Author: StAndrewsHespeler

The first Sunday in December is always Communion Sunday at St. Andrew's. This year there are a number of other things happening on this Sunday that will make it even more special and meaningful.

• Everyone is invited to bring in their family Nativity Sets for the worship service. We are already beginning to see the incredible variety of sets and hear some of the meaningful stories that people tell about the origins or history of their set. We will be dedicating our family nativity sets and praying for the link between church and family at Christmastime. Make sure you bring your set and put it out in the sanctuary for the beginning of worship.

• There has been a wonderful and generous response to our "Angel Tree" initiative and the contributions are being piled up under the Christmas Tree in the sanctuary. One Sunday we will dedicate these gifts which will be distributed to families in the community through our Thursday Night Supper and Social. You won't believe all that is under that tree until you see it!
• We will have the opportunity, if we choose, to contribute a special gift towards our Benevolent Fund which is used to support families in the community who are facing unexpected or emergency situations.
• Special Musical treats! Anthem: Come My Light (with a special guest on the organ). Original music by local guitarist, Robert Dwyer.
• The minister will continue his Advent series of sermons based on Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol by looking at the meanings found in the description of the Ghost of Christmas Present.

We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Tea at 

St. Luke's Place this Sunday afternoon.

Some of our servers arranging plates of Christmas goodies.

Our Youth Band played three Christmas pieces.  Everyone enjoyed the music.

Enjoying those Christmas goodies, a coffee and some time to visit.

Eyeing up some more goodies!

And finally, cleaning up!

 

Please mark your calendars!  

Wednesday, December 14th; 5:30 - 7:30 pm.

We will share a potluck dinner together, have some fun, talk about our ideas and make some plans for our Youth Ministry. 

R.S.V.P. to Joni (jsmith@standrewshespeler.ca) by December 7th.

On Sunday, November 6, St. Andrew's Hespeler will be celebrating Remembrance Sunday. This service will include prayers for peace among the nations and a celebration of the commitment, service and personal sacrifice of those who have served our country in times of great need. We will observe two minutes of silence, highlight those members of the congregation who have served in the military and celebrate our nation with the singing of the national anthem.

• The Youth Band will be performing a medley of Peace Like a River and Kum Ba Yah
• The  choir and music director have prepared music based on the themes of peace and of rivers.
• The minister will present the first of a two-part sermon on the River Gihon in the Bible. Here is a short introduction to the series.

Oh, and one more thing. We are certainly eager for you to join us Sunday and to bring your friends too, but you don't necessarily need to show up a whole hour early so....

This Sunday, October 30, the congregation of St. Andrew's Hespeler will gather to celebrate our 161st Anniversary. There will be many things to make this gathering special:

• Our very special anniversary preacher will be the Rev. Linda Ashfield. Linda is minister at Knox Waterloo Presbyterian Church where she is in a team ministry together with her husband, Brooke. In fact, Brooke and Linda have the distinction of being the first couple in the Presbyterian Church in Canada to be ordained together. 

  
  

  Linda has  a ministry that inspires and instructs many.  Over the years, Linda served the church on the Board of Ministry, Board of Congregational Life and the Board of World Mission. She helped create Youth in Mission and worked as YIM’s National Co-ordinator. Linda was the Canadian National Co-ordinator for the Presbyterian Church in Canada for Youth Triennium (86), working on the Design Team and organizing the Canadian delegation as well as Internationals from 12 countries. In 1992 she was the Canadian preacher at Triennium. She gave leadership at four Youth Trienniums held at Purdue University as well as four Canada Youth events, preaching the closing service at Canada Youth 2012. We look forward to what Linda has to share with us as she preaches about "What's essential?"
• Our special Musical Guest will be Dan Amorim, a talented and gifted organist. His presence with us will enhance our worship in too many ways to count!
• Our own musical groups will be putting out their very best for us. That includes our Senior Choir, Youth Choir, Youth Band and Joyful Sound (Men's Chorus).
• Following worship our fellowship time will include a tasting of meat pies from our fundraiser.
• Fellowship time will also include the dramatic conclusion of our exciting pie in the face contest! Would anyone like to know what it takes to get the honour of throwing a pie in the minister's face?
  

Please mark your calendars!

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Viewing, coffee/tea/desserts at 7:00 pm

Live Auction to begin at 7:30 pm.

Wednesday night is always a fun night at St. Andrew's Hespeler as families and people of all ages come together to enjoy the fellowship of a tasty pot luck supper.


 This past Wednesday night especially special - and not just because we had the opportunity to console ourselves over the impending loss of the Blue Jays:
Rob had brought us all a special treat - some samples of the meat pies that are now on sale as a part of a fund-raiser for the church. He brought turkey, beef, ground beef and shepherds' pie pies.

Yummy!

Where do I order?

Lots of thumbs up!