194 Avondale Ave. Stratford, On. N5A 6N4

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

SUNDAY Nov. 18, 2018 10:00 a.m.

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

Director of Music Lori Millian, Senior Choir,

Reader Sarah Elliott

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 Lord’s My Shepherd

Brother James’ Air, arr. Patricia Lou Harris

Opening Hymn: The Church’s One Foundation VU 332

Opening Prayer: (in unison) We find our foundation in You, living God, We discover our mission through the life and mission of Jesus, In You, grace is offered and new life is possible, Renew and give birth to the desire You have for us, Open our hearts to Your mystery as we worship. Sometimes our foundation needs work and repair, Rebuild us when our lives are cracked and worn out, Grace our faith when we are full of worry or questions, Forgive us for moments we have hurt others, Inspire us when we have neglected Your creation, Bring us back home again to Your foundation, we pray… (Silent Prayer)

Words of Hope and Healing (adapt. Colossians 3) One: God clothes us with love, which binds everything together in

harmony.

All: The peace of Christ comes to our hearts and we are called into

one body. We give thanks for this gift. Amen.

Welcoming of New Members Affirmation of Faith

Chair of Council: On behalf of Avondale United Church, I present the

following persons whom we welcome into the membership of

this community of faith…

Thank You for your “yes” to our common life together as

Avondale United Church. Your life is a gift to this community

and your faith will help us grow. We are grateful for your

presence here. And so we ask you to affirm your faith with

these questions.

One: Do you believe in God, Source of love; in Jesus Christ, love

incarnate and in the Holy Spirit, love’s power? New Members: I do, by the grace of God. One: Desiring the freedom of new life in Christ, will you seek to resist

evil, and to live in love and justice? New Members: I will, God being my helper. One: Will you follow the way of Jesus Christ? New Members: I will, God being my helper. One: Will you join with your sisters and brothers in this community of

faith to celebrate God’s presence, live with respect in creation, and love and serve others?

New Members: I will, God being my helper.

One: Let us pledge to these persons our continued support and care.

All: We will continue to support you, walk with you, and grow with

you. With God’s help, we will live out our baptism as a loving

community in Jesus Christ: nurturing one another in faith,

upholding one another in prayer and encouraging one another

in God’s work.

One: Wherever we find ourselves on life’s journey, let’s join together

in these words as an expression of our communal faith.

“A NEW CREED” (in unison) We are not alone, we live in God’s world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God’s presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God.

Theme Time

Hymn: Behold, Behold, I Make All Things New MV 115

Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer

WE LISTEN TO GOD’S WORD

Anthem: Amazing Grace

Virginia Harmony, arr. Jack Schrader

Scripture Readings: Psalm 138

Mark 13: 1-8

Message: The Beginning of Birth Pangs

WE RESPOND TO GOD IN LOVE

Hymn: Jesus, You Have Come to the Lakeshore VU 563

Offertory: Serenity Susan Buckley Cumbie

Offertory Response: Grant us God the Grace VU 540

Offertory Prayer (in unison)

Loving God, Your abundance gives life to all creation. Giving birth to new vision and opportunity, we respond in faith. Bringing life together in the witness of Christ, we are inspired to give this morning. Let this offering be a sign of justice and peace for this community and others in Your world, Amen.

Prayers of the People

Closing Hymn: I See A New Heaven VU 713

Marriage Blessing

Sending Forth and Blessing

Choral Benediction: May God’s Sheltering Wings MV 214

THERE IS NO POSTLUDE IN TODAY'S SERVICE TO ALLOW THOSE

GATHERED TO CONTINUE TO GREET KEITH AND NOELLA.

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.

On behalf of the United Church Women (UCW) I would like to extend my thanks to everyone who helped make our annual Christmas Tea and Bazaar a great success. Whether you helped organize the day, convened a room, helped cook items for the deli, baked for the bake table, made tea, served tea, made desserts, plated desserts, unpacked Christmas items, moved tables and chairs, decorated, greeted or simply attended the bazaar…it was only a success because of the great contribution of many people…you! It was clearly a community event and showcased what a welcoming space we have at Avondale. Many thanks to all! Barb Schoch, President of UCW 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 on Sunday November 25 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.

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).

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

Upcoming Events Book Study – The Art of Uncertainty – meeting following worship today (Nov 18) in the parlour. This is a make up session for the one cancelled on Nov 12

Lunch and Learn – Tuesday, November 20 @ 12:00 noon in the

Parlour. Psalm 42 and I Corinthians 13:4-13 will be the readings for the November 25th service. Bring your lunch. Everyone Welcome.

Our next Community Meal is Sun., Nov. 25th. Sign up list for volunteers and donations is on the Fellowship Foyer bulletin board.

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.

Community Events

Innerchamber will present its next concert, titled, "Shining Light" on Sunday Nov. 25, at Factory 163, 163 King Street, Stratford, featuring Barbara Barsky, Soprano, Marek Norman, Piano and the Factory Arts String Quartet.. Schubert's internal struggle haunts his string quartet masterpiece, Death and the Maiden. In the spirit of Schubert, Marek Norman's new work, Song Cycle, written for vocalist Barbara Barsky and piano quintet, celebrates life and the human journey-ever moving towards the light. Tickets $45 or $10 for students (thanks to the generosity of TD Bank Group), at http://www.innerchamber.ca or Fanfare Books. To include a light dinner, please purchase tickets by Friday Nov. 23. After that, concert only tickets are available at the same price online or at the door from 6:45pm. Dinner begins at 6:00pm. with music to follow at 7:00pm.

o Weekly Calendar

SUNDAY Nov 18 - SUNDAY Nov 25 Today

8:00 MD Practice Sanctuary

10:00 Sunday Service Sanctuary

11:00 Refreshments & Fellowship Fellowship Hall

Jr. Choir Practice Choir Room

Book Study-The Art of Uncertainty Parlour

5:30 Supper Club Choir Room

Monday

9:00 Organ Tuning Sanctuary

1:00 Coffee Hour Group Choir Room

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

7:00 RI Discovery Library

Tuesday

12:00 Lunch & Learn Parlour

6:15 Beavers 12th Fellowship Hall

6:30 Congregational Life Meeting Room

7:00 Solid Ground - Bible Study Gathering Room

7:30 Kinnaris Club Parlour

8:00 AA Choir Room

Wednesday

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

7:15 Book Study- It's Good to Be Here Library

Thursday

1:00 Stfd. Family Health Parlour

5:30 Star Family Health Parlour

6:00 Days for Girls Narthex

6:30 Guides Fellowship Hall

6:30 Stamp Club Gathering Room

7:00 Choir Practice Choir Room

7:00 Scouts 3rd Hallway

Friday

11:30 Staff Meeting Parlour

1:00 UCW Kitchen

6:00 Songwriters Circle Sanctuary

8:00 AA Gathering Room

Saturday

9:00 MD Practice Sanctuary

2:00 Keith & Noella Wedding Sanctuary

3:00 Reception Fellowship Hall

Next Sunday

8:00 MD Practice Sanctuary

10:00 Sunday Service Sanctuary

11:00 Celebration & Dream Luncheon Fellowship Hall

Jr. Choir Practice Choir Room

5:30 Supper Club Choir Room

5:15 Community Meal Fellowship Hall

Lila Holmen

Heather Parent

Mary Pierce

Robert Pierce

John Wright