St. Andrew's Church – St Lambert

  • —

    by

    standrew
    in

    February 16th 2025 – “It’s all about the heart”

    Dear friends,

    HOW FITTING that on the weekend when we celebrate St. Valentine’s Day our readings turn to the state of the heart.  Jeremiah with prophetic thundering states: 9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?”  Who can know it?  Good question! … then answered by our Lord as he says: 10 I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.”  It is a matter of the heart and yet we have a loving heavenly Father who knows and searches our hearts and loves us… in his love he makes provision for us that we will learn his ways… the Psalmist in Psalm 1 makes a contrast between the godly and the wicked.  He states: 3 He (the godly one) shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, and Jeremiah uses this same imagery.  As we turn to the Gospel.  Jesus in his Sermon on the Plain (a shorter version of The Sermon on the Mount) draws the crowd to himself both because of the healing that he offers and his teaching about the Kingdom of God.  Jesus teaches in terms of blessings and woes… blessed are we when our hearts and eyes turn to the things of God… woe to us when we turn aside to the things that this world offers.  As Christians we are to be in the world, yet not of the world.  We are to be light and salt to those around us that they may learn the mysteries of the kingdom of God.  Luke simply says this about Jesus: “19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him, for power went out from him and healed them all.”  Power went out from him and still does and when we receive his grace, we in turn touch others.  Who can know it?

    Order of Service

    Prelude
    Welcome
    Call to Worship
    Hymn 371: “Love divine, all loves excelling”
    Prayer of Adoration
    Prayer of Confession
    Declaration of Grace
    The Lord’s Prayer
    Children’s Time
    Hymn 267: “Rejoice the Lord is king” (vs 2, 4 en français)
    Responsive Reading: Psalm 1
    Gloria Patri
    Jeremiah 17: 5-10
    Luke 6: 17-26
    Sermon: “It’s all about the heart”
    Confession of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed
    Hymn 420: “Je louerai l’Eternal” (vs 1 en français)
    Offering and Offertory
    Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
    Hymn 634: “Will you come and follow me?”
    Benediction
    Go now in peace
    Postlude

  • —

    by

    standrew
    in

    February 9th 2025 -“Most to be pitied”

    Dear friends,

    THIS WEEK the Rev. Dr. Roland De Vries our Interim Moderator will be with us to lead worship and preach.  He will also lead us in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.  The sermon this week will be based on the lectionary text of 1 Corinthians 15, and is a reflection on the reality of resurrection.  Paul certainly thought resurrection mattered a great deal—for Jesus and for us.  We’ll try to understand what he meant.

    Order of Service

    Prelude
    Welcome
    Call to Worship
    Hymn 249 “The day of resurrection”
    Prayer of Adoration
    Prayer of Confession
    Declaration of Grace
    Choir Anthem: Bye ‘n bye
    Children’s Time
    Hymn 412 “Come, let us sing to the Lord our song”
    Responsive Reading: Psalm 138
    Gloria Patri
    1 Corinthians 15:1-19
    Isaiah 6:1-8
    Sermon: “Most to be pitied”
    Offering and Offertory
    Invitation to the Table
    Hymn 542: “Let all mortal flesh keep silence”
    Communion with Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
    Prayer after Communion
    Hymn 665: “Lord Jesus, you shall be my song.” (en français)
    Benediction
    Go now in peace
    Postlude

  • —

    by

    standrew
    in

    February 2nd 2025 “Looking forward Moving Forward”

    Dear friends,

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

    OUR SCRIPTURE READING is taken from Luke 4: 21-30, “Jesus Rejected at Nazareth”.  Jesus speaks in the synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth, declaring that he fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy about the Messiah.  At first, the crowd is amazed, but when he reminds them that God’s blessings extended beyond Israel, citing Elijah and Elisha helping Gentiles (non-Israelites) they become furious.  Their anger turns to violence, and they attempt to throw him off a cliff, but he passes through the crowd and leaves unharmed.


    THANK YOU     to everyone who joined us in celebrating St. Andrew’s 100th anniversary!  It was a joyful gathering of faith and fellowship.  We give thanks for the very inspirational sermon preached by our interim moderator The Rev. Dr. Roland de Vries and the day’s celebration was made even more special by our past minister, now retired, The Rev. Dr. Barry Mack’s reflections and history of St. Andrew’s and our community of faith.  A heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who set up, decorated, kept everything running smoothly and cleaned up – this celebration wouldn’t have been possible without your help and dedication.  We are truly grateful for the many blessings we share.

