For those who, like Julie, weren’t able to be in Avonside today.
Holy Trinity Avonside hosted a service of thanksgiving this afternoon remembering and giving thanks for life in Avonside. After the service there was afternoon tea and a wide range of photo boards showing different aspects of Avonside from over the last 100 or more years. Photographs and the order of service are below.
To Rosalyn and the others who organised and supported this tribute, and did many other things for the people of Avonside, thank you. Matthew 25: 38, 40.
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| Opening Prayer |
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| Ed Hitchcock |
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| Our Place photo board |
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| Paint Your Memories |
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| Mothers’ Union photo board. |
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| Weddings photo board |
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| Love Avonside chalk board |
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| Afternoon tea |
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| Afternoon tea |
Order of Service
Opening:Revd. Jill KeirHymn:Now Thank We All Our GodVersicle and Response:Leader: Grace and peace to you from God.People: God fill you with peace and joy.Leader: The Lord be with you.People: The Lord bless you.Reminiscences:Ed Hitchcock (People’s Earden),Revd. Michael ColemanPrayers of Thanks:Rosalyn Deane (Bishop’s Warden) reproduced in full belowAnthem by Choir:Ave Verum by MozartReading:Philippians 4:4-9 Christine MaceyReflection:Bishop Victoria MatthewsPrayer and BlessingBishop Victoria MatthewsHymn:Amazing Grace
Prayers of Thanks
God of our beginnings and endings, we share in celebrating together this place – Avonside.
We thank you for this day; that among friends, neighbours – past and present, we can come together with wonderful memories of this area, Avonside.
If we have lived in Avonside, or if we have visited family, or friends that lived here, we have wonderful memories of this place. We have been for river walks, canoeing, swinging on the knotted willows into the water, we have been fishing, we have been eeling, and more. God you have given us these memories which help shape who we are, and what we value. Our memories strengthen us in our time of sorrow.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for all who have lived here. For all those, for whom this place is or has been ‘home’. We thank you for all people who have shown love and care for those around them, and have been a major part of community life here.
May the love that is in our hearts be a bond that unites us forever, wherever we may be. You are the source of our love for each other; you have been with us through our hardest times; bringing comfort and support, bringing others to our aide. In quiet moments you soothe our fears, and encourage us to carry on. As we move through every sorrow and trial of this life, uphold us and comfort us. May we be given a sense of the presence of your risen Son and may we share in his resurrection, redeemed and restored to the fullness of life; this we ask, for the sake of Jesus our Lord. Amen
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