Christmas Basket Night

Last week we had our annual Christmas Basket night for our Thursday Night Supper & Social guests.  Many people from our congregation donated items to make up these baskets.  The contents of the baskets included practical and fun items for the adults.  Many thanks to all who provided the items for the baskets, they were wonderful and very much appreciated.  Lots of fun was had by all!

December 4: Communion Sunday and More!

The first Sunday in December is always Communion Sunday at St. Andrew's. This year there are a number of other things happening on this Sunday that will make it even more special and meaningful.

• Everyone is invited to bring in their family Nativity Sets for the worship service. We are already beginning to see the incredible variety of sets and hear some of the meaningful stories that people tell about the origins or history of their set. We will be dedicating our family nativity sets and praying for the link between church and family at Christmastime. Make sure you bring your set and put it out in the sanctuary for the beginning of worship.

• There has been a wonderful and generous response to our "Angel Tree" initiative and the contributions are being piled up under the Christmas Tree in the sanctuary. One Sunday we will dedicate these gifts which will be distributed to families in the community through our Thursday Night Supper and Social. You won't believe all that is under that tree until you see it!
• We will have the opportunity, if we choose, to contribute a special gift towards our Benevolent Fund which is used to support families in the community who are facing unexpected or emergency situations.
• Special Musical treats! Anthem: Come My Light (with a special guest on the organ). Original music by local guitarist, Robert Dwyer.
• The minister will continue his Advent series of sermons based on Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol by looking at the meanings found in the description of the Ghost of Christmas Present.

We hope to see you here!

Christmas Wish Auction!

Hi everyone!

The Auction Committee has been working hard on our Christmas Wish Live & Silent Auction which will be on Saturday, November 27th. Desserts/coffee/tea and viewing will begin at 7:00 pm and the live auction will start at 7:30 pm.  Bring your friends!  Bring your Christmas List because you just might be able to do your Christmas shopping!  Children are welcome to come (wear your pajamas, bring a pillow, blanket or sleeping bag) to watch a movie and have popcorn in the foyer.

Here's an almost complete list of items being offered for auction:

A delicious array of holiday baking:

·         Key Lime Pies

·         Scones

·         Cookies

·         Cheesecakes

·         Large pots of soup

·         Shortbread cookies

·         Chocolate Cupcakes

·         Meatloafs

Wonderful gifts of service:

·         3 hours of housecleaning

·         Lawn aeration

·         Hosted Dinner for 4

·         Take load of garbage to dump

·         3 – 4 hours of baby sitting

·         Dog walking/sitting

·         2 hours of Christmas Gift Wrapping

·         Door to door drop off and pick up at Pearson Airport for up to 4 people

·         45 minute set of Old Time Country Music to be performed at your summer event

·         Port Elgin cottage rental for 1 week, including 1 hour rental of 4 water bikes

Beautiful gifts of arts and crafts:

·         Debbie Ellis water colour painting of Black Bridge

·         Bill Westbrook original Cardinal on canvas

·         Quilted Christmas Tree wall hanging

·         Knit mittens and small crocheted afghan

·         Hand knit men’s and women’s sweaters

·         2 knit items chosen from catalogue

·         Homemade Christmas and all occasion cards

·         Christmas Stockings

·         First edition hand-bound book

Sports &Entertainment:

·         Golf passes to Savannah and Golf North

·         KW Symphony Christmas Concert Tickets

One of a kind gifts:

·         Signed Looneyspoons cookbook

·         Child’s recliner

·         Sunlounger

·         Collectors quality ceramic tiles

·         Ukulele

·         Holiday Star

·         Sail duffle bags

Last, but not least, an outstanding selection of beautiful gift baskets and gift cards:

·         Session, Christian Education, Fellowship, Mission & Outreach, Operations gift baskets

·         Tim Hortons Gift basket

·         Gadsby’s Gift Basket and gift card

·         Wispers Gift basket including pedicure certificate

·         Blackshop, Melville Cafe, State & Main, East Side Marios, Edible Arrangements, Mothers, Fiftys, Fionn MacCool’s, The Keg gift cards

·         Pampered chef gift card

·         Overnight stay at the Cambridge Hotel

·         Wash, cut and style certificates

·         Manicure certificate

·         Zehrs and Food Basics gift cards

A wonderful Christmas Tea!

We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Tea at 

St. Luke's Place this Sunday afternoon.

Many thanks to our young servers, to everyone who baked the scrumptious Christmas goodies, to the ladies who made and supplied to Christmas aprons for our servers, to our Deacons, to our Youth Band and to everyone else who helped in any way and to those who came out today.

Some of our servers arranging plates of Christmas goodies.

Our Youth Band played three Christmas pieces.  Everyone enjoyed the music.

Enjoying those Christmas goodies, a coffee and some time to visit.

Eyeing up some more goodies!

And finally, cleaning up!

Youth Ministry

 

For families with youth grade 7+.

Please mark your calendars!  

Wednesday, December 14th; 5:30 - 7:30 pm.

We will share a potluck dinner together, have some fun, talk about our ideas and make some plans for our Youth Ministry. 

R.S.V.P. to Joni (jsmith@standrewshespeler.ca) by December 7th.

Christmas on Queen Street

Any donations of new toys, clothing or gift cards for this event would be appreciated.  We would also like some Christmas baking for our Christmas Café, if you are able to bake something we would also appreciate that!  

For any questions or if you can help in any way please contact Joni  jsmith@standrewshespeler.ca

A Very Special Remembrance Sunday

On Sunday, November 6, St. Andrew's Hespeler will be celebrating Remembrance Sunday. This service will include prayers for peace among the nations and a celebration of the commitment, service and personal sacrifice of those who have served our country in times of great need. We will observe two minutes of silence, highlight those members of the congregation who have served in the military and celebrate our nation with the singing of the national anthem.

There are number of other things that will make this service meaningful and memorable:

• The Youth Band will be performing a medley of Peace Like a River and Kum Ba Yah
• The  choir and music director have prepared music based on the themes of peace and of rivers.
• The minister will present the first of a two-part sermon on the River Gihon in the Bible. Here is a short introduction to the series.

Oh, and one more thing. We are certainly eager for you to join us Sunday and to bring your friends too, but you don't necessarily need to show up a whole hour early so....