175 Waterloo St. Stratford, On. N5A 4B5 519-271-3683

Website: www.avondaleunitedstratford.com

Worship led by Pirie Mitchell, Interim Minister, We welcome Carol Young – Coordinator of Camp Bimini,

Music Director Lori Millian, Avondale Senior Choir,

David MacLennan, guitar Lay Readers Joclynn Jepson, Grace Herman

SUNDAY April 24, 2016 Camping Sunday

10:00 a.m.

WE GATHER AS GOD’S PEOPLE

Prelude: Pass It On K. Kaiser, arr. F. Bock

Announcements and Welcome Opening Hymn: It Only Takes a Spark VU 289 Call To Worship Pirie: The sun rises each morning, covering the earth with light. Cong: The Son rose in the morning, shining God’s guiding light for our path. Pirie: Come let us worship God and give thanks for our camps where we

may experience God’s light and love in nature. Cong: And we are all equal around the campfire

Opening Prayer:

Eternal God we come together here today in this place to celebrate camping Sunday. While some of us remember the days of our camping experiences others of us are dreaming of the day when we to will experience the joys of camping – playing in the sunlight, relationships that help mould our lives, friendships that will last a lifetime, as well as dancing in the mystical moonlight.

Children’s Hymn : Kum Ba Yah

Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah. Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah. Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah. Oh Lord, kum ba yah. Someone’s crying, Lord, kum ba yah. Someone’s crying, Lord, kum ba yah. Someone’s crying, Lord, kum ba yah.

Oh Lord, kum ba yah.

Someone’s singing, Lord, kum ba yah. Someone’s singing, Lord, kum ba yah. Someone’s singing, Lord, kum ba yah. Oh Lord, kum ba yah. Someone’s praying, Lord, kum ba yah. Someone’s praying, Lord, kum ba yah. Someone’s praying, Lord, kum ba yah. Oh Lord, kum ba yah. African-American Spiritual. All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-724653

Children’s Time: Your Camp Memories

WE LISTEN TO GOD’S WORD

Scripture Readings: Exodus 13: 20-22 Psalm 121 (page 844VU) Acts 18: 1-4

Anthem: Glory Land Hallelu arr. R.E. Schram

A Message from the Coordinator of Camp Bimini Carol Young

Hymn: I’ve Got Peace Like a River VU 577

WE RESPOND TO GOD IN LOVE

Offertory: Halle, Halle, Halle Caribbean Folk Song, arr. L. Larson

Offertory Hymn: Rise and Shine

Rise and shine, and give God the glory, glory. Rise and shine, and give God the glory, glory. Rise and shine, and give God the glory, glory, Children of the Lord. (repeat) Unknown Traditional © 2000 Hal Leonard Corporation. All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-724653.

Offering Prayer

Prayers Of The People Lord’s Prayer

O God Who is in charge of the world, You are holy. Help us to make a loving world, We follow your servant Jesus, Who taught us to love and forgive. Lord, you know just what we need. Forgive us for always wanting more. Help us to forgive others as you forgive us. Help us to not want stuff; and to fight evil when we see it. For it is you we serve. You are the light of our campfire. Your fire never goes out. Amen.

Closing Hymn: This Little Light of Mine

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine; This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine; This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Ev’rywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine; Ev’rywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine; Ev’rywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine, Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Jesus gave it to me; I’m gonna let it shine; Jesus gave it to me; I’m gonna let it shine;

Jesus gave it to me; I’m gonna let it shine, Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Public Domain

Commission and Benediction Parting Hymn: Go Make a Diff’rence (Refrain only, twice) MV 209

Postlude: He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands

American Spiritual, arr. L. Shackley

Please join us for a barbeque lunch in Fellowship Hall, with a free will offering (suggested minimum donation of $5.00 per person). All proceeds, after expenses, will be donated to Camp Bimini.

Announcements

PRAYER CHAIN We are here to support YOU Call Joan Washburn 519-271-3562 or Anna Meusel at 519-271-9996 with prayer requests

HELP needed for dog walking.... member Flo Cartwright fell and broke her right wrist a while back. She has had many sets back in her recovery and needs volunteers to walk her dog (Chestnut St. area). If you can offer occasional assistance, please call Flo (519-273-2706) or email f.cartwright@wightman.ca

For Sale!!!!!!!!!! 2 Surplus Pianos @ the Waterloo St. site available for sale. Fellowship Hall – Heintzman Grand – In good condition Parlour - Mason & Risch – In fair condition Anyone interested in buying, please leave a sealed bid at the Waterloo St. Office before May 1st. Also....the Pews at the Waterloo St. site will be available for sale. Please leave information at the office or contact George Finnigan 519-273-0313. Note: All of the pews at the Avondale site have now been sold.

