January 21, 2024 – 10:30AM

January 21, 2024 | St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa | Baptism of the Lord Sunday Worship

#StAndrewsOttawa #PresbyterianChurch #Baptism
WORSHIPPING, CARING, GROWING, REACHING OUT, IN THE NAME OF CHRIST
St. Andrew’s is a community that gathers together from all across the city of Ottawa, and around the world.

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
JANUARY 21, 2024 — 10:30AM

Sermon: Hearing the call of God
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 62:5-12 (Refrain 2)

For God alone my soul waits in silence,
   for my hope is from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
   my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my deliverance and my honour;
   my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.

Trust in him at all times, O people;
   pour out your heart before him;
   God is a refuge for us.
          Selah

Those of low estate are but a breath,
   those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
   they are together lighter than a breath.
Put no confidence in extortion,
   and set no vain hopes on robbery;
   if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

Once God has spoken;
   twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
   and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.
For you repay to all
   according to their work.

Jonah 3:1-5, 10

Conversion of Nineveh

The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, ‘Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.’ So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, ‘Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!’ And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.

When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.

Mark 1:14-20

The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

January 14, 2024 – 10:30AM

January 14, 2024 | St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa | Baptism of the Lord Sunday Worship

#StAndrewsOttawa #PresbyterianChurch #Baptism
WORSHIPPING, CARING, GROWING, REACHING OUT, IN THE NAME OF CHRIST
St. Andrew’s is a community that gathers together from all across the city of Ottawa, and around the world.

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
JANUARY 14, 2024 — 10:30AM

Sermon: Goodness in surprising places
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 139

The Inescapable God

To the leader. Of David. A Psalm.
O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
   you discern my thoughts from far away.
You search out my path and my lying down,
   and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
   O Lord, you know it completely.
You hem me in, behind and before,
   and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
   it is so high that I cannot attain it.

For it was you who formed my inward parts;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
   Wonderful are your works;
that I know very well.
   My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
   intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes beheld my unformed substance.
In your book were written
   all the days that were formed for me,
   when none of them as yet existed.
How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God!
   How vast is the sum of them!
I try to count them—they are more than the sand;
   I come to the end—I am still with you.

1 Samuel 3:1-20

Samuel’s Calling and Prophetic Activity

Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.

At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ and he said, ‘Here I am!’ and ran to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ But he said, ‘I did not call; lie down again.’ So he went and lay down. The Lord called again, ‘Samuel!’ Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ But he said, ‘I did not call, my son; lie down again.’ Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, ‘Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” ’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’ Then the Lord said to Samuel, ‘See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle. On that day I will fulfil against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. For I have told him that I am about to punish his house for ever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be expiated by sacrifice or offering for ever.’

Samuel lay there until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. But Eli called Samuel and said, ‘Samuel, my son.’ He said, ‘Here I am.’ Eli said, ‘What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also, if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.’ So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. Then he said, ‘It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him.’

As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was a trustworthy prophet of the Lord.

John 1:43-51

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.’ Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’ When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ Nathanael replied, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.’ And he said to him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’

January 7, 2024 – 10:30AM Baptism of the Lord

January 7, 2024 | St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa | Baptism of the Lord Sunday Worship

#StAndrewsOttawa #PresbyterianChurch #Baptism
WORSHIPPING, CARING, GROWING, REACHING OUT, IN THE NAME OF CHRIST
St. Andrew’s is a community that gathers together from all across the city of Ottawa, and around the world.

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
JANUARY 7, 2024 — 10:30AM

Sermon: First words matter
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 29

The Voice of God in a Great Storm

A Psalm of David.
Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
   ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name;
   worship the Lord in holy splendour.

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
   the God of glory thunders,
   the Lord, over mighty waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
   the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
   the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
   and Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
   the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl,
   and strips the forest bare;
   and in his temple all say, ‘Glory!’

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
   the Lord sits enthroned as king for ever.
May the Lord give strength to his people!
   May the Lord bless his people with peace!

Genesis 1:1-5

Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

Mark 1:1-11

The Gospel According to Mark

The Proclamation of John the Baptist

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
   who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
   “Prepare the way of the Lord,
   make his paths straight” ’,
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’

The Baptism of Jesus

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’

December 31, 2023 – 10:30AM

December 31, 2023 | St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa | Sunday Worship Service: Advent Four

#StAndrewsOttawa #PresbyterianChurch #Advent #Communion
WORSHIPPING, CARING, GROWING, REACHING OUT, IN THE NAME OF CHRIST
St. Andrew’s is a community that gathers together from all across the city of Ottawa, and around the world.

