August 28, 2025
DEAR ST. ANDREW’S FAMILY,
It’s Labour Day weekend, the unofficial end of summer. During the next two weeks, we get back to business. Not that the work of the church ever stops or takes vacation. We just took a time out.
Sunday School (led by Sarah Sonneveld) and kid’s messages (provided by Susan Doom and Rita Vriesema) resume Sunday Sept. 7.
Attached to this email is the course outline for ReFresh – a three-part midweek course on Sept. 10, 17 and 24 on the basics of the Christian faith, the Church and how we as believers fit into all of that from a decidedly Reformed/Presbyterian perspective. It’s for anyone who is preparing for baptism (or has recently been baptized), anyone who is relatively new to the congregation, anyone who wants a refresher and to gather with other believers or anyone who simply wants to know more about the church. Basically, it’s for anyone and everyone! Feel free to read some of the scriptural and reference material in advance. Bring your questions.
Daily Bread booklets for Sept, Oct and Nov. are now available in the entrance of the Church. These booklets are provided “free of charge” to anyone wishing to use them. If you know of anyone who might enjoy these daily readings, feel free to pick one up for them.
SUNDAY WORSHIP ONLINE – check out past services on our YouTube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2gXgpMK6Hyd6HG2Kmcqp3A
PRAYER — Requests may be sent to the pastor, either for sharing or in confidence. If a need is not listed here it’s because the family has opted for privacy.
NEW PRAYER
- The Underground teen ministry to launch this fall in Dresden. Pray for Jason and Scott as they provide leadership, pray that they and the teen leaders will be equipped to reach a new generation in the Dresden area.
- For students heading back to school over the next few weeks, for families (especially those struggling to find daycare), for teachers and staff.
CONTINUE TO PRAY
- Healing and strength – Becca Braithwaite, Pam Cornell, Susan Doom’s father, Jen Langstaff Mason, Bonnie Lozon, Kris Richards, Jennifer Sayers, Bruce Stephens, Julie & Dan Shaw
- Shut ins – Dianne Richards at Wallaceburg Retirement Residence; Bonnie Lozon, Jim Lusk and Sandra Pegg at Oaks Wallaceburg; Ross Fuchs and Shirley Houston at Fairfield Park in Wallaceburg; Margaret Follows at home.
Elders on session
Mark Labadie – 519-359-4842
Cindy Brewer – 519-683-4113
Sheila Eves – 519-683-4148
Andrew Neely – 519-359-8903
Mark Richards – 519-809-9175
Julie Shaw – 226-627-1953
Bob Vriesema – 519-401-8056
Board Committees
Building – Will Brewer (chair – brewerwill@mcbraynes.com), Mark Labadie (Session Rep), Jodi Rich, Mike Wicks
Finance – Nicole Neely (chair – nikandneely@gmail.com), Mark Richards (Session Rep), Will B., Wendy Weston
Fundraising – Bob Vriesema (chair – bobritav@gmail.com), Andrew Neely (Session Rep), Mike W., Wendy W., Linda Malott, Jen Mason, Nicole Neely, Mark Richards, Jodi Rich, Bob Vriesema and Mike Wicks.
MEETINGS AND GATHERINGS
- Sept. 9 – Session/Board Committees meets at 6:30 p.m. in Rutherford Hall. Agenda to come next week.
- Sept. 9 – Session gathers immediately after meeting with board committees.
- Sept. 10 – ReFresh week 1 of 3 at 7 p.m.
- Sept. 17 – ReFresh week 2 of 3 at 7 p.m.
- Sept. 24 – ReFresh week 3 of 3 at 7 p.m.
- Oct. 12 – Pastor Andy off, message from Mary Pat Elliott
- Oct. 15 – Small group study resumes for a new season. It’s Evangel’s turn to host.
- Oct. 26 – Anniversary Sunday with guest preacher Barb Sargent
- Nov. 9 – Pastor Andy ends study week, Colin Paterson brings the message
WHAT’S UP:
- The Community Closet at North Dresden Baptist Church is asking for donations of personal grooming and toiletry items. Unlike most thrift stores, everything is free. Drop donations off at NDBC Tuesdays 11-3, Thursdays 11-3, Fridays 4-8, the 3rd Saturday of the month 10-Noon or at St. Andrew’s on Sunday and we will deliver them for you.
- If you use donation envelopes, don’t throw them out if any are unused. We’re asking everyone to keep using them in 2025. They all have your donation number on them – your donation will be processed the day it’s received.
- Weekly email – Send announcements and new info to standrewspcdresden@gmail.com
- Free Community Meals – Please share this info with anyone in need: North Dresden Baptist Church – last Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. Dresden Christian Reformed Church – second Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. (Not offered July & August, Continues in September)
VOLUNTEER SCHEDULES – click here for link to the website
Greeters & coffee prep/Counting teams/Livestream/audio
MINISTRY LINKS
Renewal Fellowship – Pastor Andy is employed at 20% time as RF’s Executive Director. St. Andrew’s is the other 80%. Check out the new online publication Living in Truth.
