A Warm Welcome Awaits You!

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+ORDER OF SERVICE+

December 7th, 2025

Second Sunday of Advent

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Prelude:   Toccata on “Creator of the Starry Heights” – Pietro Yon 

Welcome and Announcements (10:25 am)

Entry of the Word  (please rise)

Greeting and Call to Worship

Rejoice together, people of God!

     For our Saviour is coming to us.

We feel Jesus’ presence amongst us.

Emmanuel is coming to make all things new!

Hymn  # 118: Hark the glad sound

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Assurance of Pardon

Lighting the Advent Candle of Peace

Hymn  “Jesus Came Bringing Us Peace” (2x)

Jesus came bringing us peace (3x),

Hallelujah forever more!

Words traditional Cameroon song. Public Domain

 

Children’s Message

Anthem:   Creation Will Be at Peace – Anna Laura Page

Prayer of Illumination

Almighty God, purify our hearts and minds

that, when your Son Jesus Christ

comes again, we may be ready to receive him,

who is our Lord and God, and in whose name we pray.

Amen.

Old Testament               Isaiah 11:1-10

Responsive Psalm          Psalm 72:1-7 (Refrain III)

Epistle                             Romans 15:13

Gospel                             Matthew 3:1-12

Sermon       “Gifts in Unusual Packages”   

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession

Offering:   Prepare the Royal Highway – Winston Cassler

Doxology # 661: We give thee but thine own (v.1)

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Invitation to the Lord’s Table

Communion Hymn: # 542: Let all mortal flesh keep silence

The Apostles’ Creed: # 539

The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving- Lord’s Prayer: #564

Prayer after Communion

Hymn  # 126: On Jordan’s bank

Benediction

Parting Hymn: # 114: Emmanuel, Emmanuel

Emmanuel, Emmanuel,

His name is called Emmanuel.

God with us,

Revealed in us,

His name is called Emmanuel.

Words by Bob McGee, b. 1944. Copyright 1976 C.A. Music. CCLI Licence #3946634.

Postlude:   Come, Thou Fount – Jason Payne

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please pray for Mr. Jim Jordan, of our Choir and Congregation, who suffered a heart attack this past week-end. Jim has been under-going tests at Stratford and Kitchener hospitals.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING TO-DAY:  Immediately following worship, a brief Congregational Meeting will be held to authorise the Foundation to release the remaining outstanding funds for the Sanctuary and McCullough Hall renovation project.

CHRISTMAS CAROL SING TO-DAY!  Our annual Christmas Carol Sing will be held at 2:00 PM to-day in the Sanctuary. Join us for carols, Christmas Songs, and good cheer. Bring an enthusiastic singing voice!  Refreshments will be served in McCullough Hall after the programme.

JUNIOR YOUTH BAKE SALE:  The JYSEP youth group, who uses our church facilities for their weekly youth programme, will be having a Christmas Bake Sale following our worship service on Sunday, Dec. 14th. Join them in McCullough Hall and purchase some delicious baked goods. All proceeds going to Stratford General Hospital. The youth group will also be providing our Fellowship Time treats. Please support the Junior Youth Group in this team-building and service-oriented project.

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS FOOD DRIVE:  The PCW is once again encouraging members of the congregation to collect food to help replenish supplies at the St. James Food Bank. During the Christmas season, the need for food increases, and food banks find themselves with a shortage of supplies. During the Twelve Days of Christmas (December 25th to January 5th), please collect as much food as you can. For those who need their food collected at the end of the Food Drive, please call the office to make arrangements. See the poster on the bulletin board.

GIVING TREE CAMPAIGN:  The Christmas Season is a time of blessing and joy, but also a time of need for many families. Our local public school, Hamlet, is undertaking a Giving Tree campaign to assist families who are in need. A list of suggested gift items appears later in this bulletin and is available on the bulletin board outside of the Sanctuary. If you are able to purchase a new gift, and place it unwrapped under the Memorial Tree at the front of the Sanctuary, they will be delivered to Hamlet School at 3:00 PM on Monday, December 15th. Gift cards, in the amount of $50, from Food Basics and No Frills, will also be accepted. Should you wish to make a cash donation in lieu of a gift, please mark your envelope/online donation "Giving Tree" and your donation will be directed to the Hamlet Campaign.  All cash donations MUST BE RECEIVED by Noon on Sunday, December 14th to be included in this campaign. Any donations received after this time will be directed to our General Fund. Thank you for your kind consideration of this project, as we reach out with the heart and hands of Jesus to those in need in our community.

2026 CALENDARS:  There are a limited number of 2026 Presbyterian Church in Canada calendars available. If you would like one, please call the church office at 519-271 5668. A suggested donation is $6.00, which can be placed on the offering collection plate on Sunday mornings.

2026 BUDGET:  The Board of Managers has had their first look at the 2026 budget. If your group or organisation has a project, or may need funding, please talk to Scott Dunbar.

PCW POT-LUCK LUNCH:  The PCW is holding a Christmas Pot-Luck Lunch on Tuesday, December 9th, beginning at 12:30 PM at the church. Please come with your favourite food dish. All ladies and men are welcome to attend.

