All posts by stephenmackay

Announcements June 5, 2016

Thank you to this week’s volunteers (June 5):

Offering Receivers: Don & Lucille McCrea, Brian Barnes, Paul Lawson
Counters: Andrew Ottens, Rebecca Jonah
Scripture Reader: Drew Speight
Greeters: John & Jane Murray
Coffee Hour: Linda Pond
Nursery: Cindy Cunningham, Alex Cunningham
Church School: Tamela Collrin, Leslee Dell, Jordan & Candace Schriver

Next Week (June 5):

Offering Receivers: Margo & Larry Sheppard, Jane Murray, Humphry Akwar
Counters: Andrew Ottens, Margo & Larry Sheppard
Scripture Reader: Stephen MacKay
Greeters: Jane Murray, Doris Stairs
Coffee Hour: John & Joyce Astle
Nursery: Sonya & Jeremy Burrill
Church School: Terri Astle, Jordan & Candace Schriver

An Evening of Great & Well Loved Music – Lintuhtine Teen and Adult Choirs will present a concert of well-known and well loved music on Saturday, June 4th, 7:00 pm here at Saint Andrew’s.  The choirs will present hits and popular numbers from the Forties through today’s music.  Special guests include Conrad Levesque, bass guitar and Sidney Murgatroyd, fiddle, viola, sax and percussion.  Concert proceeds by donation at the door will go to support both the Refugee Sponsorship Fund and the church music program.  A reception will follow in the Church Hall.

Annual Salmon Supper – at St. James Presbyterian Church on Sat., June 4th. There will be 2 sittings: 4:30 & 6:30 p.m. Take-out is also available. Please call ahead for take-out. Menu:  BBQ Atlantic salmon (BBQ chicken on request as substitute), vegetables, baked potato, beverages, rolls, choice of homemade pie. As seating is limited, tickets must be reserved in advance.  Tickets are $18 each or 2 for $35. To reserve tickets, please call St. James at 450-4031 or email at sjchurch@nbnet.nb.ca

The Tuesday Morning Ladies Group would like to thank all those who donated plants and books to the sale last weekend. The plants earned $1100 and the books $340. Another thank you to all those who helped to pack up the books and take them away, it was a great help. Left over plants were gratefully accepted by Grace House.

Middle/High School Night at Kingswood – June 5th from 5:00 to 8:00. $10 for laser tag, arcade games and bowling. Please let Jordan or Candace know by Sunday, May 29th if you are interested, and/or if you are bringing any friends.


Youth and Graduate Sunday 2016

On June 19 we will celebrate the end of another school year, all are invited to attend the Youth and Graduate BBQ immediately after worship, on the church lawn.

Do you know someone in our congregation graduating from high school, or any other institutions, please call the church office 455-8220.


The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada are meeting Friday through Monday on the campus of York University, Toronto, Ontario.  Reverend Blaikie and Stephen MacKay are attending as commissioners from the Presbytery of New Brunswick.

Funds are available for youth from Saint Andrew’s, to help cover costs of attending a Christian Summer Camp. Contact Jordan Schriver.

Update from the AlKreiz Family – Majed is now taking English at a more advanced level from 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon. Thus, he now is available in afternoons for yard work, lawn mowing and other odd jobs. He has been a great help with Davis cottage yard work and vegetable garden preparation. Call Juliet if you wish to arrange for his services.

Please join us in the hall as we celebrate June birthdays. Whether it be a milestone or not, we have reason to celebrate and thank God for his beautiful gift of life.  Of course we have cake but let’s not let cake be the focus, it is the people we wish to celebrate!
Grace Collrin
Allison Blom
Carol Ottens
Asher Zuidhof
Jenny Jagoe
Norma Reed
Phyllis Llewellyn
Sheila Black
Nicholas Blom
Glen Hossack
Teddy Waugh
John Murray
Riley Varlan
Rosie Schriver
Joanne Peterson
Peter Loi
Tim Blom
Roy Melanson
Bev Bramble
Anna Jonah
Hollie Craig

