This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends,

St John's is rushing along into a convergence of events. It seems Christmas was barely yesterday and Easter comes early this year on March 31!

Here's what is happening:

Baptism Conversations - Start this Sunday!
Burning of the Palms - Sunday, February 11 - Bring them in!
Ash Wednesday (and Valentine's Day) - February 14: Soup Supper for PWRDF at 5:30; Ash Wednesday service at 7:30 p.m.
Reading the Gospel of Mark - February 18, noon.
Annual Vestry Meeting - February 25: Vestry Reports due February 4
Maundy Thursday Supper - March 28, 5:30 p.m.

See below for descriptions of these upcoming events.

It's winter - we are doing our best to keep ahead of the snow!

Ted Reeve and the snow - Thanks, Ted!

Welcome to St John's! We will have the steps clean and ready for you. I hope you will join us as we worship this coming Sunday at 8:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.

Gary+

SCRIPTURES – Sunday, January 28 - Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28

SCRIPTURES – Sunday, February 4 - Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-11, 20c;1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39

RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES

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

Listen HERE

WHAT'S HAPPENING

BURNING OF THE PALMS

Ash Wednesday is February 14.

Bring your Palms by Sunday, February 11th.

We will burn the palms at the conclusion of the service on February 11.

JOURNEY TO BAPTISM

You are welcome to explore and grow in your faith through a series of conversations leading up to baptisms to be celebrated at the Easter Vigil - Saturday, March 30, at 7 PM.

You may be interested in this journey for yourself - for baptism of confirmation - or as a companion and friend supporting those who are preparing. You are also welcome to "sit in" to see if this feels right for you.

Our first conversation: Sunday, January 28, immediately following the 10:15 service.

PWRDF ASH WEDNESDAY SOUP SUPPER

Wednesday, February 14

St. John’s will hold its annual Ash Wednesday Supper in support of the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) on Wednesday February 14, 5:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. This year Ash Wednesday is also Valentine’s Day so bring along your partner or a friend! We will enjoy a variety of delicious soups followed by a program presenting the work of PWRDF.

Our guest speaker is Chinelo Agom-Eze, PhD, Senior Policy Advisor with the Canadian Food Grains Bank (CFGB), one of PWRDF’s main partners overseas. Chinelo brings past experience as a Humanitarian Diplomacy Advisor with the International Committee of the Red Cross in diplomatic relations with the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States.

We welcome contributions of homemade soup and bread/rolls (we will supply butter). Please add your name to the sign-up sheet located both on a table at the back of the church or the bulletin board in the hallway between offices and parish hall.

All are welcome! This is a great opportunity to get to know other parishioners, enjoy a wonderful meal and learn more about the PWRDF. There is no cost - the supper is free. We do welcome your donations to PWRDF at the supper. The supper will conclude in time to attend the Ash Wednesday Service in the church at 7:30 p.m.

*Contact Jane Maxwell at jane.maxwell@sympatico.ca if you would like to help with set-up and take-down or if you have any questions.

GOSPEL OF MARK

READ IT TOGETHER

Get to know the whole Gospel of Mark! We will listen to the whole story (it takes about 60 minutes), reading aloud as we share lunch.

The Sunday scripture readings follow a 3-year schedule. We mostly read the Gospel passages from Mark this year. Come and experience the flow of the story early in the year.

Sunday, February 18, St John's Parish Hall immediately following the 10:15 service.

ANNUAL VESTRY MEETING

February 25 - Noon - Parish Hall

St John's Annual Meeting will take place on Sunday, February 25, following the 10:15 service. Meeting will start at 12:00 p.m.

The Annual Report will be ready to take home on February 18.

Deadline for Report Submission: Sunday, February 4!

Please submit your reports to office@stjohnsottawa.ca

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Our Parish

Prayers for those in leadership roles: Gary, Allen, Pat, Karen, Barb, Kimberly, Kerry, Jesse, Stephen, Brian, Michelle, Jill, and all who minister at St John's.

Our Diocese

Shane, our Bishop; Anne, our Metropolitan; Linda, our Primate.
Staff at Ascension House.
Christ Church, Bells Corners, The Venerable Monique Stone.

A Time of Prayer - Wondrous God, we praise you for the gifts of the Holy Spirit which you continue to shower upon us. Help us to be faithful disciples of all that Jesus taught us. Inspire us to look out into our world with Jesus’ loving eyes as we seek to discern your divine sparks around us. Guide us so that we understand how you want us to be messengers of your good news in our communities and our diocese. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Anglican Church of Canada

The Most Rev. David Edwards, Metropolitan, and the people and clergy of the Ecclesiastical Province of Canada.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

The dean, council, and congregations of the Atlantic and Montreal Areas of the Eastern Synod.

The Anglican Communion - Pray for Anglicans Worldwide

The Anglican Church of Southern Africa.

Flowers

The flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Ducky & Helen MacLean, Catherine MacLean, Don MacLean and Drummond Lister by Peggy Lister and Catherine and Philip Doré.

Parish Prayer Group

If you wish to have someone prayed for send an email to:

prayer-request@stjohnsottawa.ca.