Palm Sunday
March 28, 2021
Rev. Jim Ewing
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"Peace That Comes From A Parade" |
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Mark 11: 1 - 5
Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
11 When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” 4 They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, 5 some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?”
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Palm Sunday
Today!
9:30 AM Palm Sunday Worship broadcast on YouTube! Featured in the service will be the ACC children, singing and parading with palms of joy!
Egg Hunt
12 PM in the Sacred Garden
Young children and their families are invited to join us in the Garden for an Egg Hunt and Fellowship! Feel free to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy afterwards in the Garden!
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Maundy Thursday
April 1
We invite you to drop-in for a Stations of the Cross event, held in the Sacred Garden. Journey to the cross with Christ, using scripture readings, confessions and prayer.
The stations will be available from
10 AM - 7 PM.
Communion will be served from
12-1 PM and 6-7 PM.
A virtual, Maundy Thursday, Taizé service will be shared at 7 PM.
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Good Friday
April 2
Take a walk, Receive the bread of life and Give life!
Our Stations of the Cross event will continue on Friday from 10 AM - 7 PM. In addition, you are invited to, give the gift of life! On the day of Christ's crucifixion, Avondale will host a life giving event- a blood bank! The American Red Cross will set up a socially distanced blood donation bank from 10 AM - 2:30 PM in the FLC. Communion will be served during the time of the drive.
Volunteers are needed to help check-in donors. If you are interested, please contact Ann Sanders.
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Holy Saturday
April 3
Avondale's labyrinth is a sacred path. A path that holds the spiritual and prayerful steps of many in our community. Drop in from 2 PM - 4 PM. Ted Todd will be available to teach you more about our labyrinth and the traditional ways in which to walk it.
Come! Be a "Pilgrim," a religious traveler on a journey, spending time reflecting on Jesus' journey and your own.
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Followed by our 9:30 AM Worship broadcast on YouTube, we have planned for two in-person, outdoor Easter Meditation Service and flowering of the Cross in the Sacred Garden at 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM! Easter Brunch will be served at 12 PM. Please bring a chair or blanket for seating. In compliance with state and county recommendations, we continue to require the use of face coverings, social distancing and will cap the sign-up at 50 people for the outdoor gathering. Please use this link to sign-up and find further information.
*Please note that once this sign-up is full, a second service opportunity and sign-up sheet will be shared.
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Did you catch the sign language in worship last Sunday during the Song of Confession? We have created a tutorial of the signs for the song “Have Mercy God Upon My Life” and invite you to learn the signs and participate every Sunday during Lent. We are also inviting you to submit home videos of you and your family participating with us. You will find a tutorial video and further instructions using the picture link above! |
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Download a digital copy of the Lenten devotional using the picture link above.
Morning Devotional
The Morning Devotional group is now reading from our Lenten Devotional. Join us live on Zoom every weekday morning at 7 AM or watch the recording posted to our social media pages and YouTube channel.
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Thank you for joining us in worship!
If you are interested in hearing more about Avondale, please take a moment to fill out our Next Steps form!
Our next new member/inquirer class starts soon!
April 20th & 27th / 7 PM - 8:45PM on Zoom
Sign-up using the link below!
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We look forward to hearing from you and the opportunity to share how God is working through the Avondale community! |
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Children's Moment
Parents, read over the lesson below and use it to stir conversation as a family!
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Think back on big adventures and places you have been. What has been your favorite trip? How did you get there?
Jesus took many trips during His life on earth, but during that time they did not have cars, trains and planes. If they wanted to go anywhere, they had to walk! Can you imagine taking a trip, so you pack your things and instead of getting in a car, you start walking? Jesus and His disciples took a big trip into the city of Jerusalem for the celebration of Passover. They walked most of the way and then Jesus asked the disciples to get Him a donkey to ride. As he drew closer, people began to line the streets to welcome Him, waving Palm branches and shouting, "Hosanna"!
Why do you think they were waving palm branches and what does Hosanna mean?
