Sunday October 25, 10:30 a.m. Prayer 7) Forgive us our debts

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Forgiveness – it is a foundational dimension of the Christian understanding of a truly human life. Perhaps every church should have a billboard like this outside.

But there are depths to this petition of the prayer our Lord gave us to which ‘forgiveness’ does not do justice. The word can give the impression that it refers to something static and theoretical, as if forgiveness that can be talked about objectively or kept on a shelf and taken down when needed.

At its core, however, forgiveness as defined by Christ is only and always relational and dynamic. I appreciate how this petition is framed by verbs, involving not just me but others. I look forward to sharing some thoughts during this Sunday’s sermon.

The doors of the sanctuary 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/4O54ZLtaPwo

The Order of Service, music notes and announcements can be found at the end of this post.

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 

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.

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Sunday September 13, 10:30 Prayer 1) What is it?

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Amidst much continuing uncertainty and anxiety, we begin a new congregational year with a focus upon one of the foundations of Christian faith, one that I see symbolized so movingly in this drawing of Van Gogh. 

My eyes are drawn to the hands of this man, entwined, and they make me think of prayer. Not the position of prayer, but the relationships of prayer. I think of prayer involving two hands, one hand being mine and the other being that of the Holy One holding mine, holding me, holding us. Prayer is a relationship with God, intimate. Prayer is the assurance we know in Christ, that we are loved with a love that will not let us go. These weeks of autumn we will explore our lives through the prayer that Jesus taught us, the Lord’s Prayer.

The doors of the sanctuary will re-open for worship at 10:30 a.m. (Please see the previous post for the protocols and shape of the service). The service will also be live-streamed, available at 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning and anytime after at … https://youtu.be/vUQgX0h5wkQ

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 door along Princess Street.


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Being introduced to the dynamics of live-streaming!

November 17, 10:30 A.M. ~ Mark 9) The Dynamics of the Kingdom of God

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James B. Janknegt – Used with permission   www.bcartfarm.com

I attended the annual Kingston Interfaith Community potluck dinner at the City Hall last night. Ten different faith communities of the city (with St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church representing the Christian community this year) presented contributions in word, song and dance from their faith traditions around this year’s theme of ‘hope’. I was moved how deep sincerity was matched with mutual respect, as we shared spiritual dimensions of hope.

As Christians our hope is rooted in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, and the promise that what God began in the earthly ministry of Jesus God will complete for the good of all who follow him, indeed for all humanity … the holy city, a new heaven and new earth, the Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom or Reign of God is the focus of Jesus in the parables we will hear this Sunday … with an emphasis upon the assurance that our faithful acts of service as small mustard seeds can be grown by God into something wonderfully lively and life-giving for others (Mark 4:30-32). Isn’t this an inspiring painting by artist James B. Janknegt? Do you notice the ‘Seed’ store on the left side of the town? I wonder to what that might be referring?!

If you are in the area, we warmly invite you to join the worship of God. Certified child care is offered during the service and there is free parking on the streets around (please note that the time-of-day restrictions on Clergy Street north of Queen are not in effect on Sundays) and in the surface civic lot just behind the church off Queen Street. And this Sunday all are invited to linger afterwards for a congregational potluck!

Have a look at the Order of Service and bulletin below, and consider each hymn and prayer and announcement a personal invitation to join us in Christian worship, community and service. If you have any questions about forthcoming events and opportunities, please call the church office Tuesday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – noon, 613-546-6316, or email

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Join us next Sunday as we continue our journey through the Gospel According to Mark, hearing how Jesus stilled a storm (Mark 4:35-41).

Mark (7) Freedom from Bondage – October 27, 10:30 A.M.

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Albrecht Dürer,1512

Albrecht Dürer, 1512
The National Gallery of Canada

It is Reformation Sunday. It is good to look back and thank God for the reformation of the Church, for the return of … the Bible to the people, the singing God’s praise to the congregation, grace and sovereignty to God and God alone. I look forward to the hymn of Martin Luther ‘A mighty fortress is our God’ and joining in the prayer of John Calvin ‘I greet thee, who my Redeemer art’.

But I know this Sunday also challenges me with the truth that the Church is to ‘reformed and always reforming’. Yes, there are dimensions of Christian faith that are eternally valid. But how they are experienced and communicated change from one generation to another, from one context to another. And these changes must not only be acknowledged, but welcomed.

As we continue to journey through the Gospel according to Mark, we arrive at a scene in which Jesus speaks of overcoming ‘a strong man’ (Mark 3:20-27) and plundering his possessions. If this strong man were the Evil One, then it would be humanity that was in bondage. If Jesus has broken in and released us, how do we live this new and gracious freedom in our generation and culture? 

