194 Avondale Ave. Stratford, On. N5A 6N4

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

SUNDAY Dec 2, 2018 1st week of Advent

10:00 a.m.

Worship led by Rev. Keith Reynolds, Rev. Kathi Urbasik-Hindley,

Director of Music Lori Millian, Senior Choir,

Reader David MacLennan

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 Candle- Remembering World AIDS Day Prelude: Away in a Manger 1

st tune: J.E. Spilman

2nd

tune: John R. Murray

Lullaby: Johannes Brahms

arr. Fred Bock

Opening Hymn: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus VU 2

Opening Prayer: (in unison) Surprise us, living God, with wonder and hope, Inspire us, holy One, with the sacred signs of this season, Challenge us, kind Creator, to live generously and love widely, Comfort us, Spirit of truth, to be drawn into Your mystery, May this waiting nourish our faith and longing for the Christ

Child. We pray in silence for the healing we need… (Silent Prayer)

Words of Hope and Healing (adapt. Jeremiah 29) One: God will fulfill God’s promise and bring us back home. All: God gives us a future with hope. Thanks be to God, Amen.

Lighting of the Advent Candle (Hope) Hymn: Hope is A Star VU 7, v.1 Reflection on Hope

Theme Time

Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer

WE LISTEN TO GOD’S WORD

Scripture Readings: Psalm 25 (Voices United p.752)

Jeremiah 33:14-16

Message: A Righteous Branch

WE RESPOND TO GOD IN LOVE

Hymn: As We Gather VU 457

Offertory: Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

Polish Carol, arr. Matt Hyzer

Offertory Anthem: Angels are Making Their Rounds

Pepper Choplin Offertory Response: What Child is This VU 74, v.3

Offertory Prayer (in unison)

We wait with hope in this season of Advent. We wait with faith for what is to come. In the meantime, we give to others. We make this offering to give hope to others in this community and around the world. Bless what we give, Amen.

SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

One: God be with you. All: And also with you. One: Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them to God. One: Let us give thanks to God. All: It is right to give our thanks and praise. Isabella: Why do we give thanks and praise at this table? One: We give thanks because God is always with us. One: As we make our way through Advent, we thank you God for this time of waiting. This waiting is a time of hope in anticipation of the coming of the Christ child. We praise you, O God. All: We praise you, O God. One: You created Adam and Eve and gave them a garden; you showed Noah a rainbow; you gave Moses strength to free your people and taught Miriam to sing; you gave courage to Esther and loyalty to Ruth; you gave David a harp to sing your praise, and helped him defeat the giant. We praise you, O God. All: We praise you, O God. One: Yet, even thy turned away from you and forgot about you, as we do too. But you did not forget. You sent Jesus to the world to show how much you love us and to bring us back to you again. We praise you, O god. All: We praise you, O God. One: Jesus came as one of us, first an infant, then a child, later a youth, then an adult. He rejoiced with those who rejoiced, and wept with those who wept. To the despairing, he spoke a word of hope. To the sick, he gave healing. To the hurting, he was a friend.

Still, people turned away from you. They betrayed Jesus and nailed him to a cross. But he was lifted from the grave and restored to life, that he might be with us and we with him, alive for evermore! Therefore with all the saints of every time and place, we join the angels in their praise. All: Holy, holy, holy are you, God of power and might; Heaven and earth are filled with your glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is the One who comes in your name. Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest! Isabella: Why do we eat bread at this table? One: We gather at this table to remember that on the night before he died, Jesus ate with his friends, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it, he broke it and gave it to them, saying: “Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Each time you do this, remember me.” Isabella: Why do we drink from the cup at this table? One: That same night, Jesus also took a cup, and after giving thanks, passed it to his friends, saying; “Drink. This cup, poured out for you, is the promise of God. Whenever you drink it, remember me.” Isabella: What do we remember at this table? One: We remember Jesus’ death and celebrate his resurrection; we await with hope his coming again to bring peace and justice to the earth; and we proclaim the mystery of our faith. All: Christ has died Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Isabella: For whom do we pray at this table? One: We pray for God’s world. Awaken us to Your Spirit in what we do here so that we and these gifts, touched by You, may be signs of life and love to one another and to the world. Through Christ, with Christ, and in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory is your, God most holy, now and forever. Amen.

Distribution of the Elements

Prayer After Communion (in unison)

Your love is made real in Communion. We gather in the presence of Christ who makes us one. May what we have received bring us toward a deeper unity for Your sake, living God. We pray with hope, Amen.

