Services this Sunday, The Second Sunday of Advent, December 10, 2023
8.00 a.m. (said), 9.15 a.m. (with Sunday School), 11.15 a.m. (choral), 1.00 p.m. (Chinese), 3.00 p.m. (Tamil), 6.00 p.m. (Prayerbook Evensong).
Constant in Prayer
-by Fr. Dean+
In the early days of Covid and with all its discouragement, one constant encouragement was the regular congregation who joined together on Zoom each morning and each Sunday evening for Morning and Evening Prayer. Nourished by Holy Scripture and the beauty of the Book of Common Prayer collects, we prayed our way through a long and hard season. It was one very special addition during Covid that continues.
This past year, Rajini Lyman began a Tuesday evening prayer meeting on Zoom with ample time for participants to share and prayer for concerns they have for themselves and others. It too has been well attended and a wonderful addition in our weekly prayers - both of these above and beyond our collective prayer at the eucharist and special services.
This was on my mind because another familiar event restarted this weekend with the Ladies Prayer Breakfast, and the simple gratitude to be part of parish rich in prayer. Praying for what's immediate and dear as our Lord taught us - "Give us this day our daily bread." Praying for each other and the community in which we live, our nation and our world. And praying for our parish that we remain faithful and true to the Lord in all that we do.
With this invitation - in both Advent and Lent, we are encouraged to special acts of Christian discipline and devotion. It may be that you’ve wanted to establish better a pattern of daily prayer. Don’t let this be a burden, but everyone is welcome to join us at Morning Prayer. It may be the very thing for this Advent season.
Good Tidings of Great Joy - the Children’s Choir is back! Saturday, January 20, at 4.30 p.m.. Watch for details. Spread the word.
Advent & Christmas 2023
*Advent Memorial Service, Friday, December 15, 7.30 pm
*St. Paul's Steel Christmas Party, Saturday, December 16, 7.00 pm, Tickets: $20
*Christmas Eve and Christmas Service:
Sunday, December 24 (Advent 4): 8.00 & 10.00 a.m., 1.00 p.m. (Chinese), 3.00 p.m. (Tamil).
Sunday, December 24 (Christmas Eve): 6.00 pm - Pageant; 11.00 p.m. - Candlelight eucharist.
Monday, December 25 (Christmas Day): 8.00 a.m. (Tamil); 10.00 a.m. (English).
*Feast of the Epiphany, Sunday, December 31 - regular schedule for Sunday services
*Watchnight Service, Sunday, December 31, 11.00 p.m.
*New Year’s Day Service (Tamil), Monday, January 1, 8.00 a.m.
The Next Service of Baptism - Sunday, January 7 - The Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. If interested, speak to one of the clergy.
Year-End Reminder - Ending the Year Well
It’s been another remarkable year as the people of St. Paul’s have faithfully supported their parish through an extraordinary time. Through the end of November, we have been hanging in, now seeking your help through the year’s end, in need everyone’s help. A reminder that December 31 is the the deadline for gifts given in 2023. Alternatively, because of Covid we have made available a number of electronic means of giving - Pre-authorized giving and E-transfers being the ones we recommend. In God’s economy, as Annette taught us, ‘many hands make great things possible.’ We say our prayers and do our best - to the glory of God.
Anointers, Servers and the Sacrament
Over the past few weeks we have resumed:
*Special prayers and prayers for healing during communion on the west side of the church.
*Serving the sacrament in both kinds - bread and wine - with no pressure on those who wish to receive only the bread. The church teaches that the sacrament is received in full even if only the bread is received.
*Full teams of servers to assist at the altar and for the reading of the Gospel in the Nave.
Christmas Flowers
The Flower Guild of St. Paul's Church, L'Amoreaux is receiving donations for flowers for Christmas. This project provides our church with an array of beautiful plants for Christmas and afterwards they will be taken to members of the Parish who are ill or shut-in. Please use this form and place it in an envelope marked "Christmas Flowers" together with your donation ($10 minimum) and put it either on the collection plate or send it to the church office, 3333 Finch Ave. E., Scarborough, ON, M1W 2R9. Please make cheques payable to St. Paul's Church L'Amoreaux. The memorials are printed in the Christmas leaflets. December 17 is the last date for donations
Recording of 2023 Parish Mission
A recording of the 2023 Parish Mission of Fr. Arthur Boers presentation and great music by Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley, along with Andy Phillips and Mark Mosca on pans, is now available here: www.stpl.ca/2023-parish-mission.html.
