Dear Friends,

We had an excellent afternoon of music on Friday as we enjoyed Janice Gray’s piano recital in aid of StARS.

The first half of the performance can now be seen at:

Janice Grey Piano Recital – Part 1

If you would like to make an online donation in aid of St. Andrew’s Refugee Services  click on the Donate tab above and follow the instructions!

Thanks,

Iain

After some violent confrontations in downtown Cairo, all seems to be mostly quiet again although underlying tensions continue and strikes and acts of civil disobedience are planned for Saturday.

This Friday we have Janice Gray’s piano recital in aid of StARS, it should be a very enjoyable afternoon and hopefully again raise a large amount of money.  These difficult times in Cairo are even more challenging for refugees who, already poor in a strange country, have no resources to fall back on or ability to leave if things deteriorate.

Still, in general life continues remarkably normally: we will again have a joint Ash Wednesday service with All Saints Cathedral on 22nd February, and we are planning a short retreat in Anafora over the Easter weekend.  At this week’s skype prayer meeting we were joined by Nancy Schlieve from Wisconsin, Thomas Johnson from California, and Frank Otega and Sally Michael from Cairo, as well as regular skypers from Cairo and elsewhere.

Please keep praying for the situation here in Egypt: one day there is good news, the next bad.  We need to trust in God as we remain in this transitional situation and we still hope that in the end all the upheaval will result in a better, fairer country.

Have a good week,

God bless,

Iain

Piano Recital

Janice Grey will give a piano recital this Friday at 2 pm in aid of StARS.  Be there if you can!
Skype Prayer Meeting

We will have another skype prayer meeting on Tuesday at 7pm.  Add “iainbaxter” as a skype contact to join in.
Ash Wednesday Service

22nd February – Details to follow

Anafora Retreat

We are planning a Retreat to Anafora on Good Friday (6th April), returning on Saturday evening.  Cost will be LE50-100.  Please sign up if you are interested.

This Week’s Readings

• • First reading
    • 2 Kings 5:1-14
  • Psalm
    • Psalm 30
  • Second reading
    • 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
  • Gospel
    • Mark 1:40-45

MORE PROTESTS EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON!!

SERVICE WILL GO AHEAD AS SCHEDULED,

BUT EXERCISE CAUTION!!!

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Dear Friends,

As you will be aware, over 70 Al Ahly football fans were killed on Wednesday night following the match against El Masry in Port Said.

Many of the Al Ahly supporters are blaming the SCAF and police for the deaths.

Whether or not this is true, the situation is very tense and there has been trouble in central Cairo overnight, although not near the church.

This morning’s service will go ahead as scheduled, but please exercise caution as you travel.

For further information, call me, Iain, on 0106 450 7377 or Erin on 0100 203 5745 and continue to check this page.

Please pray for the families and friends of those who have died or been injured, and for the continuing uncertain situation in Egypt.
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Thanks,

Iain

PLEASE CALL BEFORE SETTING OUT TO CHURCH

TOMORROW IF TROUBLE CONTINUES OVERNIGHT!!
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Dear Friends,

As you will be aware, over 70 Al Ahly football fans were killed last night following the match against El Masry in Port Said.

Many of the Al Ahly supporters are blaming the SCAF and police for the deaths.

Whether or not this is true, the situation is very tense and road blocks are being set up in central Cairo where many fans have gathered to protest.

It is not clear whether we will be able to have a service tomorrow (Friday) morning.  At present the service is going ahead as scheduled but if there is trouble overnight, please call to check that the service is taking place before setting out.

Call me, Iain, on 0106 450 7377
or Erin on 0100 203 5745

Please pray for the families and friends of those who have died or been injured, and for the continuing uncertain situation in Egypt.
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Thanks,

Iain

  
Last week we had an excellent Annual General Meeting where we received reports prepared by Pastor Peter before his departure, and elected the Church Council for 2012 and two congregational representatives to the new StARS Board.  The names of those elected are posted below.

In Friday morning’s sermon, we looked at the theme of authority in the church, and then on Sunday evening we considered the meaning of spiritual authority.  Following a request at the AGM, sermon texts will now be posted on this website’s new Media page.  Past sermons from the beginning of January have been uploaded, and we hope to start audio recordings of the sermons this week.  They will also be available on the website.

