Avon Mennonite Church
We’re glad you’re here!

Our service begins at 9:15 a.m.

…called to connect people with the living God
and walk together in the light of His presence.

December 30, 2007.
Feasting
~ John 2:1-12 ~
Speaker: Herb Sawatzky
Worship Leader: Greg Wideman

Available during the service…
The Nursery Room is available, unstaffed, for parents and children.
SonShiners (during the message for ages 2 up to Sr K.)

Join us for Fellowship Time in the Multi-Purpose Room after the service.

Christian Education Hour for All Ages will resume January 13, 2008.

This Week’s Birthdays..
Dec 30 - Wayne Baer
Jan 2 - Jason Thiel
On your birthday, put coins or pennies in the Penny Power Jar.

This Week…

Worship Planner next Sunday - Jeanine Clarke

Office Hours for the coming week:
Herb - Mon., Wed., & Thurs. (morning & afternoon)
Brenda - Wed & Thurs. (9:00 am - 12 noon)
Melissa - Mon & Wed, at home (12-2pm)

Background information to Visual Worship Enhancement is posted on the bulletin board beside the Library.

Avon Notices…

Men’s Fellowship Breakfast. Meeting for breakfast at Arden Park, 8:30 am Saturday, Jan 12, 2008. Join us for a casual time of fellowship and a hardy breakfast. All men welcome. Invite a friend. Hope to see you there.

Prayers: Joys & Requests…

Please pray for Norm & Lillian Nicolson, as they return to Burkina Faso on January 7 after a time of study in North Carolina then back to Canada in December. Pray that they will be prepared mentally, emotionally and spiritually and able to recognize and accept God’s guidance.

We wish to express our sincere thanks and appreciation for the many acts of kindness extended to us during the difficult days around the death of Bill’s mom, Helen Kechnie. We were truly blessed by your love & care!
Bill, Brenda, Sarah & Aaron Kechnie

Please contact the church office (519-273-2261) with prayer requests for the bulletin by Thursday, 6:00 pm.

Leadership Team Update
Youth Ministry: A review committee has been struck and will be communicating with the congregation before February about pending process, including how your input will be invited. Your prayers are invited as Campbell Nisbet (Chair), Suzanne Piper, and Earl Martin begin this important work to review Melissa Kirby as is scheduled in her Memo of Understanding.

Contract Renewal for Pastor Herb: In the month of January Leadership Team has scheduled two Congregational meetings to consider Herb’s contract renewal (his contract ends in July of 2008). You are invited to an input meeting on January 6th at 7pm in the Auditorium where L-Team will listen to congregational members before formulating a recommendation to be considered on January 20th, at 7:00pm. Please plan to attend and keep L-team members and Herb in your prayers through this time. Please see the minutes for more detailed information. Copies are available on the shelf below the mailboxes

My Group - Youth
Christmas Break… Focus will resume January 9 at 6:30 pm. Happy Holidays!

Update from Finance Committee
Regular offerings to date (2007 budget - 183,916.67)
To Nov 30 $127,136.28
Dec 2 2,029.50
Dec 9 4,260.30
Dec 16 3,566.00
Dec 23 5,752.25
Dec 24 120.00
Year to date $142,864.33 77.7 % of budget
Building Fund to date (2007 budget - 20,901.00)
To Nov 30 $11,038.22
Dec 2 340.00
Dec 9 - 0 -
Dec 16 110.00
Dec 23 900.00
Year to date $12,388.22 59.3% of budget
Today’s offering is the last one for this year and as you can see we are far from reaching budget. If anyone still is willing and able to make an extra donation in 2007, you can bring your gift to Bernie Mason or George Schroeder by mid afternoon on Monday. Thank you to all of our regular supporters and special thanks those of you who topped up your regular offerings.

Greenwood Court has bought new serving tables for the use of Greenwood and Avon Church. Available are four (4) 8-foot tables for anyone who could use them. Please contact Frank Hiemstra by Jan 1, or they will be donated.

Summer, 2008 Service Project - Mission Commission is planning an inter-generational service project for the summer. Please be prayerfully consider your own involvement, or encourage someone else to participate!

Keeping you connected…

The MCC 26th Annual Heifer Sale is scheduled for February 22, 2008 at Carson’s Auction Service in Listowel. All proceeds to MCC. To donate a heifer contact Clarence Diefenbacher 519-669-2164 or to make a monetary donation mail cheques, payable to Ont Mennonite Relief Sale, to 50 Kent Ave., Kitchener, ON N2G 3R1

Mennonite Foundation of Canada has an opening for an Administrative Assistant/Receptionist in Kitchener. Details are posted beside the Youth Room.

You are invited to a farewell for Arli Klassen, Executive Director, MCC Ontario on Jan 20, 2:00pm at Breslau Mennonite Church.

EvenSong: A Vesper Hymn Fest. The Menno Singers invite you to a hymn sing on two Sunday evenings, Jan 13 and Feb 10, 2008. A poster with details for both evenings is posted beside the Youth Room

Opportunities in the Community…

Stratford-Perth Habitat for Humanity is looking for families to purchase current and future Habitat builds in Stratford and Perth County. To apply: 519-273-7155 or familyselection@habitatstratfordperth.ca

Walk Thru the Old Testament Emmanuel Bible College is presenting this seminar on Feb 9, 8:30am - 3:00pm. Details for registering are posted beside the Youth Room.