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

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1 194 Avondale Ave. Stratford, On. N5A 6N or Website: SUNDAY April 22, :00 a.m. Worship led by Rev. Keith Reynolds, Director of Music Lori Millian, Senior Choir, Flute Anne Reuber, Reader Margaret Delaat

2 WE GATHER IN GOD S PRESENCE Announcements & Welcome Cathy Pearson Lighting of Christ Candle Prelude: What Wondrous Love Southern Harmony, arr. J. Purifoy Anne Reuber, flute Opening Hymn: Praise With Joy VU 312 Opening Prayer: In this season of Easter, we come with thanks for new life, In You, living God, we catch a glimpse, In You, risen Christ, we see the light of God s face, In You, creative Spirit, we embody oneness and diversity, Let us worship together in this truth. In this season of Easter, we also come in search of healing, For past actions that have wounded someone, For present strains and stresses that keep us from You, In ways we have yet to be grateful for each other, Through moments we forget, disregard and dismiss, Lead us home to Your heart, compassionate One (Silent Prayer) Words of Hope and Healing (adapted from Psalm 4) One: All: God hears us when we pray and call upon God s help. God s face shines in healing light and gives us rest. Thanks be to God. Amen.

3 Affirming Moment Debbi Parks Theme Time Hymn: Spirit of the Living God VU 376 Prayer and the Lord s Prayer WE LISTEN TO GOD S WORD Solo: O Store Gud Swedish Melody, arr. Purifoy Anne Reuber, flute Scriptures: Psalm 4 (VU p. 727) Luke 24: Message: You Are Witnesses WE RESPOND TO GOD IN LOVE Hymn: Blest Be The Tie That Binds VU 602 Offertory: What a Friend We Have in Jesus C. Converse, arr. V. Labenske Offertory Response: Rejoice in the Lord Always VU 249 Offertory Prayer (in unison) We rejoice because we can. We can because You make it possible, loving God. In our joy we make this offering for Your mission. Help us to grow in the wide and wonderful mission of the risen Christ. Bless this money for people in this area and others around Your world. Amen.

4 Prayers of the People Closing Hymn: One More Step VU 639 Sending Forth and Blessing Choral Benediction: You Shall Go Out With Joy VU 884 Postlude: Come, Let Us Sing D. Paxton Please remain for the Congregational Meeting. We will be voting on whether Avondale United Church will become an affirming ministry. Following vote, Please join us in the Narthex for fellowship hall and friendship. Thank you to Hilda Emerson with the 4 year olds - grade 2 and Bill and Marion Douglas with the grade 3-8 in the Sunday School this morning. The council meeting held this past week marked my last night as Chair of Council for Avondale. I want to thank you all, again, for the privilege of serving you, and for your trust, support, and encouragement during my three years on executive. The many kind words and messages I've received over the last few weeks have meant a great deal to me, and I thank everyone who took the time to write or speak to me personally. We are blessed to have an amazing new chair and vice chair serving our church -please give Ruth and Beth your support, respect, and prayers as they begin their terms. Peace be with you all Heather Herman

5 On April 17 th, Bill & Mary celebrated their 65 th wedding anniversary. Congratulations!!!!!!! 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 are church congregation supports in food donations and cash donations (allowing our shoppers to buy fresh produce). Even though we had no Spring Drive at Avondale, thank you for your continuing donations which add variety to our supply. At the April 8 th Outreach Meeting, the following disbursements were made from the Avondale Outreach Fund: $1,000 in donation to the Emily Murphy Centre, Stratford $500 in donation to Stratford/Perth Shelterlink (Shelterlink exists to provide Perth County youth ages 16-24, who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, with shelter, advocacy services and basic needs.) Casserole Ministry Visiting someone recovering from illness, surgery or going through a difficult time? Avondale members are welcome to deliver a meal; these are available on the top shelf of the Kitchen freezer. They are in containers ready to warm-up.

