News & Events

Posted on

Home Worship – Sunday August 8, 2021

This Sunday August 8, 2021, St. Andrew’s home worship returns, but with a twist. This week Rev. Read will be broadcasting our online services from St. Paul’s Carluke and Knox Binbrook to help out Rev. Nancy Mostert who had to take her vacation earlier than planned.

 Family Worship Video: “Jesus Blesses and Warns” (Available at 8:30am)

Connect to the 11:00am Knox Binbrook Livestream https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbBMApD5T-sZPwti_WFp2Kg

Order of Service

Opening Song: Blessed Be Your Name

Welcome and Announcements

Call to Worship – Psalm 1

Opening Prayers

Scriptures: Isaiah 30:18-21 & Luke 6:17-26

Message: “Choosing the Way”

Closing Prayers & The Lord’s Prayer

Blessing

Closing song: Great is Thy Faithfulness #324

A recorded version of the 9:30am service from St. Paul’s Carluke will be available on our YouTube Channel early Sunday afternoon and posted to this page.

Those without internet access are also welcome to drive to St. Paul’s and tune into their radio service. Unfortunately, their in-building service is limited to 25 people, but there is plenty of room in their parking lot. 526 Carluke Rd W, Ancaster, ON L9G 3L1.

News:

    • Online Worship for August 22: We will be back to our usual 10:30am worship time for what will (hopefully) be our last online only Sunday. This will be a special joint service with Knox Presbyterian Church in Waterdown and Family Church of Heritage Green. Worship will be led by myself, Rev. Grant Vissers, and Rev. Alex Douglas and feature music from all three churches. With our churches still worshipping online only it seemed like a great opportunity to work together as we get ready to return to in-person services.
    • Update on Reopening St. Andrew’s: We will be returning to in-person worship on Sunday August 22 as planned. The Reopening Team has reviewed the public health situation and feels that we are safe to reopen. Session will meet this coming Tuesday August 10 to approve health and safety procedures for our in-person services. Expect full details by next Thursday.
    • Summer Mission Focus: This summer the Mission Team is encouraging our St. Andrew’s Church Family to support the Kenora Fellowship Centre. The Centre is a ministry of the Presbyterian Church in Canada (PCC) that supports Indigenous people in the Kenora area, which was home to one of the two Residential Schools operated by the PCC after 1925. Ministries like the Kenora Fellowship Centre are part of our commitment to Reconciliation and repairing the harm done by the Residential Schools. You can learn more and donate directly here: https://fellowshipcentre.wixsite.com/kenora

 

Posted on

Family Worship & Learning – August 8, 2021

Here are all your resources for Family Worship & Learning for Sunday August 8, 2021. This week we spend some time with Jesus in the Gospel of Luke.

Today’s Question

“What is something that makes your family Proud? or Disappointed?”

You can just ask the question together as a family or have your kids fill out and colour the Question Sheet.

Question Sheet – Aug 8, 2021

Family Worship Video – Available at 8:30am Sunday

Crafts, Discussion & Other Activities

1)  Blessings and Woes: supplies – paper plates made of very thin paper (cheap ones) or similar sized circles cut out of card stock, brass fasteners, scissors, markers/crayons/pencil crayons
 
2) Pass It On: supplies – items that the children can call a blessing that they can pass around like a hot potato, music

Big God Journal: Journal Page – Aug 8, 2021

To access the curriculum sheet with an overview of the Big God Theme, craft ideas, a how-to craft video, and discussion questions for older kids go here:
Posted on

Home Worship – Sunday July 4, 2021

This Sunday July 4, 2021, we conclude our exploration of the Book of Revelation and come to the end of God’s great story in the Bible with a vision of hope for a new Creation. Our theme for the day is “Jesus Makes Everything New.”

Our Home Worship service for this week will go live on YouTube at 10:30am. The service continues to be available by telephone for those without internet access. An edited version of the service will be available at 1:00pm on Sunday.