Announcements May 29, 2016

Thank you to this week’s volunteers (May 29):

Offering Receivers: Linda Pond, John Astle, Don & Lucille McCrea
Counters: Linda Pond, Bill Cockburn, Calvin & Peggy MacIntosh
Scripture Reader: Jeanne Kaye Speight
Greeters: Don & Lucille McCrea
Coffee Hour: Brad & Nancy Nickerson
Nursery: Colleen & Tony Watson
Church School: Terri Astle, Jacqueline Howie Cleland, Jordan & Candace Schriver

Next Week (June 5):

Offering Receivers: Don & Lucille McCrea, Brian Barnes, Paul Lawson
Counters: Andrew Ottens, Rebecca Jonah
Scripture Reader: Drew Speight
Greeters: John & Jane Murray
Coffee Hour: Linda Pond
Nursery: Cindy Cunningham, Alex Cunningham
Church School: Tamela Collrin, Leslee Dell, Jordan & Candace Schriver

All children in the grade 3 – grade 5 class are invited to help in the nursery or in the downstairs Godly Play classroom on May 29, June 5 and June 12 during Church School time.

 Tuesday Morning Ladies Group

Annual Plant, Book Sale Saturday, May 28  9:00 am to 12:00 noon. Calling all Gardeners and Book Lovers! Contributions of books and potted up plants, small shrubs and houseplants will be greatly appreciated. Plants and books may be dropped off at the church hall between 9am and 1pm on Friday, May 27.

 The Link – Do you have a poem, story, recipe or article you think would be of interest to others? Preparations are underway for the spring issue of “The Link”.  Please send submissions to the church office by May 29th.

Do you know someone in our congregation graduating from High School or any other institutions, please call the church office 455-8220.  Youth and Graduate Sunday will be celebrated June 19.

Funds are available for youth from Saint Andrew’s, to help cover costs of attending a Christian Summer Camp. Contact Jordan Schriver.

Update from the AlKreiz Family – Majed began English at a more advanced level this week from 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon. Thus, he now is available in afternoons instead of mornings for yard work, lawn mowing and other odd jobs. He has been a great help with Davis cottage yard work and vegetable garden preparation. Call Juliet Davis if you wish to arrange for his services.

 An Evening of Great & Well Loved Music

Lintuhtine Teen and Adult Choirs will present a concert of well known and well loved music on Saturday evening, June 4th, 7:00 pm at Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. The choirs will present hits and popular numbers from the Forties through today’s music.  Special guests include Conrad Levesque, bass guitar and Sidney Murgatroyd, fiddle, viola, sax and percussion.  Concert proceeds by donation at the door will go to support both the Refugee Sponsorship Fund and the church music program.  A reception will follow in the Church Hall.

College and Career Dinner – May 29th from 6:30 to 9:30. Drives can be arranged and diets accommodated. Please let Jordan know by Saturday, May 28th if you are interested.

 Middle/High School Night at Kingswood –  June 5th from 5:00 to 8:00. $10 for lazer tag, arcade games and bowling. Please let Jordan or Candace know by Sunday, May 29th if you are interested, and/or if you are bringing any friends.

Annual Salmon Supper – at St. James Presbyterian Church on Sat., June 4th. There will be 2 sittings:  4:30 & 6:30 p.m. Take-out is also available. Please call ahead for take-out so that we can serve you in a timely manner at pick-up time. Menu:  BBQ Atlantic salmon (BBQ chicken on request as substitute), mixed vegetables, baked potato, beverages, rolls, choice of homemade pie. As seating is limited, tickets must be reserved in advance.  Tickets are $18 each or 2 for $35. To reserve tickets, please call St. James at 450-4031 or email at sjchurch@nbnet.nb.ca

 

Anniversary Letter 2016

June 2016

Dear members and friends of Saint Andrew’s congregation:

During the month of June we are Celebrating 191 years of Presbyterian presence within the greater Fredericton area. An Anniversary Envelope is available and provides an opportunity for ongoing support beyond the regular weekly offerings.

