The Dove News. SPECIAL EDITION: December 2012 / January A Monthly Newsletter from Avondale Presbyterian Church. Inside this Issue.

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1 The Dove News SPECIAL EDITION: December 2012 / January 2013 A Monthly Newsletter from Avondale Presbyterian Church Upcoming Events... Thursday, Dec. 6th 6:00 PM Christmas Tree SERVPRO APC Vocal Choir singing Sunday, Dec. 9th 9:45 AM Breakfast and Family Fun Time in the Great Hall Saturday, Dec. 15th 8:30 AM Angel Breakfast for kids ages 2 through 1st Grade Inside this Issue. Page 1 The Pastor s Pen, New Members, Session Highlights, Congratulations, Recently Hospitalized Page 2 Prayer Ministry Page 3 Music Ministry Festival of 9 Lessons and Carols, Avondale Borough Christmas Tree Lighting, Christmas in the Woods Page 4 Youth Ministry, Women s Ministry, Praise and Prayer, Lifeline Screening Page 5 Birthdays and Anniversaries Page 6 Christmas Gift Cards, Sports, EPIC Contemporary Worship Page 7 Gift Card Order Form Page 8-9 Antonio Felizardo Family Story and song Page 10 The Deacon s Bench Page 11 The Angel Breakfast, CPR, Family Fun Time and Church Breakfast Page 12 Contact Us, Dove News Deadline, Sunday, Dec. 23rd 8:30/11:00 AM Festival of 9 Lessons and Carols Monday, Dec. 24th Youth Led Family Worship 5:30 PM Candlelight Christmas Eve Worship 10:00 PM Tuesday, Dec. 25th Merry Christmas

2 - News from Pastor Ray Meute New Beginnings As I write this piece it is one week before the beginning of the season of Advent. January first is right around the corner. So it is a new year for the church and a new year for the world. At the end of the church year we celebrate Jesus Christ as King as a climax of salvation history. We begin the experience of that salvation history all over again next week when the season of Advent begins. This is a truly refreshing pattern and there is even a security in knowing that year after year we will again experience the drama of our Lord s gift of His Son to the world. As the secular calendar reaches its climax toward the end of December and the world begins counting the days and months all over again on New Year s Day, followers of Jesus Christ have their eyes on another calendar as well. We are creatures of the calendar and creatures of the Kingdom. We have a dual citizenship. World events are disturbing. There is currently a heightened instability in the Holy Land between Israelis, Muslims, and Christians. Having just gone through another U.S. Presidential election, our country faces unique challenges in its history. A terrible storm slammed the East coast at the end of October and people are still displaced with very little left. Some of our own church families have loved ones among the displaced persons. As the days and months go by we will always have new problems to deal with. There will always be challenges for we residents of this beautiful, yet volatile earth. World powers and systems will crumble and fall. It is a real blessing to know that the Kingdom of God is only growing and expanding. As we continue to mark that repeating journey through the salvation history of God with his creation, it is a real encouragement and even com- fort to trust that God s kingdom will by no means crumble or falter. We are reminded over and over again, year after year: God reigns! Page 1 Recently Hospitalized and/or Recovering from illness/procedures Charles Wallner, Roland Wetzel, Harold Bailey. Cindy and Madi Aman, and Hana Smith in their Baptisms on Sunday, November 18, 2012; Jeff and Bethany Swisher as well as the Marble, Swisher, and Pierce families and Great Grandma Marie Gregg in the birth of Ian Timothy Swisher on November 6, Chris, Cindy, Madi, and Zach Aman (788 Clay Creek Rd., Avondale, , ccmzaman@juno.com). Chris is an engineer with Boeing Helicopters. Cindy works part-time in finance and accounting at W.L. Gore. Madi is in 9th grade at Avon Grove High School. Zach is a 7th grade student at F.S. Engle Middle School. Madeleine, Michael, and Hana Smith (127 Rosehill Ave., Apt. 4, West Grove, , madye@hotmail.com). Madeleine works several jobs in office assistance, elder care, and music publishing. Madeleine has two older children not in this area and has adopted Michael from Bulgaria and Hana from Guatemala. Session Highlights from November Received into membership the Chris Aman family and the Madeleine Smith family. Approved Cindy and Madi Aman and Hana Smith for baptism. Discussed the importance of including new people to our church into our lives and friendships. Gave thought to the future needs for work/service groups along the East Coast in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. We hope to organize groups to go and serve in the upcoming year and beyond as needed.