Closing Hymn: In the Bleak Midwinter VU 55

Sending Forth and Blessing Choral Benediction: There’s a Star in the East VU 70, v.1

Postlude: Variations on “Baptist’s Cry”

Puer Nobis Nascitur, arr. Hal Hopson

Please join us in Fellowship Hall for fellowship & refreshments.

How can we begin to say thank you for how much you have given for

our wedding? The lovely picnic quilt, basket, presentation and blessing

on the 18th

meant a great deal to us. Your thoughtfulness and ability to

keep a secret was quite remarkable! And then our wedding…the

planners, decorators, bakers, cooks, servers, greeters, set up and clean-

up crews, people who helped make the sanctuary, fellowship hall, choir

room, parlour, gathering room and hallways look and sound great, the

terrific staff we have, the generosity and kindness of your cards, words

and money to L’Arche and Greenpeace were all such a gift. To all of

you who did little and not so little things along the way to make our

wedding so meaningful, thank you. We are very grateful to be living in

Stratford and to be part of this congregation of Avondale United

Church. Peace, Noella and Keith

From Stewardship & Finance

Thank you to all who provided soup, helped with set up, serving and clean up and to all who attended! The soups were awesome and we received additional gifts of $4702 to help with our expenses for this year. Many thanks to all! And we are still receiving your thoughts about:

· Celebrate – what do you value most about our ministries at Avondale United? · Dream – what could we do if we had more?

Share your ideas with each other and with council members. Your feedback helps us to know what is valued and where our journey may take us in 2019.

MANY THANKS from the Outreach Team: ~ for donations of some food items. ~ to those who prepared & served the Community Meal. ~ to the clean-up crew ~ the 60 guests enjoyed a delicious meal. ~ Avondale's next Community Meal is Sunday, January 27th.

CarolFest Thank You for the Cookies We thank the members of the Avondale congregation who donated delicious cookies to help make the fellowship following our CarolFest very successful. Containers can be

picked up in the Avondale Kitchen. And a grateful THANK-YOU TO SOBEYS STRATFORD for their donation of cider and cups for CarolFest.

A big thank you to the small, but mighty team of helpers who turned up on Wednesday morning to help decorate the sanctuary for Advent and Christmas - it looks beautiful. Thanks to Heather Herman, John & Leslie Wright, Judy Stuart, Luanne Taylor, Brian & Cathy Pearson,

and Bill & Marion Douglas. FYI - Blue decorations will be added to the lit, but bare tree in the Narthex during the Blue Christmas Service on Dec. 9th at 7:00 p.m.

Thank you to the faith formation team for providing a tour and procedures on how to use our church library with the sunday school children this morning.

About Communion this morning …….

All are welcome at the table, none are turned away.

At Avondale two styles of communion are used: seated and stations (or intinction). Often the style of serving communion is alternated.

This morning’s Communion will be served seated.

Communion helpers will pass a tray through each row, and you are invited to hold and/or pass it for the person sitting next to you. We usually eat the bread together as a sign of oneness, and drink the juice as we receive it.

In addition to the bread, gluten-free rice crackers are available on each tray.

It is United Church of Canada policy to serve unfermented wine (grape juice) at communion, so all will be able to partake.

Thank you to our communion helpers for agreeing to serve this morning.

Talking about Aids

The stigma that still surrounds AIDS and the gut-wrenching

discomfort that many of us feel when introduced to the subject make it difficult to

have conversations about AIDS awareness. Just talking about sexual health

remains taboo for some, while HIV is still perceived by many as a gay person’s

disease even though the infection rate is increasing among Black and other ethno-

racial heterosexual women. The reality is we cannot talk about HIV without

talking about sex, stigma, and discrimination.

December 1 is recognized as World AIDS Day. All around the world people come

together to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, demonstrate international solidarity

in the face of the pandemic, and encourage progress in HIV/AIDS prevention,

treatment, and care. For some, this day is mixed with emotions surrounding the

loss of those who have died from AIDS-related complications. For others, it is a

chance to engage in challenging conversations about AIDS and AIDS prevention.

None of us are immune to the effects of AIDS. How will you recognize World

AIDS day this year?

The December/Christmas Fundscrip gift card orders are due this Sunday, December 2nd.

