Decisions change the course of our life - some more than others.  Ruth decides to go to Bethlehem as a foreigner because she loves her mother in law.  Love provokes her to leave behind her family, culture, religion and all that is familiar.  As followers of Jesus, we are invited to be like Ruth - to follow out of love and in faith.

 If you get a commercial, click back and then forward again. 

Worship, Church School and Special Studies/Events: Nov 3 - Nov 10
PLUS LINKS to our Team/Group Meetings and Monthly Calendar!

Big thanks to Dolly Forcade and Craig Murray for having our ‘fire drill’ so well organized that it was ‘painless’ for those of us who simply followed instructions and got to chat with each other at our muster points!   We are thankful to all the shepherds and others who helped evacuate the building in such an orderly fashion!!  Well done, thou good and faithful servants!!
~   Deb

Come to Trinity Hall Saturday at 9:30 on November 2nd to hear Peter Coutts talk about his time in the Canadian Navy.  Everyone is welcome: children, men and women.   The deadline to sign up is TODAY.  RSVP to Office@StAndrewsCalgary.ca if you want to go but have not signed up. The cost is $5.00 for adults, and children less than 12 years of age are free. Refreshments will be here when you arrive!

Don’t forget to change your clocks to give yourself an extra hour of sleep Saturday night.  You’ll also want to show up at church at the right time Sunday, November 3rd!!   ‘Fall back’!!

Please join our faith family this Sunday, November 3rd for our Ministry Team Fair in Trinity Hall following morning worship.  You will be able to wander the room and see all the amazing things our congregation is doing within our walls, and as we weave ourselves into the community.  There will be coffee, refreshments, and a door prize!   But the most important part of the morning will be connecting with each other around our work.  Worship and work must be one!!!!

Everyone is invited to the Heritage Seniors’ Luncheon on  Monday, November 4th at Noon.  Following lunch, The Calgary Police will be speaking about Cyber Security, a very timely topic!!

On Sunday, November 10th we will be observing Remembrance Day.  This will include a slideshow of our congregation’s family members who served in the war.  If you have not already sent us a picture of someone in your family you would like us to include, please send it to office@standrewscalgary.ca by November 5th.  If you have previously sent a picture, you do not need to resend it.  Thanks!
~ Deb

VIEW OUR POSTER BY CLICKING HERE

In addition, there will be a special cookie table with fancy cookies that you can choose from to mix and match..

Following our Indigenous Friendship Day, we will be collaborating with the Aboriginal Friendship Center to provide soup for 150 community members at the center.

We need 13 ice cream buckets to transport the soup.  We have a simple soup recipe, but need a team who might make it in our kitchen ~ to be frozen and then warmed up at the center.  We hope to make 2 batches for November and December, and then we’re hoping to provide soup once a month in the new year.  Please contact the office at 403-255-0001 or office@standrewscalgary.ca if you would enjoy preparing soup for the Aboriginal Friendship Center.  This will happen sometime after the bazaar! 

If you have stock pots, or ladles to donate to the center to reheat the soup, they would be most appreciated.
~ Rev. Laurie

Nov 27, Dec 3, 10, and 17 @ 11:00 am in the Karl English Lounge

You are invited to participate in a four-week Advent study of Celtic teachings and traditions that can transform our lives in unexpected ways that will open our hearts and our spirits to new aspects of the familiar Advent journey.  All are welcome!   ~ Geoffrey

November 27, December 3, 10, and 17,  @ 1:00 pm in the Karl English Lounge

Have you wanted to learn the ukulele, but got sidetracked? Or received one as a present in Grade 5 and it’s just been gathering dust?  Come and dust off your skills and your ukes, as we learn a few skills in a relaxed no-pressure setting. We will aim to learn a few simple Christmas carols, and if we feel ready as a group, we’ll aim to offer those songs at the 4:30 family service on Christmas Eve.  Just come and have fun in a no-pressure setting. 

Feel free to come at 12:00 with a bag lunch so we chat together before the workshop — and you may wish to come early for our Celtic Advent study, which starts at 11:00 am on the same days in the same room.

