Sunday Jan. 3, 10:30 a.m. – Epiphany Sunday

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Adoration of the Shepherds (fresco) by Giotto di Bondone, 1303

Notice the ‘star’ in this wonderful piece by Giotto? It is not a stationary orb but is shooting across the night sky, full of movement. This morning we will hear again about how the magi (representing the peoples of humanity beyond the Jewish nation) were led to worship God-come-to-us … by a star. But we will also consider how today we are led to the side of Christ by the movements of the Holy Spirit, inviting us to journey further into life and faith.

Last Epiphany, members received a paper star with a word written upon it, and were challenged to remain open to hearing that word through the year ahead and how it was used and what new understandings were given to them about life and faith by that word. One year later, three members of St. Andrew’s will share some of those reflections.

And as is our custom on the first Sunday of each month, we will celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. You are invited to prepare some bread and a cup for this service.

We may not be able to gather together in the sanctuary, but we will begin this week of grace together in worship! The service will be available online just after 10:20 a.m. at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ14yTeblNY

Recordings of previous services can be found at our Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzEy41z3sqfRm8X_lLfKGUA 

Download (PDF, 672KB)

Epiphany Prayer

God of grace, thank you for every epiphany that will happen today
for every one who drops a weapon because there are no enemies
for every one who breathes in the scent of cedar and is cleansed
for every one who drops that heavy bundle of resentment
for every one who is guided by generations yet unborn
for every one who is contented at the end of a journey
for every one who falls on their knees before a baby
for every one who senses the webs that connect us
for every one who follows a sign from heaven 
for every one who remembers to give gifts 
for every one who is bowled over by love 
for every one who recognizes the holy 
for every one who dances with joy
for every one who says a prayer
for all with stars in their eyes
For Jesus’ sake
We pray
Amen

by Carol Penner of Conrad Grebel University Waterloo ON www.leadinginworship.com copyright

Sunday Dec 27, 10:30 a.m. – The Dance Begins!

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Mystic Nativity (Alessandro Botticelli) c.1500

The First Sunday after Christmas. Our joy is extended with help of two passages of scripture (Luke 2: 22-40, Colossians 1:15-20), a painting (Mystic Nativity by Alessandro Botticelli) and a carol (Tomorrow is my Dancing Day). We will close this year with special prayers of thanksgiving and intercession.

We may not be able to gather together in the sanctuary, but we WILL gather together in worship! The service will be available online just after 10:20 a.m. at https://youtu.be/FlNMjfvG4js

Recordings of previous services can be found at our Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzEy41z3sqfRm8X_lLfKGUA 

Prayer for the Road Ahead

I seek you, God, in the spaces of my life.
The spaces between what I’ve done
and what I’ve left undone.
The spaces between my convictions
and my actions,
the spaces between all that I hoped to do,
and what I’ve actually done.
I come with humility,
knowing that I can’t always see
the way I’ve disappointed you,
nor can I always see
the long-term effects of the good I’ve done.
This is a prayer for the road ahead,
which is an empty space stretching before me.
Fill me with a burning compassion
for my brothers and sisters,
a love that will not let me go.
Give me courage to to give boldly,
love simply,
hope deeply,
risk greatly.
My light is small,
my time is short,
but let it shine for you,
always, ever, all for you.
Amen.

Copyright Carol Penner www.leadinginworship.com
Conrad Grebel College, Waterloo ON

Christmas Eve Online

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This evening we gather for an hour together online, of readings and carols and special music from the sanctuary of St. Andrew’s as we celebrate the birth of our Lord among us, ‘for us and our salvation’. The service will be available December 24, 6 p.m. at https://youtu.be/qNpx0q95Zec

Please note that the outdoor carol sing has been cancelled.

Instead, perhaps you might consider joining with others in something closer to home. Yesterday I received an update from the World Council of Churches sharing that the Lutheran Church of Germany has invited all their members to go to their balcony or front door at 8 p.m. and sing a verse or two of ‘Silent Night’. What a great idea to connect with others and share some of our joy and faith! Will you join me this evening?

