News Blog

Posted by on Thursday, October 17th, 2013 in News

St. Andrew's minister, Rev. Scott McAndless, is very pleased to announce that, after working on a book for the past decade or so, he has finally finished. The book examines the story of the birth of Jesus as told in the Gospel of Luke and struggles with a number of historical puzzles that arise from it.

The book has been published under the title, "Caesar’s Census, God’s Jubilee" and we want to take this opportunity to recommend it to you. It may give you some wonderful new perspectives on the Christmas story as you look forward to  reflecting on it this year.

This is not a conservative book – not in its theology nor in its approach to the Bible – and  some may not agree with some of what it saya because of that, but it is a book that goes out of its way to try and respect the original message of the author of the Gospel of Luke and to take seriously the historical situation that Luke describes at the time of the birth of Christ. We think you will enjoy reading it.

It also includes many passages that may help you to reimagine the story in a different light based on the historical setting.

The book is available only as an ebook but you can find it at most online retailers. Here are a few links:

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/359285(This is the publisher and will offer you the book in multiple formats for reading on multiple devices)

Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.ca/Caesars-Census-Gods-Jubilee-ebook/dp/B00FFEXI00/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381850928&sr=8-1&keywords=caesar%27s+census

Kobo Reader: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/caesar-s-census-god-s-jubilee

Apple iBooks (Search for the title within the app)

We would especially like to ask for your help spreading word about this book. Would you consider

·        -- Telling others about this book: Text, tweet, email, post on facebook, talk to people about it, include a notice in a bulletin or newsletter. Anything you can do to let people know I would greatly appreciate.

·         Even more important, go on Amazon, Kobo or wherever you have or are willing to make an account and rate and reviewthe book. A review or two makes a big difference when people are considering buying a book. Thanks for your help!

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Posted by on Thursday, October 17th, 2013 in Minister

I am very pleased to announce that my book, is now available.

For the past decade or so, I have been working on a book in my scant spare time. It was a book that examined the story of the birth of Jesus as told in the Gospel of Luke and struggled with a number of historical puzzles that arise from it.

I have now finished this book and published it under the title, "Caesar’s Census, God’s Jubilee" and I want to take this opportunity to recommend it to you. It may give you some wonderful new perspectives on the Christmas story as you look forward to preaching on it and reflecting on it this year.

This is not a conservative book - not in its theology nor in its approach to the Bible - and I realize that some may not agree with some of what I say because of that, but it is a book that goes out of its way to try and respect the original message of the author of the Gospel of Luke and to take seriously the historical situation that Luke describes at the time of the birth of Christ. I think you will enjoy reading it.

It also includes many passages that may help you to reimagine the story in a different light based on the historical setting.

The book is available only as an ebook but you can find it at most online retailers. Here are a few links:

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/359285(This is the publisher and will offer you the book in multiple formats for reading on multiple devices)

Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.ca/Caesars-Census-Gods-Jubilee-ebook/dp/B00FFEXI00/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381850928&sr=8-1&keywords=caesar%27s+census

Kobo Reader: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/caesar-s-census-god-s-jubilee

Apple iBooks (Search for the title within the app)

I would especially like to ask for your help spreading word about this book. Would you consider

·         Telling others about this book: Text, tweet, email, post on facebook, talk to people about it, include a notice in a bulletin or newsletter. Anything you can do to let people know I would greatly appreciate.

·         Even more important, go on Amazon, Kobo or wherever you have or are willing to make an account and rate and reviewthe book. I only ask for honest reviews, of course! A review or two makes a big difference when people are considering buying a book. In fact, if anyone is willing to promise me that they will write a review, let me know and I will send you a coupon code to obtain the book for free from the publisher. I’m that sure that you’ll like it.

Thanks for your support
Scott
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Commitment to Service Award!

Posted by on Tuesday, October 1st, 2013 in News

Last week St. Andrew's was honoured to attend the Annual General Meeting of the Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank.  We received the "Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank 2013 Commitment to Service Award".  Presented to St. Andrew's Hespeler ... "A supporter who displays a unique humanity stemming from a depth of wisdom both rare and precious in our world ... Whose insight and clarity inspires them to take action to create a better world.

Our Clerk of Session receiving the award!

Please note that we host the Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank every other Thursday.  Check to calendar on our website to confirm the days.

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Coming soon to an eBook vendor near you.

Posted by on Monday, September 23rd, 2013 in Minister

For the past decade or so, I have been writing a book in my spare time. The book sprang out of my general dissatisfaction with the traditional ways of telling and dramatizing the story of the birth of Jesus. In many ways, I find that the ways that we think of the story really do not honour the intentions of the original gospel writers - especially the writer of the Gospel of Luke.

I feel that we miss so much of what Luke was trying to communicate about Jesus because:

  1. We have insisted on harmonizing the two accounts of the birth that we have (Matthew 1 and Luke 2) in a way that strips both of them of their unique perspectives on the meaning of the birth of Christ.
  2. We have not struggled in constructive ways with some of the problematic elements in Luke's story like
    1. The description of the census (which does not fit with what we know about Roman policy and practice).
    2. The reasons for the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem which are not sufficiently explained.
    3. The historical and political situation that Luke describes at the time of the birth that is obviously very meaningful to him but that we have neglected because it is inconvenient to us.
  3. We have not taken into account Luke's use of Old Testament ideas and imagery in his Nativity Story.
So I have been working on these and similar thoughts for quite some time. This has led me to some very interesting places and, indeed, a way of reading and understanding Luke's story that I think is refreshing and revolutionary.

Writing this book has made me love Luke's nativity story - a true story - all the more and I have decided that it is time to share what I have learned with a larger audience. For this reason, I am publishing my book with the title, "Caesar's Census, God's Jubilee."

It will be published as a ebook only. (Sorry to all of you know do not own a reading device but physical book publishing is a whole other matter, I'm afraid). Soon, if all goes well, it will be available at online ebook retailers everywhere (including Amazon, Kobo, iBooks etc.) When that happens, I'll certainly be announcing it here and everywhere I can!

It is a scary thing to do but I am glad to be finally sharing this book that God gave to me.
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STARS news!

Posted by on Tuesday, September 17th, 2013 in News

Hi STARS!

This Sunday (Sep 22) will be our first taping in Season 3.  We need some help from you.  We need you to bring something that represents something that is important to you.  Or something that tells us what you like to do.  For example:  if you love to play football, maybe you could bring a football helmut.

And if you do figure out what you are going to bring and can let us know that would be helpful, too.

Don't worry if you forget or can't think of something, we want you to be involved.

Please don't bring anything fragile.  It might get broken.

See you Sunday!

Blessings,
Joni
([email protected])

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Something for everyone!

Posted by on Monday, September 16th, 2013 in News

There is something for everyone, all ages at our special Harvest Festival weekend, October 26 & 27.


Check out all of the categories, put on your thinking caps, and get creative!  This is going to be so much fun.



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