A Joyful Christmas, December 16th

Corey Linforth, our Director of Music, along with our choirs, instrumentalists and guest musicians have been busy preparing for Sunday's Service.  Please join us at 10:00 am.

The Advent Newsletter is out!

To read the Advent Newsletter 

go to our home page and click on the photo!

Or cut and paste the link below:

https://www.standrewshespeler.ca/PDFs/2018AdventNewsletter.pdf

Our latest Bake Sale

Thank you to everyone who helped in any way with our most recent Bake Sale.  Special thanks to the Holy Sherlocks class for all of your hard work to make the Bake Sale so successful.

(thank you from your Christian Education Committee)

Senior's Tea - a great time!

Many Thanks ...

... to everyone who came out this afternoon (Saturday, November 24th) to St. Luke's Place for our annual Senior's Christmas Tea.  Thank you to everyone who baked, to our Sunday School and youth servers and everyone else who helped out in any way.  

Thank you to Joyful Sound! for bringing your gift of music to us today.

Two good helpers!

More wonderful helpers.

Enjoying the music by Joyful Sound!

Joyful Sound!

Enjoying coffee, tea and Christmas goodies.

Great Christmas Gifts!

Warm, brightly coloured or dragon mittens make great Christmas presents.

We have a nice selection of hand knit mittens, by Carol.  The mittens are $15.00 per pair and all money goes towards Hope Clothing.  There are adult and children sizes.  Don't see something you like, you could ask and see if Carol could knit you something specific.

The mittens are hanging on Joni's office door, with envelopes there to pay.  

Please help yourselves!

Sunday, November 18th.

There's lots happening on Sunday and next week!

• the Christian Education Committee is holding a bake sale after worship with the proceeds helping to maintain current programs and grow/start more.  The Holy Sherlocks Sunday School class have been busy preparing posters and they will be setting up and managing the bake sale.  I know there will be quite a few Christmas goodies available!
• Bill & Margret Hunter and Yvonne Heaman will be speaking to us during worship to tell us about their most recent trip to Malawi. 
• the sermon title is “Why Pray”
• Special music will be given in praise by the Women’s Ensemble and Annette Denis 

Also, St. Andrew's is once again hosting the Music portion of "Music & Lights" this year, on Friday, November 23rd at 7:00 pm.  Our Youth Band is excited to be sharing some of their music with the community.

And, the Annual Senior’s Christmas Tea will be on Saturday, November 24th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm.  Don’t let the word “Senior” fool you, everyone is welcome to join us for the tea at St. Luke’s Place.  We have our Sunday School children serving and Joyful Sound! providing us with some seasonal music.

The Bells of Peace

Thank you to Ray & Jack for ringing the bell at St. Andrew's at sundown today as part of The Bells of Peace.

Operation Christmas Child

The Athalie Read Group 

is going to assist with preparing boxes for shipping by Samaritan’s Purse for Operation Christmas Child on Friday November 30th. Operation Christmas Child is a hands on way for Canadians to bless struggling children in the developing world by filling shoeboxes with toys, hygiene items and school supplies. This is a fun way for parents and grandparents to teach children to care for and about others.

Each member of the Athalie Read Group packs a shoebox and we invite the congregation to do the same. Instructions for packing boxes can be found at samaritanspurse.ca You can choose the gender and age of the child you want to receive your shoebox. A donation of $10 is needed to cover the cost of shipping. 

Please have your shoebox to the church by Sunday, November 25th.  The shoeboxes will be dedicated during our worship service by Rev. Scott McAndless.

Your contribution is greatly appreciated.

The Athalie Read Group.

Bake Sale!

Please join the Sunday School children and the Christian Education Committee for this Bake Sale.

This will be a chance for you to "do some Christmas baking!" :)

Senior's Christmas Tea

Everyone is welcome to join us!

163rd Anniversary Celebration at St. Andrew’s

 This coming Sunday, October 21, 2018, St. Andrew's Hespeler will celebrate our 163rd anniversary as a congregation. We will mark this anniversary, as we always do, by celebrating our heritage, but this year we will try to look at that heritage in some new ways and take a look at our connection with the people who inhabited the land before us. We will pray for healing and reconciliation for both indigenous and non-indigenous people in Canada.

