St. Andrew’s Newsletter #2-April 2nd, 2020-

Update on Church Closure: The church will remain closed indefinitely, following directions from the Ontario Public Health Department. No church programs nor any outside groups will be using the church facility during this time. St. Andrew’s Outreach Program Food Bank will continue to run each Friday under new protocols, to assist the vulnerable in our community while protecting our volunteers.

Should you have an urgent need or a pastoral need, please contact your elder or the church office by phone. The church office will be open Monday through Friday, 9:00-12noon. (905-668-4022)

Continue to keep in touch with our church community by checking our church web-site ( https://worship-with-us.org/ ) and our church Facebook group (St Andrews Presbyterian Church, Whitby).

Continue to worship each Sunday morning by linking with the on-line worship service hosted by the Rev. Sean Astop of St. Andrew’s Chalmers Presbyterian Church, Uxbridge. Login instructions will be sent out each weekend via e-mail and posted on our website and Facebook page.

Financial Donations to the Church:    We are directing people to make financial donations either by mail or online on our church website (button in the top right corner).  All donations from the community (either by cheque or on-line) received after the 23rd of March will automatically go towards our Missions and Outreach Foodbank program.    Donations (made on-line or by cheque) by congregation members will go to the church’s general fund unless otherwise designated.  To designate such donations to go to the Missions and Outreach Foodbank program, please send an email to Emily Fern or to the church office at ( standrewswhitby@bellnet.ca ) to inform us of your wishes.  The amount of the donation does not need to be included in this communication. 

Songs of Comfort (Free Playlist):

Music can be a source of comfort and means of meditating with our God. This link will take you to a playlist which can be accessed on Spotify, Apple Music or Amazon Music (which some of you may subscribe to). Even if you don’t subscribe to any of these sources, have a look at the playlist titles. Search them out on the internet and listen to YouTube versions of them.

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/songs-comfort-anxious-souls/

Just a Thought with Rev. Sean Astop :

                                  WATCH SERMONS -      

In Matthew 4:4, as Jesus is tempted in the wilderness, he says to the one tempting him, "People do not live by bread alone but every word that comes from the mouth of God".  

Jesus in one sense is acknowledging that there is more to life than simply eating and drinking. In other words, we not only are nourished by the food we eat but by God's promises and will for our lives. I remember as a kid growing up and eating the junkiest cereal I could get my hands on, the more sugar the better. I have later in life come to realize that what I eat makes a big difference in how I feel and I try my best to limit my consumption of certain foods.

In the same way, what we feed our minds and what we take in through our eyes and ears can impact our spiritual wellness. If we are only listening to bad news on TV and seeing disturbing images on the internet in relationship to the pandemic we are bound to be discouraged. 

My friends Patti and Jeff Ross run an incredibly positive business called Dimples Personalized Jewelry. Patti has started an encouragement video series to help people during these difficult times and I love the advice she gives about filling our lives with positive experiences and making Hope a Strategy to live by because it will impact our well-being. You can watch her short message HERE .    

Jesus reminds us all to feast on good things, to devour the Word of God and to live from God's promises and a sense of Hope. Some my favourite verses from the Bible lately have been, "Do not be afraid", "Cast your cares upon me and I will give you peace". Let's not forget where our

strength comes from. Keep up the good work and be strong in the Lord. Amen.

PRAY FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, CAREGIVERS, AND RESEARCHERS RESPONSIBLE FOR FIGHTING THE NEW CORONAVIRUS.God, as more people get sick, healthcare workers and first responders are working longer hours with fewer supplies and with more risk of contracting the new coronavirus themselves. Renew their energy and sustain them on long shifts. Bring Your protection upon them as they work with patients. Multiply their supplies so they have the protective items needed to stay safe on the job. Inspire and invigorate the research doctors developing better tests to diagnose the virus, create vaccines to prevent it, and identify protocols to eliminate the

disease’s spread.  AmenEven though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. —Psalm 23:4 (NIV)(from World Vision website) shared by Brian McClure from St. Andrew's Whitby

I look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday and also on April 10th for a Good Friday Communion Service next week. If you are able to have a small piece of bread and a small glass of juice and wine at home, I will lead us in Holy Communion together. Looking forward to this special service together.

