Hollyhock beside the limestone of the St. Andrew's Manse

Hollyhock beside the limestone of the St. Andrew’s Manse

The Sundays of Summer

Remembering …
Sunday, July 5, 10:30 a.m. As we begin the first full month of summer, we share bread and wine and remember God’s promises in Jesus Christ … for life (I Corinthians 11:17-­‐26). We thank Helen Lowe for playing the organ this morning.

The Rev. Ralph Kendall
Sunday, July 12, 10:30 a.m. We welcome Ralph to the pulpit, as he explores ‘Is that really in the Bible?’ (Esther 1:1-­‐ 22; Matthew 5:38-­‐48; 2 Timothy 3:14-­‐17). Elders Donna Delacretaz and Ada Mallory will lead in prayer, Andrew Fraser will lead in music.

The Rev. Dr. Karen Bach
Sunday, July 19, 10:30 a.m. Karen is well-­‐known and much appreciated by St. Andrew’s, and we are grateful to have her leadership in our worship once again.

Allison Dyach
Sunday, July 25, 10:30 a.m. Allison came from Knox Church Waterloo to worship with us while at Queen’s Faculty of Education. In June Allison attended the Truth and Reconciliation events in Ottawa as a representative of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. We will welcome Allison back to St. Andrew’s to share her reflections and our calling as Canadians and Christians. Elders Alberta Saunders and Larry Moore will lead us prayer.

Our minister returns from vacation with a series of sermons that invite us to enter into the prayers of others.

‘Though the dawn breaks cheerless on this isle today,
my spirit walks upon a path of light.
For I know my greatness,
Thou hast built me a throne within thy heart.
I dwell safely within the circle of thy care …’
Sunday, August 2, 10:30 a.m.
The first prayer to be explored is by Alistair Maclean, steeped in the spirituality of the Hebridean isles. And all ‘who love the Lord a little and wish to love him more’ are invited to gather for Holy Communion.

‘O sweet and loving God,
when I stay asleep too long,
oblivious to all your many blessings,
then, please wake me up,
and sing to me your joyful song …’

Sunday, August 9, 10:30 a.m.
This morning we will be guided in worship by a prayer offered by Mechthild of Madgeburg (1207-­‐ 1282). We will also with joy gather to baptise Isla, daughter of Jonathan, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

‘Bring us, O Lord God,
at our last awakening
into the house and gate of heaven … ‘

Sunday, August 16, 10:30 a.m.
Our summer prayers continue with a contribution by the great English poet and cleric John Donne (1572-1631), reminding us of the larger frameworks of life.

‘i thank You God for this most amazing day:
for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky;
and for everything which is natural
which is infinite
which is yes’

Sunday, August 23, 10:30 a.m.
A 20th century prayer is provided by the American poet e.e. cummings, an invitation into the spiritual discipline and delight of gratitude.

‘God of wholeness,
you have created us bodily
that our work and faith may be one …’

Sunday, August 30, 10:30 a.m.
And as our contemporary, in the English Wesleyan tradition, Janet Morley contributes our final summer prayer, helping us give voice to our need for ‘wholeness’ from the ‘God of wholeness’.

Personal Prayers for Summer

Creator of all, thank You for summer! Thank You for the warmth of the sun and the increased daylight. Thank You for the beauty I see all around me and for the opportunity to be outside and enjoy Your creation. Thank You for the increased time I have to be with my friends and family, and for the more casual pace of the summer season. Draw me closer to You this summer. Teach me how I can pray no matter where I am or what I am doing. Warm my soul with the awareness of Your presence, and light my path with Your Word and Counsel. As I enjoy Your creation, create in me a pure heart and a hunger and a thirst for You. Amen.


That we can glimpse you within creation is a beautiful thought, but also tells us that you desire to be seen, to be found and known. Open our eyes, Lord, as we walk through this world, feel the wind and sunshine, see the majesty of creation unfolding before our eyes. Help us to see you. Amen.

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