SPARC- Thursdays 4:00 - 5:45 pm.
PLEASE NOTE: We’ve had a great response this fall and are now in search of one or two new volunteers to help tutor math and English, up to a Grade Six level. All materials are provided. If interested, please contact Kathy Barnes. High School students are most welcome and this voluntary service is eligible for high school community service hours.
St Paul’s Family Network: Children and Youth Basketball Programs - Youth Basketball Clinics have resumed: Youth on Mondays, at 6 pm and Children on Tuesdays at 6.00 p.m. - at L’Amoreaux C.I. Register here: linktr.ee/splcyouth
A great start in both programs this year!
A New Book from Arthur Boers: Arthur's coming-of-age and coming-to-faith memoir has just been published! Shattered: A Son Picks Up the Pieces of His Father's Rage (Eerdmans), explores being the child of immigrants and learn English as a second language, a vivid Christian faith already as a child, and his father's dangerous PTSD that eventually focused dangerously on Arthur. If you would like to order one, you can email Arthur at info@arthurboers.com. You can specify whether you'd like it signed or personalized in some way. Arthur is selling the book for the Amazon-busting price of $25.
Pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan - Postponed - Fall, 2024
Join us for a pilgrimage that includes Petra, Wadi Rum, Nazareth, Jerusalem, the Sea of Galilee, Masada, Bethlehem, and the Mount of Beatitudes. If you would like to visit Israel as a pilgrim with time to visit, pray and reflect in each holy place, you will enjoy our itinerary. We create many special moments such as a visit to the private garden of Gethsemane, a sail on the Sea of Galilee, Eucharist at the Mount of Beatitudes, a healing and prayer time at the Jordan River and a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Everyone is welcome. The Rev. Canon Kim Beard will be the group leader. Our flights will be direct with Air Canada from Toronto to Tel Aviv. If you would like more information, please contact: Canon Kim Beard at beard3300@rogers.com
Church Service Zoom Link
The ordinary Church Service Zoom link is now back in use for all English church services which are streamed on Zoom, for Evening Prayer on Sundays at 6.00 p.m. and for Morning Prayer, Monday through Saturday:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86566347435?pwd=WnhpMDJQRkxjMEV3d2pMU0FCa0JuUT09
By Phone:
Meeting ID: 865 6634 7435
Passcode: 501805
647-374-4685
647-558-0588
NOTE: The 8.00 a.m. service (and last week’s anniversary service) is recorded and posted here:
https://stpl.ca/youtube-service-recordings.html
They are no longer being replayed on Zoom at 11.00 a.m.. We hope to have a live stream available soon.
Pray for One Another
On Tuesdays, from 7.30 - 8.30 pm, Rajini Lyman hosts on Zoom a simple service of evening prayer with ample time for participants to pray for each other. In advance, you may wish to send the following to Rajini:
Name:
Prayer request:
Phone Number:
Contact Email Address:
Those interested are invited to send prayer requests to Rajini Lyman in person or by email: rajinilyman@yahoo.com
For this service, the alternate Church Service Zoom Link will be used:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4169851369?pwd=TUhNYm5CenNhTDNrM1FybTMxdWlQUT09
By Phone:
Meeting ID: 416 985 1369
Passcode: 222222
647-374-4685
647-558-0588
Wednesday Morning Eucharist and Bible Study - Wednesday mornings. Eucharist at 10.30 a.m. followed by the Bible Study with Don St. Kitts.
Young Adult Fellowship - Saturday mornings.
A great group and a great meeting today (Saturday). We meet next on Saturday, January 13 at 10.00 a.m.. For more information, contact Fr. Dean.
