La Barque de Jonas by Marc Chagall, 1977
Musée National Marc Chagall, Nice, France

We continue to follow the great parable of Jonah, with this morning’s readings asking questions about the relationship between sovereignty of God and human freedom.

Having received a call of God, Jonah flees. He runs to the nearest port, he finds a berth on a ship going to the end of his world. God does not smite Jonah, God does not coerce this called one, neither does God abandon him. But God does pursue Jonah, with a storm, to allow Jonah the opportunity to re-evaluate his life (Jonah 1:4-17). The sovereignty of God known in the gracious persistence of God, which as Christians we believe we have seen most fully in Jesus Christ who came running after us when we had turned our backs on God, and has promised to remain with us till we acknowledge our good and God (Matthew 28:18-20).

I love the way Chagall has drawn the ‘great fish’ that will save Jonah – the marine creature is the same size as the human creature! Impossible that the one will swallow the other! The artist asks me to consider the ‘impossible’ persistence of God’s concern and care for us.

If you are in the area, join us for a summer hour at the beginning of this week of grace. Have a look at the order of service – great hymns, great gospel! A nursery for infants is offered during the service, and there is free parking in the city surface lot off Queen Street just behind the church and on streets around (note that the time-of-day restrictions on streets north of Queen are not in effect on Sundays).

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What a great story into which to delve these weeks of summer! Bring it out of the nursery where it has for too long been relegated. Open it again as an intentional part of holy scripture. Bring it into the sanctuary and consider it anew as a revelation of the Holy One and of humanity. We begin this Sunday with the opening verses, ‘Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah …’ and await a word for our own lives.

Join us if you are in the area. There is free parking on the streets around and in the city surface lot just behind the church off Queen Street. A nursery is offered for infants, if desired. Have a look at the order of service below, and please consider each of the announcements as a personal invitation to grow in faith and community and life.

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With the Rev. Dr. Johnston away to witness a beautiful union that is marriage, we gladly welcome the Rev. Karen Bach! This Sunday’s service will focus on lift! Lift up your heads, o gates! And be lifted up,  ancient doors!

As always, we warmly welcome you to join us this Sunday. During the service a nursery is offered for infants and preschoolers. There is free parking in the city surface lot off Queen Street behind the church, and along the streets (please note that the time-of-day restrictions north of Queen are not in effect on Sundays).

Have a look at the Order of Service below, and consider each announcement a personal invitation to join us in Christian faith, community and service.

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The family cedar strip canoe on Little Whitefish Lake

Come by canoe (with portage) or car, walking or cycling – if you are in the area, we invite you to join us these Sundays of summer.

Have a look at the list of services, studies and outreach opportunities, and participate as you are able and interested. It would be great to welcome you!

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With Canada Day this year falling on a Sunday, we have a great opportunity to gather before God with thanksgiving for our nation, and for direction.

Sorting through my aunt’s house this past year, we found many treasures of family and community. From one book slipped an old paper bill, with a portrait of King George V, dated July 2, 1923, with the banner over all declaring ‘The Dominion of Canada’.

Caption over one of the windows of the Peace Tower of the Parliament Buildings Ottawa

A ‘dominion’ never stands alone, is never entirely independent. A dominion is always related to another to whom it is accountable. Whose dominion is Canada?

We will explore the history behind this foundational appellation of our land, and in particular the biblical dimensions and applications.

We warmly welcome you to join us this Sunday. During the service a nursery is offered for infants and preschoolers. There is free parking in the city surface lot off Queen Street behind the church, and along the streets (please note that the time-of-day restrictions north of Queen are not in effect on Sundays).

Have a look at the Order of Service below, and consider each announcement a personal invitation to join us in Christian faith, community and service.

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With our feet on the good soil of God’s creation, and the leaves of the trees overhead providing shade, we will gather on the other side of the limestone walls of St. Andrew’s, on the lawn at the corner of Princess and Clergy. (Or if we receive some much needed rain, on the customary side of those walls, within the sanctuary!)

The theme that ties the scripture readings together is … ‘summer’!

Have a look at the Order of Service, and join us for worship, and for a congregational BBQ afterwards – whatever the weather. You might wish to linger even longer and take in the Skeleton Park Arts Festival just down the street.

There is parking on the surface city lot just behind the church off Queen Street and on neighbouring streets.

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