what God might be doing among us. That is the invitation of Come and See. Come and see how worship can still surprise us. Come and see how grace can meet us in familiar places and new patterns. Come and see how God continues to speak through Word, song, prayer, table, community, and holy imagination. Come and see what happens when we make room for the Spirit to move among us.Advent Lutheran Church is in a season of movement, discernment, and growth. We are giving thanks for new council leadership, faithful ministry teams, those who serve quietly behind the scenes, and the many ways this congregation continues to show up. The Food Pantry keeps feeding. The Bread Ministry keeps sharing. Worship keeps gathering. Music keeps lifting us. Children keep growing. Families keep connecting. Care keeps being offered. People are living into their Stewardship Commitments made in January (we are still running behind our budgeted goal, but the year is not over). And the mission of the church keeps moving forward. That does not happen by accident. It happens because God is faithful, and because God works through ordinary people who are willing to serve with love walking in grace, Covered, called, grounded, and sent. July also reminds us that being covered by grace does not mean we are careless. We are in hurricane season, so we prepare. We pray for those traveling, those vacationing, those returning home, and those who cannot get away at all. We remember those who are grieving, healing, waiting, working, caregiving, or carrying more than others may know. We pay attention to one another because that is what family does. And Advent, we are more than a church. We are a family. Relationships matter 4 Real. So, this month, I want to invite us to stay connected. Come to worship when you are in town. Pray for the church when you are away. Check on someone you have not seen in a while. Serve where you can. Give faithfully. Encourage generously. Laugh when you can. Rest when you need to. And yes, this summer, Come and See. Come and see what God is doing. Come and see how grace is moving. Come and see how Advent is still becoming. We are not covered so we can stand still. We are covered so we can walk in grace together. -Pastor Carl

Carl Taylor

Senior Pastor

July 1, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
"Come and See!"
“Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries.”  - 1 Corinthians 4:1 Dear siblings in Christ, Summer is officially in full swing as we enter July. The temperatures soar and it can often feel like things slow down in summertime, but around here, we just keep going! Although our liturgical calendar puts us in what is called “ordinary” time for this season, it’s anything but ordinary. It seems there is always something exciting happening at Advent, and summertime is no exception. As many of you know, over the summer we are practicing the invitation from Jesus to “come and see,” where each week worship will look a little different than the previous week. It’s easy to get stuck in a rhythm and forget just how powerful it is for us to gather for worship and community. “Come and See” gives us the opportunity to re-center and re-experience the joys of worship, listening for the Spirit’s voice. And The Spirit is definitely at work in this congregation and in this community! I have been grateful for the participation in my summer book/Bible study series where we are engaging in conversations about women of the Bible and I look forward to more of our meetings. And our new young adults ministry, Gather Space Coast, is off to a great start, too. The game night in June was a lot of fun, and I want to take a moment to thank all of you who contributed games for us to play! We have two events planned for the group this month: interactive prayer stations on July 3 and Trivia Night on July 17. If you are 18-35 years old, you are welcome to join us! Above all else, summer is a great chance to “come and see” for yourself – so that’s my invitation to you. Whether it’s by volunteering, participating in worship, joining us for Bible study, or something else, there is a way for YOU to connect with this community. What will that look like? I guess you’ll just have to… “come and see.” Peace and Blessings, PA

