Avondale eNews - March 20, 2024

Holy Week

Easter Gifts

Remember loved ones who reside within the church triumphant or honor someone special on this Easter Day by making an Easter Gift. This year, your gift(s) can be made to support one of the following funds:

Facilities Fund

We thank God for the many mission opportunities our property and facilities allow us to do. Joyfully, let us come together to replenish our Facilities Fund, enabling us to do the work of the Kingdom.

One Great Hour of Sharing

The three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing - Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People - all work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope.

Handbell Restoration

Avondale has a beautiful set of handbells which are in need of repair. Many of the handbells have parts that are wearing out and refurbishment is needed before they are no longer playable. Consider a gift to support the music ministry of the church.

Contributions made in memory of and in honor of loved ones will be published as part of our Easter service and in the eNews the deadline to be included in this publication is Tuesday, March 26th.

Make An Easter Gift

Palm Sunday Worship

Join us on Sunday, March 24, 2024, for worship on Palm Sunday. The Children of Avondale Adventures will be sharing music from the Spring Season of Avondale Adventures and the Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held after worship in the Sacred Garden.

Annual Easter Egg Hunt

The Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Sunday, March 24, 2024, after worship in the Sacred Garden. We are in need of candies and Easter Eggs! Please bring candy (NO candy with peanuts or peanut butter please) and Easter Eggs to worship or to the office before Wednesday, March 20th. We hope you will join us for an "Eggstraordinary" time!

Maundy Thursday Cantata: "When Darkness Comes"

On Thursday, March 28th, the choir will lead us in a Holy Week Cantata at 7pm in the Fellowship Hall, providing an opportunity for reflection and renewal. Experience the story of Holy Week with reverence and awe through music! We will also livestream this event.

Good Friday Blood Drive: March 29

10 am to 2:30 pm

The American Red Cross will return this year on Good Friday to hold a blood drive in our Family Life Center. Scan the QR code to make an appointment.

Every two seconds, someone in the US needs blood. Just one donation can save more than one life! We look forward to seeing you there.

Stations of the Cross

Go on a journey to the cross with Christ, using scripture readings, confessions, and prayer. The Stations of the Cross will be held on Good Friday, March 29th, from 10am to 2:30pm, in the Sacred Garden. Concurrently, the Good Friday Blood Drive will be held in the Family Life Center, so don't forget to make your appointment!

Easter Sunday

Join us on Sunday, March 31st, at 10am in the Family Life Center as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ! As always, we will be flowering the cross as a part of our worship on Easter Sunday. Some flowers will be provided, but please bring flowers from your home garden as we participate in this meaningful worship experience.

Upcoming Events

Avondale Senior Adults Program (ASAP)

ASAP will meet on Thursday March 21, 2024 (please note the change of date) in the Fellowship Hall. We will enjoy a delicious luncheon together. You will be called for a reservation. Please remember your pop tabs. We have also received a request from Sedgefield Middle School and they are in need of boxes of Kleenex. Please bring a box of tissues so we can help them out this spring. If available, we will also be filling Easter Eggs for the Palm Sunday Easter Egg Hunt. We need a lot of help! All the Eggs and goodies will be provided. We just need helping hands. If you have any questions, reach out to Brenda.

Property Work Day

Spend some time outdoors, sprucing up the property, on Property Work Day, Saturday, March 23, 2024 from 9am to 1pm. The Property Team hopes to accomplish several tasks this Spring:

Roof and Gutter cleaning
Clean-out and Repair downspouts and water barrel tie-ins on FLC
Tree and Shrubbery Trimming
Window cleaning around FLC entrances
Plantings for pots at FLC entrance and in front of Office
Weeding in Sacred Garden in front of fountain
Pressure washing sidewalks, particularly in front of Sanctuary (Very Slick)

We are always looking for people to do general and basic cleaning as well. Regardless of ability, there is a job for everyone! Email Todd Oswald for additional information.

Opportunities to Serve

Volunteers Needed

Room in the Inn continues! Thanks to all who are helping to ensure our homeless neighbors have a warm and safe place to stay for the night. We still need many volunteers throughout the season! Please consider how God is calling you to serve and provide hospitality to our homeless neighbors.

Help continue the legacy of Max Shanks at the 2nd Annual Kick It To The Max event on April 21st. Kickball, live music, food, and fun(draising)! Proceeds will benefit Take the Trip Foundation, Charlotte Bike Camp, and the Max Shanks Scholarship Fund right here at Avondale Children's Center.

Visit the event website for more info about sponsorships, tickets, and directions to the MARA Complex. Register by April 6th!

The ACC is Hiring

The Avondale Children's Center is a 5-star rated childcare center which serves up to 78 children, from 3 months to 5 years old. The ACC is blessed to have a talented, dedicated staff of Early Childhood Professionals, and they are hiring! If you know someone who loves children please call the center at 704.377.6960 to speak with Dawn or Millie.

Worship at Avondale

Coming up on Sunday, March 24, 2024

Join us for worship on March 24th at 10AM as we continue the season of Lent. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to stay up-to-date on all of our most recent video uploads. Livestreams are scheduled each week and will appear at the top of our YouTube Channel as "Upcoming Live Streams" and under the "Live" tab.

YouTube Channel

Staff News

Rev. Jim on Vacation

Rev. Jim will be out of town the week after Easter for a much needed vacation with family.

Office Closures

Reminder that the church office will be closed in observance of Good Friday and Easter on March 29 and April 1.

Member News

Prayer List

Judy Durfey; Melinda Shamblin; Dennis Martin; Friends and family of Caroline White; Bill, Anne and Daniel Caudill; Camille Goode; Fran McCoy; Ulli Otto; family of Mike Page; Lindsey DeBorde; Amanda and Eric Shanks; Betsy and Rick Shanks; Corey, Jessica and Griffin Shanks.

Connect With Us

Please do not hesitate to request prayers from Avondale for the joys or concerns on your heart. We encourage you to let us know of any sickness, crisis, or situation where we can provide support or care. You may contact Rev. Jim Ewing. We will keep prayer requests on this list for four weeks. Please let us know if you would like them extended.

Welcome New Members!

Amanda & Dave Cascalenda

Sue Robinson

Aaron Merchen

Our next Next Steps class will meet again on

May 5th.

Stay tuned for further details.

Derek & Kelli Miloff and Shea

Jacob Wilmot

Emily Christenbury

Sophia

Member Directory

Do you use the directory often? Do you prefer a paper copy? We can provide one.

If desired, please contact the office. We will print a copy and mail it to you. Or, open the UPDATED Directory here (same password as the website). Email Fay for a password, printed copy, or updates.