‘Services that bring everyone together are not possible this year, but it is still possible to do something that could bring everyone together. Singing ‘Silent Night’ together, perhaps with a burning candle in hand as light in all the darkness that weighs down and threatens life, could be a comforting sign on Christmas Eve. Because this particular hymn fits like no other this night, which will be quieter this year than the Christmas nights we are used to.’

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
‘Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
 
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from heaven afar;
Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia!
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!
 
Silent night, holy night
Son of God, oh, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
 

Sunday Dec 20, 10:30 a.m. Advent 4) Shepherds and the Spirit-Led Life

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Angels Appearing before the Shepherds, Henry Ossawa Tanner, c. 1910


The final week of Advent and of waiting. Soon the celebration of Christmas shall be upon us, and this year that assurance and joy will come none-too-soon.

In the meantime we continue our preparations by exploring another dimension of the Christian tradition and life. We will follow the story of the shepherds (Luke 2: 8-20) and consider how now we are led to Christ not by a heavenly angel but by the Holy Spirit. 

This painting by Henry Ossawa Tanner captures something of the mystery and the beauty of that story. Tanner was the first black American artist to gain international acclaim. He suffered racism in the States and acceptance in France, which he adopted as his home away from home. At Christmas 1896 Tanner wrote to his parents, “I have made up my mind to serve Him [God] more faithfully.” A tour of the Middle East intensified his focus upon scenes from the biblical narrative and infused them with dimensions both ethereal and realistic, as seen in this canvas of 1910 with his portrayal of an ambiguous spiritual presence (the angel) and a definite personal experience (the shepherds and us).

We are planing for the doors to be open and our service of worship will begin at 10:30 a.m., though we suggest you check back Sunday morning just to confirm. If you are able to attend to join for worship in the sanctuary, please note the post under ‘Special Events’ in the column to the right for the protocols that need to be followed. The service will also be live-streamed, active just after 10:20 a.m. with organ music for meditation, commencing with the Entry of the Scriptures at 10:30 a.m., found at https://youtu.be/HBsmHNl94cM

Once the service has ended, a recording will be available on our channel shortly after the live-streaming has ended – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzEy41z3sqfRm8X_lLfKGUA 

Have a look at the Order of Service, music notes and announcements below, and participate as you are able.

Free parking is available Sunday mornings in the surface civic lot off Queen Street behind St. Andrew’s, and on the streets of the neighbourhood – please note that time-of-day restrictions north of Queen are not enforced on Sundays. For accessible entrance to the sanctuary, please use the ramp by the western-most door along Princess Street.

Download (PDF, 805KB)

Sunday Dec 13, 10:30 a.m. Advent 3) Joseph and Holiness

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In John Irving’s A Prayer for Owen Meany there is a Christmas pageant scene, during which John Wheelwright says ‘What an uninspiring role it is, to be Joseph – that hapless follower, that stand-in, that guy along for the ride.’

One would almost think Rembrandt agreed. While Mary is exhausted but bathed in light, Joseph is exhausted and in the shadows. Except for that hand of an angel upon his shoulder! 

This morning we will consider another dimension of the Christian life, and within the Church of Christ – ‘holiness’. What does it mean to ‘be’ holy? The character of Joseph will help us explore the challenge.

The doors will be open and our service of worship will begin at 10:30 a.m. (Please see the post under ‘Special Events’ in the column to the right for the protocols and shape of the service).

Due to an internet failure, there was no live-streaming of the service, but an audio recording is now available at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzEy41z3sqfRm8X_lLfKGUA

Have a look at the Order of Service, music notes and announcements.

Free parking is available Sunday mornings in the surface civic lot off Queen Street behind St. Andrew’s, and on the streets of the neighbourhood – please note that time-of-day restrictions north of Queen are not enforced on Sundays. For accessible entrance to the sanctuary, please use the ramp by the western-most door along Princess Street.

