St Andrew's Presbyterian Church
A Place to Call Home at the corner of Suffolk and Norfolk
Join this week for our LAST Thursday Morning Bible Study of the season. We gather by ZOOM each Thursday at 10AM to discuss the Scripture reading for the Sunday coming… and often, many other things of a spiritual flavour. Join us. If you’d like to receive the link, please email revjohn[at]standrewsguelph[dot]com. Or subscribe to our regular emails below.
This week’s text is: Matthew 25: 31 – 46
Thursday Morning Bible Study will resume again on Thursday January 7.
We continue our live broadcast from the Sanctuary this morning. We remain closed to public worship. Rev. John, Fred, and our Tech Team are present this morning along with the members of the Bell Choir.
We are now able to livestream (broadcast) via YouTube each Sunday. You don’t need a link like ZOOM. Just visit our St. Andrew’s Guelph YouTube Channel and select the live service. Thanks to our Tech Team for making this further option available. You can now invite your friends and families to our YouTube channel instead of worrying about ZOOM links.
Prelude – Psalm 113:3 (arr. F.E.W. Gingrich) performed by the Bells of St. Andrew’s
Introit – “Many and great” (Dakota Melody)
Call to Worship
Hymn – “How great Thou art” (v. 1, 3 & 4)
Opening Prayer
Scripture Reading – Matthew 25: 14 – 30 (NRSV)
Sermon: “Buried Treasure”
Offering – You can still mail cheques to:
St. Andrew’s Guelph, 161 Norfolk Street, Guelph, ON N1H 4J8
Or you can donate to St. Andrew’s through CanadaHelps
Donate to St. Andrew’s via Canada Helps here:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/128975471RR0001-st-andrews-presbyterian-church/
You are also invited to sign up for Pre-Authorized Remittance (PAR). Instead of using offering envelopes or giving online, you can set up a regular donation through your financial institution. To learn more, click here.
Presbyterians Sharing is how we support our denomination as a whole. Your gifts the variety of missions and ministries that The Presbyterian Church in Canada supports throughout Canada. It also ensures that we are well resources by our National Office staff.
If you are able, the MOCC would encourage you to consider donating to Presbyterians Sharing. You can do so here: https://www.gifttool.com/donations/Donate?ID=2034&AID=2428
(Make sure that you indicate that you are from St. Andrew’s Guelph on the online form in order for it to count towards our commitment)
Or you can make a donation directly to Presbyterians Sharing through St. Andrew’s Guelph. Please mark your donation: Presbyterians Sharing.
We are making a difference TOGETHER.
If you’d like to make a donation to Presbyterian World Service and Development (PWS&D) you can do so here:
https://www.gifttool.com/donations/Donate?ID=2034&AID=2463
MOCC reminds the congregation to consider the Chalmers Christmas Gift Bag Campaign. More information can be found here: https://standrewsguelph.com/2020/10/23/chalmers-christmas-gift-bag-campaign/
Saturday November 28 is the next Saturday Night Supper at the Royal City Mission. MOCC invites those who are able to make a financial donation towards the cost of purchasing the food that workers of the Mission will prepare and distribute at the front door to guests. If you are able, please consider donating and mark your donation: Saturday Night Supper.
Special Musical Interlude – “Seek ye first the kingdom of God” (Bells of St. Andrew’s) (arr. F.E.W. Gingrich)
Prayers of the People
Hymn – “God whose giving knows no ending”
Benediction
Postlude – “Rustington”
Today’s Choir Members:
Soprano: Muriel Clemmer, Carol Hawken
Alto: Christine Cousins, Sharon Duff
Tenor: Mark Garlough, Lenny Muth
Bass: Rick McRonald, Henry Muth
In November 2020, a small group from St. Andrew’s Guelph met to discuss the study guide, Why Work to Decolonize? prepared by The Presbyterian Church in Canada in collaboration with the National Indigenous Ministries Council and Justice Ministries. This work contributes to St. Andrew’s Guelph’s ongoing commitment to anti-racism work in our congregation.
This is part one of a four part series engaging the National Inquiry’s Final Report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). This study is based on the study guide, Why Work to Decolonize? produced by The Presbyterian Church in Canada (PCC) in collaboration between the National Indigenous Ministries Council and Justice Ministries of the PCC. This study is led by The Rev. John Borthwick, Minister of St. Andrew’s Guelph with contributions from members of St. Andrew’s. We are grateful for all who join us on this journey of learning seeking understanding and desiring to be transformed into tangible actions.
