194 Avondale Ave. Stratford, On. N5A 6N4

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

SUNDAY November 26, 2017 10:00 a.m.

Worship led by Guest Minister Rev. John Lougheed, Director of Music Lori Millian,

Senior Choir, Junior Choir Soloist Ray Eddy,

Reader Ron Bailey

WE GATHER IN GOD’S PRESENCE

Announcements & Welcome Judy Stuart Lighting of the Christ Candle & World Aid’s Day Candle Beth Gleadall & Gavin Stephenson-Jackman

Prelude: Prière Douglas E. Wagner

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: We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding VU 104

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. Amen. (Silent prayer)

Words of Hope and Healing (from 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.”

Junior Choir: Sing Unto the Lord John Erickson

Theme Conversation

Hymn: Psalm 42 Voices United 766

Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer

WE LISTEN TO GOD’S WORD

Solo: It is Well With My Soul Horatio Spafford, Phillip Bliss

Ray Eddy

Scripture: Mark 9: 2-9 Ron Bailey

Sermon: The safety pin project

WE RESPOND TO GOD IN LOVE

Hymn: Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands More Voices 173

Mission In Action: Susan Wigan

Offertory: Be Thou My Vision Traditional Irish, arr. Joel Raney

Offertory Response: For the Gift of Creation Voices United 538

Prayers of the People

Closing Hymn: Rejoice, the Lord is King Voices United 213

Sending Forth and Blessing Choral Benediction: Now As We Go

Postlude: Flourish Wagner

Please join us for fellowship and refreshments in the Fellowship Hall. The host this week is the Property Team

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 Bill and Marion Douglas, Maddie and Mikayla Woods for providing a craft for the Sunday School children this morning.

A big thank you to Keith and the confirmation class for making last Sunday’s service so meaningful. Alexis, Braydon, Brian, Ian, Maddie, and Mikayla - we are so proud of you!

The Christmas Boutique room of the UCW bazaar was a success. Thanks to everyone who donated items and helped before, during and after the Bazaar. $700 was raised for the UCW projects. **When you are getting those Christmas decorations out for 2017, or putting them away after Christmas this year...keep in mind the Christmas Boutique room for 2018 and put those decorations that you would like to donate to the Bazaar in a box marked UCW Bazaar and we'll take those boxes off your hands in early November of next year.

Thank you to Rob & Candice Wigan (Revival House) for the case of coffee donated for coffee time recently.....very much appreciated!

Avondale Float for the Christmas Parade ---Today!!!!!! Avondale's float will be decorated after church following hospitality time today. Any help doing the decorating would be much appreciated. If you would like to ride on the float please meet in the Church parking lot at 3:45 today.

Coffee Hour in Fellowship Hall after the Sunday service ... Congregational Life & Work are looking for volunteers to sign up for fellowship time. Calendar for sign up is on the sign up board in the Fellowship Hallway. Coffee, Tea and Sugar is supplied and you provide what to serve with refreshments. A couple ideas may be to ask a couple people with same first name…or a family/friend celebrating birthday. Instructions are posted in the kitchen. For more information contact Susan Wigan or any other member of the Congregation Life & Work team.

Faith Formation Christmas Fund Raiser After Church on Nov 26, Dec 3 & Dec 10, the Faith Formation team will be selling fresh greenery, (boughs), for $2 each.

“Casserole Ministry”

Single serving meals are available in “take out” containers, in our kitchen freezer. Members of our congregation are encouraged to take advantage of these meals in times of need.

Special thanks to the Food Shelf Support Team for these additions to their shopping list. 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 are church congregation supports in

food donations and cash donations (allowing our shoppers to buy fresh produce).

Alternative Gift ideas for Christmas Outreach has a display in foyer outside Fellowship Hall ( before and after church ) featuring 3 alternative gift choices that you may want to consider for your family & friends this Christmas: 1.“Gifts with Vision” ~ pick up & take home a catalogue to select “living gifts” that are available from the United Church of Canada. 2.“Sleeping Children Around the World” ~ sponsor bedkits for $35 each and receive a gift card 3.“HOPE” cards ~ make a donation of any $ amount, for desks & chairs and completion of the elementary school at Hope Centre, and select gift card (s) from 7 different designs.