Order of Service

Gathering Music

Family Worship: “Jesus Makes Everything New” (available at 9:00am)

Home Worship Recording

Call to Worship – Psalm 150

Opening Prayer

Hymn: “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” #371

New Testament Reading – Revelation 21 & 22 (selections)

Gospel Reading – Luke 13:18-21

Message – “Revelation: The End and the Beginning”

Song: “Build Your Kingdom Here”

We Respond to God’s Generosity

Closing Prayers & Blessing

News:

    • Rev. Read will be vacation from July 5 to August 2. The next St. Andrew’s online service will be on Sunday August 8.
    • Sunday Worship Options for July 11 to August 1: Over the next few weeks we encourage you to connect to the online services from Knox Presbyterian Church in Waterdown (https://www.knoxwaterdown.ca/) and Family Church of Heritage Green (http://www.familychurch.life/familychurch/home.jsp).
    • Going Deeper (Study Resources): The Bible Project has an excellent video on how to read Apocalyptic Literature in the Bible – Revelation and other books like Daniel and Ezekiel. You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/UNDX4tUdj1Y and find a study guide and other resources here: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/apocalyptic-literature/
    • Update on Reopening St. Andrew’s: Session has tentatively set August 22 as the date for a ‘soft’ reopening of our in-person worship service. This will be a more limited worship gathering to ease us into being back together. Our hope is to return to something approaching a normal in person service by the first Sunday in September. We  will review the situation in the first week of August and finalize our plans at that time.
    • Summer Mission Focus: This summer the Mission Team is encouraging our St. Andrew’s Church Family to support the Kenora Fellowship Centre. The Centre is a ministry of the Presbyterian Church in Canada (PCC) that supports Indigenous people in the Kenora area, which was home to one of the two Residential Schools operated by the PCC after 1925. Ministries like the Kenora Fellowship Centre are part of our commitment to Reconciliation and repairing the harm done by the Residential Schools. You can learn more and donate directly here: https://fellowshipcentre.wixsite.com/kenora
Posted on

Family Worship & Learning – July 4, 2021

Here are all your resources for Family Worship & Learning for Sunday July 4, 2021. This week we finish the Big God story in the final chapters of Revelation, which give us a glimpse of what God will do for all Creation one day.

Today’s Question

“If you were an animal, which animal would you be?”

You can just ask the question together as a family or have your kids fill out and colour the Question Sheet.

Question Sheet – Jul 4, 2021

Family Worship Video – Available at 9:00am Sunday

Crafts, Discussion & Other Activities

1)  Scratch Art: supplies – black paint, dish soap, paint brushes (foam is best), crayons, card stock or cover stock paper, toothpicks or wooden skewers.
 
2) Broken Crayons Made New: supplies – broken crayons, mini muffin trays or other molds, toothpicks or wooden skewers.

Big God Journal: Journal Page – Jul 4, 2021

To access the curriculum sheet with an overview of the Big God Theme, craft ideas, a how-to craft video, and discussion questions for older kids go here:
Posted on

Presbyterian Response to Discoveries at Residential Schools

The current and former Moderator of General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada have written a letter in response to the finding of the 215 children at Kamloops. The letter can be found here: https://presbyterian.ca/2021/06/15/moderator-joint-statement/

In response to the most recent discoveries in Saskatchewan, the Life and Mission Agency of the Presbyterian Church in Canada has made an additional statement that can be found here:  https://presbyterian.ca/2021/06/25/a-statement-regarding-residential-schools/ 

For more information on the Presbyterian Church in Canada’s role in Residential Schools and our involvement in the Healing and Reconciliation process you can go here: https://presbyterian.ca/2021/06/05/pcc-and-residential-schools/ and here: https://presbyterian.ca/healing/

At St. Andrew’s we grieve for the pain these discoveries have caused Indigenous individuals, families and communities in Canada, even as they confirm what many had long known and believed. We pray for the ongoing work of Reconciliation between the government, churches, and peoples of Canada of settler descent and the Indigenous peoples of this land.

