MAR 19 Bells (6p m) & Choir (7pm)
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Gal
e Presbyterian strives to be a welcoming and safe space for people of all
ages\, gender identities\, racial and cultural backgrounds\, sexual orient
ations\, abilities\, economic circumstances and family configurations.
Each of us should be celebrated for who God has made us to be: a
unique part of God’s beautifully diverse creation. “For just as the body i
s one and has many parts\, and all the parts of the body\, though many\, a
re one body\, so it is with Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:12)
<
/div>\n 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 Scho
ol part-way through the service.
If Sunday doesn’t work for your busy family\, join us for Messy Church (a Friday evening monthly p
rogram for all ages).
Click
here for more details.
Hebrews 13:2
Do n
ot neglect to show hospitality to strangers\, for thereby some have entert
ained angels unawares.
If it’s been a while\, or a very long time (or never) since you walked into a church\, you might feel a bit nervous or even intimidated to come through the doors.
Pl ease don’t!
Gale would like you to know that you are a welcome trave ller on the journey regardless of your “church/no church” experience or ba ckground. You’ll meet people who are both long-haulers (have made church a part of their lives forever) as well as people who have ventured on this spiritual journey more recently. All share a curiosity about how God’s lov e and Jesus’ message applies to everyday life. The weekly sermons feed\, e ncourage\, inspire\, and sometimes challenge listeners to live the life Go d wants for all people.
Here are some answers to some
common questions:
What time should I arrive: Anytime between 10:15 and 10:30 will get you here on time! Chat with ot hers\, reflect on your own\, or catch up on church activities by reading t he announcements on the screen before things get started.
Pa rking: 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 pa rking if you wish. Handicapped parking is available closer to the door.
What should I wear: No special expectations here. Wea r what makes you comfortable – we don’t require formal dress or head cover ings. (But if you want to wear either\, that’s ok!) You will find people d ressed in jeans\, in dresses\, wearing ties\, or no ties with casual tops. Shorts in summer.
As you enter: There is a large w elcoming narthex where people often chat before the service. You will see two open doors that lead into the sanctuary where the service is held. The re are greeters who will say hello and help you find a seat if you wish. ( very comfy cushioned seats!) If you have time before or after the service\ , there’s a library next to the sanctuary if reading is something you enjo y.
Accessibility: There are designated wheelchair l ocations in the sanctuary and parking spots in the lot. There are washroom s available\, also wheelchair accessible.
What about childre n: Jesus said to bring the children to him\, and so Gale does. Ch ildren are welcome in the sanctuary\, as well as at the communion table. S unday School is held during the church service. Children are invited (but not required) to leave the sanctuary with teachers after the children’s st ory. There is a nursery for younger children\, but if you prefer\, you can keep your child with you. Or\, you can go into the nursery and still watc h the service through the window. Church volunteers go through a police ch eck.
Music: Yes\, there is singing\, and the words are on a screen for all to read. There’s a choir and a praise band so the music is varied and included to strengthen the day’s message. Expect to s ee the minister frequently leading with guitar while the music director pl ays piano or clavinova. Sometimes other instruments are involved in specia l musical presentations.
Offering/Giving: Gale reco gnizes that “giving” happens in a variety of ways\, including monetary\, a s well as the gift of talent and time. There is a donation plate inside th e 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 you r donation into 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
Although things can change\, a typical service is as follows:
Welcome
Announcements
Call to worship
Hymn
Childr
en’s story
Hymn
Scripture Reading
Sermon
Reflection (o
ften music provided by choir)
Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
Offering\, Prayer\, Hymn
Benediction\, Sending Hymn
Cof fee hour: There may be coffee\, juice\, and cookies available aft er the service. Everyone is welcome to stay and visit.
Direc
tions
Need to find us? Join us in our location 10 Barnswall
ow Drive at the corner of Barnswallow Drive and Church Street West (Highwa
y 86) on the northwest corner of Elmira\, ON.\, Canada.
Gale Presbyterian is located on the traditional territo ry of the Haudenosaunee (Ho-den-o-show-nee)\, Anishinaabe (Ah-nish-nah-bey )\, and Chonnonton (Chi-nawn-ton) peoples.
This is part of the Haldimand Tract\, which encompasses six miles on eit her side of the Grand River.
We acknowled ge this territory’s significance for the Indigenous peoples who lived\, an d continue to live\, upon it and whose practices and spiritualities were t ied to the land and continue to develop in relationship to the territory a nd its other inhabitants today.
We acknow ledge that The Presbyterian Church in Canada has been a part of the reside ntial school system.
And together we seek a new relationship with the First Nations of this land\, one base d in honour and deep respect.
Please be considerate of ind ividuals who may be sensitive to scented products. We ask that you do not bring in\, use or wear scented products during your stay.
We are imple menting a new Sunday morning program model.
Click here for the Fall programming schedule .