Suggested links from the Study.
The National Inquiry’s Final Report into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls: https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/
Please also take time to experience the Gallery of Artistic Expressions found at the website: https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/artists-list
Rev. John references The Four Agreements from the work of Glenn Singleton. He discovered these to Colinda Clyne’s Anti-Racist Educator Reads Podcast. He highly recommends this podcast: https://voiced.ca/project/anti-racist…
To learn more in brief about the Residential School System, it is recommended that you read: An Overview of the Indian Residential School System http://www.anishinabek.ca/wp-content/…
A copy of the study guide can be found here, under the heading: National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls: https://presbyterian.ca/healing
We gather by ZOOM each Thursday at 10AM to discuss the Scripture reading for the Sunday coming… and often, many other things of a spiritual flavour. Join us. If you’d like to receive the link, please email revjohn[at]standrewsguelph[dot]com. Or subscribe to our regular emails below.
This week’s text is: Matthew 25: 14 – 30
Starting Wednesday November 11 at 7PM by ZOOM, Rev. John will facilitate a conversation based on the “Why Work to Decolonize?” study guide provided by The Presbyterian Church in Canada in collaboration between the National Indigenous Ministries Council and The Life and Mission Agency (Justice Ministries). This is a study based on the Interim Report of the PCC on the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
If you are interested in joining the conversation, please contact Rev. John (revjohn[at]standrewsguelph[dot]com.
You are also welcome to review the study on your own. You can download it here:
And if you’d like to go deeper, please consider visiting the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls website: https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/
Our conversations over the next four weeks will be recorded and posted on our website.
In July and August of 2020, Rev. John hosted a video series based on the study guide, “Speaking Out Against Racism and Hate in Canada”. This study guide was created by Justice Ministries of The Presbyterian Church in Canada. It was a helpful way of engaging with the topic of racism and hate in a Canadian context. It also offered a way for our congregation to be introduced to the issue of systemic racism in the Church and our society.
Here’s the entire series:
We continue our live broadcast from the Sanctuary this morning. We remain closed to public worship. Rev. John, Fred, and our Tech Team are present this morning for our special service of Remembrance.
Prelude – “Invocation” (D. Bedard)
Introit – Psalm 23 (arr. F.E.W. Gingrich)
*Remembrance Sunday Liturgy
One: On this day of Remembrance, O God, we give thanks:
All: For peacekeepers and pacifists; for those who served on the front lines, and those who protest and march; for those who volunteered and those who waited anxiously at home; for those who hoped that things would get better, and those who could not stand by and wait.
One: We give thanks for those who believed that the world could be a better place.
All: We remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, trusting that others could and would carry the torch.
One: We give thanks for those who were once enemies who have become friends and allies.
All: We will remember.
“In Flanders Fields” written by Lt. Col. John McCrae
In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow
between the crosses, row on row,
that mark our place; and in the sky
the larks, still bravely singing, fly
scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
loved, and were loved, and now we lie
in Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe;
to you from failing hands we throw
the torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
we shall not sleep, though poppies grow
in Flanders Fields.
*The Last Post
*Two Minutes of Silence
*Rouse (Reveille)
*The Piper’s Lament – “Dark Island”
*Prayer
One: Let us pray.
Loving God, we remember those who have given their lives for peace.
All: O God, giver of peace, hear our prayers.
One: We honour those who seek peace by non-violent means rather than through more destruction.
All: O God, giver of peace, hear our prayers.
One: We remember the scars, physical and emotional, left upon those who have directly experienced the violence of human and against human.
All: O God, giver of peace, hear our prayers.
One: We remember people everywhere who struggle for freedom and dignity.
All: O God, giver of peace, hear our prayers.
One: Remind us again, O God, of your call to love God and love neighbour.
All: Let us love our neighbours in our actions as well as our words. AMEN.
*Royal Anthem
God save our gracious Queen
Long live our noble Queen,
God save The Queen:
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us:
God save The Queen.
*O Canada
O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all of us command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The true north, strong and free.
From far and wide O Canada,
We stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Call to Worship
Hymn – “O God our help in ages past”
Opening Prayer
Scripture Reading – Matthew 25: 1 – 13 (NRSV)
Sermon: “Jesus is Coming… Look Busy”
Offering – You can still mail cheques to:
St. Andrew’s Guelph, 161 Norfolk Street, Guelph, ON N1H 4J8
Or you can donate to St. Andrew’s through CanadaHelps
Donate to St. Andrew’s via Canada Helps here:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/128975471RR0001-st-andrews-presbyterian-church/
You are also invited to sign up for Pre-Authorized Remittance (PAR). Instead of using offering envelopes or giving online, you can set up a regular donation through your financial institution. To learn more, click here.
