Fourth Sunday in Advent

E-Postle

December 24, 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 NO Coffee hour following the 10 am service on December 24th.

 

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS:

Sun – Dec 24                 8.30 am & 10 am: Regular Services

                                    7 pm: Family service and Christmas Pageant

10 pm: “Midnight” service.

Mon – Dec 25              10 am: Christmas Day service

Tues – Dec 26^th           Bible Study 10:00am (see link above)

Prayer Group 7:00pm (see link above)

 

 

NEW THIS WEEK

Stewardship Reflection              

Luke 1: 26-38. Prepared by Ven. Dr. Michael Pollesel.        

Mary’s openness to God’s dream for her allows her to respond with: “Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” As a faithful steward could you say these words?

 

Christmas Help to a Family in Need
We have received a Thank You card from Kinsight for supporting the family over the Christmas season, they were very grateful for the card, the gift cards and the gift basket created and donated by the Kesans.
We also received this message today…
‘The family came by to pick up the basket and card- wow they were so happy. Thank you so much once again.’
I am always so grateful for the kindness and generosity of this community. May we never forget… Matthew 25: 44-45
“Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’”

 

Office Closed

The office will be closed from 23 Dec 2023 to 1 January 2024, and reopens on Tuesday 2 January 2024.

 

No E-Postle

Please be aware that there will be no E-Postle for December 31^st, 2023.

 

 

INFORMATION

Beware Email Scams

A reminder to stay vigilant about email scams! Recently, several people received fraudulent emails claiming to be from Anne, asking for assistance with a money transfer. Other recent emails claiming to be from Clergy asking if you are busy or say that a favour is needed; and ask you to handle a request discreetly. When you reply, the person asks you to purchase a gift card (or something similar) to help someone in need. Note that Anne, Vivian, and Angus, would never ask you to assist them in these strange ways!

 

You can often tell that a message is fake if you look carefully at the originating email address, if the tone/wording seems strange, and if the request asks you to give money in an odd way. If you ever have any doubt about an email’s authenticity, please feel free to call Angus or Anne (or email interim@stja.ca  or deacon@stja.ca directly in a separate email) to confirm.

 

For further information, 2 government resources re: email fraud recommended by the Diocese are: The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and an article on Internet, email and telephone scams.

 

Theresa Hazelton ODNW

We are sad to announce the passing of Theresa (Teri) Hazelton ODNW on 5^th December 2023. A memorial service will be held on 3^rd February 2024.

 

St. John’s 125^th Anniversary in 2024

Council has decided that the celebrations will be reduced to three. Events that are being planned are:

Jan 28 – Kick-off worship event

May 26 – Bishop visitation to church – to invite those baptized/married at St. John’s to come back for this day + have reaffirmation of baptismal vows etc. Followed by BBQ.

Sept 28 – Gala Dinner – the culmination event for the year, catered dinner with entertainment held at offsite location.

We are still in need of volunteers for the above celebrations and mini projects. Sign-up sheets are up in the hall.

Please connect with Ruby at peopleswarden@stja.ca if you feel called to help in making the celebrations a success.

 

 

HOW YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT ST. JOHN’S

 

Flower Chart for 2024

This will be up shortly 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

December 24, 2023, Fourth Sunday in Advent – 8.30 am & 10 am

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38

December 24, 2023, Christmas Eve – 10 pm

Isaiah 62: 6-12; Psalm 97; Titus 3: 4-7; Luke 2:1-20

December 25, 2023, Christmas Day – 10 am

Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20

December 31, 2023, First Sunday after Christmas Day

Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Psalm 148; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:22-40