Readings for Sunday 7th March, Third Sunday of Lent; First reading: Exodus 20.1-17. Psalm 19; Second reading: I Corinthians 1.18-25; Gospel: John 2.13-22
In-Person Worship Resuming ⛪
Beginning Sunday, March 21st there will be one in-person liturgy only, offered at 9:30 a.m. Registration will be required with a maximum capacity of 50. We will continue to record the Sunday liturgy and make it available for those not comfortable or unable to return to in-person worship.
Prayers and Pastoral Care ✝
Please pray this week for – Marylynn; Pat; Karen; Victoria; Len; Darlene; Jane; Margaret and Anita; Fran and Bill; Nelson; Ray; Ruth; Nancy June; Susan; Stephanie and Ron; Scott and Logan; Beth; Mary Anne; Izzy; Jen; Alison; Jamie and Cathie; Fred and Marlene; Davina and Sangeeta; Matt; Brian; Bob; Gwen and Harland; Jack; Julie; Bob and Gloria; Norma, Kevin and Mary Lou; Margaret and John. And for others known to each of you alone, and also those who have no one to remember them by name.
Please hold in prayer – our Bishop Todd and our priest Bill, who carry a huge responsibility and burden in supporting the needs of the people of God during this time of Pandemic. Especially now, as we are in the midst of the Lent, the holiest period of the Christian year, leading to Holy Week and Easter. Their self-sacrifice, while appreciated, takes a toll.
Pray for – all those who struggle with major life decisions associated with COVID-19. As provincial numbers flux between communities, choices of staying, venturing to more open areas, decisions to stay home or go out, as different vaccine distributions plans unfold causing angst and confusion, as each health unit oversees their “unique” goal and plan.
Pray for the tired, exhausted, and exasperated front line and essential workers who continue to put the needs of others ahead of their own welfare, while struggling with those who flaunt or blatantly disregard the basic public health message of hand washing and masking, limiting outings, and physical distancing.
Pray for the Church of St. Jude congregation, who continue in faith, during a challenging time, to follow the Christian way of life by loving God and neighbour as self, we give thanks!
Cycle of Prayer for March – Teach – Discipling “To teach, baptize, and nurture new believers” and indeed all believers – by fostering Christian development in new participant, long time members and everyone in between. Prayer: Lord, fill us with your welcoming spirit that we may faithfully teach, baptize, and nurture those who come to believe in you. Let your glory fill this place. Let your glory fill this world! We honour ministries in support of DISCIPLING: the Second Mark of Mission- Music: Choirs, Music scholars, Musical directions Knowledge: Christian Development – Bible and Book Studies, Education for Ministry, Children and Youth: Sunday school, Huron Church camp, Youth activities exploration Prayer: Prayer and Pastoral Care Team, St Jude’s Prayer Book, Anglican Fellowship of Prayer (AFP), World Day of Prayer, Devotional Booklet Resources, Touching Base Phone group. Communicating: Communications Team, Photography, Call Networks. Leadership: Wardens, Parish Council, Synod Reps, Deanery groups, Office and Administration Staff, Hospitality and Fellowship: Welcome Team, Greeters, Coffee Hour Hosts, Set up Crew, Lunch Bunch, Social Committee, Name Tags, Men’s group, Women’s group, Fun and Funds: Coffee house, Trivia, Auctions, High Teas, Broadway Singers Partnership, Pig Roast team. Other: preserve St Alban’s memorabilia and artifacts, COVID Management team.
World Day of Prayer – Always the first Friday in March, and this year will be via Zoom. The login information is below. Topic: World Day of Prayer Service Time: March 5th, 2021, 02:00 PM Eastern Time To join Zoom Meeting use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87536688602?pwd=dmI2ZDF1cG1QYldZVnpia2hFRmJDdz09
Meeting ID: 875 3668 8602, Passcode: 642446 ~ Connecting by Phone, use 1 647 558 0588 Canada, Meeting ID: 875 3668 8602 This year the World Day of Prayer country is Vanuatu (small multi islands East of Australia). Sharon has digital copies of the service booklet, donation information, and even appropriate coconut “mug” cake recipe! Let her know if you want any information forwarded. Rowntree United is looking after the Zoom set up and will be using the WDP video so it should be a good experience. Hope you can join.
Anglican Fellowship of Prayer, Canada – AFP will be hosting a one-hour time of prayer on March 15th , April 19th , May 17th , and June 21st , all at 1:00 pm Eastern time. We are inviting people to join us for some or all of the hour. It will be a mixture of biblical readings, reflection, music, intercession, silence and other types and kinds of prayer. You are welcome to actively participate or simply listen and pray quietly. We will use the “Zoom” way of gathering people together. To join on computer, please use: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82001408803?pwd=WXRMWFJZSHRLcUYwdGpUU1YvMmlxZz09 (this is all one address, and will be used for all meetings)
Meeting ID: 820 0140 8803 Passcode: 359803 ~ You can also join us by telephone at one of these numbers (with the same meeting ID and passcode): (778)907-2071, (204)272-7920, (438)809-7799, (587)328-1099, (647)374-4685, (647)558-0588
Outreach
Community Breakfast Program – The next take out breakfast is this Saturday, 6th March.
Outreach Committee – Please see the special notice from this hard working group, emailed separately to the parish. The agencies being supported in March are My Sister’s Place and Anova. My Sister’s Place can be reached at cmhamiddlesex.ca , or mail to 566 Dundas Street, London, ON, N6B 1W8. Anova is at anovafuture.org , or mail to 255 Horton Street, London, ON, N6B 1L1, or phone 519-642-3003 Ext. 2252 for donations.
Bible Study
Lectio Divina Bible study – Fr. Bill invites the parish to a series of studies via Zoom, “Wilderness Wanderings”: do the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites have anything to teach us about our search for meaning in the midst of a pandemic? This Zoom study will be at 7.00 pm on Thursdays during Lent, beginning on March 4th. To join, click on this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82247879432?pwd=ZXY3ZEJlZkM3UlBReDRnL3d0UmtFZz09 Meeting ID: 822 4787 9432 Passcode: 593098
Deanery Lenten study – The London Deanery invites us to join, via Zoom, a series called “Unbinding Heavy Burdens; a Lenten Journey”, beginning tonight, 24th February, and continuing on each Wednesday in March. Each session will begin at 7.30 pm. The featured speakers are Diana Butler Bass and Bishop Todd Townshend. You can register for this series by emailing [email protected] or call 519-471-1430.
“Encounters with Christ” – a Lenten sermon series from the diocese, on Thursday mornings in Lent at 10.00 am, began on Wednesday 17th February and continues each Thursday in Lent. This is a Zoom meeting series, and to register email [email protected].
Coffee Hour ☕
Join Allie McDougall in a Zoom coffee hour every Wednesday morning at 10.00 am. The Zoom meeting ID will remain the same for each session. Follow this link: https://westernuniversity.zoom.us/j/3141546335 or call in at +1 647 558 0588 to join!
Let’s Celebrate!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! This week to Jacqui Dockstader (2nd March), Doug Fairbairn (3rd – today!) And Susan Eglinton (6th). Hope you all had/have a happy day and stay safe!!
Thought for the day – What do you say to comfort a friend who’s struggling with grammar? There, their, they’re.
Things are beginning to look a little better, but still be cautious, as directed, stay home and stay safe as much as possible.