God Bless you!

Go Out In Praise: While cleaning out some long-undisturbed cupboards in the church basement, members of my congregation unearthed a pile of disused hymnbooks and gave them to anyone who wanted one. I claimed The Book of Praise, printed in 1918. Though it is mended and has yellowed pages, I have enjoyed the poetry of the hymns, penned by great Christian writers such as Sir Isaac Watts, Fanny Crosby, and John Wesley. The English is often archaic, but the expressions of praise and worship are timeless, and my heart has been blessed by reading the verses. Let me share some verses by John Newton (1725-1807):

Great Shepherd of Thy people, hear;Thy presence now display.As Thou has giv'n a place for prayer,So give us hearts to pray.

Within these walls let holy peace,And love, and concord dwell;Here give the troubled conscience ease,The wounded spirit heal.

May we in faith receive Thy Word,In faith present our prayers,And in the presence of our Lord,Unbosom all our cares.

What words of comfort and assurance during these troubled times!

King Jehoshaphat and the kingdom of Judah faced imminent invasion by three enemy armies. In their fear and confusion, they turned to the Lord for salvation. Their prayers echoed what John Newton penned so many years later, but God's response was sure and mighty to save.

2 Chronicles 20:17 – You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you. (ESV)

In the most amazing military victory in the Bible, the choir led the army into battle, praising God and saying, "Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast

love endures forever." Then God raised an insurrection among the enemy armies, and they completely destroyed each other.

Our world is experiencing unprecedented uncertainty and confusing times. Take comfort in the faith and praises in the Scriptures, the hymns of previous generations, and contemporary worship songs. The same God who rescued Judah and Jerusalem is mighty to save His people today. Be among those who go out and praise!

Prayer: Today, dear Lord, we give thanks to You, for Your steadfast love endures forever. Thank You for the faith expressed in the praise of Bible heroes and previous generations of Christian poets and writers, and for the encouragement that still rings out for us today. Amen.

Shirley Moulton <shirley_moulton@yahoo.ca> Ottawa, Ontario, Canada(from PresbyCan Daily Devotions)

5 ways to celebrate Palm Sunday at home this year:

1. Read the Gospel Accounts

Jesus’ fulfillment of the Old Testament Scriptures on Palm Sunday is recorded in all four New Testament Gospel Accounts: Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19. We can draw close to God by reading the truth of His Word. Scripture promises, where two or more are gathered, He is with them! Scripture also says, when we seek Him with all of our hearts, we will find Him. God is … close! When Jesus rode into the city on Palm Sunday, He was God the Son coming close to us. Because of His sacrifice, He remains with every believer through the Holy Spirit. Reading the story of Palm Sunday aloud, or in private, is an intimate way to draw close to God and celebrate. 

2. Prayer and Fasting

Prayer and fasting help us to focus on and draw closer to, God. Jesus, Himself, prayed and fasted when He walked the earth. 

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” – Luke 5:16

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” – Mark 1:35

In these uncertain times, drawing closer to God brings healing and encouragement to our souls. Setting aside time to sit in prayer with our Father and sacrificing distractions in order to focus on Him allows us our understanding of the significance of Jesus riding into the Holy City on Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to be sharpened. Prayer and fasting are a facet of worshipping our great God. He craves closeness with us, and we are filled and settled by His presence.

3. “Go” to Church

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as in the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”    Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV

Quarantine has not kept the church from meeting together. Faithful church leaders have been establishing an online church presence long before the need we face now. Connecting with the local church and tuning into the truth God is speaking through leaders locally, across the country and the globe has never been easier. In fact, anyone with a smartphone can tune in from the palm of their hand. It’s not a replacement for physically meeting together. But, in these uncertain times, we feel like we’re together, even though we’re apart. Tune in and celebrate with brothers and sisters in Christ. Even though we may not know each other or be in close proximity to each other physically, now more than ever we feel connected through Christ. 

