Readings for Sunday 18th December, Advent 4.
First reading: Isaiah 7.10-16
Psalm 80.1-7,7-19
Second reading: Romans 1.1-7
Gospel: Matthew 1.18-25
Sunday Services
The Common Cup is offered at Communion, but reception of this is optional, and receiving just
the Bread still constitutes a full Communion.
The 10.00 am cantata will be live streamed and recorded for the website, YouTube and Facebook
pages.
Here is the livestream link for Sunday’s 10.00 am service: https://youtu.be/DG_FuYfP4WM
From the Wardens
The Wardens remind us that the wearing of masks and hand sanitizing at our services and
gatherings is now required, and especially urge that anyone who is not feeling well, has a cough,
sore throat, runny nose, etc., should not attend these events at St. Jude’s. Stay home until your
symptoms have resolved, and take part in the live-streamed service. This will ensure the best
protection for us all. Between services coffee has been temporarily suspended.
Office Hours
Kathy is in the office Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 1.00 pm. Please wear a mask if you visit the
office. Please note, the office will be closed from 26th December to 2nd January.
Prayer and Pastoral Care
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: New Comers To Canada and LIRSA, North East Neighbourhood Group, Marriage
inclusivity, Pride walk, Crisis Response, Addiction groups, PWRDF, London Food Coalition,
IJM (International Justice Mission) Prayer Partner, Food Bank distribution -LUSO Community
Services Partner.
Let us pray for
Debbie; Win, Brian, Raj and Sangeeta; Sharon; Marie; Sharon; Pat; Sean; Mary, Barb; Dave and
Marylynn; Nelson; Ruth; Precious; Stephanie; Alex; Jamie and Cathie; David, Elizabeth, Diane,
Dave and Joanne, Valerie, Leigh plus Keith and Karleen; Joseph and Erin plus John; Geoff plus
Linda and Randy, Kelly; Baby Caleb, Lynda, Diane; Autumn; Karen; Houda and Len, Bob,
Linda, Joanne, John, Helen, Kyle, Sharon, Nancy, Kim and Family, Fiona and Renato.
We Pray For
Bishop Todd, our priest Bill, and student Hayden as they open themselves to the guidance of
Holy Spirit to support the people of God, especially at this season of Advent leading to the birth
of the Son, a marginalized human, who delivers the message by turning the world values upside
down.
We Pray For
Our overburdened health care system, dealing with unprecedented numbers of sick kids due to
a trio of respiratory impacting diseases, Covid, RSV, and ‘flu. May the brave but short in
numbers health care providers know that their dedication and skill is valued and saving the lives
of these vulnerable children. We pray that everyone will do their part to ease the burden for these
precious children, for our care providers, and indeed the whole health care system.
We Pray For
The people of the world where war, occupation, and brutality exist, especially in Ukraine. May
the world offer support and show ongoing solidarity with the citizens facing a cold winter
without a working infrastructure, as the illegal occupiers continue to make the lives of civilians
unbearable. We pray that cool and compassionate heads will come forth to support peace.
We Pray For
The marginalized and vulnerable people in this and in every community; the poor, the
homeless, the abused, the disenfranchised. May the generosity and strong voices come forth to
offer short term crisis intervention and a long term change in resources and structures so all may
flourish, feel safe, and experience dignity.
Easter Vigil 2023 preparation
For anyone who might be interested in reaffirming their commitment to following in the way of
Jesus in a formal way, there will be a reaffirmation course offered in the New Year. Please read
the information in the attached link, and if this is something you are interested in please let Fr.
Bill know at [email protected] .
Outreach
For December, we continue to remember St. Paul’s Foodbank, and our Community Breakfast
(see entry below). Also, as we near Christmas, remember our own Christmas Share, and the
Christmas offering which goes to Fr. Bill’s Discretionary Fund, which he uses throughout the
year for those special needs that are presented to him.
St. Paul’s Food Bank
Our next Food Bank Sunday is Sunday, 8th January 2023.
Breakfast Program
Santa’s elves have been busy shopping and sorting these last few weeks. This Friday, they will
pack up 75 gift bags for our adult guests and 16 for the children and youth. We give thanks for
the talented hands who knit the scarves, hats and mitts and made the quilts and blankets. Many
thanks also to those who have donated funds or items for the bags. Toiletries and laundry soap
will go into the adult bags and gift cards will be given to the parents so they can purchase the
appropriate gift for their children. There is still time to support this ministry- put your donation
in the offertory plate indicating that it is for the gift bags or drop off in the office. Many thanks!
Our next breakfast is this Saturday December 17th from 9 to 10:30 am. All are welcome.
Stamps!! Please save your stamps from cards you receive this year, for the Canadian Bible
Society. The stamps are sold to stamp collectors, and the money raised goes to the Canadian
prison ministry. 10lbs = approximately 6 Bibles. They accept personal collections in books or
binders as well. Please leave a 1/4 inch border around the stamp. Leave them at the CRASH
cupboard, or on the offering plate (clearly marked)!
PWRDF At Christmas especially, the PWRDF continues its work around the globe, so don’t
forget them in your Christmas charity donations.
Learning Together
Advent Study Opportunities
1) The deanery of London would also like to extend an invitation to attend an in-person Advent
Study. The details are as follows:
Theme is “Visions of Mary”, and it will be presented at St. Aidan’s Anglican Church,
1246 Oxford St. West. This began yesterday and continues on December 20th
from 2.00 to 3.00pm. However, a live stream of the proceedings will also be available.
You can register at: [email protected] or call 519-471-1430.
And, 2) A “don’t miss” opportunity, a video Bible Study series for Advent. Our student
Hayden Fischer would like to invite you to participate in this series. This series is composed and
led by Bp. Terry Dance, and as many of you will know, Bp. Terry has an unparalleled way of
making the Gospels come alive. The last instalment of this series will be streamed this Sunday
18th December, and you can join the study group in the church after the 10.00 am service to
watch it and discuss the content. If you can’t join the church group, you can watch the series at home by going to the diocese website (https://diohuron.com), enter the Media section, and there you will find all four of the videos.
Let’s Celebrate
Congratulations to Daphne and Roger Rawluk, who celebrate their wedding anniversary
on 17th December!
Happy Birthday! This week to Doug Wells (16th December). Hope you have a happy day!
Christmassy Event locally:
St. George’s Church, 227 Wharncliffe Road North, a service of Nine Lessons and Carols,
Sunday December 18th at 4 pm.
Christmas Worship times
Christmas Eve, Saturday December 24th, at 7:00 p.m. The much loved tradition of the lighting
of candles will be incorporated into this service.
Christmas Day: Sunday, December 25 at 9:30 a.m.
New Years Day: Sunday, January 1st at 9:30 a.m. This will be a service of Morning Prayer.