Easter Message
To all our friends, family, and congregation:
It is indeed a difficult time in history, in life, in our communities. The Covid-19 Virus has changed the world. Life has changed dramatically for all of us.
Like many others, I sometimes lie awake at night and wonder where all this will end. I don’t lie awake because I worry. I lie awake wondering if perhaps,
as some have suggested, are we nearing the end when Jesus will return.
I watch the news and wonder where God is in all this turmoil. Today I looked out and was so impressed, reminded, encouraged, and at peace when I
saw the glorious light and sunshine, and felt the warmth of the sun. As usual, that means spring is about to happen. That means, for me, and for many of you,
that it is God’s reminder that he is still fully in control. I think of Jesus’ disciples, when they were in the midst of a storm, when Jesus rebuked the storm,
and the disciples asked, “Who is this person that even the wind and the waves obey him?” We live in the hindsight of that event. We know who that person
was and still is. It was God in the person of Jesus our Lord. The question then is – do we know Him heart to heart? Are we ready each day to face the day
with Him? The saying we often hear, “we don’t know what tomorrow may hold, but we do know who holds tomorrow,” rings true more than ever for all those
who believe in Christ and are secure in Him.
As I watch the morning news these are not words we hear from politicians, doctors, scientists, and any other leaders. Seldom do we hear the call to prayer.
The only words we hear are words of advice as to how “WE” will get through this time. Jesus commanded the wind and the waves to stop, and they did.
God has not yet commanded the storm of this pandemic to stop. Perhaps we have so much more to learn before he bestows that grace on this troubled world.
My own father used to say, “to be concerned is Christian, to worry is sin.” Those who knew him well also knew that many times he crossed the fine line
between the two. Worry often comes more naturally to our sinful human nature. However he also taught us well the Biblically based confession, written in
the sixteenth century, that my only true comfort is that in life and in death, both body and soul, I belong to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ, who, with His
precious blood, has fully paid for all my sins, and through his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life. What a joy and comfort that is.
Dear friends, what can I say to you other than the words of the confession I have just shared with you? Think of the words of Psalm 46, one of so many
wonderful Biblical passages, God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear. There is a river whose streams
make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall…The Lord Almighty is with us…Be still, and know that
I am God.
Think also of the words of Isaiah (60), the prophet. Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers
the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Isaiah also proclaims this Word of the Lord (55),
Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters…Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while he is near…You will go out with joy and be led
forth in peace; the mountains and the hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. This is for the Lord’s renown,
for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed.
Dear friends, in a world that is covered in a thick darkness of fear, you have the comfort, you have the light, you are the confessors of His mercy, grace,
and glory! Share it all!
Jacqueline and I thank you all for praying for us as we deal with different issues, as we pray for you. We find it difficult to move into Holy Week,
Good Friday, and Resurrection Sunday not being able to celebrate and worship together with the congregation. It does not, however, lessen the joy and peace we have through the work of Christ, His suffering, death, resurrection all in response to His amazing grace and love for us. And now He stands at the right hand of the Father and declares each one of us as one of His own.
Peace, blessings, and the grace of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen
Pastor Job, Jacqueline, and Joel.
Dear Congregants and Community
We are hoping that in this extraordinary time in our lives we can stay strong and positive, but most of all healthy.
We wanted to reach out to our congregation and the community to ensure that despite our inability to share in worship at St. Andrew’s we are still all a part of the church family. As such we need to pray for our well being along with the rest of the world.
This is a global issue, and these will be trying times and a test of our faith and strength. God reminds us that our faith will guide us and comfort us.
Stay safe, self isolate, wash you hands often and listen to the guidelines our health system is giving us. This will be a long,
weary journey but rest assured we will join again in worship and we thank God for all our blessings.
Pastor Job van Hartingsveldt and Session
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Looking for a Church?
Our Promise
A Warm Welcome to You.
To preach and teach The Bible in a
Traditional Service, Glorifying God
through music that maintains quality,
and reverence in worship.
Worship Sundays at 10:30am
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
67 Victoria Ave. Belleville
613-968-8998
Come to visit and you'll leave feeling blessed and uplifted;
come to stay and you'll find a home among those who appreciate everyone's
individual talents and who sincerely wish to share God's love with you.
Our Mission Statement
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Belleville,
will share the gospel of Jesus Christ with all people through worship,
teaching, and service.
Our Vision Statement
To be a living example of Christ’s love and
healing power to all people.
To all our friends, family, and congregation:
It is indeed a difficult time in history, in life, in our communities. The Covid-19 Virus has changed the world. Life has changed dramatically for all of us.
Like many others, I sometimes lie awake at night and wonder where all this will end. I don’t lie awake because I worry. I lie awake wondering if perhaps,
as some have suggested, are we nearing the end when Jesus will return.
