194 Avondale Ave. Stratford, On. N5A 6N4

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

SUNDAY Dec. 22, 2019 4th Week of Advent

10:00 a.m.

Flowers this morning are in loving memory of Gerald “Gerry” Edward James,

from his wife Dale, Children Colin (Jillian), Laura (Johnathan) & Hayley (Stu)

Grandchildren Charlotte, Finn and Presley Gerry died December 24, 2017.

Flowers also placed on communion table today

are in memory of Mary Neeb from Sister-in-law Ronnie McKone & Cousin Kim Neeb

Mary died December 24, 2018

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

Interim Music Director Karen Rempel, Senior Choir, Sunday School Choir,

Reader Janice Ward

WE GATHER IN GOD’S PRESENCE

Announcements & Welcome Prelude: Come Emmanuel Come

Opening Hymn: Angels From the Realms of Glory VU 36

Opening Prayer: (in unison) Slow us down, Wake us up, Stir us to a generous spirit, Remind us of the gift You give, Lessen our waste, There are so many distractions, To do lists that keep us worried, Help us listen better, Comfort our weariness, Give us patience…please! And then God, Unwrap us to experience Your wonder, Calm our hearts to receive grace once more, Silence our idle chatter about others, Plant love in the soil buried beneath the frozen ground, Help us celebrate the surprise of new life in Christ, If there is anything we need to name, we silently offer it… (silence)

Words of Hope and Healing: One: God’s gift of love came enfleshed in a baby. There is nothing

we need to do, to buy or earn it. Christ comes as a gift, free.

All: In faith, we trust. Through grace, we receive. In Christ, we are

free to live and love. Thank You God, Amen.

Reflection on Love: Sally Hengeveld

Lighting of the Advent Candle: Love

Theme Time: Sunday School Presentation

Hymn: Hope Is A Star VU 7, v.1-4

Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer

WE LISTEN TO GOD’S WORD

Anthem: An Advent Gospel Scriptures: Luke 1:26-38

Message: Love In the Flesh

WE RESPOND TO GOD IN LOVE

Hymn: The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy VU 73

Offertory Music: Mary Did You Know

Duet – Susan Walker and Leslie Belland

Offertory Response: All Poor Ones and Humble VU 68, v.1

Offertory Prayer (in unison)

Love enters the world to bring all creation to life. You are the Source of love, Creator God, and we share this with others. Keep our spirit willing, so we may learn more of Your abundance. Let this offering be made real in the flesh of this community and others around the world, Amen.

Prayers of the People

Closing Hymn: What Child Is This? VU 74

“ A Thank You Presentation to Karen Rempel”

Sending Forth and Blessing Choral Benediction: Joy to the World VU 59, v.4

Postlude: A Tiny Child Will Come

Please join us today in the Fellowship Hall for Refreshment & Fellowship

“Welcome to the World”

Gianluca Vitello Born December 10th to

Darrell & Jasmine Vitello 3rd grandchild of Diego & Janet Vitello

Condolences to Oliver & Marjorie Davidson on the recent passing of their daughter Jane. Also cousin of Roxie Baker.

Hosts for Fellowship Time Today: M & P

Greeters this week… Bill & Jocelyn Miller Ushering Team for December Clark Mitchell, Barrie Beech, Ian MacLean, Jeannette Dyer, Bob Gulliford & Chuck Dingman

Thank you to Elaine Bandermann and the worship committee for directing a Christmas drama involving the children this morning.

The OUTREACH Team would like to THANK the many generous people who supported this year’s two week campaign of “Alternative Gifts for Christmas”.

Sleeping Children Around the World = 50 bedkits

Days for Girls = 28 hygiene kits

Avondale Foodshelf donations = $190

HOPE Center in Kenya = $1355

Food Shelf Donation For her 50th birthday, Carla DeWys, a resident of Windmill Gardens retirement home in Stratford for the past 26 years, is helping stock the shelves of local food banks by collecting donations from family, friends, neighbours, and others throughout the community. All the donations in celebration of this milestone event were divided between St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (Carla’s home church) and Avondale United Church. Thank you Carla for your kindness and generosity. Special thanks to Lavenia Eddy and Edith Versteeg.