Gift cards are in such demand for gift-giving … who do you know who'd appreciate one or more?

the newspaper person? (Tim Hortons card)

Grandma? (Swiss Chalet card or Shoppers Drug Mart)

Grandchildren? Subway or Pizza Pizza or Swiss Chalet

Hubby? (Canadian Tire/Home Hardware)

You ?? Zehrs, No-Frills, Food Basics or Foodland or Sobeys We have all of those gift cards AND more!! And every purchase supports Avondale United. Please hand your order form in to the church office before or on this coming Sunday, December 2nd by 11.30 am (if you cannot get your order to the church office ~ call Susan at 271-1314 ~ she can order the gift cards for you online but needs a cheque payable to Avondale United to go with the order by December 2nd)

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.

At Christmas..... Think “outside the box” by giving Alternative Gifts: >“Sleeping Children” ($35 bedkit) > HOPE Centre, Kenya orphanage (gift card > “Gifts with Vision” (United Church catalogue) > NEW: The Avondale Food Shelf” (gift card) > NEW: Days for Girls ( sponsor a hygiene kit for $15 ) Available from Outreach display in Fellowship Hall foyer

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.

Browse the Advent and Christmas book display in the library. Books for Children of all ages! Check out one of these Christmas Books- perfect for bedtime reading!

A NORTHERN NATIVITY William Kurelek What would happen if He came now? A boy imagines that the nativity

takes place in northern snows. He dreams that the Christ child is born to Eskimos, in a fisherman’s hut, a garage, a cowboy’s barn and that the holy family is given refuge in a city mission, a grain barn, and a country school. A beautiful holiday story for all generations

Pippen the Christmas Pig by Jean Little A perky pink piglet starts the barnyard buzzing when she asks "What's

Christmas?" . A Wing and a Prayer, by Franklin Graham, Through his adoptive family and the gift of a Shoebox from a faraway

friend a little boy finds a new home, a new hope, and a new faith in Christ.

The Quiet Little Woman by Louisa May Alcott The story of a lonely orphan girl named Patty, whose only desire is for

a family to love her.

Borrow one or more books today after the Service. Casserole Ministry

Upcoming Events

Christmas “Make & Take” for Kids Today!!!! @ 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.

Lunch and Learn – Tuesday, December 4 @ 12:00 noon in the Parlour.

Luke 1:68-79 & Malachi 3:1-4 will be the readings for the December 9th service. Bring your lunch. Everyone Welcome.

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.

Labyrinth Advent Walks Wednesday December 12th @ 7 pm & Saturday December 15th @ 2 pm During this busy time of Advent, you are invited to explore the labyrinth. It is a walking tool for meditation. Join Leslie, a certified Veriditas labyrinth facilitator, who will provide a brief introduction followed by an opportunity to walk a 24-foot Chartres-style canvas in the sanctuary. All are welcome.

Community Events

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

Weekly Calendar

SUNDAY Dec 2 - SUNDAY Dec 9 Today

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

Monday

3:00 Daly Music Academy Narthex

4:10 Mindfulness Meditation Library

4:30 Book Study-The Art of Uncertainty Meeting Room

5:30 UCW Executive Meeting Parlour

6:00 UCW Christmas Dinner Choir Room

6:30 Beavers 3rd Gathering Room

6:45 Cubs 3rd Fellowship Hall

7:00 AA (Women's Closed) Parlour

7:00 RI Discovery Library

Tuesday

12:00 Lunch & Learn Parlour

6:15 Beavers 12th Fellowship Hall

7:00 Solid Ground - Bible Study Gathering Room

7:45 Scout Group Committee Parlour

8:00 AA Choir Room

Wednesday

12:00 ABI Choir Room

1:30 Stroke Rehab Fellowship Hallway

3:30 Executive Meeting Parlour

5:30 Yoga Parlour

6:00 Women's Spirituality Offsite

6:00 Meditation Library

6:30 Cubs 12th Fellowship Hall

7:00 Scouts 12th Gathering Room

7:00 Shout Sisters Sanctuary

Thursday

6:00 Days for Girls Narthex

6:30 Guides Fellowship Hall

7:00 Choir Practice Choir Room

7:00 Scouts 3rd Gathering Room

7:00 3rd Scouting Committee Meeting Room

Friday

11:30 Staff Meeting Parlour

7:00 Family Variety Show Sanctuary

8:00 AA Choir Room

Saturday

9:00 MD Practice 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 Chairs Meeting Parlour

7:00 Blue Christmas Service Sanctuary