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Home Worship – Advent 3 – December 13, 2020

This Sunday, December 13, is the 3rd Sunday in Advent. We continue around the Advent wreath and light the candle of Joy. You can use the attached Advent liturgy with your own wreath and follow along in the Family Worship video as one of our families lead us in lighting our third candle. The theme for this week is “God Restores Joy.”

While we aren’t able to do our usual kids’ Nativity play, a few of our St. Andrew’s kids recorded a short video presentation by Zoom to help you set up your own Nativity scene at home. You’ll also find this is the Family Worship Video.

Our Home Worship service for this week will go live on YouTube at 10:30am. The words to the songs in the service will be on the screen. The service continues to be available by telephone for those without internet access.

Order of Service

Gathering Music

 Family Worship & Advent Liturgy: “God Restores Joy”

Home Worship Recording

Prelude Song: “Your Name”

Call to Worship – Psalm 126 (NRSV)

Opening Prayer

Hymn: “Joy To The World” #153

Old Testament – Nehemiah 7:73-8:18 (NIV)

Gospel Reading – Luke 1:46-55 (NIV)

Message – “Joy in Sorrow”

Hymn: “Go, Tell It On The mountain” #133

Closing Prayer & Blessing

News:

    • Christmas Service Update: In light of the instability of the public health situation, Session will be making our decision as to whether we can safely offer in-person services on Christmas Eve this week. We will notify you on Friday December 18.
    • Quiet Christmas Service: This is another special service we usually offer for those who find the holidays to be a difficult time of year – whether due to the loss of loved ones, the shortened days, or stress. As this Christmas will be a difficult one for all of us, I invite all of you to take in this special time of worship that reflects on the good news that Christ comes as light shining in the darkness. The Quiet Christmas service will premier on YouTube on Friday December 18 at 4:00pm and be available to view any time afterward.
    • Wesley Christmas Program: Thank you to everyone who dropped off items and donations to the Wesley Christmas program at the church over the past two weeks. Thank you also to everyone who donated to Wesley online. Your gifts will help Wesley Urban Ministries provide hampers for people participating in their programs including families, seniors and those individuals who are homeless.
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Family Worship & Nativity Play – December 13, 2020

Here are all your resources for Family Worship & Learning for the 3rd Sunday in Advent, December 13. We continue our journey through Advent with the candle of Joy (click the link below for the candle liturgy). The Family Worship video will be available starting at 9:00am on Sunday morning but you can download all the other resources right away. The Bible passage connected with our theme is Nehemiah 8.

Advent 3 – Joy (Large Print)

Today’s Question

“What Makes You Super Happy?”

There is no question sheet today, as this week our family worship time includes a virtual Nativity Play put on by some of the kids of St. Andrew’s. If you have a nativity set at home (and haven’t put it up yet) watch our Nativity Play and get your stable ready to welcome the joy that comes with the birth of Jesus.

Family Worship Video – Available 9:00am Sunday Morning

https://youtu.be/Pul3P_J0aR0

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Home Worship – Advent 2 – December 6, 2020

Sunday December 6 is the 2nd Sunday of Advent. This week we are lighting the Candle of Peace. Our morning service was Communion by Zoom (if you’d like to join us live next time write to revjohnread@gmail.com to be added to our mailing list). You’ll find a recording of it below.

One of our St. Andrew’s families will be leading us in the Advent liturgy all the way from Scotland.  You will find a link to the liturgy below and you can watch the reading at the start of Family Worship Video.

Advent 2 – Peace (Large Print)

Order of Service

 

Gathering Music

 

Family Worship & Advent Liturgy – “God Restores Peace”

Worship Recording

Prelude Song:  “Our God Has Come To Us”

Call to Worship – Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 (NRSV)

Opening Prayer

Hymn: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” #139

Old Testament – Nehemiah 4:1-9, 5:1-12 (NIV)

Gospel Reading – Luke 1:67-79 (NIV)

Message – “Peace in Turmoil”

Hymn: “Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel” #122 vs. 1, 3-5

We Celebrate Communion

Blessing

News:

    • Christmas Service Update: In light of the instability of the public health situation, Session will old off on  making a decision as to whether we can safely offer in-person services on Christmas Eve until December 17 (one week ahead of time). While we pray that the situation will improve, there remains the very real possibility Hamilton could go into full lockdown before Christmas. We will notify you of our decision on Friday December 18.
    • Resources for Advent: We’ve prepared a number of ways you can bring Advent home in 2020. You can find it here – https://standrews.ws/2020/11/21/bringing-advent-home-in-2020/.
    • Wesley Christmas Program: Wesley Urban Ministries will be providing hampers for people participating in their programs including families, seniors and those individuals who are homeless. You can donate the following items for hampers – Non-perishable food items; Toys; Hygiene products for men and women; Gift cards for Tim Hortons, Giant Tiger or Walmart. You can drop off these items at the Church on Friday December 11th, between 4:00 to 6:00 pm and one of our elders will be there to receive them. You can also mail a cheque to Wesley (Wesley Administrative Office, 52 Catherine Street North Hamilton L8R 1J1) or donate online at wesley.ca
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Family Worship & Learning – December 6, 2020

Here are all your resources for Family Worship & Learning for the 2nd Sunday in Advent, December 6. We continue our journey through Advent with the candle of Peace (click the link below for the candle liturgy). The Family Worship video will be available starting at 9:00am on Sunday morning but you can download all the other resources right away. The Bible passages connected with our theme are Nehemiah 4-6.

