Gale Presbyt
erian strives to be a welcoming and safe space for people of all ages\, ge
nder identities\, racial and cultural backgrounds\, sexual orientations\,
abilities\, economic circumstances and family configurations.
Each of us should be celebrated for who God has made us to be: a unique pa
rt of God’s beautifully diverse creation. “For just as the body is one and
has many parts\, and all the parts of the body\, though many\, are one bo
dy\, so it is with Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:12)
Join
us for worship on Sundays at 10:30 am in-person or online via our Livestream.
Children are welcome in our sanctuary or to attend Sunday School part-wa
y through the service.
I
f Sunday doesn’t work for your busy family\, join us for Messy Church (a Friday evening monthly program for
all ages).
Click here for m
ore details.
Hebrews 13:2
Do not neglect t
o show hospitality to strangers\, for thereby some have entertained angels
unawares.
If it’s been a while\, or a very lo ng time (or never) since you walked into a church\, you might feel a bit n ervous or even intimidated to come through the doors.
Please don’t!< /p>
Gale would like you to know that you are a welcome traveller on the journey regardless of your “church/no church” experience or background. Yo u’ll meet people who are both long-haulers (have made church a part of the ir lives forever) as well as people who have ventured on this spiritual jo urney more recently. All share a curiosity about how God’s love and Jesus’ message applies to everyday life. The weekly sermons feed\, encourage\, i nspire\, and sometimes challenge listeners to live the life God wants for all people.
Here are some answers to some common quest
ions:
What time should I arrive: Anytime b etween 10:15 and 10:30 will get you here on time! Chat with others\, refle ct on your own\, or catch up on church activities by reading the announcem ents on the screen before things get started.
Parking: We have a large lot and plenty of spaces around the church as well as a covered portico where you can drop off a passenger before parking if you wish. Handicapped parking is available closer to the door.
What should I wear: No special expectations here. Wear what makes you comfortable – we don’t require formal dress or head coverings. (But i f you want to wear either\, that’s ok!) You will find people dressed in je ans\, in dresses\, wearing ties\, or no ties with casual tops. Shorts in s ummer.
As you enter: There is a large welcoming nar thex where people often chat before the service. You will see two open doo rs that lead into the sanctuary where the service is held. There are greet ers who will say hello and help you find a seat if you wish. (very comfy c ushioned seats!) If you have time before or after the service\, there’s a library next to the sanctuary if reading is something you enjoy.
What about children: Jesus said to bring the children to him\, and so Gale does. Children are w elcome in the sanctuary\, as well as at the communion table. Sunday School is held during the church service. Children are invited (but not required ) to leave the sanctuary with teachers after the children’s story. There i s a nursery for younger children\, but if you prefer\, you can keep your c hild with you. Or\, you can go into the nursery and still watch the servic e through the window. Church volunteers go through a police check.
< strong>Music: Yes\, there is singing\, and the words are on a scr een for all to read. There’s a choir and a praise band so the music is va ried and included to strengthen the day’s message. Expect to see the minis ter frequently leading with guitar while the music director plays piano or clavinova. Sometimes other instruments are involved in special musical pr esentations.
Offering/Giving: Gale recognizes that “giving” happens in a variety of ways\, including monetary\, as well as th e gift of talent and time. There is a donation plate inside the Sanctuary Doors available for those who are able to financially support the church. The donations help pay for the staff\, including our minister\, as well as the costs of running a facility. If able\, you just place your donation i nto the plate before you sit down. If you put the money inside an envelope with your name and address on the outside\, the offering will be recorded for an income tax receipt.
Order of Service
A
lthough things can change\, a typical service is as follows:
Welcome
Announcements
Call to worship
Hymn
Children’s storyHymn
Scripture Reading
Sermon
Reflection (often music p
rovided by choir)
Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
Offering\, P
rayer\, Hymn
Benediction\, Sending Hymn
Coffee hour: There may be coffee\, juice\, and cookies available after the servi ce. Everyone is welcome to stay and visit.
Directions
<
/strong>Need to find us? Join us in our location 10 Barnswallow Drive at
the corner of Barnswallow Drive and Church Street West (Highway 86) on the
northwest corner of Elmira\, ON.\, Canada.
Gale Presbyterian is located on the traditional territory of the Hau denosaunee (Ho-den-o-show-nee)\, Anishinaabe (Ah-nish-nah-bey)\, and Chonn onton (Chi-nawn-ton) peoples.
This is par t of the Haldimand Tract\, which encompasses six miles on either side of t he Grand River.
We acknowledge this terri tory’s significance for the Indigenous peoples who lived\, and continue to live\, upon it and whose practices and spiritualities were tied to the la nd and continue to develop in relationship to the territory and its other inhabitants today.
We acknowledge that Th e Presbyterian Church in Canada has been a part of the residential school system.
And together we seek a ne w relationship with the First Nations of this land\, one based in honour a nd deep respect.
Please be considerate of individuals who may be sensitive to scented products. We ask that you do not bring in\, u se or wear scented products during your stay.
Our Sunday morning progra m runs as follows:
2026 schedule coming soon Click here for the Fall programmi ng schedule.
- Intergenerational Worship – on the third Sunday of the month
- Sunday School – on the second and fourth Sunday of the month during the worship servic e
- Pray Ground – activity binders/books for child ren to use during worship every Sunday
Safe Church Commitment
< span style='font-size: 10pt\;'>The Presbyterian Church in Canada is commit ted to fostering safe church environments free from harm and harassment\, where vulnerable individuals\, especially children and vulnerable adults\, are protected. Creating safe churches involves preventing and responding to harm through policies\, training\, police record checks\, transparency\ , clear reporting procedures for misconduct and pathways to justice\, redr ess and healing when harm occurs.
To read more\, click here: http://presbyterian.ca/safe-church/