4. Gather “Palms”

“When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:”    Luke 19:37

Depending on where we live, it may be possible to walk outside of our doors and gather palms. If so, put on some worship music and wave them proudly. Clutch onto them, knowing the significant history in the victorious waving of palms. For those without access to actual palms, we can look to the flowers coming up with the first signs of spring, and celebrate the life coming through the cold ground in God’s time regardless of the calamity that surrounds us. We can draw palms, print off pictures, and wave them in celebration of Christ’s entrance into the “Holy City.” Especially for families with children, consider re-enacting the parade through Jerusalem. Sing songs of worship together and help children to understand that though you may not be able to do the same activities that you normally would this time of year it is still a time to be joyous and grateful! 

5. Adorn Windows, Prepare the “Sidewalk,” and Fill the Eggs

“Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” Genesis 9:16

There are many activities circulating online we can use to celebrate Palm Sunday from our homes. No matter our age, these activities can bring joy to our hearts, and those of our family and neighbors. Many are putting “quarantine rainbows” in their windows as a sign of hope. Anyone can join, and perhaps we can add a cross to remind us Who we put our hope in. Prepare the “sidewalk” with the truths of Palm Sunday scriptures, and visuals that represent this day: a donkey, palms, Jesus, music notes and the word “Hosanna.” For all who walk that path, they will witness God’s truth and the celebration of Palm Sunday. Finally, fill some eggs to be opened from Palm Sunday to Easter. Fill them with Holy Week Scriptures, and hide them around our homes and yards to be found gradually. These little reminders make a big difference in continuing to celebrate Jesus through these uncertain times. 

Prayer for Palm Sunday at Home

Father, we praise You for Palm Sunday. This is the day You have made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Father, we thank You for Your plan to forgive us through Jesus' substitutionary sacrifice on the cross. You pursue us, Father. Help us to set aside time to intentionally celebrate and worship You and Jesus’ entry into the Holy City on Palm Sunday. Though we face uncertain times, we know You are the same. You are good. You are not moved. You are … close.  In Jesus’ powerful name we pray, Amen. 

God’s promises remain true. His love reigns. His purposes are good. God’s Word will be established on this earth. Pandemics will not stop the gospel. Just look at how we are finding ways to rally together, even though we are physically distanced. Love is unstoppable because God is love. This year, as we celebrate Palm Sunday in our homes and across screens virtually, we can anticipate the hugs and the high fives that will come again. This won’t last forever, but God’s promises will.  (article from Crosswalk.com )

Stay tuned: Our Praise Team is going to be “meeting” this evening for a virtual sing-a-long using a new technology called ZOOM. Stay tuned to hear next week how it went and if it has possibilities congregation wide.

Children’s Ministry: This year we were already preparing for HOLY WEEK down in Sunday school before the closures and challenges of COVID-19 happened. I had printed a huge 6”X12” poster with bible verses depicting the RESURRECTION and celebration of the first Easter. We were

planning to use it as the focal point to our Easter Sunday celebration display in the Church Hall. The kids and I had gotten about 1/3 of the way through painting it when we last were able to meet. I’ve

since been able to find the same poster in “tile” format (don’t worry much smaller than our original poster) that was just produced by Illustrated Children’s Ministry for families to use at home due to CODIV-19. Here is the PDF link/attachement. I encourage you to use this as a week-long focus starting this Sunday on Palm Sunday and continuing through HOLY WEEK. If you or your family completes the poster send us a picture or post it to FaceBook so that we can all see our work as God’s Family celebrating His gift of Easter. If you have any trouble downloading your poster don’t hesistate to email me or the church office directly and we can send it out to you again. It is my prayer that God continues to bless you all with safety, and strength and patience and love during this challenging time. If you are looking for other boredom busters or faith focus activities to do with your family this week I encourage you to check out several of the free resources provided online https://engageworship.org OR https:// mommysnippets.com/hosanna-branch-wavers/Hugs and Payers From Emily Fern (Children’s Ministry Coordinator)

ChristIsRisenMosaic8.5x11_Family_Complete.pdf

St. Andrew’s Community Outreach Food Bank: Last Friday, the Food Bank ran under new protocols to ensure the health and safety of all of our guests, volunteers and staff. Everything ran very well and the weather co-operated brilliantly. Thank-you to all who contributed to the food bank cause either with food donations or financial donations. We are continuing to minister to the most vulnerable members of our community in the safest was possible - your prayers are very much appreciated. -Emily