This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends:

In times of uncertainty, it helps to pray. Uncertainty is before us and I urge you to do so. Pray for all that you care about: the people you know, your problems and questions, our community, for peace, and for justice.

It is precisely in uncertain times that we find we are not sure how to pray. The Apostle Paul recognized himself to be in such times as he wrote his Epistle to the Romans:

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not now how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches hearts, and knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes with the Saints according to the will of God. (8:26-27)

It also helps to ask other people to help us to pray by praying with us. Every church has a prayer group and I would like to introduce ours. This week, I met with Lannie Mitchell, our St John's prayer coordinator, for a conversation about how our prayer group works.

You can submit prayer requests to Lannie either by email or by speaking to her directly. Lannie will ask if you would like your request shared with the prayer group, in this newsletter, and with the intercessors who lead the prayers of the people. Names you share may be first-name only or full name, depending on your comfort level. Members of the prayer group receive updated names from Lannie to add to their daily prayers - generally for a two-week period (unless you request for longer).

You are also invited to join the prayer group. This is an informal group of people praying on their own time as well as supporting each other. You are asked to include prayer requests in your daily prayers. Pray the way you like to pray and say their names. Knowing people are praying with you or for you is a blessing.

In these uncertain times, you may need additional support. I am grateful for a prayer written by Rabbi Irwin Keller in early 2016. If you remember what was happening in the world at that time, you'll appreciate why Rabbi Keller wrote it. It's even more timely now:

A Prayer Before Reading the News

My God, the soul you have placed in me is pure and vulnerable. I am afraid that looking at today's news will be painful. Encircle me in a robe of light so that I can witness the wounds of the world without being wounded myself. Let me learn what I need to know in order to be of my greatest use, without being overwhelmed by despair. I feel your protective light now as I open myself to the world's suffering and the world's joys. Amen.

As I prepare to preach this Sunday, I look forward to adding further support for you as you pray. Please join us for worship at 8:00 and 10:15. You're especially invited to join us for the African Festival this Sunday.

Gary+

Lannie Mitchell with Gary for a conversation about prayer support.

SCRIPTURES - Sunday, February 16 - 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.

Jeremiah 17:5-10; Psalm 1; 1 Corinthians 15:12-20; Luke 6:17-26

SCRIPTURES - Sunday, February 23 - 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.

Genesis 45:3-11, 15; Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40; 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50; Luke 6:27-38

LISTEN TO RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES

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

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany - February 9, 2025

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany - February 2, 2025

Find all St John's Worship Recordings HERE

GET READY FOR LENT

The Judean Desert where Jesus spent the Forty Days

Lent is our season of preparation for Easter. It takes inspiration from Jesus' forty days in the wilderness, where he endured temptations and came to clarity about how God was calling him. We observe Lent with a forty-day period, this year from March 5 to April 18 (not including the Sundays).

During that time, you are invited to have a personal discipline that reminds you to that you are preparing for Christ's death and resurrection. You might fast from some food or add an activity of your choice. Whatever discipline you choose is intended to bring you closer to God's love. In addition to your personal discipline, here is how St John's observes Lent.

ASH WEDNESDAY: Lent begins with a sign of the cross in ashes on your forehead, and the words, "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return." Come to the Ash Wednesday service on Wednesday March 5 at 7:30 p.m. (Alternative time: 12:15 p.m. at Church of the Ascension, 253 Echo Drive).

ASHES: Note that the ashes come from burning our palm crosses on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. Palms were blessed and given last year on Palm Sunday. Bring back your palms! Place them in the basket at the back of the church over the next 3 weeks and join us as we burn them on Sunday, March 2 following the 10:15 service.

SOUP SUPPER: We come together for a meal right before the Ash Wednesday service. In addition to sharing food, our guest speaker helps us to pray for others as well as ourselves. Please see the Soup Supper announcement below.

LENT PROGRAM: Lent often includes a shared opportunity for study, learning and reflection. Our Lifelong Learning Group has chosen "Let Light Shine," created by St George's College, part of St George's Anglican Cathedral in Jerusalem. This study features a weekly 6-minute video, scripture passage, and 4-page reflection focusing on themes Jesus experienced in his ministry. This year's themes include the desert, the water well, the mountain, the sea, the road, and the garden. Watch and read on your own time and bring a sandwich lunch each Sunday. We will make a discussion circle in the parish hall immediately following the 10:15 service. Take an advance look at Let Light Shine HERE.

SUNDAY LITURGY: Our Sunday worship will have some changes focused on prayer, confession, and asking God's support.

COMING SOON

THE STORY THIS COMING SUNDAY

Children's Focus Table: Jesus and the Sermon on the Mount. In this version of the story, Jesus gives both Beatitudes and Woes. (Luke 6:17-26)

AFRICAN FESTIVAL THIS SUNDAY

Sunday, February 16, 10:15 a.m.

St John's African Festival 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.

Sing, Dance and Stay for Lunch!

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.

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.

ST JOHN'S IN PICTURES THIS WEEK

ABOVE: Snow Day this week!

BELOW:

Worship leaders this past Sunday - get to know their names: Bosco, Allen, Anastasie, and Rev Canon Allen Box. Listen to the service including Allen's sermon here.

WINTERLUDE:

Ottawa's celebration of winter is worth seeing on the Sparks Street Mall. Watch the ice carvers in action!

This special ice carving celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Canadian flag, first raised on February 15, 1965. Canada's five former prime ministers invite us to raise our flags this Saturday, February 15. This is a call to solidarity in uncertain times.

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

CHARITABLE DONATIONS TAX RECEIPTS

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.

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 16

African Festival. Black History Month at St John's features music, singing and dancing, and 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.
Our Community Ministries:
Belong Ottawa: Centre 454; St. Luke’s Table; The Well/La Source
Centre 105 (Cornwall)
Cornerstone Housing for Women
Ottawa Pastoral Counselling Centre
Refugee Ministry
Church of the Ascension, Ottawa and The Reverend Victoria Scott.

Anglican Church of Canada

The Rt. Rev. Sam Rose, Bishop, and the people and clergy of the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

The dean, council, and congregations of the Central Toronto Area and Greater Toronto Areas East and West of the Eastern Synod.

Moravian Church in Canada

The people and ministries of Rio Terrace Moravian Church in Edmonton.
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 Church of Bangladesh.

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