GRIEF SHARE Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be

comforted.”The Stratford Christian Reformed Church has extended an invitation to partner and participate with them to offer GriefShare. Their next session will begin on September 2, 2014 and run until Christmas.GriefShare is a lay ministry of healing for those experiencing grief: at the present time or in the past. It is a Bible based, non-denominational, lay ministry available throughout the world. It is a grief recovery seminar support group of encouragement. Each session is a confidential, video-based program with discussion. To learn more about this ministry, please log on to www.griefshare.orgTheir information evening for interested individuals is as follows:Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2014Place: Stratford Christian Reformed Church

190 Athlone Cres., Stratford, ONTime: 7:00 p.m.RSVP to confirm your attendance (or for more information) –Lykke Van Drunen 519-271-7146 or Linda Brouwer 519-275-2570.

GOLFERS WANTED! On June 12, 2014, Stratford & District Christian School will be having their annual fundraising golf tournament, at the Stratford Golf and Country Club. If you are a serious golfer or just want to enjoy a day on the course for a good cause, call519-271-0051 to register yourself or a team of four. Afterwards, enjoy a light meal and prize giveaways!

TRIBUTE TO BRIAN“Music came from his soul…..”

“An evening celebrating a dear friend and the music he made.”

When: Saturday, May 10, 2014Time: 7:00 p.m.Where: St. Marys Presbyterian Church

147 Widder Street, EastFreewill Offering goes towards a Music Scholarship in Brian’s name.

Minister: Rev. Mark Gedcke 519-575-8817or by email at mgedcke@knoxstratford.com

Director of Music: Suzanne StrahanOffice Administrator: Kathy Baker

Treasurer: Shannon Archer Office: 519-271-0373 knoxs@wightman.ca

OFFICE HOURS 9am- 1pm Tuesday through Friday

KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHApril 27, 2014 11:00 am

Minister: Rev. Mark GedckeMusic Director – Suzanne Strahan

PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP - Prayer, Meditation and Visiting

PRELUDE: I Danced in the Morning – 19th century Shaker, adapted by S. Carter, setting by D.E. Wagner

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALL TO WORSHIP: Leader: God, be present to us as we are present to youPeople: and hear our prayersLeader: Before God and all of creation, I stand before you as

someone seeking repentance.People: Before God and all of creation, we stand before you as

people seeking God.Leader: Together, let us stand before GodPeople: searching for repentance in the presence of God.Leader: Come let us worship.(Sandy Ferguson, Strathearn U.C., Edmonton, Alta., Gathering, Resources for Worship Planners, The United Church of Canada)

OPENING HYMN: #255 Now let the vault of heaven resound

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYEROur Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen

PASSING OF THE PEACE:Leader: The Peace of Christ be with youCongregation: And also with you.

ANTHEM: As the Deer – Nystrom, arr. Wagner

CHILDREN’S HYMN: #254 Jesus is risen from the grave

CHILDREN’S TIME

SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 13 John 20:19-31SERMON: Doubt and Faith

HYMN: #256 Now the green blade rises

OFFERING

OFFERTORY: Iona Boat Song – arr. Jack Noble White

OFFERTORY PRAISE: #661 We give thee but thine own (v. 1&2)

PRAYER OF DEDICATION (together)Gracious God, we give of our time, our talent, and our financial resources to help in the transformation of the world to a place that is more pleasing in God’s sight – a place overflowing with stories of new life and hope as people face the challenges that lie before them. This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen(Allan Warren, St. George U.C., St. George, ON, Gathering, Resources for Worship Planners, The United Church of Canada)

HYMN: #252 He is Lord (sing through twice)

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

CLOSING HYMN: #248 At the dawning of salvation

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE: Crown Him With Many Crowns – David H. Hegarty

Church Opening Today: Tim PauliChurch Opening Next Week: Tim PauliUshers this week: Dale & Lynn Bast, Diane Parker, Karen SavelleUshers next week: Richard Bast, Mike & Cathy Bachner, John

WaldieGreeters this week: Charles & Margaret Lupton Children’s Time: Dale BastCoffee this week: Dale & Lynn Bast

Worship God on Sunday then Walk with Him on Monday

CELEBRATING 170 YEARS!On Sunday, May 4th, we celebrate our 170th anniversary as a congregation. The service is at 11:00 a.m.. The Rev. Karen Horst, minister of St. Andrew’s, Orillia, will be our guest preacher. Karen was a wonderfully encouraging leader for our church from 2000 to 2003. We will be led in our music by the Choir and Praise Explosion. Following worship, please join us for lunch provided by the Cancer Care Mission/Wig Room (donations received for lunch will be given to Outreach Missions). We give thanks for their hospitality. Let us invite all those who have been part of our congregation to join us for this special service.

GORGEOUS GIRLS’ GALAThe Dove Real Beauty Workshops for Girls are fun, educational and interactive sessions for girls ages 10-14 and their adult female mentors: mothers, relatives, friends – anyone interested in starting a dialogue on beauty and self-image with a member of the next generation. Come, join us for a warm, fun evening complete with entertainment and treats!Tickets are available at Jenn & Larry’s Brittle and Shakes, WK Financial and through Mindy Gough (519-275-3770). Tickets must be purchased in advance and will be available until May 3.

When: Wednesday, May 7, 2014Time: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.Where: Avon Mennonite Church

90 Greenwood DriveCost: $5.00 per person

Note: All girls must attend with their mom or mentor

SATURDAY, MAY 10, 2014

9:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

We Need:

Volunteers for Friday setup and Saturday sale

Donations of baking and books

The support of the whole congregation to make this sale a success

You can purchase a table to sell your treasures($10 for one table or $15 for two tables)

Proceeds from the sale will go to church missions

MANNA DAY - A Child in Our Hands

Rev. Linda Ashfield is a minister at Knox Presbyterian, Waterloo. She will be the feature speaker for a Manna Day happening at Crieff Hills Retreat and Conference Centre (near Guelph) from 10:30 to 3 PM on Thursday, May 15. The theme of the day is “A Child in Our Hands”. How do we pass on our Christian faith from generation to generation? Whether a parent, grandparent, relative, friend or congregational member, God has placed a child in our hands. The cost is $20 which includes lunch. It is important to register in advance. Brochures are available in the narthex. If you are interested, please speak with Mark Gedcke.

CONGREGATIONAL RETREATPlease mark on your calendars our Congregational Retreat happening on Saturday/Sunday, June 21/22 at Camp Kintail. We share this retreat time with St. Marys Presbyterian Church. More details, including the Retreat Form, are coming soon.

Kintail on the Road 2014We are looking forward to Kintail on the Road which will be happening at our church Monday to Friday, July 7-11. If you know of children who would be interested in being part of this program, please contact the church office by email of phone. We also need volunteers. You are also welcome to learn more by speaking with Mark Gedcke, Chantale Pitts or Mary Dougall.

2014 STRATFORD YFC/YOUTH UNLIMITED BANQUETFeaturing Singer/Songwriter – Jacob Moon

When: Saturday, May 3, 2014 (6-9 p.m.)Where: Arden Park Hotel, StratfordCost: $200/Table of 8For tickets or more information please call 519-272-1614 orEmail: info@yfcstratford.comSeeing the hope and potential in every young person!