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.

April 12, 2009.
Experiencing the Joy of the Cross
Hebrews 12:2
Worship Planner: Anita Lebold
Speaker: Herb Sawatzky

Available during the service…
A staffed Nursery Room is available for ages 0-23 months.
An unstaffed Toddler Nursery (Room 1) for ages 2-4.
SonShiners (during the message) for ages 2 up to Sr K.

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

Christian Education Hour for all Ages
There will be NO Christian Education classes this morning.

Everyone is invited to join us for an Easter Brunch following the Worship Service.

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This Week’s Birthdays…
Apr 16 - Eric Lemke
Apr 18 - Kathryn Martin
On your birthday, put coins or pennies in the Penny Power Jar.

This Week…
Tuesday - 7:00pm Volleyball for All ages.

Next Sunday:
Worship Planner - Chris Nisbet

Office Hours for the coming week:
Herb - Tues., Wed., Thurs. & Fri. (morning & afternoon)
Brenda - Mon., Thurs. and Fri. (9:00am - 12:00noon)

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

Avon Notices…

LT Minutes for Mar 10 are available below the mailboxes.

YOUTH…Wednesday, 7-9pm; Band practice followed by Focus and snack. Bring your music binders!
Attention Junior Youth: Sunday, April 19th event. Swimming at the Waterloo Rec Centre and devotions. Leave the church at 1:00; pick up at 6:30. Let Marion Dow know two days in advance if you are bringing a friend(s), or if any parents can drive. Bring your own lunch.

Women of Avon: The SPRING ENRICHMENT DAY will be held on Sat., April 18 at Steinmann Mennonite Church at Baden. Please check the Women of Avon Bulletin Board for details.

Gift Discernment Sunday - May 3rd. An Adult CE class on spiritual gifts will be held in the Multi-purpose room on April 19 & 26th, and the El Salvador mission team will host a fundraiser BBQ lunch on May 3rd.

Prayers: Joys & Requests…

Please pray for the many communities in North Dakota and Manitoba who are at
risk of Spring flooding or are coping with flooding due to the rapid rise of the Red River and other bodies of water.

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

Update from Finance Committee
Budget for 1st quarter 2009 $52,719.
(including Regular Offerings + Building Fund)
Receipts to March 31st      $43,363.
A copy of your giving record for the 1st quarter of 2009 has been placed in your mailbox.

Attention Ladies: If you are 13 years or older, and would like to play baseball with the ladies of the church, please let Kathy Martin know (519-272-2576 or markat@rogers.com). We play only Monday evenings and practice a few times before the season starts. We are getting new shirts this year. Call Sarah Kechnie (519-275-2826) with the size, and the name or a number you want put on it.

Avon Missions Trip Team raised $600 through Elmira poultry CHICKEN HAMBURGER SALES towards El Salvador missions trip. Thank you to all who contributed.
Pick up your order at Avon April 23 at 5pm or see the person from whom you ordered.
Thank you to all who attended the spaghetti dinner at Black Angus. Special thanks to the Avon volunteers who worked, baked, and promoted the event and sang for the event. Over $6,000 was raised for the children in El Salvador and through donations over 20 struggling friends from the community attended the dinner.

Keeping You Connected…

Tickets for the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale Promotion Dinner (Apr 13
at Bingeman Park Lodge) are now available from Amos & Mary Ellen Gerber. Cost: $10.

14th Annual Road Hockey Tournament, May 9 at Hidden Acres Camp (all proceeds help to send children to camp). Registration brochures are available beside the Youth Room. Register by May 2.

The Mennonite is the bi-monthly magazine for Mennonite Church USA. To receive a copy, please sign up on the bulletin board beside the Youth Room. The cost is $44.50 Cdn per year. Include your payment marked “The Mennonite” with your offering.

Opportunities in the Community…

Knox Presbyterian Church Woodstock is hosting a Steve Bell Concert April 17 at 7:30 pm. Tickets ($15) are available at Knox Church 519-537-2962 or at www.stevebell.com.Come celebrate God’s music! Greenwood Court invites you to attend their Annual Spring Fundraiser on April 17 with performances by Charlene Nafziger and Karen & Henry Zielinski. Tickets are $50 (with receipt of $35). Contact information is posted beside the Youth Room.

Youth for Christ Stratford invites you to be their guest at the annual Fundraising Banquet, April 25 at Arden Park Hotel. Singer-songwriter, Ali Matthews will be featured and new this year “Themed Basket Silent Auction.” Details and a sign-up sheet are posted beside the Youth Room.

Grief Support Groups for Adults and Children are again being offered in Stratford this Spring. For the specifics, please take a brochure posted beside the Youth Room.

Rekindled Relations a Shalom Retreat with Sandi & Gerry Rumold, April 16-19 at Riverstone Retreat Centre, Durham, ON. For details and to register see the brochures posted beside the Youth Room.

Fraser Lake Camp is hosting the 13th Annual Fundraising Dinner and Auction, April 18, 6 pm at Parkview Auditorium in Stouffville. Tickets are $50/person. Please RSVP to eric@fraserlakecamp.com or 905-642-2964.