CALL TO PRAYER - ADVENT 4

A Word from Fr. Dean+
It’s a funny time we’re in. And one temptation I’ve resisted is in making too many predictions about what life will be like after the restrictions have been lifted. What I reject altogether is that we will discover ourselves to be new creatures, living in a new world.(www.livingchurch.org/covenant/2020/12/03/de-normalizing-the-new-normal/)
There will be changes! Events on this scale trigger them. But many of the patterns in life are rooted in our nature as mortals, male and female, created in the image of God: birth, coming of age, marriage, maturing, aging and death.
As are our basic needs: food, shelter and the company of others.
And as are our questions: from where have I come? Why am I here? To where am I headed?
This is one of the great gifts of the Anglican tradition of which we are a part, namely, that while the Christian life can be entered at any point, young or old, it is meant to be lived one’s entire life. Which explains both the variety and constancy of the liturgy, serving us us day by day, season by season, year after year. Which is why the basic structure of the parish resembles a family, employing the various strengths and skills of the human body, with resources in place for every milestone in life.
And that is why we are doing our best right now to keep the basic structure of our common life in place, however disconnected it may feel. Why our intention is full steam ahead once the restrictions are lifted.
In the meantime, we are Christians with or without Covid. Presently, our primary responsibility is to help each other through the storm. The clergy, staff and parish officers have been unstoppable in adapting to Covid and carrying out their responsibilities.
Here are two examples.
Every Sunday, Leila, Rob and a great team of teachers have provided Sunday School for our children. Sunday School in the cloud? Good luck! But they never gave up, they’ve adapted creatively, and this week I received a note from two parents about their little children who "eagerly attend" class each week.
Every Friday, Sarah and Darnell Chambers have organized youth group in the cloud. Good luck! But Friday night I was invited to say hello at the end of games night, at the end of a full fall season of rich discussions, seminars and fellowship. I arrived in the middle of a great online contest. It started with a hilarious problem. (Without giving anything away, if we ever have trouble with bats in the belfry, I know who to call.) So they had to quickly design and promote a solution, and then everyone voted on the best invention. While I’m struggling with the mute button, the kids are all knee deep in computer graphics.
In a hard time, the people of St. Paul’s have rallied, and carry on in determined fashion in the middle of Covid.
But like good Christian entrepreneurs, we are constantly looking and listening for the opportunities the Lord may have for us. Where are the fields white for the harvest?
What I’m looking for are the opportunities that come to us, so to speak, and which ring true for the responsibility God has given us at Warden and Finch. Opportunities are coming into view.
And what I look forward to, without apology and with all my heart is ‘Back-to-Church Sunday’ the week after we enter the green stage, with a red-hot concert that weekend to summon us home.
Sunday Services by Phone on Zoom
Beginning December 13, the weekly Sunday recording can be heard by phone on Zoom. (It can also be seen, but the quality is diminished.)
Zoom Invitation:
By Phone: 647 374 4685; 647 558 0588;
Meeting ID: 854 0290 8277; Passcode: 970844
Christmas Flowers
The Flower Guild of St. Paul’s is receiving donations for Christmas flowers. Due to the safety restrictions, only a few plants will be purchased for use in the church and donations above and beyond will be forwarded to the ACSA Food Bank assisting those in need during the pandemic. Please pass along the information below to the church office by mail or email. Please make cheques payable to St. Paul’s L’Amoreaux Church. December 20 is the last date for donations.
*In Memory of:____________________________________
or as a Thank Offering:____________________________
Donor’s Name:___________________________
Envelope #:_______________
Amount of Gift:_________________________
The Twelve Days of Christmas - Although services are limited to 10 persons, by offering a simple service of communion through the 12 days of Christmas, the schedule (below) can accommodate nearly 200. And if those reservations fill up, we would simply add services.
Christmas Schedule
CHRISTMAS EVE
4.00 pm
*Christmas Recording released - Fr. Arthur Boers, preaching.
*St. Paul’s Animated Christmas Pageant Recording
*Simple in-person service (by reservation only)
5.30 pm
*In-person service (by reservation only), with organ, pre-recorded music, and live-streamed.
7.00 pm - Zoom service of Christmas lessons, carols, reflection and blessing, hosted by Fr. Dean and David McCartney
Zoom Invitation:
Computer Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89992089660?pwd=TjNEWTR5cXJLellvU0M4aHF5OG8yQT09
By Phone: 647 374 4685; 647 558 0588;
Meeting ID: 899 9208 9660
Passcode: 577585
CHRISTMAS DAY
8.30 am - In-person (by reservation only), Tamil, live stream
10.00 am - In-person (by reservation only)
11.30 am - In-person (by reservation only)
8.00 pm - Christmas Day Service, Mandarin, by Zoom
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS COMMUNIONS
December 26 - 10 am, In-person (by reservation only)
December 27 (Sunday) - Regular services
December 28 (Monday) - Nothing scheduled
December 29 - December 30 - 10 am, In-person (by reservation only)
December 31
10 am, In-person (by reservation only)
11.30 pm, Watchnight by Zoom
January 1 - 10 am, In-person (by reservation only)
January 2 - 10 am, In-person (by reservation only)
January 3 (Sunday) - Regular services
January 4 - Nothing scheduled
January 5 - 10 am, In-person (by reservation only)
January 6 (Feast of Epiphany) - 10 am, In-person (by reservation only)
Order for 2021 Church Calendars
Thank you for all those who ordered 2021 church calendars. They have arrived and are ready for pick-up during normal office hours.
Friday Night Bible Study - on Zoom - Fridays, 7.00 p.m.
The Bible study will resume on Friday, January 15, with a 8-week study of 1st and 2nd Thessalonians. Study guides are available online at www.christianbook.com or may be ordered through Fr. Dean+
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/830877703
Telephone: 647-374 4685, or 647-558 0588; Meeting ID: 830 877 703
The Doors of St. Paul’s Have Re-opened
In a series of careful steps, the doors are re-opening and services and programs are being resumed - starting with Sunday Services. Four services (8, 10, 1pm Chinese, 3:45 Tamil) are offered in the church. Ten (10) people are allowed in the church proper - main floor and balcony - at any one time. The hall, kitchen and rooms downstairs remain closed. Morning Prayer will continue to be offered on Zoom, Monday through Saturday. Sunday School by Zoom and the Sunday recording continue.
S.P.Y. - St. Paul’s Youth - off until new year
Gifts and Offerings - Your faithful support is as important now as it has ever been. Church Envelopes can be sent by mail. Members may wish to sign up for the Pre-Authorized Giving Program (contact the office). Or, gifts can be made online at our website through CanadaHelps here: www.stpl.ca/give.html. Members who use online banking may now also make E-transfers (contact the office).
Contact - The clergy of St. Paul’s are all in the vicinity and visiting in homes again, abiding by diocesan safety guidelines. If any one of us can be of service, don’t hesitate to call or write. Website: [http://www.stpl.ca;/]www.stpl.ca; Church phone: 416-499-1545; Email: [email protected];
Fr. Dean Mercer: [email protected]; Rectory phone: 416-497-6352.