St. Andrew's Church – St Lambert

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    January 4th 2026 “The gifts were left behind”

    Dear friends,

    THIS SUNDAY the Rev. Linda Faith Chalk will be leading us in worship.  

    THIS SUNDAY IS EPIPHANY SUNDAY.  We know the story so well, we could probably recite it as it is read… but we must never be put off by the familiarity because God challenges us through what we think we know or remember.  The sermon title is: “The gifts were left behind!”  When the children presented their pageant on December 14th, as Mary and Joseph took the young Jesus, they left the gifts behind.  The scene was that of the empty chairs with the gifts in front of the chairs.  That struck me in a way that left me breathless and thinking.  What are the things that God offers to us as gifts and we leave them behind?

    THE NEW YEAR ARRIVES bringing with it a time for contemplation, reflection, repair and learning.  Happy New Year to the church family of St. Andrew’s and your loved ones!  As we step into this New Year, may it be filled with God’s blessings of hope, peace, joy and love. 

    Order of Service

    Prelude
    Welcome
    Call to Worship
    Hymn 136: “The first Nowell” (vs 1, 2, 4 &6)
    Prayer of Adoration
    Prayer of Confession
    Declaration of Grace
    The Lord’s Prayer
    Children’s Time
    Hymn 172: “As with gladness” (vs 1&5 English; 2&3 en français)
    Responsive Reading: Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
    Gloria Patri
    Old Testament – Isaiah 60:1-6 (en français BFC – English on the screen)
    New Testament – Ephesians 3:1-12
    Gospel Lesson – Matthew 2:1-12
    Sermon – “The Gifts were left behind!”
    Confession of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed
    Hymn 161: “What child is this?” (vs 3 en français)
    Offering and Offertory
    Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
    Hymn 174: “Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness”
    Benediction
    Go now in peace
    Postlude

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    December 28th 2025 -“Cosmic Collateral Confusion!”

    Dear friends,

    THIS SUNDAY the Rev. Linda Faith Chalk will be leading us in worship.  

    “COSMIC COLLATERAL CONFUSION!!!”: In her comments on the passage from Matthew 2, Chelsey Harmon says: “Well this is a real ‘Merry Christmas!’ story, isn’t it?  Many of us have had the privilege and joy of spending time with loved ones, relaxing, and enjoying the holidays.  This story shocks us out of the feel-goods and brings us back to the reality of struggle and suffering.  Joseph, Mary and Jesus flee from the terror of Herod.  This Christmas story of the road out of Israel and then home again reminds us that though the promise of victory is real, evil continues to put up its rebellious fight.  We continue to look for the fulfillment of all God’s promises and for Jesus’s return, hoping and praying for the time when God will make us all safe and there will be no more reasons to fear:”

    Order of Service

    Prelude
    Welcome
    Call to Worship
    Hymn 153: “Joy to the world”
    Prayer of Adoration
    Prayer of Confession
    Declaration of Grace
    The Lord’s Prayer
    Children’s Time
    Hymn 141: “Good Christians all rejoice”
    Responsive Reading: Psalm 148
    Gloria Patri
    Old Testament – Isaiah 63:7–9 (en français BFC English on the screen)
    New Testament – Hebrews 2:10-18
    Gospel Lesson – Matthew 2:13-23
    Sermon: “Cosmic Collateral Confusion!!!”
    Confession of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed
    Hymn 139: “Hark the herald angels sing” (vs 2 en français)
    Offering and Offertory
    Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
    Hymn 166: “Once in Royal David’s city”
    Benediction
    Go now in peace
    Postlude

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    Christmas Eve 2025

    Dear friends, 

    THIS CHRISTMAS EVE, our Interim Moderator, the Rev. Dr. Roland De Vries will be leading us in worship.  The service will be a service of lessons and carols, with familiar scripture texts, familiar carols, and a simple reflective meditation.  We are grateful for this opportunity to celebrate the birth of Christ—to celebrate the gift of God’s incarnation in the person of Jesus two thousand years ago.  Join us for this special service, and invite your family and friends to join us.

    WE THANK, cellist McKinley James for joining with our Director of Music Henry Cobb Howes, as well as our choir, for their musical talents in adding to the fullness and joy of our Christmas Eve celebration!

    OUR CHRISTMAS OFFERING this year (the yellow envelope in your boxed set of envelopes marked December 25)has been designated to Action Réfugiés Montréal. 

