Readings for Sunday 8th August, Pentecost 11 First reading : 2 Samuel 18.5-9,15,31-33. Psalm 34.1-8 Second reading : Ephesians 4.25 – 5.2 Gospel : John 6.35, 41-51

This Sunday, 8th August, in-person services continue at the church at 9.30 am, with limited numbers and pre-registration required.

Prayer and Pastoral Care

Please pray this week for: Margaret; Jacqui and Cam; Pat; Anne; Phyllis; Dave and Marylynn; Victoria; Karen; Margaret and Anita; Nelson; Ray; Ruth; Nancy June, Stephanie and Ron, Scott and Logan, Beth, Izzy; Jen; Alison, Jamie and Cathie; Fred and Marlene; Davina and Sangeeta, Brian, Sandra; Liz and Charlotte, Clarion and Brenda and Lester; Meredith; Precious; Betty; Laura; Vanessa; Viora; Bob; Maiyada; John and Barb, Margaret, Bruce; Doug; Stephanie; George, Jack, Julie, Janie, Cody, Ruth, Gary and John. 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.

Rest In Peace: Joyce Adam. May light perpetual shine on Joyce, and her soul find rest eternal and rise in glory as she joins with Wes in the Saviour’s arms. Please keep Joyce’s children Natalie, Cheryl and Jeff and their families in your prayers.

Pray for: Fr. Bill, may he have some time for rest and a break. Bishop Todd and all clergy and religious leaders who lead the people of God during these unprecedented times, balancing the need for religious practices and public health guidelines; may they find support and insight and come to know that their efforts are appreciated.

Pray for: our world at a time of catastrophic weather events reflective of climate change and global warming, like forest fires in Western Canada, the US and Northern Ontario, severe drought in Canada’s prairies and parts of Africa, flooding in Europe and Asia, tornadoes, typhoons, hurricanes. May all of humanity come together to address this common issue of climate change impacting all life (humans -both rich and poor-, animals and plants) in multiple and different ways.

Pray for: athletes taking part in the Olympic despite high temperatures, high humidity and Japanese Covid numbers. We applaud all medal winners and participants for being chosen to represent their country, exercising their athletic gifts after untold hours of dedication, practice and perseverance. May they remain healthy and return home safely.

Pray for: All impacted by the pandemic, those who have died, those who mourn, those infected with both short and long term effects, those whose lives and livelihoods have shifted, for the essential and the front line workers, for care givers and support staff, for scientists and experts, public health staff administering vaccines and continually altering best practices based on evolving knowledge and needs, and for the every day heroes who follow shifting directives to protect family and neighbours. May the control and management of Covid 19 become a reality.

Pray for: all who suffer the impacts of prejudice and racism, (based on race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, physical characteristics ) and have been made to feel that they are of less value. May all come to know that they are all beloved children of God. For those perpetuating and kind of “ism” may they come to see that there is only one race – the human race- which is stronger because of love and diversity.

Cycle of Prayer for August Living the Marks of Mission WHEN YOU listen with all your heart, honour your elders, encourage young people to be active in church often and loudly, choose good over evil , welcome the stranger, write to the government about the issues that matter, invite a co-worker to church, help your dad do housework, get messy with school kids, say “Thank the Lord” and mean it, tweet your blessings one by one, introduce your grandkids to nature, read and share God’s word, Pray,THEN YOU ARE LIVING THE MARKS OF MISSION.

Sunday School stuff! Calling all kids to join us this summer as we Track Down the One True God! We will have treasure maps to follow, stories and clues to help us, and maybe even a treasure at the end of the summer! Hope to see you all as we begin our Mystery Island Summer Adventure!

Social

Women’s Coffee Hour . After a very successful coffee hour this morning, participants agreed to meet again next Wednesday August 11th at 10 am in the parking lot. All (women) are welcome, bring a friend along with your coffee and your chair.

Men’s Coffee on Tuesday August 17th at 10.00 am. BYO coffee to the parking lot, but if the weather is no good we will be inside, suitably separated!

Outreach

Community Breakfast Program A big thank you to our faithful volunteers who continue to bake, shop, pack, sort, cook and serve our breakfast guests. New volunteers are joining us to learn the ropes. Five volunteers do the prep on Fridays and 6 to 8 serve on Saturdays. We served 78 and 68 guests at our last two breakfasts. Thank you to all who continue to provide the financial support that makes this ministry possible! Please let us know if you have any questions or ideas about the program. Glenda Hayward at [email protected] 519-951-8154

St. John the Evangelist Community Dinner program Volunteers are needed to help with the St. John’s community dinner on Saturday or August 14th. It will be a take away summer supper in a bag. Volunteers can contact Glenda at 519-951-8154 or [email protected] Thanks.

Let’s Celebrate

Happy birthday this week to Cameron Dockstader (2nd August), and Jerome Frank and Olivia Armstrong, both on the 3rd . Hope you had a happy day, and are staying safe!!

And, congratulations to Lorraine and Gordon Micks, who celebrated their wedding anniversary on 2nd August!

Be patient and hang in, things are getting easier, but this is no time to let your guard down! Keep wearing that darn mask, and hand sanitizing, even if you have had your second shot. If you haven’t, it’s much easier now, so go get it!