Sunday, December 8

Epiphany, or the 12th day of Christmas, falls on January 6 and marks the end of the festive season. In many households, the Christmas tree is taken down and decorations are stored away for another year. It is a time of change.
When Jesus came everything changed.

We often think that life is a story about us as individuals. Living with others we learn it really is not all about us. Jesus showed us what it meant to give of yourself for others. Christmas is our invitation to be part of a relationship with God.

Jeanie H.
 

New Year's Resolutions

Every year a new year greets us with promise. Each year brings new chance, new possibilities, and new options.

New Year’s resolutions to change ourselves to greet the new year with a better us. What did those first believers look for?

Our service today spoke to the promise of a new hope. A new beginning, but one built on the past. One built on the belief that our past can offer a new hope for better tomorrow.

The Wise men brought gifts to the new baby as we bring our own gifts to the new year. They believed that the promise of all that was to come was worth the risk and effort of their journey. They felt the strength of the prophecy that new life and new beginnings were promised.

“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

They believed that they were coming to honour that promise and to set the path to the future. They protected that future by heeding the dream to return home by a different road. Each year is a new journey. We make ready to journey into the new year with faith and a belief in the promise of our Lord but no fear.

Standing at the portal
Of the opening year,
Words of comfort meet us,
Hushing every fear;
Spoken thru the silence
By our Savior’s voice,
Tender, strong and faithful,
Making us rejoice.

 Let us remember those who are facing new beginnings ,let our faith and support be the strength of their portal

May our belief provide the guide for our new year, let the promise be our resolution.

God's blessing for 2017.

Noral R.

Christmas Morning

And the angels said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be for all the people.” Luke 2:10

Earlier this week, I joined others at the Blue Christmas service. It is a time of gathering during the longest night of the year and to reflect and feel God’s love embracing us. It is the light from the few flickering candles on that very dark night that filled me with hope, peace, love and joy for what was to come. 

By the time Christmas morn arrived, the Christ candle was lit and the sun was shining on a brilliant winter morning – the beauty of the candle and the splendour of the morning enveloped me with God’s love and great joy, which he gave us in the birth of his Son.

During the time with the children and mediation this morning, Karen told us the story about Nicholas and Hannah, and the gifts that they bought for Jesus. Along their journey they gave the gifts to those that really needed them, and then felt empty-handed when they wanted to give them to Jesus. We were reminded that when we give to others, we are giving to Jesus Christ.

As Christmas season draws to an end, may we remember what God has given to us and what we can do all year long to share God’s love, like Nicholas and Hannah.

Colleen G.

Pageant Fever and Angelic Voices

Pageant Fever really took hold this past Sunday as St. Andrew’s with the final dress rehearsal ahead of the big performance next Saturday. Grant Hall resembled nothing less than the pits of a Grand Prix track with carefully taped off sections identifying costumes for angels, sheep, magi etc. Teams of volunteers took their places to execute lightning fast costume changes as our own Tracey Stabback took the cast through their final paces. Not wishing to give anything away but I hope as many people as can make it out next Saturday evening as they are in for a real treat….

 The Children’s Choir also found time on Sunday for “business as usual” with a beautiful rendition of Come thou long expected Jesus. I was particularly excited to hear from my daughter that the choir would be singing this as it has been getting a lot of airtime on my playlist recently. I’ve been reflecting a lot this year about what it means to be a Christian seven days a week. When reflecting on this our minds naturally dwell on loving our neighbours, our family life and what being a Christian means at work. However praising God is also something that doesn’t need to be limited to Sunday…… That realisation prompted me to re-visit my music playlist and I’ve made some nice discoveries along the way. Let me share a few of them with you.

 Redeemer New York’s Downtown workshop band are responsible for the beautiful version of the song our Children’s choir sang that’s been doing Yeoman service on my playlist. Listen to it or watch the video at http://www.redeemer.com/r/permanent_city_downtown. Redeemer Downtown Folk Band do an excellent bluegrass version of Saviour Like a Shepherd Lead Us. Music and video at http://www.redeemer.com/r/downtown_folk_band_album#. Trinity Grace Church, New York, have an excellent workshop album We sing as one available on various streaming services or iTunes. Redeemer Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis are blessed to have two amazingly talented musicians in Nathan Partain and Rebekah Osborn. Listen to their albums at https://soundcloud.com/redeemindy or on Apple Music. There is a whole world of good worship music out there, Casting Crowns, Keith and Kristyn Getty, Sovereign Grace Music to name but three but let me finish by listing some albums you might not easily come across: Into Thy light by Christ Church Presbyterian Church and the Yale Reformed University Fellowship; Live at St.Pat’s by Saint Patrick Presbyterian Church; Hymns and Sacred Songs by Leigh Nash (more Bluegrass!); Double Cure and Open my Eyes by Redeemer New York’s 6:30 Jazz Band and lastly Hymns for New York from Redeemer New York. Happy listening!

