February at St. Andrew’s

February Food Frenzy: During the month of February, St. Andrew’s Outreach Committee is encouraging us to make donations to the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre. The Food Bank receives no core funding. They rely on the generosity of the community to operate, and we can help by making a donation of food or funds. All food donations are appreciated, but they are most in need of nutritious non-perishable food items. Most wanted items are: infant formula, whole grain pastas and cereals, canned fruits and vegetables, canned meats and beans, 100% fruit juice, hearty soups and stews, gluten-free foods. Bring in your donations for the Food Bank to St. Andrew’s this month, and place them in the Food Bank drawer in the entranceway area.

Looking Forward To The Season Of Lent: The Season of Lent will begin with Ash Wednesday on February 13^th. We will gather that evening for worship including Holy Communion and the Imposition of Ashes at 7:00 pm. We will also share Holy Communion on the First Sunday in Lent which is February 17^th. Take the opportunity to be nourished and strengthened by communion with God and one another for the Lenten journey that lies ahead.

Learning Forgiveness – A Lenten Study: The Christian faith is indelibly marked by the invitation to receive, and the imperative to offer, forgiveness. Forgiveness is the fountain from which new life flows in a wounded, strife-weary world. It can be reasonably argued that the idea of forgiveness is more central and distinctive to Christianity than any other religion, although most great faith traditions give at least some weight to it. Jesus’ words from the cross, forgiving those who crucified him in a profound embodiment of what he taught, reveal this centrality. You are invited to participate in this exploration of forgiveness on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:30 pm during Lent:

• Wed. Feb. 13^th, 7:00-8:00 pm – Ash Wednesday Worship
• Wed. Feb. 20^th – Introduction to “Learning Forgiveness”
• Wed. Feb. 27^th – “The Need for Self-Examination”
• Wed. Mar. 6^th – “On Enemies and Honesty”
• Wed. Mar. 13^th – “God’s Love and Judgment”
• Wed. Mar. 20^th – “The Call to Forgive”
• Wed. Mar. 27^th – “Forgiveness and Reconciliation”

Study materials are available in print or by email from Rev. Amanda.

Kids age 3 – grade 6 are invited to join us during the February break for a Bible Addddddddventure! The theme will be “The Fisherman’s Story: Jesus Calls Peter.” On February 19-21 (Tues, Wed, & Thurs) from 9 am to Noon we will run a fun program for kids including music, crafts, drama, and games all based around the Bible Story of the day. It will almost be like a day at camp, except we’ll be at the church instead. Let us know you’re planning to attend by February 15^th by phoning 242-0525 or emailing email hidden; JavaScript is required. There is no registration fee, but please bring a donation for the Food Bank, and be sure to fill in a registration form for each child who will be attending.

Did You Miss Out on getting your photo taken for our new church photo directory? You’re getting one last chance! Trudy will be taking professional individual, couple, and family photos in the library during coffee hour on Sunday, February 10^th. It’ll be first come, first photographed. No appointments. Please consider being a part of our photo directory so others in the congregation can get to know you and your family better. 

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2013

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be celebrated in Saskatoon with activities beginning on Saturday, January 19th. There are many opportunities to worship, pray, and learn together as a diverse community of Christians in the city. Take note of the schedule of events below, and plan to participate. Worship materials this year have been prepared by the Churches of India on the theme “What Does God Require of Us?” Remember to pray for peace and unity between Christians and Churches in our city and around the world.

Saturday, January 19

10:00 am – 12:30 • Ecumenical Dialogue: Lessons Learned
Public workshop with Bishop Gregory Cameron, Church in Wales (Anglican)
at St. Anne’s RC Parish, 217 Lenore Drive (map)
Presented by the RC Diocesan Commission for Ecumenism, St. Thomas More College, & the St. Anne’s Ecumenical Committee

Sunday, January 20

3:00 pm • Opening Service at St. Thomas Wesley United Church
808 – 20th Street West at Avenue H (map)
Preacher: Bishop Gregory Cameron, Church in Wales (Anglican)

Monday, January 21

7:00 am • St. Matthew’s Anglican
135 – 109 Street East at Egbert Avenue (map)

7:00 pm • How Communion Changes Ecumenism
Ecumenical Lecture with Bishop Gregory Cameron
at St. Thomas More College Auditorium, 1437 College Drive (map)
parking available in Place Riel lot, access off of Wiggins Street
Presented by the RC Diocesan Commission for Ecumenism & St. Thomas More College

Tuesday, January 22

7:00 am • St. George’s Anglican
624 Avenue I South, south of 17th Street (map)