CALLING ALL FUND-RAISING volunteers – please come out for a planning meeting on January 19th following worship. New ideas as well as tried and true ideas welcomed! Grab a coffee and head down to the parlour.

Avondale Outreach Donations for the final quarter of 2019:

L’Arche $2000 for their New Building Programme (Local)

Canadian Aboriginal Issues (Local and National)

a) Save the Evidence at the Woodland Cultural Centre $500 – a donation to help complete restoration of the Mohawk Institute Indian Residential School Building as part of the Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford.

Save the Evidence - https://woodlandculturalcentre.ca/the-campaign/

b) Water First $500 addressing local water challenges in First Nations communities through education, training and collaboration. Water First - https://waterfirst.ngo/

Local, National, and International - Canadian Foodgrains Bank

$500

Local and International - Ontario Christian Gleaners $500, Days

for Girls $500, Change her World $250

Local - Stratford Kiwanis Christmas Basket Fund $500, United Way

Perth Huron $250

Choices for Change $500, Optimism Place $500, Shelter Link $250,

Stratford House of Blessing $250, Huron County Foodbank $250

International - Doctors Without Borders $500

Casserole Ministry

Our meal supply has been replenished again. 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.

The FOOD SHELF is open Friday 9:30-11:00. Thank you to the Avondale congregation for regularly leaving items in the “Donation Depot”. Your generosity makes a difference in the lives of many in Stratford. Note: that the Food Shelf is closed on Dec. 27th and Jan. 3rd. Thank you to the Food Shelf Committee for their gifts of cards and candy canes to be distributed to our FS patrons this Christmas.

The GIVING TREE During the winter months, please consider donating new or gently-used socks, gloves, mitts, scarves, & hats .......... for men, women, teens and kids. They will be distributed to Avondale Food Shelf patrons, youth at ShelterLink, and Emily Murphy Center families. Leave your items in box under “The Giving Tree”, located in the back hallway, near the Donation Depot. Your Outreach team THANKS you.

ALZHEIMER SOCIETY SOUP’S ON – Saturday January 11th, 2020: Time to Celebrate! We are thrilled to take part in the 25th Anniversary celebration of Soup’s On in support of the Alzheimer Society of Perth County. Our Food Shelf will be showcased in our display booth and feature our Taco Soup Meal Kit. We would appreciate your help with the following: soup preparation on Fri. Jan. 10th at the church and with our display (serving) at the Rotary Complex on Sat. Jan 11th. Creative ideas and helping hands are also needed for decorating our booth. The Sign-Up Sheets are in the Fellowship Foyer.

"HOLA" ......

the "SOUPS ON" team needs your help..... for January 11th we need Mexican ponchos, blankets and sombrero hats for this year’s "theme". Leave items in the church office. "GRACIAS" Ruth Sealey (519-271-5487).

Starting the week of January 13, the Faith Formation group is hosting a

dynamic eight-session DVD series from Living the Questions. This study

entitled ProFuture Faith: The Prodigal Species Comes Home

bridges the gap between head and heart, science and faith featuring

the eco-theologian, author and TEDx speaker, Rev. Michael Dowd.

Each session runs 1-1 ½ hours and includes the exploration of readings

done prior to session, a 20-minute DVD presentation with Rev. Dowd

and guided discussion. Both an afternoon and evening session is being

considered.

There is a sign-up sheet to register or to request more information on

the bulletin board outside fellowship hall.

Upcoming Services Tuesday, Dec. 24th – Christmas Eve Services 4:00 p.m. – a casual and interactive Christmas Eve service in the fellowship foyer 7:00 p.m. – our regular Christmas Eve service in the sanctuary Sunday, Dec. 29th 10:00 a.m. – 1st Sunday after Christmas "featuring soloist Dan Van Winden, our new Music Director, who begins employment with Avondale January 2020".