This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends:

Our newsletter is a day early this week to invite you to participate in the services of these coming four days. In conversation with our clergy team, here’s what we find especially meaningful – to encourage you to join us!

Holy Week began with Palm Sunday (see the pictures). Walking in a procession with our palms feels new every time. We enjoyed the sense of chaos. Several people commented on how much they love the hymns and music of Palm Sunday.

Pat Johnston: The Eucharist on Maundy Thursday is always very moving, with Jesus’ command to love as he loves at the heart of it. I find the contrast between the solemnity of Good Friday and the joy of the Easter Vigil dramatic and powerful. I can’t wait to sing “Jesus Christ is Risen Today” and hear all the music on Easter Day.

Allen Box: I first experienced the Easter Vigil as a student in a major "Anglo-Catholic" parish in Toronto. I had never experienced anything like that. The leading of light into the darkness, the long recitation of the key stories of the scripture of the people of God, the light filling the whole newly decorated church with its over-abundance of flowers and glinting silver and gold, Baptism, and the sharing of the First Eucharist of Easter would never be forgotten. It was the most powerful expression of the full story of God's patterns of life and death; of darkness and life that I had ever seen. The Vigil remains that for me year after year.

Christina Guest: It is the intensity of Holy Week that captivates me. So much happening within such a short period. So much history and meaning, the contradictions at the core of human nature, the inability to make sense of the world without a God who is Absolute Love. Holy Week allows (and forces) me to admit my need for salvation and to rejoice that it has come and remains available no matter how often I forget it and turn away from it. I cannot imagine making sense of the world without the Cross.

Karen McBride: I also find Maundy Thursday very moving. I remember being in the Holy Land and standing in a deep pit in the ground that experts believe would have been similar to where Jesus was first imprisoned following his arrest. That memory always returns to me on Maundy Thursday. The contrast between this sombre meditation and the over-the-top joy of Easter — with its flowers, music, and wide smiles — also encapsulates for me our annual spiritual pilgrimage with Christ from death to life.

Gary van der Meer: On Maundy Thursday, I appreciate how the liturgy starts during the meal. We read about the Last Supper – the first Eucharist – and then, right away, we do it. I feel like I’m with the disciples. It’s all so casual. I’m looking forward to hearing the Rabbi talk about Seder traditions. We go up into the darkened church singing “Go to Dark Gethsemane” and the reading is Jesus going to the Mount of Olives to pray. We hear he is betrayed and arrested and we leave in the darkness. There is a feeling of abandonment that stays with me right until the moment in the Easter Vigil when we blow out our candles. The lights, the organ, the trumpets, and the words: “Jesus lives, Thy terrors now can no more, O death, appall us.” I am always amazed by the contrast between darkness/grief and light/joy.

You are very welcome!

Gary+

PS Lots of pictures and upcoming events below.

Palm Sunday Procession

SCRIPTURES – Thursday, March 28 – Maundy Thursday

Exodus 12:1-14; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-17, 31b-35; Psalm 22; Matthew 26:30-46

SCRIPTURES – Friday, March 29 – Good Friday

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

SCRIPTURES – Saturday, March 30 – Easter Vigil

Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Exodus 14:10-31; Isaiah 55:1-11; Ezekiel 37:1-14; Mark 16:1-8

SCRIPTURES – Sunday, March 31 – Easter Sunday

Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 118, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; John 20:1-18

LISTEN TO RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES

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

Palm Sunday - March 24, 2024

Fifth Sunday in Lent - March 17, 2024

Find all St John's Worship Recordings HERE

Donor

Memorial

John & Patricia Turner

Mary & Harry Carter, Phyliss & John Turner, Eric R. Turner

Mary Ann & Ross Varley

Ena & George Varley, Mary & Harry Carter, Eric Turner

April Dickson

Nelson Gildert, Tillie Dickson,

Leo Brousseau and Doris Zastre

Barbara Dorrell

Howard Higdon, Olive Higdon Schurman and Howard Staveley

Barbara Rottenberg

Robert & Blanche Lang

The Stimson Family

Dennis Stimson

Mary Frances Bell

James Hyde Bell and Etienne Hanns Gumpert Bell

Preparing the Church for Holy Week

Thanks to all who helped!

FAURÉ REQUIEM

ONE MORE PERFORMANCE - DON'T MISS IT!

TICKETS HERE

UPDATES

MAUNDY THURSDAY SUPPER

PASCHAL MEAL FOR MAUNDY THURSDAY

The Paschal Meal is the first part of the liturgy of Maundy Thursday, in which we remember the final meal Jesus shared with the disciples. Jesus shared bread and wine in what is known as the First Eucharist. He also washed the disciples' feet to remind them that leadership takes the form of serving others.

We look forward to sharing our Paschal Meal this year with Rabbi Daniel Mikelberg and representatives of Temple Israel, the Reform Synagogue of Ottawa. Rabbi Mikelberg will introduce the special role of questions in the Jewish tradition of the Seder Supper.

