194 Avondale Ave. Stratford, On. N5A 6N4

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

SUNDAY Mar 10, 2019

10:00 a.m.

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

Director of Music Lori Millian, Sr. Choir,

Reader: Donna Tuffnail

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: My Faith Looks Up to Thee OLIVER, arr. Hal H. Hopson

Opening Hymn: Jesus, Tempted in the Desert VU 115

Opening Prayer: (in unison) Your love guides us in this season of Lent, gracious God, Like a compassionate companion, You are near, May our lives be opened to become more loving, May our loving be moved to become more generous, May our generosity grow in faith and trust. As we worship, cleanse and renew us, If we are hardened, soften us with Your tender care, If we are tempted, give us courage, If we live with regret, heal us once more, So our lives may respond to the ways of Jesus… (Silence)

Words of Hope and Healing: (adapt. Psalm 91)

One: We live in the shadow of the Almighty’s compassion, a place of

refuge.

All: God’s mercy delivers and covers us, answering our prayer in

love. Amen.

Theme Time

Hymn: Don’t Be Afraid MV 90

Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer

WE LISTEN TO GOD’S WORD

Anthem: Christ Hath a Garden Robert Bridges & Gerald Near

adapted from an English folk song

Scriptures: Psalm 91 (sung VU p.808)

Luke 4:1-13

Message: Led By The Spirit

WE RESPOND TO GOD IN LOVE

Hymn: When We Are Tested MV 65

Offertory: What Wondrous Love is This?

SOUTHERN HARMONY, arr. Jan Sanborn

Offertory Response: What Can I Do? MV 191

Offertory Prayer (in unison)

God of the way, we are on the path together. In Christ, we find life and offer that to others. Let this offering be a tangible sign of Your presence. May it be known here and in places around the world, Amen.

Prayers of the People

Closing Hymn: Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah VU 651

Sending Forth and Blessing

Choral Benediction: Go Now in Peace

Postlude: Variations on “Cvm Rhondda” arr. Hopson

Please join us today in the Fellowship Hall for

Refreshments and Fellowship.

Today’s Host is the Schmidt family

Thank you to Bill and Marion Douglas for providing a movie for the Sunday School children this morning.

Today in the Nursery, Joan Oue and helpers welcome babies, toddlers, and children up to age 4. If needed, parents will also find our diaper changing facilities in the Nursery or in the washroom in the Narthex.

The Executive of Avondale Council would like to thank the following people for all they did to make our Annual General Meeting such a success: -Thank you to Yvonne Casey for compiling information and preparing the Annual Report. -Thank you to Barb Schoch and members of the UCW who prepared coffee and juice. -Thank you to all the members of Avondale who brought in muffins, fruit and cheese. -Thank you to Bill and Marion Douglas who prepared a movie time for children staying at church. -Thank you to Joan Oue who was ready to receive our youngest members in the nursery. -Thank you to David MacLennan, Billy Hogg and Larry Schoch for the technical support. Your time and efforts were greatly appreciated!!

Thank you for supporting the walk for Shelterlink. Please join me for coffee after Church in the Fellowship Hall. Cheryl Schmidt

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). While we appreciate all donations, we are unable to accept donations of used/new clothing and household items with the exception of hats, mitts, scarves and socks. We continue to gratefully accept all donations of healthy choice food items. 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.

Days for Girls” upcoming dates: Tuesdays afternoons ~ Mar. 12 & 26 @ 1-4pm. Thursday evening ~ March 28 @ 6-9 pm. Cutters & sewers are needed ~ bring scissors & machines. Join the fun in the Narthex, as we sew hygiene kits for girls in developing countries.

The UCW will have beef pies for sale on March 20th. To place an order, please call Audrey Switzer @ 519-271-1149. Price is 3 for $10.00.

Preparing for Easter With books from the Library.

Celebrate Easter: with coloured eggs, flowers and prayers –

National Geographic Kids

Same Spirit Different Gifts: Canadian and South African Christians journey together through Lent.

by L.M. Graham

A Time of Hope Family Celebrations and Activities for Lent and Easter

by Miller & VanderVeen

The Christian Family Easter Book by Ron and Lyn Klug

Browse the display in the library and

borrow one or more books after the Service today.

Easter books for children of all ages are

available at the BOOK NOOK outside Fellowship Hall. Please use the clipboard to sign out & return books

Mary McGorman is turning 100 on March 19! Her family is hosting a party in her honour on Saturday, March 16 from 2-4 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Mary’s close church friends are welcome to join the celebrations. No gifts please. Mary would appreciate cards with best wishes as well as donations to the Food Shelf.

