194 Avondale Ave. Stratford, On. N5A 6N4

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

All In, Wherever Our

Faith Journey

Takes Us

SUNDAY Sept 22, 2019 10:00 a.m.

Worship led by Rev. Keith Reynolds,

Interim Music Director Karen Rempel, Senior Choir,

Guests Tom Reynolds, George Koller & Lorne Nehring

Reader John Patterson

Tom Reynolds Jazz Trio

"Avondale United Church is an Affirming Ministry - we believe All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights".

WE GATHER IN GOD’S PRESENCE

As people of faith, we walk with intention. May our intention be toward right relationship with our Creator, the land and with the traditional peoples of this land. May our journey be one of courage and healing as we long for a deeper unity among all people. Help us Creator, we pray.

Announcements & Welcome Lighting of the Christ Candle Prelude Jazz Trio

Opening Hymn: Let Us Build A House MV 1

Opening Prayer: (in unison) Living God, Your welcome extends with grace, In Jesus, we come to know of Your embodied love, Help us continue to grow, give and receive in light of that gift, Inspire our welcome of others to be faithful, kind and generous, Ground us together with Your goodness in this worship. We are also aware of our brokenness and limitations, Ways we have wounded others, Times we regret and would like to have done differently, Moments our lives have not been generous or welcoming, Forgive us, heal us and bring us deeper into Your mission… (Silence)

Words of Hope and Healing: (adapt. John 14) One: We find life in the peace God gives. Jesus says, “Peace I leave

with you; my peace I give to you.

All: May we lean into this peace, trusting that we do not need to

be afraid. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Theme Time

Hymn: Lord Prepare Me MV 18

Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer

WE LISTEN TO GOD’S WORD

Anthem: This Little Light of Mine arr. Neil A. Johnson

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Message: A Generous Hospitality

WE RESPOND TO GOD IN LOVE

Hymn: Who Is My Mother MV 178

Offertory Jazz Trio

Offertory Response: God of the Sparrow VU 229

vs.3

Offertory Prayer (in unison)

We bring our gifts to You, trusting in Your mission. May we continue to grow as Your ways deepen in us. Bless this offering as a means of Your grace, living God. Bless it for the work of this community and others around Your world, Amen.

Prayers of the People

Closing Hymn: Be Thou My Vision VU 642

Sending Forth and Blessing Choral Benediction: Go Make A Difference MV 209

refrain, vs.3, refrain Postlude Jazz Trio

Please join us today in the Fellowship Hall for

Refreshments & Fellowship

About today’s guest musicians….Tom Reynolds Jazz Trio . The trio play regularly at St. Andrews United Church in

Toronto and in numerous clubs throughout Toronto, having been

featured as part of the Toronto Jazz Festival this year.

Tom is a professor at Emmanuel College at the University of

Toronto and has led workshops on Spirituality and Jazz

throughout North America, most recently in Vancouver, Ottawa

and Toronto. Tom has toured with Glen Fry of the Eagles,

Grammy Award Winning Take Six (who appeared on the

Tonight Show), Jim McCarty of the Yardbirds and Jeff Coffin of

the Dave Matthews Band.

Lorne Nehring (drums) and George Koller (bass) are Juno

award winners and are in high demand as musicians. George has

played with Loreena McKennitt, Peter Gabriel, Bruce Cockburn,

Holly Cole, Ian Tyson among others and recently played as part

of Stratford Summer Music with Laila Biali. Lorne teaches

percussion at Humber College and has played with Alannah

Myles, the Canadian Jazz Quartet, Jeff Coffin, Holly Cole

among others. Lorne played as part of the Stratford Festival for

several years.

Today at 2:00 there will be a workshop on Spirituality and Jazz .

Admission at the door. Cost is $10.

Greeters this week… Bill & Jocelyn Miller Ushering Team for Sept Peter Switzer, Steve Sealey, John Patterson, William Spears, Harry Hengeveld & Steve Elliott

Thank you to Hilda Emerson with the 4 year olds to grade 3 and Bill and Marion Douglas with the grade 4 to grade 8 class.

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

and cash donations.

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.

Would you like to participate in After Church Fellowship Time Coffee hosting.…but do not know where to begin? Immediately after church today (bring your coffee with you), there will be an Avondale Kitchen Tour. We will show you where the coffee and tea are located, where utensils are found, and the secret tap in the wall for filling up the coffee urns. Bonus – how to operate the dishwasher so you do not need to wash the dishes by hand !