We will have some very special guests that will help us to celebrate as we learn and grow. We are very pleased to welcome:

Theresa McGregor: Drum and Song carrier, Moon Bundle, Earth and Water Protector and Traditional Women’s Dancer

Mino Ode Kwewak N’gamowak (Good Hearted Women Singers) will sing and dance with Theresa.

Sasha Sky & Shannon Pride of the White Owl Native Ancestry Association who work to bring healing to aboriginal people and others.

After worship at 10 am, the celebration will continue downstairs in the Fellowship Hall.

A Potluck Lunch will follow at 11:30. Please plan to bring a dish to share. All are welcome.

The Blanket Exercise which will follow the lunch at noon. The Blanket Exercise is a moving experience that has helped many people understand how aboriginal people have experienced our common history. It will be led by Sasha Sky and Shannon Pride

An Opportunity to Experience the Blanket Excercise

Please join us on Sunday, October 21, 2018 at noon for

The Blanket Exercise is a workshop that explores the nation-to-nation relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. Its goal is to build understanding about our shared history by walking through pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization, resistance and reconciliation. Participants will also be able to smudge before and after (if they wish) and participate in a discussion around what the exercise was like for them.

Our special guests to assist us in this workshop will be Sasha Sky and Shannon Pride of the White Owl Native Ancestry Association.

All are welcome to come and participate in this moving event. Join us at St. Andrew’s Hespeler, 73 Queen St. E., Cambridge, ON in the Lower Fellowship Hall.

Join in a Pot Luck Lunch 11:15 am if you wish.

Children are invited to “Explorations in Music” which will include playing and making instruments during the Blanket Exercise.

Hosted by St. Andrew’s Hespeler (standrewshespeler.ca) with the White Owl Native Ancestry Association (wonaa.ca)

A Very Special Sunday: Thanksgiving, World Communion and More!

In an event happens only every decade or so, this year both World Communion (celebrated the first Sunday of October) and Thanksgiving Sunday (celebrated the day before the second Monday) will fall on the same day this year. All of this will make for a very special service this week.

• We will celebrate Thanksgiving with traditional hymns, message and prayers of thanksgiving.
• We will celebrate the common communion table that is shared by all Christians of every time, place and denomination.
• There will be some very special music including:
• Agnus Dei (by George Bizet) Given in praise by Margaret McKenzie-Leighton 
• Love is Like a River (By Jeff Silvey and Suzanne Jennings)  Given in praise by Joyful Sound! with solos by David and Bob!
• The Minister, Rev. W. Scott McAndless will preach on the practice of Gratitude.

It is also our custom to offer our people an extra opportunity to support our outreach work on Communion Sundays. This Sunday special offering envelopes are being made available to support the community lunches that we offer every second week to those who come to the Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank distribution.

Also, a couple of final reminders:

• Ballots to elect Elders and Deacon need to be returned to the church for counting by the end of the service this Sunday.
• Questionnaires for the upcoming Presbytery Visitation can be returned this Sunday and need to be returned to the church by the end of worship on October 14.

Sunday, September 30. Lots of reasons to join us!

This coming Sunday, September 30, will be very special in many ways. It will be:

• Orange Shirt Sunday: Everyone is encouraged to wear an orange shirt or blouse in an act of solidarity with First Nations People and what they suffered and lost through their experience in Residential Schools. More information about Orange Shirt Day can be found at www.orangeshirtday.org.
• Potato Harvest: Many St. Andrew's folks planted potatoes in the Spring. This is the day when we bring those results of our planting back to the church. All potatoes brought back will be donated to the Thursday Night Supper and Social this fall. You are also encouraged to bring any other gifts to support this community dinner. We will have a “Grand Gardener” contest (for our Sunday School students) to find out who grew the heaviest potato.
• Our Adult Choir has prepared a beautiful anthem called,  "Soil of God, You and I" that will feature Solos by Margaret, Erin and Lynn. 
• Our minister, the Rev. Scott McAndless will lead us to rethink the second of the Ten Commandments and ask what it might mean to not create idols today.
  

Dream Auction

Please mark your calendars!  

As part of our Anniversary Celebrations we are once again hosting a Dream Auction on Saturday, October 20, 2018.  Everyone is welcome to join us, please invite your friends and neighbours, too!  Come out to have some fun, enjoy some great desserts and bid on some fantastic prizes and gifts, all the while supporting the general and mission work of St. Andrew's.