The "Sunday Supper Club" first get-together was a

delicious success with lots of laughter and conversation. Those in attendance decided to skip December, but meet again in January, and regularly on the second Sunday of the month. Watch for details.

Meditation at Avondale

Take a break from the busy pace of the season. Experience the calm, stillness, and silence of meditation.

Monday at 4:10 pm or Wednesday at 6:00 pm in the Library at Avondale. Newcomers are always welcome!

From the Worship Team 1. 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. 29th at 10:00 am. 2. Reminder - White gift Sunday #1 will be celebrated Dec 3. If you took a star from the angel tree be sure to bring your gift to church as the gifts will be presented during the service on Dec. 3. 3. Reminder - White gift Sunday #2 will be celebrated Dec. 10. Monetary donations (receiptable if giver’s information is clearly identified) or food items (see list below of items needed and not needed) will be accepted for the Avondale food shelf. Leave them in the grocery carts at the beginning of the service and the Sunday school will bring them forward during theme time. Suggested Donations: Canned tomatoes, tomato paste, canned tuna/salmon, spaghetti sauce, mayonnaise, salad dressings, peanut butter, tea, coffee, mustard, ketchup, low sugar/high fibre cereal, rolled oats, rice, unsalted or rice crackers, bread, toilet paper, Kleenex, dish/laundry detergent, bar soap/body wash, shampoo, deodorant. We are overstocked with pasta noodles/canned beans. Financial donations – ear mark as “Foodshelf” and submit to the church office 4. Important - In an attempt to streamline announcements during Sunday service we ask that verbal announcements be kept brief and where possible be passed to the morning announcement facilitator. If an announcement is in the bulletin or on the screen there is no need to do an additional verbal announcement. The church family is urged to read the bulletin and respond as they are able. 5. Important - if you have an audio or visual enhancement for the service (e.g. power point, CD etc.) please submit it to the office no later than the Tuesday prior to service. This will greatly assist Yvonne and the tech team. Thanks

Cookies for CarolFest: We are looking for donations of cookies to serve along with our refreshments at CarolFest, on Saturday, Dec. 2nd. If you are able to help, please add your name to the CarolFest Cookie sign-up sheet on the bulletin board outside Fellowship Hallway or contact Sheila Wolfe 519-393-6508 or wolfes@quadro.net. All donated cookies may be left in the Avondale Church Kitchen on Friday, Dec. 1st (labelled ‘CarolFest’) or in the Narthex on Saturday, Dec. 2nd between the 9:30 and 10:30 am.

Coming Soon to Avondale…..Yoga! Hatha Foundations provides the detail and alignment necessary for new yoga practitioners as well as the essentials for those with an existing yoga practice. It provides a basis and experiential understanding for

common yoga postures as well as descriptive alignment for the body and breath. It includes a wide range of staple postures that stretch, strengthen and stabilize alignment. This class is taught by holding traditional postures and moving between postures without sun salutations or flow. It provides the foundation to enjoy yoga from the inside out. Hatha Foundations is highly recommended for new practitioners and is suitable for all levels of experience. Classes set for Wednesday Dec 6th, 13th & 20th, 5:30 to 7:00. $12 per class or $30 to attend all 3 in December. For more info contact for Rebecca: 519-589-YOGA (9642) or Reebscott@gmail.com The Affirming Team - Update

The Affirming Team is excited to share our plans leading up to our vote. A pamphlet will be available shortly to explain what our affirming ministry will look like at Avondale. We are currently following the guidelines set

out by the Affirming Ministries of the United Church of Canada. Our voting day will be postponed until the new year. Watch the bulletin for more information. Should you have any questions please contact us at affirming.avondaleuc@wightman.ca.

Close to 73,000 Canadians are HIV-positive, and between 25-27 per cent are unaware they have the virus. Rates of new HIV infection in Canada are on the rise, according to the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR). Young adults, aged 20-29, account for a quarter of all Canadians diagnosed with HIV or AIDS. Since 2000, the proportion of AIDS cases among youth has increased from 26.3 per cent to 43 per cent.

Global News, November 17,2017

World AIDS Day takes place on the 1st December each year. It’s an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day. Globally, there are an estimated 36.7 million people who have the virus. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history. Adapted from www.worldaidsday.org

Upcoming Events

Lunch and Learn – Tuesday, Nov 28th @ 12:00 noon in the Parlour. Bring your lunch. Everyone Welcome. Community CarolFest - Saturday, December 2 at 7 p.m.