3 s ew N y r t s ini Page 2 M Prayregre Pickel By Ma THIS LITTLE CHILD Who would have thought that long ago So very far away, A little child would be born And in a manger laid? And who would have thought this little child Was born the King of kings, The Son of just a carpenter For whom the angels sing? And who would have thought that as He grew And with other children played This child with whom they laughed and sang Would die for them some day And who would have thought this little child Could make a blind man see, Feed the hungry, make rich the poor And set the sinner free? Oh who would have thought this little child Was who the prophets said? Would take away the sins of man And rise up from the dead! Yet in the midst of this darkness, There is a hope, a light that burns. This little child the King of kingssome day will return! And I believe! And I will always sing, This little child is the King! Oh, I believe. And, I will always sing, This little child He is the King of kings! Who would have thought this little child Is who the prophets said Will return to judge this world The living and the dead? Oh, can t you see that long ago, So very far away, This little child our only hope Was born a King that day!? (Written by Scott Wesley Brown, CCLI# ) And I believe! And I will always sing, This little child is the King! Oh, I believe. And, I will always sing, This little child He is the King of kings! Many years have come and gone Yet this world remains the same. Empires have been built and fallen Only time has made a change. Nation against nation. Brother against brother. Men so filled with hatred Killing one another. And over half the world is starving While a banner of decency is torn. Debating over disarmament. Killing children before they re born. And fools who march to win the right To justify their sin. Oh every nation that has fallen Has fallen from within! Eve-

4 Music Ministry News Page 3 Avondale Borough Christmas Tree Lighting Thursday, Dec. 6th 6PM Carols will be led by the APC Choir at SERVPRO (the old Avondale Fire Hall) on Pennsylvania Avenue across from the post office Special visit by Santa Claus! Light refreshments served. Please invite friends and family to join us for the festivities. Everywhere, Christmas Tonight CHRISTMAS IN THE WOODS Annual Live Nativity at Camp Donegal: Sunday, December 16th For a Christmas experience you are not likely to forget, pack up the family and bring them to enjoy Christmas in the Woods, the live nativity that has been taking place at Camp Donegal for the past 13 years. When we say live nativity, we are talking about a reenactment of the story of Christ s birth by characters and live animals enhanced by caroling and candlelight. All of this takes place in a secluded setting on the camp property, surrounded by trees and moonlight and yet close to parking. In addition to experiencing the wonder of the Christmas story, participants are invited inside to enjoy refreshments, fellowship, live music and festive decorations while being warmed by the blazing fire at the hearth of the dining hall fireplace. This event takes place between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 16th, with nativities at 5:15, 6:00, 6:45 and 7:30 PM. Live music by area musicians and choirs will take place in the dining hall at 5:35, 6:20, 7:05 and 7:50 PM.

5 Page 4 st ni i M uth Yo s w e N ry Lois Circle will meet Tuesday, Dec. 11th 9:30 AM Tuesday, Jan. 9:30 AM at the Timothy House Hannah Circle will meet Wednesday, Dec. 5th, 6:30 Twelve s Restaurant Monday, January 14th 7:30 Kay Wasno s home Ruth Circle will the Oxford Presbyterian Church Tuesday, Dec. 11th 6:30 PM /dinner Tuesday, Jan. 8th 1:30 PM Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn. Isaiah 51:1 We invite all 6th 12th graders to join us Sunday nights from 6 8:30 pm for fun and fellowship. Dinner is provided at 6:00 pm. Praise and Prayer at Avondale Each Tuesday Evening 7:00-8:00 pm APC Sanctuary December Activities Sunday 12/02 Sunday 12/09 Sunday 12/16 Sunday 12/23 Monday 12/24 Sunday 12/30 6:00 8:30 pm Letters to Yartiza/Play rehearsal 6:00 8:30 pm Lesson with Sara/Play rehearsal 6:00 8:30 pm Christmas Party No Youth Group Merry Christmas! Christmas Eve Service starts at 5:30 pm No Youth Group Happy New Year! January Activities Sunday 01/06 6:00 8:30 pm Sunday 01/13 6:00 8:30 pm Friday 01/18 Sunday 01/20 Sunday 01/27 6:00 8:30 pm Lesson with Tim Game night Annual Ski trip Youth-led Lesson Lifeline Screening Thursday, February 7th 8:30 AM-5:00 PM

