Sunday, May 5, 2019

Rev. Scott is on a Presbytery wide pulpit exchange this Sunday.  We will be welcoming
Rev. Dr. Frank Szatmari, whose sermon will be “The Open Door.”

The scripture readings for this week will be:

• Psalm 30
• John 10:1-10
• Revelation 3:7-13

Special music by GraceNotes.

And lastly, the Holy Sherlocks will be hosting their annual Bake Sale Fundraiser following worship.

Keeping Up-to-Date

• the Athalie Read Group is holding their Annual Garage Sale this Saturday, May 4th,  from 8:00 am - noon in the gym.
• drop off of items for the garage sale can be on Friday, from 2:00 - 7:00 pm.  Please no electronics or clothing.  This is a great time to do some spring cleaning.  One man’s junk is another’s treasure!

• the Holy Sherlock class (Grades 4-6) is holding their annual Bake Sale on Sunday, May 5th following worship.  This year the proceeds of the bake sale + pop can collection will be directed to 2 charities; Sleeping Children Around the World where $35 provides a much needed bedroll kit for a child and PCC International Ministries, Keep Hope Alive by Planting an Olive Tree Campaign where $30 purchases an olive tree sapling for a farmer.

Bake Sale, Sunday, May 5th, following church

Please help support our Holy Sherlocks class.

They have decided to support two projects with this bake sale:

Sleeping Children Around the World

&

Keep Hope Alive, Plant an Olive Tree in Palestine

Donations of peanut-free baked goods would be appreciated.

Garage Sale! May 4th, 8:00 am - noon.

It's Garage Sale time!

It's a great time to clean out your closets and cupboards. 

One person's junk is another's treasure!

Please no electronics or clothes.

Sunday, April 28, 2019

Our scripture readings for Sunday are:

• Acts 5:27-32
• Psalm 150
• Revelation 1:4-8
• John 20:19-31

Message title:  One week later

If you have any questions or comments about the scripture readings or message please feel free to contact Rev. Scott McAndless, smcandless@standrewshespeler.ca

Sunday, April 21, 2019

1. Maundy Thursday service, 7:30 pm.  This is a very personal, meaningful service where we will be encouraged to place our burdens at the foot of the cross.  
2. Good Friday, 10:00 am.  Please note that this year our Good Friday service is in the morning.
3. Holy Saturday Vigil, 8:00 am - midnight.  Come help us keep watch!  There will be soft music playing and meditation and devotional materials available as well as a being able to place a prayer in a box on the communion table.
4. Easter Celebration service and the Sacrament of Holy Communion, 10:00 am on Sunday morning.  All Sunday School programs will be available.  There will also be a special Easter scavenger hunt for all of the children to participate in before and after worship. There will also be some very special music this Sunday.  Many thanks to all of the musicians/choir members who have been preparing for Sunday so that we might worship with joy!

The scripture readings for Sunday are:

• Isaiah 65:17-25
• Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
• 1 Corinthians 15:19-26
• John 20:1-18

Just a quick note:  the office will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday.

Thank you Gay Lea Foundation!

Apr 12, 2019

Gay Lea Foundation announces five new charitable grants

This January, the Gay Lea Foundation announced it had approved more than $250,000 in grants at its first meeting of the 2019 fiscal year (October 1 – September 30), with funds being channeled to 15 registered Canadian charities working in Ontario, Alberta, Haiti, Malawi and Tanzania.

Today, the Foundation follows up on that announcement with news of five more Canadian charities set to receive grants in 2019, raising the total value of funds distributed by the Foundation since its creation in 2014 to more than $957,000.

“At times, the number of applications we receive can seem overwhelming,” says Foundation Chair, Rachel Caldara, who is also the Manager of Compensation, Benefits and Human Resources at Gay Lea Foods. “There are so many stories of people in need, and the number of applications is constantly increasing.”

“But at the same time,” she continues, “it’s heartening to know there are so many Canadian organizations helping people. At the end of the day, to be able to support these organizations, and know that what we’re doing at Gay Lea Foods is making a difference is something I’m incredibly proud to be a part of.”

