Music for the 3rd Sunday in Lent, March 23, 2025
“Overflow With Hope”
Based on Romans 15:13
Words & Music by Pepper Choplin
© 2024 Lorenz Publishing Company
CCLI License # 3046584 | CCLI Streaming # 20546703
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Ancaster
On Sunday March 23 we looked at Romans chapters 14 & 15 which deal with finding real unity in the face of significant differences. St. Andrew’s is working through Romans together with our friends from Ancaster Village Church (AVC). This week’s message was from Rev. Aaron Gerrard of AVC.
Bible Passages – Romans 14:1-15:6 | Matthew 5:17-20
On Sunday March 16 we continued into Romans chapter 13 and explored the question of how Christians should relate to the government and secular authorities. This is a difficult subject at the best of times, but especially right now. We hope this message is helpful, but recognize that may not be what you’re looking for if you’re exhausted from the news right now.
St. Andrew’s is working through Romans together with our friends from Ancaster Village Church (AVC). This week’s message was from Rev. Aaron Gerrard of AVC.
Bible Passages – Romans 13:1-14 | Matthew 5:43-48
On Sunday March 9 we moved into chapter 12 of Paul’s Letter to the Romans. We wrestled with Jesus’ call to bless those who mistreat us and reflected on how we can be transformed to spread God’s goodness even in times when we may feel powerless to change much of anything.
St. Andrew’s is working through Romans together with our friends from Ancaster Village Church (AVC). This week’s message was from Rev. John Read of St. Andrew’s.
Bible Passages – Romans 12:1-21 | Luke 9:51-56
Life is busy. Most us want to grow in our faith, yet making time is often a challenge. The Season of Lent gives an opportunity to put a special focus on spending time with God and following Jesus more closely.
Presbyterian Lent Book Study
This Lent, join the Presbyterians Read book study discussing Dr. Scott R. Paeth’s introduction to the life, thought and influence of Richard and Reinhold Niebuhr—The Niebuhr Brothers for Armchair Theologians. For more details, how to get a copy of the book, a free study guide, and access to an online discussion go HERE.
Spending Time With Jesus
Plan to spend some extra time with Jesus in the Gospels. How long does it take to read the Gospels? The average person can read Mark (the shortest) in under an hour, and Luke (the one we’re following in worship this year) in 2 to 2.5 hours. Beginning on Ash Wednesday (March 5) there are six weeks in Lent. Read 4 chapters of Luke in a week and you’ll only need to find 3-4 minutes per day, or 20-25 minutes each week.
If you would find it helpful to have a reading guide for the Gospel of Luke, Bible Project has developed one in partnership with the YouVersion Bible App. You can find it HERE. If you’re looking to go deeper in your reading you can get a copy of N. T. Wright’s excellent and easy to read Luke For Everyone.
Praying With Jesus
One of the earliest guides on the Christian life recommended praying the Lord’s Prayer three times each day. Set aside enough time to pray through the Lord’s Prayer slowly and reflect on the words that Jesus has given us. If you would like a guide for your reflections, you can find one in the resources below.
Other Spiritual Practices for Lent
A variety resources for prayer and Bible study and are available from the church office or on the St. Andrew’s website: http://standrews.ws/learning/resources/
The Mission team will be holding the Spring Textile Drive on Sat. April 12th, 2025, 9am-12noon, here at St. Andrew’s. Acceptable donations include clothes, towels, curtains, linens, bedding (NO PILLOWS) socks, underwear, shoes, purses, belts. All donations are picked up by Canadian Recycling Ltd. The clothing that is usable is sent to Clothing for Charity who distributes it to women’s shelters and burn units. What is not usable is made into rags. Thank you for your continued support of this worthwhile and environmental initiative.
On Sunday March 2 we took a pause from Romans to reflect on how we can get the most out of the season Lent. Rev. John Read explains why this 40 day season not only prepares us to celebrate Easter, but is a great opportunity for spiritual growth. Our joint Romans series with our friends from Ancaster Village Church (AVC) with resume next week with a message on Romans 12.
Bible Passages – Luke 4:1-13 | Luke 9:18-27
You can find St. Andrew’s guide to the 2025 Lent Season here:
For other prayer and study resources go to: https://standrews.ws/learning/resources/
To signup to our email newsletter send a message to: standrewsancaster@gmail.com
On Sunday February 23 we continued into chapters 9-11 of Paul’s Letter to the Romans and explored the relationship between Gentile Christians and the Jewish people. We also discussed the difficult issue of anti-Semitism. St. Andrew’s is working through Romans together with our friends from Ancaster Village Church (AVC). This week’s message was from Rev. John Read of St. Andrew’s.
Bible Passages – Romans 11:1-2, 4-7, 11-13, 16-26, 29-32 | John 4:19-26
(If you have time it’s worth looking at all of Romans 9-11)
On Sunday February 9 we continued into the next two chapters of Paul’s Letter to the Romans (5 and 6) and explored the question of suffering. St. Andrew’s is working through Romans together with our friends from Ancaster Village Church (AVC).
This week’s message was from Rev. Aaron Gerrard of AVC. This video recording is taken from AVC’s afternoon service as we weren’t able to record the message from St. Andrew’s morning service. One benefit is that we get to hear Aaron talk about some meaningful conversations he had with St. Andrew’s members after he preached in the morning.
Bible Passages – Romans 5:3-5 | Isaiah 53:2-9 | Luke 8:22-25
On Sunday February 2 we circled back to Romans 16 and considered how this passage provides strong Biblical evidence for women’s leadership in Paul’s ministry. Rev. John Read makes the case that the growth of women’s leadership in many churches over the past century is a return to the practice of the earliest years of the Christian faith.
Until Easter St. Andrew’s will be working through Romans together with our friends from Ancaster Village Church (AVC).
Bible Passages – Romans 16:1-16 & Luke: 10:38-42
