This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends:

We are in that beautiful season of week after week of scriptures on the theme of love. It's the perfect subject for our times. And it is always relevant and important for followers of Jesus.

In addition to my sermon on love this past Sunday, I want to draw your attention to the sermon by Pope Leo XIV. It seems the whole world is so anxious these days that people are making up words and attributing them to the new Pope. These are Pope Leo's actual words from his homily at the Inauguration Mass in St Peter's Square on May 18:

"We want to say to the world, with humility and joy: Look to Christ! Come closer to him! Welcome his word that enlightens and consoles! Listen to his offer of love and become his one family: in the one Christ, we are one. This is the path to follow together, among ourselves but also with our sister Christian churches, with those who follow other religious paths, with those who are searching for God, with all women and men of good will, in order to build a new world where peace reigns! This is the missionary spirit that must animate us; not closing ourselves off in our small groups, nor feeling superior to the world. We are called to offer God’s love to everyone, in order to achieve that unity which does not cancel out differences but values the personal history of each person and the social and religious culture of every people. Brothers and sisters, this is the hour for love!"

This coming Sunday brings another facet of love as Jesus urges us to keep his word because we love him, assuring us that "my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them."

The coming week is full of activities, so please see the special "This Next Week" notices below. As you make your Sunday plans, please also note this Sunday's road closures for race weekend.

I hope you will join us for this continued theme of love.

Gary+

SUNDAY MAY 25 | Sixth Sunday of Easter | 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.

Scriptures: Acts 16:9-15; Psalm 67; Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5; John 14:23-29

SUNDAY JUNE 1 | Seventh Sunday of Easter | 9:30am

Scriptures: Acts 16:16-34; Psalm 97; Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21; John 17:20-26

LISTEN TO RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES

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

Fifth Sunday of Easter - May 18, 2025

Fourth Sunday of Easter - May 11, 2025

Third Sunday of Easter - May 4, 2025

Find all St John's Worship Recordings HERE

Theo and his child-friendly dogs: Squish on the left (Wire Coat Jack Russell Terrier), and Ruby on the right (Smooth Coat Short Leg Jack Russell Terrier).

THIS NEXT WEEK

FRIDAY: The exhibit for the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki begins with an opening reception, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in St John's Warriors Chapel. Everyone is welcome.

SUNDAY: This Sunday is "race weekend" - before you drive, check out the road closures. St John's will hold our regularly scheduled Sunday services at 8:00 and 10:15 a.m. If you are concerned about being able to get to church, consider coming to the service at 3:00 p.m. This service features children in prominent and active roles. It is also a celebration of the Holy Eucharist and includes music and singing. Everyone is welcome. Please also note the Tulipathon walk details below.

WEDNESDAY: Service of Remembrance and Prayers for Peace. Surrounded by St John's memorials from the First and Second World Wars and the exhibition posters remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we remember lives lost and we ask God to guide us into the ways of peace. This is a service of readings, prayers and music in the Warriors Chapel at 5:00 p.m.

THURSDAY: The Ascension Day Hymn Sing features favourite hymns as submitted by members of our community. This is a worship celebration of our fundraising plans to refurbish the digital organ so that it can once again be played during worship and concerts. There will be an opportunity for favourite hymns by request during the service. We are grateful for your financial support - please indicate "organ fund" with your donations. Details below.

SATURDAY: Join us for the Thrift Shop Fashion Show and support our community outreach. Be a model, purchase modeled items, enjoy the fun. Details below.

SUNDAY: We go to "summer hours" with one Sunday service at 9:30 a.m. starting Sunday, June 1.

ST JOHNS IN PICTURES

This past Sunday

ABOVE: Scout, Bosco, Gary, Idris

BELOW: Christina presiding at the Eucharist.

LOOKING AHEAD

HIROSHIMA MEMORIAL EXHIBIT

Ban the Bomb and UNA-Capital Region Branch present an exhibition of posters commemorating 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with an Exhibition from the Hiroshima Peace Museum. St John's is hosting the display in the Warriors' Chapel.

Read the story about this event by St John's parishioner Leigh Anne Williams, as featured in Crosstalk, the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa newspaper HERE.

