A Warm Welcome Awaits You!

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+ORDER OF SERVICE+

May 3rd, 2026

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Holy Communion

Prelude:    

Lift Up Your Heads! – Paul Fey

All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly – Daniel Burton   

Welcome and Announcements (10:25 am)

Entry of the Word  (please rise)

Greeting and Call to Worship

God is our Rock and our Fortress.

   In Him, we find refuge and strength.

God’s house has many dwelling places.
   We will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Christ himself has gone to prepare a place for us.
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

Let us worship God in Spirit and in Truth.

Hymn  #  293: Come, thou almighty King

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Assurance of Pardon

Hymn  # 339: He’s got the whole world in his hands

(Traditional Version)

Children’s Message

Anthem:    Come Touch Our Hearts – Andrew Donaldson

Prayer of Illumination

O God of Grace,

unless you build the house,

the builders labour in vain.

Build your home in our hearts, we pray,

that you may dwell in us, and we in you,

through Jesus Christ our Cornerstone.  Amen.

First Reading                    Acts 7:55-60

Responsive Reading        Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 (Refrain I)

Epistle                               1 Peter 2:2-10

Gospel                               John 14:1-14

Sermon                                     “Living Stones”

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession 

Offering:   Air – C.W. Gluck

Doxology  # 830: Praise God from whom all blessings flow

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Invitation to the Lord’s Table

Communion Hymn  # 563: Let us talents and tongues employ

The Apostles’ Creed: # 539

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

Prayer after Communion

Hymn  # 651: Guide me, O thou great Redeemer

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:   Hymn to Joy – Albert Travis

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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!

“THE SAINT” NEWSLETTER:   The May/June issue of our newsletter is ready for pick-up. Get yours on the glass-top display case in the hallway. Please take the one with your name and address on it.  All others will have already received an Emailed copy. If you would like to be added to our Email distribution list or get a printed copy, please let the office know. There are limited extra copies on the table as well.

BETTIE MOLLINS TURNS 90!:  The family of Bettie Mollins is hosting an Open House celebration for Bettie’s 90th birthday. It will be at the church on Saturday, May 30th  between 12:30 and 3:00 PM. The congregation is invited, but the family would like to have an idea of how many from the church are coming. If you would like to attend and wish Bettie a happy birthday, please call or Email the church office and let Gord know by Friday, May 15th.  Thanks.

90th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS:  The Session will be hosting a Members’ 90th Birthday Celebration on Sunday, May 17th following the worship service. If you are 90 or over this year, or know of anyone over 90 or going to be this year, please call Heather Racher at 519-273 2449. We don’t want to miss anyone.  Thank-you!

NEW PHOTO BOOK:  The Session is interested in creating a new         St. Andrew’s Photo Book in late Summer and/or early Fall. This takes man or lady power. We are needing volunteers to co-ordinate and help with this short-term project. Examples of ways you can help:  Call and set up appointments with and/or remind members.  Help people to get to St. Andrew’s.  If you can spare time and help, please call Heather Racher at 519-273 2449.

WALK FOR ALZHEIMER’S:  Heather Ross and Margaret Archer are participating in an Alzheimer's Walk in honour of their mother, Marlene Archer. The event takes place on May 30th, 2026 in Kitchener.

On-line donations can be made at:  www.alzgiving.ca/goto/HeatherRoss_MargaretArcher, or you can send a cheque, payable to “Alzheimer’s Society of Waterloo Wellington” to Heather Ross, 124 MacGregor Crescent, Waterloo, Ontario, N2J 3W9. Thank-you for your support.

WEEKLY GROUPS & MEETINGS:

Monday, May 4 – Flower Guild – 9:30 AM

Monday, May 4 – Frank Studio Music Lessons – 4 PM – 6 PM

Tuesday, May 5 – Medical Missions – 9:00 AM to Noon

Tuesday, May 5 – Bible Study – 10:00 AM

Tuesday, May 5 – PCW Meeting – 2:00 PM

Tuesday, May 5 – Frank Studio Music Lessons – 4:00 – 7:45 PM

Tuesday, May 5 – Frank Studio Sax Ensemble – 8:00 – 9:30 PM

Wednesday, May 6 – JYSEP Youth Programme – 2:30 PM

Wednesday, May 6 – Kinnaris Ladies’ Choir – 7:30 PM

Thursday, May 7 – Community Meals – All day

Thursday, May 7 – Choir Rehearsal – 1:30 PM

Thursday, May 7 – Special Olympics – 6:45 PM

Saturday, May 9 – Frank Studio Music Lessons – 10 AM – 5 PM

Saturday, May 9 – Puck’s Plenty Foraging Tour – 11:00 AM

Sunday, May 10 – Mother’s Day

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!