    Order of Service

    Prelude
    Lighting of the Christ Candle
    Hymn 159: “Oh come, all ye faithful” (Versets 1 et 2 en français)
    Call to Worship
    Prayer of Adoration
    Prayer of Confession
    Declaration of Grace
    Choir Anthem: “Sound the Trumpet”
    Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7
    Hymn 142: “I wonder as I wander”
    Reading: Tite 2:11-14 (en français)
    Hymn 144: “Twas in the Moon of Wintertime”
    Reading: John 1:1-14
    Hymn 169: “Il est Né” (en français)
    Reading: Luke 2:1-7
    Meditation: Simple Christmas
    Choir Anthem: “The Wexford Carol”
    Christmas Offering
    Pastoral Prayer
    Reading: Luke 2:8-20 (en français)
    Hymn 149: “Away in a Manger”
    Reading: Philippians 2:5-11
    Hymn 154: “Silent Night” (verset 1 en français)
    Benediction
    Postlude

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    December 21st 2025 -“Name above all names”

    Dear friends,

    THIS SUNDAY the Rev. Linda Faith Chalk will be leading us in worship.  Sunday marks the fourth week of Advent, where we’ll light the Candle of Love, please think about the kind of love Jesus brings us for today and for the future. 

    “NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES”.  Matthew tells the story of Jesus’ birth from Joseph’s view.  Joseph receives an angelic visitation in which the angel explains what God is doing with Mary’s pregnancy.  Joseph, as Mary’s fiancé, is given the privilege of being entrusted with God’s plan.  It comes down to the naming of this baby.  God’s will and purpose is revealed as the angel states that Joseph is to name the baby Jesus because he will save people from their sins.  On the birth of the baby, Joseph embraces God’s purpose for the son and calls him Jesus.  Throughout Scripture we see the power of the name of Jesus.

    Order of Service

    Welcome
    Lighting of the fourth Advent candle. The candle of love.
    Hymn 119: “Hope is a star” (vs 4)
    Call to Worship
    Hymn 118: “Hark the glad sound the Saviour comes”
    Prayer of Adoration
    Prayer of Confession
    Declaration of Grace
    The Lord’s Prayer
    Children’s Time
    Hymn 134: “Lord, you were rich”
    Responsive Reading: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
    Gloria Patri
    Old Testament – Isaiah 7:10-16 (en français BFC – English on the screen)
    New Testament Lesson – Romans 1:1-7
    Gospel Lesson – Matthew 1:18-25
    Sermon: “Name above all names”
    Confession of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed
    Hymn: “Name of all Majesty” (tune Majestas)
    Offering and Offertory
    Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession (Sung response: hymn 161, last line of last verse)
    Hymn 122: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” (vs 2&3 en français – skip vs 5&6)
    Benediction
    Go now in peace
    Postlude

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    December 14th 2025 -“What did you expect?”

    Dear friends,

    THIS SUNDAY Mr. Samuel Farrugia will be leading us in worship. 

    SUNDAY MARKS THE THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT, where we’ll light the Candle of Joy, also known as the Shepherd Candle, that reflects the joy that comes through Jesus’ incarnation and his redeeming grace. 

    “WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM GOD?”  The God of the Bible is somewhat of a wily God – he seems to enjoy surprises and plot twists.  The New Testament claims that he did indeed keep all the promises made to his people, and yet as he did so, he upended all expectations for how he would prove faithful to Israel.  God sends his Son into the world to redeem it – surely the most important event in the history of humanity – and yet when this divine dénouement occurs, no one realizes what is happening.  Those who do pay attention to the death of Jesus misinterpret it, except for the centurion in charge of the proceedings on Calvary (cf. Mk. 15:39).  How ironic!  As Jesus expires on the cross, the only person who realizes who he is…is the soldier who nailed him there!  Instead of the Creator God acting in an overwhelming, inexorable, undeniable display of divine power and glory, he saves the world secretly – albeit under everyone’s noses (and redefines “power” and “glory” as he does so).

    OUR CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE will be led by our Interim Moderator Rev. Dr. Roland De Vries on Wednesday, December 24 at 7:30 PM.  Everyone is invited downstairs to join in fellowship after the service as we enjoy some mulled apple cider and home baked treats as we celebrate the birth of our Saviour.