Interested in Volunteering with St. Paul's? Have a passion for teaching the word of God to children? We're looking for Sunday School teachers. Have great hospitality and organizational skills? We're on the hunt for a Kitchen Coordinator. For more information, please email Sarah at stpl@stpl.ca
The Friday Night Bible Study of the Acts - has concluded. We will resume on Friday, January 12 - in person and on Zoom. The new study will be of the Gospel of Mark, using the study guide by N. T. Wright. Copies are available from Fr. Dean for $13.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/830877703
Telephone: 647-374 4685, or 647-558 0588; Meeting ID: 830 877 703
Regular Sunday Hours
8.00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist
9.15 a.m. - Holy Eucharist & Sunday School
11.15 a.m. - Holy Eucharist
1.00 p.m. - Chinese service
3.00 p.m. - Tamil service
6.00 p.m. - Evening Prayer (in person and online)
Regular Office Hours
Tuesday to Friday - 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon
Adult Choir - practices, Saturdays, 4.00 p.m..
African Caribbean Dance & Movement Program - Saturday Mornings 10:30 - 11:45 am. Come and move your bodies in worship to the Lord. All ages welcome. For more information, contact Sarah at splcyouthministry@gmail.com.
S.P.Y Network. - Friday Night Gathering for Youths. For more information, contact Sarah at splcyouthministry@gmail.com
Adult ESL - Thursdays and Saturdays at 4.30 p.m..
Altar Guild Members who attend the 11:15am service and are interested in joining the Altar Guild, please contact Valerie W.
The Next Service of Baptism - Sunday, January 7 - If interested, please contact Fr. Dean.
Online Calendar
The full schedule of in-person and online services and programs can be found on the online church calendar - www.stpl.ca/calendar.html - or here: www.stpl.ca/services.html.
Thank you for your Faithful Gifts and Offerings - St. Paul's is a strong parish and has remained so throughout 2023 due to everyone's faithful support at a time when never has it been more important.
Gifts can be dropped off at the church or sent by mail. Kindly ensure that your name and envelope number is included. Or, members may wish to sign up for the Pre-Authorized Giving Program (contact the office). Members who use online banking can now make E-transfers (instructions here: www.stpl.ca/give.html). Gifts can also be made at our website through CanadaHelps: www.stpl.ca/give.html
NOTE: Of the various means for online giving, we recommend The Pre-Authorized Giving Program. It is regular, matching the regular responsibilities of the parish, and once initiated all it takes is a phone call or quick e-mail note to increase, decrease, or cancel the donation. The monthly amount is withdrawn on the 20th of each month, and the cost to the church is 50 cents per transaction, irrespective of the amount of the gift. This makes the PAG the most economical of all methods of giving.
Contact - The clergy of St. Paul's are permitted once again to visit in homes. Don't hesitate to call or write.
Website: www.stpl.ca; Church phone: 416-499-1545; Email: stpl@stpl.ca
Fr. Dean Mercer: deanmercer@hotmail.com
Rectory phone: 416-497-6352.

Services this Sunday, The First Sunday of Advent, December 3, 2023
8.00 a.m. (said), 9.15 a.m. (with Sunday School), 11.15 a.m. (choral), 1.00 p.m. (Chinese), 3.00 p.m. (Tamil), 6.00 p.m. (Prayerbook Evensong).
Advent & Christmas 2023 - Looking Ahead
*Chinese Advent Arts Festival, Friday, December 8, 7.00 p.m.
*Ladies of St. Paul's Prayer Breakfast, Saturday, December 9. Sign up in the Narthex.
*Advent Memorial Service, Friday, December 15, 7.30 pm
*St. Paul's Steel Christmas Party, Saturday, December 16, 7.00 pm, Tickets: $20
*Christmas Eve and Christmas Service:
Sunday, December 24 (Advent 4): 8.00 & 10.00 a.m., 1.00 p.m. (Chinese), 3.00 p.m. (Tamil).
Sunday, December 24 (Christmas Eve): 6.00 pm - Pageant; 11.00 p.m. - Candlelight eucharist.
Monday, December 25 (Christmas Day): 8.00 a.m. (Tamil); 10.00 a.m. (English).
*Feast of the Epiphany, Sunday, December 31 - regular schedule for Sunday services
*Watchnight Service, Sunday, December 31, 11.00 p.m.
