This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends:

Lent is about to begin. It is creative to come up with a discipline for Lent that is meaningful for you, and I have been thinking about one that will be part of my life right through to Easter.

Lent starts with the ashes on your forehead and the words: "Remember that you are dust and to dust you will return." What could be more powerful than a reminder that we don't have forever in this earthly life? I appreciate how Tracy Chapman sings it:

If not now, then when?

If not today,

Then, why make your promises?

A love declared for days to come,

Is as good as none.

A discipline reminds you regularly that your life journey is accompanied by Christ. There was the time I gave up coffee for forty days. Never again! Another time, I read the whole New Testament. One year I decided to meditate every day for 20 minutes. I wasn't very good at it and that might mean it was a good choice. Whatever discipline you choose, it is an opportunity for mindfulness. It will become solidarity with Jesus on the cross and joy with the disciples when he is alive with them again.

What is your discipline going to be?

This year, I am doing the weekly reflection that's included in this newsletter. Each week includes a six-minute video, four-page reflection, and some questions. It's called River through the Desert and it takes us to places where Jesus walked. See the first one below. I am adding one extra practice: I am going to shop Canadian to support thriving local community in our time of uncertainty. Maybe you would like to do these practices with me.

Please join us for worship this Sunday. We have the great story of Jesus shining so brightly that the disciples wanted the moment to last. At both the 8:00 and 10:15 services, we will burn some palms to prepare for Ash Wednesday - just a small amount so we don't set off the fire alarms. This week, Margot and Vicki burned most of last year's palms. These will be our ashes for the Ash Wednesday service at 7:30 p.m.

Please tell me about your discipline for Lent when you see me!

Gary+

Burning palms in preparation for Ash Wednesday

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

Exodus 34:29-35; Psalm 99; 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2; Luke 9:28-43a

SCRIPTURES - Wednesday, March 5 - 7:30 p.m. - Ash Wednesday

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51:1-17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

LISTEN TO RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES

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

Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany - February 23, 2025

Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany - February 16, 2025

Find all St John's Worship Recordings HERE

THIS SUNDAY

GOSPEL OF LUKE READ-THROUGH

Sunday, March 2, 12:00 p.m.

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 Upper Choir Room following the 10:15 service. Bring a sandwich, get a drink, and come read with us.

CHILDREN'S SERVICE

TRANFIGURATION

Sunday, March 2, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

This children's worship service will feature a Bible story, craft, an informal Eucharist, snack, and lots of free play. The Transfiguration story features shimmering light and we will explore themes of light. We look forward to adding music and singing to our activity as we welcome St John's new Director of Music, Nick Busch. We will meet in the Upper Choir Room.

ASH WEDNESDAY

ASH WEDNESDAY SOUP SUPPER

Wednesday, March 5, 5:30 p.m.

Please join us in the Parish Hall for supper to support Alongside Hope (new name for the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund). Enjoy a meal of homemade soups, bread and rolls. Special welcome to this year's guest speaker:

Bart Dickinson

Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator

PWRDF/Alongside Hope

There is no charge to participate.

Donations of homemade soups and bread/rolls are most welcome.

Help us plan for numbers on the Sign-up Sheet

at the back of the church.

The Ash Wednesday Service will follow at 7:30 p.m.

Please note:

There is a daytime Ash Wednesday Service at 12:15 p.m.

Church of the Ascension, 253 Echo Drive.

LENT PROGRAM

LET LIGHT SHINE

River Through the Desert - A Lenten Journey in the Holy Land

Dean Richard Sewell of St George's College in Jerusalem

reflects on wilderness experiences.

WEEK 1 - The Desert

Watch the Video - above
Read the Scripture - here
Read the Reflection - here
Think about the Questions - below
Conversation - Sunday, March 9, 12:00 p.m. (in the Chapel)

Reflection Questions

You are welcome to join the circle of chairs in the Chapel following the 10:15 service.

Does the idea of time in some kind of wilderness draw you or concern you? Why?
Is there an accessible place which could serve as a ‘desert’ to you? What do you, or could you, gain from spending time there?
In what ways might Jesus have been changed or strengthened by his testing in the desert? Could this be true for you and if so, how?
Is there a word or phrase that resonates for you in the quote from Alan Jones’ Soul Making? As you ponder this, is there an invitation from God for you?
The reflection above mentions the surprises which can be found in the desert. Have you ever been surprised by time in solitude or in an isolated place?
You might like to do a drawing, write a poem or express yourself creatively in some other way to represent what the desert means to you.

