A Warm Welcome Awaits You!

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+ORDER OF SERVICE+

April 5th, 2026

Easter Sunday

The Sacrament of Baptism

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Prelude:  

Trumpet Tune on The Day of Resurrection – Jason Payne

Hail to the Lord’s Anointed – Paul Fey

Fanfares on “Easter Hymn” – Robert Lau

Choir Anthem:   All Praise to the King – Joseph Martin

Entry of the Word  (please rise)

Greeting and Call to Worship

Alleluia! Christ is risen from the dead.

     He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Hymn  # 243: Jesus Christ is risen today

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Assurance of Pardon

Hymn  # 521: Child of blessing, child of promise

The Sacrament of Baptism

The Invitation

Renunciation and Affirmation

Prayer of Thanksgiving

The Act of Baptizing

Declaration and Welcome

Prayer of Illumination

O God of Glory,

by the raising of your Son

you have opened the door to eternal life.

Fill your Church with faith, hope, and love,

for a new day has dawned

through our Risen Saviour Jesus Christ.

In his name we pray,  Amen.

First Reading                 Acts 10:34-43

Responsive Reading     Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24                                                    (Refrain I)

Epistle                            Colossians 3:1-4

Gospel                            John 20:1-18                            

Sermon      “New Life Starts In The Dark”

Choir Anthem:   Alleluia, Alleluia! – Deborah Govenor

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession

Offering:  

Medieval Tune (Jesus Christ is Risen To-day) – Paul Fey

Doxology  # 830: Praise God from whom all blessings flow

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Invitation to the Lord’s Table

Communion Hymn:    # 558: The Son of God proclaim

The Apostles’ Creed:  # 539

The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving- Lord’s Prayer: #564

Prayer after Communion

Hymn  # 255: Now let the vault of heaven resound

Benediction

Parting Hymn: #252: He Is Lord

He is Lord, He is Lord,

He is risen from the dead and He is Lord.

Every knee shall bow,

Every tongue confess

That Jesus Christ is Lord!

Words based on Philippians 2:10-11. Public Domain

Choral Amen  # 780 (Danish)

Postlude:   Crown Him With Many Crowns – Mary McDonald

ANNOUNCEMENTS

As it is written:

            Death is swallowed up in victory!

            O Death, where is thy sting? 

            O Grave, where is thy victory?
Christ is risen!

            He is risen indeed!

HAPPY EASTER!  We welcome you to our Easter service this morning, as we celebrate Christ’s resurrection and victory over death. Thank-you for joining us.  The Sacrament of Holy Communion will take place as well.

We extend congratulations to Curtis and April Dotzert on the baptism of their son, Gibson Parker Dotzert, this morning. Proud grand-parents are John & Lois Rose.  Join us in McCullough Hall after the service for cake and refreshments.

HOLY COMMUNION  This morning, we will be celebrating Holy Communion by Intinction. When invited, please proceed to the Communion station nearest you to receive the bread and wine/juice. For those who wish to receive in their pew, please raise your hand when asked, and Communion will be brought to you. Please note that wine will be in the silver chalices, and grape juice in the glass chalices. Please do not drink directly from the chalice. Lightly dip your bread in the chalice of your choice, and consume it. May God bless us as we receive our Saviour's Holy Sacrament!

GREETERS AND USHERSNew lists to the end of July are now available. These have been Emailed. For those who requested a printed copy, this is available for pick-up on the glass display case in the hallway.

PWS&D NEWSThe April edition of news from the PWS&D is available. See the bulletin board in the hallway for more information.

WEEKLY GROUPS & MEETINGS:

Tuesday, April 7 – Medical Missions – 9:00 AM to Noon

Tuesday, April 7 – Bible Study – 10:00 AM

Tuesday, April 7 – PCW Meeting – 2:00 PM

Tuesday, April 7 – Frank Studio Music Lessons – 4:00 – 7:45 PM

Tuesday, April 7 – Frank Studio Sax Ensemble – 8:00 – 9:30 PM

Wednesday, April 8 – Sandwich Making – 9:30 AM

Wednesday, April 8  – JYSEP Youth Programme – 2:30 PM

Wednesday, April 8 – Kinnaris Ladies’ Choir – 7:30 PM

Thursday, April 9 – Community Meals – All day

Thursday, April 9 – Choir Rehearsal – 1:30 PM

Saturday, April 11 – Frank Studio Music Lessons – 10 AM – 5 PM

ARTICLES FOR “THE SAINT”ADVANCE NOTICEArticles for the next issue of our newsletter are due Friday, April 24th. Please submit yours to Kathy Currie or the church office by this date. Thanks.

FREE SUNDAY BUS SERVICEThere 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 & FELLOWSHIPJoin us downstairs in McCullough Hall immediately following the worship service 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.

CONCERT IN SUPPORT OF HURON-PERTH CHILD & YOUTH MENTAL HEALTHGraham Bedard in concert at First Presbyterian Church, Seaforth. Sunday, May 24th at 7:00 PM. See the poster on the bulletin board for more details or call 519-527 1956. Free-will offering.

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE- CANCELLED
Due to inclement weather, the Ash Wednesday Service scheduled for February 18th has been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please stay safe! 
SUNDAY SERVICE INFORMATION

Sunday Services are held at 10:30 am

In-Person Services:

Located at 25 St. Andrew Street, with limited free parking behind the Church (off of Church Street), as well as adjacent street parking. Fellowship Time takes place before (9:45 am) and after Services with light refreshments served.

Online Services:

Livestreamed on Facebook Live and can be found by clicking on the "Find us on Facebook" tab at the top of this page, and then by clicking "Like".

 

Thank you and God Bless!

OFFERING OPPORTUNITIES:

For those who have so kindly asked how they can financially support the ongoing work of St. Andrew's, there are four simple options:

(1) E-Transfer: If you bank online, a no-fee E-Transfer may be sent to:

[email protected]

(2) Website: Please click on this link to our Church Website (www.standrewsstratford.ca) and in the upper-right hand corner you will notice a button that says, “Donate”. Click on that button and it will take you to a charitable website called Canada Helps. Fill in the required information, click on the “Complete Donation Now” button, and a charitable tax-receipt will be sent to your email address. Both our website and the Canada Helps website are secure.

(3) PAR (Pre-Authorized Remittance): Please click on this link (www.presbyterian.ca/p…/pre-authorized-remittance-par-program) which will direct you to the National Church's website and an enrolment form which can be completed and mailed to the church (with a voided cheque) at the address below.

(4) Cheque: If you wish to donate by cheque, please mail your offering to:

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
25 St. Andrew Street
Stratford, ON
N5A 1A2

Charitable tax receipts will be issued for the 2025 year.

Many thanks and may God bless you richly for your generosity of heart and hand!