CHRISTMAS EVE 2023 | A Festival Service of Lessons and Carols

Kaitlyn Nevin December 24, 2023

CHRISTMAS EVE 2023 | A Festival Service of Lessons and Carols | St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa

#StAndrewsOttawa #PresbyterianChurch #ChristmasEve #Carols
WORSHIPPING, CARING, GROWING, REACHING OUT, IN THE NAME OF CHRIST
St. Andrew’s is a community that gathers together from all across the city of Ottawa, and around the world.

We worship each week on Sundays at 10:30 am and our services can be joined online. Whether you are visiting from out of town, looking for a new church home, or simply curious to learn more about St. Andrew’s, please visit our website to find out more: https://www.standrewsottawa.ca/im-new

ONLINE DONATIONS: https://www.standrewsottawa.ca/one-time-gifts
Your financial gift will help host worship services, offer people pastoral care, provide gathering places for community organizations, share God’s word and so much more. Your generosity is a blessing.

_________________
CHRISTMAS EVE — A FESTIVAL SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS
DECEMBER 24, 2023 — 5:00 PM

Organ Voluntaries

Introit | God is with us - John Tavener (1944-1913)
(soloist: Michael Carty)

Opening Hymn | Once in Royal David's city
Words by Cecil F. Alexander (1818-1895)
Music by H. J. Gauntlett (1805-1876). Descant and last verse arrangement by M. Larkin

Call to Worship and Words of Welcome

Prayers of Approach, Confession & The Lord's Prayer

WE HEAR GOD'S WORD

First Reading Isaiah 9:2-7
Anthem | For unto us a child is born - G. F. Handel (1685-1758)

Second Reading | Luke 1:26-37
Anthem | Ave Maria - Anton Bruckner (1824-1896)

Third Reading Matthew 1:18-25

Carol | In the bleak midwinter - Gustav Holst (1874-1934), arr. M. Larkin (soloists: Gabriel Delannoy, Manon Veselovsky)

Hymn | Hark! The herald angels sing
Words by Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Music by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847). Descant and last verse arr. M. Larkin

Fourth Reading | Luke 2:1-17
Carol | The little road to Bethlehem - Michael Head (1900-1976)

Hymn | Silent night
Words translated from the German (Joseph Mohr, 1792-1848) Music by Franz Gruber (1787-1863), arr. M. Larkin

Fifth Reading | Luke 2:8-20
Carol | The Sussex Carol - Traditional English, arr. David Willcocks (1919-2015)

WE RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession, and Invitation to the Offering

Special Christmas Offering 2023: www.standrewsottawa.ca/one-time-gifts

The Community Laundry Co-op - Local appeal. A charitable co-operative that provides accessible and affordable self-service laundry for low-income and isolated families and individuals, and serves as a valuable support network for its members. The Kenora Fellowship Centre - National appeal. A place for people facing homelessness and poverty to feel safe.

The Marco Depestre Foundation - International appeal which supports projects to foster positive changes in the lives of rural residents of Haiti.

Offertory Hymn | The First Nowell
Words and Music from an 18th century English source, arr. Dan Forrest (b. 1978)

Benediction

Closing Hymn | O come, all ye faithful
Words by F. Oakeley (1802-80), W. T. Brooke (1848-1917), and others. Melody by J. F. Wade (1711-1786), arr. David Willcocks

Closing Voluntary

Participating in tonight's service
The Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock, Minister
Jide Afolabi, Janet Banigan, Peter Lamont | readers Janet Banigan, John Banigan, Nancy Johnson | ushers Ringing the bell: Maila Gray
The Choir of St. Andrew's Church
Matthew Larkin, Organist and Custodian of Music
Eva Hassell and Nick Cochrane, co-conductors
Nick Cochrane, trumpets

December 24, 2023 – 5:00 PM Christmas Eve A Service of the Nativity

Kaitlyn Nevin December 23, 2023

December 24, 2023 – 10:30AM Advent Four Christmas Eve

Kaitlyn Nevin December 23, 2023

December 24, 2023 | St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa | Sunday Worship Service: Advent Four

#StAndrewsOttawa #PresbyterianChurch #Advent #Communion
WORSHIPPING, CARING, GROWING, REACHING OUT, IN THE NAME OF CHRIST
St. Andrew’s is a community that gathers together from all across the city of Ottawa, and around the world.

We worship each week on Sundays at 10:30 am and our services can be joined online. Whether you are visiting from out of town, looking for a new church home, or simply curious to learn more about St. Andrew’s, please visit our website to find out more: https://www.standrewsottawa.ca/im-new

ONLINE DONATIONS: https://www.standrewsottawa.ca/one-time-gifts
Your financial gift will help host worship services, offer people pastoral care, provide gathering places for community organizations, share God’s word and so much more. Your generosity is a blessing.

