St John's Newsletter 22 January 2023

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends,

It has been an eventful week. Here is what is happening – accompanied by pictures!

Last Saturday, we had our tour of the Sikh Gurdwara. We received a wonderful welcome that included teaching, worship and music played on beautiful instruments, hospitality and answers to our many questions

The basis of Sikh religion is represented by this symbol which represents the words, “There is only one God or one Creator or one Om-maker.” This is a short-form for the full expression of Sikh faith: “There is one God and will always be ONE, the eternal reality, the creator, without fear and devoid of enmity, immortal, never incarnated, self-existent, and realized through Guru’s teachings.” The basis of Sikh worship is the chanting of the Guru Granth Sahib (the Sikh scriptures), texts called kirtans – which reminded us of the Psalms. The singing at the Ottawa Sikh Gurdwara Sahib is led by Bhai Manmohan Singh, a world leader in kirtan singing.

A gift Sikhs bring to all religions is hospitality which permeates all that they do. We experienced it in the sharing of food and their ease and enthusiasm in welcoming us. We are especially grateful to our tour leaders, Puran Kasbia, his wife Diljit, daughter Devinder, and grandson Jeevat. Look to March for our next interfaith tour!

This week, our 4 Amigos clergy got together again to make a plan to introduce our congregations to each other. We look forward to getting to know Father Vincent Pereira (St Theresa’s Roman Catholic Church), Rev John Perkin (First Baptist Church) and Rev Jim Pot (Knox Presbyterian Church) and their congregations. Our plan is a weekday evening, Celebrating Spring! We will compare notes on how our communities follow the calendar of the year and get everyone talking to each other. Plan to come and meet our neighbours on Wednesday, March 22, 7 p.m. hosted by St John’s.

Welcome to St John’s this coming Sunday. Our readings feature “part 2” of Jesus calling the disciples – we hope this will engage each of us in recognizing our own callings in life. Please join us Sunday, 8:00 and 10:15 a.m.

Gary+

PS. Here are a couple videos of last Sunday’s liturgical dance to that wonderful hymn about being called by God, “Here I am, Lord.” HERE (instrumental) & HERE (Hymn). Enjoy!

PS 2. This past Sunday, we had our first “elevated” refreshments (elevated = scaled up to be lunch). This was sponsored by Pat Fisher in celebration of her 80^th Birthday. Congratulations, Pat and thank you! A sponsored lunch is a common practice in synagogues and worthy of our consideration. Some occasions are best marked by memorial flowers and others by a sharing food and drink together. I already have dibs on Sunday June 25 to invite you to join me in celebrating my 60^th birthday. Let us know when you would like to do it!

COVID Safety Update from the Diocese of Ottawa:

“Winter is on the horizon, people are indoors more, and COVID infections are on the rise. Throughout the pandemic, our response to the reality of the virus has been science-based and in line with public health, and this latest challenge must be met the same way. Effective this Sunday, October 30^th, all liturgical leaders — including clergy, choirs, servers, chalice bearers, readers, intercessors, and sidespeople/greeters — must wear a mask before, during and after services except when speaking into a microphone, eating or drinking.”

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Those On Our Hearts

Barbara D, Pat H, The staff, volunteers and participants in the programs of The Well/La Source

Our Parish

Gary, Allen, Gordon, Josh, Kerry, Stephen, Brian, Michelle, Jill and all who minister at St John's.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Begins.

Our Diocese

Shane, our Bishop; Anne, our Metropolitan; Linda, our Primate.
Staff at Ascension House Vocations to the priesthood.
St. Paul’s, Hazeldean-Kanata and The Reverend Stephen Silverthorne & the Reverend Dr. Alana McCord.
Faith Lutheran Church and their pastor Martin Malina.

Anglican Church of Canada (ACC)

The Most Rev. David Edwards, Metropolitan, and the people and clergy of the Ecclesiastical Province of Canada.

ELCIC

The dean, council, and congregations of the Atlantic and Montreal Areas of the Eastern Synod.

The Anglican Communion from Aba to Zululand

The Church of North India (United).

Parish Prayer Group

If you wish to have someone prayed for send an email to:

prayer-request@stjohnsottawa.ca.

JOIN US

THIRD SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

22 January 2023

Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1, 4-9; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-23

WHAT'S HAPPENING

POTLUCK MOVIE NIGHT

When: Wednesday, January 25, 6:30 p.m.

Potluck: What you bring is what we eat!

Location: The Well (lower level of the church)

Deacon Brodies for Robbie Burns

We have a special friendship with the pub just north of the church. Owner Ken Goodhue was a server at St John’s as a child, and he is an occasional reader on Sunday morning. We have a great deal as part of our friendship: Identify yourself as from St John’s and get 10% off your bill – plus Ken will give another 10% donation to the church!

Let’s show some love back. I’m booking a table for Robbie Burns, Saturday, January 28,

6 p.m.

Come and eat Haggis with me. Great music by the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band, dance, address to the haggis, and Scottish treats. Make a reservation for your own table by calling Deacon Brodies, (613)236-6464. Or send me a note here to join my table! Gary

PWRDF Ash Wednesday Soup-Supper Event

Mark your calendars! We are going “live” with our PWRDF Ash Wed.

Soup-Supper this year. Join us on Wednesday, Feb. 22^nd at 5:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall to sample delicious soups made by our parishioners, followed by a program on PWRDF.

We welcome contributions of soup, bread/rolls and butter. There will be a sign-up sheet for attendance and contributions located both on a table at the back of the church and on the bulletin board in the hallway across from the washrooms in the next week. All are welcome. This is a great opportunity to get to know other parishioners, enjoy a tasty soup and learn more about the very important work The Primate’s World Relief & Development Fund is doing around the world. Contributions to this work will be welcome.

The Ash Wednesday service in the church begins at 7:30.

Contact Jane Maxwell at jane.maxwell@sympatico.ca with any questions.

TAKE NOTE

Reminder Vestry reports are due January 22nd thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Weekly Offering Envelopes for 2023

For those parishioners who use weekly offering envelopes, your 2023 envelopes can be picked up at the entrance to the church. Thank you for your ongoing support of St John’s mission. If anyone else would like weekly offering envelopes, please contact Peggy Lister, Envelope Secretary (peggylister@rogers.com) or phone/email the church office.

Explore worship and music for Lent and Holy Week, and continue to discover the gifts of our supplement, Sing a New Creation.

Rev. Canon Kevin Flynn and Josh Zentner-Barrett present a workshop on liturgy and music for the Lenten season, in partnership with the Faculty of Theology at Saint Paul University. You'll get to deepen your knowledge of The Book of Alternative Services and Sing a New Creation, and reflect on new ways of enlivening your congregation's worship.

The workshop costs $10 and takes place from 9:30 AM until 12 PM at

De Mazenod Chapel at Saint Paul University. Register online at: http://bitly.ws/yGa3

Every year, Christians around the world gather together for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

This year's service in Ottawa takes place on Sunday, January 22, 2023 at 4 PM at

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church (corner of Kent / Wellington).

This year, the service includes an ecumenical choir under the direction of Marg Stubington, to join in the leadership of the music. All are welcome to join.

For more information, check out http://bitly.ws/yQyR or

contact Josh at jzentner-barrett@hotmail.com