Mark (7) Freedom from Bondage – October 27, 10:30 A.M.

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Albrecht Dürer,1512

Albrecht Dürer, 1512
The National Gallery of Canada

It is Reformation Sunday. It is good to look back and thank God for the reformation of the Church, for the return of … the Bible to the people, the singing God’s praise to the congregation, grace and sovereignty to God and God alone. I look forward to the hymn of Martin Luther ‘A mighty fortress is our God’ and joining in the prayer of John Calvin ‘I greet thee, who my Redeemer art’.

But I know this Sunday also challenges me with the truth that the Church is to ‘reformed and always reforming’. Yes, there are dimensions of Christian faith that are eternally valid. But how they are experienced and communicated change from one generation to another, from one context to another. And these changes must not only be acknowledged, but welcomed.

As we continue to journey through the Gospel according to Mark, we arrive at a scene in which Jesus speaks of overcoming ‘a strong man’ (Mark 3:20-27) and plundering his possessions. If this strong man were the Evil One, then it would be humanity that was in bondage. If Jesus has broken in and released us, how do we live this new and gracious freedom in our generation and culture? 

Albrecht Dürer engraved this scene in 1512, just five years after Martin Luther began his service of Christ in the Church. It shows Christ ‘harrowing hell’, liberating God’s people who had died before his life, death and resurrection. I have enjoyed meditating upon this print with relation to this parable of Jesus early in his ministry. After all, is the resurrection life something lived only the other side of the grave? Is freedom not a particular way of life now as well as from the ultimate hold of death?

If you are in the area, we warmly invite you to join the worship of God. With great joy we will be welcoming new members. And after the service, if you have time to linger, have a seat at our monthly congregational lunch and allow us the opportunity to introduce ourselves.

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 anne@standrewskingston.org

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Join us next Sunday, November 3, for the Celebration of the Lord’s Supper.

The Sanctuary Windows of St. Andrew’s (7) At the Door – Sunday September 1, 10:30 A.M.

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I am standing at the door and knocking ~Revelation 3:20~

Stained glass of St. Andrew’s sanctuary

As one season gives way to another, we hear the invitation to open our lives to the presence and promises of God (Revelation 3:14-22). We warmly welcome you to join us. 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 anne@standrewskingston.org

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The Sanctuary Windows of St. Andrew’s (3) The Good Shepherd – Sunday August 4, 10:30 A.M.

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Jesus the Good Shepherd Window

These Sundays of summer we are exploring the gospel through the stained glass windows of the sanctuary of St. Andrew’s and this morning, The Good Shepherd Window. Created by Castle and Son, with the inscription ‘He shall gather the lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom’ (Isaiah 40:11), and the dedicatory plaque ‘To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Effie, the beloved daughter of William and Ellen Nickle, died July 23, 1877.’

We warmly welcome you to join us. 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 anne@standrewskingston.org

 

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Easter Morning

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Photo Credit: Paul Bennett (England) – Eternal Dawn

I know that in the Reformed/Presbyterian tradition, every Sunday is celebrated as an Easter Sunday, but I have to admit there is something special about THE Easter Sunday that comes round once a year! The strong hymns of praise, the wonderful gospel narrative, and even the display of flowers proclaim the joy that we know in the resurrection of Jesus, and in the presence and promises of the Living Lord with us. ‘Greetings’ and then ‘Be not afraid’ the risen Jesus spoke to those women on Easter Morn (Matthew 28:9-10), and words he speaks to each of us today.

Jesus Christ is risen today, hallelujah!
Thine be the glory, risen conquering son!

If you are in the area, we warmly invite you to join in the worship of God. Have a look at the Order of Service below (and also the announcements – please consider each a personal invitation to join us in Christian worship, community and service).

During the service there is offered a nursery for infants and a programme for young children if desired. 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. There is a wheel chair lift available in the doors of the church closest to the manse (the courtyard is entered from the driveway half way along the St. Andrew’s block of Clergy Street) and a wheelchair ramp is available by ramp and door along Princess Street.

If you have any questions, please call the church office Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. – noon, or email anne@standrewskingston.org (But please note the Church Office will be closed Easter Monday!)