Explorations in Music

I am delighted to share that we're starting a new program for younger children this fall. It's called “Explorations in Music” and will provide the children with an opportunity to begin exploring music and building relationships with each other and the congregation.

We will have different presenters and instruments each week, so you will never get quite the same thing twice, but generally speaking the kids will have opportunities to play around with different instruments, will get to learn about the cool things they can do, and will make music in a group.

We will share our activities with the congregation by inviting them to join as participants and presenters. The focus will be on play, exploring music together, and building relationships. We're hoping to provide opportunities for the children to get to know congregation members better as well as connect with other faith traditions, especially Indigenous ones, in response to the Truth & Reconciliation commission.

The program will run most Sundays after church and it promises to be a fun time, so I hope you will check it out, no matter your age. We are grateful for the support and contributions of Queen Street Music.

Schedule:

Sept 23^rd, 11:30 – 12:00 – Gerard Yun 

(snack available in Rm 206 at 11:15)

Assistant Professor in Community Music at Wilfrid Laurier University. Gerard is trained in a number of singing and instrumental cultural traditions including Zen shakuhachi, Native American flute, overtone singing, didgeridoo, and Ghanaian drumming. In addition, he holds graduate degrees in choral/orchestral conducting. As a community music practitioner and scholar he helps people encounter unfamiliar musics and builds their confidence through creative improvisation.

Sept 30^th, 11:30 – 12:00 – Queen Street Music: Ukuleles

(snack available in Rm 206 at 11:15)

Queen Street Music is a community driven, creative school with a focus on performance and quality education Programs for ages 3 to Adult Private and Group lessons year-round Performance and enrichment. This time they will help us learn the basics of ukulele.

Oct 7^th, 11:30 – 12:00 – Theresa McGregor

(snack available in Rm 206 at 11:15)

Indigenous rooted person, Theresa McGregor is a Drum & Song carrier, Moon Bundle, Earth & Water Protector, Traditional Women's Dancer. Proud member of the Indigenous & Non Indigenous women's hand drum group Mino Ode Kwewak N’gamowak (Good Hearted Women Singers).

Oct 14^th, 11:30 – 12:00 – Drums! 

(snack available in Rm 206 at 11:15)

We're going to set up a couple of drum kits. Come see how everything works, make lots of noise, and discover the cool sounds an electric kit can make.

Oct 21^st, 12:00 – 3:00 – Lucas Tensen, Kazoo Making, and more!

(potluck lunch available in Fellowship Hall at 11:15)

Celebrating community and nature through sound, song and soulful imagery is what continues to motivate Lucas Tensen as a multi-disciplinary artist and facilitator. In 2008, he travelled to St. Louis, Senegal to learn the 21 string Kora, (a West African Harp). A few years later, Lucas began making them. He also collects and plays other instruments like the Japanese shakuhachi flute and a collection of old aluminum pots and lids that were transformed into magical singing bowls. Lucas earned a BA in Cello Performance and MA in Community Music from Wilfrid Laurier University. We will also be making kazoos and have a variety of music activities.

Oct 28^th, 11:30 – 12:00 – Unique Sounds (snack available in Rm 206 at 11:15) Have you heard of a theremin? An otamatone? A harmonium? Come check out these unique instruments and discover the cool sounds they make.

Nov 4^th, 11:30 – 12:00 – Theresa McGregor (snack available in Rm 206 at 11:15)

(please note that Explorations will not be offered Nov 11^th & Nov 18^th)

Nov 25^th, 11:30 – 12:00 – Gerard Yun 

(snack available in Rm 206 at 11:15)

Dec 2^nd, 11:15 – 12:00 – Christmas Carol sing!

Join Explorations for juice, coffee, tea, Christmas goodies and your favourite Christmas carols in the Fellowship hall (note the alternate location!). This edition of Explorations is open to parents, guests, and congregation members, so please join us. 

Election of Deacons and Elders

An election of Deacons and Elders for the church will take place on Sunday, October 7, 2018. A separate package for the election has been prepared for distribution to members of the church. If you have not received your package, please drop by an pick one up or contact you elder, deacon or the church office. While participation in the election is limited to those on the membership roll, anyone is welcome to read the information in the package. In fact, we’d encourage you to do so. As it is a good lesson on how the church functions and governs itself.