7:30 pm • Service for Public Ministry of Healing (Order of St. Luke)
at St. Stephen’s Anglican, 10 Grosvenor Crescent, south of Taylor Street (map)

Wednesday, January 23

7:00 am • Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
419 Avenue E North at Bedford Road (map)

10:00 am to 1:00 pm • Clergy workshop: Six Pointers to Ecumenical Ministry, with Bishop Gregory Cameron
at Cathedral of the Holy Family, 123 Nelson Road (off Attridge, map)
Presented by the RC Diocesan Commission for Ecumenism & St. Thomas More College

Thursday, January 24

7:00 am • St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church
535 – 8th Street East at Broadway (map)

12 noon • Queen’s House Retreat & Renewal Centre, 601 Taylor Street West at Herman Avenue (with lunch by donation) (map)

Friday, January 25

7:00 am • First Mennonite Church
418 Queen Street at 5th Avenue (map)

7:30 pm • Jazz Service at St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Parish, 222 Willow Street (Melrose Avenue & Hilliard Street) (map)

Saturday, January 26

7:30 pm • Youth Service at Redeemer Lutheran Church
812 Preston Avenue at Main Street (map)

Sunday, January 27

3:00 pm • Concluding Service at St. John’s Anglican Cathedral
816 Spadina Crescent East (map)
Preacher: Bishop Cindy Halmarson (Lutheran)

Happy New Year!

January 2013 is just around the corner! Here are some things to look forward to in and around St. Andrew’s in January:

• Sunday, Jan. 13th @ noon – The Women’s Missionary Society will be hosting a fundraising lunch after worship. Donations will go towards this year’s international mission project – Maternal and Child Health Care in Malawi. Learn more about this important work by going to the WMS website.
• Thursday, Jan. 17th @ 1:30 pm – The Thursday Group will welcome author Lesley-Anne McLeod (known to St. Andrew’s folk as Lesley Bens). Lesley has loved all things British for longer than she can remember. So it was natural that when she turned to writing fiction she should write Regency romances, those uniquely English historical romances. For the past fifteen years Lesley has been able to focus her attention on fiction writing, learning the intricacies of character development, the importance of word choice, and the necessity of creating a world in which the reader can believe and dwell. She regards research for the historical novel as a joy and a necessity that involves long hours with wonderful books. Learn more about Lesley-Anne McLeod’s work on her blog.
• January 20-27 is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The opening worship service in Saskatoon will be on Sunday, Jan. 20th, 3:00 pm at St. Thomas Wesley United Church (20th Street @ Ave. H). The preacher will be Bishop Gregory Cameron from the Church in Wales (Anglican). For the full schedule of prayer services and special events throughout the week go to Ecumenism in Canada.
• Saturday, Jan. 26th @ 8:30 am - All women are invited to the Presbyterian Women’s Breakfast. Enjoy good food, great company, and a short program at Mulberry’s on 3rd Avenue.

Advent Worship Schedule

• Wed. Nov. 28th
  7:00 pm An evening worship service to prepare for the Season of Advent.
• Sun. Dec. 2nd
  11:00 am First Sunday of Advent and Communion Sunday.
• Sun. Dec. 9th
  11:00 am Second Sunday of Advent
• Wed. Dec. 12th
  7:00 pm Christmas Memorial Service, especially for those who have lost loved ones in the past year. All are welcome.
• Sun. Dec. 16th
  Deadline for Advent Appeal gifts
  11:00 am Christmas presentation by the children of the Church School
  7:30 pm St. Andrew’s Choir will present a Festival of Lessons and Carols. Freewill offering will be taken to support the Saskatoon Native Circle Ministry.
• Wed. Dec. 19th
  7:00 pm Carolling at the Lighthouse
• Sun. Dec. 23rd
  11:00 am Fourth Sunday of Advent
• Mon. Dec. 24th
  7:00 pm Christmas Eve Family Worship

Christmas Tea & Bake Sale

It’s a sure sign that Advent and Christmas are just around the corner…

On Saturday, November 24th from 2:00-4:00pm the Women’s League of St. Andrew’s will host its annual Christmas Tea & Bake Sale. Everyone is invited!

Only $3.50 includes coffee or tea and dessert. Invite your friends and family to join you for a lovely time of visiting and sharing at St. Andrew’s while enjoying some scrumptious home made pies.

You can also pick up some delicious home baking to take home for the busy season ahead.

The Women’s League also welcomes your donations of baking for the sale. The proceeds go to a great cause: the ministry at St. Andrew’s. Baking may be dropped off any time after 10:00 am on Saturday.