Our Staff

Rev. Choongho Kwon Senior Pastor

Judy Everley Congregation Care Minister

Mark Keeney Program and Bell Choir Director

Sandra Smith Secretary

Taylor Tracy Choir Director

John Livingston Organist

Rachel Phelps Nursery Attendant

Kathryn Boman Nursery Attendant

Carrie Cerra Nursery Attendant

Two Spiritual Disciplines

I pray with the Serenity Prayer daily as I mentioned in the previous newsletter. Praying daily is the first step for good spiritual health. As our physical body needs regular exercise, so our spiritual muscle needs regular spiritual disciplines. Prayer is the first spiritual discipline. I hope the first step is going well with you, too.

How is your Bible reading going on? Reading the Bible is the next step. I hope you still find a time and space you can read the Bible daily. The current sermon series - “How to Read the Bible” - is to support your spiritual discipline.

If you want to learn more about how to read the Bible or share your meditation with others, please, join in a Sunday School class or a Bible study group. A new 4-week Monday Bible study course is open. We’ll discuss the theme of previous Sunday sermon each week. (If you are not able to join in because of the class schedule - Mon., 2:00 PM -, please, contact me by email. I am willing to open another class in either an early morning or evening based on your need.) Also, you can join in our existing adult Sunday school classes or Tuesday Bible study group.

There is a new class for young adults Tony McBroom and I had the first meeting of young adult Bible study group last Wednesday evening. We are thinking of establishing a monthly young adult meeting on Thursday evenings.

Two spiritual disciplines are the foundation of our spiritual life. When we are spiritually healthy, we can invite others to Christ and help them to live as disciples of Christ, too.

You have many spiritual gifts. Missions and ministry programs of Avondale UMC are not available without your gifts. What I hope is that you focus on using your gifts to practice your spiritual disciplines and keep spiritual health.

I pray for you to “Live as a disciple making new disciples of Christ.”

In Christ

Choongho Kwon

Avondale UMC - A place for spiritual enrichment through participation in a caring church family.

Newsletters are published every 2nd

and 4th Monday, unless noted otherwise.

FEBRUARY 12, 2018

Congratulations to the

Avondale UMC congregation for

completing 100% of its conference

apportionments! (See the attach-

ment/insert in this newsletter from

Rev. Cindy Buhman.)

Being Faithful

PAGE 2 AVONDALE AMBASSADOR

JANUARY 14, 2018

Our Presence 8:30 a.m. Sunday Worship ............................... 10 10:50 a.m. Sunday Worship ............................. 34 Sunday School .................................................. 34

JANUARY 21, 2018 Our Presence 8:30 a.m. Sunday Worship ............................... 33 10:50 a.m. Sunday Worship ............................. 69 Sunday School .................................................. 55

Memorial A contribution has been given to the Library Fund in memory of Ellen Engel by her family. A contribution has been given in memory of Margaret Wimberley by Nancy Mehl. A contribution has been given in memory of Ellen Engel by Nancy Mehl.

Prayers Requested The family of Margaret Wimberley

Billy Taylor Mary Hickernell

Sandy Buschmann

FYI: Look for the insert/attachment in this week’s newsletter from Valerie Goodman, Missions Chairperson. The announcement highlights all of the Mission Committee’s good works throughout 2017 and a hint of what’s to come in 2018. Thanks to Valerie and the Missions Committee for everything they do!

Rev. Choongho Kwon

Thank you to everyone for all the cards, visits and prayers for Mark. He is home now and we are still working through setting up care for him at home.

Mark, Debbie and Madison Wear Thanks so much to the Avondale UMC carolers who came caroling to us in the afternoon of December 17th. What a joy it was to see and hear them spread God's love with their radiant smiles and beautiful voices. Also, thanks for the new tree ornaments which were put on our tree and added to our collection. We also wish to thank the Elizabeth Guild for the adorable little Christmas tree which is sitting on the coffee table in our family room. We are truly blessed and pray that God will bless each of you and yours now and forever. The Bill Taylor Family

Upcoming Meetings at AUMC

Thursday, January 25, 6:00 p.m.: PPRC in Con-temporary Life Thursday, January 25, 7:00 p.m.: Trustees in Con-temporary Life Sunday, January 28, Noon: Church Council in Wesley Hall Tuesday, January 30, 7:00 p.m. Education in Con-temporary Life

Please remember to wear your name tags. If you are new to Avondale UMC and need a name tag, please contact the church office.