*New Year’s Day Service (Tamil), Monday, January 1, 8.00 a.m.
Annual Stewardship Emphasis
Every year at this time is our Stewardship emphasis. Its purpose is threefold:
*To give an account of how the gifts received by the parish are applied.
*To highlight the fundamental areas in the Christian mission of the parish.
*And to emphasize the central place and grateful obligation of stewardship in the life of every Christian.
Regular giving according to the standard of the Biblical tithe is one of the fundamental practices of a Christian. It is the offering to God of our first and best gift. It is the support of the body of which Christ has made us a part. For his sake, it is our hand extended in service to those in need and in invitation to those drawing near to Christ.
Stewardship - Ending the Year Well
The last weeks of the year are always the weeks of greatest expectation. There's a lot going on at St. Paul’s and in the early days after Covid, we thank God and are grateful for every member's contribution as we reopen and rebuild. Through the end of November we remain on track. Help us remain so. Help us finish well. Help us so that we can plan boldly for 2024.
Anointers, Servers and the Sacrament
Over the past few weeks we have resumed:
*Special prayers and prayers for healing during communion on the west side of the church.
*Serving the sacrament in both kinds - bread and wine - with no pressure on those who wish to receive only the bread. The church teaches that the sacrament is received in full even if only the bread is received.
*Full teams of servers to assist at the altar and for the reading of the Gospel in the Nave.
Recording of 2023 Parish Mission
A recording of the 2023 Parish Mission of Fr. Arthur Boers presentation and great music by Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley, along with Andy Phillips and Mark Mosca on pans, is now available here: www.stpl.ca/2023-parish-mission.html.
SPARC- Thursdays 4:00 - 5:45 pm.
PLEASE NOTE: We’ve had a great response this fall and are now in search of one or two new volunteers to help tutor math and English, up to a Grade Six level. All materials are provided. If interested, please contact Kathy Barnes. High School students are most welcome and this voluntary service is eligible for high school community service hours.
St Paul’s Family Network: Children and Youth Basketball Programs - Youth Basketball Clinics have resumed: Youth on Mondays, at 6 pm and Children on Tuesdays at 6.00 p.m. - at L’Amoreaux C.I. Register here: linktr.ee/splcyouth
A great start in both programs this year!
A New Book from Arthur Boers: Arthur's coming-of-age and coming-to-faith memoir has just been published! Shattered: A Son Picks Up the Pieces of His Father's Rage (Eerdmans), explores being the child of immigrants and learn English as a second language, a vivid Christian faith already as a child, and his father's dangerous PTSD that eventually focused dangerously on Arthur. If you would like to order one, you can email Arthur at info@arthurboers.com. You can specify whether you'd like it signed or personalized in some way. Arthur is selling the book for the Amazon-busting price of $25.
Pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan - Postponed - Fall, 2024
Join us for a pilgrimage that includes Petra, Wadi Rum, Nazareth, Jerusalem, the Sea of Galilee, Masada, Bethlehem, and the Mount of Beatitudes. If you would like to visit Israel as a pilgrim with time to visit, pray and reflect in each holy place, you will enjoy our itinerary. We create many special moments such as a visit to the private garden of Gethsemane, a sail on the Sea of Galilee, Eucharist at the Mount of Beatitudes, a healing and prayer time at the Jordan River and a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Everyone is welcome. The Rev. Canon Kim Beard will be the group leader. Our flights will be direct with Air Canada from Toronto to Tel Aviv. If you would like more information, please contact: Canon Kim Beard at beard3300@rogers.com
Church Service Zoom Link
The ordinary Church Service Zoom link is now back in use for all English church services which are streamed on Zoom, for Evening Prayer on Sundays at 6.00 p.m. and for Morning Prayer, Monday through Saturday:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86566347435?pwd=WnhpMDJQRkxjMEV3d2pMU0FCa0JuUT09
By Phone:
Meeting ID: 865 6634 7435
Passcode: 501805
647-374-4685
647-558-0588
NOTE: The 8.00 a.m. service (and last week’s anniversary service) is recorded and posted here:
https://stpl.ca/youtube-service-recordings.html
They are no longer being replayed on Zoom at 11.00 a.m.. We hope to have a live stream available soon.
