Pentecost Sunday
May 23, 2021
Rev. Jim Ewing
Let me tell you a story...
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Matthew 18: 21 - 35
Parable of the unforgiving servant
21 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, how many times should I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Should I forgive as many as seven times?”
22 Jesus said, “Not just seven times, but rather as many as seventy-seven times. 23 Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle accounts, they brought to him a servant who owed him ten thousand bags of gold. 25 Because the servant didn’t have enough to pay it back, the master ordered that he should be sold, along with his wife and children and everything he had, and that the proceeds should be used as payment. 26 But the servant fell down, kneeled before him, and said, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I’ll pay you back.’ 27 The master had compassion on that servant, released him, and forgave the loan. 28 “When that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him one hundred coins. He grabbed him around the throat and said, ‘Pay me back what you owe me.’ 29 “Then his fellow servant fell down and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I’ll pay you back.’ 30 But he refused. Instead, he threw him into prison until he paid back his debt. 31 “When his fellow servants saw what happened, they were deeply offended. They came and told their master all that happened. 32 His master called the first servant and said, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you appealed to me. 33 Shouldn’t you also have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ 34 His master was furious and handed him over to the guard responsible for punishing prisoners, until he had paid the whole debt.
35 “My heavenly Father will also do the same to you if you don’t forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
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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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Pentecost is the day we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit on to Jesus' friends, the Disciples!
Has someone ever told you that God lives in your heart?
It's true, through the gift of the Holy Spirit!
Jesus promised His disciples to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit. After 50 days of waiting, a great wind swept through the room and little fires danced above their heads! The Holy Spirit is that fire and it loves in each of us!
It is God, guiding us throughout our day.
It is Jesus, helping us to be kind, strong, courageous and loving!
The Holy Spirit lives within our hearts and opens our eyes and ears to hear and see in new ways. The Spirit allows us to see God at work in the world and the Spirit calls us to DO God's work in the world!
The Holy Spirit is with us all and Pentecost is the day we celebrate this gift!
How do you see God in the world around you? How is God asking you to help Him do the work in the world?
Prayer
Dear God, Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Help me to see and hear you in all that I do! Amen.
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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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Betty Boyd
May 30
Send a Happy Birthday note!
5100 Sharon Road 168W
Charlotte, NC 28210
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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
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Rosalie Flynn Wright
May 19, 2021
We invite you to send notes of love and care to proud parents, Aaron and Carolyn and big sister, Sage! If you would like to assist Member Care with providing a meal, please contact Shea Barron for more information.
2706 Lytham Dr
Charlotte, NC 28210
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Ginny Katherine Pease
May 19, 2021
We invite you to send notes of love and care to proud parents, Sarah-Kate and Joe! If you would like to assist Member Care with providing a meal, please contact Shea Barron for more information.
5900 Doncaster Dr
Charlotte, NC 28211
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Prayer Requests
Graham Baakko & Family; Ron Crossley; Abigail Corriher; Jozsef Eyer; Stewart Farris; Claire Graham; Kim Kirk; Gail Love; Tim O'Neil; Rita Outland; Tina Sanderson; Sarah Sperry; Gail Trippodo; Courtney Williams & Family.
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If you know of any member concerns or needs, please email Jim.
Member Directory online...
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Pentecost Special Offering
PCUSA
"The Pentecost Offering unites us in a church-wide effort to support young people and inspire them to share their faith, ideas, and unique gifts with the church and the world." - PCUSA
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Scan the QR code above using your smart phone camera to pull up the Avondale giving webpage!
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.
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Worship Gathering - Small Groups |
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Did you know that the early church started in small groups, often within individual homes?
Starting today, we are offering 2-3 small group worship gatherings on the Avondale campus....think a "Worship Watch-Party" followed by a small group discussion on the scripture and sermon. Gatherings are limited to 10 or less participants. Masks are required at this time.
If you are interested in participating in one of these small group gatherings, use the link below to sign-up!
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Today we share with you that Jacqualine Howells, our Director of Finance for the last three years, is transitioning from Avondale to work with The Make a Wish Foundation. While she will be missed at Avondale, we celebrate that God is using her to continue to share her gifts to support and care for some of the most vulnerable in our community and around the country. Please join me in congratulating Jacqueline in this new opportunity. Her last day at the church will be May 31st. |
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The personnel Committee will be conducting interviews in the near future to fill this position, and any interested and qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. Please review the job description and contact Jessica Shanks if interested.
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Join Avondale families in celebrating the graduates in their lives. High school and college...the accomplishments are many. If you have a graduate that you would like to celebrate, please complete the form below!
Graduates will be recognized and celebrated Sunday, June 13th during worship!
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Avondale Presbyterian
2821 Park Rd.
Charlotte, NC 28209
Phone: 704-333-6194
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