    Order of Service

    Prelude
    Welcome
    Call to Worship
    Hymn 315: “A mighty fortress is our God” (vs 2&4 en français)
    Prayer of Adoration
    Prayer of Confession
    Declaration of Grace
    The Lord’s Prayer
    Children’s Time
    Hymn 386: “Come down, O Love divine”
    Responsive Reading: Psalm 71:1-6
    Gloria Patri
    Jeremiah 1:4-10
    1 Corinthians 13:1-13
    Luke 4:21-30
    Sermon: “Looking forward…moving forward”
    Confession of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed
    Hymn 757: “Lord speak to me that I may speak”
    Offering and Offertory
    Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
    Hymn 695: “Although I speak with angel’s tongue”
    Benediction
    Go now in peace
    Postlude

  • —

    by

    standrew
    in

    January 25th 2025 “100th Anniversary”

    Dear friends, 

    THIS WEEK WE CELEBRATE THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONGREGATION of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, St. Lambert.  What a joy and privilege to mark this wonderful anniversary and milestone.  Worship will be led by the Rev. Dr. Roland De Vries, and will be followed by lunch and a presentation on the history of the congregation by the Rev. Dr. Barry Mack.

    OUR MAIN SCRIPTURE LESSON this week is from 1 Corinthians—this is a letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to Christians living in the ancient City of Corinth.  That Christian community seems to have had numerous challenges—and Paul isn’t always happy with them!  But he loves them and shares the good news of Jesus with them.  In this letter he describes the work that he and his fellow apostles do, and he describes them as “stewards of mysteries.” Intriguing!  We will explore this together.

    OUR ANNIVERSARY OFFERING, the yellow envelope dated January 26 in your envelope box is designated for Tyndale St-Georges.  An initiative of the Presbyterian Church, started in 1927 Tyndale House was joined by the Anglican Church in 1976 and became Tyndale St-Georges Community Centre which has provided empowering and supportive programs to the Little Burgundy community in South-West Montreal.  As one of the few English community centers in Montreal, it offers vital social, educational, recreational and employment services, fosters strong partnerships, and continually builds on its rich history.  For more information about their origin, their mission and how they positively impact the Little Burgundy community, please visit: https://www.tyndalestgeorges.com/

    Order of Service

    Prelude
    Welcome
    Opening Litany
    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 479: “The Church’s One Foundation” (vs 2&3 en français)
    Responsive Reading: Psalm 19
    Gloria Patri
    1 Corinthians 3:1-9; 4:1
    Deuteronomy 30:15-20
    Sermon: “Stewards of Mysteries”
    Confession of Faith: Living Faith 4.3
    Hymn 422: “Sing a new song unto the Lord”
    Offering and Offertory
    Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
    Hymn 648: “I’m gonna live so God can use me.”
    Benediction
    Go now in peace
    Postlude

  • —

    by

    standrew
    in

    January 19th 2025 -“Rules! What Rules???”

    Dear friends,

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

    OUR SCRIPTURE READING is taken from John 2: 1-11, “The Wedding at Cana”.  In our readings this week, John recounts Jesus’ first miracle at a wedding in Cana, where he turns water into wine at his mother’s request.  This was his first public miracle, to manifest his glory, and his disciples believed in him (verse 2: 11).  The 17th century English Baptist minister, Daniel Dyke, comments, “It may seem strange that Christ, just as he begins to provide wine, first orders them to fetch water.  What poor comfort this was to call for water when they were all hoping for wine.  And yet, wine was close at hand even then, just when the water pots were filled with water to the brim.  So comfort is often closest to us just when our afflictions are most severe.  God works by contraries.  At the creation, light out of darkness.  In redemption, life out of death, glory out of shame, the blind man’s sight out of clay and spit – indeed, even heaven out of hell.” 

