May 12, 2024 – 10:30AM Ascension Sunday Christian Family Sunday

At St. Andrew’s we value belonging, connection, discipleship and our location in the centre of Ottawa. It is a place to call home. All are welcome here. Our church is a sanctuary where you can experience the grace and peace of god, feel supported and find courage and strength.

We worship each week on Sundays at 10:30 am and our services can be joined online. Whether you are visiting from out of town, looking for a new church home, or simply curious to learn more about St. Andrew’s, please visit our website to find out more:
https://www.standrewsottawa.ca/im-new

ONLINE DONATIONS:
https://www.standrewsottawa.ca/one-time-gifts
Your financial gift will help host worship services, offer people pastoral care, provide gathering places for community organizations, share God’s word and so much more. Your generosity is a blessing.

_________________
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE

May 12, 2024 – 10:30AM

Sermon: Called to be witnesses

PSALM READINGS

Psalm 47:5-7

God’s Rule over the Nations

God has gone up with a shout,
   the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
Sing praises to God, sing praises;
   sing praises to our King, sing praises.
For God is the king of all the earth;
   sing praises with a psalm.

Scripture Reading:

Acts 1:1-11

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over the course of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. ‘This’, he said, ‘is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’

The Ascension of Jesus

So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He replied, ‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up towards heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up towards heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’

May 5, 2024 – 10:30AM

At St. Andrew’s we value belonging, connection, discipleship and our location in the centre of Ottawa. It is a place to call home. All are welcome here. Our church is a sanctuary where you can experience the grace and peace of god, feel supported and find courage and strength.

We worship each week on Sundays at 10:30 am and our services can be joined online. Whether you are visiting from out of town, looking for a new church home, or simply curious to learn more about St. Andrew’s, please visit our website to find out more:
https://www.standrewsottawa.ca/im-new

ONLINE DONATIONS:
https://www.standrewsottawa.ca/one-time-gifts
Your financial gift will help host worship services, offer people pastoral care, provide gathering places for community organizations, share God’s word and so much more. Your generosity is a blessing.

_________________
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE

May 05, 2024 – 10:30AM

Sermon: Encounters with the Spirit of God

PSALM READINGS

Psalm 22:25-31 Refrain 2 and tone 2

Plea for Deliverance from Suffering and Hostility

From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
   my vows I will pay before those who fear him.
The poor shall eat and be satisfied;
   those who seek him shall praise the Lord.
   May your hearts live for ever!


All the ends of the earth shall remember
   and turn to the Lord;
and all the families of the nations
   shall worship before him.
For dominion belongs to the Lord,
   and he rules over the nations.


To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down;
   before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,
   and I shall live for him.
Posterity will serve him;
   future generations will be told about the Lord,
and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn,
   saying that he has done it.

Scripture Reading:

Acts 8:26-40

Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Get up and go towards the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ (This is a wilderness road.) So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over to this chariot and join it.’ So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ He replied, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this:
‘Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,
   and like a lamb silent before its shearer,
     so he does not open his mouth.
In his humiliation justice was denied him.
   Who can describe his generation?
     For his life is taken away from the earth.’
The eunuch asked Philip, ‘About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?’ Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?’ He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

John 15:1-8

Jesus the True Vine

‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

April 28, 2024 – 10:30AM

At St. Andrew’s we value belonging, connection, discipleship and our location in the centre of Ottawa. It is a place to call home. All are welcome here. Our church is a sanctuary where you can experience the grace and peace of god, feel supported and find courage and strength.

We worship each week on Sundays at 10:30 am and our services can be joined online. Whether you are visiting from out of town, looking for a new church home, or simply curious to learn more about St. Andrew’s, please visit our website to find out more:
https://www.standrewsottawa.ca/im-new

ONLINE DONATIONS:
https://www.standrewsottawa.ca/one-time-gifts
Your financial gift will help host worship services, offer people pastoral care, provide gathering places for community organizations, share God’s word and so much more. Your generosity is a blessing.

_________________
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE

April 28, 2024 – 10:30AM

Sermon: The continued conversation of us all

PSALM READINGS

Psalm 84 Refrain 2

The Joy of Worship in the Temple

To the leader: according to The Gittith. Of the Korahites. A Psalm.
How lovely is your dwelling place,
   O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, indeed it faints
   for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh sing for joy
   to the living God.


