Wednesday April 1, 2009

Today's Lenten meditation will be led by the Rev. Candice Bist, minister of Knox Presbyterian Church, Dunedin.  Her topic will be "I Thirst", based on John 19:28.   Please join us at 12:00 pm for a short organ recital; for the meditation at 12:15 - 12:45; and for a light sandwich lunch at 12:45. 

Services During Holy Week   Monday, April 6 - 12:00 pm “It is finished” (John 19:30)   Tuesday, April 7 - 12:00 pm “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46)   Wednesday, April 8 - 12:00 pm “And then there was silence.”  (Luke 23:50-56)   Thursday, April 9 - 12: 15 pm Chancel Communion Service   Thursday, April 9 - 7:30 pm Maundy Thursday Service   Friday, April 10 - 10:30 am Good Friday Service   Sunday, April 12 – 10:30 am Easter Sunday Service

This Coming Sunday   Palm Sunday Sunday, April 5, 2009   Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 118: 1-2, 19-29 Philippians 2:5-11 John 12:12-16   Greeting Elder:  Heather Dalzell Reader:  Patricia Garnett-Smith

1) "The Seven Last Words" - 2009 Lenten Midweek Meditation Series

Please join us on Wednesdays at noon, during the season of Lent, for our annual Lenten meditation series.  The series will involve a series of guest speakers, each of whom will focus on one of the seven last words or phrases uttered by Christ on the cross.  Each week -- from February 25 - April 1 -- the noontime meditations will begin with a short organ recital at 12:00 pm, the speakers will lead us in their reflections from 12:15 - 12:45 pm, and a light sandwich lunch will follow. 

Today's speaker will be the Rev. Candice Bist.  Her topic will be "I Thirst", based on John 19: 28. 

2) Floral Memorial Donations for Easter Service

The Flower Committee will be decorating the sanctuary for the Easter season.  Memorial donations received by noon on Wednesday, April 8^th will be recognized in the Easter bulletin.

3) "John Calvin: A Giant from Geneva" -- Spring Supper Seminar Series

The year 2009 marks the 500th Anniversary of the birth of John Calvin.  This anniversary offers us an interesting opportunity to ponder the relevance of Calvin's theology on the modern church. 

We are pleased that the Rev. Dr. Victor Shepherd, who is a Presbyterian minister, the Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology, and a recent guest during the 2008 Advent series at St. Andrew's, will be leading us in these reflections. 

Online registrations are available at www.standrewstoronto.org/special_events.htm

4) Lenten Offerings for Presbyterian World Service and Development

During the Sundays of Lent, the Mission Committee is inviting us to make donations towards the work of Presbyterian World Service and Development.  PSW&D is the official development and relief agency of the Presbyterian Church in Canada.  PSW&D responds to emergency situations and a variety of long term community development needs in many countries.

Special envelopes are included in the Sunday bulletins, but if you would like to learn more about PWS&D, please visit www.presbyterian.ca/pwsd

5) Junior Choir Rehearsals 

The junior choir plans to participate in our worship service on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10^th.  Rehearsals will be held on April 5, 19, 26 and May 3.  The choir meets at approximately 12 noon in the sanctuary for about 20 min.  The choir welcomes new members.  For more information, please contact Ruth Darling.

6) St. Andrew's Book Club - Thursday April 23 at 7:00 pm

We are looking forward to the next gathering of the St. Andrew's Book Club, which will take place on Thursday, April 23 at 7:00 pm.  The book that we will be discussing will be The Cellist of Sarajevo by Stephen Galloway.  All are welcome.

7) Deadline for Catalyst Submissions

Please note that the deadline for the next edition of the congregational newsletter, the "Catalyst" will be April 19. Please send your submissions to Jane Martin (janemartin@pagemartin.com) and to Kristen Stout (kwmathewson@rogers.com).

8) Online Journal from Bangkok, Thailand -- the Global Ecumenical Conference on Justice for Dalits

Last week, Rev. Ingram was in Bangkok, Thailand, in order to participate in a global ecumenical conference concerning the churches' response to the Dalit issue (often known as the 'untouchables') in India and Southeast Asia.  Churches in that region have invited representatives from the Lutheran World Federation and the World Council of Churches to meet together to raise the profile of this troubling and historic issue.  

An online journal from previous World Council of Churches meetings, as well as daily updates from next week's conference, can be found at www.standrewstoronto.org/wcc/thailand -- including pictures!

9) Nursery Help 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!

10) 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!