    Order of Service

    Prelude
    Welcome
    Call to Worship
    Hymn 290: “Immortal, Invisible God only wise”
    Prayer of Adoration
    Prayer of Confession
    Declaration of Grace
    The Lord’s Prayer
    Children’s Time
    Hymn 565: “Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life”
    Responsive Reading: Psalm 36:5-10
    Gloria Patri
    Isaiah 62:1-5
    1 Corinthians 12:1-11
    John 2:1-11
    Sermon: “Rules! What rules???”
    Confession of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed
    Hymn: In Cana at a Wedding – Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
    Offering and Offertory
    Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
    Hymn 665: “Lord Jesus, you shall be my song” (vs 2&4 en français)
    Benediction
    Go now in peace
    Postlude

  • —

    by

    standrew
    in

    January 12th 2025 -“The big influence of small things”

    Dear friends,

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

    OUR SCRIPTURE READING is taken from Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22, “John the Baptist Prepares the Way”.  John the Baptist points to someone greater than himself, Jesus, who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.  When Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit came down like a dove, and God’s voice declared, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”  All four Gospels tell us that the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus at this time (Matthew 3: 16, Mark 1: 10, Luke 3: 22 and John 1: 32).  One commentator notes, “The Father now publicly declares the identity of Jesus, as Gabriel foretold it and as the youth Jesus implied it” (Luke 2: 49).  Jesus’ public mission and ministry was about to begin.

    Order of Service

    Prelude
    Welcome
    Call to Worship
    Hymn 176: “Songs of thankfulness and praise”
    Prayer of Adoration
    Prayer of Confession
    Declaration of Grace
    The Lord’s Prayer
    Children’s Time
    Hymn 400: “Spirit of the Living God” (vs 2 en français)
    Responsive Reading: Psalm 29
    Gloria Patri
    Isaiah 43:1-7
    Ephesians 3:1-12
    Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
    Sermon: “The big influence of small things”
    Confession of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed
    Hymn for the Baptism of our Lord; by L.F. Chalk (tune 245)
    Offering and Offertory
    Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
    Hymn 685: “How firm a foundation” (vs 5 en français)
    Benediction
    Go now in peace
    Postlude

  • —

    by

    standrew
    in

    January 5th 2025 -“What will you give him?”

    Dear friends,

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

    OUR SCRIPTURE READING is taken from Matthew 2: 1-12, “The Visit of the Wise Men”.  Our reading recounts the magi following a star to find Jesus, the “King of the Jews.”  They presented him with gold, frankincense and myrrh, often seen as symbols of Christ’s kingship, divinity and future suffering.  Matthew Henry comments, “Bethlehem means ‘house of bread’, the fittest place for him to be born who is the true manna, the bread that came down from heaven, which was given for the life of the world.”

    The sermon title this week is “What can will you give Him?”  Join us this Sunday as we usher in the New Year with praise and worship!

    Order of Service

    Prelude
    Welcome
    Call to Worship
    Hymn 174: “Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness”
    Prayer of Adoration
    Prayer of Confession
    Declaration of Grace
    The Lord’s Prayer
    Children’s Time
    Hymn 172: “As with gladness men of old” (vs 3 en français)
    Responsive Reading: Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
    Gloria Patri
    Isaiah 60:1-6 (en français – English on the screen)
    Ephesians 3:1-12
    Matthew 2:1-12
    Sermon: What can will you give Him?
    Confession of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed
    Hymn 173: “We three kings”
    Offering and Offertory
    Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
    Hymn 178: “When heaven’s bright with mystery”
    Benediction
    Go now in peace
    Postlude

  • —

    by

    standrew
    in

    December 29th 2024 -“Do we need to change our perspective?”

    Dear friends,

    OUR SCRIPTURE READING continues in the gospel of Luke 2: 41-52, “The Boy Jesus in the Temple”.  Mary and Joseph lose 12-year-old Jesus on their way home from the Passover festival, thinking he’s with the group.  After three days of searching, they find him in the temple, discussing with the teachers, who are amazed at his understanding.  Astonished, Mary says, “Son, why have you treated us so?  Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”  The Presbyterian New Testament scholar and educator, J. Gresham Machen reminds us, “When Mary spoke of the father of that twelve-year-old boy, she meant his human father, the one who stood to him in a relation more like that of a father than did any other human being.  When the boy Jesus spoke of his father in reply, he meant God.  Notice that he did not say “our father” when he spoke of God.  No, he said “my father.”  He was Son of God in a sense entirely different from that which would apply to any other person who ever lived upon this earth.”