Palms were a sign of victory and triumph. The people of Jerusalem had heard of Jesus and His many miracles. They knew He was special and so they celebrated His entrance. As Jesus approached they shouted "Hosanna", meaning Savior and threw down their jackets and palm branches as to not let Jesus or His donkey walk on the dirty ground. This was a symbol of great hospitality and love!
How do you show your love and appreciation for people in your life?
Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank you for your many miracles. May we continue to celebrate your love and your work forever. Amen.
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A Presbytery of Charlotte Mission Ministry
Helping to reduce hunger and relieve suffering in Charlotte and surrounding areas!
And Peter said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” -Gospel of John 21: 15-17
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Getting Together to Help Our Homeless Neighbors
last Tuesday @4 PM
Mar 30, Apr 27, May 25
Join us for this opportunity to serve our neighbors together! We will gather in the Fellowship Hall with a table for each socially distanced participant and have all the supplies you need. Masks required.
A maximum of 10 people are needed for each session and slots fill fast! Sign-up today using this link!
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There are 5 spots still available for this week! |
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"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart."
Jeremiah 1:5
It is with great joy that we share the news of the arrival of Bennett and Anson Stephenson! We invite you to send notes of love and care to proud parents, Brielle and Nathan! If you would like to assist Member Care with providing a meal, please contact Leslie Saleeby for more information.
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Claire Graham
March 29
Send a Happy Birthday note!
1021 Heather Lane
Charlotte, NC 28209
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Avondale Baby Blessing Basket
We celebrate with great joy and anticipation the arrival of three new babies within Avondale during the month of March and April! Member Care invites you to share in this excitement by signing up to contribute to a Baby Blessing Basket to be delivered to the families just prior or shortly after their arrivals. The sign-up includes diapers, wipes and their most frequented grocery stores and take-out restaurants. Items can be dropped off at the church office on or before April 4!
When dropping off, please assign a card or sticky note indicating the family each gift is intended for!
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If you know of any member concerns or needs, please email Jim.
Member Directory online...
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Prayer Requests
Lee Ballard; Callaway Family; Abigail Corriher; Jozsef Eyer; Kim Kirk; Gail Love; Marilyn Nolan; Tim O'Neil; Rita Outland; Tina Sanderson; Sarah Sperry; Gail Trippodo; Donnell Washington; Wilkerson Family.
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2021 Easter Gifts - Memorials & Honorariums |
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Remembering loved ones who reside within the church triumphant is natural on Easter Day. This year, as with years past, there are opportunities to honor or remember loved ones by supporting a particular mission or project. |
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We invite you to make a contribution in memory and honor of loved ones. Gifts will help replenish our Facilities Fund which is used for capital improvements of our church property. We thank God for the many mission opportunities provided by our property and facilities. |
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A gift to One Great Hour of Sharing enables the church to share God’s love with our neighbors in need around the world by providing relief to those affected by natural disasters, providing food to the hungry, and helping empower the poor and oppressed. |
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Your Avondale Pledge
For those of you who contribute to your pledge through the offering plate on Sunday, there are many opportunities to fulfill your commitment including, mailing a check, PayPal or a one-time or reoccurring bank draft. Drafts can be setup or changed at anytime. Please contact Jacqueline for more information.
Using the link below, you may contribute to your 2021 pledge or make a gift to the church.
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Avondale Adventures
Registration for our spring Avondale Adventures program is open! This long running program of Avondale provides a Wednesday evening time of Bible, choir, games and outdoor picnics for our children ages 3 years through 5th grade. The Adventure begins April 14 so hurry over to the website for further details and registration!
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SURVEY for Virtual and In-Person Small Group and Worship Gatherings
Although we are still unsure of when the congregation may return to in-person worship, leadership at Avondale recognizes the importance of offering a variety of safe and creative opportunities for worship, fellowship, and study together. We are currently exploring possibilities for additional small group and worship gatherings and the Worship and Christian Nurture teams would like your feedback! Please take a moment to complete the survey below and do not hesitate to reach out to Amanda if you have any questions at amandajshanks@gmail.com.
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