March 14, 2021
Rev. Jim Ewing
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Mark 8: 25 - 38
25 Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he looked intently and his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 Then he sent him away to his home, saying, “Do not even go into the village.”
27 Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29 He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” 30 And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. 31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” 34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
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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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Easter
April 4
We are excited to share the opportunity for an in-person, outdoor Easter Meditation Service and flowering of the Cross in the Sacred Garden! 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!
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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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Do you or does someone you know wear glasses? Do you know anyone who is unable to see at all and is considered blind?
Jesus was amazing! Sometimes he would speak and incredible things would happen. Sometimes people needed to be touched by Jesus to be healed. In this story, Jesus touched a man two times before the man was better.
Jesus and his disciples traveled into the town of Bethsaida. People brought a man to Jesus who could not see. They begged Jesus to touch him. Jesus took the man's hand and led him out of town. When they were alone, Jesus put his own spit on the man's eyes and touched him. "Can you see anything?" Jesus asked the man. "Yes," the man answered. "I see people. But they don't really look like people. They look more like trees that are walking." Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes again. Jesus looked right into his eyes. Suddenly, the man could see perfectly. "I can see!" said the man. "Jesus healed me!"
-From PCUSA Story Book Bible, "Growing in God's Love!"
Imagine for a moment you are blind! Tie a bandana around your eyes and attempt a typical daily activity without the gift of sight. How does it feel? What kinds of things are more difficult? Notice your hearing, smell and touch, is it better? What changes did you make that helped you accomplish the task?
Now that you know a bit more about the challenges someone who is visually impaired is facing, what are some ways you could be helpful to differently abled people? How can you touch someone?
Prayer
Jesus, Thank you for your healing touch! Help me to notice how I can be helpful to others throughout my day. Amen
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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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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
Ed Ballard; Abigail Corriher; Jozsef Eyer; Travis & Mindy Ferguson & Family; Claire Graham; Paula Huffines & Family; Kim Kirk; Gail Love; Marilyn Nolan; Mary Hall & The family of Warren Nolan; Tim O'Neil; Rita Outland; Privette Family; Tina Sanderson; Sarah Sperry; Gail Trippodo.
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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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The 2020 Annual Report was received and approved by the congregation on Sunday, March 7th at the Annual Meeting. Using the picture link above, read about the ways in which God worked through Avondale in 2020. |
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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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