The skype prayer meeting continues on Tuesday evening at 7pm, and from next week an automatic email alert will be sent out on Tuesday morning and thirty minutes before the time.  Lots of people have said they keep forgetting that it is happening and if you would like to receive the alert send an email to pastor@StAndrewsChurchCairo.com.

Attendance at the Evening Prayer service has been low over the past couple of weeks, so if you would like to join us please come.  It is a quiet, mediative, candle-lit service of prayer and worship, with a shorter sermon.  Those of us who take part, feel that to share in an uplifting time of peace and reflection amongst the noise of the city, it is worth the hastle of the journey across Cairo.

Our usual Friday morning bible study resumes this week at about 11:30 am following morning worship.

I hope you all have a great week and that many of you who are resident in Cairo will be able to join with us this weekend.

Many blessings,

Iain

 
Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting was held on Friday 27th January after Morning Worship
The following Church Council and StARS Board members were elected:

Church Council                             Stars Board

Iain Baxter                                   Jacob Chew
Pamela Chase                             Trish Wiebe
Marilyn Hansmann                    
Sally Michael                            
Linda Nygard
Erin Odgers-Chew
Emmanuel Omoniyi
Nazli Rizk

 
Bible Study

There will be the usual Bible Study following Friday’s morning service.
 
Piano Recital

Janice Gray will give a piano recital on Friday 10th February at 2 pm in aid of StARS.  Please pass on the word about this.  A poster is available on the Media page  for you to printout and display . 
 
Skype Prayer Meeting

We will have another skype prayer meeting on Tuesday at 7pm.  Add “iainbaxter” as a skype contact to join in.

This Week’s Readings

Malachi 3:1-4
Psalm 84 or Psalm 24:7-10
Hebrews 2:14-18
Luke 2:22-40

This post is a little later than usual as we were waiting to see the outcome of the 25th January commemorations.  Happily, everything went of peacefully with hundreds of thousands of people packing Tahrir Square supporting the goals of the revolution.  Marches from Ramsis Square, Ain Shams University and Abbasaya passed by the church but all remained calm.  Worship will therefore continue as normal this weekend.

Last Friday Mark Nygard preached and celebrated communion and our Bible Study resumed following the service.  Our skype prayer meeting on Tuesday included Sonya in Haiti and Danna in Chicago as well as five people in Cairo.

The Annual General Meeting is tomorrow, Friday 27th January, when the new Church Council and two members of the new StARS Board will be elected.  Please pray that we all make wise decisions as we elect those who will lead us this year.

Have a good week, God bless,

Iain

 
Annual General Meeting

Tomorrow, Friday 27th January after Morning Worship

Bible Study

No Bible Study this week due to the Annual General Meeting

Piano Recital – Change of Time

Janice Gray will give a piano recital on Friday 10th February at 2 pm in aid of StARS.  This is a change from the time originally stated. 
Put it in your diary!  More details to follow!
 
Skype Prayer Meeting

We will have another skype prayer meeting on Tuesday at 7pm.  Add “iainbaxter” as a skype contact to join in.

This Week’s Readings

Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Psalm 111 
1 Corinthians 8:1-13 
Mark 1:21-28

Our Covenant Service went well last Friday with around 35 people in attendance and a smaller number again gathered for Evening Prayer on Sunday night.  On Tuesday we had our first virtual prayer meeting with three people linking up via skype to pray: one in Heliopolis, one in Garden City and one in Chicago!  We hope more people will join us next week!  We truly are a global community: the map below shows the location of people receiving and reading last week’s church email.  You’re welcome to join us to pray wherever you are!  Just add “iainbaxter” to your skype contacts and be online on skype at 7pm Cairo time.

Our Annual General Meeting will be on Friday 27th January and documents for the meeting will be available this Friday for anyone who would like to read them in advance.  Mark Nygard will be preaching and leading us in communion this week.

It came to my attention yesterday that some people missed the news about the appointment of the new StARS Executive Director.  Just before Christmas, Fiona Cameron, who was previously the acting Director, was appointed to the full-time post.  We send her our congratulations.

Service Times

Friday 10am  Morning Worship
Sunday 7pm  Evening Prayer

 
Annual General Meeting

Friday 27th January after Morning Worship
Nominations are now closed for the Church Council and StARS Board positions.
 
Piano Recital

Janice Gray will give a piano recital on Friday 10th February in aid of StARS.  Put it in your diary!  More details and times to follow.
 
