The Mission of Advent Lutheran Church
The Mission of Advent Lutheran Church: To proclaim God's reconciling Grace in Jesus Christ through Word and Sacrement while educating, equipping, and empowering each other so that we will serve and care for all people.
For information about serving Christ at Advent, please explore the various pages of this site.
A History of Advent Lutheran Church
Advent Lutheran Church was officially organized on March 13, 1965 with 39 families signing the charter (126 baptized and 74 confirmed members).
Advent's first worship space was the Orange Park Town Hall from July, 1964 until January 31, 1965 when the first worship service was conducted in the first permanent home on Kingsley Avenue. Pastor David Winter was installed on February 10, 1974. In 1977, property on Loch Rane Boulevard was donated to the congregation by Dr. Francis McGahee. Construction on the Fellowship Hall and Sanctuary were completed in 1978. On August 6, 1978 the first worship service was held at our present location on Loch Rane Boulevard in our Fellowship Hall. The first worship service in the Sanctuary was held on December 3, 1978 under the leadership of Pastor Winter.
1982 saw the completion of the Education Wing. Advent sponsored two mission congregations in 1986: Mandarin and Lord of Life. Pastor Clark McPhail was called in 1988 and in 1989, the Stephen Ministry program began at Advent. We celebrated our 25 anniversary in 1990 with the dedication of an annex building which provided additional office and clasroom space. Pastor Jim Graeser was installed in 1995 and later went on to start Cross+Road Lutheran, another mission congregation sponsored by Advent.
Pastor Louis R. Fawcett, III was installed in 2000. Pastor Clark McPhail retired in December of 2000. Pastor Fawcett accepted another call in 2002. Pastor Robert Hale was called as the associate pastor in 2002. Pastor David Winter retired in 2004 and Pastor Hale was called as the senior pastor in 2005. Pastor Mark was called as our Associate Pastor in the fall of 2010.
Church Staff
Pastor: Rev. Bob Hale, (904) 612-3064
Associate Pastor: Rev. Mark Tonnesen (904) 710-0558
Pastor Emeritus: Rev. David Winter
Pre-School Director: Jennifer Dews
Music Master/Organist: Joanna Corbett
Bookkeeper: Sandra Auer
Secretary: Rebecca Johnson
Church Nursery: Dani Byerly (Sunday Only - 7:45 am. - 11:45am.)
2011 Congregational Council
President: Tim Pingel
Vice President: Karl Rau
Treasurer: Jerry Campbell
Secretary: Joe Meekins
Education: Brenda Rau
Evangelism: Sandy Rehme
Fellowship: Cecilia Moore
Property: DeWayne Brown
Social Ministry: Katherine Morrison
Stewardship: Ken Johansen
Worship: Sheila Scott
Youth: Gail Gercke