Funding for the Gay Lea Foundation is provided by an annual contribution of $150,000 from Gay Lea Foods and personal donations from across the Gay Lea Foods’ family. The organization supports registered Canadian charities that work toward poverty relief, the advancement of education and/or purposes beneficial to community development.

Read on to learn more about the five new grant recipients and the unique projects they’ve undertaken to cultivate hope for those who need it most!

CROSSROADS INTERNATIONAL

Crossroads International is a leading Canadian international cooperation agency, dedicated to advancing equality for women and girls and eradicating poverty in some of the poorest countries in Africa and South America.

Project: Building climate change resilience with women co-operative farmers in Senegal

Supporting subsistence women farmers in two extremely vulnerable communities in Senegal, West Africa, this initiative aims to promote an environmentally sustainable gardening system exclusively managed by women co-operative members. The project will introduce drought resistant, nutritionally dense crops with shorter production times, a drip irrigation system, solar powered water pumps, a storage unit and farmer “field school” training, providing the women with the equipment and knowledge they need to produce vegetables year-round using green technology and agroecological practices adapted to the region.

Ultimately, it is anticipated that 1,500 women farmers and an estimated 22,000 community and family members will benefit from a nutritious and reliable food source, as well as additional sustainable income through year-round market gardening. Importantly, the female farmers will be equipped and trained to resist the effects of climate change in their community.

Gay Lea Foundation Donation: $25,000 to dig seven new wells, rehabilitate four existing wells, finance equipment purchases to launch the project, and train women on the use and maintenance of the solar powered pumps.

EDUCATION 4 CHANGE

Education 4 Change is a Waterloo, Ontario-based volunteer organization that works with local education and community leaders in the remote and underserviced Kelafo region of Ethiopia to help children attain their potential and aspirations through education, improve the quality of their education system and increase literacy rates for all.

Project: Expanding literacy programming

The Kelafo region has more than 40 villages and a population of more than 200,000, but past political disputes have left the area underserviced, resulting in low literacy rates, a lack of employment skills and extreme poverty. Over the past 10 years, Education 4 Change has provided training for the government-hired teachers, helped the communities form parent councils and provided much needed classroom supplies. They currently have three projects impacting seven villages in the area: a mobile school; adult literacy classes; and the region’s first and only library. The current project will allow E4 Change to expand these existing programs and bring much needed educational resources to more communities in the region.

Gay Lea Foundation Donation: $25,000 to hire a second full-time teacher for the mobile school; hire a full-time employee to assist the librarian and run literacy classes from the library; hire a part-time teacher to offer adult literacy classes in a new village; and purchase 300 more locally-sourced Somali books for the library.

GREATER HAMILTON FOOD SHARE

Through its food recovery program, Hamilton Food Share sources good, healthy food deemed surplus and redirects it to 12 food banks and 103 hot meal programs in Hamilton and the surrounding areas. Last year, Hamilton Food Share redistributed 3.2 million pounds of food, more than 60% of which is fresh or frozen, to 12,628 individuals accessing food banks every month, one third of whom are children. Hamilton Food Share puts healthy food on the tables of families who need it the most.

Project: Support for food procurement operations

To collect and distribute food, Hamilton Food Share operates a warehouse with docking capacity, full refrigeration system, cold storage, two refrigerated trucks and one cargo van.

Gay Lea Foundation Donation: $5,000 to support the operational costs of food procurement, including fuel, driver’s wages, and repair costs associated with operating a trucking vehicle.

OPEN DOORS AT ST. CHRISTOPHER’S

Open Doors at St. Christopher’s Anglican Church is a group of free, community-based, non-denominational programs that support families and individuals in the church’s Burlington, Ontario, neighbourhood by relieving symptoms of poverty and improving lives through connection, food, clothing and assistance.

Project: Community Meal Program

The Community Meal Program is the heart of Open Doors, providing a sit-down dinner for an average of 150 people every Tuesday night, and a warm, healthy sit-down lunch for over 80 seniors every second Thursday (two times per month). Working with food rescue partners in Burlington, the church is able to provide meals for only $1.00 per person, and also operates a food bank so that guests may pick up additional groceries after their meal.