Pray for One Another
On Tuesdays, from 7.30 - 8.30 pm, Rajini Lyman hosts on Zoom a simple service of evening prayer with ample time for participants to pray for each other. In advance, you may wish to send the following to Rajini:
Name:
Prayer request:
Phone Number:
Contact Email Address:
Those interested are invited to send prayer requests to Rajini Lyman in person or by email: rajinilyman@yahoo.com
For this service, the alternate Church Service Zoom Link will be used:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4169851369?pwd=TUhNYm5CenNhTDNrM1FybTMxdWlQUT09
By Phone:
Meeting ID: 416 985 1369
Passcode: 222222
647-374-4685
647-558-0588
Wednesday Morning Eucharist and Bible Study - Wednesday mornings. Eucharist at 10.30 a.m. followed by the Bible Study with Don St. Kitts.
Young Adult Fellowship - Saturday mornings.
A great group and a great meeting today (Saturday). We meet next on Saturday, January 13 at 10.00 a.m.. For more information, contact Fr. Dean.
Interested in Volunteering with St. Paul's? Have a passion for teaching the word of God to children? We're looking for Sunday School teachers. Have great hospitality and organizational skills? We're on the hunt for a Kitchen Coordinator. For more information, please email Sarah at stpl@stpl.ca
The Friday Night Bible Study of the Acts - has concluded. We will resume on Friday, January 12 - in person and on Zoom. The new study will be of the Gospel of Mark, using the study guide by N. T. Wright. Copies are available from Fr. Dean for $13.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/830877703
Telephone: 647-374 4685, or 647-558 0588; Meeting ID: 830 877 703
Regular Sunday Hours
8.00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist
9.15 a.m. - Holy Eucharist & Sunday School
11.15 a.m. - Holy Eucharist
1.00 p.m. - Chinese service
3.00 p.m. - Tamil service
6.00 p.m. - Evening Prayer (in person and online)
Regular Office Hours
Tuesday to Friday - 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon
Adult Choir - practices, Saturdays, 4.00 p.m..
African Caribbean Dance & Movement Program - Saturday Mornings 10:30 - 11:45 am. Come and move your bodies in worship to the Lord. All ages welcome. For more information, contact Sarah at splcyouthministry@gmail.com.
S.P.Y Network. - Friday Night Gathering for Youths. For more information, contact Sarah at splcyouthministry@gmail.com
Adult ESL - Thursdays and Saturdays at 4.30 p.m..
Altar Guild Members who attend the 11:15am service and are interested in joining the Altar Guild, please contact Valerie W.
The Next Service of Baptism - Sunday, January 7 - If interested, please contact Fr. Dean.
Online Calendar
The full schedule of in-person and online services and programs can be found on the online church calendar - www.stpl.ca/calendar.html - or here: www.stpl.ca/services.html.
Thank you for your Faithful Gifts and Offerings - St. Paul's is a strong parish and has remained so throughout 2023 due to everyone's faithful support at a time when never has it been more important.
Gifts can be dropped off at the church or sent by mail. Kindly ensure that your name and envelope number is included. Or, members may wish to sign up for the Pre-Authorized Giving Program (contact the office). Members who use online banking can now make E-transfers (instructions here: www.stpl.ca/give.html). Gifts can also be made at our website through CanadaHelps: www.stpl.ca/give.html
NOTE: Of the various means for online giving, we recommend The Pre-Authorized Giving Program. It is regular, matching the regular responsibilities of the parish, and once initiated all it takes is a phone call or quick e-mail note to increase, decrease, or cancel the donation. The monthly amount is withdrawn on the 20th of each month, and the cost to the church is 50 cents per transaction, irrespective of the amount of the gift. This makes the PAG the most economical of all methods of giving.
Contact - The clergy of St. Paul's are permitted once again to visit in homes. Don't hesitate to call or write.
Website: www.stpl.ca; Church phone: 416-499-1545; Email: stpl@stpl.ca
Fr. Dean Mercer: deanmercer@hotmail.com
Rectory phone: 416-497-6352.