February 04, 2024 – 10:30AM

Kaitlyn Nevin February 4, 2024

February 04, 2024 | St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa | Baptism of the Lord Sunday Worship

#StAndrewsOttawa #PresbyterianChurch #Baptism
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
February 04, 2024 — 10:30AM

Sermon: For the sake of the Gospel!
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 147:1-11, 20c

Psalm 147

Praise for God’s Care for Jerusalem

Praise the Lord!
How good it is to sing praises to our God;
   for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.
The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
   he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
He heals the broken-hearted,
   and binds up their wounds.
He determines the number of the stars;
   he gives to all of them their names.
Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
   his understanding is beyond measure.
The Lord lifts up the downtrodden;
   he casts the wicked to the ground.

Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
   make melody to our God on the lyre.
He covers the heavens with clouds,
   prepares rain for the earth,
   makes grass grow on the hills.
He gives to the animals their food,
   and to the young ravens when they cry.
His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
   nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;
but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
   in those who hope in his steadfast love.

He has not dealt thus with any other nation;
they do not know his ordinances.
Praise the Lord!

1 Corinthians 9:16-23

If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe betide me if I do not proclaim the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel.

For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I might by any means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.

January 28, 2024 – 10:30AM

Kaitlyn Nevin January 28, 2024

January 28, 2024 | St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa | Baptism of the Lord Sunday Worship

Sermon: Yes, No, Nevertheless
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

**Psalm 8 (Refrain 2)**

Divine Majesty and Human Dignity

To the leader: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of David.
O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
to silence the enemy and the avenger.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?

Yet you have made them a little lower than God,
   and crowned them with glory and honour.
You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
   you have put all things under their feet,
all sheep and oxen,
   and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
   whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

2 Corinthians 1:8-20

We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of the affliction we experienced in Asia; for we were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death so that we would rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He who rescued us from so deadly a peril will continue to rescue us; on him we have set our hope that he will rescue us again, as you also join in helping us by your prayers, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted to us through the prayers of many.

The Postponement of Paul’s Visit

Indeed, this is our boast, the testimony of our conscience: we have behaved in the world with frankness and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God—and all the more towards you. For we write to you nothing other than what you can read and also understand; I hope you will understand until the end— as you have already understood us in part—that on the day of the Lord Jesus we are your boast even as you are our boast.

Since I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a double favour; I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on to Judea. Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to ordinary human standards, ready to say ‘Yes, yes’ and ‘No, no’ at the same time? As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been ‘Yes and No.’ For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not ‘Yes and No’; but in him it is always ‘Yes.’ For in him every one of God’s promises is a ‘Yes.’ For this reason it is through him that we say the ‘Amen’, to the glory of God.

January 21, 2024 – 10:30AM

Kaitlyn Nevin January 20, 2024

January 21, 2024 | St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa | Baptism of the Lord Sunday Worship

Sermon: Hearing the call of God
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

**Psalm 62:5-12 (Refrain 2)**

For God alone my soul waits in silence,
   for my hope is from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
   my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my deliverance and my honour;
   my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.

Trust in him at all times, O people;
   pour out your heart before him;
   God is a refuge for us.
          Selah

Those of low estate are but a breath,
   those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
   they are together lighter than a breath.
Put no confidence in extortion,
   and set no vain hopes on robbery;
   if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

Once God has spoken;
   twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
   and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.
For you repay to all
   according to their work.

Jonah 3:1-5, 10

Conversion of Nineveh

The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, ‘Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.’ So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, ‘Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!’ And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.

When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.

Mark 1:14-20

The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

January 14, 2024 – 10:30AM

Kaitlyn Nevin January 13, 2024

January 14, 2024 | St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa | Baptism of the Lord Sunday Worship

Sermon: Goodness in surprising places
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 139

The Inescapable God

To the leader. Of David. A Psalm.
O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
   you discern my thoughts from far away.
You search out my path and my lying down,
   and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
   O Lord, you know it completely.
You hem me in, behind and before,
   and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
   it is so high that I cannot attain it.

For it was you who formed my inward parts;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
   Wonderful are your works;
that I know very well.
   My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
   intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes beheld my unformed substance.
In your book were written
   all the days that were formed for me,
   when none of them as yet existed.
How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God!
   How vast is the sum of them!
I try to count them—they are more than the sand;
   I come to the end—I am still with you.