Gay Lea Foundation Donation: $9,880 to purchase food and cooking items not made available at the food rescue (i.e. certain meats, milk, cheese, eggs, etc.) for the community over the next year.

ST. ANDREW’S HESPELER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 

Hope Clothing at St. Andrew’s Hespeler Presbyterian Church in Cambridge, Ontario, provides free new or gently used clothing, personal care products and small household items for those in the community who need extra help making their budget stretch, including the working poor, and those who are unemployed, homeless, victims-of house fires or abuse, etc.

Gay Lea Foundation Donation: $2,000 support the creation of a permanent paid Hope Clothing Coordinator position to coordinate volunteers and ensure all people are treated appropriately.

Sunday, April 14, 2019; Palm Sunday

Please join us this Sunday, Palm Sunday as we begin Holy Week.

The scripture readings for Sunday are:  

• Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
• Luke 19:28-40
• Isaiah 50:4-9a
• Philippians 2:5-11

The message is: Palming off the Palms

   

If you have any questions or comments about the scripture readings or message please contact Rev. Scott McAndless at smcandless@standrewshespeler.ca

All children, friends, grandchildren, neighbours are invited to join Joni Smith in the foyer at 9:45 am, just prior to the beginning of the service so that we can parade into the church together.

The Thursday Night Supper & Social Gala dinner event is also on Sunday evening, 5:00 pm and there are still a few tickets left.  The menu includes ham and turkey & all the fixings.  This year the ticket price of $15.00/person includes dessert as well.

Keeping Up-to-Date

• Easter Flowers:  if you would like to order a flower to be placed in the sanctuary for Easter Sunday orders/payment are due on Sunday.  This helps us to decorate the sanctuary for Easter.  Once the Easter service is over, you may take your flower home to enjoy.  Order forms are available at church

• The Thursday Night Supper & Social Gala Dinner event (the one fundraiser which enables TNSS to continue serving) is on Sunday, April 14th.  Tickets are on sale now, but you better hurry, this dinner always sells out.  On the menu:  ham & turkey with all the fixings.

• Saturday, May 4, 8:00 am - noon:  the Athalie Read Group Annual Garage Sale.  Donations of your not wanted treasures are appreciated, please no electronics or clothing.  Drop off of items can be made to the church on Friday, May 3 from 2:00 - 7:00 pm.

• Sunday, May 5th, following the service our Holy Sherlocks Sunday School class will be holding their annual Bake Sale to support a mission project.  Stay tuned for details on the mission project, this class is in the process of choosing who they would like to help.  Any donations of baked goods, peanut free, are always appreciated.

Sunday, April 7, 2019

The scripture readings for this week are:

• First reading
• Isaiah 43:16-21
• Psalm
• Psalm 126
• Second reading
• Philippians 3:4b-14
• Gospel
• John 12:1-8

The message this week is:  One perfect afternoon

If you have any questions or comments about the scripture readings or the message please feel free to contact                   Rev. Scott McAndless  at smcandless@standrewshespeler.ca

Explorations in Music will be held in the  Fellowship Room following worship for JK – Grade 6 children to participate in.  Everyone is welcome to come in the see what goes on in these interesting and fun classes.

Sunday, March 31, 2019

The scripture readings for Sunday, the Fourth Sunday in Lent, are:

• First reading
  • Joshua 5:9-12
• Psalm
  • Psalm 32
• Second reading
  • 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
• Gospel
  • Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

The message is:  “While I kept silence”

If you have any questions or comments about the scripture readings or message please feel free to contact Rev. Scott McAndless at smcandless@standrewshespeler.ca.

Special music given in praise by our Adult Choir with soloist Randy Vermaas.  We also welcome the University of Waterloo Gamelan Ensemble to our worship service and Explorations in Music.  For more information about the Gamelan Ensemble you can go to this link:   https://uwaterloo.ca/music/events/uw-balinese-gamelan-ensemble

Explorations in Music will meet in the sanctuary this week, following worship.

