Celebrating the Sacred.

This is the theme we will be exploring over these last three weeks of summer. And we will be doing so through the work of the artist Vincent Van Gogh, whose paintings were infused with the Christian spirituality of his life and faith.

This sermon will look at one of the last and one of the first paintings of this artist – Iris and The Potato Eaters – that pick up dimensions of the presence of God both in creation and amongst the humble ones of humanity.

Our worship will include hymns ‘Praise my soul, the king of heaven’ and ‘Joyful, joyful, we adore thee’.

We warmly invite you to join us this Sunday morning 
with Video at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzEy41z3sqfRm8X_lLfKGUA
and with Podcast at
https://anchor.fm/st-andrews-presbyterian-church-kingston

NOTE: the Government of Canada is matching donations until end of day Monday August 24 to support the people of Beirut after the terrible harbour explosion they have suffered. If you are able to support this outreach, I encourage you to contribute through Presbyterian World Service and Development … https://presbyterian.ca/pwsd/2020/08/05/beirut/

We begin this new week of grace considering another of the parables of Jesus, that of the Talents as found in Matthew 25:14-30. Are you living a life of extravagant faithfulness? Make your life count!

The Rev. Nancy Hancock will lead us in praise, prayer and sermon this morning. We warmly invite you to join us
with Video at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzEy41z3sqfRm8X_lLfKGUA
and with Podcast at
https://anchor.fm/st-andrews-presbyterian-church-kingston

During this season of planting and harvest, we’ll be exploring Jesus’ Parable of the Wheat and Tares.  (Matt. 13). Which one might you be?

The Rev. Nancy Hancock will lead us in praise, prayer and sermon this morning. We warmly invite you to join us and begin this week of grace in the worship of God
with Video at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzEy41z3sqfRm8X_lLfKGUA
and with Podcast at
https://anchor.fm/st-andrews-presbyterian-church-kingston

Among the members of St. Andrew’s who have been sewing face masks for family and neighbours, Kathleen, Lori-Kim and Susanne saved some scraps of material and have crafted a memorable pulpit fall for our sanctuary. Can you see the image of the fish emerge, that most ancient symbol of Jesus Christ and of Christians? As one mentioned – As I was sewing all our individual strips together, I was praying for each of the people wearing the masks sewn from these fabrics … I LOVE how the fish takes a bit to focus onto – plays right into the image of Jesus always being there, even in the midst of “chaos”, but that sometimes we have to step back to see him – to focus on him.

We warmly invite you to join us this Sunday morning and begin this week of grace in the worship of God with Video at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzEy41z3sqfRm8X_lLfKGUA
and with Podcast at
https://anchor.fm/st-andrews-presbyterian-church-kingston

We will continue exploring our Christian faith through the words of the hymns we sing – this Sunday Isaac Watts’ ‘When I survey the wondrous cross’. We will also celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion – be sure to prepare a sacred place, with bread and wine, and perhaps even a candle.

‘Who would true valour see, let them come hither …
There’s no discouragement shall make me once relent
my first avowed intent to be a pilgrim’

We continue this Sunday exploring our Christian faith through the hymns we sing. After joining with the Church in Jerusalem of the first three centuries (Let all mortal flesh keep silence … for Christ our God to earth descendeth), and with those around John of Damascus in the 8th century (The day of resurrection, earth tell it out abroad), and with Francis of Assisi in the 12th century (All creatures of our God and King, lift up your voices and with us sing), we arrive at 17th century England … and what a story lies behind this hymn! It is one of Christian witness embodied in the life of its author, and of challenge in its words to us today.

If you would like to hear the hymn sung in preparation to singing it together, I recommend Maddy Prior’s lively and authentic rendition https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiSxSZ0s0AQ

We warmly invite you to join us this Sunday morning and begin this week of grace in the worship of God with Video at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzEy41z3sqfRm8X_lLfKGUA
and with Podcast at
https://anchor.fm/st-andrews-presbyterian-church-kingston

During the service, reference will be made to a volume to be published in August by Upper Room Press, Rally: Communal Prayers for Lovers of Jesus and Justice – I recommend seeing the video of a prayer, found at the bottom of this webpage https://upperroombooks.com/Rally/

In gardens around the world, one can find a statue similar to this. Why is that? Who might this be?
As we explore the answer, we will be led to one of the great hymns of Christian praise, ‘All creatures of our God and King … sing praises, hallelujah’, with encouragement for our faith and a challenge for our lives.

We warmly invite you to join us this Sunday morning and begin this week of grace in the worship of God with Video at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzEy41z3sqfRm8X_lLfKGUA
and with Podcast at
https://anchor.fm/st-andrews-presbyterian-church-kingston

If you would like to join in the congregational time of fellowship Sunday morning 11:30 – noon by ZOOM, you would be welcome – just let me know and I will forward a link to you! [email protected]

Easter in July! Why not? Should not every Sunday be Easter Sunday, a celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord, and an acknowledgement of the Risen Lord with us?
We continue this Sunday exploring our Christian faith through the hymns we sing – this Sunday joining generations before us with verses based upon the poetry of John of Damascus  (676-734 A.D.) – ‘The day of resurrection, earth tell it out abroad!’.

We warmly invite you to join us this Sunday morning and begin this week of grace in the worship of God with Video at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzEy41z3sqfRm8X_lLfKGUA
and with Podcast at
https://anchor.fm/st-andrews-presbyterian-church-kingston

Reference will be made to a recently-released work ‘Draw Near’ by Canadian spoken word artist Andrew Russell – it can be viewed here https://www.facebook.com/joinlovemovement/videos/1407841919405336