Lighting the Candle of Love

This morning during worship, Karen talked to us about Mary and Mary's prayer of praise, the magnificat. While talking about church over lunch, my parents and I marvelled at how that would have felt for Mary to be greeted with such unreserved, enthusiastic affirmation from her cousin Elizabeth. Even when you know what you feel is right (and Mary seemed quite certain in understanding the importance of the baby she was carrying!) to have that confirmation come would be a relief! To be with someone who whole-heartedly believed her unconventional story - little wonder Mary responded with such outpouring of emotion!

But what I really appreciated about the sermon was the reminder that the magnificat pushes us out into the world, shows us that something new is starting - but not yet here. In the magnificat, we wait with vulnerable people in solidarity, and we see God's work in the world around us. A beautiful, warm reminder of love in these dark cold days.

‘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.’

Maureen R.

Gift Giving

This morning, our sermon titled 'Gift Giving', was from Rev. Dr. Sandy Scott. He spoke from the heart, and in a way that opened up his own personal experiences to share with all of us. (Recommend giving it a listen). What resonated with me was the importance of acceptance and what being a part of a family gives us. How it gives us a history, a place and a home, things that we expect to have simply by being born. For many, being born is just not that simple, like the complication of Mary's pregnancy and what it meant for Joseph. The loyalty that was needed in order to believe Mary and step forward and offer family to Jesus was incredible.  Giving the gift of family.

I think we all know someone who was adopted, or maybe a few someones, and it's a different experience for everyone.  For my part, and really it's the only part I can speak to, being biologically related to a person does not automatically transcribe into a familial obligation or bond. It's by loving someone, by caring for them, and if they're children; it means by raising them that you build a family. If my daughters had been birthed by someone else and then given to me, I would love them just as much as I do now.

Sarah L.

Christmas Giving - Community Laundry Co-op

As we wait to celebrate God coming to us in Christ, we are called to consider what we might do for others in Christ’s name. Special Christmas Offering Envelopes may be left on the offering plate any Sunday in December to support the Community Laundry Co-op, the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health and the Marco Depestre Foundation for Haiti. Other ways to give back to the community can be seen at StAndrewsOttawa.ca/christmas#giving

The Community Laundry Co-operative (CLC) was founded in 1999 with the collaboration of three downtown organizations: First United Church, Downtown Community Health Centre and McLeod-Stewarton United Church (now called Centretown United Church). Since the beginning, CLC programming has focused on supporting people living alone and those on low incomes. More than half of the active members of the Coop suffer from mental illness and three-quarters rely on financial assistance from social programs such as Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Programme.

It is clear that clean linen contributes to better personal hygiene and self-esteem. But the impact of the Community Laundry Co-operative is much more important than that. Our programmes enhance the personal and social development of members and contribute to building a strong community.  The Laundry Coop responds uniquely to a concrete need of disadvantaged people while helping with social integration.

During the years 2015-2016 the Community Laundry Coop faced significant challenges.  Several strategic changes by our traditional funders significantly reduced our funding.  To reduce costs, we were forced to eliminate our position as Executive Director leaving only one part-time employee. As a result, we went from six days of operation to four days, leaving people waiting impatiently to do their laundry.

Fortunately, we have been able to meet these challenges through our generous donors and the efforts of our staff, our members, and our volunteers.  Thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation of Ottawa, we were able to add one day per opening week to our schedule.  A grant from Project Clear Skies allowed us to buy two new washing machines.

To help reduce the impact of our financial difficulties, our members have undertaken a series of fundraisers, including bake sales, game nights and other events. These events contributed over $ 3,000 to our organization. This illustrates their commitment to growth and the success of our organization.

In addition, we have added 4 talented and enthusiastic members to our Board of Directors.

Loyal and caring volunteers are always at the heart of the Community Laundry Coop.