St John's Newsletter 18 December 2022

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends,

Here’s what to expect as we celebrate Christmas at St John’s:

There are two services on Christmas Eve;

Early Christmas Eve at 7:00 p.m. - Holy Eucharist including all the Christmas Eve readings. This service features a children’s story with a smooth transition into the sermon. Christmas carols on organ and piano with Grayson Nesbitt, cantor, and Raphael Weinroth-Browne, special guest cellist. Raphael is making quite a name for himself as you will see HERE.

If midnight mass is too late for you, this service is especially for you – great music and earlier to bed!

Late Christmas Eve at 10:30 p.m. – Holy Eucharist with full choir, organ and piano, and special musical guests. We look forward to welcoming Peter Crouch, Cam Walker, and Marcie Walker, three trumpets, and Dominique Moreau, timpanist, playing the kettle drums. Come early at 9:30 for carols around the piano with Evelyn Greenberg, always a community favourite!

Expect to still be awake to greet Christmas Day!

On Christmas Morning, one service at 10:15 a.m. The sermon featuring carols by request. Keep in mind that this year, Christmas Day falls on a Sunday – and come for Christmas Communion.

You have not forgotten how to dance while you’re singing!?

This year, New Year’s Day also falls on a Sunday. One service at 10:15 a.m. There are many traditions associated with the Sunday after Christmas, including the Naming of Jesus. We are keeping the Feast of Epiphany, moved from January 6, and you can expect the wonderful carols about the arrival of the Magi at the manger scene.

Finally, this coming Sunday is our final Advent service with the lighting of the Fourth Candle for Love. The readings set up the birth of Jesus as told by Matthew – and we have moved the Creche to a focal point for this service (and all the way through to January 1). Welcome to all – we are glad you are here.

Gary+

COVID Safety Update from the Diocese of Ottawa:

“Winter is on the horizon, people are indoors more, and COVID infections are on the rise. Throughout the pandemic, our response to the reality of the virus has been science-based and in line with public health, and this latest challenge must be met the same way. Effective this Sunday, October 30^th, all liturgical leaders — including clergy, choirs, servers, chalice bearers, readers, intercessors, and sidespeople/greeters — must wear a mask before, during and after services except when speaking into a microphone, eating or drinking.”

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Those On Our Hearts

Pat H., The staff, volunteers and participants in the programs of The Well and St Luke's.

Our Parish

Gary, Allen, Gordon, Josh, Kerry, Stephen, Brian, Michelle, Jill and all who minister at St John's.

Our Diocese

Shane, our Bishop; Anne, our Metropolitan; Linda, our Primate.
The Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples, Interim National Indigenous Bishop Sidney Black, Sacred Circle Events, and the ministry of reconciliation
Staff at Ascension House

Anglican Church of Canada (ACC)

The Rev. Dr. Eileen Scully, Director, and the staff of Faith, Worship, and Ministry; Sheilagh McGlynn, Youth Ministries Animator; the Rev. Canon Dr. Scott Sharman, Animator for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations.

ELCIC

Rev. Paul Gehrs, Assistant to the National Bishop, Justice and Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations; Deacon Gretchen Peterson, Assistant to the National Bishop, Youth and Leadership.

The Anglican Communion from Aba to Zululand

The Anglican Church of Korea.

Parish Prayer Group

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

prayer-request@stjohnsottawa.ca.

JOIN US

THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

18 DECEMBER 2022

Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Please find an updated Advent Booklet at the back of the church. Revisions and corrections complete. Or if you prefer click the link for a digital copy.

Climate Change and You

Are you concerned? Do you feel anxious, overwhelmed and lost on how to act? You are not alone. Connect with like-minded people to explore the relationship between your life and climate change.

Climate Change and You - A six part program of discovery and learning.

Wednesdays starting January 11, 2023

6:45 to 9:00 pm on Zoom

Registration form here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/19fLd5KaGaqho1hHonSG3V4tFbEItmP96kbIRwb3f7Xo

This program encourages you to explore the relationship between your life and climate change and helps you work with the complex emotions that make it difficult to act. We do this through two-hour facilitated group workshops over the course of six weeks. Each week, you explore a new way climate change relates to your life.

"Offered to St John’s and friends of St John’s by trained facilitators from Carbon Conversations Toronto including our own Barb Dransch."

FLOWERS

You can help the Altar Guild decorate the church for Christmas and remember your loved ones with flowers. Make your donation to St John's noting that it is for Christmas 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.

The flowers at the altar are to the glory of God and in loving memory of Howard and Olive, the dearly missed parents of Barbara Dorrell.

TAKE NOTE

St John's is hoping to hire a casual/part-time person to do snow clearing this winter for our ramp and steps. This would be an ideal job for a local student.

Please contact the office if you know of anyone.

PWRDF Christmas Cards are coming to St. John’s! Sales begin Dec. 4th

PWRDF Christmas cards are on order and should be available for sale by Dec. 4. This year’s Christmas cards feature two unique designs. The cards contain the message “Christmas Peace” in Oji-Cree, Inuktituk and the five official languages of the Lambeth Conference of the worldwide Anglican Communion: English, French, Japanese, Spanish and Kiswahili.

The design we have access to right now is the “Peace on Earth” card. The Holy Family card is on order. The cards come in packs of 12 and a minimum donation of $25 per pack is recommended.

Thanks to the prayers, actions and gifts of Anglicans across the country, PWRDF has supported partners in Canada and around the world for more than 60 years, making a world of difference.