_________________
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE | ADVENT TWO
DECEMBER 24, 2023 — 10:30AM

Sermon: We sing stories of hope
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

Luke 1:46-55, 67-80

Mary’s Song of Praise

And Mary said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
   and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
   Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
   and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
   from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
   he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
   and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
   and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
   in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
   to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

Zechariah’s Prophecy

Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:
‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
   for he has looked favourably on his people and redeemed them.
He has raised up a mighty saviour for us
   in the house of his servant David,
as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
   that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors,
   and has remembered his holy covenant,
the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham,
   to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies,
might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness
   before him all our days.
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
   for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people
   by the forgiveness of their sins.
By the tender mercy of our God,
   the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
   to guide our feet into the way of peace.’

The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel.

December 17, 2023 – 10:30AM Advent Three

Kaitlyn Nevin December 16, 2023

December 17, 2023 | St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa | Sunday Worship Service: Advent Two

Sermon: We allow ourselves to be amazed
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

**Psalm 126 (Refrain 2)**

A Harvest of Joy

A Song of Ascents.
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
   we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
   and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations,
   ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’
The Lord has done great things for us,
   and we rejoiced.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
   like the watercourses in the Negeb.
May those who sow in tears
   reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
   bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
   carrying their sheaves.

Luke 1:57-66

The Birth of John the Baptist

Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.

On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, ‘No; he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘None of your relatives has this name.’ Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came over all their neighbours, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. All who heard them pondered them and said, ‘What then will this child become?’ For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.

December 10, 2023 – 10:30AM Advent Two

Kaitlyn Nevin December 9, 2023

December 10, 2023 | St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa | Sunday Worship Service: Advent Two

Sermon: How does a weary world rejoice?: We find joy in connection
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

Isaiah 40:1-11

God’s People Are Comforted

Comfort, O comfort my people,
   says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
   and cry to her
that she has served her term,
   that her penalty is paid,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
   double for all her sins.

A voice cries out:
‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,
   make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
   and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
   and the rough places a plain.
Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
   and all people shall see it together,
   for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’

A voice says, ‘Cry out!’
   And I said, ‘What shall I cry?’
All people are grass,
   their constancy is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
   when the breath of the Lord blows upon it;
   surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades;
   but the word of our God will stand for ever.
Get you up to a high mountain,
   O Zion, herald of good tidings;
lift up your voice with strength,
   O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings,
   lift it up, do not fear;
say to the cities of Judah,
   ‘Here is your God!’
See, the Lord God comes with might,
   and his arm rules for him;
his reward is with him,
   and his recompense before him.
He will feed his flock like a shepherd;
   he will gather the lambs in his arms,
and carry them in his bosom,
   and gently lead the mother sheep.

Luke 1:24-45

After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, ‘This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favourably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.’

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’

December 3, 2023 – 10:30AM Advent One The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Kaitlyn Nevin December 2, 2023

December 3, 2023 | St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa | Advent One & The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Sermon: We acknowledge our weariness
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 80:1-7

Prayer for Israel’s Restoration

To the leader: on Lilies, a Covenant. Of Asaph. A Psalm.
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
   you who lead Joseph like a flock!
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth
   before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.
Stir up your might,
   and come to save us!

Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.

O Lord God of hosts,
   how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
You have fed them with the bread of tears,
   and given them tears to drink in full measure.
You make us the scorn of our neighbours;
   our enemies laugh among themselves.

Restore us, O God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.

But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand,
the one whom you made strong for yourself.
Then we will never turn back from you;
give us life, and we will call on your name.

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Luke 1:1-23

The Gospel According to Luke

Dedication to Theophilus

Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed.

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.

Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense-offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’ Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.’ The angel replied, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.’

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. When his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

November 26 2023 - Christ the King Sunday - Sunday Service - 10:30 AM

Kaitlyn Nevin November 25, 2023

November 26 2023 | St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa | Sunday Worship Service

#StAndrewsOttawa #PresbyterianChurch
WORSHIPPING, CARING, GROWING, REACHING OUT, IN THE NAME OF CHRIST
St. Andrew’s is a community that gathers together from all across the city of Ottawa, and around the world.

We worship each week on Sundays at 10:30 am and our services can be joined online at https://www.standrewsottawa.ca.

ONLINE DONATIONS: https://www.standrewsottawa.ca/one-time-gifts
Your financial gift will help host worship services, offer people pastoral care, provide gathering places for community organizations, share God’s word and so much more. Your generosity is a blessing.

_________________
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE
November 26 2023 — 10:30AM

Sermon: How to welcome Jesus
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

Ezekiel 34:11-24

God the True Shepherd

For thus says the Lord God: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited parts of the land. I will feed them with good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and they shall feed on rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice.

As for you, my flock, thus says the Lord God: I shall judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and goats: Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, but you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture? When you drink of clear water, must you foul the rest with your feet? And must my sheep eat what you have trodden with your feet, and drink what you have fouled with your feet?

Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you pushed with flank and shoulder, and butted at all the weak animals with your horns until you scattered them far and wide, I will save my flock, and they shall no longer be ravaged; and I will judge between sheep and sheep.