A Christmas Program featuring music performed by the Stratford Concert Band, A Mass Choir, duet of Nancy Kalmusky & Sam Wyatt, Joan Boshart on the Choir Chimes and Geraint Wyn Davies reading a

Christmas Story. Special message by Dave Stewart. Free will offering to support the Stratford House of Blessing. SUNDAY, DEC 3 - “Closing the Gap” Brunch, a time when everyone is welcome to help us celebrate our shrinking deficit. Come one, come all and give as you are able. Hosted by S &F with the assistance of all committees of council Attention: UCW Members Our UCW Christmas meeting on Monday, December 4th will include a catered turkey dinner. The dinner will cost $20.00. If you are coming to the dinner, you need to let Barb Kyle know before November 27th. The dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. in the choir room with a carol sing and worship in the sanctuary following dinner. Barb can be reached at 273-6155. An Executive meeting will be held at 5:30 in the parlour.

Community Events

Advent Retreat St. James Anglican Church Sunday, December 3, 2017 from 3:00-5:00pm (Registration begins at 2:30 pm) Free will offering All are welcome to come for a time of silent mediation and reflections on the season of Advent. Retreat leader Polly Schofield is a long time meditator. Polly has a deep knowledge of John Main’s teachings and the power of silent prayer to bring peace and healing into God’s world. No previous meditation experience is necessary. Enter by the Hamilton St. glass doors.

Innerchamber will present its next concert titled, "1867" on Sunday Dec. 3, 2017 at Factory 163, 163 King Street, Stratford. Dayna Manning and Barry Payne join the Factory Arts Ensemble in this coffeehouse style concert with songs from the mid 1800s describing the immigrant experience, alongside European music by Grieg, Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky and Arthur Sullivan. A light dinner will begin at 6:00pm. with music to follow at 6:45 pm. Tickets $45 or $10 for students may be purchased at www.innerchamber.ca or Fanfare Books. To include a light dinner, please purchase tickets by Friday Dec. 1. After that, concert- only tickets are available at the same prices online, or at the door from 6:30 pm. 3rd ANNUAL WINTER CONCERT SERIES in support of our United Way Perth-Huron – consider attending one or more of the following concerts:

Jan 27 – ABBA BeeGees Tribute at the Rotary Complex And the following concerts at Revival House

Feb 11 – Classical Rock String Quartet with Mannheim Virtuosi String Quartet

March 16 – Celtic Chaos with “Mystic Fyre”

March 30 –Eagles Tribute “New Kid In Town”

April 13 – Rockaria – the Very Best of Elo – tribute Tickets available from Treasures on Ontario Street or by emailing Terri Sparling at terris@hpcentre.on.ca Pre-Christmas Special – attend all five concerts for $135/person! "March of Dimes is in urgent need of canvassers in your neighbourhood for this year's campaign! Can you spare 2 hours between now and the New Year? Please consider giving back with your time this year and volunteer with March of Dimes! Call Mary for more info. 519-209-8445"

SUNDAY Nov 26 - SUNDAY Dec 3

Today

10:00 Sunday Service Sanctuary

11:00 Fellowship and Refreshments Fellowship Hall

Jr. Choir Practice Choir Room

11:00 Library Inventory Library 11:00

S & F Meeting Parlour

Monday 4:10 Mindfulness Meditation Library

6:30 Advanced Care Planning Choir Room

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

6:15 Beavers 12th Fellowship Hall

7:00 Venturers Parlour 8:00

AA Choir Room

Wednesday 10:00 Decorate Church Sanctuary

12:00 ABI Offsite

6:00 Meditation Library

6:30 Cubs 12th Fellowship Hall

7:00 Shout Sisters Sanctuary

7:00 Scouts 12th Gathering Room Thursday

2:00 Piano Tuning Sanctuary

6:30 Guides Fellowship Hall

7:00 Choir Practice Choir Room Friday

9:30 Food Shelf Food Shelf 8:00

AA Choir Room

Saturday 7:00 CarolFest Sanctuary

Next Sunday

10:00 Sunday Service - Advent 1 Sanctuary

11:00 Close the Gap Brunch Fellowship Hall

Jr. Choir Practice Choir Room