This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends:

Jesus began to teach in local synagogues following his baptism. Why did his home community of Nazareth have such a negative reaction? The story says the people who attended were "filled with rage" and even that they wanted to throw him off the cliff. People who knew Jesus' parents wanted to kill him.

This Sunday, we will read the second half of this story. We heard about Jesus' sermon last Sunday, how he connected himself to the prophet Isaiah. But with the community's reaction to Jesus, I can't help but think about Bishop Budde's sermon at the Inauguration Prayer Service in Washington DC. She has received death threats.

I sent Bishop Budde a card of gratitude and support - because of the threats but also because I support what she said. Perhaps this will fade with the news cycle, but if you want to join me in supporting her and praying for her, I encourage you to do so. You can send her a card as follows: Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, Episcopal Church House, Mount St Alban, Washington DC 20016-5094 USA.

If you have not yet had a chance to listen, it's here. And if you have followed the negative reactions, I encourage you to consider this positive response.

I have found the news cycle to be compelling, difficult, and demanding of my attention as I prepare to preach this Sunday. I invite you to join me in praying - both for the troubles in our world and for your own needs and concerns.

I hope you'll join us for worship this Sunday, 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.

Gary+

SCRIPTURES - Sunday, February 2 - 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.

Jeremiah 1:4-10; Psalm 71:1-6; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Luke 4:21-30

SCRIPTURES - Sunday, February 9 - 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.

Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 138; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11

LISTEN TO RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES

Worship recordings include prayers, readings, a sermon, and music.

Third Sunday after the Epiphany - January 26, 2025

Second Sunday after the Epiphany - January 19, 2025

The Baptism of the Lord - January 12, 2025

Find all St John's Worship Recordings HERE

SUNDAY HOSPITALITY - BAKING TREATS INVITED

Your are welcome to stay and visit following the 10:15 service. We serve coffee, cold drinks, and cookies/baking.

If you would like to bring treats such as cookies or squares, we welcome them. In order for us to have enough, plan on bringing 2 dozen. Notify the hospitality volunteers by contacting the church office (613-232-4500 or office@stjohnsottawa.ca).

Please let us know on the Monday before that you are planning to bring items to share. It would also help us to know the ingredients in your treats (especially if they are common allergy items). This helps us to plan and be ready.

Thanks so much for offering your treats!

Celebrating blessings in our community: birthdays, anniversaries, recovering from illness, graduation... We invite you to share your good news.

This past Sunday - we celebrated Jamie's retirement with cake!

COMING SOON

THE STORY THIS COMING SUNDAY

Children's Focus Table: Imagine Jesus' sermon in the synagogue in Nazareth with Jesus on the edge of the cliff. Get the whole story: Luke 4:14-30.

STRINGS OF ST JOHN'S

The Strings of St John's are an ensemble of musicians based here in our church. In addition to their own concerts, they join four times a year for Sunday morning worship. Their participation includes special parts written for each of their instruments in order to accompany the psalm and hymns, the setting for the Eucharist ("Holy, holy, holy" and the Lord's Prayer), and their own music offering during communion.

The Strings will join us on Sunday, February 9 at the 10:15 service.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

Black History Month at St John's is a celebration of our many cultures coming together as one community. Our observance of Black History Month is intended to draw us together in mutual support and friendship. Our monthlong observance includes readings each Sunday in African languages (with the English alongside in the bulletin). The focal point of our celebration will be the 10:15 service on Sunday, February 16. The service will include readings, music, and dancing, followed by a lunch of African specialities prepared by members of our community. Plan to stay!

CHURCH SAFETY WORKSHOP

Saturday, February 22, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

This workshop, based on the principles of Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training, will show you how to engage with and support people in distress. Facilitated by India Bedson, it is ideal for church volunteers and Community Thrift Shop volunteers who engage with the public, and will include de-escalation training with street-involved individuals. There is no fee but registration is required. Please confirm your participation by email HERE.

COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR

Saturday, February 22

Ottawa's Coldest Night of the Year event is a 5 km walk to support the Ottawa Mission. The Ottawa Mission has 17 programs to meet the needs of our most vulnerable community members, including: emergency food and shelter; health services; mental health; addiction treatment programs; hospice care; dental services; housing services; educational support; job training; spiritual care; and clothing to thousands in need in our community.

