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.

Hilary Greene, Red Cross Executive Director, to Speak at St. Andrew's. Hilary Greene, Executive Director of the CISEMA Chapter of the American Red Cross and Deacon Candidate in the Episcopal Diocese of MA will speak on Sunday, November 11, at the Adult Forum. She will speak about how her work with both the Red Cross and the Diocese is relevant to churches and communities. She will cover how we should prepare ourselves for disaster, personally and within our community, and how we can best help when disaster hits far away. Hilary will be accompanied by her golden retriever, Morgan, the Red Cross Mascot.



St. Andrew’s is located at 7 Faulkner Street in Ayer and is an open and affirming church. The Sunday Celebration of Holy Communion is at 9:30 am. Child care is available for infants and toddlers beginning at 9:15 am. Sunday School for preschool-aged children and older also starts at 9:15. The Forum is held in the Parish Hall at 11:00 am. All are welcome.

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Holiday Fair will be held on Saturday, November 17th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. This is a great place to get a head start on your holiday shopping - perennial favorites include Handmade Crafts, a Silent Auction, Cookies by the Pound, Holiday Pies and Baked Goods, fabulous Gift Baskets and a Raffle.  Lunch on St. Andrew's famous beef stew and apple pie or bring some home for dinner. Craft Vendors this year include natural handmade soaps and beauty supplies, handmade jewelry, beautiful bags, sweaters, soft toys, bird baths, and animal portraits, as well as other goodies.  Local Scouts will be taking orders for wreaths and trees at the Fair.

Sunday School begins Sunday, September 23rd at 9:15 in the Parish Hall.