Avondale United Methodist Church

Hello Beautiful Ones! It is a cold January Morning - too cold for us all to congregate safely - so as promised we are gathering to worship Virtually! Please grab a warm coffee, a thick blanket, and let us worhip as one from the sanctuary of our homes.

As a reminder, you can find a link for the current worship guide on https://avondalemethodist.org/ Scroll down to the blue band, look for the dark blue box, and click HERE.

Consider contributing to the ministries of AUMC. You may send your gift to the church at 3101 NE Winn Rd., Kansas City, MO, 64117. Or you can save a stamp by heading to https://avondalemethodist.org/donate/. You’ll find several opportunities for supporting the ministry of AUMC.

Don’t forget to Like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel to get updates on all our new videos. Let’s get the Word out!

"How does a weary world rejoice? We trust our belovedness"

We began our series by acknowledging our weariness and we conclude with trusting our belovedness; ultimately, our joy is rooted in the fact that we belong to God. In the story of Jesus’ baptism, the heavens part open and the voice of God wraps Jesus in joy and loving care. Some translations of Luke 3:22 read, “in you, I find happiness and delight.” Therefore, we are also the source of God’s joy. When we trust our belovedness, we live and give fully—we are compelled to treat all of creation with tenderness and care. When we trust our belovedness, we have endless reasons to rejoice. This week we will also rejoice at the altar as we celebrate communion. Be sure to gather something to eat and drink so that we might feast together.

We’ll save you a seat for worship at 10:10 a.m. this Sunday, January 7, 2024, either in-person or live on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AvondaleUMCkcmo, or on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/. We look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday! If the activities of your weekend will keep you away, know that each week’s worship gathering is archived on our YouTube channel. Just click the “Live” tab to discover all the wonderful messages, music, and prayers you may have missed. You can find a link for the current worship guide on https://avondalemethodist.org/ Scroll down to the blue band, look for the dark blue box, and click HERE.

Consider contributing to the ministries of AUMC. You may send your gift to the church at 3101 NE Winn Rd., Kansas City, MO, 64117. Or you can save a stamp by heading to https://avondalemethodist.org/donate/. You’ll find several opportunities for supporting the ministry of AUMC.

Don’t forget to Like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel to get updates on all our new videos. Let’s get the Word out!

"How does a weary world rejoice? We root ourselves in ritual?"

On this first Sunday after Christmas we meet up with the holy family after eight days have passed. This is the day Mary and Joseph circumcise their child and give him the name Jesus. They return to the temple in Jerusalem to enact the sacred birth rituals of their culture and tradition. While they are doing what is customary, the unexpected occurs. A man named Simeon is led by the Spirit into the temple to proclaim Jesus as the “light of revelation.” Then, a prophet named Anna suddenly approaches them; she praises God and speaks about Jesus to everyone longing for redemption. Rituals mark sacred turning points in our lives. They can help us make meaning of celebrations, losses, and transitions. As new parents to Jesus, Mary and Joseph could feel weary for what lies ahead, but perhaps these sacred rituals—and those who bear witness to them—bolster them and give them courage for the journey. How do our sacred rituals root us and help us live into new chapters with courage?

We’ll save you a seat for worship at 10:10 a.m. this Sunday, December 31, 2023, either in-person or live on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AvondaleUMCkcmo, or on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/. We look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday! If the activities of your weekend will keep you away, know that each week’s worship gathering is archived on our YouTube channel. Just click the “Live” tab to discover all the wonderful messages, music, and prayers you may have missed. You can find a link for the current worship guide on https://avondalemethodist.org/ Scroll down to the blue band, look for the dark blue box, and click HERE.

Consider contributing to the ministries of AUMC. You may send your gift to the church at 3101 NE Winn Rd., Kansas City, MO, 64117. Or you can save a stamp by heading to https://avondalemethodist.org/donate/. You’ll find several opportunities for supporting the ministry of AUMC.

Don’t forget to Like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel to get updates on all our new videos. Let’s get the Word out!

One night Eric Bazilian wrote a song. He admits that it was “the quickest song I ever wrote—to impress a girl.” [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_of_Us_(Joan_Osborne_song)] It worked. But that’s beside the point. The song invites us to consider, “What if God was one of us?” This question sets the stage for our Christmas Eve Service of Lessons, Carols, and Communion by Candlelight at 7 p.m. right here in the sanctuary of Avondale United Methodist Church and the sanctuary of your home. We look forward to worshiping with you as we celebrate the reality that God became one of us. Since we’ll be celebrating Holy Communion, if you’ll be joining us from the sanctuary of your home, you’ll want to be sure to have something to eat and drink nearby so you can join in the Feast. We hope you’ll also have a candle ready to light along with your advent wreath.

We’ll save you a seat for worship at 7 p.m. this Sunday, December 24, 2023, either in-person or live on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AvondaleUMCkcmo, or on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/. We look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday! If the activities of your weekend will keep you away, know that each week’s worship gathering is archived on our YouTube channel. Just click the “Live” tab to discover all the wonderful messages, music, and prayers you may have missed. You can find a link for the current worship guide on https://avondalemethodist.org/ Scroll down to the blue band, look for the dark blue box, and click HERE.

Consider contributing to the ministries of AUMC. Visit https://avondalemethodist.org/donate/. You’ll find several opportunities for supporting the ministry of AUMC.

Don’t forget to Like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel to get updates on all our new videos. Be sure to like this video and share it with your friends. Let’s get the Word out!

