As portrayed by Van Gogh (‘Harvest’ 1889), the field of grain is so full of movement, it feels alive!  Harvest time is indeed a welcome reminder of the how God is active through all the seasons of the year … for life.  

It is good to gather and just say ‘thank you’ – thank you for the gift of life (for which one of us choses to be born?), thank you for the gift of sojourning in this corner of creation (for which one of us placed the rivers and lakes in their courses and the planted the forests upon the rock?), thank you for the gift of living in this city (enjoying schools and hospitals we did not build, festivals and parks we did not plan), thank you for the gift of salvation (for which one of us even asked for, much less merited, the loving and eternal embrace of God in Jesus Christ?).

I remember when worshipping with Christians of the Church of North India (Amkhut and Jobat) being struck how every prayer by any individual in any context began with the words ‘Thank you, Thank you, Thank you’. This Sunday I shall take up this chorus of thanksgiving, and warmly invite you to join me, and us, at St. Andrew’s.

We are journeying through the Gospel according to Mark, and arrive at a scene that begins with the disciples plucking grain in a field of harvest on the Sabbath, and continues with Jesus evoking the time that David took bread reserved for the Holy One and the priest to satisfy the hunger of his men (Mark 2:23-28). We will explore how both dimensions of this scene might speak to our Thanksgiving.

Certified child care is offered during the service and there is free parking on the streets around (please note that the time-of-day restrictions on Clergy Street north of Queen are not in effect on Sundays) and in the surface civic lot just behind the church off Queen Street.

Have a look at the Order of Service and bulletin below, and consider each hymn and prayer and announcement a personal invitation to join us in Christian worship, community and service. If you have any questions about forthcoming events and opportunities, please call the church office Tuesday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – noon, 613-546-6316, or email [email protected]

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Next Sunday, we will be formally receiving new members, and exploring Mark 3:1-6).