Download (PDF, 780KB)

Sunday Dec 6, 10:30 a.m. Advent 2) John the Baptist and Compassion

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Paolo Veronese (1528-1588) – St John the Baptist Preaching

‘Walking home from church with a hard working farmer who was a regular worshipper, the minister congratulated the man on being present each Sunday in the pew. ‘Oh I enjoy the Sunday service’ he replied. Just as the minister was experiencing what some call an ‘ego-inflation’, the farmer continued, ‘Sunday for me really is a day of rest. I work hard all week, and then I come to church on Sundays, and when you start the sermon, I put my feet up on the heating pipes under the pews, and think of nothing.’
(Holy Wit, compiled by the Rev. James A. Simpson: Edinburgh)

There is certainly great comfort in the Christian gospel but there is also great challenge, and this morning we hear the latter loud and clear from John the Baptist … and even more, as his pointing finger indicates, from Jesus the Christ (Luke 3:1-18).

Our theme this morning is the dimension of the Christian tradition and life known as ‘compassion’, the ‘sorrow for the suffering of others accompanied by an urge to help’ (Collins Dictionary). 

We will also be celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion, to which is invited ‘all who love the Lord a little and yearn to love him more’. If you will be part of the congregation online, you are invited to prepare some bread and a cup for yourself. If you are able to be part of the congregation in the sanctuary, you can bring your own bread and juice, or receive a packaged personal unit as you enter.

The doors will be open and our service of worship will begin at 10:30 a.m. (Please see the post under ‘Special Events’ in the column to the right for the protocols and shape of the service). The service will also be live-streamed, active just after 10:20 a.m. with organ music for meditation, commencing with the Entry of the Scriptures at 10:30 a.m., found at https://youtu.be/aU9UPCw-23g

Once the service has ended, a recording will be available on our channel shortly after the live-streaming has ended – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzEy41z3sqfRm8X_lLfKGUA 

Have a look at the Order of Service, music notes and announcements.

Free parking is available Sunday mornings in the surface civic lot off Queen Street behind St. Andrew’s, and on the streets of the neighbourhood – please note that time-of-day restrictions north of Queen are not enforced on Sundays. For accessible entrance to the sanctuary, please use the ramp by the western-most door along Princess Street.

Download (PDF, 982KB)

 

Advent Devotions and Living Rooms

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Les Santons de Charlevoix


Here are a variety of different Advent opportunities for individuals and families, adults and children …

Online Daily Advent Emails 
a) scripture accompanied with works of art and music and wonderful notes of context and interpretation  http://ccca.biola.edu/advent/2020/
from the Centre for Christianity, Culture and the Arts (Biola University)
b) a word for reflection and prayer each day from the Virginia Theological Seminary. Join an international community in prayer to explore the mystery and wonder of Advent! https://adventword.org/en/home/
c) Visual Theological Commentary brings you three readings of scripture and three works of art each day with some words for exploration, https://thevcs.org/Advent2020 from King’s College London

Podcast ‘Understanding Christmas: Strange New World #1
A talk about understanding Christmas by beginning with an understanding
of the Bible, the world’s most influential, misunderstood book – ‘a podcast tailor-made for skeptics, believers, and everybody in between’. Hosted by Matthew Myer Boulton, who’s spent twenty years teaching the Bible and theology to students at Harvard Divinity School and elsewhere. https://www.saltproject.org/podcast-strange-new-world

Celebrating the Light with different Faith Traditions
https://presbyterian.ca/2020/11/23/celebrating-the-light-in-different-faith-traditions/

Advent Resources for Families and Children of All Ages
These resources have been produced by the Rev. Dr. Tori Smit, our Synod Christian Education resource staff. Have a look!
 
Advent Devotional Booklet –  http://www.cnob.org/?p=1907
Making An Advent Wreath Video – http://www.cnob.org/?p=1923
 
Living Room Videos 

Each week of Advent, the living room will ‘grow’ into Christmas.
Advent 1 – https://bit.ly/3f84GzS
After opening the link above, click on the candle, and a Bible story will be told. Then you can click on things all around the room. The nativity set will reveal daily devotions making use of scripture and/or the Spark Story Bible with additional prayers and wondering questions. A musical instrument opens up to a  a new song and papers on the floor will reveal the words to lengthier songs for everyone to sing along. The mixing bowl on the table will take you to recipe for the travellers that week, and the cup with pencil crayons offer up a fun craft. And finally the window over the couch takes everyone outside for an adventure together.