Support the Ottawa Mission by walking with Barbara Dorrell - and by sponsoring her team, the B&R's Walkers. You can also sponsor Barbara by seeing her in person on Sunday during coffee time or by donating online HERE.

ANNUAL VESTRY MEETING

Please join us as we review 2024, nominate people for leadership roles, and pass our budget for 2025. The Annual Report will be available on Sunday, February 16 for you to take home and read as preparation. The meeting will follow immediately after the 10:15 service on Sunday, February 25.

GOSPEL OF LUKE READ-THROUGH

Join us for the second half of Luke's Gospel. We will read aloud around the circle from Luke Chapter 14 to the end of Luke Chapter 24. Get to know the flow of the story in advance of the events of Holy Week and Easter. We will meet in the Parish Hall immediately following the 10:15 service on Sunday, March 2. Bring a sandwich, get a drink, and come read with us.

ST JOHN'S IN PICTURES THIS WEEK

ABOVE: You are welcome to stay following the service for refreshments and visiting.

BELOW: A gratitude gift of flowers for Interim Music Director Barb Hallam-Price at a choir party last week.

TAKE NOTE

INCOME TAX RECEIPTS FOR CHARITABLE DONATIONS

Tax receipts for 2024 donations to St. John’s have been prepared. They will be at the back of the church for parishioners to pick up on Sunday, February 2^ndand Sunday, February 9^th. Those not picked up will be mailed out after February 9^th. A printout of quarterly donations by category is included with the receipt. Please review this to ensure that you have been credited with the full amount of your donation to St. John’s for 2024. Should you have any questions please email Peggy Lister, Envelope Secretary, at peggylister@rogers.com or leave a message for me at the church office.

USING YOUR STAR WORD

Did you receive a star word for 2025? Have you placed your word somewhere that you will see it? Here are some ideas to see how your word might be helpful to you.

When you received your word, did it strike you as challenging or comfortable? Is it one that you can relate to your life, or is that more difficult? What is your first reaction to your word?
Spend some time thinking about the meaning of your word. Google it, or look it up in the dictionary, or ask a friend what they think the word means. Even simple words can have rich meanings. How might some of these meanings relate to your life?
Does the word recall any memories for you? How are these shaping your life today?
Are there scripture stories where the word or a theme similar to your word is used? Again, ask for help from a church friend if you want to explore this further.
Perhaps you could write a poem or a prayer using your word – it doesn’t have to be shared, it can be just for your own use!
Think about the shape of your faith today. Are there ways your word can help to strengthen your love for God and others?
Watch for an opportunity in the early summer at coffee hour to share some thoughts about our words.

INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM

Kehillat Beth Israel, Ottawa's Conservative Synagogue, is offering a 3-session introduction to Jews and Judaism taught by their new rabbi, Erin Polansky. You can join them Sunday afternoons at 4:30 for the next 3 weeks. Register HERE.

ST THERESA'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

Our Participation is Invited

SMUDGING BEFORE YOU WORSHIP

In the cold winter months, it's a challenge for St John's Indigenous leaders to be outside offering smudge. Kimberly Johnson, St John's Indigenous Engagement Coordinator, has sourced smudge from medicines steeped in distilled water from the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. The four medicines - tobacco, sage, cedar, and sweetgrass - continue to be present on the medicine table for the dry smudge version, consisting of rubbing the medicines in your hands and drawing the scented air of the smudge towards your face and body. Liquid smudge is a spray vapour drawn towards your face and body in the same manner.

Smudge before worship is an invitation to focus and be present as we worship Creator. Learn more in conversation with St John's Indigenous Engagement Coordinator Kimberly Johnson.

WHERE TO PARK NEAR THE CHURCH

2-HOUR PARKING - Somerset east of Elgin (i.e., adjacent to the Church) and MacLaren and Gilmour east of Elgin. 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, 7 days per week (including on Sundays).

3-HOUR PARKING - Somerset west of Elgin. Maximum 2-hour parking, from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM Monday through Friday, and from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM on Saturday; no restriction on Sunday!

ALWAYS CHECK THE PARKING METER!

Meter indicates times when you need to pay for parking. Most street parking is free on Sundays in the neighbourhood. Note that in the above photo of a meter, the 2-hour MAX limit still applies on Saturday/Sunday.

