CALL TO PRAYER - EPIPHANY 2023

On the Eve of 2023, by Fr. Dean Mercer
This simple word.
Most of us will never forget where we were when the Covid lockdowns began. I certainly won’t. It was Saturday, March 14th and I was in a hotel in Kelowna, B.C., preparing for the funeral of my sister. I received an email from the Wardens that the doors of the church were ordered closed for Sunday.
None of us could have known what would follow. I thought we’d reopen within two weeks - and was off by more than two years!
And as we’ve discovered, the reopening has not been as simple as unlocking doors and turning on the lights. It has been a gradual affair.
But with the relaxation of safety guidelines this past Easter, not only have former things resumed but wonderful new people have joined us and new programs added. Throughout it all the Lord has been good and the people of St. Paul’s have remained faithful.
And on the eve of the new year, we look back on a very good year for St. Paul’s, with new growth and opportunity, and all the signs pointing in the right direction.
The doors of St. Paul’s are open again.
Let us give thanks to God for his faithfulness. Let us ask him to lead us and guide us in the year to come.
*****
New Year’s Eve - 11.00 p.m. - Watchnight service
New Year’s Day:
8.00 a.m. - English
10.00 a.m. - English
1.00 p.m. - Chinese
3.00 p.m. - Tamil
6.00 p.m. - Evensong (in-person and streamed)
A Youtube recording of the 8.00 a.m. New Year's Day Service will be available by mid-afternoon, New Year's Day, here: https://stpl.ca/youtube-service-recordings.html
Thank You for All Your Support
Sincere thanks to everyone for your generous support of the ACSA foodbank, with more than $2500 raised; for the support of the Angel Tree Program; of the Outreach Christmas Mitten Tree; and the strong support of our Youth collecting food for the Salvation Army Food Bank. As He has taught, it is more blessed to give than to receive.
Parking
During Covid, parking spots available for church members on Sundays in the Centre covered parking were assigned to new Centre residents. The church only became aware of this recently and is now following this up in order to restore the weekend and Sunday parking spots that were lost. Those qualified are welcome to use any of the Disabled Parking Spots. As always it is first come, first serve, and plenty of parking is available at the Bridlewood Mall.
What Comes Next? - an invitation to young adults in the parish to a study of What Comes Next? By Bishop Tom Wright on building a mature foundation for the Christian life. The study begins on Saturday January 14th at 10am in the Boundy Room. For more information, contact Fr. Dean.
New Office Administrator - Sarah Mair
We are happy to announce that Sarah Mair is our new office administrator. We thank each applicant and those who conducted the interviews. This, we trust and believe, is a complementary addition to Sarah’s present responsibilities as Director of Family Ministry.
2023 Envelopes Now Available
The 2023 church envelopes are now available at the church. A reminder that any envelope will do so long as it is marked with your name and Church Envelope #.
2023 Vestry - Sunday, January 22, 12.30 noon
Vestry Reports Due - Sunday, January 8 - all officers, please note.
2022 Expense Reports - due December 31.
Adzua Fellowship: The Immigrant Support Program of St. Paul’s - next meeting: Saturday, January 21 - meal, program, singing and prayers. Topic - Volunteering: Opportunities & Importance.
Friday Night Bible Study of the Gospel of Luke continues this Friday in person and on Zoom, but will take a break until Friday, January 13. The next study will be on the Acts of the Apostles, the 2nd half of Luke’s Gospel, using the study guide by N. T. Wright. Copies are available from Fr. Dean for $13.
Regular Sunday Hours:
8.00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist
9.15 a.m. - Holy Eucharist & Sunday School
11.00 a.m. - replay on Zoom of 8.00 a.m. service
11.15 a.m. - Holy Eucharist & Sunday School
1.00 p.m. - Chinese service
3.00 p.m. - Tamil service
6.00 p.m. - Evening Prayer (in person and online)
Office Hours:
Tuesday - 10.00 am to 12.30 noon
Wednesday to Friday - 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 noon
Steel Pan Practice - Saturdays, 12.30 noon.
St. Paul’s Teen Basketball Clinic - Mondays, 6.00 p.m., L’Amoreaux Collegiate Institute - as of October 18, back in the double gym
St. Paul’s Children’s Basketball Clinic - as of October 17, Tuesdays, 6.00 p.m., L’Amoreaux Collegiate Institute
SPARC - Thursdays, 4.00 - 5.45 pm.
After School Tutoring Program, in Math and English, at 4 pm on Thursdays for children ages 6-12. Registration is at the Thursday classes. For more information, contact Kathy B.
Adult Choir - occasional practices, Saturdays, 4.00 p.m.
Youth Music Program Resume January 14:
African Dance Program - Saturdays at 10.30 a.m..
Pan practices - Saturdays at 12.30 noon.
A new youth voices program (ages 12+) practice on Saturdays at 4.00 pm.
The string program - Saturdays, at 4.30 pm.
For more information, contact Sarah M., Sylbert G., or David Mc.
Adult ESL - Thursday and Saturday at 4.30 pm.
Altar Guild Members who attend the 11:15am service and are interested in joining the Altar Guild, please contact Valerie W.
Mission Trip & Safari to Tanzania: July 2023 - Fr. Kim Beard, leader.
For anyone interested (including families) in joining a group traveling to Tanzania from July 4-22nd, 2023. The Tanzania experience will include five days visiting and connecting with Anglicans in Tarime and Zanzibar, the chance to see and participate in a variety of development projects, safaris to the Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro National Park, and a week exploring Zanzibar island. If you would like more information please contact: the Reverend Canon Kim Beard at beard3300@rogers.com.
A Single "Church Service" Zoom Link for all church services
This new link applies to all English church services which are streamed on Zoom, for the replay of the Sunday recording, and including Evening Prayer on Sundays at 6.00 p.m. and 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
Refugee Couple - Sanaz and Alireza
More good news. This past we learned that the refugee couple St. Paul’s is co-sponsoring have received their VISA and are waiting on their air tickets.
War in Ukraine
For those wishing to contribute to refugee relief, The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund is now accepting donations to support those displaced by the war in Ukraine, here:
www.toronto.anglican.ca/news/pwrdf-accepts-donations-for-ukrainian-refugees/. Our Outreach Committee donated $2000 to refugee relief program.
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.
S.P.Y. - St. Paul’s Youth - Friday nights at 7 pm. Contact Sarah for more information: splcyouthministry@gmail.com.
Thank you for your Faithful Gifts and Offerings - St. Paul’s is a strong parish and remained so throughout 2022 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.