Advent 2 – Peace (Large Print)

Today’s Question

“What is something you need to be brave to do?”

You can just ask the question together as a family or have your kids fill out the colouring sheet. If you join the St. Andrew’s Family Email list you will be sent the Question on a Thursday and have the opportunity to have your answers included in in the Family Worship Video (which is recorded on Saturday afternoons). To be added to the weekly email send a message to revjohnread@gmail.com

Question Sheet – Dec 6

Family Worship Video – Available 9:00am Sunday Morning

Crafts, Discussion & Other Activities

1) Holding Hands (construction paper, scissors, glue, markers)

2) Peace candle – you can work on the candle from the craft kit that was given to you, or try this version shown in the video (supplies: toilet paper tube, black/brown/grey pipe cleaner, red/orange/yellow tissue paper, glue, tape)
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:
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Zoom Communion – Sunday December 6, 2020

This Sunday December 6, we will be worshiping by Zoom video conference at 10:30am. Our service will include the celebration of communion.

If you aren’t on St. Andrew’s email list and would like to join our service please send an email to revjohnread@gmail.com by 9:00am Sunday morning. If you aren’t able to join us live, there will be a recorded and edited version of the service posted to YouTube and available here on the website around 1:00pm in the afternoon.

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Home Worship – Advent 1 – November 29, 2020

This Sunday, November 29, is the first Sunday in Advent. We begin to make our way around the Advent wreath with the candle of Hope. You can use the  Advent liturgy with your own wreath and follow along in the Family Worship video as one of our St. Andrew’s families leads us in lighting our first candle. The theme for this week is “God Restores Hope.”

Advent 1 – Hope

Order of Service 

 

Gathering Music

 Family Worship & Advent Liturgy: “God Restores Hope”

Home Worship Recording

Prelude Song: “Hope of the Nations”

Call to Worship – Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 (NRSV)

Opening Prayer

Hymn: “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” #110

Old Testament – Nehemiah 1:1-2:10 (NIV)

Gospel Reading – Mark 1:1-8 (NIV)

Message – “Hope in Disappointment”

Hymn “Blessed be the God of Israel”

Closing Prayer & Blessing

News:

    • Resources for Advent: We’ve prepared a number of ways you can bring Advent home in 2020. You can find it here – https://standrews.ws/2020/11/21/bringing-advent-home-in-2020/.
    • Wesley Christmas Program: Wesley Urban Ministries will be providing hampers for people participating in their programs including families, seniors and those individuals who are homeless. You can donate the following items for hampers – Non-perishable food items; Toys; Hygiene products for men and women; Gift cards for Tim Hortons, Giant Tiger or Walmart. You can drop off these items at the Church on December 4th or December 11th, between 4:00 to 6:00 pm and Nancy Serafini will be there to receive them. You can also mail a cheque to Wesley (Wesley Administrative Office, 52 Catherine Street North Hamilton L8R 1J1) or donate online at wesley.ca
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Family Worship & Learning – November 29, 2020

Here are all your resources for Family Worship & Learning for November 29, the 1st Sunday in Advent. We start our journey through Advent with the candle of Hope. The Family Worship video will be available starting at 9:00am on Sunday morning but you can download all the other resources right away. The Bible passages connected with our theme are Nehemiah 1 & 2.

Today’s Question

“What is something you would love to help with?”

You can just ask the question together as a family or have your kids fill out the colouring sheet. If you join the St. Andrew’s Family Email list you will be sent the Question on a Thursday and have the opportunity to have your answers included in in the Family Worship Video (which is recorded on Saturday afternoons). To be added to the weekly email send a message to revjohnread@gmail.com

Question Sheet – Nov 22

Family Worship Video – Available 9:00am Sunday Morning

Crafts, Discussion & Other Activities

1) Advent Toolbelt (card stock/construction paper, hole punch, scissors, yarn, markers/pencil crayons)
2) Hope candle – you can work on the candle from the craft kit that was given to you, or try this version shown in the craft video (supplies: toilet paper tube, black/brown/grey pipe cleaner, red/orange/yellow tissue paper, glue, tape) 
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:
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Home Worship – Sunday November 22, 2020

This Sunday, November 22, is Christ the King Sunday and the end of another church year. Next week we’ll begin the season Advent that leads into Christmas.  The theme for this week is “God Keeps His Word,” and our focus is on 2 Chronicles 36, one of the most difficult parts in the story of God’s people.

 

Our Home Worship service for this week will go live on YouTube at 10:30am. The words to the songs in the service will be on the screen. The service continues to be available by telephone for those without internet access.

