This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends:

This coming Sunday, we read about Jesus fasting in the desert for forty days. There's still time for you to choose your fast to be in solidarity with him. I have to admit that I am curious about what people are choosing. This year seems different because of our uncertain times, and, personally, I feel the need for a different kind of fast.

One of my clergy friends who is serving in Kingston has publicly shared her fasting plan. She says she will be fasting from fear. In its place, she is taking on the personal discipline of acting with moral courage. She says this will help her to speak grace and mercy into the lives of her neighbours.

I like it! My question is what does that look like? How would I fast from fear? Is that a morning walk where I ask God to show me my fears? Is it writing in a journal? In my sermon last Sunday, I suggested starting the day with a prayer asking God for a grace. In this example, the grace would be that God would help me to resist fear. And then at the end of the day, I would recall my day to notice where God had helped my resistance.

What is your Lent discipline, and how will you go about it?

I recommend the weekly reflection "Let Light Shine," featuring the places Jesus knew. See this week's reflection on the desert below. Pull up a chair in the Chapel during Sunday refreshments for a conversation about the desert reflection questions.

Here is a special and timely prayer we will be using every week during Lent at the conclusion of Sunday worship:

Almighty God, you have given us this good land as our heritage. May we prove ourselves a people mindful of your generosity and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education, and an honourable way of life. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance; and from every evil course of action. Make us who came from many nations with many different languages a united people. Defend our liberties and give those whom we have entrusted with the authority of government the spirit of wisdom, that there may be justice and peace in our land. When times are prosperous, let our hearts be thankful; and, in troubled times, do not let our trust in you fail. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I hope you will join us for worship this Sunday.

Gary+

SCRIPTURES - Sunday, March 9 - 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.

Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16; Romans 10:8b-13;Luke 4:1-13

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

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Psalm 27; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35

LISTEN TO RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES

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

Ash Wednesday - March 9, 2025

Last Sunday after Epiphany - Transfiguration - March 2, 2025

Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany - February 23, 2025

Find all St John's Worship Recordings HERE

Let your light shine! St John's new Director of Music Nick Busch leading "This Little Light of Mine" at last Sunday's children's service.

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 wilderness experiences.

WEEK 1 - The Desert

Watch the Video - above
Read the Scripture - here
Read the Reflection - here
Think about the Questions - below
Conversation - Sunday, March 9, 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.

Does the idea of time in some kind of wilderness draw you or concern you? Why?
Is there an accessible place which could serve as a ‘desert’ to you? What do you, or could you, gain from spending time there?
In what ways might Jesus have been changed or strengthened by his testing in the desert? Could this be true for you and if so, how?
Is there a word or phrase that resonates for you in the quote from Alan Jones’ Soul Making? As you ponder this, is there an invitation from God for you?
The reflection above mentions the surprises which can be found in the desert. Have you ever been surprised by time in solitude or in an isolated place?
You might like to do a drawing, write a poem or express yourself creatively in some other way to represent what the desert means to you.

HELP WANTED

MAUNDY THURSDAY PASCHAL MEAL

On Thursday in Holy Week, we read about Jesus' last supper with his friends, a supper now also known as the First Eucharist. We celebrate with our own delicious meal and then we go into the church to continue the story of how Jesus was betrayed and arrested. This delicious meal requires planning! We need two co-leaders to make it happen - plus lots of volunteers. Be part of our team - have a look at the details HERE.

EASTER VIGIL RESURRECTION PARTY

The service on Saturday night 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. We need two people to organize this Easter Party.

Send us an email to volunteer for one or both events HERE.

ST JOHN'S IN PICTURES THIS WEEK

ABOVE: Servers this past Sunday: Chris, Idris, and Scout. Get to know their names!

ABOVE: Gospel read-through for the second half of Luke's Gospel. Thanks to Pat Johnston for leadership and insights into Luke's telling of Jesus' life.

BELOW: Ash Wednesday Soup Supper to support Alongside Hope (Primate's World Relief and Development Fund). Special thanks to our presenter, Bart Dickinson, Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator for PWRDF. Thanks also to our organizers, Jane Maxwell, Glenn Calder, and many volunteers. Stats: 12 homemade soups; 42 meals served; much goodwill and great support for Alongside Hope!

CHILDREN'S FOCUS TABLE

After forty days of fasting, will Jesus turn stones into bread? How does fasting affect our judgment?

CHILDREN'S SERVICE

We hold an afternoon children's service every 6-8 weeks. Our gathering includes story, singing, craft, Eucharist, snack and free play. The next one focuses on the Bible story of Jesus' Ascension. Mark your calendar and plan to be with us on Sunday, May 25, 3-5 p.m.

New participants always welcome!

Singing "This Little Light of Mine" accompanied by Nick on the ukulele. We learned all the actions.

Burning the palms for Ash Wednesday, with the cover ready for fire safety.

Informal Eucharist with children in leadership roles.

Crafts and free play.

TAKE NOTE

CCSAC monthly Newsletter HERE

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Ottawa Pastoral Care Centre

The Ottawa Pastoral Care Training Program (OPCTP) has been providing courses and workshops in Ottawa and surrounding communities since 1979. Take the Basic Course this spring, March 10 to May 12. The course includes: Introduction to Pastoral Care; Active Listening; Emotions 101; Spiritual Needs and Pastoral Identity; Grief Through Losses; Ministry with Dying; The Transitioning Years; Visiting in Hospitals, Institutions & Homes; Care for the Caregiver and Pastoral Care Teams; Celebrating our Community and Our Call. $175 See the Brochure for Details.

Join the Special Session, "Sacred Conversations: 7000 Ways to Pray," April 8, 7-9 p.m. $20.00. See the Brochure Here.

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

INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT

St John's Indigenous Engagement Team this past Sunday:

Patrick, Kimberly, Megan & Glenn

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. Participation cost is $22.50 per person.

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

Please see the sign-up sheet in the church on Sunday or send a reply email to Kimberly: indigengcoord@stjohnsottawa.ca

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.

Sunday, March 16

Commissioning of Churchwardens, Synod Delegates, Treasurer, and Members of Parish Council (during the 10:15 service).
Interfaith Iftar. St John's and Temple Israel are invited to the new Ahmadiyya Mosque for the Iftar (the meal that break's the day's fast after sundown during Ramadan). 5940 Prince of Wales Drive, 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 23

Black History Month Debrief. 12:15 p.m. in the Parish Hall.

Sunday, April 13

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

Thursday, April 17

Maundy Thursday: Part I - Paschal Meal. 5:30 p.m.; Part II - Liturgy of the Agony in the Garden. 8:00 p.m. We need two volunteers to lead the Paschal Meal.

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 - 9:00pm

Saturday April 26 - Sunday May 11th

Art Credo runs daily.

Saturday, April 26

Church Field Trip to Madahoki Farm

Sunday, May 25

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

Saturday, May 31

Thrift Shop Fashion Show

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, Bill.

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

The Area Parish of the St. Lawrence; The Reverend Adam Brown and The Reverend Cynthia MacLachlan

Anglican Church of Canada

The Rt. Rev. Sandra Fyfe, Bishop, and the people and clergy of the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

The dean, council, and congregations of the Northern Area of the Eastern Synod.

Moravian Church in Canada

The people and ministries of Christ Moravian Church in Calgary.
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 Canada.

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