What do we know about Jesus’ life as a toddler, child, a teenager? Very little! Did he carry water for his mother or sweep up after his father in the carpenter’s shop?  Was Jesus ever spanked?  
How we answer these questions can tell us a lot about how we understand Jesus’ nature.

Weekly Meetings & Worship:  Jan 8 - 15
PLUS a LINK to our MONTHLY Calendar!

On Sunday, January 15th we will be ordaining six new elders here at St. Andrew’s:  Judy Bridgemohan, Sheri Coutts, Desiree Henrichsen, Lauren Nolette, Stephanie Werle and Derek Wilkinson.  We are excited to see how God will use the leadership gifts of these new elders in our congregational life together, both within our walls and as we weave ourselves into our neighbourhood.
On that day we will also be recognizing the dedicated service of our nine retiring elders: Ed Braun, Elaine Cantlon, Bill Judd, Sheila Kirkland, Kevin MacFarlane, Hugh McFadzean, David Platt, Janet Ridsdale, and Annette Shaw.  We are so grateful to these elders for their willingness to help us move into the new ‘rotation model’ for Session.  We give thanks for their years of faithful service, and look forward to their continuation of service in new and meaningful ways.
Please mark January 15th in your calendar as an important day in the life of our congregation, and plan to attend.
~ Rev. Peter and Debby Dorcas, Clerk of Session

We are so excited to be starting up youth group again, however, we will not be meeting this Friday (January 6).  Youth group will resume next Friday the 13th at 7 PM in the Upper Room! Come ready to share about your Christmas holiday and get ready to kick off the new year. We’re so sorry we won’t be seeing you this week,
but we look forward to seeing you next week!
~ Lauren and Matt

Our Care Share team responds to individual needs identified by ministerial staff, elders, office staff and the congregation by providing short term support in crisis situations.  If you or someone you know in the congregation would benefit from a meal or short term support in crisis situations requiring food preparation, and/or other specific needs that can be met by a volunteer, please contact Joan Rowe.  If you would like to volunteer to prepare an occasional meal or be available for other needs, please contact Joan and she will add you to the Meal Train email volunteer list.  The 'Meal Train (www.mealtrain.com)' is an online hub that creates an easy way for a coordinator to let volunteers know when meals or individual needs are identified for someone in our faith family. Meals might mean meal gift cards, take out meals, or something homemade.  For more information about Care Share Ministries or to volunteer in this ministry, please contact Joan Rowe, Coordinator at mjrrowe@telus.net

Please consider welcoming people by greeting, ushering, or making coffee on Sunday mornings.  The sign-up sheets can be found in the foyer. ~ Deb

Dear Debby,  Please extend my sincere thanks to the Session and congregation of St. Andrew’s for the generous retirement gift that I received.  It was an unexpected pleasure to receive the gift certificates for Golf Town and Marriott Hotels.  I will not only enjoy the opportunity of selecting new golf gear and imagining where we will stay on our next vacation, but then I will get to use them!  I appreciate your generosity and kindness so much.  I can also take the not so subtle hint that it is time for me to play and rest.  As I said, on November 27 in the service, St. Andrew’s has always had a special place in my heart.  Not only are you the first congregation to extend a call to me, but Matthew and I have been blessed by many relationships with the people of St. Andrew’s. Thank you for the wonderful gifts! May God continue to bless your ministry.
Jean

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

I recently donated several items to a refugee family of 4 from Ukraine: a girl aged 3 and boy aged 6. They arrived at their host home with just a donated queen size mattress and nothing else.  ~ Jari-Lynn Eckert 

Hospice Calgary offers free, online seminars where people can discuss the importance of talking to children about advanced illness, traditions and funeral customs that may be unfamiliar, and finding peace in uncertainty.