Upcoming Events

Lunch and Learn – Tuesday, March 12th @ 12:00 noon in the Parlour.

Psalm 27 and Luke 13:31-35 will be the readings for the March 17th service. Bring your lunch. Everyone Welcome. Council Meeting Tuesday March 12th @ 7:30 in the Narthex, preceded by team meetings @ 6:30 as called by team chairs. Outreach Meeting at 5:45 in the Narthex. Widow’s Support Group – Friday March 15th, 5:30 at Demetres . For more information, contact Flo Cartwright 519-273-2706 MILITARY WHIST – If you like playing cards then you will enjoy playing

Military Whist. Next game will be Friday, March 15th with play starting at 7:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. After there will be coffee, tea and dessert. The sign-up sheet is in the fellowship hallway. All are welcome and bring a friend. For more information, contact Lee Chute (519-272-0789)

or Carl Thomson (519-271-6781).

Sunday Out For Lunch Bunch. The next outing will be Sun., March 24th. A reservation has been made for 12:00 at the Queen Inn. Please note, we need to know in advance if you would like to join us!!!! There will be a sign up sheet in the Fellowship Hallway or Call Joan McIlwain 519-273-1093 or Marj Coburn 519-271-7742 by March 22nd.

Our next Community Meal is Sunday Mar 31

Volunteers are needed to assist with these tasks:

* On Friday Mar 29 or Saturday, Mar 30 (date to be determined) ~ help with meal preparations

Community Meal cont…. * On Sunday, Mar 31 ~ help with meal preparations ~ set tables ~ serve meals ~ wash dishes & clean-up ~ re-stack chairs & tables; sweep hall; etc Sign-Up sheets for volunteers and food donations are located on the bulletin board outside Fellowship Hall. Come join the fun….

Community Events Innerchamber will present its next concert titled "Mystique" on Sunday March 24 at Factory 163, 163 King Street, Stratford. The Factory Arts Ensemble will join harpist Julia Seager-Scott to premiere Marek Norman's Mystique, a romance for harp and chamber ensemble. In addition, selections by Debussy, Villa-Lobos and Ginastera add colour and intrigue to this concert of discovery. A light dinner begins at 6:00 pm. with music to follow at 7:00pm. Tickets $45 or $10 for students can be purchased at http://www.innerchamber.ca or Fanfare Books. To include a light dinner, please purchase by Friday March 22. After that, concert only tickets are available at the same price online or at the door from 6:45 pm.

Weekly Calendar

SUNDAY Mar 10 - SUNDAY Mar 17 Today

8:00 MD Practice Sanctuary

10:00 Sunday Service Sanctuary

11:00 Refreshments Narthex

Jr. Choir Practice Choir Room

11:30 Book Study Parlour

5:30 Supper Club Choir Room

Monday

4:10 Mindfulness Meditation Library

6:00 Star Family Health Choir Room

7:00 AA (Women's Closed) Parlour

7:00 RI Discovery Library

7:30 Pastoral Care

Tuesday

9:00 Frank's Driving School Choir Room

12:00 Lunch & Learn Parlour

1:00 Days for Girls Narthex

1:00 CAS Library

6:30 Congregational Life Meeting Room

6:30 Property Team Trancept

6:30 Worship Team Parlour

6:30 Faith Formation Library

6:30 S&F Team Choir Room

7:00 Solid Ground Bible Study Gathering Room

7:30 Council Meeting Narthex

8:00 AA Choir Room

Wednesday

9:00 Frank's Driving School Choir Room

9:30 L'Arche Fellowship Hall

12:00 ABI Parlour

5:30 Yoga Parlour

6:00 Meditation Library

7:00 Shout Sisters Choir Room

7:00 Stratford Master Gardeners Parlour

Thursday

9:00 Frank's Driving School Choir Room

3:00 Aktion Club Narthex

7:00 Choir Practice Choir Room

7:00 Festival City Radio Club Parlour

Friday

9:00 Frank's Driving School Choir Room

5:30 Widow's Support Group Demetre's

6:00 Avon Co-Op Movie Night Gathering Room

7:00 Military Whist Fellowship Hall

8:00 AA Choir Room

Saturday

9:00 MD Practice Sanctuary

2:00 Birthday Celebration Fellowship Hall

Next Sunday

8:00 MD Practice Sanctuary

10:00 Sunday Service Sanctuary

11:00 Fellowship & Refreshments Fellowship Hall

Jr. Choir Practice Choir Room