6 December/January HAPPY BIRTHDAY 12/1 Margie Greenhalgh Cara Doyle Katie Reidinger 12/2 Dominick Raimato Josh Meute 12/4 Frank Alteri Melissa Lutz 12/5 Sherry Seace 12/7 Grace Goracci 12/8 Cheryl Salvato 12/9 Rick Barto Kaitlyn Stoltz 12/12 Josephine Felizardo 12/13 Ron Rosazza 12/14 Zack Lloyd 12/15 Jean Price 12/15 Phil Pusey Jr. 12/15 Lexie Dixson 12/16 John Patton Carley Needham 12/17 Margie Worthington 12/22 Beth Dillon 12/23 Betty Anderson Kristin Donnelly 12/27 Paige Lloyd Ruth Clausius 12/28 Tom Rosazza 12/30 Donald Needham Mike Carroll 12/31 John Schwing Cordelia Rosazza 1/02 Joyce Swisher William Wallace Anthony Zunino 1/03 Amy McLoughlin 1/04 Barbara Ciuffetelli 1/05 Wayne H. Carr 1/08 Kristen Burkhart Charlie Peck Sara Krieger 1/09 Carrie Burkhart 1/11 Max Pizzurro 1/14 Joanne Sciotti 1/18 Tyler Mebane 1/19 Kay Wasno 1/20 Jimmy Young Daniel Zunino 1/21 Shannon Seace 1/22 Kara Zuczek Mark Lysle 1/23 Kristin Zunino 1/25 Velma Bailey Townsend MacCoun Laura Salvato Kyle Hanson Anthony Felizardo 1/26 Barbara Rosazza Daniel Watkins Sean Chaires William Dixson Jr. 1/27 Ross Lloyd Dee Loux 1/28 Morgan Lloyd John Lysle 1/29 Zachary Walker Mena Dubroff 1/30 Betsy Huber 1/31 Karen Donnelly December/January HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Monty and Sharen Davis 12/06/1969 Joel and Mary Lynn Whitney 12/06/1987 Bob and Barb Hart 12/07/2002 Tom and Judy Young 12/09/1976 David and Ellen Wadsworth 12/09/1989 William and Pam Lutz 12/10/1977 Arthur and Barbie Needham 12/10/1988 Donald and Sandra Urban 12/20/2003 Harold and Velma Bailey 12/24/1950 Christopher and Abby Pyle 1/5/2008 Page 5 Bernie and Barbara Ciuffetelli 1/11/2003 Martin and Betty Andersen 1/28/1992

7 Page 6 APC Sports CHRISTMAS IS COMING!! Joan Rosazza If you are considering buying gift cards for Christmas gifts, or to use to purchase your groceries, please fill out the gift card form on the next page and give to Joan Rosazza. Gift cards for various restaurants, retail stores and entertainment can be ordered from Joan. She will purchase any card you order and bring it to the church for you. How easy is that? Remember that the church gets 5% of the profit which we use to put towards our building fund. We currently have raised SUNDAY NIGHTS 6:30 PM * MUSIC * MINISTRY * *MUNCHIES* APC SANCTUARY over $50,000 by purchasing gift cards! Merry Christmas!! Reconsider the rush The Christmas rush leads to stress for many people. But author Burton Hills viewed the madness from another perspective: Eventually, the hour comes when the rushing ends and the race against the calendar mercifully comes to a close. It is only now, perhaps, that we truly recognize the spirit of Christmas. It is not a matter of days or weeks, but of centuries [more than] twenty of them now since that holy night in Bethlehem. Regarded in this manner, the pre-christmas rush may do us greater service than we realize. With all its temporal confusion, it may just help us to see that by contrast, Christmas itself is eternal. (Newsletter Newsletter 2012)