    Order of Service

    Prelude
    Welcome
    Lighting of the Advent candle. The candle of Joy.
    Hymn 119: “Hope is a star” (vs 3)
    Call to Worship
    Hymn 374: “O for a thousand tongues to sing” (vs 3 & 4 en français)
    Prayer of Adoration
    Prayer of Confession
    Declaration of Grace
    The Lord’s Prayer
    Sunday School Christmas Pageant
    Hymn 109: “All earth is waiting”
    Responsive Reading: Psalm 24:1-8
    Gloria Patri
    1st Lesson – Isaiah 52:7-10 (en français BFC – English on the screen)
    2nd Lesson – 1 Peter 1:8-12
    Gospel Lesson – Luke 24:13-27
    Sermon: “What did you expect?”
    Confession of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed
    Hymn 787: “The kingdom of God is justice and joy”
    Offering and Offertory
    Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
    Hymn 110: “Come, thou long expected Jesus”
    Benediction
    Go now in peace
    Postlude

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    December 7th 2025 – “Advent Blues”

    Dear friends,

    ON THIS SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT, our Interim Moderator, the Rev. Dr. Roland De Vries, will once again be leading us in worship.  We will light the candle of peace and we will also share together in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.

    OUR SERMON FOR THIS SUNDAY will explore the text of Isaiah 61, and is entitled Advent Blues.  We will consider how the tradition of blues music helps us think into the season of Advent—to experience it as the mix of joy and wilderness it is.

    Order of Service

    Prelude
    Welcome
    Lighting of the second Advent candle; the candle of peace
    Hymn 119: Hope is a star (vs 2)
    Call to Worship
    Hymn 122: “Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel” (vs 2 & 3 en français)
    Prayers of Adoration & Confession
    Declaration of Grace
    Anthem: “Dona nobis pacem”
    Children’s time
    Hymn 293: “Come, thou almighty King”
    Responsive reading: Psalm 25:1-10
    Gloria Patri: 594
    Matthew 3:1-12 (en français – English on the screen)
    Isaiah 61:1-11
    Sermon: “Advent Blues”
    Offering and Offertory
    Invitation to the table
    Hymn 542: “Let all mortal flesh keep silence”
    The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving and the Lord’s Prayer: 564
    Sacrament of Communion
    Prayer after Communion
    Hymn 474: “The love of God comes close”
    Benediction
    Go now in peace
    Postlude

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    November 30th 2025 -“How ordinary is your life?”

    THIS SUNDAY the Rev. Linda Faith Chalk will be leading us in worship.

    TOMORROW IS THE FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT.  Please join with us as we light The Candle of Hope.

    THE SERMON TITLE ASKS A QUESTION, in fact, it is an impossible question and even more likely an improbable question.  The question comes from Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 24: 36-44.  Here he refers to the time of Noah, one of two references to Noah in the New Testament, short but pointed.  He makes reference to Noah being called to build the ark as the people carried on in their daily lives, and they mocked him, they ridiculed him and made sport of his work.  They were living day to day, very ordinary lives.  In the telling there is no sense of curiosity but rather ridicule.  This is why Jesus refers to Noah.  There was nothing extraordinary about Noah’s time other than what God had called him to do as daily life continued.  What is ordinary for each one of us is not necessarily ordinary for others.

    Order of Service

    Prelude
    Welcome
    Lighting of the Advent candle – The candle of Hope
    Hymn 119: “Hope is a star” (vs 1)
    Call to Worship
    Hymn 115: “Hail to the Lord’s anointed” (vs 3 en français)
    Prayer of Adoration
    Prayer of Confession
    Declaration of Grace
    The Lord’s Prayer
    Children’s Time
    Hymn 542: “Let all mortal flesh keep silence”
    Responsive Reading: Psalm 122
    Gloria Patri
    Old Testament Lesson – Isaiah 2:1-5
    New Testament Lesson – Romans 13:11-14
    Gospel Lesson – Matthew 24:36-44
    Sermon – How ordinary is your life?
    Confession of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed
    Hymn: “The Advent of our God” (sung to tune 411)
    Offering and Offertory
    Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
    Hymn: “When the king shall come again” (sung to Good King Wenceslas)
    Benediction
    Postlude

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    November 23rd 2025 -“The Sovereign God”

    Dear friends,

    THIS SUNDAY Mr. Romulus Rhoad will be leading us in worship.  Romulus is from Grimshaw, Alberta.  He finished his undergraduate studies at the University of Alberta and is now pursuing a Master’s of Divinity degree at Presbyterian College in Montréal, seeking ordination as a minister of word and sacrament.  For his entire life Romulus has been a Presbyterian, and as the son of a Presbyterian minister, he has followed his dad wherever he was called (Romulus was born in Indiana and has moved a lot), and now, God-willing, he has been called to the same vocation.

