This Sunday February 27 St. Andrew’s continues to worship in-person and online. If you would like to join us in-person you can find our updated worship guidelines HERE.
Family Worship & Learning: “Jesus Opens Eyes” Premiers at 8:30am
You can find all of the Big God Project learning resources HERE
Online Worship – Premiers at 10:30am
Order of Service
Call to Worship – Psalm 23
Opening Prayer
Hymn: “Immortal, Invisible” #290
Old Testament – Nehemiah 4:1-15
Gospel – John 9:1-11
Message – “Rebuilding (Part 3)”
Song: “You Are Everything We Need”
Closing Prayers
Blessing
News & Announcements
Online Bible Study Resources: Rev. Read will be offering Online Bible study resources to go along with the new sermon series. There will be a short study video each week and some questions you can work through independently, or with others. Those on our email list will receive a link to the study resources and a printable copy of the questions from me each week on Sunday after worship. You can go back and find week 1 HERE.
Annual Meeting: The Annual Congregational Meeting will be held after worship on Sunday April 3. We are planning for this to be an in-person meeting. The church office is beginning work on the Annual Report, which will be ready for circulation ahead of the meeting.
Textile Recycling Drive: We will be holding our Spring Textile Drive on Saturday, April 23rd, 2022 9am – Noon. Donations include clothes, towels, curtains, linens, bedding (NO PILLOWS) socks, underwear, shoes, purses, and belts. For more information please call the church office.
For more St. Andrew’s news and information sign up for our weekly newsletter from the Office of St. Andrew’s standrewsancaster@gmail.com.
Here are all your resources for Family Worship & Learning for Sunday February 27. This week we continue our journey with Jesus through the Gospel of John to chapter 9.
Today’s Question
“What is something that is hard to believe?”
You can just ask the question together as a family or have your kids fill out and colour the Question Sheet.
To access the curriculum sheet with an overview of the Big God Theme, craft ideas (including a how-to video) and discussion questions for older kids, go here:
This Bible Study goes along with a sermon series we’re working through at St. Andrew’s called “Rebuilding.” If you haven’t listened to the first message in the series from February 13th you can find it HERE.
In the message I give a very quick run down of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah (which are one scroll in the original Hebrew and tell one story). For a bit more detail you can find a great summary video at the BibleProject: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/ezra-nehemiah/
It may also be helpful to have an idea of where Nehemiah falls in the overall story of the Bible. The following timeline is taken from John Goldingay’s highly accessible commentary Ezra,Nehemiah and Esther for Everyone, which you can purchase on Amazon, Indigo and elsewhere.
1200s Moses, the exodus, Joshua
1100s The “judges”
1000s Saul, David
900s Solomon; the nation splits into two, Ephraim and Judah
800s Elijah, Elisha
700s Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah; Assyria the superpower; the fall of Ephraim
600s Jeremiah, King Josiah; Babylon the superpower
500s Ezekiel; the fall of Judah; Persia the superpower; Judahites free to return home
400s Ezra, Nehemiah
300s Greece the superpower
200s Syria and Egypt, the regional powers pulling Judah one way or the other
100s Judah’s rebellion against Syrian power and gain of independence
000s Rome the superpower
Week 1: Nehemiah Chapters 1 & 2
This first study session will go deeper into themes explored in part 1 of the “Rebuilding” series and the chapters 1 & 2 of the Book of Nehemiah.
In the message we considered some parallels between our situation after 2 years of a global pandemic and the situation of God’s people two generations after the Exile to Babylon. One common theme was that of repeated setbacks and long delays in the work of rebuilding.
Questions:
How do you think the setbacks and delays experienced by God’s people in Jerusalem affected them?
How do you think that the repeated setbacks and delays we have experience with COVID have affected you and the people around you?
How have these things affected our church?
The first thing that Nehemiah did when he was confronted with the reality of life back in Jerusalem was pray – which included grieving and fasting before God.
Questions:
What grief are you carrying from COVID? What loss, frustration or sadness have you experienced along the way?
