Annual Nativity
Every year at this time St. Andrew's has hosted a Nativity Display, showcasing Nativity sets from around the world as well as Parishioners' own precious sets. This year over the course of the coming week and next we will present a number of these special Nativities for your viewing pleasure on our Facebook page.
A video Rob Mitchell put together in 2017 can also be seen here.
Melanie Hickcox's Stewardship Talk.
This talk was presented at our Sunday Service on November 15th, however due to technical difficulties most people were unable to hear the talk. This was a great talk and well worth watching!
Prayers at the time of death and dying can be said as you gather together with your loved one. Use this guide to get started.
In this time of great fear, anxiety, and uncertainty, remember these words of comfort: Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Join us in practicing a "Way of Love". Learn more at https://episcopalchurch.org/way-of-love
Early Christians observed "a season of penitence and fasting" in preparation for the Paschal feast, or Pascha (BCP, pp. 264-265). The season now known as Lent (from an Old English word meaning "spring," the time of lengthening days) provides Christians an opportunity to pray, fast, and prepare.
Walk the lighted labyrinth and meditate on the light of the Epiphany season which illuminates the darkness of winter on Saturday, January 11, 6:00 pm to 9:00. This is a drop-in event. Come for as long as you like to enjoy the quiet light. Walking the labyrinth takes approximately 20 minutes. Children are always welcome and will take great delight in the light. There will also be quiet space to sit for centering prayer or meditation.
Advent 4: For the 4th week of advent we offer you this prayer as you finish your preparations.
God, help us remember that you are Love, that you are beyond description. Help us remember that you love us. Help us live out your call to love you and to love others as Jesus loved us, became one of us and died for us.
Advent 3: A nativity scene (sometimes called a crèche), is another way to highlight the season of Advent. Instead of putting out the whole set at once, try building the scene slowly. Begin with the manger. Gradually add animals, Mary and Joseph. On Christmas Eve add the baby Jesus and any additional figures. This increases the feeling of anticipation that is Advent.
Advent 2: "As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,"
Advent 1: Advent is a season of quiet expectation and contrast. It begins somberly as we reflect on endings, judgment and human frailty, but looks toward greater light and joy as we near the Nativity. During Advent, our worship space, words and actions reflect the tone of the season. Each Sunday just before worship a new candle on the Advent Wreath is lit gradually increasing the light.
Sunday School begins Sunday, Sept 22 in the Parish Hall.
In accordance with the policies established by the Diocese of Massachusetts, St. Andrew's maintains compliance with the Safe Church training standards for all clergy, employees, wardens, vestry members, lay eucharistic visitors, pastoral visitors, youth leaders, acolyte leaders, choir directors, church school teachers and volunteers working within our parish. Contact The Rev. Joyce Scherer-Hoock with any questions on this subject.
Esperanza Academy Head of School to Preach at St. Andrew’s on Sunday, 9/22: Jadihel (Jadi) Taveras, Head of School for Esperanza Academy will deliver the sermon at the 9:30 am service on Sunday, September 22. He will also lead the Adult Forum after the service and coffee hour.
It's back to Sunday School time at St. Andrew's. Join us on Sunday, September 15th after the regular service at 9:30am for the All Parish Barbecue to kick-off the new Sunday School year.
Sunday School Open House is September 15th. Come & See the classrooms and register your kids for 2019-2020.
Choir begins August 29th! Come & See what choir is all about. The choir is preparing for the 2019-2020 season under the direction of Daniel Francois, Organist and Choir Master. The group begins rehearsals at 7:00 pm on Thursday, August 29.
The choir rehearses every Thursday evening to prepare the music for the following Sunday. Additionally, they rehearse music for upcoming holidays and holy days. They practice chants as well as study anthems in various styles of sacred music.
St. Andrew’s Choir is a non-audition group and new members are always welcome. Singers for all voice parts are needed.
It’s time for the Backpack Drive!
Would you like to help us with our next Outreach project? The Union Congregational Church in Groton has taken over the Backpack drive from Loaves & Fishes. The drive provides much needed school supplies to children in Ayer, Devens, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, and Shirley. Supply lists are in the Parish Hall and donations can be dropped off in the Peabody Room or the Parish Hall no later than Sunday, August 11.
We also need volunteers to help bring the backpacks and supplies from St. Andrew’s to the Congregational Church on Sunday, August 11th. Additionally, volunteers will set up for the drive on Wednesday, August 21 starting at 9am at the Congregational Church and/or Distribute backpacks and supplies on Friday, August 23 starting at 8am at the Congregational Church.
