Until the late 1800s Christmas carols were used by singers visiting people's houses and were considered “secular.” Their introduction in worship was as a means of renewal and outreach. In 1918 King’s College, Cambridge held its first Festival of Lessons and Carols. For nearly 100 years it has been continuously publicly broadcast. The pattern and strength of the service, derives from the Scripture Lessons that outline the development of the loving purposes of God which reach a crescendo in the coming of Jesus.     We hope you can join us this Sunday at 10am (in-person or on livestream) as our St. Andrew’s Choir-- under the leadership of Evan Mounce, Director of Music Ministries ~ leads us in singing the carols of Christmas, and as we hear afresh the Good News of Jesus Christ. 

During Sunday Worship, here are activity sheets for all ages & stages:
3+   7+   Youth    Adult

Please join us for in-person worship at 10:00 Sunday morning (no need to register); or use the link below which will be updated Sunday morning by 9:30 am to take you to our live streamed service.

Would you like to see some familiar loving faces?  Join Bible Buddies (Church School on Zoom) this Sunday, December 19th from 9:00 - 9:30 am.  Your teachers and friends would LOVE to see you!!!!  Please contact the office for the zoom link:   office@standrewscalgary.ca 

 * denotes that ALL are invited to participate

Sun, Dec 19 * Bible Buddies:  9:00 am (Zoom)
Sun, Dec 19 * Sunday Morning Worship:  10:00 am
(Livestreamed & In-person)
Mon * Christian Meditation Group:  Mondays 10:00 am (Zoom)
Mon - Side By Side:  3:30 pm (Zoom)
Mon - Advent Book Study Group:  7:00 pm (Zoom)
Tue - Staff Meeting:  10:30 am (Zoom)
Tue - Advent Book Study Group:  1:30 pm (Zoom)
Wed - Side By Side:  3:30 pm (Zoom)
Thu - Choir:  7:00 pm (In-person, Trinity Hall)
Fri - Christmas Eve Family Service:  4:00 pm
(In-person, Outdoor/Indoor)
Fri- Christmas Eve Candleight Service:  7:00 pm
(In-person, Livestreamed)
Fri - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service:  9:00 pm (In-person)  
Sat, Dec 25  *  Christmas Day Worship:  10:00 am
(Livestreamed & In-person)
Sun, Dec 26 *  Sunday Morning Worship:  10:00 am
(Livestreamed & In-person)

DEC 17:  7:00 – 9:00 pm  We will be joining other youth from the Presbytery for ONLINE YOUTH GROUP. (Come to the church, and we’ll join in as a ‘virtual group’.)

 Masks and Physical Distancing Required.

Link to the Christmas Eve service at 4:00 pm

Are you and your children yearning for connection with other STAC families? Are you missing that spirit of Christmas inspired by our church building and community this time of year?
We invite you to experience a relaxed family gathering on Christmas Eve, from 4-5 p.m. A live nativity scene will be onsite on the front lawn, complete with Mary & Joseph to talk of their journey and live baby animals for your children to pet and cuddle. Sharing their blessings with others, your children are encouraged to bring an item to hang on the Mitten Tree and to drop a food item in our Food Bank basket. There will even be a cozy firepit near the manger to warm chilly fingers and toes!
Those who are comfortable with an indoor experience, will move into the sanctuary at 4:30 p.m., well-spaced for families, to listen to a Christmas story for children and sing along (the children can choose their own instruments) with Evan and his carollers. St. Andrew’s opens its arms and hearts to all our young families – come for part, come for all – this gathering will be relaxed and child-focused – spontaneous joy encouraged!!
(Confirmation of double vaccination for those over 12, and masks for all, required for indoor portion of the event)
Your Faith Formation Team

Link to the Christmas Eve service at 7:00 pm

Link to the Christmas Eve service at 9:00 pm

Every week you receive your LinX email that keeps you connected with your St. Andrew’s faith family.  This is due in large part to the hours and Hours and HOURS that Kevin MacFarlane spends on preparing our weekly email.  You’ve no doubt heard the phrase ‘it takes a village’.  Kevin, truly ~  our village is so blessed to have your enthusiasm and energy that keeps us connected to St. Andrew’s and to each other.  

If anyone is interested in being a scripture reader, please contact Dolly Forcade to be put on the schedule.  We would like the reading to be done in person.  Training is provided.  Currently we have one service at 10AM but when we go to 2 services (at some point) you will be able to choose which service you are scheduled for.
dforcade@standrewscalgary.ca

With COVID, and the many options for donating to St. Andrew’s (PAR, Tithely, e-transfer, cheques) we did not order offering envelopes for 2021 and now for 2022.  If you have envelopes left over from prior years (2015 on), you can use them – just change the date.  If anyone would like envelopes, please contact the office and we will make up a packet for you with the number of envelopes you want for your preferred giving pattern.  Over the next few weeks, there will be packets of 15 envelopes available in the foyer for pick up.  You can write your envelope number and date on them as you use them.

1) Donate household, furniture, baby and clothing items to any WIN (Women In Need) store in clearly marked boxes labeled HOUSE TO HOME PROGRAM AFGHAN REFUGEE PROGRAM.  Families have referrals to go to WIN stores to get what they need for free.  The Women in Need Society (WINS) is an award winning charity and Calgary based shopping alternative investing in the social wellbeing of community. 

2) Donate $25 gift certificates for the Canadian Superstore as there is a constant need for immediate support in purchasing groceries.  These will be distributed to families as needed. Please bring any gift certificates to St. Andrew’s Church Office identified for Afghan refugees.

Please contact Lynn Judd if you have questions 403-278-5904.

The Free Little Mitten Trees have now been be set up by the bus stop in front of St. Andrew's and at the three train stations located south of Fish Creek (Fish Creek, Shawnessy, and Somerset Bridlewood).  All are invited to take what they need and give what they can.  The trees will be up throughout the month of December.  You can place donation items on any of the trees, or bring donation items to the south door of the church.