    TOMORROW, IN THE LITURGICAL CALENDAR, IS CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY.  As Canadians, we still have a king, although he is far and distant, and without any true power.  So, when we call Jesus Christ our king, what do we mean?

    Order of Service

    Prelude
    Welcome
    Call to Worship
    Hymn 299: “Holy, holy, holy” (vs 2&4 en français)
    Prayer of Adoration
    Prayer of Confession
    Declaration of Grace
    The Lord’s Prayer
    Children’s Time
    Hymn 332: “How great thou art” (vs 3 en français)
    Responsive Reading – Psalm 61
    Gloria Patri
    Hebrews 1: 1-12 (en français BFC – English on the screen)
    Daniel 2: 25-45
    Sermon: “The Sovereign God”
    Confession of Faith – The Nicene Creed
    Hymn 274: “Crown him with many crowns” (vs 3&4 en français)
    Offering and Offertory Prayer
    Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
    Hymn 324: “Great is thy faithfulness” (vs 2 en français)
    Benediction
    Go now in peace
    Postlude

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    November 16th 2025 -“Called to Courage”

    friends,

    THIS SUNDAY Samuel Farrugia will be leading us in worship. 

    SOMEONE ONCE SAID, “Jesus promised his disciples 3 things – that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy and in constant trouble.”  The virtue among the four “cardinal virtues” that we’re going to look at today is courage (the others are temperance, justice and wisdom).  If Jesus is our example of virtue, we have to ask: Did Jesus need courage?  He was Jesus after all.  He’s God, right?  Of course, the crazy thing about Jesus – as the Gospels present him – is that he makes us rethink our idea of “God”.  Paul told the Corinthians that both the power and the wisdom of God were revealed… as Jesus hung on the cross (cf. 1 Cor. 1:18-25).  What kind of God is that!?  So, all this to say that Yes, Jesus needed courage because he was indeed human; indeed, this is a rather disturbing thing – if Jesus was human and yet succeeded in being who he was, that means that it is within the realm of possibility that I, human that I am, can walk his path.

    Order of Service

    Prelude
    Welcome
    Call to Worship
    Hymn 411: “Stand up and bless the Lord”
    Prayer of Adoration
    Prayer of Confession
    Declaration of Grace
    The Lord’s Prayer
    Children’s Time
    Hymn 782: “Isaiah the prophet has written of old”
    Responsive Reading – Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16
    Gloria Patri
    1st Lesson – Jeremiah 1:4-8, 17-19 (en français BFC – English on the screen)
    2nd Lesson – 2 Peter 1:3-8
    Gospel Lesson – Matthew 10:16-31
    Sermon: “Called to Courage”
    Confession of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed
    Hymn 763: “To show by touch and word”
    Offering and Offertory
    Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
    Hymn 732: “O day of peace that dimly shines”
    Benediction
    Go now in peace
    Postlude

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    November 9th 2025 -“Do all questions have answers?”

    Dear friends,

    THIS REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY the Rev. Linda Faith Chalk will be leading us in worship.

    REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY HOLDS A SPECIAL PLACE IN OUR HEARTS.  On this solemn occasion, we remember and honour the brave women and men who sacrificed so much for our freedom.  Join us in a spirit of reverence and gratitude as we pay our respects and offer prayers for peace.  

    Order of Service

    Reading of The Honour Roll
    “The Last Post”
    One Minute of Silence
    “The Rouse”
    “O Canada”
    Call to Worship
    Hymn 330: “O God our help in ages past” (vs 2&6 en français)
    Prayer of Adoration
    Prayer of Confession
    Declaration of Grace
    The Lord’s Prayer
    Choir Anthem: “In Flanders Fields”
    Children’s Time
    Hymn 727: “Let there be light”
    Responsive Reading: Psalm 145: 1-5, 18-21
    Gloria Patri
    Haggai 1:15 – 2:9 (en français – English on the screen)
    2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
    Gospel Lesson – Luke 20:27-38
    Sermon: “Do all questions have answers?”
    Confession of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed
    Hymn 769: “Lord of light whose name and splendour”
    Offering and Offertory
    Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
    Hymn 736: “For the healing of the nations”
    Benediction