Christ is Risen!! He is Risen indeed. Alleluia!!
Readings for Sunday 2nd May, Easter 5 First reading: Acts 8.26-40 Psalm 22.25-31 Second reading:1 John 4.7-21 Gospel: John 15.1-8
Prayer and Pastoral Care
Please pray this week for: Pat; Anne; Joyce; Paul and Judy, Jan and Bob; Phyllis; Dave and Marylynn; Pat; Victoria; Karen; Victoria; Margaret and Anita; Nelson; Ray; Karen; Lauren and Nancy; Darlene and Jane; 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; Brian, Sandra; Shae and Dan; Fay and Willy; Mary; Liz and Charlotte, Mark; Clarion and Brenda and Lester; Gord; Meredith; Jack, Julie, Janie, John, and the new baby in the King family. AND for those who are in need of prayer but have no one today to remember them by name; and those known to each of you alone.
Pray with thanksgiving for technology (that we love and hate) that allows us to see one another’s faces and share thoughts, reflections and what is happening in our lives – the good and the difficult.
Pray for Grandparents and all who are feeling alone, isolated and separated from those they love; may the time of hugs be a target of focus to sustain them.
Pray for Bishop Todd and our Priest Bill, as they continue to advocate, explore, and try new and different ways to connect and engage with God’s children; as the rules of gathering constantly change and evolve, dependent on the status of the Covid virus.
Pray for Global citizens who are all being impacted by this Pandemic, as the virus develops variants. Let us offer prayers that vaccines and good public health protocols and neighbourly care and sharing of resources will help quell the rising tide. May deniers and doubters see that we are all interconnected and love and care of neighbours is a moral responsibility.
Pray for the overwhelmed and overburdened health care systems at home and around the world, may those that work to provide support, care, and expertise find strength and some peace and comfort as they put their lives at risk to tend the sick and dying.
Pray with thanksgiving for vaccine roll outs, and may supply, patience, and science be the drivers so that everyone can be appropriately protected; and in the interim follow the directions of best public health practice to show care and respect for neighbour. May all at risk people and essential workers be shown the care and respect needed to keep them and their loved ones safe.
Devotional booklets With the end of April, some daily devotion booklets will soon be completed. Now available are: “Forward Day by Day” Regular and Large print for May- June- July and “Our Daily Bread” large print for April- May – June. “Our Daily Bread” regular size print June – July – August. Please let Sharon know what editions you would like.
Cycle of Prayer for April – Tend – Service “To respond to human need by loving service” is a central aspect of Christ’s call. Loving service means finding real needs, and offer service that is truly loving, so all are changed by the encounter. Prayer: Lord, you came to serve and not to be served, fill us with the compassion and insight to respond to human need by loving service. Let your glory fill this place. Let your glory fill this world. We honour ministries in support of SERVICE: the Third Mark of Mission-ACW – Crafters, Catering, Pies, Caps for Caregivers, Outreach – Daily Bread, Nearly New Shop, Kick Soccer, Bales to the North, Undies Sunday, Bless their Sox, Hospice comfort, Men’s Mission, Unity Project, My Sister’s Place, anova, CMHA Distress Center, Ministry of the Month, St John’s Hospitality Dinners, Circles Dinners/ Bridges out of Poverty, Community Breakfast – in house and take away, Christmas Share, Christmas family support.
“We are an Easter people and we proclaim a message of resurrection and new life. No matter the circumstances, God will find a way for us to sing our Alleluias.” Fr Bill acknowledging our struggles during this pandemic.
Outreach
Ministry of the Month – In May we usually support St. Paul’s Food Bank program and the Kicks Soccer program, but we have not heard whether soccer will go ahead this year. We’ll let you know if it does, with whatever needs we can satisfy. Since we are unable to collect food, so please feel free to donate to: St. Paul’s Social Services Att. Food Bank 472 Richmond Street London, ON N6A 3E6
Community Breakfast Program Due to the extension of the stay at home order, we will not be putting the clothing and toiletries out. However we will ask our guests what they need and bring the items to them outside. Warmer weather is fast approaching and shortly we will be changing over our winter clothing to spring and summer wear. When you are changing over your closets, please keep us in mind. We are looking for men’s shorts sizes 34 waist and up. Many of our male guests are mature so sizes 38 to 42 would be well received. We are also looking for men’s spring jackets sizes small to large and t-shirts small to 2XL. We have need of running shoes for both men and women of all sizes but men’s 10 to 12 would be particularly welcomed. While the church is closed, items can be dropped off on the Friday afternoon before each breakfast. Again, please accept out heartfelt thanks for your generosity in supporting this worthwhile ministry. Cate and Sheila The next take out breakfast is this Saturday, 1st May.
“Thank you” cards In recognition of the contribution of essential workers over the pandemic, the Outreach Committee has developed small thank you cards that can be handed to essential workers as you encounter them. Cards can be delivered to your home by contacting the church office at 519-660-6198, or [email protected].
The Outreach Committee would sincerely like to thank everyone at St. Jude’s for their support of our Outreach work. Should there be a specific charity or organization you wish to suggest we support, please let us know at [email protected]
Let’s Celebrate!
Happy birthday this week to Steve Potter (25th April), Debby Williams (26th), Mike Geoghegan (28th ) and Stephanie McCullough (1st May). Hope you all have/had a happy day, and stay safe!!
This week’s picture from ClipArt library.
Things are stubbornly still threatening, so, even if you have been lucky enough to receive your first vaccine dose, still be cautious, and as directed, stay home!! And, get the vaccine, as soon as you are eligible!!