This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends:

Each Sunday during Lent, we have been meeting in the Chapel for a reflection following the 10:15 service.

For this year's Lent program, we have chosen to use a series of reflections on the places in Jesus' life created by Dean Richard Sewell of St George's College in Jerusalem. Each week includes a Bible passage, a short video (about 8 minutes), and a four-page reflection by Dean Richard, followed by four or five questions for discussion. Thus far, we have explored the desert where Jesus was tempted, the well where he gave living water to the woman of Samaria, the mountain where he was transfigured, and the sea where he calmed the storm. There are two more sessions: the road to Jerusalem where he was crucified; and the garden where the disciples found the tomb empty.

After the 10:15 service, we move seamlessly from refreshments in the Nave to create a circle of chairs in the Chapel. People join the circle and we close the glass doors. We have discovered that these new glass doors form an excellent sound barrier from the vibrant conversations that continue in the Nave. The acoustics of the Chapel work well and we can hear each other.

Participants are encouraged to prepare in advance by reading the scripture and reflection and watching the video (as noted below in this newsletter). We use the reflection questions (also listed below) for our conversation We have found the questions to be open-ended enough that it is comfortable to participate even if you have not had time to read the reflection or watch the video. We meet for about 30 minutes and our conversation helps us make connections in our own lives.

Going forward, the timing and location are ideal for future lifelong learning events. Looking ahead, please join us for the next book in our Bible Read-Through series. We will read the Book of Acts with an opening session on Sunday, April 27 and a concluding session on Sunday, June 1.

A word of thanks to St George's College in Jerusalem. This Lent Program was created by the Diocese of Ottawa to support St George's through a time of financial crisis. Here is a message from Archbishop Hosam Naoum, Archbishop of Jerusalem and the Middle East:

"We are asking all our friends around the world to come together to help St. George's College and to walk with us during these dark times of war and distress. We ask you to be companions on the way so that we may continue to work and serve Christ in the ministry of pilgrimage and love and light. We thank all our friends and partners who have come through the doors of St. George's College and for those who will come in the future. We ask you to join hands with us and to be generous so that we can continue to celebrate St. Georges College as a beacon of life and love in Jerusalem, and from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth."

Find out more here. Support St George's College through Canada Helps here.

As always, I hope you will join us for worship this Sunday at 8:00 and 10:15 a.m. Please also note the times for all the Holy Week services just below.

Gary+

SCRIPTURES - Sunday, April 6 - 8:00 & 10:15 a.m. | Fifth Sunday in Lent

Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3:4b-14; John 12:1-8

HOLY WEEK SERVICES & SCRIPTURES

Sunday, April 13 - Palm & Passion Sunday - 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.

Luke 19:28-40; Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 23:1-49

Thursday, April 17 - Maundy Thursday

6:00 p.m. - Exodus 12:1-14; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-17, 31b-35

8:00 p.m. - Matthew 26:30-46; Psalm 22

Friday, April 18 - Good Friday - 10:15 a.m.

Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Psalm 22; Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9; John 18:1-19:42

Saturday, April 19 - Easter Vigil - 7:30 p.m.

Genesis 1:1-2:4a and Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26; Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13 and Psalm 46; Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21 and Exodus 15:1b-13, 17-18; Isaiah 55:1-11 and Isaiah 12:2-6; Romans 6:3-11 and Psalm 114; Luke 24:1-12

Sunday, April 20 - Easter Day - 8:00 a.m. & 10:15 a.m.

Isaiah 65:17-25; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Acts 10:34-43; John 20:1-18

LISTEN TO RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES

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

Fourth Sunday in Lent - March 30, 2025

Third Sunday in Lent - March 23, 2025

Find all St John's Worship Recordings HERE

Mary, Bosco & Scout

Our servers at worship this past Sunday.

LENT PROGRAM

LET LIGHT SHINE

River Through the Desert - A Lenten Journey in the Holy Land

Dean Richard Sewell of St George's College in Jerusalem

reflects on the Road to Jerusalem:

"The road and the concept of a journey

is a theme which reaches back into the

Old Testament; it provides a template

for Jesus in his ministry and also

perhaps for us as Christian pilgrims."

WEEK 4 - The Road to Jerusalem

Watch the Video - above
Read the Scripture - here
Read the Reflection - here
Think about the Questions - below
Conversation - Sunday, April 6, 12:00 p.m. (in the Chapel)

Reflection Questions

You are welcome to join the circle of chairs in the Chapel following the 10:15 service.

