Just a thought…
It’s important to keep active and to keep exercising, especially during this pandemic. Studies have found that weeks of inactivity can lead to a marked decrease in cardio endurance, muscles mass and strength. These indicators of health aren’t recovered in a day, but over weeks and months of regular fitness activity. The same is true for our faith as well. Consider this quote by C.S. Lewis from his book Mere Christianity:We have to be continually reminded of what we believe. Neither this belief nor any other will automatically remain alive in the mind. It must be fed. And as a matter of fact, if you examined a hundred people who had lost their faith in Christianity, I wonder how many of them would turn out to have been reasoned out of it by honest argument? Do not most people simply drift away?
Let me suggest that we can recover and strengthen faith, with a regular and daily activity of reading the Bible (start with the Psalms or the gospels), with regular prayer (join our prayer meeting every other Tuesday), and regular worship. I know for myself, I need this too. |
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Join us for worship online each Sunday at 10:30 am…
via our Youtube Channel or our Facebook page . This week, we check in with our Church School theme, “God is everywhere and nearby” based on Genesis 39:19-21. This is the story of Joseph put in prison for refusing the advances of Potiphar’s wife. It’s an interesting story of a series of unfortunate events with God’s grace weaved throughout. Let’s talk about it on Sunday. We hope you can join us!
There will be a youth message by Lynne, piano by Judy and music organized by Mathias. You may also access our service by telephone. See near the bottom of this email for information.
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Upcoming Sermons
Oct 11 Blessing before we eat – Mark 8:1-10
Oct 18 Bless the children – Mark 10:13-16
Oct 25 Church School Theme: God is everywhere and nearby – Genesis 39:19-23
Nov 1 All Saints Day – Ian Clark
Nov 8 Remembrance Day
Nov 15 Seek God’s blessing – 1 Chronicles 4:1-10
Nov 22 Blessing our enemies – 1 Peter 3:8-12
Nov 29 St Andrew’s Day – 1st Sunday in Advent – Peace – Don Muir
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Youth & Family News
Bible Builders Church School & Live!
This week is Family Emphasis Sunday! Adults, and our youth grades 3 and up will explore the same Jesus-centred lesson to help us build a stronger relationship with Christ.
This week we start a new topic called GOD IS where we celebrate God’s Character Traits? Our lesson is called God is Everywhere and Nearby and we are reading from Genesis 39:19-23.
See you at 11 am via ZOOM.
To help you keep the discussion going, families will receive a Sunday summary email with conversation starters to keep the faith-building going.
Let’s Get Ready for Sunday! (Church School)
How do you stay in touch with people you do not see very often?
Storytime and Church School Links
Children up to grade 2 are invited to join our Storytime and Church School Sessions. Please note it is the same link for both so be sure to join at 10:45 am for Storytime and 11 am for Church School.
Opportunities to Participate!
The Bible Builders Church School Council and the Youth Council are working hard to create opportunities for you and your family to play a role in the upcoming Christmas Season. We are currently recruiting for the Christmas Presentation (scroll down for more information). Lynne is also looking for thematic photos for the Advent Youth Messages. Watch your emails for more information in the coming weeks.
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Giving Hope to Others
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Evangel Hall
The Evangelism and Outreach Committee met recently and considered the numerous ways we as a church support Evangel Hall. It was agreed that the scheduled dinner on October 25th could go ahead in a modified format. The Banfields, Skeochs and Marshalls have put together a take-out menu that will be handed out on Sunday. The Hall is also open to receiving our regular sandwich delivery. Therefore, starting on October 28th, we will receive loaves of sandwiches at the church, between 9:00 a.m. and !0:00 a.m. for delivery that morning. The Hall is also moving forward with their clothing distribution. We will begin receiving bags of clothing during November for delivery with our November sandwich delivery. Details for when and where to drop these off will be in future weekly bulletins. Even with the heightened number of COVID cases it was felt that with proper and careful procedures in place we could resume these activities, which are especially needed as the weather begins to get colder.
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Markham Food Bank
For our Golf Day in September, we raised $357 for the Markham Food Bank! This amount will be sent to help people struggling with food insecurity!
Most needed food items:
Sardines, Hot cereal, Jam, Canned Salmon, Crackers, Evaporated Milk, Baby Formula, Kraft Dinner
Feel free to drop off your non-perishable donation at grocery stores or fire halls. Or consider an online donation through Canada Helps – Markham Food Bank
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Prayer Requests and St. Andrew’s Family News
Nell Dunn passed away on October 21 at Markham Stouffville Hospital. She had been staying at Stouffville Creek Retirement Residence.
Please let me know if you have any prayer requests, thanksgivings, or special celebrations! Feel free to reply to this email.
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Church News and Events
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Giving to St. Andrews
Thank you for your offerings even during this time. Our church has ongoing bills and obligations, but we also have the privilege to give offering to God. Here are ways to give:1. Interac E-Transfer
Send an e-transfer to givetostandrews@gmail.com with your contact information in the optional message so we can issue a tax receipt to you. (More info: http://standrews-markham.ca/give/)
2. Cheque
Mail to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 143 Main Street North, Markham ON, L3P 1Y2
Another possibility is Pre-Authorized Remittance, which allows for a monthly withdrawal from your bank account. Ask Velma or Peter for more information.
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Church School Christmas Concert
“This is an open casting call for this year’s church school Christmas concert. Never been in a play and always wanted to? Miss being a part of Sunday School and want to relive the days of being a shepherd in your bathrobe? Always wanted to play a sheep????