Albrecht Dürer engraved this scene in 1512, just five years after Martin Luther began his service of Christ in the Church. It shows Christ ‘harrowing hell’, liberating God’s people who had died before his life, death and resurrection. I have enjoyed meditating upon this print with relation to this parable of Jesus early in his ministry. After all, is the resurrection life something lived only the other side of the grave? Is freedom not a particular way of life now as well as from the ultimate hold of death?

If you are in the area, we warmly invite you to join the worship of God. With great joy we will be welcoming new members. And after the service, if you have time to linger, have a seat at our monthly congregational lunch and allow us the opportunity to introduce ourselves.

Certified child care is offered during the service and there is free parking on the streets around (please note that the time-of-day restrictions on Clergy Street north of Queen are not in effect on Sundays) and in the surface civic lot just behind the church off Queen Street.

Have a look at the Order of Service and bulletin below, and consider each hymn and prayer and announcement a personal invitation to join us in Christian worship, community and service. If you have any questions about forthcoming events and opportunities, please call the church office Tuesday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – noon, 613-546-6316, or email [email protected]

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Join us next Sunday, November 3, for the Celebration of the Lord’s Supper.

The Sanctuary Windows of St. Andrew’s (2) Mary & Martha – Sunday July 28, 10:30 A.M.

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In loving remembrance of George Davidson, an Elder of this church for 50 years, who died 4th of May 1891, and of his wife Helen Caruthers who died 7th of May 1885, erected by their daughter.

These Sundays of summer we are exploring the gospel through the stained glass windows of the sanctuary of St. Andrew’s. This morning the Mary and Martha window, the first that greets us as we walk in the main doors of the sanctuary.

I love the pomegranates that provide a border to this scene – how exotic they would have been in Kingston of the late nineteenth century! And I am moved by the dedicatory words – an unnamed daughter remembering her parents. I wonder if one of her parents was a ‘Mary’ and another a ‘Martha’? And what does being a ‘Mary’ or a ‘Martha’ mean anyway?

This story from the gospel according to Luke (10:38-42) certainly bears hearing and considering again, for oft has it been misunderstood and misapplied.

We warmly welcome you to join us. Certified child care is offered during the service and there is free parking on the streets around (please note that the time-of-day restrictions on Clergy Street north of Queen are not in effect on Sundays) and in the surface civic lot just behind the church off Queen Street.

Have a look at the Order of Service and bulletin below, and consider each hymn and prayer and announcement a personal invitation to join us in Christian worship, community and service. If you have any questions about forthcoming events and opportunities, please call the church office Tuesday -Thursday, 9 a.m. – noon, 613-546-6316, or email [email protected]

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The Cruciform Life: Moses

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JOIN US Sunday March 17th!
If you are in the area, we warmly invite you to join in the worship of God. Have a look at the Order of Service below (and also the announcements – please consider each a personal invitation to join us in Christian worship, community and service).

During the service there is offered a nursery for infants and a programme for young children if desired. There is free parking on the streets around (please note that the time-of-day restrictions on Clergy Street north of Queen are not in effect on Sundays) and in the surface civic lot just behind the church off Queen Street. There is a wheel chair lift available in the doors of the church closest to the manse (the courtyard is entered from the driveway half way along the St. Andrew’s block of Clergy Street) and a wheelchair ramp is available by ramp and door along Princess Street.

A special welcome to the Rev. Dr. William Morrow who is our preacher this morning. Bill received his Masters of Divinity from Knox College Toronto, is Full Professor in the Queen’s School of Religion, and is non-stipendiary priest of the Anglican Church, currently serving at St. James Church on Union Street.

If you have any other questions, please call the church office Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. – noon, or email [email protected] For matters of pastoral care during the Minister’s absence, please contact Alberta Saunders, Clerk of Session – [email protected]

The Cruciform Life: Abraham

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If you are in the area, we warmly invite you to join in the worship of God. Have a look at the Order of Service below (and also the announcements – please consider each a personal invitation to join us in Christian worship, community and service).

During the service there is offered a nursery for infants and a programme for young children if desired. There is free parking on the streets around (please note that the time-of-day restrictions on Clergy Street north of Queen are not in effect on Sundays) and in the surface civic lot just behind the church off Queen Street. There is a wheel chair lift available in the doors of the church closest to the manse (the courtyard is entered from the driveway half way along the St. Andrew’s block of Clergy Street) and a wheelchair ramp is available by ramp and door along Princess Street.

A special welcome to the Rev. Dr. William Morrow who is our preacher this morning. Bill received his Masters of Divinity from Knox College Toronto, is Full Professor in the Queen’s School of Religion, and is non-stipendiary priest of the Anglican Church, currently serving at St. James Church on Union Street.

If you have any other questions, please call the church office Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. – noon, or email [email protected] For matters of pastoral care during the Minister’s absence, please contact Alberta Saunders, Clerk of Session – [email protected]