I have noticed on the inside of the door in several businesses the following instruction. “Make sure door is unlocked during business hours.” One might wonder what event prompted the need for such advice. Perhaps one day an astute clerk noticed business was slow, and after some consideration checked the door. But the slow sales could also have been for a number of reasons, including unfriendly service, lack of advertised products, or no advertising at all. But we all agree that it is important that the door be unlocked.

It is not just the physical lock on the door that needs the attention of congregations but the need for openness and welcome. Our churches are blessed when others come to visit.

Usually they are unannounced. Perhaps they are visiting in the area with friends or family. Perhaps it is a business trip or perhaps they are looking for a church to call home.

St. Paul wrote instructions for the early church: Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour…be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. (Romans 12:9-13)

Here at Saint Andrew’s hospitality and welcome often begin at curbside. Persons are made to feel welcome and are directed to parking spaces. They are sometimes assisted to overcome weather related conditions. A friendly greeter outside reflects how the people inside feel about welcoming. And that welcome extends beyond visitors to all members. Over the years Saint Andrew’s congregation has been blessed with caring and loving individuals. This is reflected in the small groups such as choir and Ladies Groups, and Board and Session. Saint Andrew’s is also home to a number of outside groups. Perhaps they are here on an ongoing basis or for a one-time event. They are an important part of our congregation and every effort is made to make them feel welcome.

Opening doors for business is important but opening the doors of our hearts is central to the life and work of the Church. Whether it is welcoming the refugee or a stranger from down the street. Whether it is a welcome extended to persons looking for a church home or someone looking for assistance, it is the nature of the church to be open. Open not only to those who are “like” us or who believe as we do, or act in the way we think they should. At the heart of the Gospel is an unconditional welcome extended to one and all.

And so the mission and witness of the church continues, sometimes in complex and difficult ways. But it always begins with the words of Jesus: Come unto me all…and I will provide rest. (Matthew 11:28)

May God’s love be fixed upon you, overshadow you with grace;
May God’s love stand firm beneath you, welcome you with glad embrace.

(Book of Praise #582, stanza 1)

Sincerely, and on behalf of Session and Board,
The Reverend D. E. Blaikie, minister

Announcements May 22, 2016

Thank you to this week’s volunteers (May 22):

Offering Receivers: Max & Mavis Cater, Al & Jean Boudreau
Counters: Linda Pond, Vickie MacLeod, Heather Labadie
Scripture Reader: Margaret Sisk-McCully
Greeters: Jesse Sagawa, Humphrey Akwar
Coffee Hour: Jeanne Kaye & Dick Speight
Nursery: Carol McEachen, Sheena Page
Church School: Angela Black, Colleen Watson, Sheila Black, Jordan & Candace Schriver

Next Week (May 29):

Offering Receivers: Linda Pond, John Astle, Don & Lucille McCrea
Counters: Linda Pond, Bill Cockburn, Calvin & Peggy MacIntosh
Scripture Reader: Jeanne Kaye Speight
Greeters: Don & Lucille McCrea
Coffee Hour: Brad & Nancy Nickerson
Nursery: Colleen & Tony Watson
Church School: Terri Astle, Jacqueline Howie Cleland, Jordan & Candace Schriver

All children in the grade 3 – grade 5 class are invited to help in the nursery or in the downstairs Godly Play classroom on May 29, June 5 and June 12 during Church School time.


Tuesday Morning Ladies Group
Annual Plant, Book Sale
Saturday, May 28  9:00 am to 12:00 noon
Calling all Gardeners and Book Lovers! Contributions of books and potted up plants, small shrubs and houseplants will be greatly appreciated. Plants and books may be dropped off at the church hall between 9am and 1pm on Friday, May 27.


The Link – Do you have a poem, story, recipe or article you think would be of interest to others? Preparations are underway for the spring issue of “The Link”.  Please send submissions to the church office by May 29th.