Presbyterians Sharing is how we support our denomination as a whole. Your gifts the variety of missions and ministries that The Presbyterian Church in Canada supports throughout Canada. It also ensures that we are well resources by our National Office staff.
If you are able, the MOCC would encourage you to consider donating to Presbyterians Sharing. You can do so here: https://www.gifttool.com/donations/Donate?ID=2034&AID=2428
(Make sure that you indicate that you are from St. Andrew’s Guelph on the online form in order for it to count towards our commitment)
Or you can make a donation directly to Presbyterians Sharing through St. Andrew’s Guelph. Please mark your donation: Presbyterians Sharing.
We are making a difference TOGETHER.
If you’d like to make a donation to Presbyterian World Service and Development (PWS&D) you can do so here:
https://www.gifttool.com/donations/Donate?ID=2034&AID=2463
MOCC reminds the congregation to consider the Chalmers Christmas Gift Bag Campaign. More information can be found here: https://standrewsguelph.com/2020/10/23/chalmers-christmas-gift-bag-campaign/
Prayers of the People
Hymn – “All my hope on God is founded” (v. 1, 2 & 5)
Benediction
Postlude – “Eventide” (Bagpipe and Organ) (arr. F.E.W. Gingrich)
Today’s Choir Members:
Soprano: Muriel Clemmer, Carol Hawken
Alto: Christine Cousins, Sharon Duff
Tenor: Mark Garlough, Lenny Muth
Bass: Rick McRonald, Henry Muth
Piper: Henry Muth
Trumpeter: Christina Kuepfer
Rev. John will be on Study Leave from Sunday November 1 until Wednesday November 4. He will return to “the office” on Thursday morning for Bible Study.
During this time, he will not be available via phone or email. If you have a pastoral emergency, please contact The Rev. Diane Boyd (her phone number is available from the most recent congregational email blast).
We gather by ZOOM each Thursday at 10AM to discuss the Scripture reading for the Sunday coming… and often, many other things of a spiritual flavour. Join us. If you’d like to receive the link, please email revjohn[at]standrewsguelph[dot]com. Or subscribe to our regular emails below.
This week’s text is: Matthew 23: 1 – 12
We hope you will consider supporting this valuable program, particularly as community members are seeking our support more than ever before. Each year we hear from CCSC guests how grateful they are to receive this gift and that, for many, it is the ONLY gift they receive. For this reason we ask that you include new, good quality items in their original packages. Please note that there is no need for the items to be gift wrapped. Christmas Gift Bags can be delivered in new, reusable shopping bags. Donors will have to provide their own bags this year.
Given the health and safety considerations of the pandemic, Chalmers is adjusting how they do things, in order to ensure our volunteers, guests and donors can be giving and receiving as safely as possible. As a result, the contents of the bags have changed slightly this year. Please do not deviate from this list so that we can ensure that all guests are treated equally.
Regular size shampoo (not conditioner)
Single toothbrush in its packaging
Toothpaste and/or dental floss
Shower gel, body wash, or soap
Boxed candy or boxed chocolate (not homemade and not Halloween candy)
Small jar of instant coffee, box of tea bags, or tin/box of hot chocolate (no coffee pods)
If shopping for a Christmas bag in 2020 is not something you can do this year, please consider donating financially via St. Andrew’s to the Campaign. With your financial contribution, Chalmers will purchase items to fill a Christmas bag on your behalf. Be sure that your donation is clearly designated to the Chalmers Christmas Gift Bag Campaign.
This year’s final delivery date to Chalmers Downtown is Tuesday December 1st.
Deliveries can be made to Chalmers Downtown (41 Macdonell Street) on
a) Tuesdays in October and November and December 1st between 10 am and 11 am, or
b) Thursday November 19th from 6-8 pm or
c) Thursday November 26th from 6-8 pm.
If you deliver to Chalmers directly, please make sure your donation is credited to St. Andrew’s. If you cannot deliver to Chalmers, contact Rhonda at rhondawright102[at]yahoo[dot]com to arrange a pick-up.
Yours in Christ,
The Mission and Outreach Coordinating Committee (MOCC)