6 The GO Project Children's Adventure Camp Registration is now open for this summer! Campers will engage in fun, meaningful activities in the Stratford community and learn about how they are being called into action in their own lives. Last year's activities included visiting House of Blessing, The Local, L'Arche, and TJ Dolan. We will also have fun playing games, making crafts, creating relationships and engaging in various stories of action throughout Scripture. This year's dates are July 3-6 (Tuesday-Friday). Cost is $125, which includes lunch and snacks each day. Financial assistance is available if needed. Campers must be going into grades 2-7 in Sept. Youth leaders are also needed - volunteer hours can be provided. Register online at For more information, contact Meghan at megcreech91@yahoo.ca or From the Library. April Showers Read for Hours Rainy Day Reading for Children of all ages. Borrow a book or two from the Library today. Avondale Grounds Committee needs your help. They are looking for some perennials for the front of the Church. If you have any to spare, please drop them off at the church. Please include name of plant, height & colour. If you would like to join this committee contact George Finnigan or Sam Wyatt.

7 The Affirming process has been an ongoing journey that started approximately six years ago with the members of the St. John s congregation. Amalgamation began when the Affirming Ministries Process was about 3/4 of the way to completion and was put on hiatus during the amalgamation process. Becoming an Affirming Ministry was a high priority to the membership of St John s and a key factor in moving forward with amalgamation. Although the membership of Central United had not started the Affirming process there was a desire and recognized need to do so. This is what has led the current Affirming Team to continue with the process. During our education journey we have learned a great deal about the struggles and concerns that many LGBTQ people are still facing. On Sunday April 15th the congregation will be asked to vote on becoming a recognized Affirming Ministry. The UCC Affirming Ministries crest will be displayed along side our United Church crest so we can be easily identified as a safe place and truly welcoming community of Christians. There will be some changes to policy that will reflect the inclusive nature of the congregation but very few visible changes. Avondale has a great culture and we respect all the hard work that has brought us to this point and only intend to build on to that work. We feel opportunities in the future would be to support local groups already established in the community favouring social justice, and recognizing LGBTQ events. The focus is the LGBTQ community, although, it is our intention to promote equality and support for all who are marginalized. Baptism Baptism is performed to allow children to grow-up knowing they are loved unconditionally. Anyone seeking baptism is invited to contact the church office ( ) or avondaleuc@wightman.ca In the past we have celebrated baptism on Christian Family Sunday and this year it falls on Sunday May 13 th, but other dates will also be considered. Avondale offers baptism to all ages, including adults. Reminder!!!Observer Subscription renewal! Please fill out form and give to Patricia Patterson or put on offering plate. Cost is $25. Cheque payable to Avondale United Church. Money and form due by April 23 rd. Forms available in Fellowship Hallway.

8 Upcoming Events Potluck supper club has been cancelled for April. Lunch and Learn Tuesday, April 12:00 noon in the Fellowship Hallway. Psalm 22: & John 15: 1-8 will be the readings for the April 29 service. Bring your lunch. Everyone Welcome. Your Family is Invited to MESSY CHURCH (in the Gathering Room) On Friday, April 27th, 2018 Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Supper finishes at 7:00 p.m. For more information call Christine Hunking MILITARY WHIST Friday, April 27th with play starting at 7:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. The sign-up sheet is in the fellowship hallway. For more information, contact Lee Chute or Carl Thomson. We are so pleased again to have our 3 Star Chef in Residence, Volkmar as consultant for our April 29 Community Meal. Volunteers are needed for shifts on Saturday morning, Sunday afternoon and early evening for meal preparation, serving and clean-up. We thank you for your time and resources in the arranging of this event. Sign-up sheets are available outside Fellowship Hall.

9 Upcoming Fund Raisers For all your gift card needs...auc is selling gift cards to a range of goods and services with a % of sales to benefit our ministries. Order forms and additional info available at the congregational meeting and bulletin board. Orders place the first Sunday of each month starting May 6. STAINED GLASS ORDERS now welcoming new orders for glass works crafted by the Classy Glass Lassies open now until May 6; contact Terri Sparling for more information MAY 5 SPRING POTLUCK & CONCERT WITH THE THREE BARITONES! Welcome spring with this awesome fellowship opportunity to break bread together with a potluck supper in Fellowship Hall followed by a concert with The Three Baritones featuring our well-loved Pirie! Look for posters for more details. Free will offering with all proceeds to support the ministries of Avondale United ELMIRA CHICKEN ORDERS order forms available in May for June pick up; contact Sarah Wigan for more information MAY 26 GIANT GARAGE SALE at Avondale United; more information forthcoming. Also Mom to Mom Sale put on by Avon Co-Op Nursery. Community Events Christian Resource Centre: Store hours, including summer hours, are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10 am 4 pm...wednesdays 9 am 5 pm. Spring Sale - until Friday, May