Skype Prayer Meeting

We will have another skype prayer meeting on Tuesday at 7pm.  Add “iainbaxter” as a skype contact to join in.

Preparations for January 25th

It is possible there could be trouble around the January 25th anniversary of the revolution.  With this in mind, please make sure you are well stocked with food, water and so on, just in case it becomes difficult to go out to shop.  You should have enough for two to three weeks if possible.  Hopefully there will be no problems, but if there are please check the church website, www.standrewschurchcairo.com, for any cancellation of services.  This information will also be sent out by email if possible.

This Week’s Readings

Jonah 3:1-5, 10

Psalm 62:5-12

1 Corinthians 7:29-31

Mark 1:14-20

 
We are all back in the normal swing of things as if Christmas never happened.  Sunday’s Evening Prayer service has resumed at 7pm and we will be sharing the prayers from the Methodist Covenant Service this coming Friday.  It still seems strange without Pastor Peter to lead and guide us, though!

The New Year is traditionally time for New Year’s resolutions and, amid the promises to eat less and exercise more, we can use this as a time to resolve to deepen and grow in our relationship with God.  This is what the Covenant Service pledges us to do, both as individuals and as a church together.  The promises of the Covenant Service are listed below so that we can consider them before we come to church on Friday.  I hope we will all see 2012 as a year of growth and new opportunities.

We want to keep going with social activities, too, and it has been suggested that we go to see the movie Warhorse when arrives in Cairo.  It should be here in Cairo sometime in January so watch this space and check the website!

Well, Happy New Year to all,

Iain Baxter

Covenant Service Promises

I am no longer my own but yours.
Your will, not mine, be done in all things,
wherever you may place me,
in all that I do and in all that I may endure;
when there is work for me and when there is none;
when I am troubled and when I am at peace.
Your will be done when I am valued and when I am disregarded;
when I find fulfillment and when it is lacking;
when I have all things, and when I have nothing.
I willingly offer all I have and am to serve you, as and where you choose.
Glorious and blessèd God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours.
May it be so for ever.
Let this covenant now made on earth be fulfilled in heaven.
Amen.
 
Annual General Meeting

Friday 27th January after Morning Worship

Nominations are now closed for the Church Council and StARS Board positions.
The candidates are as follows:

Church Council                             Stars Board

Eric Asomugha                             Eric Asomugha
Iain Baxter                                   Jacob Chew
Pamela Chase                              Nazli Rizk
Marilyn Hansmann                      Trish Wiebe
Sally Michael                              
Linda Nygard
Erin Odgers-Chew
Emmanuel Omoniyi
Nazli Rizk
 
New Virtual Meeting

We are considering having a virtual prayer meeting on Tuesday evenings as it is very difficult for many people to travel downtown during the week.

Everyone would logon to skype at 7pm on Tuesday for a group call, where we could pray for concerns of the church, the world and each individual.  You wouldn’t even have to be in Cairo to take part!  If you would be interested in this, send your skype name to pastor@standrewschurchcairo.com

If you are not on skype you can join for free if you have a computer, internet connection (which you must have to see this website), and a headset.

 
Preparations for January 25th 

 
Jacob has passed on the warning about possible trouble around the January 25th anniversary of the revolution.  With this in mind, please make sure you are well stocked with food, water and so on, just in case it becomes difficult to go out to shop.  You should have enough for two to three weeks if possible.  Hopefully there will be no problems, but if there are please check here on the church website for any cancellation of services.  This information will also be sent out by email if possible.

Church Emails

If you do not already receive regular emails from St. Andrew’s and would like to be added to our mailing list, send an email to  pastor@standrewschurchcairo.com

We are half way through the Christmas season here in Cairo, with western Christmas Day behind us and New Year and Coptic Christmas still to come!  I hope you all had a happy and blessed Christmas Day and pray that God will give you every blessing in the New Year ahead.  The  Christmas Day service held jointly with the Cairo Christian Fellowship was a great success and we look forward to working together in the coming year.

The work on refinishing the wooden floor in the Guild Hall is underway and should be completed in the next few days.  We aim to begin work on both the bathrooms and kitchen in the New Year.  Work has also been completed repainting the inside of the caravans and new halogen external flood lighting around the church compound and new lighting in the sanctuary was installed in early December.

