Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

E-Postle

September, 3, 2023

 

8:30am (in-person only) & 10:00am (in-person + Zoom) – Holy Eucharist

https://zoom.us/j/542312325?pwd=R3FKTnZ4WUU1YUFveCtzOUljM2FLZz09

Meeting ID: 542 312 325

Password: 010729

 

This Week’s Worship & Programs – https://www.stja.ca/2023/program-updates/ – current information on what’s going on at St. John’s, including Zoom links and bulletin and scripture readings for Sunday worship.

 

Click here for contact info for parish ministries

 

There will be Coffee hour following the 10am service.

 

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS:

 

Tues – Sep 5                     There will be no Bible Study

                                       7pm – Prayer group on Zoom (see link above)

Fri – Sep 1                   11 am Choir practice

Wed – Sep 6                9:45 am Coffee & Crafts

Sat – Sep 9                  9:00 am- 11:00am Tri-Cities Winter Shelter Meeting @ St Laurence

Sat – Sept 9             4-6 pm – Garden Party/BBQ

Sat – Sep 16                 1 pm – Bob Goodbe Memorial Service

Tues – Sep 26              7:00-9:00pm – Parish Council meeting

 

 

NEW THIS WEEK

 

Stewardship Reflection

Prepared by Rev. Dr. Michael Pollesel. Matthew 16: 21-28

“You aren’t thinking in God’s terms, but in human terms,” says Jesus to Peter. The faithful steward is one who seeks to discern God’s “terms” and allows these to guide their own thoughts and actions minute by minute and day by day.

 

Clergy Update

During Vivian’s medical leave, Rev. Dr. Angus Stuart has agreed to return as our interim priest.  He officially begins on September 1st and will take on pastoral and administrative responsibility from that date. However, due to prior commitments, his next Sunday in church at St. John’s will not be until September 24th.  Rev. Dr. John Bailey will be with us on September 3 and 17 and Rev. Michael Deck on September 10.

 

Message from Rev. Dr. Angus Stuart

Despite the circumstances, Christine and I welcome this opportunity to spend a little more time with you all at St. John the Apostle and get to know you a bit better.  I’m sure you will understand that, given the short timeline involved in my reappointment as your interim priest, it turns out that I have a number of prior commitments that prevent me from joining you on Sunday until September 24.  However, I know you will be in good hands with the visiting priests, and I look forward to seeing as many of the St. John’s community as possible at the Community Garden Party on Saturday, September 9th.

 

Message from Deacon Rev Anne Anchor

Thank you everyone for your prayers, love and concern since May. My surgery went well and I plan to ‘get normal’ over the next 2weeks and put this all behind me. Much love and many blessings to you all.

 

PWRDF is taking donations for the Canada wildfire victims.

PWRDF works with impacted dioceses to identify needs; this could include emergency accommodations, gift cards to purchase food, water and essentials, counselling and post-trauma supports, or locally identified long-term recovery activities to help rebuild community assets and increase community resilience. Your gift will make a significant impact in the lives of people in Canada affected by disasters, offering solidarity and hope for those who have lost so much. https://pwrdf.org/give-today/

Temporary Office Hours

For week of 3 September, office hours will be Wednesday, Thursday & Friday from 10 am to 2 pm.

 

Guest Priest this Sunday

We are grateful to the Rev. John Bailey who will serve as guest presider and preacher at both services this Sunday September 3,2023.

 

Music Director

We extend a warm welcome to Gail Craig, at her first Sunday as our new Music Director.

 

 

INFORMATION

 

ACW- Coffee & Craft

Wednesday 6 Sept at 9.45 am

We will be doing “a postmortem” on the High Tea event, set a date for a Parish Garage Sale, and perhaps get a committee to look after advertising, plus speak very generally about the Fall Bazaar.  Please join us for a coffee and plenty of discussion.

 

Tri-Cities Winter Shelter (formerly Cold Wet Weather Mat program)

Saturday 9 Sept at 9 to 11 am at St Laurence

Info meeting with details on what working either a morning or evening shift will involve. You will have the opportunity to sign up for whatever shifts you prefer. If you are unable to attend this meeting, arrangements can be made to select shifts by email. Information on making sandwiches for distribution to the guests will be provided at a later date. If you would like to help but cannot attend this meeting, please contact Sylvia Wallis (St. Laurence co-ordinator) at Sylviawallisccb@gmail.com  and she can add you to the schedule.

 

St. John’s 125^th Anniversary in 2024

Planned special celebration events:

• 2024 – Kickoff worship event – with joyful music, maybe tie in to building history.
• 2024 – Ethnic heritages celebration event – with potluck, sharing recipes, people wearing clothes reflecting their heritage. Perhaps tie in with World Day of Prayer.
• May 2024 – Bishop visitation to church on 5/26 (Trinity Sunday) – possibly invite those baptized/married at St. John’s to come back for this day + have reaffirmation of baptismal vows etc.
• July 2024 – Community BBQ – with children’s games + possible potluck for sides
• 2024 – Gala Dinner – will be big culmination event for the year, catered dinner with entertainment held at offsite location
• 2024 – special Bazaar with 125th anniversary theme to close off the year.

 

Possible mini-projects:

• Commemorative Items
• Commemorative Book – could contain stories, history, recipes, greetings from local businesses, etc.
• Photo Directory of Current Members
• Oral History Project – interviews to collect stories and history of the parish
• Refreshed Website

 

In Vivian’s absence, please connect with peopleswarden@stja.ca if you are interested in being part of this momentous occasion, either to lead, or take part in planning and making it happen. We will put interested people into teams to collaborate together, right after the garden party.

 

Community Garden & Back-to-school party

A garden party/BBQ to launch the Community Garden— as well as to celebrate students going back to school— will be held on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 4 to 6 pm. There will be outdoor music, games and face painting for children, hot dogs and cold beverages. This event is open to the wider community. There is no charge but donations are welcome.

Please see our website information page and like, follow, and share our Community Garden Facebook page, where we are posting pictures and updates on this exciting project!

 

 

HOW YOU CAN SERVE THE WORLD AROUND US

 

Helping Out with Children & Youth

We are looking for folks to help make our brainstormed ideas for children and youth spiritual formation a reality! We will be experimenting with fun, interactive activities for our younger members and visitors one Sunday a month beginning this September through December. If you’d be interested in lending a hand on one of these Sundays, please chat with Vivian in-person or at rector@stja.ca.

 

HOW YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT ST. JOHN’S

 

Flower Chart for 2023

This is up at the Narthex (at the back of the church, by the chapel).  Should you wish to commemorate a birthday, anniversary, or give in memory of a loved one, please consider signing up to donate flowers for the altar.

 

Parish Giving

Donations may be made by cheques, PADs or through e-transfer directly to the church account. Please contact Ruby at peopleswarden@stja.ca or Sheila at treasurer@stja.ca for more details. You may also give via PayPal/credit card via our website.

 

READINGS

September, 3, 2023, Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

EXODUS 3:1-15; PSALM 105:1-6, 23-26, 45C; ROMANS 12:9-21; MATTHEW 16:21-28

 

September, 10, 2023, Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

EXODUS 12:1-14; PSALM 149; ROMANS 13:8-14; MATTHEW 18:15-20