1 Samuel 3:1-20

Samuel’s Calling and Prophetic Activity

Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.

At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ and he said, ‘Here I am!’ and ran to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ But he said, ‘I did not call; lie down again.’ So he went and lay down. The Lord called again, ‘Samuel!’ Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ But he said, ‘I did not call, my son; lie down again.’ Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, ‘Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” ’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’ Then the Lord said to Samuel, ‘See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle. On that day I will fulfil against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. For I have told him that I am about to punish his house for ever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be expiated by sacrifice or offering for ever.’

Samuel lay there until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. But Eli called Samuel and said, ‘Samuel, my son.’ He said, ‘Here I am.’ Eli said, ‘What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also, if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.’ So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. Then he said, ‘It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him.’

As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was a trustworthy prophet of the Lord.

John 1:43-51

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.’ Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’ When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ Nathanael replied, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.’ And he said to him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’

January 7, 2024 – 10:30AM Baptism of the Lord

Kaitlyn Nevin January 6, 2024

January 7, 2024 | St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa | Baptism of the Lord Sunday Worship

Sermon: First words matter
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 29

The Voice of God in a Great Storm

A Psalm of David.
Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name;
worship the Lord in holy splendour.

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
   the God of glory thunders,
   the Lord, over mighty waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
   the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
and Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl,
and strips the forest bare;
and in his temple all say, ‘Glory!’

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord sits enthroned as king for ever.
May the Lord give strength to his people!
May the Lord bless his people with peace!

Genesis 1:1-5

Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

Mark 1:1-11

The Gospel According to Mark

The Proclamation of John the Baptist

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
   who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
   “Prepare the way of the Lord,
   make his paths straight” ’,
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’

The Baptism of Jesus

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’

December 31, 2023 – 10:30AM

Kaitlyn Nevin December 30, 2023

December 31, 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 31, 2023 — 10:30AM

Sermon: An Apologia for More Nativity Scene Characters
Rev. Jim Pot

Scripture Reading:

Isaiah 61:10-62:3,

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
   my whole being shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
   he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
   and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the earth brings forth its shoots,
   and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
   to spring up before all the nations.

The Vindication and Salvation of Zion

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
   and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,
until her vindication shines out like the dawn,
   and her salvation like a burning torch.
The nations shall see your vindication,
   and all the kings your glory;
and you shall be called by a new name
   that the mouth of the Lord will give.
You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,
   and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

Luke 2:22-40

Jesus Is Presented in the Temple

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
   according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
   which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
   and for glory to your people Israel.’

And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

The Return to Nazareth

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.

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

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.

Sermon: For the sake of the Gospel!Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 147:1-11, 20c

Psalm 147

Praise for God’s Care for Jerusalem

1 Corinthians 9:16-23

Sermon: Yes, No, NeverthelessRev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 8 (Refrain 2)

Divine Majesty and Human Dignity

2 Corinthians 1:8-20

The Postponement of Paul’s Visit

Sermon: Hearing the call of GodRev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 62:5-12 (Refrain 2)

Jonah 3:1-5, 10

Conversion of Nineveh

Mark 1:14-20

The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

Sermon: Goodness in surprising placesRev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 139

The Inescapable God

1 Samuel 3:1-20

Samuel’s Calling and Prophetic Activity

John 1:43-51

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

Sermon: First words matterRev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 29

The Voice of God in a Great Storm

Genesis 1:1-5

Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath

The Proclamation of John the Baptist

The Baptism of Jesus

Sermon: An Apologia for More Nativity Scene CharactersRev. Jim Pot

Scripture Reading:

Isaiah 61:10-62:3,

The Vindication and Salvation of Zion

Luke 2:22-40

Jesus Is Presented in the Temple

The Return to Nazareth

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

St. Andrew's Ottawa

Since 1828

Sermon: For the sake of the Gospel!
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Sermon: Yes, No, Nevertheless
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

**Psalm 8 (Refrain 2)**

Sermon: Hearing the call of God
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

**Psalm 62:5-12 (Refrain 2)**

Sermon: Goodness in surprising places
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Sermon: First words matter
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Sermon: An Apologia for More Nativity Scene Characters
Rev. Jim Pot

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)**