FALL FOOD DRIVE FOR FOODSHELF SEPT 22 – Oct 13 FILL A BAG AND HELP FILL OUR SHELVES THANK YOU for your kind donations over the summer. Your generosity makes a difference in the lives of many and is GREATLY appreciated. We are experiencing a significant increase in the number of visitors accessing the Foodshelf resulting in a greater need for donations. FOOD or FINANCIAL donations gratefully accepted. Ear mark Financial donations as “Foodshelf” and submit to the church office for a tax receipt. BAGS available on Sundays from a Foodshelf Team member, daily at the donation depot or fill your own and drop off to the donation depot. We continue to promote Healthy Food Choices. Please consider low salt, low sugar, low calorie donations. We are unable to accept EXPIRED items. All items must be packaged in a PUBLICLY INSPECTED KITCHEN. SUGGESTIONS FOR DONATIONS: canned tomatoes/pasta sauce; canned black or mixed beans; canned kernel corn; canned tuna packed in water/salmon; low sodium chicken/vegetable broth; low fat salad dressings/mayonnaise; mustard/relish/ketchup; peanut butter; rolled oats/low sugar, high fibre cereal; low sodium or rice crackers; healthy school snacks, whole wheat/multi-grain or rye bread, coffee/tea; rice; fresh/frozen vegetables; cheese; butter/margarine; eggs; frozen fish fillets; lean meat; toilet paper; Kleenex; laundry/dish detergent; toothbrushes/toothpaste/dental floss; bar soap/body wash; shampoo; deodorant.

Partners Paint and Paper (Benjamin Moore in the Swiss Chalet Plaza) has a Campaign for October. Wait until October to buy your paint and wallpaper. DONATE & SAVE ! For every non-perishable food item brought in to Partners Paint & Paper they will give you 20 % off per

Donation Item. See details on store poster. All donated items will be given to the Stratford House of Blessing and the Avondale Food Bank.

The Outreach Committee of Avondale United Church has approved the following donations for the third quarter of 2019 at our meeting Sept. 10th. 1. $1000 donation through the United Church for the devastation in the Bahamas from Hurricane Dorian. 2. $1000 donation for the devastation in the Maritimes from Hurricane Dorian. This donation is “on hold” until the possibility of opportunities of matching grants. 3. $1000 to the “Stratford Chooses Welcome” organization for the support of a Somali family that has recently arrived in Stratford. This organization is under the umbrella of the Mennonite Central Committee. Thank you to Avondale congregation member Nancy Burnett and her work with this organization. Further information can be found at the following link. stratford-chooses-welcome 4. $1000 in support of Camp Bimini. 5. $500 in support of the Stratford Rotary Aquabox Project.

Fall Labyrinth walks: I had an exciting summer. John and I were gifted a 40-foot 11 circuit canvas Chartres style labyrinth. This is very close to the size of the original which dates back 800 years. The labyrinth is not a maze, there are no tricks or dead ends to it. It is a walking tool for meditation. Many people feel a sense of peace after walking. It can be seen as a metaphor for life. The walks are scheduled for 7 pm October 4, 11, 25, November 8 and 29th. On two of those dates we will also offer an afternoon walk at 2 pm. All of this will take place in Fellowship Hall. Each event will begin with a brief introduction and then an opportunity to walk. There will also be tools to further your self-reflection and meditation. This will be open to the public. If you would like more information or would like to help, please contact me, Leslie Wright by phone 519-273-7067 or email: lesliewpeace@gmail.com

“Tastes of the World” ~ Saturday, Oct. 19th What is this event all about????

a fundraiser for Avondale’s General Fund organized by Congregational Life & Outreach Teams

with help from many congregational members a fun evening for all – invite your church & community friends

Begins at 5:30 pm with music entertainment in the Sanctuary by Dave Bates, Tom Melady, and Terri Sparling; followed by delicious food samples from 20 different countries; some International Trivia with your “table mates” and a silent auction throughout the evening. TICKETS ( $20 ) available weekdays from Yvonne in the office, and Sundays ~ Susan Wigan, Janice Ward, Doris Barkley & Ruth Sealey

SILENT AUCTION items are needed – please contact Susan Wigan to donate

Fall in Love With Reading! Children and Adult Books on display in the library

The Wisdom of Autumn by Janette Oake Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert Autumn Wisdom by James E. Miller Time For Bed, Little Bear by Joy Cowley The Biggest Pumpkin Ever by Steven Kroll Borrow one or more books after the service today!

Upcoming Events

Lunch and Learn – Tuesday, Sept 24th @ 12:00 noon in the Parlour.

