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 23, th week of Advent 10:00 a.m. Flower this morning are in loving memory of Gerald Gerry Edward James, from his wife Dale, Children Colin (Jillian), Laura (Johnathan) & Hayley (Stu) Grandchildren Charlotte, Finn and Presley Gerry died December 24, Worship led by Rev. Keith Reynolds,

2 Rev. Kathi Urbasik-Hindley, Director of Music Lori Millian, Senior Choir, Joan Boshart, Choir Chimes, Gerry Oue, baritone, Reader Janice Ward 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 Prelude: He is Born Trad. French Carol, arr. Douglas E. Wagner Joan Boshart, Choir Chimes Hymn: O Lord How Shall I Meet You VU 31 Opening Prayer: (in unison) Love comes down at Christmas and enters our lives, In You we encounter this love, enfleshed in the Christ child, love rises up from the earth, increase our awareness that we may come to know more of Your love. If there is anything blocking us from this gift, we name it now, fear or rejection, hurt or harm, resentment or cynicism, We also name our indifference or greed, apathy or control, fatigue or addiction, lighten our load, give us a capacity to love once again (Silent Prayer)

3 Words of Hope and Healing (adapt. Luke 1) One: All: Our spirits rejoice in God our Saviour. God looks with favour and forgiveness upon us all. God s mercy flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe before God. Thank You God for this gift, Amen. Lighting of the Advent Candle (Love) Hymn: Hope is A Star Reflection on Love VU 7, vs.1-4 Tyler Rae Theme Time Prayer and the Lord s Prayer WE LISTEN TO GOD S WORD Anthem: I Hear the Prophet Calling Gerry Oue, baritone Pepper Choplin Scripture Reading: Luke 1:39-45 Luke 1:47-55 (VU p ) Message: Love s Blessing WE RESPOND TO GOD IN LOVE Hymn: All Poor Ones and Humble VU 68 Offertory: Gesu Bambino Pietro A Yon, arr. Nancy Hascall Joan Boshart, Choir Chimes

4 Offertory Response: What Child is This VU 74, v.3 Offertory Prayer (in unison) Love gives and receives. We know this because of the life of Jesus His birth reveals love, Your love for the world. As we give this morning, let our offering be a further revelation of Your love. We are all in, wherever our faith journey takes us as Your people. May Your love be experienced here and around the world through this offering. Amen. Prayers of the People Closing Hymn: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing VU 48 Sending Forth and Blessing Choral Benediction: There s a Star in the East VU 70, v.1 Postlude: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Felix Mendelssohn, arr. Anna Laura Page Please join us in Fellowship Hall for Refreshments and Fellowship. "Thank you...thank you...from the organizers of last Sunday's Pizza Lunch...to everyone who came out and enjoyed the pizza and made a donation. Because of your generosity, you donated $ to the House of Blessing! The Outreach Team also donated $1500 on behalf of the congregation as well as covered the cost of the pizza. Also a thank you to the staff at Dominos as they went in early to make this happen. Leftover Pizza went to Shelterlink." Note: All monies donated at the Pizza Lunch Fundraiser have been sent to the House of Blessing. Anyone that requested a receipt will receive it from the House of Blessing.

5 Thank you to Deb Woods, Maddie and Mikayla Woods for providing an amazing craft of the rice krispie stables for the Sunday School children this morning. THANK YOU from Outreach This Advent, the results for Alternative Gifts were: * Sleeping Children Around the World = 54 bedkits * HOPE Center, Kenya = $425 ( + $590 thru MMF ) * Days for Girls = 18 hygiene kits were sponsored * Avondale Food Shelf = $ 240 A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE FOOD SHELF SUPPORT TEAM These are members of the Avondale congregation who volunteer to keep the Food Shelf Depot stocked with supplies and fresh products every week. The following people alternate with weekly grocery shopping: Carol Anne Doughty, Marilyn Finnigan, and Karen Edmonds. Thank you to Carol Anne for the weekly ordering of supplies from the Stratford Local and overseeing inventory. Also to Kathy Wreford for weekly pick-ups from the Local and from the House of Blessing. (Sobeys Stratford donates bread here each week to be shared among the Stratford Food Banks). And to Eva May Gray who, each week greets clients and distributes necessities as required. From The Affirming Team We would like to take a moment to celebrate with the LGBTQ Community in India. India's highest court has overturned a colonial-era law that criminalized consensual gay sex. In the words of the Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, The LGBTQ community has the same fundamental rights as citizens. The identity of a person is very important and we have to vanquish prejudice, embrace inclusion and ensure equal rights. India joins 17 Commonwealth nations that have overturned laws criminalizing homosexuality. Homosexuality still remains illegal in 36 Commonwealth nations.

6 Youth ( years ) and Families... Do you know about Avondale s Youth Experience Fund? The purpose of this fund is to provide financial assistance to youth who wish to work on projects in Canada & abroad. The Youth Work Experience Fund recognizes : ~ value of volunteerism to help others, & to gain personal life experience. ~ youth can give their time, talent & energy to needy areas of our world. ~ financial assistance is needed by youth to participate in such projects. Twenty-two youth have accessed the fund since Want to know more about this opportunity? Contact either of the Chairs of the Outreach Team (Anna Meusel or Sheila Wolfe) or Ruth Sealey. Application forms are available from the church office. ( please share this information with our young people ) 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.

7 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 12th, 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. 11th 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. Celebrate Avondale s community! We are working on a calendar rich with photos of our life together including that special group wedding picture with Keith & Noella! Watch for details! Newsletter submissions by Jan 14, Send submissions to Terri sparling at terris@hpcentre.on.ca Congratulations to Bob & Pat Lightfoot, celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary on Dec. 26th. To celebrate, their family will be hosting hospitality in the Narthex on Sunday Dec. 30 th. Upcoming Events Sunday Supper Club Sunday January 5:30pm in Choir Room Bring something simple to share - a Salad, Entree, OR Dessert. Also, bring your own dishes & cutlery. Coffee & tea provided. Sign up in the Fellowship Hallway to help us plan ~ Everyone welcome ~ Invite a friend. Last minute is fine. This month s hosts are Anna and Heinz.

8 MILITARY WHIST If you like playing cards then you will enjoy playing Miliitary Whist. Next game will be Friday, January 18 th 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 ( ) or Carl Thomson ( ). 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. Monday Dec 24 th Monday Dec 24 th Christmas Services 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Family Service (casual & interactive) 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (featuring Avondale choirs) Note: Rev. Keith is away on holidays from Dec 26 Jan 7. He will be returning Tuesday Jan 8 th. In his absence, Rev. Kathi will be available for pastoral care emergencies.