194 Avondale Ave. Stratford, On. N5A 6N4

519-271-3683 or 519-271-7946 Website: www.avondaleunitedstratford.com

SUNDAY Nov. 25, 2018 10:00 a.m.

Flowers on the communion table today are in loving memory of Rolly & Hilda Shore

& their daughters

Gloria Edwards & Crystal Thibodeau. With love from the Edwards and Thibodeau families

Worship led by Guest Minister Rev. John Lougheed,

Rev. Kathi Urbasik-Hindley, Director of Music Lori Millian,

Senior Choir, Reader Mary Helen Clifford

WE GATHER IN GOD’S PRESENCE

For thousands of years, Indigenous people have walked on this land. We are gathered on the traditional territory of the Anishinabek and Haudenosaunee Confederacy and acknowledge their stewardship of this land throughout the ages. We also acknowledge with respect the history, spirituality, and culture of the peoples with whom Treaty 29 was signed and this territory wherein our church resides.

Announcements & Welcome Lighting of the Christ Candle Prelude: The Gift of Love Gift of Love, arr. Hal Hopson

Call to Worship: One: Jesus announced the coming of God’s reign: a commonwealth not of domination but of peace, justice and reconciliation. All: He healed the sick and fed the hungry. One: He crossed barriers of race, class, culture and gender. All: He preached and practised unconditional love: love of God, love of neighbour, love of friend, love of enemy. One: And he commanded his followers to love one another as he had loved them.

Opening Hymn: Though I May Speak VU 372

Opening Prayer: (in unison) God of love, we come with gratitude into the awareness of your

presence this morning. As we hear stories and sing songs about Jesus’ ministry among your people, open our hearts to the message of your unconditional love for each of us. Help us to rest in that assurance and sustain us as builders of your commonwealth of peace, justice and reconciliation. (Silent Prayer)

Words of Hope and Healing (adapt. Matthew 11:28-30) One: Jesus said: “Come to me, all of you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” All: Jesus also said: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Amen

Theme Time

Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer (Sung VU 959)

WE LISTEN TO GOD’S WORD

Anthem: You Are My Light Dave and Jean Perry

Scripture Readings: Psalm 42, sung VU 766

I Corinthians 13:4-13

Message: Of Weddings and Marriages

WE RESPOND TO GOD IN LOVE

Hymn: Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands MV 173

Offertory: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling Hyfrydol, arr. Joel Raney

Offertory Response: Grant us God the Grace VU 540

Offertory Prayer (in unison)

Your mission calls us to respond, living God. In faith we respond with this offering. May this aid Your work in this community and around the world. In Christ, we pray, Amen.

Prayers of the People

Closing Hymn: Rejoice, the Lord is King VU 213

Sending Forth and Blessing Choral Benediction: Go Make a Diff’rence MV 209

(refrain, vs.3, refrain)

Postlude: How Beautiful Twila Paris, arr. Jan Sanborn This morning’s postlude selection was played at the wedding of Keith & Noella yesterday and we share it again this morning while we watch a compilation of photos.

Please join us in Fellowship Hall for our Celebration & Dream

Luncheon. There will be delicious soups provided by Council Teams

and a chance to learn a bit more about what all of our teams do. Free

will offering to help us cover operating costs for this year.

About today’s Guest Minister…..Rev. John Lougheed The great grandson of a World War One Chaplain, and recently retired as the Director of Spiritual Care at the Grand River Hospital and Regional Cancer Centre, John is serving part-time as a Presider and Funeral Director’s Assistant at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home. He also enjoys serving on the Boards of Shalom Counselling Services, and the House of Friendship; all of them in Waterloo Region. John savours time at the family cottage in Southampton, Ontario.

Thank you to Maddie and Mikayla Woods with the 4 year olds - grade 3 and Bill and Marion Douglas with the grade 4 - 8 in the Sunday school this morning.

Angel Tree for the Emily Murphy Centre If you took a tag off the angel tree - thank you for offering a gift to a child living at the Emily Murphy Centre. Please be reminded that next Sunday (Dec. 2nd) you are asked to return your gift, wrapped in plain white paper with the tag securely taped to the outside of the gift, and place it on the cart(s) in the Narthex. The children will bring the gifts forward during theme time. Wednesday, Nov. 28th 10:00 a.m. - Decorating the Sanctuary for Advent & Christmas The worship team is looking for volunteers to help decorate the church for Advent and Christmas. If you are able to lend a hand come to the church on Wednesday, Nov. 28th at 10:00 a.m. Thanks

The next Fundscrip gift card order is due next week....your weekly groceries, vehicle gas, drugstore purchases, renovation expenses can all be purchased with a gift card you order from Avondale.