    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 hope, joy, and God’s blessings. 

    Order of Service

    Prelude
    Welcome
    Call to Worship
    Hymn 153 “Joy to the world” (vs 2 & 4 in French)
    Prayer of Adoration
    Prayer of Confession
    Declaration of Grace
    The Lord’s Prayer
    Children’s Time
    Hymn 165 “O little town of Bethlehem” (vs 3 in French)
    Responsive Reading: Psalm 148
    Gloria Patri
    1 Samuel 2: 18 – 20, 26 (en français – English on the screen)
    Colossians 3:12-17
    Luke 2:41-52
    Sermon: “Do we need to change our perspective?”
    Confession of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed
    Hymn 166: “Once in royal David’s city”
    Offering and Offertory
    Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
    Hymn 168: “See amid the winter’s snow” (vs 4 in French)
    Benediction
    Go now in peace
    Postlude

  • —

    by

    standrew
    in

    Christmas Eve 2024

    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. After the service, everyone is invited downstairs to enjoy some mulled apple cider and home baked treats as we continue the celebration. 

    OUR CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERING this year (the yellow envelope in your envelope box marked December 25) has been designated to Action Réfugiés Montréal.  This charitable organization, founded in 1994 with the support of the Presbyterian Church in Canada and the Anglican Diocese of Montreal, assists with the sponsorship of refugees, offers support to people detained for immigration reasons, helps break the isolation of refugees through friendship and twinning – pairing refugee women with women volunteers to create bonds of friendship and exchange, and also engages in education and advocacy for refugees.

    Order of Service

    Welcome
    Lighting of the Christ Candle
    Hymn: “O come, all ye faithful”
    Call to Worship
    Prayer of Adoration
    Choir Anthem: “What Child is This?”
    Prayer of Confession
    Declaration of Grace
    Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11
    Hymn: “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”
    Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10
    Hymn: “Twas in the Moon of Wintertime”
    Reading: John 1:1-14
    Hymn: “Once in Royal David’s City”
    Reading: Luke 2:1-7
    Meditation: “Simple Christmas”
    Choir Anthem: “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
    Christmas Offering Gathered
    Pastoral Prayer
    Reading: Luke 2:8-20
    Reading: Philippians 2:5-11
    Hymn: Silent Night
    Benediction

  • —

    by

    standrew
    in

    December 22nd 2024 -“What God doesn’t know”

    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. 

    OUR SCRIPTURE READING continues in the gospel of Luke 1: 39-45, “Mary Visits Elizabeth”.  In this passage, Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist.  When Mary greets Elizabeth, John leaps for joy in his mother’s womb.  Even though John was still in his mother’s womb, he recognized the presence of Jesus, the Son of God.  The Austrian poet, Catharina Regina von Greiffenberg writes about this joy and excitement:  “The presence of Jesus always kindles joy, even when it is hidden and is with hidden things.  Jesus, hidden in his mother’s womb, gladdens John, who is likewise lying beneath his mother’s heart.  This shows that no darkness or seclusion, no invisibility or concealment, neither flesh nor blood, nor corporeal or natural thing —nothing— can impede joy in Jesus.”

    OUR CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE will be led by our Interim Moderator Rev. Dr. Roland De Vries on Tuesday, December 24 at 7:30 PM.  After the service, everyone is invited downstairs to enjoy some mulled apple cider and some home baked treats as we celebrate the birth of our Saviour.  Please consider signing-up for the setup and serving for this very special reception.

    Order of Service

    Prelude
    Welcome
    Lighting of the Advent candle & Hymn – He come down (vs 4)
    Call to Worship
    Hymn: “Tell out my soul” (tune Woodland)
    Prayer of Adoration and Confession
    Declaration of Grace
    The Lord’s Prayer
    Children’s Pageant
    Hymn 156: “The angel Gabriel from heaven”
    Micah 5:2-5a (en français BFC – English on the screen)
    Responsive Reading: Luke 1:46-55 The Magnificat (The Song of Mary)
    Luke 1:39-45
    Sermon: “What God doesn’t know”
    Confession of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed
    Hymn 123: “My soul gives glory to my God”
    Offering and Offertory
    Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
    Hymn 122: “O come, oh come, Emmanuel” (vs 2 & 3 en français)
    Benediction
    Go now in peace
    Postlude