PAGE 3 AVONDALE AMBASSADOR SEPTEMBER 26, 2016

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25

10:30 a.m. Prayer Team in Chapel 6:00 p.m. PPRC meeting in Contemporary Life 7:00 p.m. Trustees meeting in Contemporary Life

SUNDAY, JANUARY 28 Noon: Church Council meeting in Wesley Hall

MONDAY, JANUARY 29

2:00 p.m. “Bible Babel” Class in Contemporary Life

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30: No Staff Meeting Today 1:00 p.m. Bible Study in Contemporary Life 7:00 p.m. Education meeting in Contemporary Life

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31 6:00 p.m. Jubilee Ringers in Choir Room 7:00 p.m. Cathedral Choir in Choir Room

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1

10:30 a.m. Prayer Team in Chapel 1:00 p.m. Threads of Love in Chapel

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4 10:50 a.m. Children’s Church

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5 2:00 p.m. Bible Study in Contemporary Life

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6 1:00 p.m. Bible Study in Contemporary Life 2:00 p.m. Staff meeting in Pastor’s Office

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7 6:00 p.m. Jubilee Ringers in Choir Room 7:00 p.m. Cathedral Choir in Choir Room

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8 10:30 a.m. Prayer Team in Chapel

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9 9:30 a.m. NCWU in Contemporary Life

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12 10:00 a.m. Newsletter deadline 2:00 p.m. Bible Study in Contemporary Life

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13 1:00 p.m. Bible Study in Contemporary Life

THRIFT SHOP HOURS 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday

12 to 3 p.m. Saturdays

Souper-bowl of Soups!

Sunday, February 4, the NFL will be having the Super Bowl. But here at Avondale UMC, we’ll be having our Souper-bowl. We’re looking for cooks that will provide a crockpot of soup for our annual youth fundraiser. There will be voting to see who is the Super Soup Cook of Avondale. In addition to soups, we’d like to have donations of desserts, veggie trays, etc. If you’d like to participate in the contest and/or donate, please call Suzy Conaway And, of course, EVERYONE is invited to sample the great offerings of our Souper Cooks.

Youth WOW!

The WOW! Weekend that Tony, Caitlyn, Savannah, Sydney, Stephen and I went to Saturday and Sunday was, well WOW!

LOTS of music, great speakers, fun games and even some quiet sharing times made for an energetic, fun, spiritual experience.

I felt one of the high points was the talk by Bishop Bob Farr. He challenged our kids (and adults, too) to find our vocations. At least one of our kids was busily scribbling ideas she was having for energizing our church youth while Bishop Farr was speaking. He was obviously inspiring some of the kids there!

The theme for the weekend was 2 Thessalonians 2:17 – “May he (Jesus) encourage your hearts and give you strength in every good thing you do or say.”

Although I’m exhausted today, my heart was definitely encouraged and strengthened with our great group of kids. It was a really big WOW!

Suzy Conaway

Current calendar information is always available at www.avondalemethodist.org

Avondale United Methodist Church

3101 NE Winn Road

Kansas City, MO 64117

Phone: 816-452-3518

Early Worship 8:30 a.m.

Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship 10:50 a.m.

Email: avondaleumc@gmail.com

Website: www.avondalemethodist.org

https://www.facebook.com/AvondaleUMCkcmo/

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY: We will try to inform the congregation by email if we decide it’s necessary to cancel worship service(s), meet-ings, and/or office hours. Please remember those who do not have email and give them a call. Always be safe and use your own judgement about street conditions.

Special Days In February

*Black History Month — February 1-28, 2018

*Groundhog Day — February 2, 2018

*Transfiguration Sunday — February 11, 2018

*Ash Wednesday — February 14, 2018

*Valentine's Day — February 14, 2018

*Presidents' Day — February 19, 2018

Community Meals Are Back!

The Community Meals are back. Last month’s meal was well attended, even though it was a very cold evening. The next meal is February 21, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Wesley Hall. Everyone is invited, including friends and neighbors. Thanks to our cooks and kitchen crew for hosting the meals.