Of course, there are some who attend St. Andrew’s and have never taken the step of becoming members. The minister would be very pleased to speak with you if you are interested in becoming a member, either by transfer of membership or by profession of faith. A simple membership course will be organized later this Fall to help those interested in membership.

Race to Erase

The Race to Erase will be held on Saturday, October 13th.

This is a  main fundraiser for Hope Clothing which relies on the generosity of the congregation of St. Andrew's and individuals and groups from the Hespeler Community.

Please consider sponsoring a team or joining at team.

For more information contact Joni at jsmith@standrewshespeler.ca

Sunday, July 29. Who is welcome at the table?

There are a number of things that will make worship at St. Andrew's Hespeler Presbyterian Church very special.

Our special music will feature Bob and Ray blessing us with a duet called "How Long Has It Been" (Written by Mosie Lister, Arranged by Richard Kingsmore). It is always a treat to hear Ray and Bob sing together.

Zoé McAndless will also grace us with her interpretation of Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major. She will be accompanied by Corey Linforth on the piano.

In our sermon we will consider what a world-changing event that happened in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1960 has to teach us about Communion and being the church.

Sermon Title:

Rev. Wally Little, longtime minister of St. Andrew's Hespeler has passed away.

Rev. Wallace Inglis Little – Peacefully passed away at home in Stratford, surrounded by his family on July 24, 2018 at the age of 83.

He was devoted to his loving wife, Audrey of 60 years and was a cherished father of Jane (Pep) Philpott, Judy (Paul) Boivin, Karen (Rob) Congram and Kathy (the late Mark) Hoogsteen. Grandpa will be dearly missed by his 13 beautiful grandchildren, Bethany (Alex), Jacob, David and Lydia Philpott; Andrew, Luke and Sophie Boivin; Ben, Abby and Caroline Congram; and Timothy, Daniel and Samuel Hoogsteen. Wally was predeceased by his son, Gary Wallace Little (1966); his granddaughter, Emily Katherine Philpott (1991); his parents, Chester and Jessie; and his siblings Norman Little, Elgin Little, Jean McIntosh and Thelma Clarke. He had many loving nieces and nephews as well as several dear sisters- and brothers-in-law. Wally will also be greatly missed by his dedicated caregiver, Mai.

A man of great wisdom and integrity, Wally had a huge heart and a gentle spirit. He touched countless individuals during his 50 years of congregational ministry in Winnipeg, Cambridge, Collingwood, and Wasaga Beach, as well as serving in Thornbury, North Bay and Blantyre, Malawi in his retirement.

Cremation has taken place. Internment at a later date at Elma Centre Cemetery, Atwood. Visitation at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 25 St. Andrew Street, Stratford, on Friday, July 27, 2018 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Memorial Service at St. Andrew’s Hespeler Presbyterian Church, 73 Queen St. E., Cambridge at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 28, 2018. Rev. Mark Wolfe officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

The Ontario Rett Syndrome Association
PO Box 50030
London, ON N6A 6H8
www.rett.ca

Presbyterian World Service & Development
50 Wynford Drive
Toronto, ON M3C 1J7
www.presbyterian.ca/pwsd

or

The Alzheimer’s Society of Perth County
1020 Ontario St., Unit 5
Stratford, ON N5A 6Z3

would be appreciated by the family and can be arranged by calling the funeral home or returning to the Current Funerals page and clicking on the Make a Donation link. Please forward your cheque directly to the charity of choice at the above address.

Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Little Wallace June 10 1935 to July 24 2018.

The Pescod Family

Many people at St. Andrew's have been joining in prayers for the family of Kathy Pescod (the daughter of Brenda Holm). We would like to share the following link. It will give you updates on what the family is going through as well as information on the Gofundme campaign that they have started.

The church does not endorse Gofundme or any particular campaigns, but we do feel that there are many in the congregation who would like to have this information and would perhaps choose to take part. We would therefore like to share the following link with the congregation.

Please continue to pray for them.

GoFundMe Link.

A Magical Service

Please join us for worship on Sunday, July 15, 2018 at 10 am. It promises to be a "magical" service.

For one thing, we are looking forward to hearing a beautiful duet sung by Annette Denis and Ray Godin: "Where No One Stands Alone."

Secondly, when the sermon has a title like this, you know you are in for a bit of magic:

Please plan to stay and join us for a cold drink in the foyer following the service.