Who do you buy gift cards for on special occasions? Christmas is just around the corner and we have so many businesses to choose from....please pick up your order form from the table outside of the office or in the Narthex and return your order to the office anytime before December 2nd ~ thank you !!

Questions ?? see Susan or call her at 271-1314

From the Ministry and Personnel Committee: Avondale United Church has become a busy place due to the many activities that we have as a church and the use of our building by community partners. Our rental team and Yvonne have done a great job of accommodating our renters who request spaces within the building. If you are planning on using an area of the church please check with Yvonne to see if the space will be available to you and we encourage you to book in advance. Thank you for your help in making our activities run smoothly at the church.

At the Nov. 13th Outreach Meeting the following donations were made: Local Donations:

Stratford Kiwanis Christmas Basket Fund $750

Huron County Food Bank Distribution Centre (Centralia) $250 http://www.huroncountyfoodbank.org/ The Avondale Food Shelf has received food items from this centre in previous years.

Local Donations with International Work:

Days for Girls $ 200 The Stratford Group has just formed. Marilyn Finnigan, on her Medical Mission , (sponsored by the Festival City Rotary Foundation) to the Dominican Republic, leaving today, picked up 67 kits from the Kitchen Waterloo Chapter. https://www.daysforgirls.org/canada-chapters-and-teams

Ontario Christian Gleaners $500 (Cambridge) This is an interdenominational Christian organization that works with volunteers to collect, process and dehydrate surplus agricultural produce for shipment to the hungry in overseas nations http://www.ontariogleaners.org/

The FOOD SHELF is open every Friday 9:30-11:00.

Your generosity makes a difference in the lives of many in Stratford. The clients are very appreciative of the donations that our church congregation supports in food donations and cash donations (allowing our

shoppers to buy fresh produce). Note: Food shelf will be closed on Friday Dec. 29th for over the holiday season to give our shoppers time with their families.

The Giving Tree” During the winter, consider donating new or gently-used socks, gloves, mitts, scarves, & hats - for men, women, teens & kids. They will be given to Avondale Food Shelf, Shelter Link, & the Emily Murphy Center. Leave your gifts in the box under “The Giving Tree” near the Donation Depot. Your Outreach team THANKS you.

Casserole Ministry Avondale members are welcome to deliver a meal if visiting someone recovering from illness or surgery. These

are available on the top shelf of the Kitchen freezer.

WANTED! Milk bags. Joan Washburn is collecting milk bags for the ladies at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church who make them into sleeping mats for those in third world countries. Put your bags to good use and keep them out of the landfill. Bring them to Joan any Sunday morning. Thanks for your help.

Enjoy the sounds of the season with the music of the Central Singers of Stratford Central Secondary School and the Stratford Concert Band, while singing along to Christmas Carols led by the community mass choir and Stratford Concert Band. Listen to Susanna Reid from the Social Research and Planning Council talk to us about the concept of a living wage in Stratford. CarolFest will be held Saturday, December 1 at 7:00 p.m. at Avondale United Church, 194 Avondale Ave., Stratford. Refreshments to follow. Freewill donation with all proceeds going to the House of Blessing’s Children’s Christmas Program. CarolFest-Cookie Donations

Our annual CarolFest in support of House of Blessing is being held on Saturday, December 1st. We are hoping that congregation members will be willing to donate 2 dozen cookies which will be served that evening to our concert guests. Please see the signup sheet outside fellowship hall for full details. Or alternately please contact Anna Meusel or Sheila Wolfe Camp Bimini, United Church Camp near Stratford is accepting applications for our Program Team. Individual applications to be accepted. Applications must include a cover letter (highlighting your most influential leadership experience, a description of your strengths and interests, a detailed description of your camp experiences and your goals as a Camp Bimini Program Team member) and a resume (including a description of your experience working with youth and children (especially your camp experience), leadership roles you have held or are currently in, and leadership training experiences). Two individuals will be hired. Application deadline Monday, December 10th, 2018. Only those contacted will be interviewed. Please send applications to: personnel@campbimini.ca Complete job description is available at www.campbimini.ca

Camp Menesetung Summer 2019 Registrations are officially OPEN at 2018 rates for a limited time! Consider giving the gift of Camp this Christmas. The gift of Camp is a gift of a powerful experience of positive growth for your child or grandchild. Any weeks registered for can be exchanged for any other at no cost before July. For more information on all our summer programs, please visit our updated website: www.campmenesetung.ca

From Stewardship & Finance

Thank you to all who have submitted your commitment form! This will really help us with planning for 2019. If you did not receive a letter with this form please call Yvonne in the office. We have endeavoured to reach everyone but if we missed you let us know so we can update mailing addresses

Reminder to all to stay after worship today for our Celebration & Dream Luncheon. There will be delicious soups provided by Council Teams and a chance to learn a bit more about what all of our teams do. Free will offering to help us cover operating costs for this year.