This year, St. Andrew’s will have opportunities to give to those in need ~ and indeed ~  to show our love and concern for those within our own community.  As we each consider how we might participate in the upcoming ‘Season of Giving’, click the button below to read about the upcoming opportunities to brighten the lives of our neighbours.

On Sunday, December 15th we’ll be presenting an intergenerational musical, UNCERTAIN POOR SHEPHERDS at our 10:00 am worship service.  ALL ARE WELCOME to join in the fun ~ children, youth, young adults, adults.  Contact DEBBY DORCAS at ddorcas@standrewscalgary.ca for information, music, and a practice schedule.  We welcome everyone with open hearts!!

You are welcome to help us prepare for the Intergenerational Musical by working with our amazing Sheri Coutts to ‘build sheep’ on Saturday, November 23 from 10:30 - 12:00 noon.  Sheri will have all the supplies ready - all you need to bring is your enthusiasm, energy, and sense of humor.  All are welcome!!!
~ Deb

St. Andrew’s Vision:   “Growing. Life. Together. With God.”
Mission:  “Woven into the neighbourhood, growing disciples who love like Jesus.”
Our strategic plan led to identifying areas that the congregation had some passion for.  At our Session Retreat on October 4th and 5th we reviewed all of these things and celebrated some accomplishments and changes in the past 2 years.

Considering where the congregation has put most of their energy, reflecting the movement and call of the Spirit, Session has confirmed the following priorities for St. Andrew’s to continue to grow:

Indigenous Relations
Inclusion
Youth
Seniors

What’s next? 
We invite you to consider where you are being called to engage!  Where are the gaps in these areas?  What good ideas do you have that need some support to bring to life?  We have a mission team whose role is to help launch good ideas in these areas through a project, a pilot, an experiment, a trial – call it what you will!  Good ideas need an engaged community to birth them!  If you have a question, comment, dream, or even a suggestion/wider community connection, please contact mission team coordinator Rev. Peter Coutts; the office; Rev. Laurie McKay or any elder to bring others into the conversation and pondering.  The Spirit moves through the people.  We all have been given gifts to offer.  What new thing is arising?  How are you being urged to engage?

Harry Eisenhauer, a long time members of St. Andrew’s, died Sunday, October 20th. You can watch the Livestream of his service by CLICKING HERE on or after Tuesday at 1:30 pm MST

Nov 3rd:  10:00 am
Greeter: Delisa Dhanpaul & Judy Bridgemohan
Ushers: Donna Harrison & Brent Harding
Coffee Hosts: David Travers
Shepherd: Joan Rowe

The EDGE After School Youth Drop In Program  - CLICK HERE
GriefShare - CLICK HERE
Growing Generous Life Brochure - CLICK HERE
Sunday Morning Bible Study - CLICK HERE
Youth Group 2024 Schedule - CLICK HERE

We draw closer to God by practicing, not just by hoping. A  key Bible verse about spiritual practices is found in 1 Timothy 4:7, which says, “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness” (NASB).  Spiritual practices are sometimes divided into three categories:

• Inward disciplines: Bible study, prayer, meditation, and fasting.
• Outward practices: Service, solitude, submission, and simplicity.
• Corporate practices: Worship, celebration, confession, and guidance.

As Advent approaches, which category or practice speaks to your heart?      ~  Geoffrey

On November 5, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm Westminster will be hosting Sandra Hayes-Gardiner speaking to her account of growing up alongside a Cree nation in The Pas, Manitoba. In her book, Crossing the River: An unsettling memoir, Sandra takes one on a journey of personal reconciliation towards understanding racism and prejudice within her own community. As a social worker she honestly confronts her own responsibility for removing children from their families who were considered "at-risk" by the federal government. After living in and relating with elders, knowledge keepers and colleagues from two Indigenous communities, one near Williams Lake B.C., she shares her learnings and needed "unlearnings".  Join her as she asks herself and us - "what kind of Canada do you want and how will you be a part of that unfolding story?"