10 The 2 nd Annual CITY WIDE FOOD DRIVE May 6 th to 12 th. For the second year, the Stratford Food Banks and Sobeys are working in partnership to make sure no one goes hungry this summer. Our goal is 50,000 pounds of donated food! Local businesses, service organizations, schools, sports clubs and YOU are invited to join in this city wide effort to gather and stock our six Food Banks. A trailer will be located at Sobeys for donations of food items from 9 to 6 pm. There will be Door to Door Pick-ups by the high school students on May 9th, the rain date is May 10th. Each Food Bank, Avondale Food Shelf included, will receive a percentage of the donated items. Would you like to participate in this exciting city wide event? We need volunteers to help with the sorting of donations at the Rotary Complex May 14 to May 16 from 8 6 pm. If you are available for any amount of time on these dates please contact Anna at (519) or Carol Anne at (519) Please note that Kiwanis Festival is here until Wednesday April 25th. Your regular meeting space may not be available. Thank you in advance for your understanding. Kairos Blanket Exercise - Avondale United Church, Stratford Saturday, April 28, 2018, 1:00 4:00 pm The KAIROS Blanket Exercise is an interactive learning experience that teaches the Indigenous rights history we re rarely taught. Developed in response to the 1996 Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, which recommended education on Canadian-Indigenous history as one of the key steps to reconciliation, the Blanket Exercise covers over 500 years of history in a participatory workshop.

11 Standing on blankets that represent the land, participants walk through pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization and resistance. They are directed by trained facilitators, representing a narrator (or narrators) and the European colonizers. Kairos (is Greek for time ) is a community of churches, community organizations, and businesses seeking justice, peace, and right relationships. The Kairos link is The Blanket Exercise is found under Programs on the Kairos Home Page. The Blanket Exercise direct link is A link to the Kairos Blanket Exercise video is: The format of the Blanket Exercise presented at Avondale on Saturday, April 28 th is appropriate for adults. Blanket Exercise participants will take on the roles of Indigenous peoples in Canada. The program is approximately 3 hours and the maximum size of the group is between 45 and 50 people. Trained facilitators come from London. There is no cost to participants. Registration is required and spaces are limited. To register, contact Sheila Wolfe at wolfes@quadro.net or The last date to register is Monday, April 23. We would like to have a full group and thus plan to open the registration to others outside of Avondale Church. Thank you, Your Outreach Committee, Avondale United Church

12 SUNDAY April 23 - SUNDAY April 29 Today 10:00 Sunday Service Sanctuary 11:00 Congregational Meeting Sanctuary Refreshments & Fellowship Fellowship Hall Jr. Choir Practice Choir Room Monday 4:10 Mindfulness Meditation Sanctuary 6:00 Venturers Kitchen 6:30 Beavers 3rd Gathering Room 6:45 Cubs 3rd Fellowship Hall 7:00 AA (Women's Closed) Choir Room 7:00 The McCarroll Place AGM Library Tuesday 12:00 Lunch & Learn Fellowship Hallway 7:00 CFUW Choir Room 7:00 Venturers Meeting Room 7:00 Solid Ground - Bible Study Gathering Room 8:00 AA Fellowship Hall Wednesday 12:00 ABI Choir Room 5:30 Yoga Narthex 6:00 Meditation Library 6:30 Cubs 12th Fellowship Hall 7:00 Shout Sisters Gathering Room 7:00 Scouts 12th Meeting Room Thursday 1:00 CAS Library 2:30 Aktion Club Narthex 6:30 Stamp Club Gathering Room 6:30 Guides Fellowship Hall 7:00 Choir Practice Choir Room Friday 9:00 Staff Meeting Parlour 9:30 Food Shelf Food Shelf 5:00 Messy Church Gathering Room 7:00 Military Whist Fellowship Hall 8:00 AA Choir Room

13 Saturday 9:00 Music Practice Sanctuary 10:30 Blanket Exercise Fellowship Hall 7:00 CFUW Games Night Narthex Next Sunday 10:00 Sunday Service Sanctuary 11:00 Refreshments & Fellowship Fellowship Hall Jr. Choir Practice Choir Room 12:00 Greeters's workshop Parlour 5:00 Community Meal Fellowship Hall