At St. Andrew’s, Sunday morning worship is the time we set aside each week to be renewed and encouraged as we encounter God together. Our worship service starts at 10:30 a.m. and lasts just over an hour. Come at 10:15 a.m. to talk with people before the service, or to find a peaceful space in our sanctuary where you can let the busyness of the world go. Stay after the service and join us in Wenino Hall for tea, coffee, snacks and conversation.
What to Expect
If you’re new to church or haven ‘t been to church in a long time, walking through our doors for the first time can take a lot of courage! We want to help you take that step by telling you some things that will help you know what to expect when you do.
Welcome and Finding a Seat
Whether you come through our main doors on Christina Street or through our wheelchair-accessible entrance off the north-side driveway, you will be met by one of our friendly ushers. They’ll shake your hand, give you a bulletin so you can follow along with the service, and direct you to our beautiful sanctuary. If you need large-print resources, please ask – we’ve got bulletins, Bibles and hymnbooks just for you. Sit anywhere you like in the main sanctuary or in the balcony. Our main washrooms are located off the south-side hallway between the sanctuary and Wenino Hall.
The Worship Service
Worship is our response to who God is and what God has done, both for us through Christ and in us through the Holy Spirit. It’s like an on-going conversation between God and us: all week long and especially on Sundays together, God speaks to our hearts and acts in our lives, and we respond in song, prayer, giving, and going out to be Christ-followers in the world.
Music is an important part of how we worship. We sing hymns and songs together throughout the service, with special music offered by our choir and sometimes by guest musicians and vocalists. Depending on the Sunday, our singing may be supported by our pipe organ or by our grand piano.
Children of all ages are welcome every Sunday morning! There’s a special time just for them near the beginning of the service. After that, kids can stay with their parent or guardian in the sanctuary, or head to Sunday School with our dedicated volunteer teachers for age-appropriate learning. Your children will be waiting for you after the service by their classroom, just off Wenino Hall. If you need a private or quiet space during the service to look after your baby, there’s a nursery too.
Each week, our minister, Rev. Emily, brings together the Scriptures and the life and needs of the congregation so that we can discover the message – the good news – that the Holy Spirit has for us. The message usually lasts between 15 and 20 minutes. Every week, the bulletin and Rev. Emily’s message are posted on the website under the Minister’s Message. Our worship services are also broadcast on local cable TV – check out St Andrew’s Hour every Sunday morning at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on channel 6.
After the Service
People come to church for many different reasons. If something is going on in your life, there are people here who will listen and pray with you and for you. Or if you’d prefer to slip out quietly after the service, that’s okay with us. But if you are ready to experience all the good things that our church has to offer, follow the crowd through the doors at the front of the sanctuary and join us after the service. Grab a drink and a snack, and pick a table – you’ll have a new friend in minutes! There are also many groups and ministries in our church through which we grow in faith, reach out to those in need in our community, and serve the church together.