WAYS OF GIVING:
- E-transfer st.andrewspcdresdenon@gmail.com. If required by your bank, our treasurer’s name is Linda Moore. Her number is 226-627-2727. If you are asked for a security question, please contact your local bank branch.
- Bring envelope on Sunday or if you have a key, leave it in the treasurer’s mailbox.
- Mail it to the church, PO Box 93 Dresden. N0P 1M0.
- Gift Cards – You pay face value for the gift cards and the church buys them at a discount through Chatham Christian Schools. Cards will be available for pickup at the church or will be distributed in church. Gift card orders are on the website. https://standrewsdresden.ca/ under the “giving” tab. The next deadline for gift card orders is August 31st.
- McBrayne’s Feed & Supply is offering to donate back 10 per cent of sales made using the St. Andrews account. Some items that apply are peanuts, bird feed, sunflower seed, and grains. Make sure you let them know you would like to use the St. Andrew’s account BEFORE ordering to ensure the church gets credit!
CHURCH WIFI:
Network: StAndrews
Password: StAndrews2015
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ReFresh 2025 — St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Dresden
September 2025
What it is – A three-part introduction to the basics of the Christian faith, the Reformed Church and how we as believers fit into all of that.
Who is it for – Anyone who is preparing for baptism (or has recently been baptized), anyone who is relatively new to the congregation, anyone who wants a refresher and to gather with other believers or anyone who simply wants to know more about the church. Basically – it’s for anyone and everyone!
When’s it happening – Wednesday evenings, Sept. 10, 17 and 24 from 7-8:30 p.m.
What’s expected of participants – Just show up! Feel free to read some of the scriptural and reference material in advance. Everyone will receive a loaner copy of Living Faith (see LF references below in the outline.) Bring your questions.
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Note – there is too much material here to cover in three weeks. This is deliberate. The goal is to read as much as possible in advance and come prepared with questions. Then keep this course outline for future reference and personal study.
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Part 1 (Sept. 10) – The Triune God – Living Faith 1-4
● God (LF 1). Focus on 1.5, “eternal trinity.”
● The Trinity. (LF 1.5, Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Mark 1: 9-11, 1 John 4:13-14, Ephesians 2:18, Revelation 7:9-12 Amplified Bible,)
● God the Father (LF 2, Genesis 1:27, Micah 7:18-20, Psalm 18, Ps 23:6, Ps 139, Isaiah 66:13)
● God and Sin (LF 2.5.1, Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7)
● God the Son (LF 3, Matthew 8:20, 23:10, 26:18, 27:43, Mark 5:19, Luke 2:11, 5:5, John 1:1-5, 6:35, 8:12, 10:7-14, 11:25, 14:6, 15:1-5, Colossians 1:15-20, Hebrews 1:1-12, Colossians 1:15-20, Hebrews 1:1-12
● God The Holy Spirit (LF 4, Isaiah 11:2, Joel 2:28-29, John 4:24, John 14:15-17, John 14:26, John 16:12-15, Romans 14:17, Hebrews 2:4)
● God the Father’s character: Micah 7:18-20, Ps 18, Ps 23:6, Ps 139, Isaiah 49:15-16
● Christ’s character: Colossians 1:15-20, Hebrews 1:1-12, John 1:1-5.
● Holy Spirit’s character: Joel 2:28-29, John 14:15-17, 16:12-15.
● Get personal – read the following and ask yourself: “How now shall I live?”
○ LF 2.2.1 – Made in God’s image
○ LF 4.2.2 – “Christian life is a pilgrimage: it begins, continues, and ends in God.” 1
2
○ Isaiah 40:28-31
Part 2 (Sept. 17) – The Bible, church history and the church today
● What the Bible contains:
○ OT: 39 books in three sections (teaching/law, prophecy, writings)
○ NT: 27 books in four sections (Gospels, history, letters, apocalypse)
○ 10 different styles of writing
○ Who wrote it?
● Who decided how this came together?
● Church history, with emphasis on the Reformation.
○ To start, read all of Acts
○ Reformation: a short history, by Rev. Dr. Wayne Brouwer, see handout
● The Church today. (Read LF 7.1-7.2)
● Get personal – read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and ask yourself: what is God preparing me to do?
Part 3 (Sept. 24) – Creeds, confessions, sacraments, church governance and the future
● Creeds, confessions and official statements
○ Apostles Creed (539 in the Hymn book), Nicene Creed
○ Westminster Confession of Faith
○ The Shorter Catechism and the Larger Catechism, Living Faith
● Types of church today
● The two sacraments: baptism and The Lord’s Supper
● Church governance: Session, Presbytery, Synod, General assembly
● The church: past, present and future.
● Get personal – read 1 Peter 2:9-10 and ask yourself: For what purpose has God created me?
Part 4 (Do this later on your own) – Who am I as a believer and how do I fit into all of this?
● Proverbs 1:7 (NIV) “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” See also Proverbs 9:10.
● What are we called to do? Psalm 67:1-2 (NIV). “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us — so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.”
● Read LF 9, plus Biblical references – ask God if He is preparing you for a mission.
● Read LF 10, plus references – how would you tell someone else about the hope you have in Christ? 2