This week at St John's

THIS WEEK AT ST JOHN'S

Dear Friends:

This coming Sunday, we read the story known as the Transfiguration. Jesus shimmers with divine light and the voice of God declares: “This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him!” These are the same words from God that we heard at Jesus’ baptism. We hear them again as a dramatic conclusion to this season of epiphany stories – stories that reveal God in the life of Jesus.

As the 10:15 service concludes, we will burn palm branches and palm crosses to make the ashes for Ash Wednesday. Reminder to bring your palms! (You will get new ones on Palm Sunday.) See the details about Ash Wednesday below.

You are invited to stay following refreshments for an Information Meeting about The Well, Belong Ottawa’s ministry located at St John’s. This is an important discussion about proposed extended hours for The Well. We invite interest and your questions. Please see the Information Meeting Handout HERE.

I hope to see you on Sunday!

Gary+

PS We had a wonderful meeting last Sunday to talk about Black History Month. We plan to focus on Sunday, February 25 (Vestry Sunday), a celebration with special music and food!

SCRIPTURES – Sunday, February 11 - Transfiguration Sunday

2 Kings 2:1-12; Psalm 50:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9

SCRIPTURES - Wednesday, February 14 - Ash Wednesday

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51:1-17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10; Matthew 6:1-6; 16-21

SCRIPTURES – Sunday, February 18 - First Sunday in Lent

Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15

RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES

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

February 4 - Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

Find all Worship Recordings HERE

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Tax Receipts for 2023

Tax receipts for 2023 donations to St. John’s have been prepared. They will be at the back of the church for parishioners to pick up on Sunday, February 4^thand Sunday, February 11^th. Those not picked up will be mailed out after February 11^th. A printout of quarterly donations by category is included with the receipt. Please review this to ensure that you have been credited with the full amount of your donation to St. John’s for 2023. Should you have any questions please email Peggy Lister, Envelope Secretary, at peggylister@rogers.com or leave a message for me at the church office.

JOURNEY TO BAPTISM

Making our Plan: Allen, Abdi, Christina, Kiegan, Idris, Chris, Jeff, Gary

SECOND SESSION

Saturday, February 10 - 10:30 a.m.

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 or 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. Please enter the church through the office doors on Somerset Street and follow the hallway up the short flight of steps to last room on the right side.

Second Session: The Baptismal Covenant - Beliefs and Actions for living the Christian path. Download the handout HERE.

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE

February 14, 7:30 p.m.

REFLECTION ON ASHES

It's profound: The cross in ashes on my forehead - and those words, "Remember that you are dust and to dust you will return."

I might say I don't need or want to be reminded that I will die someday. But this earthly life is not forever.

Lent gives me this opportunity to focus, to say to myself, "What will help me to be true to this beautiful gift of life that God is giving me?"

I feel it on my skin: God loves me and Jesus comes for me. Pay attention to God's loving gift!

Gary+

Bring your palms and place them in the basket.

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. The session leader is the Rev. Canon Pat Johnston. Bring a sandwich 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

IN THE COMMUNITY

February's Newsletter

Please click here to read.

TO REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Our Parish

Prayers for those in leadership roles: Gary, Allen, Christina, 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.
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
Church of the Ascension, Ottawa; The Reverend Victoria Scott

A Time of Prayer -Living God, as we listen for your divine sparks in our midst, strengthen us for your service by your grace. Help us remember that we are like trees planted by your life-giving water and keep our hearts and minds open to hear your desires for our diocesan church, our parish, and our community. Give us your wisdom so that we might bear fruit worthy of your kingdom. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Anglican Church of Canada