Welcome to St. Andrew's! We would love to have you join us this Sunday. Our services are traditional though there is modern music and the occasional shouted 'amen'. We dive deeply into Holy Scripture for guidance and bring our personal prayer requests before God. You don't need to dress up. You can sit where you like. You can stay for coffee after the service and meet new friends.
In addition to attending in person, you can stream the service live HERE on Facebook or HERE on our website.
Thanks to Curtis & Rod for helping lead this morning's worship. Special thanks to "Harmony in Hand" and their director Karen McClelland, who will be contributing addition musical offerings.
A special welcome to our guest preacher, Dr. Todd Statham. Todd is the Christian Reformed campus pastor at The University of British Columbia (Okanagan)— a ministry supported by the Presbytery of Kamloops. As a university chaplain, he helps undergraduates, international students and professors grow in Christ and faithfully engage their studies and research. Todd has previously served as a Presbyterian missionary in Malawi and a university lecturer in Germany. He is married to Annika, a horse-assisted educator; they have three kids (ages 18, 15, and 13), and live in Kelowna.
Order of Service
Prelude: "Christmas Night" arr. Michael Helman
Welcome
Call to Worship & Candle Lighting
As we enter the season of Advent,
we remember God’s promises to rescue God's people.
We come longing for a brighter future for all.
We light the first candle of Advent, a symbol of God’s hope,
which shines in the darkness.
(Light the candle of hope)
May the light of this candle ignite a fire within your people,
who are often hesitant to welcome or work for change.
Holy One, strengthen us by your Spirit
to walk alongside the desperate and the sick,
the poor and the oppressed.
May our actions be aligned with your rescue plans.
Opening Hymn: "Hope is a Star" (119) (Wren, Raney)
Opening Prayers & Children's Story
Choruses: "Everlasting God" (Brown, Riley) & "Mighty to Save" (Fielding, Morgan)
Scripture Lessons: Psalm 126
Sermon: “Sowing Tears, Reaping Joy”
Harmony in Hand: "All through the Silent Night" arr. Joel Raney
Offering & Doxology
Prayers of the People (can be shared in comments of live feed)
The Lord's Supper
Announcements
Thanks to the Presbyterian Women who decorated the sanctuary for the Advent Season!
Zoom Bible Study & Men's Bible Study: Paused this week.
Ladies Bible Study: Meet at 11:30 am in the Tea Room this Thursday. Bring a bag lunch.
Christmas Choir: All those interested in joining a pop-up seasonal choir meet in the sanctuary after the service.
Christian Faith & Witness at the End of Christendom: The Rev. Dr. Ross Lockhard (Dean of St. Andrew's Hall) will be meeting with us on Zoom on Thursday, December 5 (7-8 pm) and in person on Saturday, December 7 (1-3:30 pm) to speak about Canadian religious trends and how we can speak faith authentically in changing times. Don't miss this event.
Birthdays & Anniversaries: Charlene Wiest (Sunday, December 1), Max Simons (Wednesday, December 4), Calvyn & Miranda Coetzer (Thursday, December 5), Julie Simmons (Friday, December 6)
Volunteers for NEXT Sunday: Steve (Elder), Christine (Reader), Krista (Greeter), TBD (Vocalist), Theo (AV). The volunteer schedule is posted online. Please find an alternate if you cannot serve.
Hymn: "O Come O Come Emmanuel (Veni Emmanuel)" (Neale, Helmore)
Thought for Reflection
Benediction & Amen
Postlude: "Following Yonder Star" arr. Dan R. Edwards
About
-
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church