And finally, order forms for flowers for Easter are now available. 

Sunday, March 24, 2019

The scripture readings for Sunday are:

• First reading
  • Isaiah 55:1-9
• Psalm
  • Psalm 63:1-8
• Second reading
  • 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
• Gospel
  • Luke 13:1-9

The sermon is:  Ho! Everyone who thirsts!

If you have any questions or comments about the scripture readings or sermon please contact Rev. Scott McAndless at  smcandless@standrewshespeler.ca

Special music given in praise by our Adult choir with soloist Randy Vermaas as well as our Youth Band.

Explorations in Music will meet again this Sunday following worship.

Sunday, March 17, 2019

Here is your Sunday news for the Second Sunday in Lent.

The scripture readings for Sunday are:

• First reading
  • Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
• Psalm
  • Psalm 27
• Second reading
  • Philippians 3:17-4:1
• Gospel
  • Luke 13:31-35

The sermon is:  One desert evening

If you have any questions or comments about the scripture readings or sermon please contact Rev. Scott McAndless at  smcandless@standrewshespeler.ca

Special music given in praise by our adult choir & Ray Godin.

Our Spring/Lent Newsletter is out!

https://www.standrewshespeler.ca/PDFs/2019SpringNewsletter.pdf

https://www.standrewshespeler.ca/PDFs/2019SpringNewsletter.pdf

Click on the link to read all of the latest news or go to the home page and click on the link below the picture.

News from your choir!

Choir Position

Over the past couple months, the choir as been discussing the pros and cons of changing where the choir sits. There are many aspects to consider. Our primary reasons for looking at this topic are accessibility, community, and worship.

On February 10^th, the choir experimented with different positions around the sanctuary and got feedback from the congregation.

These are different factors we discussed and the feedback that we got from the congregation and the choir.

Community

• in the choir pews, the choir is quite far away from the congregation
• sitting in the pews at the front brings the choir closer to the congregation
  • allows for a greater sense of connection
  • helps the church feel more full

• the choir is better able to lead the congregation the more clearly they can be heard
• they can see and be seen by the children during children's time

Accessibility

• the choir pews are not wheelchair accessible
• it is difficult to get up to the choir pews if you have any mobility concerns
• sitting in the pews in the front allows people not to have to go up and down the stairs
• ramps and handrails would make the choir pews more accessible

Sound Quality & Clarity

• where the choir is positioned now is one of the worst places acoustically
• moving them back creates a better sound, but places them even further away from the congregation
• moving them forward makes the sound better (louder and clearer)
• when we experimented with different positions and got feedback from the congregation, the favourite position (in terms of sound) was on the chancel steps
• the second favourite position was the first row of the choir pews and having a row stand in front of the choir pews

Mics

• a number of congregation members wondered why we didn't use mics
• we don't have the proper equipment to do that well
• singers generally back off from supporting their sound properly when they have a mic in front of them
• this immediately decreases tuning and tone and will continue to reinforce less than optimal singing over time
• especially with the mics we have, it can lead to one voice being picked up above the rest
• our (awesome) sound team has not had the training necessary to balance the sound
• it does nothing to address the accessibility issue

Choir's Experience of Worship

• choir members often have difficulty hearing the service and seeing the screen
• if there is a soloist or small ensemble, they have to watch them from behind
• they are better able to see and hear during children's time if they sit in the congregation
• choir members have reported being able to enjoy the service better when they are able to face the chancel

Lighting

• the lighting is brightest in the choir pews
• there is no lighting directly above the chancel steps

Tradition

• the choir has traditionally sat in the choir pews
• some people value not changing things (this was not expressed by anybody)
• change can be unsettling to a congregation

Worship Service

• many people find the choir moving during the service disruptive
• being able to move quicker, less, or not at all would create a smoother service

Sight-line to Director

• when the choir and congregation can see the music director, the director can give cues to indicate what is happening in the music
• this is especially important during the anthems
• the choir is able to see the music director from the choir pews, but not from the chancel steps
• moving the piano to the floor would mean they could see cues from the steps

Music & Worship made a recommendation to Session to try three different positions on three different Sundays. Session discussed the recommendations and approved it with two alterations. That the three different positions are each tried for two Sundays and that there be a paper survey readily available to give feedback on.

