Dear Friends
As we look ahead in the calendar, Holy Week is fast approaching! Last year, we did videos and Zoom. The year before, St John’s was in the beginning phase of the pandemic. So we are digging deeper into the past and looking ahead to make a Holy Week plan. I’d like to tell you about it and I hope you will join us.
Palm Sunday
This service traditionally has two gospel passages. The first, at the beginning of the service, tells how Jesus comes into Jerusalem on a donkey. He is welcomed by the people of Jerusalem, who lay down palm branches and coats for a kind of red carpet welcome. The second gospel passage is the account of Jesus’ Passion – the full story going from the supper Jesus shared, through to his arrest, trial, execution and burial. It’s a kind of overview of Holy Week in this traditional format. We are not doing the whole thing. Instead, we will focus on the Palm Sunday story and let the rest of the week tell the full story. Plan to be with us Sunday, April 10, 8:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.
Maundy Thursday
The Maundy Thursday service is a celebration of the supper, which for us becomes the first Eucharist. Before the Eucharist, we read about how Jesus washed the disciples’ feet and modeled leadership that is based on service and humility. Many churches add significance to this occasion by washing the feet of those attending, either designated representatives of various ministries – or anyone who would like to participate. This is also an intimate act with physical closeness. This is challenging at the best of times as people tend to be uncomfortable and private about the appearance of their toes! In this pandemic time, we will not observe the washing of feet. St John’s has a tradition of a meal to commemorate this first Eucharist. This is possible in the future, though out of respect for our Jewish sisters and brothers, we would not be appropriating the practice of a seder meal. This year, prepare especially by reflecting on how you are personally engaged in service to others – you may wish to name aloud the initiatives in which you participate as we ask God’s blessing on their work. Thursday, April 14, 7:30 p.m.
Good Friday
As we remember the death of Jesus on the cross, this service will include a dramatic reading of the Passion of Christ according to St Luke. The dramatic reading includes a narrator (Luke the Evangelist), as well as Jesus, the disciples, temple authorities and soldiers, Pontius Pilate, and the crowd (this part read by the congregation). St John’s has a significant history of the Stations of the Cross, with a special focus on children’s participation. We look to the future for a return to the Stations of the Cross. Come for beautiful music and reflection on how Jesus’ death is significant to Christianity as practiced at St John’s. Friday, April 15, 10:15 a.m.
Easter Vigil
The Easter Vigil is one of the most dramatic services of the year. It begins with a fire outside the front of the church, readings by candlelight in the darkness as we recall the parallels from the Hebrew scriptures that help us to connect to Jesus’ death and resurrection. While some Christians regard the Old Testament is predicting Jesus’ life and death, these readings bring us into the language of metaphor, stories that are “types” and Jesus’ death and resurrection “rhymes” with these earlier passages. The lights come on as we celebrate Resurrection, including the renewal of baptismal vows as the community is sprinkled with the waters of baptism. The service concludes with the Resurrection Party. This will be all set up off to the side and ready to go immediately after the dismissal. Bring stuff: Easter bread, cheese, fruit, juice, wine! Stay and celebrate Easter. Saturday, April 16, 7:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday
The glorious hymns and Easter lilies announce new life in Christ. This service will feature prayers from many sources as we pray for the world and celebrate the Eucharist. Sunday, April 17, 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.
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Now that we are looking ahead, get the dates (and the times!) into your calendar. And looking forward to seeing you this Sunday, 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.
Welcome to All!
Gary+
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Those On Our Hearts
Lannie, John, Christine, Gaston, Robin, Maura, Pat, Bill, The staff, volunteers and participants in the programs of The Well, The Reverend Gary van der Meer, Major the Reverend Canon Catherine Askew, The Reverend Canon Allen Box, Ministry Intern John Holgate, Gordon, Josh, Gregory, Kerry and all who minister at St John's.
Our Diocese
The Parish of March; the Reverend Dr. Jon Martin; and the Reverend Cathy McCaig
The Diocese of Jerusalem and Archbishop Hosam Naoum
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and Bishop Susan Johnson and Bishop Michael Pryse.
Our Bishop, The Right Reverend Shane Parker, our Metropolitan, The Most Reverend Anne Germond and our Primate, The Most Reverend Linda Nicholls.
Anglican Church of Canada (ACC)
The Most Rev. Anne Germond, Metropolitan, and the people and clergy of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario.