Avondale’s Congregational Life and Work Team has organized what we call The Sunshine Group. This is part of our in-reach work, helping others in our congregation requiring short term or occasional assistance. If you have the gift of your time and talents that can be of assistance to someone else, we encourage you to sign up. It could be occasional snow shovelling (if it snows again), mail pick up, light housekeeping for someone ill or changing sheets on a bed for someone too weak or in a cast. It could be occasional dog walking or a simple meal preparation for someone recovering from surgery.

Once we have volunteers signed up, the list will be managed by Marion and Bill Douglas and through the church office. We hope to have this up and running in April. See the poster outside Fellowship Hall to sign up. If you know someone in need of help, you can check the poster to see if anyone is available to assist, call the church office or Marion and Bill Douglas. Thanks.

Helping each other just makes sense.

“The GIVING TREE” is accepting toiletries for Shelterlink and Emily Murphy Centre until the end of April. Shampoo,

toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, lotion, bandaids, etc.

URGENT FOODSHELF REQUEST Our supplies are low and our needs are great. Please consider purchasing a few extra items for the Foodshelf when you grocery shop. Our focus is for healthy food choices, low salt, low sugar. We gratefully accept all donations. Please drop off your donations in the Donation Depot located outside Fellowship Hall or in the box located outside the office. If you would prefer to make a financial donation, please drop off your cheque to the office and earmark as 'Foodshelf". Your funds will be used towards the weekly shopping expenses. MANY THANKS for helping us to meet the needs of those among us less fortunate.

Casserole Ministry has returned – Avondale members are invited to take an individual size meal from the Fellowship Hall freezer and deliver it to anyone in the congregation that could use a “ready-to-heat” meal. The Casserole Ministry meals are clearly labelled and can be found in the freezer’s top basket.

For all Pastoral Care please contact Rev. Kathi Urbasik-Hindley. Contact Info: kathi.avondaleuc@wightman.ca 519-271-3683 To reach the Interim Minister, Pirie Mitchell Contact Info: pirieminister@gmail.com 519-271-3683 ext 34 Cell 519-639-0978 or Home 519-284-4320. If you, or someone you know, would like a visit, please call the office to schedule a time that works for you. Office 519-271-3683.

Upcoming Events

Lunch and Learn – Tuesday, April 26th @ 12:00 noon in the Parlour.

Bring your lunch.

Movie Night (Last one until fall) Wednesday, April 27 at 7 pm in the Parlour, featuring "Summer Snow".

Hallie is a small girl with a very big heart. Unfortunately, her "creative" ways of helping people often leave her father with

a mess to clean up. Dan struggles to keep it all together after his wife's death. He doesn't cook, do hair or know how to help his three children without his wife and her unshakable faith in God. Through a wonderful surprise, Hallie, her father and the entire family learn how one life really can make a difference.

Your Family is Invited to MESSY CHURCH

On Friday, April 29th, 2016 Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Supper finishes at 7:00 p.m. 175 Waterloo St.

What is MESSY CHURCH? A RELAXED TIME FOR FAMILIES TO SHARE SOME FUN IN OUR GYM (crafts and games all focused on a theme), SOME LEARNING (a Bible Story) AND A DELICIOUS MEAL . Cost: Free will offering or donation to the Food Shelf. Who is welcome? Everyone is welcome, but Messy Church is especially fun for CHILDREN, their parents, grandparents and caregivers! Come when you can – it’s impossible to be late for Messy Church! Come as you are! – no need to dress up, come right from school or work! For more information call Chris at 519-271-5558

Friendship Tea

There’s excitement in the air at Avondale United Church as we grow and forge new bonds with each other. On May 2, we will share that excitement with our members who are unable to get out regularly to worship services or other church family events. The Avondale Pastoral Care Team will host a Friendship Tea from 1:30-3:30 p.m. in the parlour at 175 Waterloo St. S. Everyone is welcome to attend, but we will make a special effort to bring out those who are living in long-term-care facilities, seniors’ residences or still at home but unable to get to church. The Friendship Tea will feature a hymn sing, worship and Communion, accompanied by refreshments and snacks. To make it happen, we will need lots of support: People to provide rides, food, help in the kitchen and more. And of course, helpers are also welcome to enjoy worship and tea with us. So please save the date. A signup sheet is now in the Fellowship Hall for those willing to volunteer to help or who just want to come for tea.

UCW Meeting: Monday, May 2nd What is Islam? Who are Muslims? Have you ever asked yourself these questions? Come join the UCW on Monday, May 2nd when Omar Alshehri, the Imam of the Stratford Mosque, will speak to us about Islam and Muslims. Business meeting at 7:00 and speaker at 7:30 in Fellowship Hall. All are welcome to join us. Alan and Margaret Scott and their family invite you to share in the celebration of their 50th Wedding Anniversary at an Open House on Saturday, May 7, from 2-4 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Best wishes only, but a non perishable food item donation for the Food Shelf would be welcomed.

