We’ve all sung the carol “Good King Wenceslas”, but have you ever wondered, “Was he an actual person? Is the carol’s story true?” We will reflect on what this king’s story of generosity can teach us. 

  Dec 24 - Christmas Eve
         4:00 pm    Children/Family Service (Crafts, Caroling, Worship)
         7:00 pm    Lessons & Carols ~ Christmas Candle Lighting Service

  Dec 25 - 10:00 am  Christmas Day Worship and Communion
  Jan 1 - 10:00 am New Years’ Day Worship Service

We are pleased to let you know that we have six members who will be joining the Session in January:
Judy Bridgemohan, Sheri Coutts, Desiree Henrichson, Lauren Nolette, Stephanie Werle and Derek Wilkinson. 
You, the congregation,  have affirmed them as having the gifts for leadership. On behalf of all of us, we thank each of these future elders for their willingness to serve in this important role. 
On Sunday January 15th we will be ordaining these people to the office of elder during the morning worship service. As well we will be marking the service of nine elders who are retiring in order for us to move into the new "rotation model" for the Session. These nine elders deserve our great expression of thanks for their selfless service over many years. Indeed we have been blessed.
Please mark January 15th in your calendar as an important day in the life of our congregation, and plan to attend. 
~ Rev. Peter

Weekly Meetings & Worship:  Dec 18 - Dec 25
PLUS a LINK to our MONTHLY Calendar!

If you look behind you in your pew on Sunday mornings, you may notice several people at the Sound Board besides our Sound Board operator and our AV Coordinator, David Kurtz.  These last months, Doug Thornborough and his son Marcus have been ‘learning the technology’ from David so that we have extra people ‘in the know’.  We are grateful to them for their GIFT OF TIME.
Last Sunday, a bag of money - YES, a BAG of money - was presented to St. Andrew’s on behalf of Spencer and Stephen Bridgemohan, 2 children of our congregation who save money all year to GIFT to St. Andrew’s. Thank you Spencer and Stephen!!  
“And a little child shall lead them”.  (Isaiah 11:6)
~ Deb

Hey friends! Christmas is right around the corner and so is our Christmas party! Come decked out in as much festivity as possible! We’ll be doing some fun holiday themed things and having some super delicious Christmas goodies! Bring your friends and bring your Christmas spirit! See you Friday at 7pm!~ Matt & Lauren

THIS SUNDAY you are invited to enjoy a piece of loaf, cheese, and a coffee for a new ministry called “Music and the Word” in the KELounge following Sunday morning worship. Watch videos of the Gaithers (and others) and listen to classic hymns we know and love, along with Scripture passages that reinforce the message of the songs.   Everyone is welcome! ~ John Steele and Garry Hennan

This Sunday, December 18th we will have classes for Age 3 - Grade 5, and also Grades 6-9. There will be no church school on December 25th or January 1st.  We will have children’s activity packages that can be picked up as children enter the Sanctuary that they can work on, focusing on the same scripture readings that the minister will be focusing on, and we will welcome children back to regular church school on JANUARY 8, 2023.

The Gratitude and Generosity Team wishes to remind you that all donations need to be into the church office by December 31st if you wish to be eligible for a 2022 charitable tax receipt.  Your donations may be made online by clicking on the button below, via e-transfer to treasurer@standrewscalgary.ca or by cheque sent to or hand delivered to the church office.

No matter how many emails or texts you get from Rev. Peter asking for your time or gift cards, it is NOT A LEGITIMATE ASK.  If Peter wants to speak with you, he’ll call or speak with you directly on Sunday mornings.HOWEVER… there are 2 legitimate opportunities for you to share with those in real need. 
At the end of this email, under THE WIDER COMMUNITY, you can read about 2 opportunities we commit to every year:  warm mittens, scarves, touques, and socks for the MITTEN TREE on Sunday, Dec 18;  and money toward gift cards for CLAIRE HOUSE to provide some ‘Christmas cheer’ to those who may not have much to cheer about!  Please read the details toward the bottom of this email, and help out as you are able.~ Deb

Ray was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, LaVerne, and is survived by a son, 2 daughters, 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Bible Study "Simply Jesus"
– resumes Jan 8, 2023 (Sundays at 11:15 am) - CLICK HERE
GriefShare starting again Jan 31, 2023 - CLICK HERE

Open:  Dec 19 - 23;  Dec 28 - 30 (9:00 am - 4:00 pm)
Closed:  Mon, Dec 26; Tue, Dec 27; Mon, Jan 2

A Mitten Tree will be available at the church to receive your donations of cold weather clothing items - eg toques, gloves, mittens, scarves, socks - of all sizes for men, women and children, from now until December 18.  We are aware of seemingly never-ending needs for such items for people seeking shelter at various locations such as Mustard Seed, Drop-In Centre, YW Women's shelter, Sheriff King Home, CUPS.  A team of volunteers will be sure to get your donations in the hands of those who need them.

Christmas gift giving at Claire House has evolved over the years.  Last year the congregation of St Andrew's gave $3200 that we put into 64 X $50 gift cards, one for each of 41 households (a mix of families, singles and seniors), plus a $50 gift card for each of 23 children.  This year we understand that most of the families with younger children will be adopted for gift giving through other agencies.  Even so, it is likely that there will be a family or two that gets over-looked, plus there is at least one family with older children that won't qualify, plus a host of singles, seniors, and even families, that could use some added Christmas cheer.  Our Christmas giving wish for Claire this year is for a target of $2600 to help brighten each household and have a little extra for any of the children that may miss out on other adopt-a-family options.  Your designated donations of any amount through the church office all add up.  We will turn the donations into gift cards that the residents can use for their own gift giving, or even for some added festive food items.  Please designate your donation for 'Claire House'.  Donations will be accepted from now through Dec 18.