194 Avondale Ave. Stratford, On. N5A 6N or Website:

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1 194 Avondale Ave. Stratford, On. N5A 6N or Website: SUNDAY Dec 16, rd week of Advent Choral Sunday 10:00 a.m. Flower this morning are in loving memory of Dolores Gulliford, from Husband Bob, Daughters Barb Parkes (Keith) and Sue Featherston (Paul), Grandchildren Kati, Scott, Kyle, Shelby and Brandon. Dolores died December 16, 2015.

2 Worship led by Rev. Keith Reynolds, Rev. Kathi Urbasik-Hindley, Director of Music Lori Millian, Senior Choir, Junior Choir/Bell Choir Reader Elaine Bandermann 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 Anthem: Angels are Making Their Rounds Pepper Choplin Hymn: Good Christian Friends Rejoice VU 35 Opening Prayer: (in unison) Joy is this season s gift, a grace given by You, the Creator, We come to worship in the light of joy s radiance, Shine upon us, enlighten our lives and show us how to see, Give us an open mind, a tender heart and a willing spirit, We ask in the name of the Christmas gift given and received. Forgiving God, surprise us with your healing, When we don t feel we deserve it, From actions taken and ones left undone, When we believe others do not deserve it, Heal us all and bring us into the joy of life with You (Silent Prayer)

3 Words of Hope and Healing (adapt. Isaiah 55) One: All: We shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace, the mountains and hills will burst into song. All of the trees of the field will clap their hands. All because of God s mercy. Amen! Junior Choir: The Very First Christmas Morn Ed Rush & Robert Sterling Lighting of the Advent Candle (Joy) Hymn: Hope is A Star Reflection on Joy VU 7, vs.1-3 Carolyn Rae Anthem: Tell Me! Tell Me! Sally K. Albrecht & Jay Althouse Theme Time Prayer and the Lord s Prayer WE LISTEN TO GOD S WORD Bells: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear Richard Storrs Willis, arr. Alan Hager Scripture Reading: Isaiah 12:2-6 (VU p.880) Anthem: Carol of the Little Angel Don Besig & Nancy Price Scripture Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-20

4 WE RESPOND TO GOD IN LOVE Offertory: The Little Drummer Boy Davis, Onorati & Simeone, arr. Joel Raney Offertory Response: What Child is This VU 74, v.3 Offertory Prayer (in unison) With joy we give. We pray for Your grace to increase our desire to give joyfully. Allow Your song to be sung in our lives. Let the music of this offering spread throughout this area and Your world, Amen. Prayers of the People Closing Hymn: Joy to the World VU 59 Sending Forth and Blessing Choral Benediction: There s a Star in the East VU 70, v.1 Postlude: Go Tell It! John W. Work, arr. Jack Schrader Please join us in Fellowship Hall for a Pizza Lunch fundraiser. (all Good Will donations to Stratford House of Blessing. As many of you are aware, on Monday December 3 rd, the Stratford House of Blessing experienced a small kitchen fire in the downstairs kitchen. No one was hurt, however, the chemicals and smoke damage had a severe impact on the Christmas Toy and Food Bank Programs. As a respose to their request for help, we are having a Pizza Lunch today and your free will donations are being gratefully accepted. The Outreach Committee, on behalf of the Church, is also putting forth a donation. Please come and enjoy some pizza. May our blessings be theirs in this time of need.

5 The Outreach Team at their December 11th meeting approved a donation to the House of Blessing as their contribution to the Pizza Lunch Fundraiser held today. The amount to be donated is not finalized. TODAY is the last day for Alternative Gifts Available from Outreach display in Fellowship Hall foyer. > HOPE Centre, Kenya orphanage (gift card) > Sleeping Children ($35 bedkit) > Gifts with Vision (United Church catalogue) > NEW: The Avondale Food Shelf (gift card) > NEW: Days for Girls ( sponsor a hygiene kit for $15 ) 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.

6 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. ALZHEIMER SOCIETY SOUP S ON Saturday January 12 th, 2019: Avondale will be having a Carnaval booth featuring Poutine Soup and we would appreciate your help with the following: soup preparation, on Fri. Jan. 11 th at the church, and with our display (serving) at the Rotary Complex on Sat. Jan 12 th. Creative ideas and helping hands are also needed for decorating our booth. Please see the Sign-Up Sheets in the Fellowship Hallway. From Stewardship and Finance Thanks to all for the generosity at the celebration and dream luncheon. Close to $5000 was received. Every little bit helps. The deficit is lower than projected but as I'd November 30 it is $26,615. All donations received on or before December 31 will reduce this amount. Newsletter submissions by Jan 14, Send submissions to Terri sparling at terris@hpcentre.on.ca Celebrate Avondale s community! We are working on a calendar rich with photos of our life together including that special picture with Keith and Noella! Watch for details!