Alisha Ungs

Pastor of Discipleship

June 1, 2026 • 9 Minute Read
Walking in Grace Into the Long Green Season
Siblings in Christ, June has a way of arriving quietly in Florida. The Easter lilies have been put away. The alleluias of Easter morning have settled into memory. The rush of Holy Week and Easter Sunday has moved into the steady rhythm of summer heat, afternoon storms, longer daylight, and the beginning of what the church often calls the long green season. But green is not boring. Green is not empty. Green is growth and we have seen growth. The month of May gave us a beautiful witness to the life of the church. We celebrated FIVE baptisms in one month. Five times, water and Word met ordinary human life with the extraordinary promise of God. Five times, we were reminded that grace does not wait until we are ready, polished, perfect, or able to explain everything. Grace comes first. Grace claims. Grace covers. Grace calls. Grace grounds. Grace sends. Every baptism is a holy interruption in the life of the church, a visible sign that God is still making promises, still welcoming children and families into the body of Christ, still writing resurrection into the story of ordinary people. The Month of May gave us Mother’s Day, a Sunday filled with gratitude, tenderness, memory, and honest emotion. For some, Mother’s Day brings joy. For others, it carries grief, longing, or complicated memories. The church has to be big enough and gentle enough to hold all of that. So, we gave thanks for mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, foster mothers, spiritual mothers, aunties, mentors, and all those who have loved with courage, patience, sacrifice, and grace. We had a wedding in May, another sacred reminder that love, covenant, promise, and community still matter. In a world where relationships can be treated as disposable and commitments can be taken lightly; the church gets to stand in a holy place and say that love is not merely a feeling. Love is a promise. Love is a witness. Love is something God blesses, strengthens, and surrounds with community. On May 17, we gave thanks for the opportunity to recognize and bless Hannah Jones and Lucy Presecan as they step into the next chapter of their lives. Each received a Legacy Youth Educational Grant from the Legacy Committee, along with other gifts on behalf of the church. Moments like these remind our young people that they do not walk alone. They are surrounded by a congregation that sees them, prays for them, celebrates them, and trusts that God will continue guiding their future. We also gathered for our Annual Meeting, and that gathering mattered. Annual meetings are not always glamorous, but they are important. They help us tell the truth about where we have been, what God has done among us, what still needs attention, and where we believe the Spirit is leading us next. This year’s meeting was about more than reports, motions, and the election of new council members. It was part of the larger work of Advent becoming clearer in purpose, stronger in ministry, healthier in community, and more aligned in mission. Towards the end of May, we celebrated a beautiful end-of-school-year moment with Grace Lutheran Preschool and our Bible Enrichment Club. Throughout the year, children have been learning Bible stories, singing songs, asking questions, hearing about Jesus, and discovering that they are loved by God. As the school year came to a close, we were able to place colorful, kid-friendly Bible books into young hands. That may sound simple, but it is not small. A child receiving a Bible storybook is a seed being planted. A child hearing that God loves them is a foundation being laid. A child being welcomed by the church is a glimpse of the kingdom of God. Our Faith Builders also celebrated with a pool party and time of joy, fun, laughter, and fellowship. That matters too. Children and youth need more than programs. They need belonging. They need safe spaces. They need faithful adults who know their names. They need moments where church feels not only like a place to sit still, but a place where joy, friendship, and faith can grow together. Faith formation does not happen only at a desk or in a classroom. Sometimes it happens around food, water, laughter, conversation, and the simple gift of being together. And across the life of Advent, our ministries are growing and working hard—not just for our own congregation, but for our wider community. Our Food Pantry Ministry and Bread Ministry continue to feed neighbors with dignity and compassion. Our worship and music ministries continue to shape hearts, carry memory, teach theology, and help us lift our voices to God. Our staff, volunteers, ministry leaders, council members, and faithful servants continue doing the steady work that often happens behind the scenes but holds the church together in visible and invisible ways. That is the truth I want us to see as we move into June. We are not entering an empty season. We are entering a growing season. In June, we will continue walking in that spirit we celebrated on Pentecost Sunday, as we remembered that the church was never meant to sit still, hidden behind locked doors, waiting for safer conditions. The Holy Spirit came like wind and fire, not to make the disciples comfortable, but to make them witnesses. Pentecost reminds us that the church is alive when it is Spirit-filled, outward-facing, courageous, multilingual in love, and willing to speak good news into the world God still loves. We will also have celebrated Trinity Sunday, standing before the holy mystery of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Trinity Sunday reminds us that God’s own life is communion, relationship, love, and movement. That matters for the church. We are not called to be isolated individuals sitting near one another. We are called to be a people formed by the relational life of God, drawn together in grace, and sent together in love. The long green season (the season after Pentecost) teaches us an important truth: God’s work is not always dramatic. Holy things do not always arrive with fanfare. Often, grace takes root quietly, and the Spirit moves through faithful, everyday moments—steady service, honest meetings, shared meals, open Scripture, music, ministry, celebration, and people who still trust that Jesus is not finished with the church. On June 3–6, leaders from across our wider church will gather for the Florida-Bahamas Synod Assembly. Synod Assembly reminds us that Advent is not alone. We are part of a wider Lutheran witness, connected with congregations, ministries, pastors, deacons, lay leaders, and mission partners across Florida and the Bahamas. We belong to something larger than ourselves, and our work here in Melbourne is part of God’s wider work through the church. June also brings Father’s Day, and we will hold that day with the same pastoral care we brought to Mother’s Day. We give thanks for fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, foster fathers, uncles, mentors, coaches, teachers, spiritual fathers, and all who have offered steady love, guidance, protection, wisdom, and presence. We also remember that Father’s Day can carry grief, hurt, absence, disappointment, or longing. The church can hold all of that because Christ holds all of us. Later in June, our Council Retreat will take place on June 26–27. This retreat will be an important time of prayer, reflection, discernment, and planning as we continue clarifying Advent’s direction for 2026–2027. This is not about creating paper for the sake of paper. Advent does not need more documents pretending to be vision. We need shared clarity. We need spiritual alignment. We need honest conversation. We need practical goals. We need leaders who are not simply managing church life but listening for the movement of God among us. We will also install our leaders during worship that weekend: Saturday, June 27 at 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, June 28 at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Installation is more than a public announcement. It is a holy reminder that leadership in the church is not about status, control, or personal preference. Leadership is service. Leadership is stewardship. Leadership is prayerful responsibility. Leadership is helping the people of God walk faithfully together. And as Floridians, June also means the beginning of hurricane season. Preparation is not fear. Preparation is wisdom. We prepare because we care about one another. We prepare because some of our neighbors live alone. We prepare because the church is called to be steady in the storm. So, I encourage each of us to review our home plans, check on vulnerable neighbors, keep emergency supplies ready, and remain attentive to how Advent can continue being a community of care when storms come. Siblings in Christ, this is where we are: Easter has not ended. Easter is growing roots. It is growing in baptismal water, wedding promises, and children receiving Bible books. It is growing in Faith Builders laughter, food pantry bags and bread tables. It is growing in worship and music, church council discernment and leaders preparing to serve. It is growing in every place where God’s people keep showing up with faith, hope, and love. So, let’s keep walking. Not perfectly. Not anxiously. Not scattered in every direction, but together. As we are Covered by the grace that found us first. Called to follow Jesus one faithful step at a time. Grounded in worship, Word, sacrament, service, and truth. Sent into Melbourne, Brevard County, and beyond with mercy in our hands and Christ’s love in our hearts. We are followers of Jesus Christ for the sake of the world, walking in grace—covered, called, grounded, and sent. With grace and peace, Pastor Carl D. Taylor Senior Pastor