Stratford Concert Choir's May 15 concert will be a special one indeed! The concert, entitled 'A Choral Tapestry', will be the final concert that the Stratford Concert Choir will be holding within the walls of St. John's United Church on Waterloo St. The Sunday afternoon concert, May 15 @ 3:00 pm, will be a tribute to the former St. John's Music Director, Gordon Scott. Gordon held this position from 1942-1986. Those who sang with Gordon in one of his choirs, church choir, the Elizabethan Singers and the Stratford Boy Choir are warmly invited to attend this concert and sing with the Stratford Concert Choir in its final selection - a favourite anthem of Gordon's - "Rise Up, My Love" by Healey Willan. Entrance to the concert will be complimentary for each and every singer. St. John's United Church has been sold and is slated for demolition this summer. This final concert by the Stratford Concert Choir will be on Sunday May 15 at 3:00 pm. If you sang under Gordon Scott and would like to attend this concert honouring Gordon, please contact Ian Sadler at the following email address to reserve your complimentary ticket: sadlermus@golden.net To purchase tickets for this concert, please contact Ian Sadler.

Sunday Out For Lunch Bunch. The next outing will be Sunday, May 29th. A reservation has been made for 12:00 for a buffet at the Queens Inn. Please note, we need to know in advance if you would like to join us!!!! Call Marj Coburn 519-271-7742 or Joan McIlwain 519-273-1093 by May 27th.

CAMP BIMINI WISH LIST 2016 Camp Bimini thanks everyone who has donated wish list items to Bimini in the past or who is donating wish list items for the upcoming season. Please pass these items onto your Camp Bimini representative or drop them off at Bimini (contact us before to be sure someone is there, campbimini@cyg.net or 519-271-4129). You may also contact us to arrange for someone to pick them up. SPORTS & GAMES Soccer balls Pool noodles Hula hoops Basketballs Playground balls Pylons KITCHEN Paper towels Brooms Dustpans SOS pads Bleach MISCELLANEOUS Rope Batteries—“9 volt” especially Dixie cups Barbecue lighters Large tarpaulins Canadian Tire Money Kindling FIRST AID Good bandaids—all sizes Hot/cold compresses After-bite**contact the camp for complete list of needs**

FURNISHINGS Fans (portable) OFFICE Scotch Tape Masking tape White copy paper ARTS & CRAFTS Scissors Magnetic strips Markers Glue guns & glue sticks Tape: all kinds Paint brushes Bristol board Googly eyes Paint: acrylic, fabric, tempra Embroidery floss Popsicle, craft sticks Sponges Safety pins Plastic totes (all sizes) Aluminum plates (all sizes) Corks New white or dark cotton t-shirts

www.campbimini.ca campbimini@cyg.net 519-271-4129

From the Office: Regular Office Hours: Monday to Thursday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and Friday 9:00 to 12 noon. 519-271-3683 Thanks to everyone for their kind words and prayers for my granddaughter Olivia’s recent heart surgery. All went well and she is now home to continue her recovery. Your support was greatly appreciated. Padded Chairs A charitable Donation receipt will be given if you wish to donate. Cost is $75.00 each and ther is a sign up list in the office. Later in the year I plan on doing a mass profile verification to ensure your personal profiles have up to date information. In the meantime, please inform me if you have any of the following changes...Address change, Phone Change or email change

Today

10:00 Sunday Service - Camping Sunday Sanctuary

11:00 BBQ Lunch Fellowship Hall

5:15 Community Meal Fellowship Hall

Monday 4:10 Meditation Library

6:30 Beavers 3rd Group Primary Room

6:45 Cubs 3rd Group Fellowship Hall

7:00 Stratford Concert Choir Sanctuary

7:00 M&P Meeting Boardroom

Tuesday 12:00 Lunch and Learn Parlour

1:00 CAS Youth Room

5:45 Meditation Library

6:30 Beavers 12th Group Fellowship Hall

7:00 Scouts 3rd Group Primary Room

7:00 Ventures Youth Room

8:00 AA Blue Room

Wednesday 12:00 ABI Parlour

5:00 Frank's Driving School Boardroom

6:00 Stratford Concert Band - Rehearsal Sanctuary

6:30 CAS Youth Room

6:30 Cubs 12th Group Fellowship Hall

7:00 Scouts 12th Group Primary Room

7:00 Movie Night Parlour

Thursday 1:00 CAS Youth Room

7:00 Senior Choir Choir Room

Friday 5:30 Messy Church Fellowship Hall

8:00 AA Primary Room

Saturday 7:30 Ballroom Breeze Fellowship Hall

7:00 Military Whist Fellowship Hall

Next Sunday

10:00 Sunday Service Sanctuary

3:00 Stratford Concert Band Sanctuary