PARKING FOR LONGER VISITS

Park at City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave West. Parking Rates:

MONDAY - FRIDAY:

6:00 AM to 6:00 PM: $2.00 per 30 mins, $20 max

6:00 PM to 6:00 AM: $1.00 per hr, $2.00 max

WEEKENDS & HOLIDAYS:

6:00 AM to 6:00 PM: $1.00 per hr/$2.00 max

6:00 PM to 6:00 AM: $1.00 per hr/$2.00 max

LOOKING AHEAD

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUR CALENDAR

Every Sunday

Worship Services at 8:00 and 10:15 a.m. (Summer schedule is one service at 9:30 from June 1 to Labour Day).

Sunday, February 9

Strings of St John's featured at the 10:15 worship service.

Sunday, February 16

Black History Month Celebration. Worship featuring special music, singing and dancing, followed by a lunch of regional home cooking from Africa.

Saturday, February 22

Church Safety Workshop: See description above and confirm your participation by email HERE

Sunday, February 23

Annual Vestry Meeting, 12:00 p.m.

Tuesday, February 25

Nick Busch begins as St John's new Director of Music

Sunday, March 2

Gospel Read-Through Part 2: Gospel of Luke 14:1-24:53. Get to know the flow of this year's featured gospel in time for Lent and Holy Week
Children's Transfiguration Service, 3-5 p.m.

Wednesday, March 5

Ash Wednesday. Soup Supper to Support PWRDF. Ash Wednesday service at 7:30 p.m. You are invited to attend a daytime service at 12:15 at Church of the Ascension, 253 Echo Drive.

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Our Parish

Prayers for those in leadership roles: Gary, Allen, Christina, Pat, Kimberly, Kerry, Jesse, Monica, Barb, Jeff, Marianne, and all who minister at St John's.

Prayer Requests: Alice, David, Inga & Liam

Our Diocese

Shane, our Bishop; Anne, our Metropolitan and Acting Primate.
The Diocese of Jerusalem and Archbishop Hosam Naoum.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and Bishop Susan Johnson and Bishop Carla Blakley.
The Parish of Kanata North and The Reverend Dr. Jon Martin.

Anglican Church of Canada

The Provincial Synod of the Ecclesiastical Province of Canada.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

The dean, council, and congregations of the Ottawa, Ottawa Valley and Seaway Areas of the Eastern Synod.

Moravian Church in Canada

The people and ministries of Heimtal Moravian Church in Leduc County, AB.
The Moravian Church has joined Full Communion with Anglicans and Lutherans - read about the Moravian Church HERE

The Anglican Communion - Pray for Anglicans Worldwide

The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.

Flowers

The flowers at the altar are to the glory of God and in loving memory of Gerald and Edith Nicholson and are given by their son-in-law Bill Broughton.

Parish Prayer Group

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

office@stjohnsottawa.ca

DONATE

CANADA HELPS QR CODE

e-transfer office@stjohnsottawa.ca

HOW YOU CAN DONATE TO ST JOHN'S

Identified donations to St John’s are charitable donations and are eligible for a charitable tax receipt. Receipts for donations made directly through St John’s are usually generated on an annual basis. Donations to St John’s through Canada Helps are receipted by Canada Helps.

Here are the different ways that you can give:

E-Transfer

office@stjohnsottawa.ca

PAR (Pre-Authorized Remittance)

Enrol in the PAR (Pre-Authorized Remittance) program, whereby a designated monthly amount is withdrawn from a parishioner’s bank account or credit card. Peggy Lister, the Envelope Secretary, will provide you with the application form required to enrol in this program.

Weekly Offering Envelopes

Use identified weekly offering envelopes to make your cash or cheque donation to St John’s. A request for such envelopes goes to Peggy Lister, the Envelope Secretary, who will provide the envelopes.

Cash or Cheque Donation on Sunday

Make a cash or cheque contribution during a weekly service. The donation must be identified (i.e. a name & address on the envelope or a cheque with the donor’s information) if the donor wishes to receive a charitable receipt for the donation.

Canada Helps

Make a donation to St John’s through Canada Helps by scanning the QR code on the weekly bulletin, the QR code on the sign at the back of the church or through the ‘donate’ button on the St John’s website. Canada Helps donations can be for a single time or set up as an on-going monthly donation.

With thanks to God for your generous support