A Warm Welcome Awaits You!
+ORDER OF SERVICE+
February 22nd, 2026
First Sunday in Lent
Prelude: Toccata on “If Thou But Trust in God to Guide Thee” – Paul Fey
Welcome and Announcements (10:25 am)
Entry of the Word (please rise)
Greeting and Call to Worship
O God, you are a hiding place for us;
you preserve us from trouble.
The Lord will teach us the way we should go;
God’s steadfast love always surrounds us.
So let us be glad in the Lord and rejoice in worship!
We will sing for joy with psalms of praise.
Hymn # 192: The glory of these forty days
Prayer of Adoration and Confession
Assurance of Pardon
Hymn # 201: We come to ask your forgiveness
Children’s Message
Anthem: To You, O Lord, I Lift Up My Soul – George Emlen
Prayer of Illumination
Almighty God,
your Son fasted forty days in the wilderness,
and was tempted as we are, but did not sin.
Give us grace to direct our lives in obedience to your Spirit that, just as you know our weakness, so may we know your perfect power to save.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Old Testament Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7
Responsive Psalm Psalm 32 (Refrain II)
Epistle Romans 5:12-19
Gospel Matthew 4:1-11
Sermon “Temptation”
Hymn # 197: Forty days and forty nights
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Offering: Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne – Timothy Matthews
Doxology # 661: We give thee but thine own (v.1)
Hymn # 647: Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
Benediction
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 # A-742310.
Postlude: Holy God, We Praise Thy Name – Diane Bish
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please pray for Mr. Earl Clark, Mrs. Marlene Currie, Mrs. Carol McEwin, Mr. Allan Reath, Rosemarie Veldt, Mrs. Edith Versteeg, and Don & Catherine Wilson. If you know of anyone in need of prayer or pastoral care, please contact the office.
CONGRATULATIONS: We extend our congratulations and best wishes to Pastor Kelli Berkner, minister at Knox Presbyterian Church, on the recent birth of her son, Daniel.
ANNUAL REPORT 2025: The Annual Report and Financials for 2025 were Emailed yesterday. For those wishing a printed copy, limited copies are available at the back of the Sanctuary, but we ask those who are able, to print their own copy for the meeting.
ANNUAL MEETING 2025: The Annual Meeting will take place on Sunday, March 1st, 2026. Please join us for lunch in McCullough Hall after the morning worship service. The meeting will take place after lunch. Please bring your Annual Report and Financials to the meeting!
TAX RECEIPTS FOR 2025 CHARITABLE GIVINGS: Income tax receipts for 2025 charitable givings are available from the wooden box at the back of the Sanctuary. Receipts are filed alphabetically. Elders are encouraged to deliver to anyone on their Elder’s List. Receipts will also be available at the Annual Meeting, but any remaining will be mailed immediately following the meeting.
“THE SAINT” NEWSLETTER: Articles are now due. If you have an article for the next issue, being issued on Sunday, March 1st, please submit it to Kathy Currie or the church office by Tuesday morning.
WEEKLY GROUPS & MEETINGS:
Monday, Feb. 23 – Flower Guild – 9:30 AM
Monday, Feb. 23 – Frank Studio Music Lessons – 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Tuesday, Feb. 24 – Medical Missions – 9:00 AM to Noon
Tuesday, Feb. 24 – Bible Study – 10:00 AM
Tuesday, Feb. 24 – Frank Studio Music Lessons – 4:00 – 7:45 PM
Tuesday, Feb. 24 – Frank Studio Sax Ensemble – 8:00 – 9:30 PM
Wednesday, Feb. 25 – Sandwich Making – 9:30 AM
Wednesday, Feb. 25 – JYSEP Youth Programme – 2:30 PM
Wednesday, Feb. 25 – Kinnaris Ladies’ Choir – 7:30 PM
Thursday, Feb. 26 – Choir Rehearsal – 1:30 PM
Saturday, Feb. 28 – Frank Studio Music Lessons – 10 AM – 5 PM
Sunday, March 1 – Sacrament of Holy Communion
Sunday, March 1 – Annual Meeting
SUNDAY COFFEE TIME & FELLOWSHIP: Join 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.
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.
LENTEN LUNCHEONS: The Stratford Council of Churches and The Kiwanis Club present their Lenten Luncheons, every Wednesday of Lent (Feb. 18th through to March 25th). Everyone is welcome to attend. Located at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, 50 Well Street, Stratford, 12:00 Noon – 1:00 PM. Cost is $15 per person at the door. Reservations are not required. If you have special dietary requirements, call Sharon Twamley on 519-273 1995. See the bulletin board for more details and a list of speakers.