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OCT 8 Handbells (6pm) & Choir Practice (7pm)
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\n Gale Presbyterian striv
es to be a welcoming and safe space for people of all ages\, gender identi
ties\, 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 part of God’s
beautifully diverse creation. “For just as the body is one and has many p
arts\, and all the parts of the body\, though many\, are one body\, so it
is with Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:12)
Hebrews 13:2
Do not neglect to show hospi
tality to strangers\, for thereby some have entertained 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 ev en intimidated to come through the doors.
Please don’t!
Gale w ould like you to know that you are a welcome traveller on the journey rega rdless of your “church/no church” experience or background. You’ll meet pe ople who are both long-haulers (have made church a part of their lives for ever) as well as people who have ventured on this spiritual journey more r ecently. All share a curiosity about how God’s love and Jesus’ message app lies to everyday life. The weekly sermons feed\, encourage\, inspire\, and sometimes challenge listeners to live the life God wants for all people.< /p>
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 others\, reflect on your o wn\, or catch up on church activities by reading the announcements 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 po rtico where you can drop off a passenger before parking if you wish. Handi capped parking is available closer to the door.
What should I wear: No special expectations here. Wear what makes you comfort able – we don’t require formal dress or head coverings. (But if you want t o wear either\, that’s ok!) You will find people dressed in jeans\, in dre sses\, wearing ties\, or no ties with casual tops. Shorts in summer.
As you enter: There is a large welcoming narthex where p eople often chat before the service. You will see two open doors that lead into the sanctuary where the service is held. There are greeters who will say hello and help you find a seat if you wish. (very comfy cushioned sea ts!) If you have time before or after the service\, there’s a library next to the sanctuary if reading is something you enjoy.
Accessi bility: There are designated wheelchair locations in the sanctuar y and parking spots in the lot. There are washrooms available\, also wheel chair accessible.
What about children: Jesus said t o bring the children to him\, and so Gale does. Children are welcome in th e sanctuary\, as well as at the communion table. Sunday School is held dur ing the church service. Children are invited (but not required) to leave t he sanctuary with teachers after the children’s story. There is a nursery for younger children\, but if you prefer\, you can keep your child with yo u. Or\, you can go into the nursery and still watch the service through th e window. Church volunteers go through a police check.
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 inc luded to strengthen the day’s message. Expect to see the minister frequent ly leading with guitar while the music director plays piano or clavinova. Sometimes other instruments are involved in special musical presentations.
Offering/Giving: Gale recognizes that “giving” hap pens in a variety of ways\, including monetary\, as well as the gift of ta lent and time. There is a donation plate inside the Sanctuary Doors availa ble for those who are able to financially support the church. The donation s help pay for the staff\, including our minister\, as well as the costs o f running a facility. If able\, you just place your donation into the plat e before you sit down. If you put the money inside an envelope with your n ame and address on the outside\, the offering will be recorded for an inco me tax receipt.
Order of Service
Although thin
gs can change\, a typical service is as follows:
Welcome
Announ
cements
Call to worship
Hymn
Children’s story
Hymn
Scripture Reading
Sermon
Reflection (often music provided by c
hoir)
Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
Offering\, Prayer\, Hymn
Benediction\, Sending Hymn
Coffee hour: There may be coffee\, juice\, and cookies available after the service. Everyone is welcome to stay and visit.
Directions
Need
to find us? Join us in our location 10 Barnswallow Drive at the corner o
f Barnswallow Drive and Church Street West (Highway 86) on the northwest c
orner of Elmira\, ON.\, Canada.
Gale P resbyterian is located on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee ( Ho-den-o-show-nee)\, Anishinaabe (Ah-nish-nah-bey)\, and Chonnonton (Chi-n awn-ton) peoples.
This is part of the Hal dimand Tract\, which encompasses six miles on either side of the Grand Riv er.
We acknowledge this territory’s signi ficance for the Indigenous peoples who lived\, and continue to live\, upon it and whose practices and spiritualities were tied to the land and conti nue to develop in relationship to the territory and its other inhabitants today.
We acknowledge that The Presbyteri an Church in Canada has been a part of the residential school system.
< p style='text-align: left\;'>And together we seek a new relationsh ip with the First Nations of this land\, one based in honour and deep resp ect.Please be considerate of individuals who may be sensi tive to scented products. We ask that you do not bring in\, use or wear s cented products during your stay.
Our Sunday morning program runs as fo llows:
2026 schedule coming soon Click here for the Fall programming schedule.
The Presbyterian Church in Canada is committed to foste ring safe church environments free from harm and harassment\, where vulner able individuals\, especially children and vulnerable adults\, are protect ed. Creating safe churches involves preventing and responding to harm thro ugh policies\, training\, police record checks\, transparency\, clear repo rting procedures for misconduct and pathways to justice\, redress and heal ing when harm occurs.
To read more\, click here: http://p resbyterian.ca/safe-church/