All in all, we are ready to enter the New Year in a spirit of optimism and hope in God’s provision, despite the problems of 2011 in Egypt and the continuing uncertainty in this land.  God has his plans for Egypt and, indeed, for St. Andrew’s.

Christmas and New Year Worship Schedule

Friday, 30th December, 10 am, Morning Worship

Sunday, 1st January.  No Evening Prayer Service.

Friday, 6th January, 10 am, Morning Worship

Sunday, 8th January.  Evening Prayer returns.

Nominating Committee for Council and StARS Board

The Church Council is forming a nominating committee to help facilitate the election of new church council members to one year terms.  The Annual Meeting of the congregation will be held on the final Friday of January, 2012.  If you are interested in serving on Church Council, speak to Iain Baxter.  Stay tuned for more announcements regarding this Committee and the nominations process.

Sign up for Assisting in Worship

A new signup sheet for worship assistants has been prepared.  Please sign up to share your gifts with us by reading in church, providing refreshments or giving the flowers. Thank you for sharing in our ministry in these ways.

A great Carol Service enjoyed by all!

Over one hundred people attended St. Andrew’s on Thursday night to enjoy our Carol Service.  Christmas at St. Andrew’s included carols, readings and special music and gave us the opportunity to say a sad farewell to our pastor, Peter Johnson.  Pastor Peter was presented with a card and a beautiful applique hanging as a momento of his time with us in Cairo.  He will be greatly missed by us all and we know that we have grown both in numbers and in faith during his ministry among us.  We will also miss Michele and Alex, Andrew and Liam.  We pray that God will guide them in the future and lead them into the special plans he has for them.

Video of the Carol Service, including Pastor Peter’s sermon and presentation, can be seen at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSscH25iSd0&feature=plcp&context=C31c38a8UDOEgsToPDskLouj5OfDGwcOjoJxMnUqLa

Christmas Celebration Planned for December 25th at 6pm.

Join members of our community alongside members of Cairo Christian Fellowship for the celebration of Christ’s birth.  Together, we will hold a combined service of lessons and carols on December 25th at 6pm.

Please note that St. Andrew’s will not be worshipping on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24th) this year.

Christmas Worship Schedule; Note Changes to Times

Friday, 23rd December, 10 am, Morning Worship

Saturday, 24th December, St. Andrew’s will not worship on Christmas Eve.

Sunday, December 25, 6pm, Christmas Day Service, together with the Cairo Christian Fellowship

Friday, 30th December, 10 am, Morning Worship

Sunday, 1st January.  No Evening Prayer Service.

Friday, 6th January, 10 am, Morning Worship

Sunday, 8th January.  Evening Prayer returns.

Special Christmas Offering to be Collected

Each year, St. Andrew’s collects a special Christmas offering to support a special ministry. 100% of collection is donated to this collection.  This year, St. Andrew’s Church Council has designated St. Andrew’s Refugee Services Children’s Educational Program, the refugee ministry attached to our congregation, to receive this special offering.  Please give generously to support the education of our refugee community.

Nominating Committee for Council and StARS Board

The Church Council is forming a nominating committee to help facilitate the election of new church council members to one year terms.  The Annual Meeting of the congregation will be held on the final Friday of January, 2012.  If you are interested in serving on Church Council, speak to Iain Baxter.  Stay tuned for more announcements regarding this Committee and the nominations process.

Sign up for Assisting in Worship

A new signup sheet for worship assistants has been prepared.  Please sign up to share your gifts with us by reading in church, providing refreshments or giving the flowers. Thank you for sharing in our ministry in these ways.

Note from Pastor Peter

I want to express my sincere gratitude to God and to each of you who make up our St. Andrew’s congregation.  Together, we have formed a unique and special community in downtown Cairo that has been a privilege to share with you.  You have also blessed my family in rich ways, as well.  As I depart today, I wish for you God’s presence and peace as you continue our important purpose in downtown as both a vital congregation of diverse and faithful individuals combined with strong dedicate to refugees and vulnerable migrants.

Our contact information in the United States is:

Peter and Michele Johnson (Alex, Andrew and Liam)

5217 West 61st Street Edina, MN  55436 USA

950-200-1061 (mobile)

pjohnson.cairo@gmail.com

The warmest of Advent blessings and Christmas peace to the whole of the St. Andrew’s community and each of you.

In Christ’s Love and Service,

Pastor Peter Johnson