Thinking back on your life, consider some moments when the journey was hard. What was it that sustained you? In the ‘sunny uplands’, describe how you felt. You might like to write a short account of either, or a poem?
Jesus ‘set his face towards Jerusalem’; do you think that you have set your face towards someone, something or somewhere? How does this affect your life and your priorities?
As Jesus walked down the Mount of Olives and saw Jerusalem, he wept over it. What do you think Jesus weeps over in our world today, in your city or neighbourhood? What difference does that make to us?
Palm Sunday captures a mood of joy although it stands at the start of Holy Week, with the difficult days which follow. What gives you joy in the midst of the challenges of your life’s journey past and present? How can we nurture that joy? You might like to write down some ideas that you can commit to for the weeks ahead.

This is a six-part series. See the entire series here. Our final session is Sunday, April 13, on the theme "The Garden."

ST JOHN'S IN PICTURES THIS WEEK

Meeting to plan Parish Council: Pat Fisher (re-elected as Chair), Churchwardens Barb Dransch and Monica Patten, and Gary. Parish Council meets monthly and we are planning a great meeting this coming Tuesday 5:30 p.m.

Paschal Meal Photo 2023.

We are grateful to Belong Ottawa to use the Well space again this year.

Art Credo Photos 2024.

We are excited about how it will look in our renewed space this year!

Children's Focus Table set up with the Gospel for this coming Sunday: Mary anoints Jesus' feet with oil as a preparation for his burial. Children are welcome to move the figures on the table around to retell the story after the service on Sunday.

TAKE NOTE

MAUNDY THURSDAY PASCHAL MEAL

We are delighted to announce our leaders for this event: Chris Chiavatti and Rebecca Gregg. We invite you to join the volunteer team to help make this a significant Holy Week celebration. The evening begins with dinner in the lower level of the church, with thanks to The Well - Belong Ottawa for use of the space. We will celebrate Jesus' first Eucharist and Last Supper during the meal with scriptures and eucharist. Plan to join us at 6:00 p.m.

Tickets are $25.00 and can be purchased after the 10:15 a.m. Sunday service with cash or card. They can also be purchased anytime via e-transfer to accounts@stjohnsottawa.ca . Please include Paschal Meal and the number of tickets you are purchasing in the message section.

Maundy Thursday continues with the story of Jesus leaving the meal to go and pray, and his betrayal and arrest. This second part of our liturgy will take place in the church at 8:00 p.m.

*Tickets are on sale now: $25/person. We encourage you to support people who cannot afford to attend by purchasing extra tickets.

EASTER VIGIL RESURRECTION PARTY

St John's Parish Council will host the party that immediately follows the Easter Vigil on Saturday night. The Vigil is the Easter version of Christmas Eve. Each of us has a candle in the darkness for the scripture readings. There is a great musical fanfare as all the lights come on and we read the story of Christ's resurrection. We celebrate with a baptism and eucharist and more great music. And we conclude with a party: Easter breads, chocolate, wine and cheese. The service starts at 7:30. The Resurrection Party will take place in the nave at approximately 9:15. Volunteers welcome to assist with the party.

A TASTE FOR LIFE

Wednesday, April 16

A message from our partners at Bruce House:

On April 16th, 14 restaurants across the city will be donating 25% of their proceeds from the evening to Bruce House. Just by dining out you will help provide housing, supports, food and other essentials to vulnerable people living with HIV! If you can also make a donation, great! Every dollar collected goes directly to programs and services since all costs of this event are covered by our sponsors: TD, ViiV, and Flora Hall. All donations will be entered in a raffle for a chance to win one of several prizes from local businesses.

Your donation helps us purchase gift cards, household essentials such as toilet paper and other items distributed through our Pantry Program in addition to the food provided by The Ottawa Food Bank. Our Health and Wellness fund addresses special one-time needs our clients face: purchasing small appliances, transportation expense, medical or dental costs not covered by ODSP, veterinary costs, bike parts and repairs, accessibility devices, and more. Bruce House allocates more than $28,000 every year to this fund, thanks to our community support.

Please make a dinner reservation for April 16th at one of the 14 sponsoring restaurants. See the restaurant list here.

ART CREDO IS COMING!

The 46^th Art Credo Exhibit and Sale promises to be another wonderful art show! It will run from Saturday April 26^th to Sunday May11^th. We will have over 100 works of art from 45 artists.

The Vernissage will be in the evening of Friday April 25^th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to come and to bring a friend. Get an early peek at the artwork, meet some of the artists, and enjoy some wine & cheese.