8 NAME: PHONE # ACME $25 $50 $100 $300 AEROPOSTALE $25 $50 AMAZON.COM $25 $50 $100 AMAZONKINDLE $25 $50 AMC THEATRES $10 $25 AMERICAN EAGLE $25 $50 APP STORE $15 $25 $50 APPLEBEE'S $25 $50 BABIES R US $25 $50 BANANA REPUBLIC BARNES & NOBLE $25 $50 BED BATH & BEYOND $25 $50 BEST BUY $15 $25 $50 $100 BONTON $25 BOSCOV'S $25 BUFFALO WILD WINGS $25 CABELA'S $25 $50 CARRABBA'S ITALIAN GRILL $25 $50 CHILI'S $10 $25 $50 CRACKER BARREL $25 $50 DISNEY RESORT $25 $50 DSW $25 $50 FANDANGO $15 $25 FOOT LOCKER $25 GIANT FOODS $25 $50 $100 $200 GAMESTOP $ 25 $50 GAP $25 $50 GUITAR CENTER $25 $50 ITUNES $10 $15 $25 $50 JC PENNY $25 $50 JOANN $25 KOHLS $25 $50 LANDS END $25 LONESTAR STEAKHOUSE $25 LORD & TAYLOR $25 $50 Page 7 LOWES $25 $50 $100 $200 MCDONALD'S $10 $15 $25 MACARONI GRILL $25 $50 MACY'S $25 $50 $100 MICHAELS $25 $50 NOOK $25 OLD NAVY $25 $50 OLIVE GARDEN $15 $25 $50 OFFICE MAX $25 OUTBACK $25 $50 PANERA BREAD $25 PEEBLES $25 PERKINS $5 incriments PF CHANGS CHINA BRISTO $25 PIZZA HUT $20 PLAY STATION $20 RED LOBESTER $15 $25 RED ROBIN $10 $25 REGAL ENTERTAINMENT GRP $10 $25 $50 RUBY TUESDAY $25 $50 SEARS $25 $50 $100 SOUTHWEST $50 $100 SPORTS AUTHORITY $25 $50 STAPLES $25 STARBUCKS $ 10 $15 $25 SUBWAY $15 $25 $50 TARGET $25 $50 TGI FRIDAY $25 $50 THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY $25 $50 THE HOME DEPOT $25 $50 $100 $200 TJ MAXX $25 $50 TOYS R US $25 $50