Even the sparrow finds a home,
   and the swallow a nest for herself,
   where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
   my King and my God.
Happy are those who live in your house,
   ever singing your praise.
          Selah


Happy are those whose strength is in you,
   in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
As they go through the valley of Baca
   they make it a place of springs;
   the early rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength;
   the God of gods will be seen in Zion.


O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
   give ear, O God of Jacob!
          Selah
Behold our shield, O God;
   look on the face of your anointed.


For a day in your courts is better
   than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
   than live in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
   he bestows favour and honour.
No good thing does the Lord withhold
   from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts,
   happy is everyone who trusts in you.

Scripture Reading:

Acts 10:1-16

Peter and Cornelius

In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, as it was called. He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God. One afternoon at about three o’clock he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God coming in and saying to him, ‘Cornelius.’ He stared at him in terror and said, ‘What is it, Lord?’ He answered, ‘Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa for a certain Simon who is called Peter; he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.’ When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his slaves and a devout soldier from the ranks of those who served him, and after telling them everything, he sent them to Joppa.

About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. Then he heard a voice saying, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’ But Peter said, ‘By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.’ The voice said to him again, a second time, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call profane.’ This happened three times, and the thing was suddenly taken up to heaven.

April 21, 2024 – 10:30AM

At St. Andrew’s we value belonging, connection, discipleship and our location in the centre of Ottawa. It is a place to call home. All are welcome here. Our church is a sanctuary where you can experience the grace and peace of god, feel supported and find courage and strength.

We worship each week on Sundays at 10:30 am and our services can be joined online. Whether you are visiting from out of town, looking for a new church home, or simply curious to learn more about St. Andrew’s, please visit our website to find out more:
https://www.standrewsottawa.ca/im-new

ONLINE DONATIONS:
https://www.standrewsottawa.ca/one-time-gifts
Your financial gift will help host worship services, offer people pastoral care, provide gathering places for community organizations, share God’s word and so much more. Your generosity is a blessing.

_________________
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE

April 21, 2024 – 10:30AM

Sermon: Hope in God

PSALM READINGS

Psalm 65 Refrain 2

Thanksgiving for Earth’s Bounty

To the leader. A Psalm of David. A Song.
Praise is due to you,
   O God, in Zion;
and to you shall vows be performed,
   O you who answer prayer!
To you all flesh shall come.
When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us,
   you forgive our transgressions.
Happy are those whom you choose and bring near
   to live in your courts.
We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house,
   your holy temple.


By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance,
   O God of our salvation;
you are the hope of all the ends of the earth
   and of the farthest seas.
By your strength you established the mountains;
   you are girded with might.
You silence the roaring of the seas,
   the roaring of their waves,
   the tumult of the peoples.
Those who live at earth’s farthest bounds are awed by your signs;
you make the gateways of the morning and the evening shout for joy.


You visit the earth and water it,
   you greatly enrich it;
the river of God is full of water;
   you provide the people with grain,
   for so you have prepared it.
You water its furrows abundantly,
   settling its ridges,
softening it with showers,
   and blessing its growth.
You crown the year with your bounty;
   your wagon tracks overflow with richness.
The pastures of the wilderness overflow,
   the hills gird themselves with joy,
the meadows clothe themselves with flocks,
   the valleys deck themselves with grain,
   they shout and sing together for joy.

Scripture Reading:

Acts 4:5-12, 32-35

The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, ‘By what power or by what name did you do this?’ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is
“the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;
   it has become the cornerstone.”
There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.’

The Believers Share Their Possessions

Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

April 14, 2024 – 10:30AM

At St. Andrew’s we value belonging, connection, discipleship and our location in the centre of Ottawa. It is a place to call home. All are welcome here. Our church is a sanctuary where you can experience the grace and peace of god, feel supported and find courage and strength.

We worship each week on Sundays at 10:30 am and our services can be joined online. Whether you are visiting from out of town, looking for a new church home, or simply curious to learn more about St. Andrew’s, please visit our website to find out more:
https://www.standrewsottawa.ca/im-new

ONLINE DONATIONS:
https://www.standrewsottawa.ca/one-time-gifts
Your financial gift will help host worship services, offer people pastoral care, provide gathering places for community organizations, share God’s word and so much more. Your generosity is a blessing.

