REFLECTION
*Sunday Prayers - The 5th Sunday of Lent The parish of St. Paul's is called to prayer this morning at 10.30 a.m.. A short video and handout are available for those who wish to follow along: https://stpl.ca/services.html (The website is now clear of troubles. However, warnings still appear depending on the web browser that is used. Internet Explorer, for example, still shows a warning. You may ignore them or use the backup site here: https://deanmercer8.wixsite.com/stpl) *Sunday School Meets today - in the Cloud Leila Knetsch, our director, along with Scholastic and Jacqueline, have organized two Sunday school zoom classes this morning at 10 am. Well done. *Evening Prayer via Zoom Evening Prayer will be said this evening at 6 pm - Sunday, March 29, 2020 - and can be accessed free of charge using a regular phone, a mobile phone, or internet, by way of Zoom (www.zoom.us). Computer Link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/910290351 Meeting ID: 910 290 351 One tap mobile +17789072071,,910290351# Canada +14388097799,,910290351# Canada By phone: 647-374-4685 Canada 647-558-0588 Canada Meeting ID: 910 290 351 NEW NOTICES *Coronavirus Updates - The Bishop of Toronto, in consultation with the provincial college of Bishops, has chosen to suspend all public worship and other gatherings in the Diocese until further notice - www.toronto.anglican.ca. The Diocesan website provides regular updates. *Diocesan Jubilee - In light of the Covid-19 outbreak, and the large financial strain on the parishes, Bishop Andrew Asbil has announced a Jubilee: "As a family, and in response to this time of great crisis, I can announce that the Diocese of Toronto is proclaiming a Jubilee – a time of generosity and forgiveness. For the months of April and May 2020, parishes will not be required to pay their allotment to the Diocese or to pay the costs of clergy remuneration (stipend, housing and associated benefits). It is my hope that this measure will alleviate the financial pressure that many of our parishes are under, freeing them up to carry out their ministry and to prepare for the day when their doors will open again." *Our former website is now clear of troubles and live. Depending on the web browser people use, some may still receive warnings. You can either by-pass the warning or use the backup website until the warnings clear: https://deanmercer8.wixsite.com/stpl *CanadaHelps In a very difficult time for churches who depend on regular services and their regular events for financial support, CanadaHelps is a Canadian charity that helps make online giving possible for charities, safely and securely. We are now registered with CanadaHelps and you can find the online form on the "Giving" page of the website. We also have forms availablefor registering with our "Pre-Authorized Giving" program. Or, church envelopes can be mailed in or dropped off. From what I have been told, giving has been generous in March through a very difficult season. *Friday Night Bible Study Resumes The online service "Zoom" offers a free service for group meetings. People can access it using a computer, a smartphone or a regular phone. The Friday night Bible studies on Matthew will carry on. If you'd like to join, even if you haven't done so previously, please respond to me directly ([email protected]) and I'll send you the instructions and the link later this week. This week's lesson is taken from Matthew 21:33 - 22:46. It is Lesson 19 in the study guide, "Matthew for Everyone" by Tom Wright. *Sunday Prayers Until the Emergency Measures are lifted, on Sunday morning at 10.30 am, the parish is called to pause and join in prayer. A simple recording and an outline of the prayers will be available on our website. Fr. Arthur Boers will offer the reflection. And for anyone who does not have internet access, they can still join us at 10.30 a.m. and say the Lord's Prayer, say a prayer for their parish, and if they have a prayerbook, the Collect for the 5th Sunday of Lent. Almighty God, your Son came into the world to free us all from sin and death. Breathe upon us with the power of your Spirit, that we may be raised to new life in Christ, and serve you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. (The Book of Alternative Services) We beseech thee, Almighty God, mercifully to look upon thy people; that by thy great goodness they may be governed and preserved evermore, both in body and soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer) *Corporation and Parish Council Please pray for the Corporation and Parish Council as we face the practical and financial implications in this Time of the Virus. St. Paul's is a strong parish. The Lord is faithful. GENERAL *Office hours are effectively suspended, but the answering service works fine and we'll reply to phone calls and e-mail a.s.a.p.. *We are updating our email contact information as quickly as possible. If you know someone who would like to receive these notes from me, please have them pass along their email addresses. And if not, kindly let us know. *Of greatest immediate concern is the welfare of any member who is frail and those, young and old, who are on their own. Please check in with those you know. Don't hesitate to contact us if you are aware of anyone in need or distress. *A basic schedule of services continues at the church: the daily offices, Friday Bible study and a Sunday eucharist. On Sundays at 10.30 a.m., every member is invited to pause in prayer for the parish. This can be done on one's own or you may follow along a video, found on the church website. *The financial needs of the parish remain and your faithful support is sought - through the mail service or the Pre-Authorized Giving Program. An online means of giving is now available. *The clergy of St. Paul's are all in the vicinity. If any one of us can be of service, don't hesitate to call or write. Church website: www.stpl.ca Church website (backup): https://deanmercer8.wixsite.com/stpl Church phone: 416-499-1545 Church email: [email protected] Fr. Dean Mercer: [email protected] Rectory phone: 416-497-6352 God bless you. Fr. Dean Mercer+ Comments are closed.
|
Archives
December 2023
|