I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken.

Matthew 25:31-45

The Judgement of the Nations

‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Then he will say to those at his left hand, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” Then they also will answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?” Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.”

November 19 2023 - Sunday Service - 10:30 AM

Kaitlyn Nevin November 18, 2023

November 19 2023 | St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa | Sunday Worship Service

Sermon: What are the things that really matter?
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

Matthew 25:14-30

The Parable of the Talents

‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

November 12 2023 - Sunday Service - 10:30 AM

Kaitlyn Nevin November 11, 2023

November 12 2023 | St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa | Sunday Worship Service

Sermon: Lighting the way
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

PSALM Reading:

Psalm 84 (Refrain 2)

The Joy of Worship in the Temple

To the leader: according to The Gittith. Of the Korahites. A Psalm.
How lovely is your dwelling place,
   O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, indeed it faints
   for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh sing for joy
   to the living God.

Even the sparrow finds a home,
   and the swallow a nest for herself,
   where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
   my King and my God.
Happy are those who live in your house,
   ever singing your praise.
          Selah

Happy are those whose strength is in you,
   in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
As they go through the valley of Baca
   they make it a place of springs;
   the early rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength;
   the God of gods will be seen in Zion.

O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
   give ear, O God of Jacob!
          Selah
Behold our shield, O God;
   look on the face of your anointed.

For a day in your courts is better
   than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
   than live in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
   he bestows favour and honour.
No good thing does the Lord withhold
   from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts,
   happy is everyone who trusts in you.

Scripture Reading:

Matthew 25:1-13

The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids

‘Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, “Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” But the wise replied, “No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.” And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.” Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

November 05 2023 - Remembrance Sunday Service - 10:30 AM

Kaitlyn Nevin November 4, 2023

November 05 2023 | St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa | Sunday Worship Service

Sermon: Mercy, Truth, Justice and Peace:A Cry from the Public Square
Rev. Dr. Steve Moore

PSALM Reading:

Psalm 85:1-13

Prayer for the Restoration of God’s Favour

To the leader. Of the Korahites. A Psalm.
Lord, you were favourable to your land;
   you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
You forgave the iniquity of your people;
   you pardoned all their sin.
          Selah
You withdrew all your wrath;
   you turned from your hot anger.

Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
   and put away your indignation towards us.
Will you be angry with us for ever?
   Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
Will you not revive us again,
   so that your people may rejoice in you?
Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
   and grant us your salvation.

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
   for he will speak peace to his people,
   to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
   that his glory may dwell in our land.

Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
   righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
   and righteousness will look down from the sky.
The Lord will give what is good,
   and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before him,
   and will make a path for his steps.

Scripture Reading:

Isaiah 2:1-4

The Future House of God

The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

In days to come
   the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
   and shall be raised above the hills;
all the nations shall stream to it.
   Many peoples shall come and say,
‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
   to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
   and that we may walk in his paths.’
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
   and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
   and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into ploughshares,
   and their spears into pruning-hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
   neither shall they learn war any more.

Sermon: We sing stories of hopeRev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

Luke 1:46-55, 67-80

Mary’s Song of Praise

Zechariah’s Prophecy

Sermon: We allow ourselves to be amazedRev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 126 (Refrain 2)

A Harvest of Joy

Luke 1:57-66

The Birth of John the Baptist

Sermon: How does a weary world rejoice?: We find joy in connectionRev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

Isaiah 40:1-11

God’s People Are Comforted

Luke 1:24-45

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

Mary Visits Elizabeth

Sermon: We acknowledge our wearinessRev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 80:1-7

Prayer for Israel’s Restoration

Luke 1:1-23

The Gospel According to Luke

Dedication to Theophilus

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

Sermon: How to welcome JesusRev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

Ezekiel 34:11-24

God the True Shepherd

Matthew 25:31-45

The Judgement of the Nations

Sermon: What are the things that really matter?Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

Matthew 25:14-30

The Parable of the Talents

Sermon: Lighting the wayRev. Dr. Karen Dimock

PSALM Reading:

Psalm 84 (Refrain 2)

The Joy of Worship in the Temple

Scripture Reading:

Matthew 25:1-13

The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids

Sermon: Mercy, Truth, Justice and Peace:A Cry from the Public SquareRev. Dr. Steve Moore

PSALM Reading:

Psalm 85:1-13

Prayer for the Restoration of God’s Favour

Scripture Reading:

Isaiah 2:1-4

The Future House of God

St. Andrew's Ottawa

Since 1828

Sermon: We sing stories of hope
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Sermon: We allow ourselves to be amazed
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

**Psalm 126 (Refrain 2)**

Sermon: How does a weary world rejoice?: We find joy in connection
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Sermon: We acknowledge our weariness
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Sermon: How to welcome Jesus
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Sermon: What are the things that really matter?
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Sermon: Lighting the way
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Sermon: Mercy, Truth, Justice and Peace:A Cry from the Public Square
Rev. Dr. Steve Moore