Have you shared this grief with anyone? Have you shared this grief with God? Is there someone you could talk to about this? Do you think you could bring this grief to God in prayer?
Are there things that we are grieving as a church right now?
In our readings for February 13, we skipped over the words of Nehemiah’s prayer in 1:5-11. Take a moment now to read that prayer slowly and carefully, then read it out loud.
Questions:
Nehemiah spends a lot of time confessing his sins and the sins of his people. How comfortable are you with reflecting on sins and mistakes? Is confession a part of your prayers?
Is there anything in your life you need to confess in order to move forward?
Nehemiah also spends time in this prayer reflecting on the story of God’s faithfulness to his people, and his plan for them and for the world. How would you tell this story as it relates to us as Christians today?
Do you reflect on the story of God’s faithfulness in your prayers? How might this help you in difficult times?
Read Nehemiah 2:1-8 and the refer back to the prayer in 1:5-11 as well.
Questions:
What connections do you see between Nehemiah’s prayers and the approach he takes with the king of Persia (ie. his plan)?
Do you pray before you make your plans, or do you plan and pray that it just works out? Do you pray once at the start, or do you pray along the way?
How well do you think we do this as individual Christians and churches today?
Read Nehemiah 2:9-16. Take note of everything that Nehemiah does in these verses.
Questions:
In these verses we see Nehemiah make preparations and take action in a more or less balanced way.
Are you someone who is better at preparing or taking action? Do you find one easier than the other – if so why?
One important result of Nehemiah’s work in this section is that he gets thorough assessment of the problem he and the people of Jerusalem are facing.
If there is something that needs rebuilding in your life right now, have you made a realistic assessment of the situation?
If so, does this encourage you to action or leave you feeling overwhelmed?
This Sunday February 20 St. Andrew’s continues to worship in-person and online. If you would like to join us in-person you can find our updated worship guidelines HERE.
Family Worship & Learning: “Jesus is the Bread of Life” Premiers at 8:30am
You can find all of the Big God Project learning resources HERE
Online Worship – Premiers at 10:30am
Order of Service
Call to Worship – Psalm 34:1-4, 7-8
Opening Prayer
Song: “Cornerstone”
Old Testament – Nehemiah 2:17-18; 3:1-5, 28-30
Gospel – John 6:25-38
Message – “Rebuilding (Part 1)”
Hymn: “Be Thou My Vision” #461
Closing Prayers
Blessing
News & Announcements
Online Bible Study Resources: Rev. Read will be offering Online Bible study resources to go along with the new sermon series. There will be a short study video each week and some questions you can work through independently, or with others. You will receive an email with a link to the study resources and a printable copy of the questions from me each week on Sunday after worship.
Latest Vaccination Information: Third doses of COVID-19 vaccine (aka booster shots) are available to everyone 18 years of age and over. The required waiting time for a third dose is 3 months (84) from your second dose. To confirm that you are eligible go to: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/. You can book your vaccination or booster through the City of Hamilton: https://www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccination. Getting your third dose of vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your family.
For more St. Andrew’s news and information sign up for our weekly newsletter from the Office of St. Andrew’s standrewsancaster@gmail.com.
Here are all your resources for Family Worship & Learning for Sunday February 20. This week we continue our journey with Jesus through the Gospel of John to chapter 6.
Today’s Question
“Name a food that lasts a really long time?”
You can just ask the question together as a family or have your kids fill out and colour the Question Sheet.
To access the curriculum sheet with an overview of the Big God Theme, craft ideas (including a how-to video) and discussion questions for older kids, go here:
This Sunday February 13 St. Andrew’s continues to worship in-person and online. If you would like to join us in-person you can find our updated worship guidelines HERE.
Family Worship & Learning: “Jesus Challenges” Premiers at 8:30am
You can find all of the Big God Project learning resources HERE
Online & Zoom Bible Study: Rev. Read will be offering Online Bible study resources to go along with the new sermon series. There will be a short study video each week and some questions you can work through independently, or with others. He would also like to offer a Zoom discussion group if there is sufficient interest. Please email me revjohnread@gmail.com by next Wednesday February 16 if you are interested in joining.