Order of Service

Gathering Music

 

Family Worship Video – “God Keeps His Word” (available at 9:00am)

Home Worship Recording

Call to Worship – Psalm 95:1-7 (NRSV)

Opening Prayer

Hymn: “Immortal, Invisible” #290

Old Testament – 2 Chronicles 36:5-23 (NIV)

Gospel Reading – Matthew 23:37-24:2 (NIV)

Message – “Life in Exile”

Song: “Cornerstone”

Closing Prayer & Blessing

 

News:

    • COVID-19 Update: As was announced this past on November 17, St. Andrew’s will not be returning to in-person worship in Advent. This was a difficult and painful decision, yet in light of the recent developments in the pandemic (with Hamilton going into the ‘Red Zone’) this remains the safest choice. We will incorporate as many of our seasonal traditions into our online services as possible through this challenging time. We pray for God’s help for us and our neighbours to do what’s necessary to reduce infection rates in the lead up to Christmas.
    • Resources for Advent: As we’re don’t have the option of gathering together at the church building for our Advent celebrations this year, we’ve prepared a number of ways you can bring Advent home in 2020. You can find these suggestions and resources here – https://standrews.ws/2020/11/21/bringing-advent-home-in-2020/.
    • Wesley Christmas Program: One way our St. Andrew’s family has reached out to our neighbours in Hamilton has been through the Christmas Program of Wesley Urban Ministries. The program is a bit different this year, but you can make a donation online or follow the Advent link above to find out other giving options.

 

Grace and Peace,

John

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Family Worship & Learning – November 22, 2020

Here are all your resources for Family Worship & Learning for Sunday November 22. The Family Worship video will be available starting at 9:00am on Sunday morning but you can download all the other resources right away. The Bible passage connected with today’s theme is 2 Chronicles 36.

Today’s Question

“What is something that is NOT a good idea to do?”

You can just ask the question together as a family or have your kids fill out the colouring sheet. If you join the St. Andrew’s Family Email list you will be sent the Question on a Thursday and have the opportunity to have your answers included in in the Family Worship Video (which is recorded on Saturday afternoons). To be added to the weekly email send a message to revjohnread@gmail.com

Question – Nov 22

Family Worship Video – Available 9:00am Sunday Morning

Crafts, Discussion & Other Activities

1) Warning signs (supplies: printed examples of warning labels/signs from the internet, white or yellow paper)
2) Righteous Branch (supplies: large branch or small branches, craft supplies to decorate branch)

 

Journal Page – Nov 22

 

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:

Big God Project Resources – Nov 22

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Bringing Advent Home in 2020

As was announced on November 17,  due to the high rates of new COVID cases in the province and with Hamilton now in a pandemic Red Zone, our St. Andrew’s family will be marking Advent at home this year. So, I’m sharing some practices that we can use to keep the hope of the season before us as we wait for the light of Christ to shine into the darkness.

Setting up an Advent Wreath

Jen Pooni will be dropping off craft kits to all our St. Andrew’s families with kids, but anyone can make their own Advent wreath from supplies you can get from the dollar store or craft shop. Ideally your candles would be 3 purple, 1 pink and 1 white (and you can also find blue Advent candles as another alternative), but feel free to use whatever you can easily obtain. If you would prefer to buy readymade Advent candles, holders or wreaths, you can find them at the Family Christian Book Store in Burlington (750 Guelph Line) or at online retailers like Amazon (though shipping times may vary).

At our house we have our wreath on our dining room table, and we light the week’s candles at dinner time each day. Each week for worship I will be sending along the Presbyterian Church in Canada’s Advent liturgy, which you can use whenever you join our online service or at dinner on Sundays. You can also use the document below that has simple prayers for each candle that you can use throughout the rest of the week.

Home Advent Prayers (Mobile)

Home Advent Prayers (Print)

Advent Challenge and Gifts of Change

Connected with the Advent Liturgies is the PWS&D Advent Challenge. For each week of Advent, read the story on the back of the PWS&D Advent liturgy, complete the weekly challenge and share the gifts of hope, peace, joy and love that enable abundant life—at home and around the world.

Another way to give to others as you get ready for Christmas is the Gifts of Change program. Below you’ll find the 2020-2021 catalogue which you can look through and choose what kind of mission or development gifts you would like to give on your own behalf or as a present to others. This Advent the St. Andrew’s Mission Team will be picking a project from Gifts of Change to support with the some of the funds you have generously given to the Mission Fund in the past year.

Gifts_of_Change_2020-2021

Wesley Christmas Program

While the program will be a bit different this year, we can continue to support Wesley Urban Ministries as we normally would with our giving tree. For information on how to take part this year, please see the document below from the Mission Team.

Wesley Christmas Program

Advent Study and Devotional

A great resource for study in any season is the Bible Project. Last year they produced a series of 4 videos for each of the weeks in Advent which you can find, along with study notes and other resources here: https://bibleproject.com/explore/the-advent-series/

If you would like something for each day, I would recommend the Advent for Everyone devotional by N. T. Wright. You can find it on Amazon in both print and e-book formats, or take a  drive to the Family Christian Bookstore in Burlington.

 

May God bless you with Hope, Peace, Joy and Love,

May the Spirit empower you to be a blessing to others,

And May Christ be present in all our waiting.

 

Grace and Peace,

Rev. John Read