9 Sunday Morning, November 11, 2012 Antonio Felizardo shared this special song with the Avondale Presbyterian Church Family Page 9 Thank You Words and Music by Ray Boltz I dreamed I went to heaven And you were there with me We walked upon the streets of gold Beside the crystal sea We heard the angels singing Then someone called your name You turned and saw this young man And he was smiling as he came And he said, Friend You may not know me now And then he said, But wait You used to teach my Sunday School When I was only eight And every week you would say a prayer Before the class would start And one day when you said that prayer I asked Jesus in my heart CHORUS: Thank you for giving to the Lord I am a life that was changed Thank you for giving to the Lord I am so glad you gave Then another man stood before you And said remember the time A missionary came to your church And his pictures made you cry You didn't have much money But you gave it anyway Jesus took the gift you gave And that's why I am here today CHORUS Repeat One by one they came Far as the eye could see Each life somehow touched By your generosity Little things that you had done Sacrifices made Unnoticed on the earth In heaven now proclaimed And I know up in heaven You're not supposed to cry But I am almost sure There were tears in your eyes As Jesus took your hand And you stood before the Lord He said, My child look around you Great is your reward CHORUS (repeat) I am so glad you gave 1988 Gaither MusicASCAP. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Used by permission. Additional Information on the Felizardo Family: Charlene Lambert was involved from the very beginning (August 1981), serving as interpreter primarily, but also helping with transportation needs as well as childcare and teaching the Felizardo family the English language and about the American culture. Because neither Antonio nor Josephine could drive, members of our congregation frequently helped them with errand running, grocery shopping, and driving to doctors' visits, etc. Rollie and Muriel Wetzel, and the late Erma and Pete Peterson, among several others provided such assistance. Efforts to aid families such as the Felizardos were initiated by former APC Pastor Bill Gaskill. According to Charlene, the Felizardos were just one of several refugee families aided by APC during the troubled times in the late 1970's and early 1980's, but they are the only family that settled and stayed at APC -- and aren't we as a congregation blessed by their decision! Marilyn Wineberg adds: Bob and I, along with several other couples, were on the original committee. We were looking for a family from Ethiopia, a country in need (due to the drought conditions there). But God had a better plan and He connected us with the Felizardos. God strikes again! Yay God!

10 Cuban terrorism in Angola drives family to West Grove By BILL MOONEY (this article was originally printed in the Daily Local News, 1981) Page 8 Angolan refugee and West Grove resident Antonio Felizardo remembers the day he is certain Cuban troops killed his mother. "She had a fever," the tall, angular transplanted African recalled yesterday from his southern Chester county residence. "It wasn't a bad one; she was getting better. They gave her a shot, and right after they gave her a shot, she died." This happened to her, according to the 37-year-old expatriate, because he directed his liberation party's transmissions and communications from neighboring Zaire. Once the Communists, who have controlled this southwestern African country since 1974, arranged for Zaire to expunge Felizardo and his comrades, according to Felizardo, he had no choice but to gather up his wife Josephine and children, fivemonth old Maria and nearly three-year-old Pauline, and flee. Through the efforts of Lutheran Family Services in Philadelphia and the auspices of a West Grove-area family, the Felizardo quartet found a new home in Chester County. They left behind family, the ongoing war between the Communists in power and two liberation groups, and the unavoidable poverty, disease, and civil violence which such wars seem to breed. They arrived in America last August carrying in two valisas what meager possessions they could muster. Speaking in French via his West Grove sponsor and interpreter Charlene Lambert, Mr. Felizardo said the most important thing they brought with them from the war-torn, one -time Portuguese colony was an ardent desire to free their homeland, a political leaning which influences much of Mr. Felizardo's stories of his country. "He thinks of Angola as an orphan country," Lambert said while interpreting for Mr. Felizardo. "He said this is a country that has no help from any quarter. "They've done a lot of murders to the people," Lambert said, translating as literally as possible from Felizardo's French, "rapes, no matter if they're married, even the young girls who aren't old enough to get married. If they come to the door and ask for your wife and you say, 'No,' then your father will be beaten up in front of the whole family. "There is not much education. The Cubans and the Russians are not in Angola to better the people," Felizardo claimed, "but more to get rid of the people, exterminate them. There is much sickness and no medicine, and malnutrition. They have nothing at all." Angola, a tropical exporter of coffee, possesses more land area than Texas and California combined. It had been under Portuguese influence since the 1500s until a 13-year guerilla war ending in 1974 led to the Communist rise to power and the onset of violence which continues today. "They've taken everything," Felizardo said of the Cuban troops. They cleaned out the hospitals. There are no businesses. It's getting worse and worse. Everyone's suffering." According to Felizardo, "The situation in Angola becomes more and more dangerous. There are many deaths among the civilian population." Communicating with his relatives becomes difficult, according to Felizardo, because mailmen in Angola often solicit bribes in order to deliver letters. He said he can tell from the letters which his family manages to send to him that much of his own correspondence doesn't arrive. It's not often a piece of international turbulence arrives in one's home town, offering a rare glimpse at a corner of the world seldom seen. Lambert said Avondale Presbyterian Church members donated numerous articles of clothing to the family who arrived in West Grove last November with little more than the clothing on their back. And, Mr. Felizardo just got a job at a nearby orchard.

