This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends:

If you’re new to church I hope there are many things you’re curious about. And if you’re not new – I hope the same is true! Just a few weeks ago, someone commented to me after the service: “I don’t think I have ever heard that reading before. I had no idea that was in the Bible.”

I would like to encourage your curiosity, specifically about the Bible: What’s in it? How do we choose what parts to read in church? Are there parts of the Bible that we avoid? How do we interpret what we read?

My short answer is that we do not worship the Bible. We worship God who is the loving Creator. The Bible shows us what God is like, especially in the stories of Jesus, so that we live with more love for each other and for the Creator.

Over the coming weeks, I invite you to learn more about the Bible. This coming Sunday, we are starting a 3-part reading of the Gospel of Matthew, the Gospel we will read from at most services this year. You may have noticed we read smaller portions in Sunday worship – this read-through will introduce you to the flow of the whole story. We also have coming up a special Saturday morning session on the structure of the Bible. I hope it will answer the questions you see above, as well as other questions you may have. There’s also a special Saturday session about prayer coming up. Please see the information box about learning below.

I hope you will join us for worship this coming Sunday. Our services feature the story of the baptism of Jesus. I will be reading parts of it from a children’s Bible – the version my mother read to us as children, so you will also learn more about how to share Bible stories with children.

Stay Curious!

Gary+

SUNDAY JANUARY 11 | Baptism of the Lord

Isaiah 42:1-9;Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17

SUNDAY JANUARY 18 | Second Sunday after Epiphany
Scriptures: Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42

LISTEN TO RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES

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

Epiphany Sunday - January 4, 2026

First Sunday of Christmas - December 28, 2025

Christmas Day - December 24, 2025

Christmas Eve (Late Service) - December 24, 2025

Find all St John's Worship Recordings HERE

ST JOHN'S IN PICTURES

ABOVE: Lunch after Church at Deacon Brodies

We often have a full table after church on Sunday, with room for more.

Tell Deacon Brodies you're visiting from St John's

for 10% off your bill plus a 10% donation to St Johns!

ABOVE: Idris, Allen & Gary

Snow!

COMING SOON

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Read-Through of the Gospel of Matthew:

This year, Sunday by Sunday, we are reading the Gospel of Matthew. Get to know the flow of the story. We will sit in a circle and take turns reading aloud - with time included to react and ask questions. We are reading the first half of Matthew on Sunday, January 11 beginning at noon. This includes Jesus' birth and the beginnings of his ministry.

We will read the second half - including the last supper and Jesus' death and resurrection - closer to Easter, on Sunday, March 15, also beginning at noon. Between these sessions, we have an extra time to highlight some notable stories as found in the First Nations Version. (Sunday, March 1, noon).

Introduction to the Bible:

You are welcome to attend this Saturday morning session which includes a tour of what's in the Bible, how we interpret it, and your questions. Saturday, January 24, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Introduction to Prayer:

This is a Saturday morning session introducing prayer and the kinds of questions people have about it - does it work, how do we do it, how do we know if prayers are answered - as well as your questions. Saturday, January 17, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Preparation for Baptism, Confirmation & Renewal of Vows:

We are starting a small group that will meet regularly until Easter. If you would like to explore making vows - or if you're interested but not sure about these sacraments - you are welcome to participate. Send a note to find out more HERE.

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUR CALENDAR

WORSHIP EVERY SUNDAY

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

Sunday, January 11

Gospel Read-Through: Matthew Part 1. 12:00 p.m. in the Chapel
Young Adults Skating Excursion, 12:15 p.m. Somerset Pedestrian Bridge
Children's Eucharist, 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 17

Learning Session: Prayer. 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Saturday, January 24

Learning Session: Structure of the Bible. 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Saturday, January 31

Learning Session (Weather back-up date for January 18 & 24). 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Sunday, February 1

Black History Month. Introduction & Display

Sunday, February 15

Black History Month: Meal & Dancing

Wednesday, February 18

Ash Wednesday Service. 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, February 22

Black History Month: Musical Presentation

Sunday, March 1

Gospel Read-Through: Matthew: Focus on First Nations Version. 12:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 8

Annual Vestry Meeting. 12:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 15

Gospel Read-Through: Matthew Part 2. 12:00 p.m.

INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT

INDIGENOUS STORYTELLING

This weekly series honours storytelling as a living oral way of sharing knowledge among First Peoples of this land. Each reflection includes a short closing prayer.

For First Peoples of this land, storytelling is an oral way of sharing knowledge, teachings, history, and responsibility across generations. Stories are shared year‑round, wherever people gather, work, care for one another, and live life together.

In many Nations, winter is also a time when certain stories are traditionally shared. When the land rests and nights grow long, storytelling often turns toward reflection and teachings meant to be held carefully.

First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples each carry distinct teachings shaped by land, language, and lived experience. These teachings are not interchangeable and must be honoured as their own. Storytelling reminds all communities that knowledge is carried in relationship. Listening well is an act of respect and care.

Creator of all life,

teach us to listen with care and humility.

May we honour the stories and teachings of the First Peoples of this land

and receive them with respect and responsibility.

Wado, Chi-Miigwech, Niá:wen, Nakurmiik,

Qujannamiik, Wela'lin, Marsii, Thank you!

Kimberly Johnson

St John's Indigenous Engagement Coordinator

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: Doug, Alice, David, the family of Sylvia Banke.

Our Diocese

Gracious God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified, send your guidance upon us as we prepare to elect a bishop for our diocese. Grant wisdom to those discerning a call, to those who are candidates, to Members of Synod, and to our diocesan administrator, Bishop Michael Bird; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Archbishop Shane Parker, Primate of Canada; and Archbishop Anne Germond, Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario.
Our Diocesan Partner: Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and Archbishop Hosam Naoum.
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 Office
Holy Trinity, Metcalfe; St. Mary’s, Russell and The Reverend Tom Hubschmid.

Anglican Church of Canada

Ryan Weston, Lead Animator, Public Witness for Social and Ecological Justice; Executive Director, Will Postma, and staff of Alongside Hope.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Interim-Executive Director, Michael Pryse, and staff of Canadian Lutheran World Relief.

Moravian Church in Canada

Justin Rabbach, Executive Director, and staff of the Board of World Mission.
The Moravian Church has joined Full Communion with Anglicans and Lutherans - read about the Moravian Church HERE

The Anglican Communion - Pray for Anglicans Worldwide

Iglesia Anglicana de la Region Central de America.

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