The three positions are:

1. Having the choir sit in the front two rows of the congregational pews and move to the floor/steps for the anthem and the hymns (excluding the introit, offertory response, and benediction response)
2. Having the choir sit in the front two rows of the congregational pews and move to the floor/steps for the anthem and having them stand and turn for the hymns (excluding the introit, offertory response, and benediction response)
3. Having the choir sit in the choir pews and bring the second and third rows out onto the chancel for the anthem and hymns (those with mobility concerns can remain in the front row of the choir pews)

Here are the dates the new positions will be tried: 

March 17: Position 1

March 24: Position 2

March 31: Position 3

May 19: Position 3

May 26: Position 2

June 2: Position 1

Music & Worship appreciates the thoughts and ideas the congregation has provided so far and we look forward to considering this question further with you.

Sunday, March 10, 2019

Please join us at 10:00 am for the First Sunday in Lent.

The scripture readings for this Sunday are: 

• Deuteronomy 26:1-11  
• Psalm 91:1-2, 9-1
• Romans 10:8b-13
• Luke 4:1-13

The sermon title is: Desert Days

If you have any questions or comments about the scripture readings or the message please contact Rev. Scott McAndless at smcandless@standrewshespeler.ca

Explorations in Music (for JK - grade 6) begins on Sunday, at 11:15 am in the Fellowship Room; snacks & drinks provided.

Pancake Tuesday

Please join our youth and their families as we serve our Annual Pancake Supper!

Sunday, March 3, 2019

Please join us this Sunday for The Sacrament of Holy Communion.

The scripture readings for this week are: 

• First reading
  • Exodus 34:29-35
• Psalm
  • Psalm 99
• Second reading
  • 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
• Gospel
  • Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)

The sermon title is:  In the fading afterglow

If you have any questions or comments about the scripture readings or the message please contact Rev. Scott McAndless at smcandless@standrewshespeler.ca

Special Music:  given in praise by Heather Robertson

Beat the Cold with Hope Clothing

This morning a group got together to package up our "Beat the Cold" kits.  During the weeks of March 4th & 11th (or until quantities last) we will be giving these kits to each adult who brings with them a new friend to introduce to Hope Clothing.  The friend will also receive a kit.  One kit per family.  We are doing this campaign to try to raise awareness for Hope Clothing to people who need some extra help.

Hope Clothing is open on Tuesdays, noon - 3:00 pm, Wednesdays, 9:30 am - 1:00 pm                     and Thursdays 11:00 am - 2:00 pm.

Many thanks to all of the people who donated to the kits.  The kits may contain: kleenex, hand sanitizer, cough lozenges, shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, lip balm, tea.  People will also be able to choose a package containing a pillow and blanket (while quantities last), hats, scarves and socks for the family!

Each kit will also come with fresh fruit and yogurt.

Please share or tell people about Hope Clothing.

Also, thank you to the people who continue to donate their gently used or new clothing.  Thanks also go out to Zehrs, the Cambridge Self Help Food Bank and Value Village.

World Day of Prayer, March 1st.

Sunday, February 24th, 2019

The scripture readings for this Sunday are:

• First reading
  • Genesis 45:3-11, 15
• Psalm
  • Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40
• Second reading
  • 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50
• Gospel
  • Luke 6:27-38

The Sermon title is:  "On the other cheek."  If you have any comments or questions regarding our readings or the sermon please feel free to contact Rev. Scott McAndless at scmandless@standrewshespeler.ca.

Our Annual General Meeting will follow worship this Sunday.  We will begin with a potluck lunch, so if you are able please bring a finger food (peanut free) to share. Please join us as we celebrate 2018!  Our Devine Detectives class (JK - grade 3) have prepared something special for us, so please come out to support our young people.  Children & families are welcome to attend this meeting as well.