11 Page 10 The DEACON'S BENCH by Sharen Davis Christmas is almost here and for many this is a happy and joyous time of the year. Christmas brings to mind so many images: family, friends, food, carols, and, of course, presents! Whether you look forward to gathering in the kitchen to bake cookies or just snuggling by the fire on Christmas Eve, or sharing family traditions that have been in your family for generations, Christmas enriches our lives in many ways. When our kids were younger they enjoyed exchanging gifts with their friends and making homemade ornaments for our tree. Every year we put these cherished ornaments on the tree first. Another tradition we had when we lived in Texas was that most of the neighborhoods would line their streets and driveways with luminaries on Christmas Eve and we would walk through the neighborhood caroling and stopping at different homes for cookies and hot chocolate. But to find the true meaning of Christmas we have to look beyond the gifts, parties and the decorative displays. We have to look to Christ. Christmas is not joyous and festive for everyone. The world is filled with many who have lost hope and are lonely. Many of us have family or friends who are sick or depressed. If we take the time to reach out to people in need during this time of year, we will find the true meaning of Christmas. Attending church on Christmas morning or Christmas Eve is a wonderful way to celebrate Christ's birthday. Christ came as a babe to Bethlehem and he was born to die that we may live. In Isaiah 9:6 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season! Sharen Davis

12 Page 11 THE CHURCH PUBLIC RELATIONS (CPR) team is looking for assistance with graphics, communication, and PR. If you are interested, please contact Will Wallace and/or Peggy Watkins or Ad artwork 2. Flyer artwork 3. Distribute flyers 4. Press releases - write 5. Press releases - distribute 6. Change message board - with Ray's approval 7. Compose s for congregation distribution (Cheryl does this now upon request, mostly from Ray) 8. Write Promotional articles with photos for special events 9. Proofread/edit flyers, s, promo articles 10. Public Announcements on Facebook 11. Monitor newspapers to assure accuracy. Avon Grove Sun, Kennett Paper, Community Courier Chester County Press, Daily Local (?),Delaware Online (?) Hockessin Pub (find out how to submit announcements) 12. LAST BUT NOT LEAST Monitor, update, and edit the website Saturday, December 15th 8:30-10:00 AM For all children age 2yrs-1st grade Admission: Please bring any of the following to be distributed through The Bridge: peanut butter, jelly, sugar, flour, canned soup, canned vegetables, fruit, and meat, instant potatoes, pasta, rice or cereal. Reservations are required as space is limited! Please call Lauri Brockson at or register on the sign-up sheet at church by December 9 th to reserve a spot!

13 Page 12 Avondale Presbyterian Church Dove News Pastor: Ray Meute Cell: Assistant Pastor: Dan Kline Cell: Youth Director: Elder Tim Rupard Choir Director and Director of AvonBells & Joyful Rhythm Mrs. Peggy Watkins Cell: Organist: Mrs. Amy McLoughlin Cell Phone: Church Secretary: Mrs. Cheryl Kline Office Hours: Wed. Thurs.& Friday 9am-4pm Church Office Hours: Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday 9am-4pm Avondale Presbyterian Church P.O. Box Pennsylvania Avenue Avondale, PA Phone: Fax: Visit us on the WEB Distributed 10 months/yr. Editors: Cheryl Kline-Ray Meute To Contribute: Send DOVE NEWS articles & calendar info via to Cheryl Kline February Dove News articles due by Wednesday, January 16th Please include name & contact info with ALL submissions. Please type and your articles if possible.

14 The Dove News SPECIAL EDITION: December 2012 / January 2013 A Monthly Newsletter from Avondale Presbyterian Church Avondale Presbyterian Church P.O. Box Pennsylvania Avenue Avondale, PA P hone : Fa x: E - mail: avondale.pcoffice@verizon.net Visit us on the WEB ondal e pc.org