COMING SOON

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Ottawa Pastoral Care Centre

The Ottawa Pastoral Care Training Program (OPCTP) has been providing courses and workshops in Ottawa and surrounding communities since 1979. Take the Basic Course this spring, March 10 to May 12. The course includes: Introduction to Pastoral Care; Active Listening; Emotions 101; Spiritual Needs and Pastoral Identity; Grief Through Losses; Ministry with Dying; The Transitioning Years; Visiting in Hospitals, Institutions & Homes; Care for the Caregiver and Pastoral Care Teams; Celebrating our Community and Our Call. $175 See the Brochure for Details.

Join the Special Session, "Sacred Conversations: 7000 Ways to Pray," April 8, 7-9 p.m. $20.00. See the Brochure Here.

ST JOHN'S IN PICTURES THIS WEEK

Church Safety Workshop: Special thanks to India Bedson of Belong Ottawa. Our 20 participants included Thrift Shop volunteers, representatives of St Theresa's Roman Catholic Church, and parishioners.

St John's African Festival - Songs & Pictures

Click on the video above for songs and pictures from last Sunday's African Festival - a celebration of Black History Month at St John's.

Our thanks to Barb Hallam-Price on her final Sunday as Interim Director of Music was an extended standing ovation. Best wishes as she heads to St Matthew's in the Glebe as their Interim Director of Music.

Nick Busch begins as Director of Music this week!

The Gospel this Sunday: The disciples wanted to linger in this shimmering mystical moment of Transfiguration. Then they came down the mountain to continue Jesus' work and to face the journey ahead.

TAKE NOTE

E-TRANSFER UPDATE

We now have a new email address for e-transfers. To make a donation through e-transfer please send to accounts@stjohnsottawa.ca

INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT

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.

A note from Kimberly:

Osiyo Nigadv (Hello Everyone)

I hope this sunny warmer weather is a welcome hint of Spring on the horizon for you. I wanted to let everyone know we have a wonderful trip planned to Mādahòkì Farm on April 26, 2025. Mādahòkì Farm is located on 164 acres of Ottawa’s Greenbelt. Its mission is to share the experience of land, stories and food from an Indigenous perspective. We will immerse ourselves in an Indigenous learning experience with opportunity to learn more

about the herd of endangered Ojibwe Spirit Horses.

Find out more about the farm: https://madahoki.ca/about-the-farm/

Please see the sign-up sheet in the church on Sunday or send a reply email to Kimberly: indigengcoord@stjohnsottawa.ca

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).
Lent Conversation. After each Sunday 10:15 service. Meet in the chapel.

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.

Sunday, March 16

Commissioning of Churchwardens, Synod Delegates, Treasurer, and Members of Parish Council (during the 10:15 service)
Interfaith Iftar. St John's and Temple Israel invited to the new Ahmadiyya Mosque 5940 Prince of Wales Drive, 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 23

Black History Month Debrief. 12:15 p.m. in the Parish Hall.

Sunday, April 13

Palm Sunday. 8:00 & 10:16 a.m.

Thursday, April 17

Maundy Thursday: Part I - Paschal Meal. 5:30 p.m.; Part II - Liturgy of the Agony in the Garden. 8:00 p.m. We need two volunteers to lead the Paschal Meal.

Friday, April 18

Good Friday. 10:15 a.m.

Saturday, April 19

Easter Vigil. 7:30 p.m. Resurrection Party follows the service. We need two volunteers to lead the Resurrection Party.

Sunday, April 20

Easter Sunday. 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.

Saturday, April 26

Church Field Trip to Madahoki Farm

Saturday, May 31

Thrift Shop Fashion Show

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, Bill

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 Pakenham and all who minister there.

Anglican Church of Canada

The Rt. Rev. John Organ, Bishop, and the clergy and people of the Diocese of Western Newfoundland.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

The dean, council, and congregations of the Georgian Bay and Huronia Areas of the Eastern Synod.

Moravian Church in Canada

The people and ministries of New Dawn Moravian Church in Toronto.
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 of Burundi.

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 accounts@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

accounts@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