ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH 73 Simcoe St. Toronto, Ontario M5J 1W9 -- 416-593-5600 www.standrewstoronto.org  The people of St. Andrew's are called to serve in faith, hope and love in the heart of Toronto.

 

Thursday September 4, 2008

 

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This Coming Sunday Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, September 7, 2008 Exodus 12: 1-14 Psalm 149 Romans 13: 8-14 Matthew 18: 15-20   Greeting Elder:  Stevie Cameron Reader: Lori Ransom   The Catechism This Week… Earlier this summer, we began a weekly journey through a recent catechism produced by the Church Doctrine Committee of the Presbyterian Church in Canada.  The present section concerns the various phrases and assertions in the Apostles' Creed, which is sometimes viewed as a concise summary of the substance of the Christian faith.    Please remember, when reading the catechism, that it is best experienced by contemplating the question before moving too quickly to consider the suggested response.  How would you answer this question?  Question 10 - Does faith exclude all doubt?   The Catechism's answer for Question 10:   Faith is often assailed by doubts and anxieties. Like the man who came to Jesus and sought healing for his son, we also say, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” The strength of our faith may vary but we are assured by Jesus that if we have faith as a grain of mustard seed, it will grow and increase through communion with him, on whom faith depends from start to finish.

1) Great News -- New Hospitality Convenors

 

 

We are very pleased to announce that Nancy Mathewson and Allison Singer have agreed to serve as the Special Events (Hospitality) convenors for dinners and other special social events in our congregation.  We are profoundly grateful to Bev Reynolds for her many years of dedicated service in these tasks, and are thrilled that Nancy and Allison have agreed to take up these responsibilities.

 

2) An Update on the West Tower Renovation Project

 

As anyone who has been past the church will know, the West Tower Restoration Project has begun.  David Wishart reports that the restoration team held its first meeting earlier this week.  The scaffolding and protective hoarding are in place and workers have started removing stones that are in danger of falling.  The team anticipates that the restoration project will be completed near the end of November, 2008.  We will provide updates from the team as they become available.  For a description and pictures of the project thus far, please click here.

3) This Sunday - Sunday Bible Study Group and Church School

 

The Sunday morning Bible study group will resume its study of the Gospel of John at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday September 7.  The regular season of the Church School will also begin on that same day.  More students -- and more teachers -- are always welcome in both the Bible study and the Church School!

 

4) Deadline for 'Catalyst' articles - this Sunday

 

The deadline for submissions to the next edition of the congregational newsletter -- the 'Catalyst' -- is Sunday, September 7.  Please submit your contributions to the church office or to Pat Reynolds. 

 

5) "Wine, Cheeses and Jesus" Fall Events

 

We are pleased to announce that Lori Ann Comeau and Alison Rose have offered to take over the role of coordinators for the 'Wine, Cheeses and Jesus' events and keep these lively fellowship events moving forward.  WCJ will be the third Thursday of each month.  All are welcome.

 

Everyone is welcome to join WCJ on Thursday, September 18 at 7 pm in the second floor meeting room with wine, soft drinks, cheese, fellowship and laughter as Lori Ann shares her China adventure as an ESL teacher for a Christian charity, Amity.  We look forward to a lovely evening of conversation about China and about Lori Ann's experiences.  

 

6) "The Art of Prayer" -- the 2008 Fall Supper Seminars

 

This fall, please plan to join us for the 2008 Fall Supper Seminars, which will explore "The Art of Prayer: Responding to Icons as Christian Theology".  For more information about these events and about our guest speaker, Richard Schneider, please click here.

 

7) Faces of Faith - Nancy Mathewson

 

Nancy Mathewson is an elder, a regular worshipper and a dedicated servant in our congregation.  Please click here to read her contribution to this week's 'Faces of Faith'.