This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends:

When I was in university, one of my history courses presented a way of thinking about revolutions. In the French Revolution (the subject of the course), we learned about the storming of the Bastille, the execution of the king, and the Reign of Terror that followed. A revolution is an interruption that seems to change everything, a discontinuity with what had gone before. But there is also always continuity – people went to work, they bought bread at the market, and they fed their families.

As I write this on September 11, I remember that disorienting feeling that everything was about to change. A lot did change, but it unfolded gradually. On that day of watching endless clips of planes hitting buildings, many of us were numb and fearful about the unknown future. That feeling came back to me in December when Zelensky was being bullied in the White House. These days the news is full of disturbing events but that was the moment for me. I felt that my life would change and I was deeply anxious about it. And yet - I still wake up every morning. I have coffee. I buy groceries and put gas in the car. I come to church. Our lives have been interrupted and yet we continue to live.

Jesus’ crucifixion was one of those interruptions. His ministry was a steady process of telling stories, teaching, healing, as well as debating and challenging hypocrisy. He was executed for it. And if that’s not disruption enough, his followers experienced his resurrection and they were not shy about proclaiming it.

This Sunday in our worship services, we are keeping the ancient observance of Holy Cross Day. We interrupt our regular fall sequence of stories of “a day in the life of Jesus” to look back to Good Friday. In my sermon, I want to consider how the cross is the interruption that helps us face the interruptions of our anxious times.

I hope you will join us for worship this Holy Cross Day, at 8:00 and 10:15 a.m.

Gary+

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER14 | Holy Cross Day

Scriptures: Numbers 21:4b-9; Psalm 98:1-5; 1 Corinthians 1:18-24; John 3:13-17

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 21 | Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Scriptures: Amos 8:4-7; Psalm 113; 1 Timothy 2:1-7; Luke 16:1-13

LISTEN TO RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES

Worship recordings include the following portions of the service: prayers, readings, the sermon, and music.

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost - September 7, 2025

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost - August 31, 2025

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost - Pride Sermon - August 24, 2025

Find all St John's Worship Recordings HERE

ST JOHN'S IN PICTURES

ABOVE & BELOW: Pictures from last Sunday, September 7

Clergy of the 4 Amigos Churches, Father Vincent (St Theresa's Roman Catholic), Gary (St John's), Rev Jim Pot (Knox Presbyterian), and Rev John Perkin (First Baptist). Over breakfast we planned a get together to sing some favourite hymns from each of our churches. Our working title is: "Singing Together: An Evening of Music to Celebrate the Singing Traditions of our Churches." St John's is hosting on Thursday, November 6, at 7:30 p.m.

NEWS

RETURN OF THE DIGITAL ORGAN

Thanks for your support!

From the organ presentation on September 7:

Nick Busch:

The digital organ has been repaired over the summer by the Phoenix Organ Company. The entire computer system, amplifiers and connections have been replaced. The console and speakers remain the same as before to make this project affordable. This instrument now has three different organs in the English, French, and German styles - which are different traditions of organ building. Each style includes 68 stops. You heard the English organ during the service. For the postlude, I will showcase the French organ with fiery bright reeds and rumbling cannon sounds. Thank you to everyone who donated - this would not have been possible without your support. It is so clear that the music program at this church is cherished, loved and a well-sustained part of this church's life.

Barbara Dransch:

Thanks goes to many of you who helped with our fundraising so that we could afford to do this work.

Listen to Sunday's worship recording to hear the renewed organ HERE.

UPCOMING EVENTS

CHILDREN'S SERVICE

Sunday, September 21 - 3:00 p.m.

Come to our next Children's Eucharist on Sunday, September 21, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

We are going to tell the story of Jesus' baptism to prepare for a baptism in our church on September 28. Our children will be practicing to be ready to give the bread and wine for communion during the 10:15 service of baptism. We also have a fun activity on September 21. Learn to play the organ! A tour of our musical instruments by Nick Busch. Plus wonderful snacks as always. All children welcome!

Ottawa Mosque Tour and Orientation to Islam - Saturday, September 28, 10:00 a.m.

Sukkot Celebration with Temple Israel and Ahmaddiya Mosque - Thursday, October 9, 7:00 p.m.

Please add your name to the sign-up sheet at the back of the church or send an email to office@stjohnsottawa.ca

CENTRETOWN CHURCHES SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE

The annual Walkathon to raise funds for the Centretown Community Food Centre will be on Sunday, October 5. Please join Emmy Verdun by walking and donating to this worthy cause. The walk starts at 2 pm from Canadian Martyrs Church on Main Street.

