December 19, 2024
DEAR ST. ANDREW’S FAMILY,
“Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the town, people were praying, upstairs and down. These prayers were raised up to the cross with care, in hopes that Lord Jesus would soon be there.”
OK, I will never be a poet. The point is that we are invited to reclaim Christmas as a celebration of the Messiah, God With Us. Please join us this Sunday for Advent 4 when we will light the candle of love and hopefully, prayerfully make room for Him in our hearts and minds. Then Dec. 24 at 7 p.m. for Carols and the Christmas Story.
Like a North Pole elf, Pastor Andy has been exceedingly busy in recent weeks completing an ethics course (online, thankfully) and gathering up the second edition of Living in Truth, the new online publication for evangelicals in the PCC and beyond. Check it out!
SCRIPTURE THIS WEEK – John 3:13-19
MESSAGE – One of the reasons poor old Nicodemus didn’t understand Jesus was because he was stuck in a worldly way of thinking. A physical outlook. That way is aligned with darkness. Yes, Satan. The enemy has been given a lot of freedom. The devil is very active in this world. Has been from the beginning of history. It’s why there’s so much evil. Sadly, people get sucked into this dark vortex very easily. The human heart is easy prey because we are suckers for temptation. None of us is totally good. We are all fallen. This is not to beat ourselves up, but rather to put it into perspective. As the ad says, I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up.” But our lifeline is spiritual. It’s God. It’s why He decided to enter this world to teach us, show us the way as light in the darkness and then – to seal the deal – to die for our sins and return to life, leaving His Holy Spirit behind as our helper and guide.
SUNDAY WORSHIP ONLINE – 10:30 a.m.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2gXgpMK6Hyd6HG2Kmcqp3A
Feel free to say hello in the chat box/message area. Share good news and prayer requests. The entire service is recorded and available immediately afterwards on YouTube.
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
- For our nation’s political leaders: if they publicly respond to the latest threat to our sovereignty from the U.S. president-elect, may they do so with great care – and may God protect us.
- Prayer for healing after Paul and Adam Shaw were involved in a car crash Dec. 7 in Windsor. Prayer of thanks for gifted medical care as Adam recovers from surgery in which his left kidney was removed.
- For shut-ins who are looking for help clearing snow this winter.
CONTINUE TO PRAY
The world – Sudan, Middle East, Ukraine
Healing and strength – Becca Braithwaite, Pam Cornell, Jen Langstaff Mason, Bruce Stephens, Julie & Dan Shaw
Shut ins – Dianne Richards at Wallaceburg Retirement Residence, Jim Lusk at Oaks Wallaceburg, Lane Douglas, Ross Fuchs and Shirley Houston at Fairfield Park in Wallaceburg, Aubrey Butler 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 of managers – Wendy Weston (chair), Will Brewer, Linda Malott, Jenn Mason, Nicole Neely, Von Parking, Mark Richards, Jodi Rich, Bob Vriesema and Mike Wicks.
COMING SOON
December 24 at 7 p.m. – Carols and The Christmas Story
December 25-January 3 – Pastor Andy vacation week
December 29 – Guest preacher Ward Armitage from Knox Wallaceburg, elder host Bob Vriesema
WHAT’S UP:
- Do you NEED a key to the church? Please let Wendy or Nicole know whether it’s for sanctuary/hall or the kitchen entrance – or if you need both.
- 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.
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%.
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. Send e-transfer AND order forms to st.andrewspcdresdenon@gmail.com. Next deadline January 26th.
- 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