_________________
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE

April 14, 2024 – 10:30AM

Sermon: In the name of Jesus

Scripture Reading:

Acts 2:43-47

Life among the Believers

Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Acts 3:1-10

Peter Heals a Crippled Beggar

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o’clock in the afternoon. And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, ‘Look at us.’ And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, ‘I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.’ And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God, and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

April 7, 2024 – 10:30AM

At St. Andrew’s we value belonging, connection, discipleship and our location in the centre of Ottawa. It is a place to call home. All are welcome here. Our church is a sanctuary where you can experience the grace and peace of god, feel supported and find courage and strength.

We worship each week on Sundays at 10:30 am and our services can be joined online. Whether you are visiting from out of town, looking for a new church home, or simply curious to learn more about St. Andrew’s, please visit our website to find out more:
https://www.standrewsottawa.ca/im-new

ONLINE DONATIONS:
https://www.standrewsottawa.ca/one-time-gifts
Your financial gift will help host worship services, offer people pastoral care, provide gathering places for community organizations, share God’s word and so much more. Your generosity is a blessing.

_________________
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE

April 7, 2024 – 10:30AM

Sermon: Here’s my heart

Scripture Reading:

John 21:1-19

Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples

After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will go with you.’ They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, ‘Children, you have no fish, have you?’ They answered him, ‘No.’ He said to them, ‘Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the lake. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.’ So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus and Peter

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.’ (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, ‘Follow me.’

March 31, 2024 – 10:30AM Easter Sunday

At St. Andrew’s we value belonging, connection, discipleship and our location in the centre of Ottawa. It is a place to call home. All are welcome here. Our church is a sanctuary where you can experience the grace and peace of god, feel supported and find courage and strength.

We worship each week on Sundays at 10:30 am and our services can be joined online. Whether you are visiting from out of town, looking for a new church home, or simply curious to learn more about St. Andrew’s, please visit our website to find out more:
https://www.standrewsottawa.ca/im-new

ONLINE DONATIONS:
https://www.standrewsottawa.ca/one-time-gifts
Your financial gift will help host worship services, offer people pastoral care, provide gathering places for community organizations, share God’s word and so much more. Your generosity is a blessing.

_________________
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE – EASTER SUNDAY

MARCH 31, 2024 — 10:30AM

Sermon: And I hope

Scripture Reading:

Luke 24:1-12

The Resurrection of Jesus

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’ Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.

March 29, 2024 – 10:30AM Good Friday

At St. Andrew’s we value belonging, connection, discipleship and our location in the centre of Ottawa. It is a place to call home. All are welcome here. Our church is a sanctuary where you can experience the grace and peace of god, feel supported and find courage and strength.

We worship each week on Sundays at 10:30 am and our services can be joined online. Whether you are visiting from out of town, looking for a new church home, or simply curious to learn more about St. Andrew’s, please visit our website to find out more:
https://www.standrewsottawa.ca/im-new

ONLINE DONATIONS:
https://www.standrewsottawa.ca/one-time-gifts
Your financial gift will help host worship services, offer people pastoral care, provide gathering places for community organizations, share God’s word and so much more. Your generosity is a blessing.

_________________
GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE

MARCH 29, 2024 — 10:30 AM

When Jesus had received the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

John 19:30

Introit: Ehre sie dir Christe

Heinrich Schütz (1585-1672)

Entry of the Holy Scriptures

Call to Worship — Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Hymn 231: When I survey the wondrous cross

“Rockingham” Samuel Webbe, the elder (1740-1816)

Words: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

Prayers of Approach and Confession

Words of Forgiveness

Prayer for Illumination

The First Lesson — Diane M

Isaiah 53:1-12 — The Suffering Servant

Motet: Lord, for thy tender mercies sake

Richard Farrant (1530-1580)

The Second Lesson — Rowan P

John 18:12-27 — Jesus before the High Priest

Motet: The Beatitudes

Arvo Pärt (b. 1937)

The Third Lesson — Maila Ann G

John 18:28-40 — Jesus before Pilate

Hymn 220: My song is love unknown

“Love unknown” John Ireland (1879-1962)

Words: Samuel Crossman (c. 1624-1683)