Carl Taylor

Senior Pastor

June 1, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Behold, a New Thing!
“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; look, new things have come into being!” - 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NRSVue) Dear Siblings in Christ, Earlier this year, I attended a continuing education event. The final presenter, Dr. Kris Stache, made the point that we very often find ourselves stuck in the past, grieving what was instead of looking towards the future of all that could be. She shared an excellent quote: “What God is up to is not stuck in the past, but in a future we have yet to imagine – a future where God is already waiting for us. It is the Spirit that connects our past into a new future through the present. The past shouldn’t be forgotten, but what we build the present and future upon. God has been present, is present, and continues to be present into our future in this place.” This beautiful idea led me to wonder what God might be up to here, and how we at Advent might continue to listen to God’s calling into a future that we do not yet imagine, but which God has already planned for us. Dr. Stache also shared a great analogy of how churches (and people in general) so often get stuck in the past and in nostalgia; it went something like this: imagine that you had a big apple tree in your backyard which had the most amazing and delicious apples. For many years, you baked award-winning apple pies for your neighborhood. But one day, for some reason or another, the apple tree dies. In its place, a banana tree is planted. And once that banana tree grows up, you decide to try and make an apple pie like before, with your new fruit. And of course, it ends up not working. Why? Because bananas are not apples and nothing you do can change that. But what you can do, is learn to adapt to the new reality around you, and make some delicious banana cream pies. It doesn’t replace the memories of the apple pies; instead, it creates something new and delicious that could not have been made, nor perhaps even imagined, before. In the same way, there are places in church and in our lives that we are continually trying our best to bake apple pies from bananas; the church and the world around us have changed, and what used to work might not work anymore. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t create something amazing by adapting and changing to the new reality. And let me be clear: that doesn’t take away from the beauty and the memories of all that came before. As Dr. Stache said, the past shouldn’t be forgotten. But if we keep dwelling on the lost apples, we get in the way of our own journey into the future God is calling us towards. As 2 Corinthians says, “look, new things have come into being!” I shared in my May article that I have now officially been serving here for three years. And in that time, there has been a lot of change at Advent. But that is not a bad thing. It is the tool that helps us because we are faced with a choice: we can continue to lament all the ways things are different, or we can remember it with grateful hearts while still looking at all that is yet to come. It is up to us to let go of the old which has passed away, and look for the ways that new things are coming into being. Together we continue Walking in Grace towards what God has planned for our future. The future where God is already waiting for us, if only we learn how best to use the “fruit” we are given in the here and now. Peace and Blessings, PA

Alisha Ungs

Pastor of Discipleship