This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends:

This Sunday, Jesus goes out into the desert. Over a period of 40 days, he is alone, hungry, thirsty, cold, and tempted. Mark's Gospel tells the story quickly, but we take the full 40 days to be synchronized with Jesus. We call these 40 days Lent. Jesus inspires us to keep faith in our questions, doubts, fears, and hopes.

This newsletter offers ways for you to keep faith. You might listen to worship recordings, join us for the group reading of Mark's Gospel, or come together as we learn.

Please join us for worship this Sunday at 8:00 and 10:15 a.m. Bring a sandwich and stay after the 10:15 service for a one-hour read-along of the Gospel of Mark, the Gospel we are reading Sunday by Sunday this year.

Gary+

PS: St John's annual report is ready for you to pick up and read before our annual meeting on Sunday, February 25.

ABOVE:

Burning the palms for Ash Wednesday.

[Photos - Pat & John Turner]

BELOW:

4 Amigos Churches visit to plan our next collaboration:

Welcome to our friendship with

St Theresa's Roman Catholic Church, First Baptist Church, and Knox Presbyterian Church.

SCRIPTURES – Sunday, February 18 - First Sunday in Lent

Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15

SCRIPTURES – Sunday, February 25 - Second Sunday in Lent

Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Psalm 22:23-31; Romans 4:13-25; Mark 8:31-38

RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES

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

February 11 - Transfiguration Sunday

February 14 - Ash Wednesday

Find all Worship Recordings HERE

WHAT'S HAPPENING

ANNUAL VESTRY MEETING

February 25 - Noon - Parish Hall

St John's Annual Meeting will take place on Sunday, February 25, following the 10:15 service.

We are serving an African-themed lunch before the meeting for our celebration of Black History Month.

Please pick up your copy of the annual report this Sunday, February 18.

MEMORIAL FLOWERS

FOR EASTER

Remember your loved ones with flowers at the Altar. Help the Altar Guild decorate the church for Easter. Make your donation to St John's noting that it is for Easter Flowers and if applicable, please include a note to indicate the names of the people to be remembered. You can put your donation in the collection plate any Sunday or drop it off at the Office.

LEARNING IN LENT

TRUTH & RECONCILIATION - IN WORSHIP

A Study of St John's by Josh Zentner-Barrett

Last spring, Josh Zentner-Barrett conducted research at St John's on how we understand worship and its relationship to truth and reconciliation. We look forward to welcoming him back for a presentation and discussion of his research findings. Josh will outline what he did and what he found, and invite your reflection and thoughts. We look forward to an interesting discussion!

Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 10 AM to 12 PM

HEALING AND EXPANDING OUR IMAGES OF GOD

A Study for Lent by Gary van der Meer

How do you imagine or picture God? Some images help us to connect and others are more difficult. Father, Mother, King, Creator, the "Ultimate Ground of Being," the Force...

Some work better than others! Join us for a survey of the different approaches to help you connect more deeply with God.

Part 1 - Saturday, March 9, 10 AM to 12 PM

Part 2 - Saturday, March 16, 10 AM to 12 PM

JOURNEY TO BAPTISM

THIRD SESSION

Saturday, February 17 - 11:00 a.m.

We are exploring the Baptismal Covenant to reflect on what we believe, what the church believes, what we mean by belief - and how we live the Christian path. Download the handout HERE.

This week, we will also begin to explore the parts of our Sunday worship service.

Everyone is welcome. Please enter the church through the office doors on Somerset Street and follow the hallway up the short flight of steps to last room on the right side.

PWRDF 2024 LENTEN RESOURCE

“Seeding Health:

Lenten Meditations

on the Climate Crisis and Well-Being”

This year, renowned biblical scholar, Dr. Sylvia Keesmaat, past co-chair of the Bishops Committee on Creation Care for the Diocese of Toronto, will be providing daily meditations during Lent. Dr. Keesmaat will reflect on our current climate crisis and the well-being of ALL of creation, human and non-human, and offer us lessons in repair and restoration that are both profoundly ancient and current.

You can sign up to receive a daily reflection at Lent 2024 - The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (pwrdf.org).

Emails begin on Ash Wednesday, February 14.

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Our Parish

Prayers for those in leadership roles: Gary, Allen, Christina, Pat, Karen, Barb, Kimberly, Kerry, Jesse, Stephen, Brian, Michelle, Jill, and all who minister at St John's.

Our Diocese

Shane, our Bishop; Anne, our Metropolitan; Linda, our Primate.
The Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples, Sacred Circle, The Ministry of Reconciliation and our National Indigenous Archbishop, The Most Rev. Christopher Harper.
Trinity Church, Ottawa South; The Venerable Mark Whittall.

A Time of Prayer - Living God, as we listen for your divine sparks in our midst, strengthen us for your service by your grace. Help us remember that we are like trees planted by your life-giving water and keep our hearts and minds open to hear your desires for our diocesan church, our parish, and our community. Give us your wisdom so that we might bear fruit worthy of your kingdom. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Anglican Church of Canada