The Fourth Lesson — Matthew L

John 18:38b-19:16 — Jesus is Handed over to be Crucified

Motet: O, for a closer walk with God

C. V. Stanford (1852-1924)

The Fifth Lesson — Aisling B

John 19:16b-30 — The Crucifixion of Jesus

Motet: Lent Prose (Tone V Plainsong)

arr. M. Larkin

The Sixth Lesson — Jidé A

John 19:31-42 — Jesus’ side is pierced and He is buried

Motet: It is finished

John Stainer (1840-1901)

Psalm 22:1-11

Motet: Solus ad victimam

Kenneth Leighton (1929-1988)

Words: Peter Abelard (1079-1142)

Pastoral Prayer

Hymn 242: What wondrous love is this

“Wondrous love”

Words and music from Walker’s Southern Harmony, 1835

Closing Voluntary

March 24, 2024 – 10:30AM Palm and Passion Sunday

At St. Andrew’s we value belonging, connection, discipleship and our location in the centre of Ottawa. It is a place to call home. All are welcome here. Our church is a sanctuary where you can experience the grace and peace of god, feel supported and find courage and strength.

We worship each week on Sundays at 10:30 am and our services can be joined online. Whether you are visiting from out of town, looking for a new church home, or simply curious to learn more about St. Andrew’s, please visit our website to find out more:
https://www.standrewsottawa.ca/im-new

ONLINE DONATIONS:
https://www.standrewsottawa.ca/one-time-gifts
Your financial gift will help host worship services, offer people pastoral care, provide gathering places for community organizations, share God’s word and so much more. Your generosity is a blessing.

_________________
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE – THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER
MARCH 24, 2024 — 10:30AM

He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Matthew 16:15-16

Sermon: A conversation with Jesus

Scripture Reading:

John 14:12-15

Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Mark 12:12a, 15–19

When they realized that he had told this parable against them, they wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowd. So they left him and went away. Should we pay them, or should we not?’ But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, ‘Why are you putting me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me see it.’ And they brought one. Then he said to them, ‘Whose head is this, and whose title?’ They answered, ‘The emperor’s.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ And they were utterly amazed at him.

The Question about the Resurrection

Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, saying, ‘Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother.

Mark 12:28-34, 41-44

The First Commandment

One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, ‘Which commandment is the first of all?’ Jesus answered, ‘The first is, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” The second is this, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’ Then the scribe said to him, ‘You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that “he is one, and besides him there is no other”; and “to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength”, and “to love one’s neighbour as oneself”,—this is much more important than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.’ When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ After that no one dared to ask him any question.

The Widow’s Offering

He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.’

Mark 14:1-11

The Plot to Kill Jesus

It was two days before the Passover and the festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him; for they said, ‘Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people.’

The Anointing at Bethany

While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. But some were there who said to one another in anger, ‘Why was the ointment wasted in this way? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.’ And they scolded her. But Jesus said, ‘Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.’

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.

March 17, 2024 – 10:30AM Fifth Sunday in Lent

At St. Andrew’s we value belonging, connection, discipleship and our location in the centre of Ottawa. It is a place to call home. All are welcome here. Our church is a sanctuary where you can experience the grace and peace of god, feel supported and find courage and strength.

We worship each week on Sundays at 10:30 am and our services can be joined online. Whether you are visiting from out of town, looking for a new church home, or simply curious to learn more about St. Andrew’s, please visit our website to find out more:
https://www.standrewsottawa.ca/im-new

ONLINE DONATIONS:
https://www.standrewsottawa.ca/one-time-gifts
Your financial gift will help host worship services, offer people pastoral care, provide gathering places for community organizations, share God’s word and so much more. Your generosity is a blessing.

_________________
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE – THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER
MARCH 17, 2024 — 10:30AM

He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Matthew 16:15-16

Sermon: Teach me
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 119:9-16 Refrain 3, Tone 3

How can young people keep their way pure?
   By guarding it according to your word.
With my whole heart I seek you;
   do not let me stray from your commandments.
I treasure your word in my heart,
   so that I may not sin against you.
Blessed are you, O Lord;
   teach me your statutes.
With my lips I declare
   all the ordinances of your mouth.
I delight in the way of your decrees
   as much as in all riches.
I will meditate on your precepts,
   and fix my eyes on your ways.
I will delight in your statutes;
   I will not forget your word.

Matthew 18:15-22

Reproving Another Who Sins

‘If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax-collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’

Forgiveness

Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.