A Warm Welcome Awaits You!
+ORDER OF SERVICE+
November 16th, 2025
Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost
Prelude: Ellyllon – Hans-Andre Stamm
Welcome and Announcements
Entry of the Word (please rise)
Greeting and Call to Worship
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
Grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Who gave himself for our sins to deliver us.
Let us come boldly before his throne
And worship him in Spirit and in Truth.
Praise be to God.
Hymn # 150: Jesus, our brother, kind and good
Prayer of Adoration and Confession
Assurance of Pardon
Hymn: # 138: While shepherds watched
Children’s Story
Anthem: Wonderful Grace – Charles McCartha
Prayer of Illumination
As we turn for your word for us, may
the Spirit of God rest upon us.
Help us to be steadfast in our hearing and
in our speaking and in our believing and
in our living.
Amen.
Old Testament Genesis 28:10-15
Responsive Psalm Psalm 111:1-10 (Refrain I)
Epistle John 15:1-17
Gospel Luke 2:21-32
Sermon: “So Much to Remember at the Birth”
Hymn # 161: What child is this
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Offering: Alleluia! Alleluia! – Arthur Sullivan
Doxology # 661: We give thee but thine own (v.1)
Hymn # 683: I know not why such wondrous grace
Benediction and Parting Hymn:
“Go Now In Peace”
Go now in peace, never be afraid;
God will go with you each hour of every day.
Go now in faith, steadfast, strong, and true;
Know He will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe;
Reach out to others so all the world can see.
God will be there, watching from above;
Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.
Amen. Amen. Amen.
Words by Don Besig and Nancy Price. Copyright 1988 Harold Flammer Music. OneLicense Licence #A-742310.
Postlude:
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty – Diane Bish
ANNOUNCEMENTS
We welcome Mr. Gary Palmer to the pulpit this morning. Thanks, Gary, for leading our worship service and providing us with an inspirational message.
FOOD BANK SUNDAY: To-day is Food Bank Sunday. All donations welcome.
DONATIONS TO NEW AUDIO SYSTEM: The new Sanctuary Audio, Visual, and On-Line system is now installed and operational. We hope you find it helpful. If you wish to contribute towards the final cost of the system, all donations will be welcome and appreciated. You can make your donation in-person via the collection plate. Mark your offering envelope “AV SYSTEM.” On-line offerings may be made through one of the options found at the top of our Facebook page, and also on our Web-site. Be sure to indicate “AV SYSTEM” for on-line donations, too. All donations are tax deductible. Many thanks for your ongoing support of the Life and Mission of St. Andrew’s!
2026 BUDGET: The Board of Managers has had their first look at the 2026 budget. If your group or organisation has a project, or may need funding, please talk to Scott Dunbar.
CHRISTMAS CAROL SING: Our annual Christmas Carol Sing will be held on Sunday, December 7th at 2:00 P.M. in the Sanctuary. Join us for an afternoon of carols, Christmas Songs, and good cheer. Bring an enthusiastic singing voice! Refreshments will be served in McCullough Hall after the programme.
2026 CALENDARS: There are a limited number of 2026 Presbyterian Church in Canada calendars available. If you would like one, please call the church office at 519-271 5668. A suggested donation is $6.00, which can be placed on the offering collection plate on Sunday mornings.
WEEKLY GROUPS & MEETINGS:
Monday, Nov. 17 – Flower Guild – 9:00 AM
Monday, Nov. 17 – Tracey Frank Music Lessons – 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Monday, Nov. 17 – Decorating Sanctuary for Christmas – 9:30 AM
Tuesday, Nov. 18 – Deadline for Poinsettia Project donations
Tuesday, Nov. 18 – Medical Missions – 9:00 AM to Noon
Tuesday, Nov. 18 – Bible Study – 10:00 AM
Tuesday, Nov. 18 – Tracey Frank Music Lessons – 4:00 – 7:45 PM
Tuesday, Nov. 18 – Session Meeting – 7:00 – 10:00 PM
Tuesday, Nov. 18 – Tracey Frank Sax Ensemble – 8:00 PM
Wednesday, Nov. 19 – JYSEP Youth Programme – 2:30 – 5:30 PM
Wednesday, Nov. 19 – Kinnaris Ladies’ Choir – 7:30 – 9:00 PM
Thursday, Nov. 20 – Choir Dinner – 6:00 PM
Thursday, Nov. 20 – Choir Rehearsal – 7:00 PM
Saturday, Nov. 22 – Tracey Frank Music Lessons – 10 AM – 5 PM
Saturday, Nov. 22 – Here for Now Theatre rehearsal – 3 PM – 6 PM
Sunday, Nov. 23 – Here for Now Theatre rehearsal – 3 PM – 6 PM
MEMORIAL TREE SERVICE & POINSETTIA PROJECT: Our Memorial Tree service will be on Sunday, November 23rd at 10:30 AM. The Poinsettia Project is part of this special service. Poinsettias will be delivered to members of our congregation who are not always able to be with us in person. We are asking for memorial donations from the congregation. Your donation MUST include your name and the name(s) of those being remembered. Donations should be clearly marked, “POINSETTIA PROJECT” on your church envelope. E-transfers are also accepted. Or donations can be delivered directly to the office or by using the mail box by the elevator or the mail box by the office door. Donations must be received by Tuesday, November 18th.
