A Warm Welcome Awaits You!

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+ORDER OF SERVICE+

April 12th, 2026

Second Sunday of Easter

Prelude:   Let the Bright Seraphim – G.F. Handel

Welcome and Announcements (10:25 am)

Entry of the Word  (please rise)

Greeting and Call to Worship

God has called us together for this time of worship.

God inclines an ear to us and hears us.

Let us open our hearts to the One who gives us life.

   Let us set our faith and hope in God.

We lift our voices in songs of Resurrection praise.

   We are God’s Easter people. Alleluia!

Hymn  # 258: Thine be the glory

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Assurance of Pardon

Hymn  # 260: Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord

Children’s Message

Prayer of Illumination

Gracious God,

you call us to the fullness of life,

for which you created us.

Deliver us from unbelief,

and banish our anxieties,

with the liberating love

of Jesus Christ our Lord,

for we ask it in his name.

Amen.

First Reading                        Acts 2:14a, 22-32

Responsive Reading            Psalm 16 (Refrain I)

Epistle                                  1 Peter 1:3-9

Gospel                                  John 20:19-31

Sermon   “The Christ No One Saw Coming”

Hymn  # 256: Now the green blade rises

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession 

Offering:   When the Morning Stars Together – Traditional

Doxology  # 830: Praise God from whom all blessings flow

Hymn  # 247: Christ the Lord is risen today

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:   Toccata on “The Strife is O’er” – Craig Penfield

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WEEKLY GROUPS & MEETINGS:

Monday, April 13 – Flower Guild – 9:30 AM

Monday, April 13 – Frank Studio Music Lessons – 4 PM – 6 PM

Tuesday, April 14 – Medical Missions – 9:00 AM to Noon

Tuesday, April 14 – Bible Study – 10:00 AM

Tuesday, April 14 – Board Meeting – 1:00 PM

Tuesday, April 14 – Frank Studio Music Lessons – 4:00 – 7:45 PM

Tuesday, April 14 – Frank Studio Sax Ensemble – 8:00 – 9:30 PM

Wednesday, April 15  – JYSEP Youth Programme – 2:30 PM

Wednesday, April 15 – Kinnaris Ladies’ Choir – 7:30 PM

Thursday, April 16 – Choir Lunch – 12:30 PM

Thursday, April 16 – Choir Rehearsal – 1:30 PM

Saturday, April 18 – Men’s Breakfast – 9:00 AM

Saturday, April 18 – Frank Studio Music Lessons – 10 AM – 5 PM

Sunday, April 19 – Food Bank Sunday

MEN’S BREAKFASTThe next Men’s Breakfast is Saturday, April 18th at 9:00 AM. All are welcome. Our special guest speaker is Mr. Earl Clark.

FOOD BANK SUNDAYNext Sunday, April 19th is Food Bank Sunday. All donations of food or cash will be welcome and appreciated. Thanks for your support of this worth-while organisation. Please be as generous as possible.

LOST AND FOUND:  A pair of eye glasses (woman’s, light grey to clear) were left in the mail box by the side door. A silver ear-ring  (two entwined leaves with a small diamond and blue-coloured gem) was found in the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday.  A cane was found at the front door after last Thursday’s Community Meals. These can be picked up in the church office this week. To claim these, please contact the office.

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.

2026 OFFERING ENVELOPES #51Does anyone happen to have a box of 2026 offering envelopes with the number “51” on them?  These were taken from the church by mistake, and belong to a member of the congregation. If you have them, please contact the office.

OPTIMIST CLUB FUND-RAISERThe Optimist Club of Downie is selling 12-ounce steaks for $20.00 as a fund-raiser. Steaks are individually wrapped. Order ahead and pick up on May 1st or May 9th. See Scott Dunbar to order or for more information.  Tel.:  519-273 4260.  Email:  [email protected]

ELEVATOR REPAIRS AT STRATFORD PUBLIC LIBRARYPlease note that their may be disruptions around the Library and accessibility issues in the parking lot beginning Monday, April 13th for 6-8 weeks, as the Library is having their elevator modernised. Deliveries of material might cause parking issues. The Library is hoping that any deliveries will be made between 7 AM and 10 AM to cause as few disruptions as possible, but they appreciate your patience during this time.

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.

STRATFORD FILM FESTIVAL:  The Stratford Film Festival is presenting the documentary film, “You Are Here:  The Come from Away Story” on Saturday, April 18th at 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM at the Stratford City Hall Auditorium, 1 Wellington St. Tickets $20. Reserve tickets at stratfordfilmfestival.com

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!