Dear Friends,
As St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, we will be celebrating our First Anniversary on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at 10:00 am. Rev. Dr. John-Peter Smit will share the Word of God with us, and Barbara Dunn-Prosser will bring sacred music to this special service. Almost a year ago, Knox Glenarm and St. Andrew’s Fenelon Falls amalgamated, and we will come together to praise the Triune Lord for His faithfulness, as a congregation united in Christ, in the City of Kawartha Lakes and even beyond, on that Sunday. You and your loved ones are cordially invited to this divine assembly, either in the sanctuary or via Zoom. A luncheon will also be provided in the church basement following the service. Please mark the date on your calendar and participate in this hybrid event.
Before, during, and after this godly gathering, as the minister of this harmonized congregation, I would like to ask us, as the newly established church born from the merger of these two former bodies of Christ, to pray to God about the following three topics.
First, let us ask God to help us remember what He has done for us, not only over the past year but also throughout the entire journey of these individual churches. St. Andrew’s would be celebrating its 160th anniversary this year and Knox Glenarm, its 158th, if both congregations were still serving the Lord individually. Remembering God’s presence, provision, and protection is a critical command in the Bible. Let us recall all of His blessings we have received in the past, are receiving in the present, and will inherit in the future. Let us be grateful to our Mighty and Merciful Lord for how God has been with us step by step, provided us with what we need, and protected us from challenging situations.
Second, let us ask God to help us rededicate our lives to God’s Mission. We have recently learned about the importance of passing on Christian heritage to the next generations. While reflecting on this subject, I also want us to remember those who have dedicated their lives to God and His church in the past. As I mentioned earlier, over the 158 or 160 years, members and friends who have gone before us from these former churches invested their time, effort, and energy to build both the visible and invisible temples of God. They worked diligently and faithfully to fulfill their God-given ministry for all the people in our communities. While being thankful to them for their spiritual legacies, let us, like them, renew our hearts toward God and make a fresh commitment to transfer our God-blessed legacy to future spiritual runners.
Thirdly, let us ask God to help us resonate with each other’s companionship in our faith adventure. One of the many things I am proud of in this church is our togetherness. Almost every Sunday, numerous volunteers serve the Lord in our hybrid services as scripture readers, prayer leaders, storytellers, musicians, and announcers alongside the preachers. This divine work does not just happen with individuals standing at the lectern but also with those working behind the scenes in various capacities. Let us be grateful to those who are contributing their God-given talents to St. Andrew’s at this present time and find joy in serving one another with Christ’s heart. Throughout the anniversary preparation, the service and fellowship, and afterward, let us cherish this wonderful spirit of unity and oneness so that anyone, regardless of their background, whether inside or outside the church, may feel free to welcome and develop a deeper and more loving relationship with the Lord. All are essential to this sacred assembly.
In addition to the three prayer topics, let us ask God to help us remember our Church’s Mission Statement so that we can continue “to communicate faith, hope and love by supporting and serving our congregation and the local community.”
Please refer to the additional information listed in the P.S. sections below for more details about St. Andrew’s inclusive statement and the brief biographies of the guest speaker and musician.
Once again, on behalf of the St. Andrew’s Session and the Leadership Team, we warmly invite you and your loved ones to join us in wholehearted worship of God during this joyous celebration.
Friends, your prayers concerning the above topics would be greatly appreciated. Your presence would make the first-year anniversary of the amalgamated church meaningful and memorable in the Lord.
Please feel free to share this invitation letter with those who might be interested in this event.
May God bless St. Andrew’s as it turns one year old, with many more bright years to come!
May God also bless all of you and your loved ones as we enjoy this beautiful summer!
Blessings,
Caleb & Session and Leadership Team of St. Andrew’s Fenelon Falls
St. Andrew’s, Fenelon Falls: www.pccweb.ca/standrewsff
St. Andrew’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SaintAndrewsFF
P.S. 1 The Inclusive Statement – “St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Fenelon Falls is a member of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. At St. Andrew’s, we believe that we are all one in Christ, regardless of age, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability. We welcome everyone who seeks to love God and participate in an open and supportive congregation grounded in the teachings of Jesus Christ. The journey of Christian faith is ongoing, and we pray for God’s guidance as we listen to and learn from one another.” This statement, approved by the St. Andrew’s Session, was reaffirmed by the St. Andrew’s Congregation at the congregational meeting in the spring of 2023.
P.S. 2 – The Bios of Guest Speaker and Musician:
“The Rev. Dr. John-Peter Smit is the Regional Minister for Congregational Health for the
Synod of Central, Northeastern Ontario and Bermuda of the Presbyterian Church in
Canada. He has served the church as an ordained minister for over thirty five years. His
previous congregations include the Chatsworth and Dornoch Pastoral Charge, Chedoke
Presbyterian Church, Hamilton, Ontario and the First Presbyterian Church of Maitland,
Florida. They currently live in Prince Edward County. John-Peter is married to Tori, the Synod’s Regional Minister for Faith Formation. They have two grown children. When he is not engaged in ministry, he is busy playing with old cars.”
“Barbara holds an M.A. and B.Ed. from Queen’s University and an ARCT in voice and piano. She is a member of the RCM Council of Examiners and of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. She teaches voice in Stratford, Ontario, and is a professor emeritus of the Don Wright Faculty of Music at Western University where she taught for 15 years. In her performing career Barbara has appeared in Rhombus Media’s film of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, toured southern Ontario with her one-woman show, and been a featured soloist with symphony orchestras across North America. She appeared in several seasons with the Canadian Opera Company and the Stratford Festival, and in both the touring and Toronto companies of The Phantom of the Opera. Barbara grew up in Fenelon Falls and was a frequent soloist at church services and weddings in the community. For two years she was the organist and choir director at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.”