Posted on

Home Worship – Sunday June 27, 2021

This Sunday June 27, 2021. We continue our exploration of the Book of Revelation and come to John’s vision of Jesus as the only one able to complete God’s rescue plan for the world. This week our theme is “Jesus is the Lion and the Lamb.”

Our Home Worship service for this week will go live on YouTube at 10:30am. The service continues to be available by telephone for those without internet access. Please call 905-648-6024 or email revjohnread@gmail.com for information on how to access out local call-in service.

We welcome members of St. Paul’s Burlington who will be joining us this week as Rev. Bob Sim is on some further medical leave.

Order of Service

Gathering Music

Family Worship: “Jesus is the Lion and the Lamb” (available at 9:00am)

Home Worship Livestream Starts at 10:30am

Call to Worship – Psalm 103:6-8, 19-22

Opening Prayer

Song: “Rescuer”

New Testament Reading – Revelation 4:1-6; 5:1-14

Gospel Reading – Luke 22:63-71

Message – “Revelation: The Lion and the Lamb”

Hymn: “Jesus Shall Reign” #275

We Respond to God’s Generosity

Closing Prayers & Blessing

News:

    • Going Deeper (Study Resources): The Bible Project has an excellent video summary of how the Book of Revelation fits into the whole story of the Bible by tracing the theme of ‘The Day of the Lord.’ You can find it here https://youtu.be/tEBc2gSSW04 and find a study guide and other resources here: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/day-of-the-lord/ To go even deeper you can listen to the Bible Project’s Podcast series on the Day of the Lord here: https://bibleproject.com/podcast/series/day-of-the-lord-series/
    • Textile Recycling Drive Results: Yesterday we had our biggest ever collection of used and worn out clothing, shoes and other textiles – almost 500 bags! We almost ran out of room in the truck. Thank you to the Mission Team for organizing this event, and for all the volunteers who came out to help. All being well, we hope to run another Recycling Drive in the fall.
    • Update on Reopening St. Andrew’s: Session has tentatively set August 22 as the date for a ‘soft’ reopening of our in-person worship service. This will be a more limited worship gathering to ease us into being back together. Our hope is to return to something approaching a normal in person service by the first Sunday in September. The Reopening Team will review the situation in the first week of August and Session will then finalize our reopening plans.
    • Summer Mission Focus: This summer the Mission Team is encouraging our St. Andrew’s Church Family to support the Kenora Fellowship Centre. The Centre is a ministry of the Presbyterian Church in Canada (PCC) that supports Indigenous people in the Kenora area, which was home to one of the two Residential Schools operated by the PCC after 1925 (the other 9 schools run by the PCC went into the new United Church at that time). Ministries like the Kenora Fellowship Centre are part of our commitment to Reconciliation and repairing the harm done by the Residential Schools. You can learn more and donate directly here: https://fellowshipcentre.wixsite.com/kenora
    • Presbyterian Response to Residential Schools Findings: You can find the latest on how the Presbyterian Church in Canada is responding to the ongoing discoveries at former Residential Schools sites here: https://presbyterian.ca/2021/06/25/a-statement-regarding-residential-schools/

Posted on

Family Worship & Learning – June 27, 2021

Here are all your resources for Family Worship & Learning for Sunday June 27, 2021. This week we see another part of John’s amazing vision of who Jesus really is, how he sets the world right, and keeps us safe forever.

Today’s Question

“If you were an animal, which animal would you be?”

You can just ask the question together as a family or have your kids fill out and colour the Question Sheet.

Question Sheet – Jun 27, 2021

Family Worship Video – Available at 9:00am Sunday

Crafts, Discussion & Other Activities

1)  Animal Flip Book: supplies – paper, card stock, scissors, markers, rulers, pencils, stapler.
 