Bring your lunch. Everyone Welcome.

Messy Church Friday, September 27th, 5:30 to 7:30 Fellowship Hall crafts and games, fun and a delicious meal. Who is welcome? Everyone is welcome, but Messy Church is especially fun for CHILDREN, their parents, grandparents and caregivers! For more information call Christine Hunking 519-271-5558

Fall is in the air. So is military whist. The first game is

Saturday Oct. 26 @ 7:00 p.m.

Sign up sheet is on the board. All are welcome.

More details to follow.

UCW Tea and Bazaar – Saturday, November 16, 2019

Events at Camp Bimini UJIMA FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH 7 PM TO SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH 3 PM This weekend will provide an opportunity to gather and engage participants in how we live in and view God’s world, while seeking justice, loving kindness and walking humbly. We hope participants go home with a greater understanding and respect for the world in which we live. This year our focus will be on education and awareness of poverty within a local setting. Ujima is a weekend for youth 10-14 years old (born 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 or 2005 only ) to gather together to play, to learn, to sing, to teach, to create and more. Register online only! Spaces limited. Signs & Designs Fundraiser Monday, October 07, 2019 7 pm at Camp Bimini Come on out and enjoy a night with Signs & Designs! Come and make that design on a piece of wood that you’ve always wanted! It will be $45 a person and you just need to bring yourselves. Check our Facebook event page to sign up for this event! https://www.facebook.com/events/1684084108391123/?ti=icl This is a fundraising event for Camp Bimini. The registration deadline is September 23rd, 2019. If you need help registering, please contact the camp! SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19TH 9:15 AM TO 7 PM Women’s Retreat Day at Camp Bimini. A day to celebrate Body, Mind, Spirit. Sessions throughout the day (with some choice) include: Square Dancing, Hiking, Painting, Mindfulness, Soul Collage, Health, Drama and more. For women of all ages and stages. We’ll have times of laughter, community, sharing, playing, learning and more. All meals and snacks provided. Cost: $55 (please do not let cost be a deterrent). Limited spaces. Please register prior to October 8th. For more details, see brochure or poster or www.campbimini.ca.

Community Events

Traveling Scout Shop Tuesday, September 24, 2019 Avondale United Church, 194 Avondale Ave 6:30 – 8:30pm

YFC/Youth Unlimited Spaghetti Dinner - October 21st On Monday October 21st, YFC/Youth Unlimited is hosting a fundraising Spaghetti Dinner at Madelyn's Diner, to raise funds for the valuable work and programs that they offer to the teens and families of Stratford and area. There are two seatings available, one at 5:30, and another at 7:00. Tickets are only $15 for adults, $5 for kids, or a family of four for just $35. If you're not able to make it to the event, please consider sponsoring a local family of four to enjoy a meal out, with a donation of $35, and you will also be eligible for a full tax receipt. For tickets or more information, call the YFC office at 519-272-1614, or email at info@yfcstratford.com. Tickets can also be purchased online, at www.yfcstratford.com/events/spaghetti-dinner/

Weekly Calendar

SUNDAY Sept 22 - SUNDAY Sept 29 Today

10:00 Sunday Service Sanctuary

11:00 Fellowship & Refreshments Fellowship Hall

12:00 Out for Lunch Bunch Romeo's Café

2:00 A Jazz & Spirituality Workshop Sanctuary

Monday

3:00 Daly Music Academy Narthex

4:10 Mindfulness Meditation Library

6:00 Kiwanis Club 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

6:30 Nathan Court Condo Mtg Narthex

7:00 Solid Ground Bible Study Gathering Room

8:00 AA Choir Room

Wednesday

12:00 ABI Choir Room

1:30 Search Team Meeting Parlour

6:00 Meditation Library

6:30 Cubs 12th Fellowship Hall

7:00 Shout Sisters Choir Room

7:00 Scouts 12th Gathering Room

Thursday

1:30 Star Family Health Gathering Room

6:30 Stamp Club Gathering Room

6:30 Guides Fellowship Hall

7:00 Scouts 3rd Parlour

7:00 Choir Practice Choir Room

Friday

11:30 Staff Meeting Parlour

5:00 Messy Church Fellowship Hall

8:00 AA Choir Room

Saturday

Next Sunday

10:00 Sunday Service Sanctuary

11:00 Fellowship & Refreshments Fellowship Hall

2:00 SSO General Meeting Choir Room

5:00 SSO Dinner Fellowship Hall

7:00 SSO Rehearsal Sanctuary