Readings for Sunday 19th December, Advent 4
First reading: Micah 5.2-5a Psalm 80. 1-7. Second reading: Hebrews 10.5-10. Gospel: Luke 1.35-45
Prayer and Pastoral Care
Please pray this week for
Derek, Elaine; Pat; Roger; Barb; Margaret, Phyllis; Dave and Marylynn; Nelson; Ruth; Norma June; Stephanie and Ron; Scot and Logan; Beth; Izzy; Jamie and Cathie; Davina and Sangeeta; Brian; Sandra; Liz and Charlotte; Clarion and Brenda and Lester; Precious; Laura; Vanessa; Bob; Stephanie; Alex; Nirupa and Jim; Simon; Sean, Mary, Gus; Pat; Norma, Jim, Karen, Grace, Len, Jane, John and Kelly. And those known to you alone, and anyone who has no one to remember them.
Let us Pray for
The care and health of our global citizens, as COVID19 variant omicron spreads with alarming speed, may everyone be careful and follow the quickly changing directives from science- driven public health advice.
Let us Pray for
The Enlightenment of leaders to boldly move towards local and global vaccination in order to stop the emergence of new variants that can and will impact already stressed health care systems, remembering that the world is ever shrinking and to protect everyone we must protect all.
Let us Pray for
Bishop Todd and our priest Bill to be guided by the Holy spirit as they lead the people towards the arrival of the Christ Child and the opportunity for new insights and beginnings during a time of chaos and unknown upheavals.
Let us Pray for
For all the people impacted by catastrophic weather events, flooding in BC and Newfoundland, tornadoes widely across the USA, polar melting, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes around the globe. May they find support and care from neighbours and respond with resilience and resolve to rebuild and/or establish their livelihoods in new ways.
Rest In Peace
Gus ( from our prayer list). May the soul of Gus find rest eternal and rise in glory, and family and friends find strength and comfort as they mourn.
Cycle of Prayer for December Transformation – Transforming Society
“To seek to transform unjust structures of society” , to challenge violence of every kind, and to pursue peace and reconciliation, is a call to go beyond charitable giving and help change a world that creates human needs. To join in God’s work in building the Kingdom by transforming society.
Prayer: Lord, let the fire of your goodness and justice burn into us and through us, that we may seek to transform the unjust structures of society. Let your glory fill this place, Let your glory fill this world!
We honour ministries in support of TRANSFORMING SOCIETY: the Fourth Mark of Mission. Support for: Newcomers To Canada, LIRSA, North East Neighbourhood Group, Marriage inclusivity, Pride walk, Crisis Response, Addiction groups, PWRDF, London Food Coalition, IJM (International Justice Mission) Prayer Partner.
Outreach
Ministry of the Month for December
We are supporting two initiatives at St. Jude’s this month. Both of these are managed by our priest and confidentiality is key. Donations can be made with your regular offerings, or place on the offertory plate with clear direction as to your choice of initiative(s). The St. Jude’s Christmas Share provides gift cards, funds etc., to parishioners in need at Christmas and through the year. Your cash donation can make a significant difference in the life of a fellow parishioner.
The second initiative is the Rector’s Discretionary Fund. Traditionally, offertory funds given on Christmas Eve go to this fund. Our Priest then uses these funds throughout the year to provide help to those who come to our doors for help – with gift cards for food, rent relief, or any specific needs of the family or individual in need.
Breakfast Program
Our Community Breakfast Program continues to provide a hot take away meal in a bag on the first, third and fifth Saturday of the month. Your terrific generosity has made it possible for us to serve 2028 guests so far this year with one Saturday to go. Last year, we served 802 take away meals. Wow! A team of elves is putting together gift bags for this Saturday and thanks again to your help, we are also able to provide gift cards to families with children so they might do their own shopping. We will be serving breakfast on New Year’s morning – our guests tell us they’ll be here and our volunteers said “count us in!” Next breakfast – this Saturday December 18th from 9 – 10:30 am.
Social
Women’s Coffee Hour meets on the second Wednesday of the month, and the next one is January 12th 2022 , starting in the St. Alban Room, but if numbers make it necessary, moving to the church.
Fundraising
2022 Church Calendars can be purchased from any Chancel Guild member for $10.00, a real bargain price that hasn’t changed in years!! They will be available in the Narthex on Sunday, but please don’t leave money in the box if you can’t see a Guild member, save it until you do. If you can’t come to the in-person services on Sunday, and you would like a calendar, come to the office (Monday to Friday, 9 – 1) and Kathy will be glad to get you one.
St. Jude’s Cookbook . Going forward, cookbooks will no longer be for sale after Sunday services. They are now available by contacting the office from Monday to Friday between 9am and 1pm at 519-660-6198, or by email at [email protected] . At $15.00, they make a great Christmas gift!! You may still purchase them by contacting Faye Geoghegan (519-667-0996 or [email protected] ) or Janette Newcombe (519-660-1486 or [email protected] ) .
Learning Together
Bible study. Fr. Bill’s on-line Bible study, via Zoom, continues Thursday 16th December at 7.00 pm. Fr. Bill has sent the link to the parish, and all are invited to join in.
Let’s Celebrate
Happy Birthday! This week to Doug Wells (16th December) and Justin Grignon (18th ) . Hope you both have a happy day!!
Congratulations to Daphne and Roger Rawluk, who celebrate their wedding anniversary on 17th December!
Revealed! For generations young children have wondered how it is that Santa Claus can be all over the world on Christmas Eve, and many a parent has struggled to find a convincing answer. Well, now we may have the solution to that hoary problem, as theoretical physicists postulate that, in the bizarre world of quantum physics, particles can be in two places at once, and who are we to doubt these brilliant scientists? Which means that Santa, having been around for millennia, discovered long ago that he could exist in a quantum world, and be everywhere at once on Christmas Eve. Neat solution, eh? Now, try telling that to your five year old.
The fourth “wave” continues, as we all will know, and now a new variant! Each parish must follow the rules regarding proof of vaccination for in-person services, and we must continue to be careful. Don’t forget to get your booster as soon as you are eligible!