September 18, 2022

In-person and Online at 10 AM

Sermon "Lessons from Unlikely Places"

Luke 16: 1-33

Rev. Dr. Tom Robinson, Guest Pastor

The Parable of the Dishonest Manager

16 Then Jesus[a] said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. 2 So he summoned him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management because you cannot be my manager any longer.’ 3 Then the manager said to himself, ‘What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.’ 5 So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 He answered, ‘A hundred jugs of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.’ 7 Then he asked another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘A hundred containers of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill and make it eighty.’ 8 And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly, for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth[b] so that when it is gone they may welcome you into the eternal homes.[c]

10 “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much, and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. 11 If, then, you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth,[d] who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? 13 No slave can serve two masters, for a slave will either hate the one and love the other or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”[e]

Sharing in God's Abundance

Our 2023 Stewardship campaign began last week. Please see our Stewardship team table before or following worship today to pick-up your packet. Stewardship packets not picked-up will be mailed.

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. We look forward to knowing you and the opportunity to share with you how God is working through the Avondale community. A member of our Outreach Ministry Team will contact you soon!

Let us give thanks to God!

The financial gifts you give today are used for God’s ministry here at Avondale and beyond. There are many ways to give - auto-draft, mail to the church, Sunday offering plate, and online giving using this link or scan the QR Code above.

Member Care Corner

Prayer Requests

Hannah Caddell; Anthony Corriher; Maurice Ewing; Jozsef Eyer; Caroline Farris; Tommy Gribble; James Higgs; Kim Kirk; Wendy McCreery; Drew Milholland; Homer Myers; Kendale Nicholes; Tim O'Neil; Cathy Norris; Ulli Otto; Rita Outland; Betty Patterson; Family of Mike Page; Reed Family; Corey Shanks, Jessica Shanks and all the Shanks Family; David Waller; Courtney Williams & Family.

Church Triumphant

With deep sadness we share that Maurice Ewing (76) of Blowing Rock, NC, the father of Rev. Jim Ewing (Carrie),

joined the Church Triumphant Sunday, September 11, 2022. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church in Blowing Rock with a reception to follow. For more details, see the obituary. Please join us in keeping Jim and the Ewing family and friends in your prayers.

Member Directory

Our online edition is updated regularly.

Need the password? Email Caroline Starnes.

Prefer a paper copy of the member directory?

We can provide one! Contact the office or see OLIVIA MAGEE on Sunday to obtain a copy.

Mission & Ministry Corner

Gifts of Service

There are opportunities to serve throughout the church and beyond.

To share your time and talents, see the link. 

Serve with ACE Ministry

Volunteer with the Kids Café program or the After School program. 

Help the kids with homework, be a Reading Buddy, or give a presentation about a career. Read more about these at avondalepresbychurch.org/post/ace-the-new-school-year 

Worship – Greeters, Setup, Read Liturgy – sign-up here

Nursery – Sundays from 9:45-12 for 3 and under - email Bonnie Howard

Avondale Adventures - help with the meal, sit with the kids, etc.. - email Rich Stanley

Kid’s Café – see details and contact

ACE After School Program – see details and contact

Lunches for Homeless neighbors – sign-up here

Congregational Life Fall Bash – help with event on Sat, Oct 29 – email Marian Stout 

Music Ministry – Choir, Handbells - email Rich Stanley

Taize – email Ted Todd 

Office Support – email Cheryl Judd-Magee

Announcements

Sacred Space Art: 3 new classes!

Nourish your creative self!

Offerings coming soon: 

Jewelry Class - Sept 26

Intro Calligraphy - begins Oct 15

Painting Our Prayers - several dates

Find more details on our website and sign-up!

avondalepresbychurch.org/sacredspace

Avondale Adventures

REGISTRATION IS OPEN

The next Adventure begins Oct 5!

Sign up your children for BIG FUN! Registration is open now through Sept 27. This program brings Bible lessons, music, crafts, activities, dinner and loads of fun. Find out why kids have been returning again and again! 

Vendor Info Now Open

For the fourth year, Avondale will celebrate the talents and gifts of local artisans with the annual Christmas Marketplace at Avondale. 

We are ready to begin registering vendors for our 4th annual market to be held December 3. Previous vendors, watch your email for a letter from Cheryl Judd-Magee. New vendors, check out our Interest Form on our website!  

PWA Bible Study - Oct 4

Join other women at Avondale for a time of study and fellowship. The next Bible study meeting is Tuesday, October 4 at 1 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Gatherings following this will be on the 1st Tuesday at 1 PM.

Music Ministry

Join the Choir or Handbell Choir! You don't have to be an expert. We welcome all skill levels. 

Adult Choir rehearsals are 

Wednesdays 7:30-8:30 PM

beginning August 31

Handbell Choir rehearsals are Sundays  4-5:15 PM

beginning September 11

Children's Ministry on Sundays

Click the box below to learn about navigating Sundays with babies and children at Avondale. Learn about the nursery, activity bags, and Sunday school.

Please complete the Sunday School form if your child goes. It's short!

Masks & COVID-19

Read the Session's approved recommendation made by the COVID Safety Task Force regarding COVID-19 and masks.