April 15, 2022 Newsletter
Minister’s Message
I’m writing this on Palm Sunday afternoon, the beginning of Holy week, leading up to Good Friday and Easter Sunday. One of the daily devotionals/blogs for ministers that I subscribe to is from Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in California, one of the leading spiritual influencers of our time. The title of his message on Friday was “Living fearlessly in light of Jesus' resurrection.” I quote some of what he shared. It ministered to me.
“How else can we say it... the world is a little unpredictable right now. It seems like every time we hear about something happening either overseas or here at home, it keeps getting outdone by something else we'd never expect to happen. According to psychologists, unpredictability and uncertainty leads to higher levels of stress and anxiety in adults. Simply put, uncertainty is bad for the human mind and overall well-being. The Easter message equips us to walk through these times with hope and certain faith in the Lord. The fearlessness of Christ is something God wants all of us to have so that we can live triumphantly no matter what season of life we walk through.
Did you know that the most common command in the Bible is “Do not be afraid”? It is said 365 times throughout the Bible—that’s once for every day of the year! Jesus’ death and resurrection assure us that we no longer have to live another day in fear or uncertainty. The resurrection of Christ helps us get through the hard times in life.”
To Rick’s words I would add the words of the little song we sing…
Because He lives I can face tomorrow
Because He lives all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives
As we celebrate Easter, let’s be reminded that we can face an uncertain future without fear, because He lives. An empty grave is our proof.
Blessings, Rev. Bob
Small Group Studies
Loving Others Despite Our Differences
Facilitator: Cathie Caverly
Wednesday evenings: 4 weeks, In House
Start Date: April 20
Study Guide $15.00
Come and explore the Sunday sermon more deeply. This is a relaxed open conversation that will look at questions prepared by our ministers, that help us dig deeper into Sunday’s message and explore implications for our individual lives in how to apply and live out the principles we have heard.
Facilitator: George & Linda Skerratt
Thursday evenings from 7-8:30 pm.
Start Date: April 21 for 6 weeks on Zoom
OR
Facilitator: Margo Collins
Tuesdays at 4:00 pm on Zoom
Ongoing
office@standrewslindsay.com
Do you ever feel lonely, fearful and uncertain? Take heart!
Mac Lucado’s 6 session study examines Jesus’ miracles in John’s Gospel to reassure you that God will never leave you. You’re stronger than you think because God is nearer than you know. He’ll meet you wherever, whenever. Into all of life’s messes and thorny thickets. He’ll come to you, without hesitation, to lift you up.
Facilitator: The Rev. Bob Quick
In House on Wednesday evenings: 6 weeks
Start Date: May 4
Study Guide $15.00
office@standrewslindsay.com
~ Ukrainian Outreach ~
An Invitation to Contribute
Your Outreach & Missions Ministry team is committed to helping bring a Ukrainian family to Lindsay. We feel we are being led to help this young family find a safe haven from the horrific war in Ukraine. Natalie has two very young children and their grandmother will be coming with her. Marnie Nelles has graciously offered to have the family stay in her home. The exact timing of their arrival is unknown at the moment as they are in Bucharest waiting for their papers from the Canadian government.
This is not a government refugee sponsorship program. Ukrainians who come are only permitted to stay for up to three years.
Initially, we will need financial support and our commitment is to engage the community at large as well to help with this humanitarian effort. We invite you to come along with us on this amazing journey to help this young family. Please feel free to contact me or any member of our Outreach Ministry team for more details or to indicate your interest in joining us.
Dianne Dalton ~ On behalf of Outreach & Missions
If you are interested and feel led to support the team, details of how you may contribute will follow in the next newsletter and through announcements from the pulpit.
Thank you to everyone who donated their gently used footwear to my Soles for Souls collection. We have collected 68 pairs. But I know there is more gently used footwear out there! The box is at the church and you can drop them off anytime. Gently used footwear provides relief to those who need help, prevents illness and health issues. Recycling helps save our planet one pair of shoes at a time.
Thank you for your donations.
Janice Carr
Golf Season is Almost Here!
Jim Noble is organizing the St. Andrew’s Wednesday Golf Group to begin on Wednesday May 4 at 10:00 to continue every Wednesday at Deer Run Golf Course. All are welcome!
Please contact Jim at: 905.435.2842 or jimnoble76@gmail.com.
Spring is here, which means summer camp is just around the corner! This summer, Cairn is offering six weeks of kids' camp programs, and three longweekends of family-based camp programs, with over 150 campers already registered! After two years without regular camp programs, the Cairn directors, board, staff, campers, and camper families are all excited to be returning to overnight camp in Baysville.
To learn more about Cairn's summer camp and family programs, please visit ilovecamp.org. If you have children, grandchildren, or friends who would benefit from being part of an engaging faith community at Cairn this summer, please contact the camp office at admin@ilovecamp.org or at 705-767-3300.
Kathy Lepp Has Retired!
June Widdis, on behalf of Session, presented Kathy Lepp with a gift to commemorate her 21 years of service at St. Andrew’s. We all wish Kathy many blessings in her retirement!
