During the month of December I have been collecting Sermon suggestions and questions from the people of St. Andrew's Hespeler Presbyterian Church. During January I will be putting all of the suggestions up on a big board so that the congregation may vote on them and I will preach the top four starting on February 9.

Here are the suggestions so far in the order received:

1. Sex Education (I assume that the expectation is not that I sexually educate the congregation but rather talk about the place of sex ed. in society).
2. One can deal with love or hate; but how does one deal with indifference?
3. The origin and history of the Apostle's Creed.
4. Why do good things happen to bad people?
5. How do you encourage your adult children who've left home to continue going to church and to teach their children the faith?
6. Why don't we hear about Jesus from his birth to when he was an adult? There is about a 30 year gap. What kind of teenager do you think he was?
7. Do we welcome the Gay community to the church?
8. Strong Women of the Bible

This could be very interesting!

The window for suggestions is closing soon (Dec 31) and I would be very happy to receive more. People of St. Andrew's can make suggestions by responding to this post, by dropping of a suggestion in the box at the church tomorrow or in whatever way is most convenient for you! Don't delay!!

Scott

Family Winter Fun!

Feeding the birds and having fun skating!

Sharing the Blessings of Christmas! (photos included)

At St. Andrew's we are so blessed to be able to "Share the Warmth" with our church community and the community of Hespeler and Cambridge.

Indeed this year we were able to bring together 3 different groups from the Cambridge Community to provide a wonderful Christmas experience & celebration for many families and children who are in need of a little extra help, especially during the holidays.

With many, many thanks to all those who helped with the Thursday Night Supper & Social Christmas celebrations these past 2 Thursdays.  Thank you to all who donated "gift basket" items, and toys for the children, who donated food for the Christmas dinner; and to all those who helped set-up, clean-up, plan, wrap, prepare and participate!  May you be blessed with His peace and joy this Christmas time.

Thank you, especially to Target for providing several gift cards; a local book club for providing basket "goodies"; and The Cambridge Pee Wee Lions for purchasing the gifts for the children 

(this is a Champion team, in more ways than one! pictured below)

Cambridge Pee Wee Lions (above and below)

Santa arriving

Santa all ready to talk with the children and hand out some wonderful gifts!

Checking the List

Even the big "kids" wanted to talk with Santa!

Winter photos are starting to come in!

Who loves winter?

It's Winter!

Okay Shutterbugs.  There's lots of opportunities for winter photos now!  Please send me your favourite winter photos; snowmen making, nature, family playing in the snow, sitting by the fire!  Or whatever your favourite part of winter is (maybe even Florida!)

Please send photos to me by e-mail; jsmith@standrewshespeler.ca or lend me a hard copy.  The photos will be used in various areas throughout the church and on our website and facebook page.

Thanks,

Joni

A look at our Family Advent Service, December 15, 2013

We had a wonderful service on Sunday; 

followed by a celebration lunch (thank you, Soulidified, for organizing the lunch!); Cake Sunday (to celebrate October - December birthdays), cookie decorating and a special visitor!

The St. Andrew's Stars did an amazing job with the Christmas Pageant. Her is the full movie:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?feature=edit_ok&list=PLT4jGp_hivC2H_AKUEqUZGgQCBh_SEkPy