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 | ADVENT TWO
DECEMBER 31, 2023 — 10:30AM

Sermon: An Apologia for More Nativity Scene Characters
Rev. Jim Pot

Scripture Reading:

Isaiah 61:10-62:3,

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
   my whole being shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
   he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
   and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the earth brings forth its shoots,
   and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
   to spring up before all the nations.

The Vindication and Salvation of Zion

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
   and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,
until her vindication shines out like the dawn,
   and her salvation like a burning torch.
The nations shall see your vindication,
   and all the kings your glory;
and you shall be called by a new name
   that the mouth of the Lord will give.
You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,
   and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

Luke 2:22-40

Jesus Is Presented in the Temple

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
   according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
   which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
   and for glory to your people Israel.’

And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

The Return to Nazareth

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.

CHRISTMAS EVE 2023 | A Festival Service of Lessons and Carols

CHRISTMAS EVE 2023 | A Festival Service of Lessons and Carols | St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa

#StAndrewsOttawa #PresbyterianChurch #ChristmasEve #Carols
WORSHIPPING, CARING, GROWING, REACHING OUT, IN THE NAME OF CHRIST
St. Andrew’s is a community that gathers together from all across the city of Ottawa, and around the world.

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.

_________________
CHRISTMAS EVE — A FESTIVAL SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS
DECEMBER 24, 2023 — 5:00 PM

Organ Voluntaries

Introit | God is with us - John Tavener (1944-1913)
(soloist: Michael Carty)

Opening Hymn | Once in Royal David's city
Words by Cecil F. Alexander (1818-1895)
Music by H. J. Gauntlett (1805-1876). Descant and last verse arrangement by M. Larkin

Call to Worship and Words of Welcome

Prayers of Approach, Confession & The Lord's Prayer

WE HEAR GOD'S WORD

First Reading Isaiah 9:2-7
Anthem | For unto us a child is born - G. F. Handel (1685-1758)

Second Reading | Luke 1:26-37
Anthem | Ave Maria - Anton Bruckner (1824-1896)

Third Reading Matthew 1:18-25

Carol | In the bleak midwinter - Gustav Holst (1874-1934), arr. M. Larkin (soloists: Gabriel Delannoy, Manon Veselovsky)

Hymn | Hark! The herald angels sing
Words by Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Music by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847). Descant and last verse arr. M. Larkin

Fourth Reading | Luke 2:1-17
Carol | The little road to Bethlehem - Michael Head (1900-1976)

Hymn | Silent night
Words translated from the German (Joseph Mohr, 1792-1848) Music by Franz Gruber (1787-1863), arr. M. Larkin

Fifth Reading | Luke 2:8-20
Carol | The Sussex Carol - Traditional English, arr. David Willcocks (1919-2015)

WE RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession, and Invitation to the Offering

Special Christmas Offering 2023: www.standrewsottawa.ca/one-time-gifts

The Community Laundry Co-op - Local appeal. A charitable co-operative that provides accessible and affordable self-service laundry for low-income and isolated families and individuals, and serves as a valuable support network for its members. The Kenora Fellowship Centre - National appeal. A place for people facing homelessness and poverty to feel safe.

The Marco Depestre Foundation - International appeal which supports projects to foster positive changes in the lives of rural residents of Haiti.

Offertory Hymn | The First Nowell
Words and Music from an 18th century English source, arr. Dan Forrest (b. 1978)

Benediction

Closing Hymn | O come, all ye faithful
Words by F. Oakeley (1802-80), W. T. Brooke (1848-1917), and others. Melody by J. F. Wade (1711-1786), arr. David Willcocks

Closing Voluntary


Participating in tonight's service
The Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock, Minister
Jide Afolabi, Janet Banigan, Peter Lamont | readers Janet Banigan, John Banigan, Nancy Johnson | ushers Ringing the bell: Maila Gray
The Choir of St. Andrew's Church
Matthew Larkin, Organist and Custodian of Music
Eva Hassell and Nick Cochrane, co-conductors
Nick Cochrane, trumpets

December 24, 2023 – 5:00 PM Christmas Eve A Service of the Nativity

December 24, 2023 – 10:30AM Advent Four Christmas Eve

December 24, 2023 | St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa | Sunday Worship Service: Advent Four

#StAndrewsOttawa #PresbyterianChurch #Advent #Communion
WORSHIPPING, CARING, GROWING, REACHING OUT, IN THE NAME OF CHRIST
St. Andrew’s is a community that gathers together from all across the city of Ottawa, and around the world.