I watch the news and wonder where God is in all this turmoil. Today I looked out and was so impressed, reminded, encouraged, and at peace when I
saw the glorious light and sunshine, and felt the warmth of the sun. As usual, that means spring is about to happen. That means, for me, and for many of you,
that it is God’s reminder that he is still fully in control. I think of Jesus’ disciples, when they were in the midst of a storm, when Jesus rebuked the storm,
and the disciples asked, “Who is this person that even the wind and the waves obey him?” We live in the hindsight of that event. We know who that person
was and still is. It was God in the person of Jesus our Lord. The question then is – do we know Him heart to heart? Are we ready each day to face the day
with Him? The saying we often hear, “we don’t know what tomorrow may hold, but we do know who holds tomorrow,” rings true more than ever for all those
who believe in Christ and are secure in Him.
As I watch the morning news these are not words we hear from politicians, doctors, scientists, and any other leaders. Seldom do we hear the call to prayer.
The only words we hear are words of advice as to how “WE” will get through this time. Jesus commanded the wind and the waves to stop, and they did.
God has not yet commanded the storm of this pandemic to stop. Perhaps we have so much more to learn before he bestows that grace on this troubled world.
My own father used to say, “to be concerned is Christian, to worry is sin.” Those who knew him well also knew that many times he crossed the fine line
between the two. Worry often comes more naturally to our sinful human nature. However he also taught us well the Biblically based confession, written in
the sixteenth century, that my only true comfort is that in life and in death, both body and soul, I belong to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ, who, with His
precious blood, has fully paid for all my sins, and through his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life. What a joy and comfort that is.
Dear friends, what can I say to you other than the words of the confession I have just shared with you? Think of the words of Psalm 46, one of so many
wonderful Biblical passages, God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear. There is a river whose streams
make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall…The Lord Almighty is with us…Be still, and know that
I am God.
Think also of the words of Isaiah (60), the prophet. Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers
the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Isaiah also proclaims this Word of the Lord (55),
Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters…Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while he is near…You will go out with joy and be led
forth in peace; the mountains and the hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. This is for the Lord’s renown,
for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed.
Dear friends, in a world that is covered in a thick darkness of fear, you have the comfort, you have the light, you are the confessors of His mercy, grace,
and glory! Share it all!
Jacqueline and I thank you all for praying for us as we deal with different issues, as we pray for you. We find it difficult to move into Holy Week,
Good Friday, and Resurrection Sunday not being able to celebrate and worship together with the congregation. It does not, however, lessen the joy and peace we have through the work of Christ, His suffering, death, resurrection all in response to His amazing grace and love for us. And now He stands at the right hand of the Father and declares each one of us as one of His own.
Peace, blessings, and the grace of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen
Pastor Job, Jacqueline, and Joel.
Dear Congregants and Community
We are hoping that in this extraordinary time in our lives we can stay strong and positive, but most of all healthy.
We wanted to reach out to our congregation and the community to ensure that despite our inability to share in worship at St. Andrew’s we are still all a part of the church family. As such we need to pray for our well being along with the rest of the world.
This is a global issue, and these will be trying times and a test of our faith and strength. God reminds us that our faith will guide us and comfort us.
Stay safe, self isolate, wash you hands often and listen to the guidelines our health system is giving us. This will be a long,
weary journey but rest assured we will join again in worship and we thank God for all our blessings.
Pastor Job van Hartingsveldt and Session
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Looking for a Church?
Our Promise
A Warm Welcome to You.
To preach and teach The Bible in a
Traditional Service, Glorifying God
through music that maintains quality,
and reverence in worship.
Worship Sundays at 10:30am
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
67 Victoria Ave. Belleville
613-968-8998
Come to visit and you'll leave feeling blessed and uplifted;
come to stay and you'll find a home among those who appreciate everyone's
individual talents and who sincerely wish to share God's love with you.
Our Mission Statement
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Belleville,
will share the gospel of Jesus Christ with all people through worship,
teaching, and service.
Our Vision Statement
To be a living example of Christ’s love and
healing power to all people.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Our Promise
Worship Sundays at 10:30am Come to visit and you'll leave feeling blessed and uplifted;
come to stay and you'll find a home among those who appreciate everyone's
individual talents and who sincerely wish to share God's love with you.
Our Mission Statement
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Belleville,
will share the gospel of Jesus Christ with all people through worship,
teaching, and service.
Our Vision Statement
To be a living example of Christ’s love and
healing power to all people.
A Warm Welcome to You.
To preach and teach The Bible in a
Traditional Service, Glorifying God
through music that maintains quality,
and reverence in worship.
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
67 Victoria Ave. Belleville
613-968-8998