"How does a weary world rejoice? We sing stories of hope"

As soon as Zechariah’s voice returns, his first words are gratitude and blessing. He sings a story of praise for God’s protection and promise, and then he showers a blessing on his newborn son. He sings a story of hope. After Elizabeth exclaims blessings upon Mary, Mary sings: “My soul magnifies God; my spirit rejoices in God.” Mary sings about a God of liberation who pulls the powerful from their thrones and lifts up the lowly. Mary sings a story of hope, one in which justice and joy are interwoven. As we prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth, may we also sing stories of hope, justice, and joy. We’ll also be lighting the fourth candle in our Advent wreath. If you are joining us from the sanctuary of your home be sure you’ve got your wreath ready so we can celebrate our joy together.

We’ll save you a seat for worship at 10:10 a.m. this Sunday, December 24, 2023, either in-person or live on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AvondaleUMCkcmo, or on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/. We look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday! If the activities of your weekend will keep you away, know that each week’s worship gathering is archived on our YouTube channel. Just click the “Live” tab to discover all the wonderful messages, music, and prayers you may have missed. You can find a link for the current worship guide on https://avondalemethodist.org/ Scroll down to the blue band, look for the dark blue box, and click HERE.

Consider contributing to the ministries of AUMC. You may send your gift to the church at 3101 NE Winn Rd., Kansas City, MO, 64117. Or you can save a stamp by heading to https://avondalemethodist.org/donate/. You’ll find several opportunities for supporting the ministry of AUMC.

Don’t forget to Like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel to get updates on all our new videos. Let’s get the Word out!

"Longest Night Service"

For those who have experienced loss, the joy of the holiday season can often feel
elusive and out of reach. Some of us feel it more intensely on the longest night of the
year, the winter solstice when it seems as though we might drown in the darkness.
This year we gather together at 6 p.m. on Thursday, December 21, 2023, to carve out
space for prayer, reflection, and remembrance amidst the twinkle lights and holiday
hustle and bustle. Friends, this service is for you. Bring your grief. Bring your
weariness. Bring your fatigue, and allow yourself a quiet space to reflect and draw
near to God. May you find peace in your journey during these holy days and holidays.
We’ll save you a seat for worship at 6 p.m. this Thursday, December 21, 2023, either
in-person or live on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AvondaleUMCkcmo, or on
our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/. We look
forward to worshiping with you on this Longest Night of the year. If the activities of
your week will keep you away, know that this worship gathering is archived on our
YouTube channel. Just click the “Live” tab to discover all the wonderful messages,
music, and prayers you may have missed. You can find a link for the current worship
guide on https://avondalemethodist.org/ Scroll down to the blue band, look for the
dark blue box, and click HERE.
Consider contributing to the ministries of AUMC. You may send your gift to the church
at 3101 NE Winn Rd., Kansas City, MO, 64117. Or you can save a stamp by heading
to https://avondalemethodist.org/donate/. You’ll find several opportunities for
supporting the ministry of AUMC.
Don’t forget to Like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel to get
updates on all our new videos. Let’s get the Word out!

On this third Sunday of Advent, we dive into a wonderful tradition at Avondale UMC. We invite you into a time of wonder and deep joy as our children and youth proclaim God’s Word in our annual Pageant: A Very Special Child. You’ll definitely want to sit close to the front of the sanctuary so you can soak in all the wonder. We’ll also be lighting the third candle in our Advent wreath. If you are joining us from the sanctuary of your home be sure you’ve got your wreath ready so we can celebrate our joy together.



We’ll save you a seat for worship at 10:10 a.m. this Sunday, December 17, 2023, either in-person or live on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AvondaleUMCkcmo, or on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/. We look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday! If the activities of your weekend will keep you away, know that each week’s worship gathering is archived on our YouTube channel. Just click the “Live” tab to discover all the wonderful messages, music, and prayers you may have missed. You can find a link for the current worship guide on https://avondalemethodist.org/ Scroll down to the blue band, look for the dark blue box, and click HERE.



Consider contributing to the ministries of AUMC. You may send your gift to the church at 3101 NE Winn Rd., Kansas City, MO, 64117. Or you can save a stamp by heading to https://avondalemethodist.org/donate/. You’ll find several opportunities for supporting the ministry of AUMC.



Don’t forget to Like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel to get updates on all our new videos. Let’s get the Word out!

We Find Joy in Connection

In community, our joy expands. When we can’t rejoice, we can carry each other’s joy. That is what Elizabeth and Mary do for each other. The good news begins to take shape in Elizabeth’s womb, but scripture tells us that she stays secluded, hiding her pregnancy from others—that is, until Mary arrives at her door, also pregnant. Perhaps Mary’s arrival is the inbreaking that changes everything for Elizabeth, for in that moment, her child leaps in her womb and she is filled with the Spirit. She can’t help but to rejoice. Her joy is contagious and wraps around Mary like a hug. Through the prophet Isaiah, we hear God speak tender words of comfort; this is the comfort we can give to and receive from each other during this season.

On this second Sunday of Advent we’ll be lighting two candles in our Advent wreath. For those of you joining us from the sanctuary of your home we hope you’ll light two candles along with us to mark these Advent days.

We’ll save you a seat for worship at 10:10 a.m. this Sunday, December 10, 2023, either in-person or live on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AvondaleUMCkcmo, or on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/. We look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday! If the activities of your weekend will keep you away, know that each week’s worship gathering is archived on our YouTube channel. Just click the “Live” tab to discover all the wonderful messages, music, and prayers you may have missed. You can find a link for the current worship guide on https://avondalemethodist.org/ Scroll down to the blue band, look for the dark blue box, and click HERE.

Consider contributing to the ministries of AUMC. You may send your gift to the church at 3101 NE Winn Rd., Kansas City, MO, 64117. Or you can save a stamp by heading to https://avondalemethodist.org/donate/. You’ll find several opportunities for supporting the ministry of AUMC.

Don’t forget to Like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel to get updates on all our new videos. Let’s get the Word out!