This year’s Church School concert will look a little different, and we’d love to have anyone who wants to, join in. If you are interested in having a part, and can film yourself at home, please let us know. We’re currently in the midst of writing it, and want to make sure there’s parts for everyone. Questions? Want to take part? Let victoria know at vlbanfield@gmail.com by Oct 25th.
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Poppies for Remembrance Day
St Andrews congregants have always been strong supporters to purchase poppies to assist veterans and their families. We will have a Poppy box in the Church this year but poppies will also be available at Home Hardware and the TD Bank. Thank you for your ongoing support.
Markham District Veterans Association
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Sat Oct 24: Presbytery Workshop: Struggling with Mental Health issues
The Presbytery of Oak Ridges has put together a workshop by Zoom.
The Congregational Life Committee of Oak Ridges Presbytery will host a 1 ½ hour presentation on mental health challenges on Saturday October 24th, from 10:30 am till noon. Members of all congregations in the Presbytery are invited to participate by Zoom from the comfort of their own homes; there is no cost to participants. Here is the Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81866820608?pwd=ZFVpWlFKZytiRjgxRmNESnAzaHg3Zz09
Meeting ID: 818 6682 0608
Passcode: 564026
If you wish to phone in only, call 647-558-0588.
Our presenter is Brett Ullman, an experienced speaker on the challenges of dealing with anxiety, panic attacks, depression and so forth, and he does so from the perspective of how we, as people of faith in a congregational setting, respond to these challenges. COVID-19 has only increased and compounded mental health stress, and for those who have lost loved ones during this time, the anguish seems unbearable. Brett will speak for 1 hour and respond to your questions for another half hour. Here is a brief introduction to Brett Ullman’s presentation. https://youtu.be/GzLLIMTHz1I
For further information, contact Joan Masterton (jmmast0112@gmail.com).
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Silent Auction
The Christmas Silent Auction is underway and there are 2 items currently up for auction.
(Click on this link to see the full catalog of items, including the 2 current items dated Oct 19)
Time is running out. The bidding on these two items closes at 9:00pm Friday, Oct 23. There is a bid of
$65.00 on the beautiful watercolour by Phil Port.
We are now releasing two more items for next week, with bidding starting on Monday. We have $120 of
gift certificates for the Old Curiosity Tea Shoppe and a tote bag crafted by Jean Port with a cross stitch
front by Isabel Cole.
Please send bids to Lynda Skeoch at lskeoch2@gmail.com. Bidders will be updated periodically as to the
status of an item. Phone bids will be accepted by phone (905-294-6582) for those without email.
Thanks for your continued support of our virtual Bazaar events.
Lynda Skeoch, Silent Auction Convenor
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Old Tyme Christmas Bazaar
As much as we will miss our traditional Olde Tyme Christmas Bazaar on November 7th, the series of mini-Bazaars, which started with the recently completed Thanksgiving Market, certainly appears to be providing a much-needed service to the community.
The Silent Auction is well underway right now. Please check out the complete list of offerings, and the items available to you this week.
While the Silent Auction is underway, plans are being finalized for the Virtual Christmas Market, which is coming up very soon. We are currently collecting and recording the hand-made crafts which will adorn the Craft Table at the Christmas Market. Anyone planning to donate their special creations for this next Market, should please contact Jean Port (905-294-7966), so we can photograph them for inclusion in the on-line Crafts Christmas Catalogue.
Stay tuned for more exciting announcements!
Roseanne Dumitru (Convener)
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Tue Nov 10: Parent Group Online
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There are now Halloween masks available. Let’s stay safe as we prepare for October 31st!
Masks are available at the church.
They are selling for $5.00 each.
Money raised will be added to the “Virtual Holiday Markets”.
Please call Peter or your elder if you need masks for your family.
Thanks,
Jean
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Tues Nov 3: Online prayer meeting
Join us for an online prayer meeting.
We welcome you… if you love to pray or if you simply want to observe. It will be good to meet and pray together.
Peter Ma is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Prayer Group
Time: Nov 3, 2020 1:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting here or call in:
1. Call one of these local phone numbers for Zoom: 647-374-4685 or 647-558-0588
2. When asked, type in the meeting ID: 835 6150 2210 #
3. Skip participant ID by pressing #
4. Enter password: 4736 #
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The Church Building is Closed – but we have not gone away
Even though our building is closed, we are starting to open up to once a month worship services, and small groups, provided that proper safety protocols are followed, including social distancing and the wearing of masks.
We also have the ability to video conference. If your church group would like to do so, feel free to contact myself or Lynne Lidkea or Alex Szucs.
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Small Group Bible Studies
We have a Small Group Bible Study meeting on Wednesday evenings by Zoom video. If you are interested in studying the Bible in a friendly and welcoming environment, let Peter know.
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Help Available
A number of people at church have offered help to anyone in need. If you or someone you know requires assistance, please let me know. Peter (416) 459-2207.
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Church Newsletter
Our Communicator Newsletter is out! Click here for the online format.
Thanks to Cyntra Seebaransingh and Valinna Pazhaidam.
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Access our worship service by telephone
(for those who don’t have Internet access)Connect by telephone on Sunday at 10:30 am (a little earlier is better).
It’s a local phone call to Zoom conferencing, along with a meeting id and password.
1. Call one of these local phone numbers for Zoom: 647-374-4685 or 647-558-0588
2. When asked, type in the meeting ID: 786 2061 5001 #
3. Skip participant ID by pressing #
4. Enter password: 4736 #
This will be the same information each Sunday at 10:30 am.
Please consider passing this information on to anyone who might benefit.
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www.standrews-markham.ca
905-294-4736
143 Main St. North, Markham, Ontario, L3P 1Y2
no regular office hours
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