You are invited to the Opening Reception: Friday, May 23, 4:30-6:30.

RSVP by May 19: 80thcommemoration@gmail.com

Service of Remembrance & Prayers for Peace

Wednesday, May 28, 5:00 p.m.

2025 Tulipathon Fundraising for the Multifaith Housing Initiative

Tulipathon 2025 will take place this Sunday at:

Commissioner’s Park, across from Dow's Lake.
Opening ceremonies start at 2:30 pm,
Followed by the two-kilometre walk at 3 p.m.

A small group has offered to walk with Marilyn on Sunday. If you would like to walk with the St. John’s Team, or need more information, please contact Marilyn Collins (Team Captain) by clicking here.

The best way to donate is directly via the MHI website at https://www.classy.org/team/647581. Should you choose donations by cheque, please make it payable to MHI Tulipathon (with St. John the Evangelist on the comment line). Your cheque can be mailed to Multifaith Housing Initiative, 206-404 McArthur Ave., Ottawa ON, K1K 1G8 or given to Marilyn Collins for delivery to MHI. Reach out to your friends and family and encourage them to donate online.

Donations can be made through to June 30, so don’t worry if you missed May 25th, thinking it was the last opportunity. Your donation is important.

If you would like to learn more about present and past Tulipathons and/or MHI, visit Tulipathon - MULTIFAITH HOUSING INITIATIVE or click here to find the presentation made to St. John’s on May 5.

ORGAN FUNDRAISER PROGRESS

Amount Donated to Date: $3850

Amount Pledged: $5500

Total Given and Pledged: $9350 (77%)

We are almost there. Be sure to join us for a great singing celebration!

Support the Community Thrift Shop ministry by coming to our Fashion Show!

Odawa’s 50th Anniversary Powwow is this weekend!

Get ready for an unforgettable weekend of Indigenous culture, dancing, drumming, food, vendors, and community spirit. Everyone is welcome - bring your friends and family to celebrate 50 years of Odawa together!

815 St Laurent Boulevard, Ottawa

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).

Friday, May 23

Hiroshima Exhibit Opening, Warriors' Chapel, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 24

Odawa Powwow, Canadian Police College Campus, Saturday and Sunday.

Sunday, May 25

Tulipathon, Fundraising Walk for Multifaith Housing Initiative. Commissioners Park (across from Dows Lake), 3:00 p.m.
Ascension Children's Service, 3-5 p.m.

Wednesday, May 28

Hiroshima Service of Remembrance and Prayers for Peace, 5:00 p.m. in the Warriors Chapel.

Thursday, May 29

Ascension Day Hymn Sing. 7:30 p.m. in the Nave.

Saturday, May 31

Thrift Shop Fashion Show. 6:30 p.m. Doors open; 7:30; the show begins in the Nave.

Sunday, June 1

Summer Hours: One Sunday worship service at 9:30 from June 1 to August 31
Scripture Read-Through: Acts Part 2, 11:00 a.m. in the chapel.
Pride Month Begins
Godly Play Final Sunday.

Saturday, June 7

Doors Open Ottawa

Sunday, June 8

Newcomer Orientation to St John's, 11:30 a.m.
Joy of Faith Celebration: Many faiths come together for food, friendship, and honouring a local Indigenous leader. Presented by the Capital Region Interfaith Council, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, June 22

Sunday Worship for the National Indigenous Day of Prayer.

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Our Parish

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

Prayer Requests: Bill Broughton, Audrey Lawrence, James, Alice, David, Inga, and Doug.

Our Diocese

Shane, our Bishop; Anne, our Metropolitan and Acting Primate.
For the staff at Ascension House.
St. Paul’s, Renfrew; Emmanuel, Arnprior and The Reverend Susan Smandych.
For custodial staff serving the parishes and ministries of our diocese.

Anglican Church of Canada

The Rt. Rev. Shane Parker, Bishop, and the people and clergy of the Diocese of Ottawa.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

The Assistant to the Bishop and the staff of the Saskatchewan Synod.

Together

Jerusalem and the Holy Land Sunday; The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, and for peace in the Middle East.

Moravian Church in Canada

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 Kenya.

Flowers

The flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Peggie and Hugh Andrews by their daughter Sally.

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