Wednesday January 14, 2009

This Coming Sunday

Second Sunday after Epiphany

Sunday, January 18, 2008

1 Samuel 3: 1-20

Psalm 139: 1-6, 13-18

1 Corinthians 6: 12-20

John 1: 43-51

Reader: Olive Anstice

Greeting Elder: Cynthia Humphries

The Sacrament of Communion will be offered in the chancel at the conclusion of the service.  All are welcome. 

1) Special News from the Matheson family

John and Joan Matheson are pleased to announce the arrival of their third grandchild and first granddaughter:  Katherine Lillie Gleeson, 8 lb. 10 oz., born January 11, 2009 in Los Angeles to Jennifer Matheson and Chris Gleeson.  Mommy, daddy and daughter are doing well! 

In your prayers today, please give thanks for the gift of this new life and pray for God's blessing to be with her as she grows.

2) A Letter and a Prayer from the World Council of Churches for Gaza and Israel

We are all concerned for the situation in Israel and Gaza.  Please click here to read a letter from the Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, to the churches in the Middle East, expressing the prayerful concerns of churches around the world -- as well as a prayer that we are all invited to offer on behalf of that troubled situation.

3) Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service -- Sunday January 18, 2009 - 4:30 pm

Every year, members of many different church communities gather together for a special ecumenical service of prayer and worship during the annual 'Week of Prayer for Christian Unity'.  This year, the service is being held at St. James Cathedral on Sunday January 18 at 4:30 pm.  All are welcome and encouraged to gather for this special service of prayer with Christians from other communities and traditions.

4) "Wine, Cheeses and Jesus" - Thursday January 22, 2009

Lori Ann Comeau and Alison Rose write,

Barack Obama's inauguration, making him the 44th President of the United States is January 20.  His presidency is history in the making, which is offering hope around the world.  Join us on January 22 at 7 pm in the boardroom to discuss Barack Obama as President after inauguration on January 20th.  His first foreign trip as President will be Canada.  What does this mean for us – as a people, and our economy?  What is at stake with the North American Free Trade Agreement?  How does his message "yes, we can . . . change" resonate with you? What change would you like to see? How and what can we - in faith - contribute to change?

All are welcome.  See you there!

5) Congregational Forum - 'Weathering the Economic Storm' - January 25, 2009

On Sunday, January 25, following the morning worship service, the monthly congregational forum will focus on "Weathering the Economic Storm", and will be led by Graeme Hepburn, who is an active member of the St. Andrew's community and a trained economist.  Come with your questions as we all seek to learn more about the troubling economic times that we are facing in the world today.

6) St. Andrew's Book Club - the first gathering...

The St. Andrew's Book Club celebrated its first gathering last Friday night with a discussion of Austin Clarke's recently published novel, More.  We were thrilled that the author, Austin Clarke, graciously agreed to join us for this inaugural meeting.  Mr. Clarke offered a reading, and participated in a wide-ranging and wonderful conversation about the process of writing, the structure of the novel, the challenges of racial identity in Toronto, and a host of other issues.  To see some pictures from the gathering, please click here.

The next novel that will be read and discussed will be Steven Galloway's recent novel, The Cellist of Sarajevo.  We are planning to meet in the month of March -- so get reading!

7) Special Thanks -- the Epiphany Potluck Lunch

A special thanks is extended to everyone who cooked, organized, cleaned up (and ate!) at last Sunday's Epiphany Pot Luck Lunch.  Great food, great conversation and a great time were enjoyed by all. 

8) Nursery Caregivers Urgently Needed!

Our nursery is growing.  St. Andrew's now has between 4 and 7 beautiful babies and wonderful toddlers on any given Sunday and, following "Leading with Care" rules, requires 2 caregivers every week.  If you enjoy the company of babies and toddlers and would be interested in spending an hour or so (on a rotational basis) reading stories, playing games, etc, please contact Barbara Sargent at barbara.a.sargent@ca.ey.com or telephone Barbara at 905.420-3100.

Your help is appreciated!

9) Online Donations

We are pleased to announce that donations to the Church, and to ministries such as the 'Out of the Cold' programme, can be made online.  To learn more, please click on the button below!

10) Faces of Faith - Gordon Hunt

Gordon is a regular worshipper and a participant in many of the congregation's activities and ministries, including the Tuesday morning "Out of the Cold" breakfast crew.  Please click here to read Gordon's contribution to "Faces of Faith".