We are still looking for volunteers. If you can offer 3 hours of your time to act as a sitter, please sign up on-line at https://tinyurl.com/mubyn8j3 , or you can contact Detlef or Mary Ann to sign up. We could also use one more helpers with receiving the artworks on Thursday evening April 24^th. Finally, we are looking for someone to organize the hospitality part of the Vernissage, that is: food & libations—purchase, set-up, serve and take-down.

In conjunction with Art Credo, there will be a Paint-Along workshop on Saturday afternoon April 26^th (the first day of Art Credo), and a Poetry Night on Thursday evening May 8^th.

Contacts: Detlef Dransch at ddransch@sympatico.ca , tel. 613.592.9897

or Mary Ann Varley at varleymaryann1@bell.net , tel. 613.745.2996

YOUR FEEDBACK INVITED

Black History Month at St John's

This year's Black History Month included weekly scripture readings in the first languages of newcomers to Canada and a big African Festival Celebration on the final Sunday of February. Our celebration included singing by the Newcomer Choir, dancing, and a delicious meal. Thanks to so many volunteers who helped make this possible!

We are grateful especially that newcomers have made a home and family with us at St John's. Thanks for your leadership and support: Deborah, Allen, Mary and Briana, Scout, Anastasie, Bosco, Clementine, Jorvan and Dorothy. Thank you, St John's for all your support!

We would like to ask your feedback. Tell us what you appreciated as well as your suggestions for next year. Please send an email to Deborah Nasasira and Marilyn Box who will record your suggestions to be shared with St John's Parish Council.

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.

INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT

A note from Kimberly:

Osiyo Nigadv (Hello Everyone)

I hope the sunny warmer weather this past week was a welcome hint of Spring on the horizon for you. I wanted to let everyone know we have a wonderful trip planned to Mādahòkì Farm on April 26, 2025. Mādahòkì Farm is located on 164 acres of Ottawa’s Greenbelt. Its mission is to share the experience of land, stories and food from an Indigenous perspective. We will immerse ourselves in an Indigenous learning experience with opportunity to learn more about the herd of endangered Ojibwe Spirit Horses. Our field trip is full (waiting list only)!

Find out more about the farm: https://madahoki.ca/about-the-farm/

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).

Every Sunday in Lent

Lent Conversation. After each Sunday's 10:15 service. Meet in the Chapel at noon.

Sunday, April 13

Palm Sunday. 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.

Thursday, April 17

Maundy Thursday: Part I - Paschal Meal. 6:00 p.m.; Part II - Liturgy of the Agony in the Garden. 8:00 p.m. We need volunteers ln various roles, including shopping, cooking, serving, and putting everything away in the Well space where we are holding the dinner.

Friday, April 18

Good Friday. 10:15 a.m.

Saturday, April 19

Easter Vigil. 7:30 p.m. Resurrection Party follows the service. We need two volunteers to lead the Resurrection Party.

Sunday, April 20

Easter Sunday. 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.

Friday April 25

Art Credo Vernissage 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Saturday April 26 - Sunday May 11th

Art Credo runs daily.

Saturday, April 26

Church Field Trip to Madahoki Farm
Paint Along 1-3 p.m. in the Nave.

Sunday, April 27

Scripture Read-Through: Acts Part 1 (Chapters 1-14) 12:00 p.m. in the chapel.

Sunday May 11

Interfaith Conversation with Temple Israel and Ahmadiyya Mosque at 3:00 p.m. hosted by Temple Israel. Conversation Theme: "My Canadian Home: Navigating the Questions of Citizenship as a Jew, Christian, and Muslim."

Sunday, May 25

Ascension Children's Service, 3-5 p.m.

Saturday, May 31

Thrift Shop Fashion Show

Sunday, June 1

Scripture Read-Through: Acts Part 2 (Chapters 15-28) 12:00 p.m. in the chapel.

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Our Parish

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

Prayer Requests: Alice, David, Inga, Peter & Jack

Our Diocese

Shane, our Bishop; Anne, our Metropolitan and Acting Primate.
The Diocese of Jerusalem and The Middle East and Archbishop Hosam Naoum.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and Bishop Susan Johnson and Bishop Carla Blakley.
Julian of Norwich, Ottawa. The Reverend Karen McBride and Deacon Elizabeth December.

Anglican Church of Canada

The Most Rev. Anne Germond, Metropolitan, and the people and clergy of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

The congregations of the Eastern area of the Manitoba-Northwestern Ontario Synod.

Moravian Church in Canada

The Rt. Rev. J. Christian Giesler, Bishop of the Unity residing in the Northern Province.
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 Chile.

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