2) Animal charades: supplies – none.

Big God Journal: Journal Page – Jun 27, 2021

To access the curriculum sheet with an overview of the Big God Theme, craft ideas, a how-to craft video, and discussion questions for older kids go here:
Posted on

Home Worship – Sunday June 20, 2021

This Sunday June 20th is Father’s Day and National Indigenous Peoples Sunday. We continue our exploration of the Book of Revelation with the specific messages sent to the seven churches this book was originally written to. This week our theme is “Jesus Rewards.” Below you’ll find a recording of our 10:30am Zoom Communion service.

Order of Service 

Gathering Music

Family Worship: “Jesus Rewards”

Worship Recording

Call to Worship – Psalm 107:1-3, 39-43

Opening Prayer

Song: “Your Grace is Enough”

New Testament Reading – Revelation 2:1-7; 3:14-22

Gospel Reading – Luke 12:35-40

Message – “Revelation: Rebuke and Reward”

Hymn: “How Firm A Foundation” #686

We Celebrate Communion

Blessing

News:

    • Going Deeper (Study Resources): In worship this week we start to explore the Book of Revelation. The Bible Project has some excellent resources that can help make sense of it. You can watch the second of its two-part video on Revelation here https://youtu.be/QpnIrbq2bKo and review additional resources here: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/revelation-12-22/
    • Textile Recycling Drive: The start of Ontario’s reopening plan means that the St. Andrew’s Textile Drive is back on Saturday, June 26th from 9:00am to Noon. Acceptable donations include: clothes, towels, curtains, linens, bedding (NO PILLOWS or DUVETS) socks, underwear, shoes, purses and belts. Our volunteers will be following all current safety protocols. Let your neighbours know, so that we can keep these items out of landfills and do our part for God’s creation.
    • Update on Reopening St. Andrew’s: Session has tentatively set August 22 as the date for a ‘soft’ reopening of our in-person worship service. This will be a more limited worship gathering to ease us into being back together. Our hope is to return to something approaching a normal in person service by the first Sunday in September. All of this will depend on how the Provincial reopening plan proceeds (https://www.ontario.ca/page/reopening-ontario), and how the public health situation develops over the next two months. The Reopening Team will review the situation in the first week of August and Session will then finalize our reopening plans.
    • Summer Mission Focus: This summer the Mission Team is encouraging our St. Andrew’s Church Family to support the Kenora Fellowship Centre. The Centre is a ministry of the Presbyterian Church in Canada (PCC) that supports Indigenous people in the Kenora area, which was home to one of the two Residential Schools operated by the PCC after 1925 (the other 9 schools run by the PCC went into the new United Church at that time). Ministries like the Kenora Fellowship Centre are part of our commitment to Reconciliation and repairing the harm done by the Residential Schols. You can learn more and donate directly here: https://fellowshipcentre.wixsite.com/kenora
Posted on

Family Worship & Learning – June 20, 2021

Here are all your resources for Family Worship & Learning for Sunday June 20, 2021. This week we continue learning about Revelation, the final book of the Big God Story, and hear some words of challenge and encouragement from Jesus.

Today’s Question

“What kind of race would you win?”

You can just ask the question together as a family or have your kids fill out and colour the Question Sheet.

Question Sheet – Jun 20, 2021

Family Worship Video – Available at 9:00am Sunday

Crafts, Discussion & Other Activities

1) Morning Star: supplies – card stock or cardboard, tin foil, tape, black (permanent) marker, decorating materials such as glitter, glitter glue, markers, stickers.
 
2) Book of Life: supplies – 8.5×11 sheets of paper in white and colour, stapler, markers/crayons/pencil crayons.

Big God Journal: Journal Page – Jun 20, 2021

To access the curriculum sheet with an overview of the Big God Theme, craft ideas, a how-to craft video, and discussion questions for older kids go here: