How do we prepare the way for the Lord in our life?  In the midst of  messy relationships and lists of tasks for Christmas preparation, we can feel exhausted in a “dry wilderness”.  The Lord’s coming brings forgiveness, life and deep peace.  Watch for it!  Prepare for it!

CLICK HERE TO HEAR THE SONG "WAY MAKER" 

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

Worship, Church School and Special Studies/Events: Dec 8 - 15
PLUS LINKS to our Team/Group Meetings and Monthly Calendar!

We are so blessed at St. Andrew’s to have not one, not two, but THREE Ministers In Association as part of our faith community ~ Rev. Peter Coutts, Rev. Dr. Jean Morris, and Rev. Fiona Swanson.  Rev. Laurie is thrilled (and filled with JOY!) every time someone can participate in worship with her, and we - the congregation - echo those feelings.  We are so appreciative of the different voices who lead us into deeper understanding of our faith.  And the fact that we REALLY LIKE all three of them is just icing on the cake!!!!
 ~ Deb

Each year the Sudanese congregation hosts a Christmas lunch and they graciously invite the “morning congregation” (St. Andrew’s) to attend.  Anyone who wishes to  attend is invited to  join them on Sunday December 8 at 3:00 pm in Trinity Hall to enjoy a delicious traditional Sudanese meal.
 ~  Dolly

Please come and support the children, youth, and adults who will be presenting UNCERTAIN POOR SHEPHERDS, an intergenerational musical, at our 10:00 am service.  Bring along your donations for the Mitten Tree on the 15th as well.  And there may be a special refreshment following the service!

If you find holiday traditions have changed, social events are draining, or sights, songs and smells trigger emotions, the Life after Loss team invites you to GriefShare: Surviving the Holidays on Saturday morning, December 7 at 10:00 in the K.E. Lounge to watch a helpful video and join in a discussion with others who are grieving.

Facing this season can sometimes feel like taking one step forward and two steps back. But like a trusted guide, a Surviving the Holidays event will prepare you to navigate the season’s changes. More than just practical tips, you will be with a community of people who know what it’s like to walk through the holidays in grief. You will find connection and comfort in knowing you’re not alone this season. Please join us.

All are welcome to join the Ladies Guild for their Christmas lunch.
Date: Tuesday December 10
Venue: Spot on Kitchen and Bar,  2 Richard Way SW
Time: 12:00 PM
We can carpool from the church if needed.
If planning to attend please contact:
Pam Livingstone (403) 271-6468
Sylvia Shaw (403) 238-3369

On Tuesday, December 10 from 10:00 - 3:00,  some people from the Aboriginal Friendship Centre will be working in Trinity Hall sewing Christmas stockings.
The Friendship Center anticipates 30 participants who would appreciate:
- A few people from St. Andrew’s to provide sewing/seamstress support
- A few friendly faces to serve the (provided) refreshments to them so they can keep working away!
Please sign your name on the sign-up sheet, contact the church office at 403.255.0001, or speak to Rev. Laurie.

St Andrew’s Church School is collecting items for the WINS Children’s Gift Room. Our children will decorate and make up gift bags with items at the Christmas Eve Service. We are looking for donations of small toys, fashion accessories, books, games or puzzles, underwear and socks, deodorant, toothpaste and tooth brushes, etc.
Items can be dropped off at the Church Office or on any Sunday before Christmas Eve.

While there is much work on-going all over the city to help people with basic needs of shelter, food and clothing, the reality is that many still struggle.  A number of agencies across Calgary are positioned to be on the front line of that work - e.g. The Drop-In Centre, Inn From The Cold, Mustard Seed, Salvation Army, Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary (AFCC) and many more.  This year, building on a relationship growing out of our Indigenous Neighbourhood Friendship Day, we have decided to direct our Mitten Tree donations to the AFCC.  The centre provides many social and cultural services including an inner city mission and shelter for people experiencing homelessness.  In conversation with staff at the AFCC, they have identified an on-going need for warm clothing including gloves, mitts, toques, scarves, socks and sweat pants - all sizes, men & women styles.  The children will be collecting your Mitten Tree donations during the worship service on Sunday, December 15.  As an alternative, you can bring your contribution to the office before December 15.