Upcoming Events Lunch and Learn – Tuesday, November 27 @ 12:00 noon in the

Parlour. Psalm 25 & Jeremiah 33:14-16 will be the readings for the December 2nd service. Bring your lunch. Everyone Welcome.

Carolfest – Sat. Dec 1st @ 7:00 p.m.

Christmas “Make & Take” for Kids Mark your calendar SUNDAY, DEC. 2nd @ 11:30. Meet in Gathering Room to make 4 crafts for gifting. Cost $4 for materials. Sign up list on big bulletin board. Bring some friends. Parents & Grandparents invited.

Blue Christmas Service – Sunday December 9th @ 7:00 p.m. People experiencing loss often feel out of step with the gaiety of the season and long for an opportunity to be still, to remember, and to hope. All are welcome at this simple service of Hope for the Holidays.

Community Events

November 30th to December 2nd, 2018 101+ NATIVITIES Exhibit - Parkview United Church, 470 Ontario St., Stratford Should this event be renamed "501+ Nativities" this year? Everyone is invited to join us as we celebrate the beginning of Advent! Our congregation and friends displayed over 500 unique Nativity scenes from all over the world last year. Bring your family and friends and enjoy feeling the Spirit of the Season as you reflect on the Nativity story displayed in so many creative ways. Refreshments available afterward. Friday, November 30th - 6 pm to 8 pm Saturday, December 1st - 10 am to 3 pm Sunday, December 2nd - 11 am to 3 pm Admission: FREE For more information, phone the church office at 519-271-1609 or check our website at www.parkviewunitedstratford.ca

4th Annual Winter Concert Series in support of United Way! – get your tickets soon!

· Jan 18 – “New Kid In Town” Eagles Tribute · Feb 23 – Local Musicians Unite · March 15 – Celtic “Mystic Fyre” · April 12 – the Best of ELO Tribute All for concerts for $100/person; for tickets call Terri Sparling at 519-272-9240 or visit Treasures on Ontario Street

SUNDAY Nov 25 - SUNDAY Dec 2 Today

8:00 MD Practice Sanctuary

10:00 Sunday Service Sanctuary

11:00 Celebration & Dream Luncheon Fellowship Hall

Jr. Choir Practice Choir Room

5:15 Community Meal Fellowship Hall

Monday

3:00 Daly Music Academy Narthex

4:10 Mindfulness Meditation Library

6:30 Beavers 3rd Gathering Room

6:45 Cubs 3rd Fellowship Hall

7:00 AA (Women's Closed) Parlour

Tuesday

12:00 Lunch & Learn Parlour

4:00 Presbytery Meeting Various

7:00 Solid Ground - Bible Study Gathering Room

8:00 AA Choir Room

Wednesday

10:00 Christmas Decorating Sanctuary

2:00 Star Family Health Choir Room

5:30 Star Family Health Story Room

5:30 Yoga Parlour

6:00 Meditation Library

6:30 Cubs 12th Fellowship Hall

7:00 Scouts 12th Gathering Room

7:00 Shout Sisters Sanctuary

7:00 Foodgrains Meeting Parlour

Thursday

1:00 Stfd. Family Health Parlour

5:30 Star Family Health Parlour

6:30 Guides Fellowship Hall

7:00 Choir Practice Choir Room

7:00 Scouts 3rd Gathering Room

Friday

9:00 Staff Meeting Parlour

7:00 Avon Co-Op Fellowship Hall

8:00 AA Choir Room

Saturday

9:00 MD Practice Sanctuary

7:00 Carolfest Sanctuary

Next Sunday

8:00 MD Practice Sanctuary

10:00 Sunday Service Sanctuary

11:00 Fellowship & Refreshments Fellowship Hall

Jr. Choir Practice Choir Room

11:30 Christmas Crafts Gathering Room

The Avondale Affirming team invite you to wear a red ribbon or red scarf next Sunday December 2 in recognition of World aids day