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada (ELCIC)
The congregations of the Eastern area of the Manitoba-Northwestern Ontario Synod.
The Anglican Communion from Aba to Zululand
The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion)
Parish Prayer Group
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT
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You can help the Altar Guild decorate the church for Easter and remember your loved ones with flowers.
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 or drop it off at the office.
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HE COMES TO US
Albert Schweitzer was a musician, doctor, philosopher and theologian -- one of the greatest minds of the twentieth century. In 1906 he wrote his most famous theological treatise, "The Quest of the Historical Jesus" in which he states that Jesus defies any attempt at understanding him by making parallels to the ways of thinking or feeling of modern people. This Sunday's anthem takes its text from the concluding words of Schweitzer's treatise, words which have been called the most famous words of twentieth-century theology:
“He comes to us as One unknown, without a name, as of old, by the lake-side, He came to those men who knew him not. He speaks to us the same word: ‘Follow thou me’ and sets us to the task which He has to fulfill for our time. He commands. And to those who obey Him, whether they be wise or simple, He will reveal Himself in the toils, the conflicts, the sufferings which they shall pass through in His fellowship, and as an ineffable mystery, they shall learn in their own experience Who He is.”
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LENT PROGRAM:
REFLECTIONS FOR ST JOHN'S
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You are invited to join the following Lifelong Learning gatherings at the following LINK
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Learning from the Diocese of Ottawa's Communications Planning and Branding Processes
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Brian Cameron – Chair, Diocesan Communications Advisory Panel
Wednesday April 6, 7:30 p.m. (75 minutes on Zoom)
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Please note we are experiencing technical issues receiving emails from Sympatico accounts.
Alternatively you can reach the office by phone
(613) 232-4500
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RECRUTING A SUNDAY REFRESHMENTS COORDINATOR AND WEEKLY REFRESHMENT SERVERS
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Now that we are allowed to participate in social activities, we are calling members to offered their time to participate in sharing the refreshment duty, and we are also in need of a schedule coordinator.
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ART CREDO RETURNS!
This year’s 43rd Art Credo Exhibit and Sale will run from Saturday April 30th to Sunday May 15th . This year’s show will comprise over 100 works of art from 53 artists including 21 that are new to Art Credo! The Vernissage will be in the evening of Friday April 29th. Everyone is invited to come; and to bring a friend. We are looking for volunteers for some activities related to Art Credo. For instance, if you can offer 3 hours of your time during the exhibition to act as a sitter, there is a sign-up sheet on-line at https://tinyurl.com/ycknb4rr . We are also looking for help with receiving the artworks on Thursday evening April 28th and hanging them in the church on Friday morning April 29th.
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Alliance appeal for Ukraine
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PWRDF is supporting Ukrainians forced to flee their homes due to the Russian invasion. A grant of $20,000 has been issued to an ACT alliance appeal funding the work of ACT member, the Hungarian Interchurch AID (HIA). HIA has been working in Ukraine for more than 25 years in humanitarian and development projects. It had already shipped 28 tons of food to support those fleeing to Hungary, and their staff have been working with refugees at the Ukraine/Hungary border.
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To make a donation go to pwrdf.org/give-today and click on Response in Ukraine. You may also donate by phone at 416-822-9083 or leave a voicemail toll-free at 1-866-308-7973 and PWRDF will return your call. You can mail your cheque to PWRDF, 80 Hayden, 3rd floor, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 3G2 or give through St. John’s. Please mark Ukraine in the memo field. Thank you for your support. St John’s PWRDF Committee.
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FOLLOW ST JOHN'S ON
FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM & YOUTUBE
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PALM SUNDAY
10 APRIL 2022
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ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST
ANGLICAN CHURCH
154 Somerset Street West, Ottawa, ON K2P 0H8
613-232-4500
office@stjohnsottawa.ca
The Reverend Gary van der Meer, Rector
Major the Reverend Canon Catherine Askew, Honorary Assistant
The Reverend Canon Allen Box, Honorary Assistant
Dr Gordon Johnston, FRCCO, Music Director
Joshua Zentner-Barrett, Associate Organist
Stephen Giles, Rector’s Warden
Michelle Smulders, Deputy Rector's Warden
Steve Chaplin, People's Warden
Jill Moll, Deputy People's Warden
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Anishinabe aking ate awaso kikinawadjichigan.
This land we are upon is the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Nation.
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