There's a sign up sheet available in the Parish Hall if you would like to join us for any of these tasks. Questions? Contact Jenny Outman
Join us for an afternoon of music on Sunday June 9th at 3pm. Learn more and purchase tickets at http://standrewsayer.org/events/outreach-concert/index.html
Join us on Sunday, March 17th at 9:00 am when we will reconsecrate the church before the regular service at 9:30 am. Worship will begin with a procession and prayers.
Take part in our Lenten Program for Creation Care. As part of your daily Lenten discipline, get outdoors everyday. Read Earth Gospel everyday along with us. Attend our Adult Forums each Sunday during Lent, and join in our series of Sunday afternoon outdoor walks.
Learn more about this series at http://www.standrewsayer.org/creationcare
Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry - Most Needed Items:
Feminine Care Products, Diapers – Pull Ups, Reusable Grocery Bags, Pasta Sauce, Tomato Paste, Canned Whole or Pureed, Tomatoes, Canned White Tuna, Baked Beans/Canned Chili, Salad Dressings, Canned Fruit Cocktail, Applesauce, Canned Pineapple, Canned Corn, Boxed Flavored Rice, Grape or Strawberry Jelly, Cake Mixes, Canned Pasta, Hamburger or Tuna Helpers, Ketchup, Mayonnaise, Toothpaste, Shampoo/Conditioner, Dish Detergent, Poise Pads.
Visit The Loaves & Fishes web page for additional details. https://loavesfishespantry.org/
ATTENTION: Due to the forecasted inclement weather, our regular Sunday Service for January 20, 2019 is CANCELLED. This is a great time to check out the the National Cathedral's live streaming services at www.cathedral.org.
It's a Choir Workshop! All are welcome to participate in our choir workshop on January 26, 2019, 9am - 4pm. The workshop will cover the basics of choral singing - breathing, tone, range extension. Limited to the first 25 registrants. Contact Tina Simpson at tsimpson@standrewsayer.org
The Advent Wreath: The circle of the wreath and the evergreens that make it up both signify God’s endless mercy and undying love. Three purple candles and one rose-colored (pink) candle are evenly spaced around the wreath. There is one larger white candle in the center of the wreath. The wreath can be as simple as four candle holders with greenery laid around them to form a circle.
Advent 4: For the 4th week of advent on December 23rd, we offer you this prayer as you finish your preparations.
God, help us remember that you are Love, that you are beyond description. Help us remember that you love us. Help us live out your call to love you and to love others as Jesus loved us, became one of us and died for us.
Advent 3: A nativity scene (sometimes called a crèche), is another way to highlight the season of Advent. Instead of putting out the whole set at once, try building the scene slowly. Begin with the manger. Gradually add animals, Mary and Joseph. On Christmas Eve add the baby Jesus and any additional figures. This increases the feeling of anticipation that is Advent.
Advent 2: "As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,"
Advent 1: Advent is a season of quiet expectation and contrast. It begins somberly as we reflect on endings, judgment and human frailty, but looks toward greater light and joy as we near the Nativity. During Advent, our worship space, words and actions reflect the tone of the season. Each Sunday just before worship a new candle on the Advent Wreath is lit gradually increasing the light.
St. Andrew’s Co-Sponsors Listening and Sharing Conversation on November 15th. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and the Union Congregational Church in Groton are the sponsors for an evening devoted to conversations about Sexual Assault, Violence, and Harassment. Recent events in the news have triggered emotions of anger, fear, and frustration and have caused survivors of abuse to feel unsafe. The Reverend Joyce Scherer-Hoock, rector of St. Andrew’s, and The Reverend Gail Miller, pastor of Union Congregational, invite survivors and their supporters to attend a gathering to share their stories and be truly heard. The event will be on November 15 from 7:00 – 8:30 pm, at the Federated Church of Ayer, 21 Washington Street, Ayer, MA.
Physical address
7 Faulkner Street
Ayer, Massachusetts 01432
978-772-2615
ObscureChurch
Mailing address
St. Andrew's Church
PO Box 298
Ayer, MA 01432
St. Andrew's is handicap accessible. We also have large print bibles and Book of Common Prayer available upon request
St. Andrew's is a proud sponsor of Cub Scout Pack 32. Contact them at ObscureBSA for more information.
