April 23, 2026
DEAR ST. ANDREW’S FAMILY:
Congrats to Peyton Doom and her friends for getting the word out about the next Underground gathering, which takes place at St. Andrew’s on Friday. Approximately 50 students from Dresden Area Central School were treated with a pre-event pizza lunch on Wednesday. Sincere appreciation to Bob & Rita Vriesema for hosting it on their front lawn, right across from the school parking lot. May this wonderful act of hospitality open the doors to the Kingdom and for young people to enter.
St. Andrew’s has been gifted with a defibrillator – thanks to the Presbytery of Essex Kent – along with complimentary training. As of right now, we only have THREE people signed up – we can take EIGHT (or more). Training is free and will take only two hours on Saturday May 2 at 10 a.m. Aside from two hours of your time, there’s nothing to lose and so much to gain from this! Please let Pastor Andy know by Sunday by replying to this email or in person on Sunday.
Check out the latest post on Living in Truth by our very own Jodi Rich, the newest contributor.
SCRIPTURE: Exodus 34:27-35
MESSAGE: This is the second time Moses climbed the mountain and spent 40 days and 40 nights in God’s presence. The first time, God gave him the tablets of stone on which he inscribed the instructions and commands so Moses could teach the people. When Moses descended, he found that many of the people had forgotten all about him. So he smashed the tablets, God got angry and many people paid the price with their lives. Sin brought consequences. This time, Moses was instructed to bring his own stones for God to write the commands all over again. This was a do-over from a loving and forgiving God of second chances.
SUNDAY WORSHIP IN PERSON – 10:30 a.m.
SUNDAY WORSHIP ONLINE – watch live or 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/UPDATES
- Jordan Bergsma and Lisa Mihalik as they prepare for their June 13 wedding.
CONTINUE TO PRAY
- For anyone mourning the loss of loved ones
- Strength for anyone who is beginning treatment for addiction
- For teens attending Underground, especially those who are unsaved; may they be willing to submit their lives to Christ.
- For the homeless/unhoused – protection from the cold, help for addictions and mental health, actual structures in which to reside.
- May the words in our Gospel ads in the Coffee Times and The Herald be like seeds of faith planted in the hearts and minds of readers.
- Healing and strength – Francis and Joan Allaert, Becca Braithwaite, Bill Clark, Pam Cornell, Susan Doom’s father Duanne, Jen Langstaff Mason, Andrew Neely, Kris Richards, Mark Richards, Sandra Whitson.
- Shut ins – Dianne Richards at Wallaceburg Retirement Residence; Jim Lusk and Sandra Pegg at Oaks Wallaceburg; Ross Fuchs at Fairfield Park in Wallaceburg; Margaret Follows at home.
- From Alpha Canada – Thank you for committing to pray for Lambton Kent Composite School.
BIRTHDAYS
April 28 – Helen Law
ELDER ELECTION
Session’s hope and prayer is that both Ryan Doom and Bonnie Moore will be ordained. Everyone is invited to participate – you do not have to be a member. Please return your ballot on or before May 3.
There are a few ways to get it back to us.
- Bring it on Sunday or to Bible study on Wednesday evening. (You can give it to another church member if you know they’re planning to attend.)
- Pastor Andy can drop by your home to pick it up – let him know by replying to this email.
- If you have access to the church during the week, slip it under the pastor’s office door.
- Mail it to Box 93, Dresden, N0P 1M0.
WHAT’S UP
- April 24, Underground at St. Andrew’s.
- April 26, St. Michael Church broasted chicken dinner at the arena.
- April 29 at 7 p.m. – Bible study at Evangel
- April 29 at 7 p.m. – Bible study at Evangel
- May 2 at 10 a.m. defibrillator training. Cost will be covered by presbytery. Anyone is welcome. Let Pastor Andy know by April 26.
- May 17 – Rev. Paul Shaw brings the message. Pastor Andy taking a vacation week.
- May 28 Heather Club Spring Outing, lunch at Chuck’s Roadhouse in Petrolia followed by 2 p.m. matinee at Victoria Playhouse. RSVP Joy.griggs@live.com by April 26.
- May 29-31, Anchored – the Underground Retreat at St. Luke’s Bay. For teens 13-18. Registration is open. Cost will be $65 per person. Not every family can afford this, so if you are able to sponsor a teen, you may be changing someone’s life forever. See Pastor Andy.
- May 31 – Delegation led by Pastor Andy attending Underground worship. Rev. Ken Powell brings the message to St. Andrew’s.
- June 7 – Lord’s Supper
- June 14 – Rev. Colin Paterson brings the message. Pastor Andy attending General Assembly as a Chaplain.
- July 27-31, Ministerial Soccer Camp, $100 per child. Registration details to come.
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
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), Bob V (Session Co-Rep), Will Brewer, Wendy Weston
Fundraising – Bob Vriesema (chair – bobritav@gmail.com), Andrew Neely (Session Rep), Mike Wicks, Wendy Weston, Linda Malott, Jen Mason, Jodi Rich.
GOOD TO KNOW:
- 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.
VOLUNTEER SCHEDULES – click here for link to the website for 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 April 26.
- 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