7 Prepare for Christmas with a book from Avondale s Church Library! Advent is for Waiting by Donna Rathbert Advent traditions and customs. Daily Reflections on the Advent Season by Richard E. Griddle Advent reflections Unplug the Christmas Machine: A Complete Guide to Putting Love and Warmth Back Into Christmas by Joyce Robinson A must read! Borrow a Christmas/Advent book after the service today! NAME TAG - REMINDER 1. If you have a name tag please remember to wear it as it helps all of us, especially our newest members, to have easier conversations. 2. If you don't have a name tag and would like to order one, please contact Doris Barkley (dorisbarkley@sympatico.ca). INCLEMENT WEATHER It doesn't happen very often (only once last winter), but sometimes to ere on the side of caution church services and or events need to be cancelled because of inclement weather. If a cancellation decision is made, we will do our best to keep everyone informed in one of the following ways: mass , website updates, Facebook, and Instagram. In addition, each of us are encouraged to make sure folks without electronics and/or social media are also kept informed. Maybe an old fashioned phone call to a friend :)

8 Meals on Wheels Avondale United Church is responsible for delivering meals for Monday to Friday, the week of Jan. 14 th to Jan. 18 th and the week of Jan. 21 st to Jan. 25 th If you are a volunteer, please contact, Emma Carruthers (519) for the desired dates that you are able to deliver. The schedule needs to be at the Spruce Lodge Office by Jan. 11 th. Thank you for your support of our church and our community. Volunteers are welcome. The commitment is only 4 deliveries a year (Jan. Apr. July, and Oct.) Please contact Emma is interested in this worthwhile service. Upcoming Events Lunch and Learn Tuesday, December 12:00 noon in the Parlour. Luke 1:39-45 & Luke 1:47-55 will be the readings for the December 23rd service. Please bring an appetizer to share. Everyone Welcome. Community Events 4 th 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 or visit Treasures on Ontario Street

9 Weekly Calendar SUNDAY Dec 16 - SUNDAY Dec 24 Today 8:00 MD Practice Sanctuary Monday 9:30 Jr. Choir Practice Parlour 10:00 Sunday Service Sanctuary 11:00 Pizza Luncheon Fellowship Hall Jr. Choir Practice Choir Room 3:00 Daly Music Academy Narthex 4:10 Mindfulness Meditation Library 7:00 AA (Women's Closed) Parlour 7:00 RI Discovery Library Tuesday 12:00 Lunch & Learn Parlour 5:00 S & F Meeting Choir Room 6:15 Beavers 12th Fellowship Hall 6:30 Cub Leaders Meeting Room 8:00 AA Choir Room Wednesday 12:00 ABI Choir Room 5:30 Yoga Parlour 6:00 Meditation Library 6:30 Cubs 12th Fellowship Hall 7:00 Scouts 12th Gathering Room Thursday 9:00 Avon Co-Op Christmas Concert Sanctuary 7:00 Choir Practice Choir Room Friday 9:00 Avon Co-Op Christmas Concert Sanctuary 11:30 Staff Meeting Parlour 5:00 Kiwanis Club Christmas Dinner Fellowship Hall 8:00 AA Choir Room Saturday 9:00 MD Practice Sanctuary

10 Next Sunday 8:00 MD Practice Sanctuary 9:40 Pre-Service Christmas Music Sanctuary 10:00 Sunday Service Sanctuary 11:00 Refreshments & Fellowship Fellowship Hall Jr. Choir Practice Choir Room Christmas Office Hours Office Closed Dec 25 th, Dec 26 th and Jan 1 st. Yvonne is taking 2 additional vacation days. Monday Dec 24 th and Monday Dec 31 st. The office will be open on these days from 9:00 am until noon and coverage has been arranged to answer calls. Regular hours Dec 27 th and Dec 28th and again Jan. 2nd. Contribution deadline for 2018 If submitting to the office Friday Dec 28 th by noon If putting on offering plate Sunday Dec 30 th. Christmas Services Sunday Dec 23 rd 10:00 a.m. 4 th week of Advent Monday Dec 24 th 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Family Service (casual & interactive) Monday Dec 24 th 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (featuring Avondale choirs)