Latest Vaccination Information: Third doses of COVID-19 vaccine (aka booster shots) are available to everyone 18 years of age and over. The required waiting time for a third dose is 3 months (84) from your second dose. To confirm that you are eligible go to: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/. You can book your vaccination or booster through the City of Hamilton: https://www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccination. Getting your third dose of vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your family.
Here are all your resources for Family Worship & Learning for Sunday February 13. This week we continue our journey with Jesus through the Gospel of John.
Today’s Question
“What is something that was hard to learn?”
You can just ask the question together as a family or have your kids fill out and colour the Question Sheet.
To access the curriculum sheet with an overview of the Big God Theme, craft ideas (including a how-to video) and discussion questions for older kids, go here:
This Sunday February 6 St. Andrew’s returns to in-person worship. You can find our updated worship guidelines HERE. Online worship continues each week, with full details below.
Family Worship & Learning: “Jesus Transforms”
You can find all of the Big God Project learning resources HERE
Online Worship – Premier’s at 10:30am
Order of Service
Call to Worship – Psalm 63:1-8
Opening Prayer
Hymn: “Joyful, Joyful We Adore You” #410
Old Testament – Isaiah 62:1-5, 11-12
Gospel – John 2:1-12
Message – “Water Into Wine”
Song: “For All You’ve Done”
Closing Prayers
Blessing
News & Announcements
Going Deeper (Study Resources): Next week we’ll be starting a new sermon series called “Rebuilding,” based on the Old Testament book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah takes place after the Babylonian Exile, an event that completely disrupted the lives of God’s people. When God brought them back to the promised land, they had to completely rebuild their lives. You can familiarize yourself with this part of the story of God’s people by reading 2 Chronicles 36 and 2 Kings 23-25. You can also find an engaging video about the Exile and it’s meaning from the Bible Project here: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/exile/
Latest Vaccination Information: Third doses of COVID-19 vaccine (aka booster shots) are available to everyone 18 years of age and over. The required waiting time for a third dose is 3 months (84) from your second dose. To confirm that you are eligible go to: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/. You can book your vaccination or booster through the City of Hamilton: https://www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccination. Getting your third dose of vaccine is the best way to protect yourself, your family and friends against the rapidly spreading Omicron variant.
Here are all your resources for Family Worship & Learning for Sunday February 6. This week we continue our journey with Jesus through the Gospel of John.
Today’s Question
“What is something that transforms into something else?”
You can just ask the question together as a family or have your kids fill out and colour the Question Sheet.
To access the curriculum sheet with an overview of the Big God Theme, craft ideas (including a how-to video) and discussion questions for older kids, go here:
Having reviewed the public health situation and the decision of the Ontario government to loosen some pandemic restrictions on January 31, the Session of St. Andrew’s (our leadership team) has decided to resume in-person worship on Sunday, February 6. Worship guidelines will be as follows:
Service capacity will be limited to 50% — approximately 60 people.
We do not require registration at this time but may need to do so in the coming weeks if service attendance starts to approach capacity.
All persons attending 5 years of age and older must have at least 2 doses of a COVID vaccine. We encourage all who are eligible (those over 18 years of age) to receive their 3rd dose (aka. booster shot).
Entry will be through the main lobby (lower doors). Please check in with the welcome team and bring your proof of vaccination if you have not done so before. The greeters will have a record of the vaccination status of all who have attended worship since October 3, 2021.
Please do not attend if you are feeling unwell or have any COVID-like symptoms.
We encourage you to wear the highest quality mask possible – either an N95 style mask or a surgical mask. Both kinds will be available at the door if you do not have one.
Sanctuary seating will be physically distanced. A photo record of the seating arrangement will be taken each Sunday and kept for 3 weeks in the event that someone tests positive for COVID after attending worship.
This news will be exciting to some, while others will prefer to wait. Session appreciates that we’re all in different places in our response to the current phase of the pandemic. Online services will continue to be offered each week for those who feel safer worshipping from home or are unable to attend in person for other reasons.