Thanks to all who have signed up to help! It looks like we have a great crew. We could still use a couple more and Michelle will be communicating soon with everyone regarding their roles. Contact Michelle Smulders HERE.

The price of the meal is $20/person. Please note that if the price is too steep for you, please contact Gary.

We look forward to sharing the Paschal Meal together.

Michelle Smulders

RESURRECTION PARTY

What is a Resurrection Party?

In the same way that Christmas Eve is a big celebration different from Christmas Morning, Easter Eve is a big deal. Easter Eve is a celebration!

What happens at the Easter Vigil:

We start a fire outside on the corner (safe of course!) symbolizing the return of light
Readings in Darkness - we each have a candle
Chanting of Psalms
The lights come on to hear the story of Jesus' resurrection
There are trumpets
Blessing of the water, celebration of baptism, blessed water sprinkled on everyone
First Eucharist of Easter
More amazing music with trumpets
Concluding with a party

The Resurrection Party. We stay to celebrate. Wine and cheese. Other non-alcoholic drinks. Easter Breads. Chocolate!

Bring food or drink to share
Help put away... remaining food and drink will be served following the Easter morning service.

Everyone is welcome!

INTRODUCING THE CHILDREN'S EASTER SERVICE

Please join our age-appropriate children’s service. We will retell of the stories of Holy Week and Easter, celebrate the Eucharist with roles for everyone, including ringing the bell, wearning robes, giving communion. There’s a snack (English Muffin pizzas) and lots of playful running around. Everyone is welcome.

Sunday, April 7, 3 PM

Palm Sunday Procession

LIVING IN THE AGE OF THE SPIRIT

Join us for a quiet time led by Sister Elizabeth Ann of the Anglican Sisters of St. John the Divine. Sister Elizabeth Ann will give a series of talks each followed by a time of individual quiet reflection and ending with a time of sharing. Together we will ponder such questions as “ How do people of faith listen for the leading of the Holy Spirit in their lives?”; What does being Spiritual and Religious even mean in today’s culture?”; “How can we remain hopeful in today’s world?” Cost is $45. Beverages and snacks will be offered on Saturday.

St. Aidan’s Anglican Church

934 Hamlet Road, Ottawa

Friday, April 26, 7-9 PM & Saturday, April 27

9:30 AM - 3:30 PM

COSA GALA

IT TAKES A VILLAGE!

Join the two tables of St John's parishioners who have already confirmed for the fifth fundraising gala for Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) Ottawa, on Friday, April 26, 2024.

CoSA Ottawa, one of 13 CoSA sites in Canada, is volunteer-driven, involving local citizens who are trained to support people who have been incarcerated for committing sexual offenses. Along with a network of advisors, community partners, and official supporters, they help these individuals develop a meaningful and crime-free life in the community.

CoSA's mission:

No More Victims - No One Is Disposable.

CoSA Ottawa has operated out of St John's Church for over 25 years. CoSA currently works with 14 clients, supported by 35 volunteers, and managed by one staff member. Their survival is possible with your help! We all need to help to ensure CoSA becomes sustainable in the Ottawa Gatineau region.

The Gala includes a full dinner, raffle and auction, and special guests Adrian Harewood and Catherine McKenney. Find out more about the Gala HERE.

For information about CoSA Ottawa and to purchase a ticket to and/or sponsor It Takes a Village! Gala, contact the Director, Kathleen Weedmark, at director@cosa-ottawa.ca.

Note: the early bird ticket price has been extended to March 31st, to accommodate vacationers during March Break.

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Our Parish

Prayers for those in leadership roles: Gary, Allen, Christina, Pat, Karen, Barb, Kimberly, Kerry, Jesse, Monica, Barb, Jeff, Marianne, and all who minister at St John's. Those in need of our prayers: Robin, Diana, Sarah.

Our Diocese

Shane, our Bishop; Anne, our Metropolitan; Linda, our Primate.
Area Parish of the Valley

The Reverend Matthew Brown

The Reverend Gillian Hoyer

The Reverend Nicholas Forte

The Reverend Canon John Wilker-Blakely

The Reverend Rick Durrett.

The Reverend Claire Bramma

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.

The Anglican Communion - Pray for Anglicans Worldwide

The Church in the Province of the West Indies.

Parish Prayer Group

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

prayer-request@stjohnsottawa.ca.

A Time of Prayer - As we engage in a Time of Prayer across our diocese to listen for your divine sparks in our midst, we remember that you, O God, have been with your church since its beginning. You are with us now, and you will be with us as we prayerfully discern how to support your action in the world you love. Help us keep our hearts and minds open to hear your desires for our diocesan church, our parish, and our communities, and give us your wisdom and grace so that we can faithfully bring them to fruition. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.