Do you know someone in our congregation graduating from High School or any other institutions, please call the church office 455-8220.  Youth and Graduate Sunday will be celebrated June 19.

Funds are available for youth from Saint Andrew’s, to help cover costs of attending a Christian Summer Camp. Contact Jordan Schriver.

Update from the AlKreiz Family – Majed began English at a more advanced level this week from 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon. Thus, he now is available in afternoons instead of mornings for yard work, lawn mowing and other odd jobs. He has been a great help with Davis cottage yard work and vegetable garden preparation. Call Juliet Davis if you wish to arrange for his services.

 “An Evening of Great & Well Loved Music” – presented by Lintuhtine Music Academy on Saturday, June 4 at 7:00 pm here at Saint Andrew’s.  Donations accepted at the door will go toward the Refugee Sponsorship Fund and the Church’s Music Program.

 

Announcements May 15, 2016

Thank you to this week’s volunteers (May 15):

Offering Receivers: Elders
Counters: Linda Pond, Ron & Helen McKinnon-Bagnell
Scripture Reader: Eleanor Scott
Greeters: Max & Mavis Cater
Coffee Hour: Choir
Nursery: Jane Murray, Rebecca Jonah
Church School: Sonya Burrill, Tamela Collrin, Sheila Black, Jordan & Candace Schriver

Next Week (May 22):

Offering Receivers: Max & Mavis Cater, Al & Jean Boudreau
Counters: Linda Pond, Vickie MacLeod, Heather Labadie
Scripture Reader: Margaret Sisk-McCully
Greeters: Jesse Sagawa
Coffee Hour: Jeanne Kaye & Dick Speight
Nursery: Carol McEachen, Sheena Page
Church School: Angela Black, Colleen Watson, Sheila Black, Jordan & Candace Schriver

Festival Of Praise – Friday, May 13 at 7:00 pm at Christ Church (Parish Church). A gathering to bring the Proclamation Event to a close, share in prayer and lift our voices with choirs from around the area.  Please join us as we unite as one body for this time of celebration.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Proclamation event by bringing food and participating in the readings.

Book Launch – Saturday, May 14 at 2:00pm here at St. Andrew’s. “The King’s Carpenter” by Murray McEachen.


May 15 Wear Red For Pentecost

The festival of Pentecost is an occasion for celebration as the Season of Easter draws to a close.  The colour associated with Pentecost is red.   This Sunday, May 15th, everyone is encouraged to mark the occasion by wearing red – a tie, sweater, scarf, etc. – or other fire-related colours such as bright orange and yellow.


Tuesday Morning Ladies Group Annual Plant, Book Sale

Saturday, May 28  9:00 am to 12:00 noon
Calling all Gardeners and Book Lovers! Contributions of books and potted up plants, small shrubs and houseplants will be greatly appreciated. Plants and books may be dropped off at the church hall between 9am and 1pm on Friday, May 27.

Update from the AlKreiz Family – The family is doing well. Majed is anxious to work. He is available mornings for yard clean-up, gardening, lawn mowing, basic carpentry and other odd jobs. Please call Dallas or Juliet Davis.

 Sunday Evening Benefit Concert for Refugee Sponsorship – Karon Croll, Contralto, and Ruth Nieboer, Piano will present a Benefit Concert on Sunday evening, May 15th, 7:00 pm at Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.  Admission by Free Will Offering with reception to follow in Church Hall.    Concert proceeds will go to Refugee Sponsorship.  Please join us for an outstanding evening of musical entertainment.

The Link – Do you have a poem, story, recipe or article you think would be of interest to others? Preparations are underway for the spring issue of “The Link”.  Please send submissions to the church office by May 29th.

Do you know someone in our congregation graduating from High School or any other institutions, please call the church office 455-8220.  Youth and Graduate Sunday will be celebrated June 19.

Spaghetti Dinner & Silent Auction – in support of “Relay for Life” and in memory of Wendy Densmore on Saturday, May 21 (5 p.m.) at St. James Presbyterian Church.  To reserve tickets, please call Richard at 459-5099.