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 | ADVENT TWO
DECEMBER 24, 2023 — 10:30AM

Sermon: We sing stories of hope
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

Luke 1:46-55, 67-80

Mary’s Song of Praise

And Mary said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
   and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
   Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
   and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
   from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
   he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
   and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
   and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
   in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
   to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

Zechariah’s Prophecy

Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:
‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
   for he has looked favourably on his people and redeemed them.
He has raised up a mighty saviour for us
   in the house of his servant David,
as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
   that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors,
   and has remembered his holy covenant,
the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham,
   to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies,
might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness
   before him all our days.
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
   for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people
   by the forgiveness of their sins.
By the tender mercy of our God,
   the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
   to guide our feet into the way of peace.’

The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel.

December 17, 2023 – 10:30AM Advent Three

December 17, 2023 | St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa | Sunday Worship Service: Advent Two

#StAndrewsOttawa #PresbyterianChurch #Advent #Communion
WORSHIPPING, CARING, GROWING, REACHING OUT, IN THE NAME OF CHRIST
St. Andrew’s is a community that gathers together from all across the city of Ottawa, and around the world.

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 | ADVENT TWO
DECEMBER 17, 2023 — 10:30AM

Sermon: We allow ourselves to be amazed
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 126 (Refrain 2)

A Harvest of Joy

A Song of Ascents.
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
   we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
   and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations,
   ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’
The Lord has done great things for us,
   and we rejoiced.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
   like the watercourses in the Negeb.
May those who sow in tears
   reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
   bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
   carrying their sheaves.

Luke 1:57-66

The Birth of John the Baptist

Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.

On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, ‘No; he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘None of your relatives has this name.’ Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came over all their neighbours, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. All who heard them pondered them and said, ‘What then will this child become?’ For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.

December 10, 2023 – 10:30AM Advent Two

December 10, 2023 | St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa | Sunday Worship Service: Advent Two

#StAndrewsOttawa #PresbyterianChurch #Advent #Communion
WORSHIPPING, CARING, GROWING, REACHING OUT, IN THE NAME OF CHRIST
St. Andrew’s is a community that gathers together from all across the city of Ottawa, and around the world.

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 | ADVENT TWO
DECEMBER 10, 2023 — 10:30AM

Sermon: How does a weary world rejoice?: We find joy in connection
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

Isaiah 40:1-11

God’s People Are Comforted

Comfort, O comfort my people,
   says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
   and cry to her
that she has served her term,
   that her penalty is paid,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
   double for all her sins.

A voice cries out:
‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,
   make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
   and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
   and the rough places a plain.
Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
   and all people shall see it together,
   for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’

A voice says, ‘Cry out!’
   And I said, ‘What shall I cry?’
All people are grass,
   their constancy is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
   when the breath of the Lord blows upon it;
   surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades;
   but the word of our God will stand for ever.
Get you up to a high mountain,
   O Zion, herald of good tidings;
lift up your voice with strength,
   O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings,
   lift it up, do not fear;
say to the cities of Judah,
   ‘Here is your God!’
See, the Lord God comes with might,
   and his arm rules for him;
his reward is with him,
   and his recompense before him.
He will feed his flock like a shepherd;
   he will gather the lambs in his arms,
and carry them in his bosom,
   and gently lead the mother sheep.

Luke 1:24-45

After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, ‘This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favourably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.’

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’

December 3, 2023 – 10:30AM Advent One The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

December 3, 2023 | St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa | Advent One & The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

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SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE | ADVENT ONE
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
DECEMBER 3, 2023 — 10:30AM

Sermon: We acknowledge our weariness
Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 80:1-7

Prayer for Israel’s Restoration

To the leader: on Lilies, a Covenant. Of Asaph. A Psalm.
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
   you who lead Joseph like a flock!
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth
   before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.
Stir up your might,
   and come to save us!

Restore us, O God;
   let your face shine, that we may be saved.

O Lord God of hosts,
   how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
You have fed them with the bread of tears,
   and given them tears to drink in full measure.
You make us the scorn of our neighbours;
   our enemies laugh among themselves.

Restore us, O God of hosts;
   let your face shine, that we may be saved.

But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand,
   the one whom you made strong for yourself.
Then we will never turn back from you;
   give us life, and we will call on your name.

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts;
   let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Luke 1:1-23

The Gospel According to Luke

Dedication to Theophilus

Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed.

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.

Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense-offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’ Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.’ The angel replied, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.’

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. When his time of service was ended, he went to his home.