You can give your donations to Emmy Verdun or Gay Richardson — or better yet, donate online through Canada Helps.

INVITATION FROM TEMPLE ISRAEL

This powerful documentary offers a searing look at the eruption of antisemitism on college campuses, across social media, and in the streets of North America — beginning the very day after Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7th.

Following the screening, a moderated discussion will feature individuals with lived experience of the rise in antisemitism here in Ottawa. This promises to be a vital opportunity for dialogue, reflection, and action.

Date: September 20, 2025

Time: 7:00pm

Location: To be confirmed prior to the event

RSVP: October 8 Film - Form - Temple Israel

INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT

Siyo Nigadv (Hi Everyone)! Welcome to September!

This is the time of preparation for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. Join us as St John's marks this day to honour children who never returned home from residential schools, as well as the survivors, their families, and communities.

On Saturday, September 20, we welcome Elder Louella who will lead us in a Sharing Circle focused on the Medicine Wheel Teachings. 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the church.
Wear orange for worship services on September 28, to observe Orange Shirt Day.
Join city-wide events for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, on September 30. The day is a federal statutory holiday intended for learning, reflection, and commemorative activities related to the legacy of residential schools.

As a new initiative, Bishop Shane Parker, now Archbishop Shane, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, is inviting all parishes to consider displaying the Survivors' Flag as a sign of acknowledgement and respect. The flag is now displayed at Church House, the headquarters of the Anglican Church of Canada in Toronto.

ABOVE: Church House in Toronto with the Survivors' Flag on display.

BELOW: The Survivors' Flag - find out more about it HERE.

Looking forward in Gadugi (a Cherokee word meaning "people coming together as one and working to help one another").

Kimberly Johnson

indigengcoord@stjohnsottawa.ca

St John's Indigenous Engagement Coordinator

THE YELLOW BOX

Upcoming Events for your Calendar

Worship Every Sunday

Please join us at 8:00 and 10:15 a.m. each Sunday!

Saturday, September 20

Sharing Circle with Elder Louella: Medicine Wheel Teachings, 9:30-11:30 a.m
Bishop Shane Thanksgiving Celebration: Christ Church Cathedral, 11 a.m.
Marriage of Hayden & Patrice, St John's, 3:30 p.m.
Temple Israel Movie Screening and Selichot, 7 p.m.

Sunday, September 21

Children's Service, 3:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 27

Field Trip to Ottawa Mosque, 10:00 a.m. 251 Northwestern Ave.

Sunday, September 28

Celebration of Baptism, 10:15 a.m.

Sunday, October 5

Walk for the Centre, to support Centretown Community Food Centre, 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. starting from Canadian Martyrs Church on Main Street.

Thursday, October 9

Sukkot Interfaith Celebration, Temple Israel, 7 p.m.

Sunday, October 12

Harvest Thanksgiving Services, 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.

Sunday, November 2

All Saints/All Souls, 8:00 & 10:15 services

Thursday, November 6

Music Evening. An Evening of Music to Celebrate the Singing Traditions of our Churches. 4 Amigos Churches (First Baptist, Knox Presbeyterian, St Theresa Roman Catholic). Hosted by St John's. 7:30 p.m.

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Our Parish

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

Prayer Requests: James, Alice, David, Barton, Sara, Doug.

Our Diocese

We pray for Shane, our Primate and Bishop of Ottawa; Anne, our Metropolitan.
The Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples, the Most Rev. Christopher Harper, National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop, Sacred Circle Events, and the Ministry of Reconciliation.
St. Mary’s, Russell and The Reverend Tom Hubschmid.
For university and college campus chaplains.
For vocations to the diaconate, the priesthood and religious life.

Anglican Church of Canada

The Most Rev. Lynne McNaughton, Metropolitan, and the clergy and people of the Ecclesiastical Province of British Columbia and Yukon.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

The Assistant to the Bishop and staff of the British Columbia Synod.

Moravian Church in Canada.

Remembering September 16 – 1741 – at a synod (legislative assembly) in London, the delegates determined that no human being would be the head of the church; by Lot, Jesus Christ was named as “Chief Elder of the Unitas Fratrum.” Today, this day is celebrated by ordained servants renewing their ordination vows in a Cup of Covenant service.
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 South America.

Flowers

The flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Tillie Dickson by April Dickson.

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