Our connection with Claire House continues to grow, making friends and helping new-comers settle.  One resident helped us prepare authentic bannock for our Friendship Day and several found their way over to share with us in the activities at the Friendship Day.  An extra special opportunity is before us at Christmas time, to help bring a little extra cheer to the 41 households, including 22 children.  Our hope is to raise $3,150 so that we can provide a generous gift to each household, plus a little extra for each child.  Your financial donation of any amount will help bring an extra smile to this little community.  Be sure to mark your donation for 'Claire House' in the memo line of checks, the 'other ministries' line on offering envelopes, or look for the 'Claire House' option in the pull-down menu for on-line giving.
(this option will be available Dec 6) 
~  Bill Judd

Dec 8th: 10:00 am
Greeters: Joan & Mark Rowe
Ushers: Brian Hawco & Inge Murray
Coffee Hosts: David Travers
Shepherd: Ted Cantlon
Welcome & Land Acknowledgement: Judy Bridgemohan

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

“Spirituality is the awareness of God’s presence—the life-affirming sense that we are not alone, that our Creator who loves and cares is present with us.” So writes Dr. Jane Kuepfer, University of Waterloo in Ontario specialist in Spirituality and Aging, in a special issue of Vision: A Journal for Church and Theology. In this freely accessible journal, Dr. Kuepfer and colleagues help us consider how spirituality and aging can be linked.
Spirituality is at the core of human experience. If we are committed to assisting all people to age well, then facilitating the growth, development, and expression of an individual’s spirituality is integral to the aging journey.  
~   Geoffrey

 Did you know? In 2021 the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada affirmed that “all people whatever their sexual orientation or gender identity are equally beloved by God”.
As a community we affirm that gender and sexuality are gifts of God, and welcome people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Commission-free Week: December 2-5, 2024
Scotia McLeod is offering a commission-free week December 2-5, 2024. During this time, they will sell stocks valued under $10,000 CAD or $10,000 USD without charging a commission. (The normal commission is $140 for gifts under $6,000; $175 for gifts between $6,001 and $9,999).
To take advantage of this commission-free offer, securities must be in the PCC account by the end of the day on Thursday December 5, 2024. Multiple sales of the same stock that together exceed $10,000 are not eligible. Anyone wishing to donate more than $10,000, can donate different stocks as long as each is valued under $10,000.
Securities donated prior to December 2 can be sold during the commission free week, with the donor’s instructions. The receipt will still reflect the market value of the stock on the day the securities were deposited into the PCC account, and the beneficiary will receive the proceeds (plus/minus any gain/loss) of the stock sale.
NOTE: Scotia McLeod offers these commission-free weeks quarterly in March, June, September and December. It’s usually the first week of the month, but we never have the exact dates until a few weeks before. Donations can be sent to us around this time and ask that they be held until the commission-free week.

  Do you miss singing some of the old carols?  If you'd like to sing along (O Come All Ye Faithful, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Angels We Have Heard on High and the like) in accessible (slightly lower than usual) keys, and have a bit of fun with the Hims of Praise, we have a family friendly evening to do just that. Join us at 6:30 on Friday, December 6, for a time of singing together, and kick off your Advent/Christmas season with joy!   There will be no admission or ticket price, but if you choose to leave to a freewill offering, all proceeds will go to The Mustard Seed, Calgary.

Experience the magic of the season at Grace Presbyterian Church's annual Choral Christmas Concert on December 15, 2024, at 7:00 PM. Last year's event was a huge success, and this year promises to be no different. Please get your tickets now before they're gone!

Featuring over 100 talented singers from eight local Calgary choirs, accompanied by brass, organ, and percussion, this unforgettable evening will fill your heart with the joyful sounds of Advent and Christmas hymns and songs. Set in the stunning sanctuary of Grace Presbyterian Church, a renowned concert venue that regularly hosts events by Candlelight Concerts and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, this Choral Christmas Concert promises an unparalleled seasonal experience.