Reconciliation – Sunday January 29, 10:30 a.m.

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Each year, Christians around the world join in January prayers for unity. This year the theme has been selected by the Churches of Germany, 500 years after the Reformation which brought both renewal and division to the Church of Christ. The focus is not on our churches, but upon the Christ. We can read some reflections of their own experience at https://www.councilofchurches.ca/our-faith/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity/ecumenism-in-germany/ Other  resources are available, including daily studies for ten days of personal reflection https://www.councilofchurches.ca/our-faith/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity/eight-days-biblical-reflections/

Here at St. Andrew’s, we are continuing a recent tradition of inviting a member of another branch of the Church of Christ to join us and lead us in worship this last Sunday of January. This year we welcome Sister Pauline Lally of the Sisters of Providence. Sister Lally will develop the theme of the Apostle Paul, Reconciliation – The Love of Christ Compels Us (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:14-20), with special reference to reconciliation with creation.

Have a look at the Order of Service below. During the service there is a nursery offered for infants and a programme for children. Parking is free on the streets around the church, and in the public surface lot just behind the church off Queen Street. If you are in the area, you would be very welcome!

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‘Now when Jesus also had been baptized …’ – Sunday January 22, 10:30 a.m.

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As the new year continues to unfold, we examine a scene foundational to the life of Christ … and Christians.

John has been preaching the need to ‘re-turn’ to God, in faith and in life, a new beginning marked by baptism. Though he is God-with-us, Jesus presents himself for baptism – it is a way to show how he identifies with wandering humanity.

In this composition by Nicholas Poussin from the 1650’s, we see John baptizing Jesus. But the interesting thing is that in his narration of the scene, Luke does not write of the moment of Jesus’ baptism (Luke 3;1-22), saying only ‘Now when Jesus also had been baptized …’ John preached the importance not of baptism itself but of bearing ‘fruits worthy of repentance’ after baptism – is Luke suggesting that our focus should be upon not the baptism but the life of Jesus? Is Jesus’ identification with humanity at his baptism seen most clearly in his embracing, teaching, healing and at the cross? Is my baptism but the beginning of growing into a life dedicated to the glory of God and the good of neighbour? As regimes and societies change, Christians need to be all the clearer about our particular calling as God’s people.

If you are in the area, join us as worship God and grow in Christian faith and life. There is a nursery for infants and a programme for children during the service. After the service you are invited to a congregational lunch – it is pot luck, but there is always lots for everyone. There is parking on the streets around the church, and in the public lot just behind the church along Queen Street. Have a look at the order of service below, and the announcements – you would be welcomed, in Christ!

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The Christ in Egypt – Sunday February 15, 10:30 a.m.

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When I hear the word ‘Egypt’ in worship, my first and sometimes only thought tends to be of the enslavement of the ancient Hebrews. How much I neglect, or forget! Remember how prior Jacob and his sons were rescued by Joseph from famine, and offered refuge by a Pharaoh? Egypt proved to be the land of refuge several times, before and after the Exodus. This morning as Christians we remember with particular gratitude that it was in Egypt where the holy family found refuge – the Jewish king Herod intended evil, but Egypt welcomed the Christ Child and God used this welcome to extend salvation to all humanity. This morning we remember this story, the history of the Christian faith in Egypt, and the Christians of Egypt today.

Have a look at the Order of Service below, and join us! There is a nursery for infants and a programme for children during the service. There is free parking on the streets about and in the public lot behind the church just off Queen Street. For those with mobility challenges, there is a dedicated entrance (and washroom) through the far west door along Princess Street.

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The Days of January

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Have a look at the Minister’s newsletter, and join us as you are able and inclined for Christian worship, community and service!

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Epiphany Sunday – Sunday January 8, 10:30 a.m.

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When it is dark enough …

Wherever you look, it is easy to acknowledge the darkness. Whether you look at the injustices inflicted upon innocents in the midst of wars around the world, or the suffering of many in the midst of our nation of prosperity, or within the recesses of our own hearts, it is certainly dark enough.

But when it is dark enough … you can see the stars.

This morning we remember the star that set the magi out upon their journey, the star that hung over Bethlehem. Now it is Christ who is our star. In the darkness, the light of Christ shines all the more brightly. It is Christ who sets us out upon a journey in the darkness and through the darkness to God’s promised realm of peace and justice.

Join us as we begin this week in the worship of God known in Jesus by the work of the Holy Spirit. Great songs of praise. Holy Communion. A nursery for infants with a certified caregiver and a programme for children is offered by during the service. Have a look at the Order of Service …

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New Year’s Day Service – Sunday January 1, 10:30 a.m.

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Standing at the portal of the opening year,
words of comfort meet us hushing every fear,
spoken through the silence by God’s loving voice,
tender, strong and faithful, making us rejoice.

As we gather in St. Andrew’s Hall around quartet tables with croissants and home made croissants, our worship will be a bit more informal but certainly intentional. We will hear again foundational ‘words’ and respond with joy – after hearing the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) we will lift up the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), after hearing the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:20-26) we will state our trust in God with the Nicene Creed. We will conclude by repeating the Puritan prayer of Covenant Renewal (later published by John Wesley)

God will not forsake us and will never fail;
God’s eternal covenant ever will prevail.
Resting on this promise, what have we to fear?
God is all-sufficient for the coming year.  (Frances Ridley Havergal)

Join us if you are in the area – enter through the doors off Clergy Street by the cannon (!)

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