This week, we will bring our series on joy to a joyous ending, with a service focusing on the ways that the church can be a “cultivator of joy,” a place where we see God through other people. We experience joy when we see our children interacting with our seniors, sharing God’s beautiful world. “Being church” together invites us to bridge any barriers that separate us and to experience each other as God sees us—as God’s own beloved children.  
Our scriptures this week are brief and to the point: they remind us that through the Holy Spirit, we are called to experience peace and true happiness. (See Romans 14:17 and Galatians 5:22-23a.)
Please join us for in-person worship at 9:30 Sunday morning (no need to register); or the link below will be updated Sunday morning by 9:00 am to take you to our live streamed service.

 * denotes that ALL are invited to participate

Sep 5 * Sunday Morning Worship:  9:30 am (Livestreamed)
Sep 6 * Christian Meditation Group:  Mondays 10:00 am (Zoom)
Sep 6 - Side-By-Side:  3:30 pm (Zoom)
Sep 6 - Faith Formation:  7:00 pm (Zoom)
Sep 7 - Staff Meeting:  10:30 am (Zoom)
Sep 7 - Stewards By Design:  7:00 pm (Zoom)
Sep 7 - Facilities Team:  7:00 pm (Trinity Hall)
Sep 8 - Side-By-Side:  3:30 pm (Zoom)
Sep 12 * Sunday Morning Worship:  9:30 am (Livestreamed)

We would like to express our thanks to ALL of the people who participated in, and helped lead, activities, meals, and worship ~ at Sheep River Provincial Park.  Special thanks to Craig and Inge Murray.  We know you do this as an act of love, but please know how much we appreciate both of you and your gifts of building community!  Special thanks as well to Dr. Geoffrey and his wife Joan for their presence and participation, and to Dr. Geoffrey for leading worship.
We have heard that a good time was had ‘by all ages and stages’, sharing God’s beautiful world together.

Join us for a morning of fun:
10:45 a.m. -11:45 a.m. Mini Farm
11:45 a.m.– 12:30 p.m. Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
Coffee and fellowship for parents and grandparents
RSVP Church office Tel: 403 255 0001

We extend sympathy to the family and friends of Fiona Bates, who passed away August 24, 2021.  Fiona was the daughter of Hugh and Carol Bates, sister to Sarah and Edward, and step-daughter of Margaret.  A Celebration of Fiona’s Life will be held at the Chapel of the Bells on Friday, Sep 17th.  The service will also be livestreamed. This link will take you to Fiona's obituary.

Sympathy is also extended to Susan Cha and her family on the death of Susan’s sister Hannah Shin earlier this month.

A celebration of life service will be held for Vida McMillan-McKay on September 8th at 11:00 am here at St. Andrew’s.  She died on July 27, 2021. Please remember Vida’s family and friends in your prayers.
This link will take you to Vida's obituary.

Acting on recommendations from the recent Presbytery evaluation of theCreek ministry, a small group ‘roundtable’ discussion was convened by Presbytery and held at St. Andrew’s— including representatives from Presbytery, Session, theCreek, and the former Trinity Church (theCreek ministry is funded through a fund derived from Trinity). Over two sessions (August 4th and August 19th) Dr. Tim Archibald, Lynn Judd, Maryanne Quesnel, Kim McLachlan and Stephanie Werle met with Rev. Jeff Lackie and Rev. Bertalan Bocskoras to consider together where the Spirit may be leading ministry to those who live south of Fish Creek.
Our conversations helped to acknowledge some of the hurt and misunderstanding around expectations for this ministry. We were also encouraged by the work that has been done by those involved with theCreek, and hope to continue to build on the foundation that has been prepared.
The roundtable was intended to give representatives of the Session, theCreek and the former congregation of Trinity an opportunity to hear one another’s concerns and dreams for ministry beyond Heritage Drive. We have done that with our ears and hearts tuned to the Spirit’s leading, and we are encouraged and excited by what we heard.
The next steps will be taken through conversation and discernment between the Session and theCreek Leadership Team.

The Rev. Jeff Lackie, Roundtable Convenor

Join us in praying for the people of Afghanistan given the rapidly changing security situation. PWS&D has a long history of support for relief and development programs in Afghanistan. For the last 20 years, we have responded to urgent food needs and supported girls’ education and maternal and child health projects to help improve livelihoods in the country. PWS&D is in regular contact with our partner with the hope that projects can still be implemented under these new conditions. Pray for safety and security for our partners, their staff and all those who are experiencing heightened anxiety because of recent developments. May God’s peace be with them all.