PRESBYTERIAN CONNECTION:  The Winter, 2025 edition of the Presbyterian newspaper, The Presbyterian Connection, is available for those who would like a copy. You can pick one up at the back of the Sanctuary or on the glass display case in the hallway. It is also available on-line at https://presbyterian.ca/presbyterian-connection/

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR POINSETTIA DELIVERY:  The poinsettias that are made available through the generous donations of our congregation will be delivered on December 12th and 13th  to St Andrew’s members we wish to acknowledge or support for various reasons. We need volunteers to help with these deliveries. Each volunteer usually delivers to 3-5 destinations. If you are able to help with this, please let Heather Jesson or Lois Tutt know so delivery routes can be arranged. This is another way we can show that St Andrew’s cares.

WEEKLY GROUPS & MEETINGS:

Sunday, Dec. 7 – Congregational Meeting – 11:30 AM

Sunday, Dec. 7 – Christmas Carol Sing – 2:00 PM

Monday, Dec. 8 – Flower Guild – 9:00 AM

Monday, Dec. 8 – Tracey Frank Music Lessons – 4:00 – 6:00 PM

Tuesday, Dec. 9 – Medical Missions – 9:00 AM to Noon

Tuesday, Dec. 9 – Bible Study – 10:00 AM

Tuesday, Dec. 9 – PCW Pot-Luck Lunch – 12:30 PM

Tuesday, Dec. 9 – Board Meeting – 1:00 PM

Tuesday, Dec. 9 – Tracey Frank Music Lessons – 4:00 – 7:45 PM

Tuesday, Dec. 9 – Tracey Frank Sax Ensemble – 8:00 PM

Wednesday, Dec. 10 – Sandwich Making – 9:30 AM

Wednesday, Dec. 10 – Kinnaris Ladies’ Choir – 7:30 – 9:00 PM

Thursday, Dec. 11 – Community Meals – All Day

Thursday, Dec. 11 – Choir Rehearsal – 1:30 PM – NEW TIME!

Saturday, Dec. 13 – Tracey Frank Music Lessons – 10 AM – 5 PM

Sunday, Dec. 14 – JYSEP Youth Bake Sale – following worship

Sunday, Dec. 14 – Frank Studio Student Recital – 3:30 PM

DONATIONS TO NEW AUDIO SYSTEM:  Donations to the A/V System are always welcome. Mark your offering envelope or E-transfer “AV SYSTEM.”  Thanks for your support of this project.

BURNS SUPPER, 2026:   Mark your calendars. Our 2026 Burns Supper will be on Saturday, January 24th. Tickets are limited, and will cost $40.00 this year.

GIVING TREE CAMPAIGN:  These are the gift items that Hamlet school needs for its Giving Tree Campaign this Christmas. Lists are also available on the bulletin board and may be taken home.

Pajamas – Girl Size 7

Pajamas – Boy Size 8

Pajamas – Girl Size 8-9

Pajamas – Boy Size 10-12

Pajamas – Boy Size Large

Pajamas – Boy Size Medium-Large

Pajamas – Boy Size 12-14

Pajamas – Girl Size 12-14

Stuffed Animal – Boy Age 4-6

Toy/Game/Stuffed Animal – Boy Age 4-6

Toy/Game/Stuffed Animal – Girl Age 8-10

Toy/Game/Stuffed Animal – Boy Aged 12-14

Book – Boy Age Toddler

Book – Boy Age 4-6

Picture Book – Boy Age 4-6

Picture Book – Girl Age 4-6

Book – Girl Age 4-6

Book – Girl Age 6-8

Book – Girl Age 6-8

Book – Boy Age 6-8

Book – Boy Age 8-10

Book – Boy Age 8-10

Book – Girl Age 8-10

Book – Girl Age 8-10

Book – Boy Age 10-12

Book – Boy Age 10-12

Book – Girl Age 10-12

Book – Boy Age 12-14

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SUNDAY SERVICE INFORMATION

Sunday Services are held at 10:30 am

In-Person Services:

Located at 25 St. Andrew Street, with limited free parking behind the Church (off of Church Street), as well as adjacent street parking. Fellowship Time takes place before (9:45 am) and after Services with light refreshments served.

Online Services:

Livestreamed on Facebook Live and can be found by clicking on the "Find us on Facebook" tab at the top of this page, and then by clicking "Like".

 

Thank you and God Bless!

OFFERING OPPORTUNITIES:

For those who have so kindly asked how they can financially support the ongoing work of St. Andrew's, there are four simple options:

(1) E-Transfer: If you bank online, a no-fee E-Transfer may be sent to:

[email protected]

(2) Website: Please click on this link to our Church Website (www.standrewsstratford.ca) and in the upper-right hand corner you will notice a button that says, “Donate”. Click on that button and it will take you to a charitable website called Canada Helps. Fill in the required information, click on the “Complete Donation Now” button, and a charitable tax-receipt will be sent to your email address. Both our website and the Canada Helps website are secure.

(3) PAR (Pre-Authorized Remittance): Please click on this link (www.presbyterian.ca/p…/pre-authorized-remittance-par-program) which will direct you to the National Church's website and an enrolment form which can be completed and mailed to the church (with a voided cheque) at the address below.

(4) Cheque: If you wish to donate by cheque, please mail your offering to:

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
25 St. Andrew Street
Stratford, ON
N5A 1A2

Charitable tax receipts will be issued for the 2025 year.

Many thanks and may God bless you richly for your generosity of heart and hand!