News - St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church Markham

Just a Thought
How are you feeling today? I don’t know about you, but it’s been a long stretch of lockdowns, health concerns, losses, and difficult news stories. It would be natural to feel somewhat sad and frustrated by all that is going on. I wonder if that causes us either to ‘turn away’ or to ‘lean in’ to God.

To ‘turn away’ from God is to feel resentment for all that is happening. “God don’t you care? Why are you letting this happen?” To ‘lean in’ is to recognize that our lives depend on God’s grace; that we don’t deserve or earn an easy life; that God is at work in and through these times; and that God calls us to actively care for people. I may naturally gravitate to the former, but I will choose the latter.

Join us for worship online on Sunday…
(at anytime) YouTube Channel

This Sunday, Peter will begin a new sermon series on “Healing and Reconciliation” with a focus on the Presbyterian Church in Canada’s relationship with First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples. The first sermon examines a beautiful passage in Hosea 6:1-6, with the sermon title, “Love Demands More“.

You may also access our service by telephone. See near the bottom of this email for information.
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Upcoming Sermons
Apr 11 “But we had hope!” – Ian Clark
Apr 18 Healing & Reconciliation: “Love Demands More” – Hosea 6:1-6
Apr 25 All 4 One Sunday: “Developing my gifts and talents” – 1 Peter 4:10-11
May 2 Communion, Healing & Reconciliation: “The Call to Reconciliation” – Mat 5:21-26
May 9 Mother’s Day, Healing & Reconciliation: “Compelled by Love” – 2 Cor 5:14-21
May 16 Healing & Reconciliation: “Seeing with the Eyes of Jesus” – Mat 9:35-38
May 23 Catherine Clark
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Youth & Family News

Story Time
This week our bible story online is called Jesus Goes to Heaven. Children from nursery to grade 2 are invited to storytime at 10:45 am!

Bible Builders Church School (Grades 5 and Up)

This week we begin a new series called I’m Gifted. Our lesson is called Everybody’s Good at Something and we are reading from Romans 12:3-8
See you at 11 am via ZOOM.

Let’s Get Ready for Sunday!
What is the best gift you have ever given someone? Tell us all about it on Sunday!

Mother’s Day Presentation – Early Notice!
We are starting to plan our Mother’s Day Presentation scheduled for Sunday, May 9th. This year we are asking our children and youth to share their mother’s or grandmother’s favorite scripture passage and give a brief description of why it is her favorite. As the date grows closer, we will provide more details of how to submit your video recordings and due dates. Happy Sharing!

Your Church School Council is Praying for Your Family.
Last week the Bible Builders Church School began systematically praying for our church school families. Each week we mail out cards to specific families to let them know we are praying for them. You are invited to share your prayer requests by sending a message to this email address. From the large to the small, we will offer up prayers for any request no matter what the week. Together or apart, prayer is one thing not affected by the lockdowns of pandemic conditions!

Giving Hope to Others

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Munchies for Missions

Check it out at munchiesformissions.weebly.com

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Evangel Hall

Thank you to Cate Bokhout for making the delivery of sandwiches and clothes in March.
Our next Sandwich and clothing delivery will be on the fourth Wednesday of the month: April 28.

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Markham Food Bank

Most needed food items:
cookies, hot cereal, jam, canned salmon, instant oatmeal, evaporated milk, vegetarian soup
canned kidney beans, sidekick pasta or rice pouches, can mixed vegetables

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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St. Andrew’s Family News

Sad News
Jean Robertson’s daughter, Kristin, passed away on Thursday April 15. More information to come next week.

Church News and Events

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Switched on Seniors

Thursday April 22nd at 11 a.m.
Questions for The Nurse.
Join us on Thursday when Registered Nurse, Dorina from Stouffville Creek Retirement Residence will be answering questions.

Naturally COVID will be a ‘hot’ topic but Dorina will also address other areas of concern.

In addition expect some ‘surprise’ items and our regular ‘tech-corner’.
All seniors are welcome-please feel free to share this invitation with friends and family.

To join the meeting all you have to do is Click Here.

Get all of the Switched On news at www.switchedonseniors.com

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April 24: Spaghetti Night

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Flowers in the Sanctuary

Some have chosen to place a commemorative donation of flowers on the Communion
Table. The images recorded will be preserved so people can delight in seeing your gift
repeatedly over an extended period of time. After the taping, your flowers can be returned to you to enjoy in your home.

On behalf of the Decorating Committee, anyone who wishes to continue this time-honoured tradition can call me at 905-294-2386 and we can discuss your request.

Sincerely, Roseanne Dumitru
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Quilt for Sale

Although the Iona Quilters have not been meeting during the pandemic, we have still kept busy. Several of our members have participated in this “work from Home” project over the past few months.

We are pleased to offer this “SOFA THROW” quilt for sale. The measurements are 54″ by 72″, an ideal size for the sofa, at home or at the cottage.

Or it can also be used as a topper for a double bed, or a cover for a twin bed. The main fabric is a maroon batik, and we have added coordinated pinks and greens, then used a black lattice for the joins. The back is the same maroon batik, with a complimentary green lattice.

The price is $225.00

Please call Jean Port at 905 294 7966 if you would like to see the quilt or are interested in purchasing.
Thanks, The Iona Quilters.

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Spring Masks Now Available

The snow is melting and the groundhog has predicted an early spring. It’s time for a change! Although I’m sure everyone now has plenty of masks, we will be wearing them for a while longer. It’s always good to have some variety.

I have now produced a plentiful supply of triple layer fitted masks, in lovely SPRING COLOURS. These masks are $5.00 each.

There are still some “Design your own Mask” KITS available, both in CHILD size and TEEN/ADULT size. These kits are $15.00 each and they contain 2 plain cloth masks, 3 permanent fabric markers and instructions. A great way for “kids of all ages” to keep busy during “lock down”.

All of these masks are available at the church, outside Peter’s office.

Please leave your cash or cheque in the cash box provided. Or call Jean Port at 905 294 7966, or your elder, if you need assistance.

Funds raised will be added to the Iona Quilters holding account and will be disbursed to worthy causes at a later date. Thanks to everyone who has so generously supported this MASK initiative over the past 11 months!
Jean

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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: Apr 20, 2021 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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Giving to St. Andrews

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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The Church Building is Closed – but we have not gone away

Even though our building is closed, we are here for you. Join our online service. telephone worship, prayer meeting or Zoom Bible study. We have active Choir and Fitness groups. If you need help in anyway, please let us know. Peter (416) 459-2207.

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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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Church Newsletter

Our Communicator Newsletter for Spring 2021 is available: Click here to download
Thanks to Cyntra Seebaransingh.
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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.

www.standrews-markham.ca
905-294-4736
143 Main St. North, Markham, Ontario, L3P 1Y2
no regular office hours