Please join us on Monday, November 17th at 9:30 AM to begin decorating the church for Christmas. We invite everyone to join us in fluffing and hanging garlands, fluffing and attaching bows to the pews, stringing lights, and decorating other parts of the church. It is a fun time and more hands make less work. Whether you can help us for the day or only for a few hours, we would be glad to have you join us in this magical time when we see the church transformed for Christmas. For more information, talk to Heather Jesson (519-271 4350).
FINANCIAL UPDATE: Watch the bulletin next week for an update on our financial standing for the year. The Board would like the congregation to have these facts and figures so you can prayerfully consider your offerings and givings for the remainder of the year.
CHURCH ALARM SYSTEM: The Board has recently installed a new security system. A security code is required to disarm and arm the system. If you are a key-holder, you will need this code. If you haven’t received your code and/or instructions on using the system, please contact the Church Office at 519-271 5668. In order to avoid the alarm being set while people are still in the building, The Board is asking that people sign in and out when at the building. You do not need to sign in if you are coming for Sunday worship, but please sign in at all other times when you’re in the building, and remember to sign out when leaving, even if you do not set the alarm. A sign-up sheet is located beside the alarm panel.
FREE SUNDAY BUS SERVICE: There is a free bus service to Sunday worship at St. Andrew's for those in the Stratford area. If you wish to use the bus, please call the Office at St. Andrew's at 519-271 5668 to book a ride. The deadline for booking or cancelling (if you have a weekly scheduled pick up) is 12 Noon on the Friday prior to the Sunday you wish to attend
SUNDAY COFFEE TIME & FELLOWSHIP: Join us before (at 9:45 AM) or immediately after the service downstairs in McCullough Hall for coffee, refreshments, and fellowship. All are welcome. If you can help in the kitchen, or can provide treats on Sunday morning, please add your name to the sign-up sheet on the kitchen counter.
BULLETIN BOARD: If you have information or posters for the main bulletin board, please give these to the Church office for posting. Please do not add or remove information from the bulletin board without going through the Church office.
THE TABLE (A Dramatic Presentation): Shakespeare Presbyterian Church is presenting the dramatic play, “The Table” in March, 2026. Applications are being accepted now for auditions (to be held in January) and there are many volunteer opportunities. See the bulletin board for more details. If you would like to apply for an audition, see the church office for an application form.
YOUTH HOMELESSNESS AWARENESS DAY: Shelterlink Youth Services is holding the inaugural Youth Homelessness Awareness Day on Nov. 17th. Please join Shelterlink at Stratford City Hall at 9:00 AM for the official flag-raising ceremony.
ROTARY HOSPICE OF STRATFORD PERTH: “Lights of Love Lighting and Remembrance Ceremony” will be held on Friday, Nov. 21st at 7 PM outdoors at the Rotary Hospice, 80 Greenwood Drive. This is a memorial event where you can pause to honour loved ones with a candlelight procession. Soup and hot chocolate will be served. Call 519-508 4900 or visit www.rotaryhospice.ca for more information.
STRATFORD HOUSE OF BLESSING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: The House of Blessing is looking for volunteers to help at its Christmas Food Drive on Nov. 29th and at their Christmas Toy Programme, from Nov. 25th to Dec. 17th. For more information, or to volunteer, contact Joanne at 519-273 3433, Ext. 204 or [email protected].
WELLINGTON WIND SYMPHONY CONCERT: The Wellington Wind Symphony presents a concert, “Evergreen,” on Nov. 28th, 2025, at Knox Presbyterian Church, Waterloo. See the bulletin board for more details.
OPTIMIST CLUB CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY: The Optimist Club of Downie is holding their Children’s Christmas Party on Saturday, December 6th at the Downie Optimist Community Centre. Pizza will be served at 11:45 AM with entertainment to follow. Please RSVP no later than Nov. 22nd to Elton Baker, 519-393 5699 or [email protected]. See the poster on the bulletin board.