A Warm Welcome Awaits You!

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+ORDER OF SERVICE+

March 8th, 2026

Third Sunday in Lent

Prelude:    Softly and Tenderly, Jesus is Calling – David Lasky

Welcome and Announcements  (10:25 am)

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  # 648:  I’m gonna live so God can use me

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Assurance of Pardon

Hymn  # 461:  Be thou my vision

Children’s Story

Anthem:    Come, Follow Me – Steve Kupferschmid

Prayer of Illumination

God, of your goodness

give me yourself. For you are sufficient

for me. I cannot properly ask anything less,

to be worthy of you. If I were to ask less

I should always be in want.

In you alone do I have all.

Amen

Old Testament                   Hebrews 1:1-14

Responsive Psalm             Psalm 8:1-9  (Refrain III)

Epistle                                Philippians 2:5-11

Gospel                                Luke 24:50-53

Sermon         “Ascension Day”

Hymn # 643:  Lift high the cross

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession

Offering:   Love Divine, All Loves Excelling – John Zundel

Doxology  # 661: We give thee but thine own (v.1)

Hymn  # 211:  Take up your cross

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:    Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus – Jason Payne

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

We extend our thanks to Mr. Gary Palmer for leading our worship service this morning. Thanks, Gary, for your inspirational and comforting words.

Please pray for Mr. Earl Clark, Mrs. Marlene Currie, Mrs. Carol McEwin, Mr. Allan Reath, Mrs. Eva Tucker, Mrs. Edith Versteeg, and Don & Catherine Wilson.  If you know of anyone in need of prayer or pastoral care, please contact the office.

WEEKLY GROUPS & MEETINGS:

Monday, March 9 – Flower Guild – 9:30 AM

Monday, March 9 – Frank Studio Music Lessons – 4:00 – 6:00 PM

Tuesday, March 10 – Medical Missions – 9:00 AM to Noon

Tuesday, March 10 – Bible Study – 10:00 AM

Tuesday, March 10 – Board Meeting – 1:00 PM

Tuesday, March 10 – Frank Studio Music Lessons – 4:00 – 7:45 PM

Tuesday, March 10 – Frank Studio Sax Ensemble – 8:00 – 9:30 PM

Wednesday, March 11 – Sandwich Making – 9:30 AM

Wednesday, March 11 – JYSEP Youth Programme – 2:30 PM

Wednesday, March 11 – Kinnaris Ladies’ Choir – 7:30 PM

Thursday, March 12 – Community Meals – All day

Thursday, March 12 – Choir Rehearsal – 1:30 PM

Saturday, March 14 – Frank Studio Music Lessons – 10 AM – 5 PM

“THE TABLE. BREAD. WINE. BETRAYAL.”:  This dramatic work about Palm Sunday and Good Friday is being presented at Shakespeare Presbyterian Church on March 27th and 28th. Both days are sold out; however, you can see the dress rehearsal on Thursday, March 26th at 7:30 PM.  Attendance at the dress rehearsal is by invitation only. Please contact Jean Aitcheson, a member of the cast, on 519-276 1975 or at [email protected] to get your invitation.

“PRESBYTERIAN CONNECTION” NEWSPAPER:   The latest issue of “The Presbyterian Connection” (Spring, 2026 edition) is now available in the hallway and at the back of the Sanctuary. Feel free to pick up a copy to read at your leisure.

ROTARY HOSPICE GRIEF PROGRAMMING:  The Rotary Hospice of Stratford Perth has a number of programmes about grief and bereavement. See the bulletin board for their Spring, 2026 events.

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.

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 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.

BENEFIT CONCERT:  In support of the Stratford Kiwanis Festival, Shane Cook and The Woodchippers are performing on March 27th, 2026 at 7:00 PM at Avondale United Church. Tickets are $35 for adults. Tickets available on-line or at the door. See the poster on the bulletin board.

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!