e-news fri oct 5/12

1.    “Building on the Rock” scripture this Sunday –Philippians 4: 10-20

During this year, we invite the congregation to read and meditate on scripture and to “Build” on the teachings of our Lord.

2.    Christian Fitness: Becoming Light – We invite everyone to come to Paul’s group this Sunday at 9am in the Fireside Room. Ben Stevenson is going to come and show his pictures of his trip to Gambia. He was on a special CIDA project.

3.    We give thanks in the Sacrament of Baptism – At our 9:00 a.m. Contemporary Service this Sunday, Markus Christian Hewrtwig-Jaksche, son of John and Sara, will be baptized by his grandfather, The Rev. Henry Gunning, pastor at Grace Christian Reformed Church, Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, U.S.A.

4.    Preparing for our Traditional Service – We are introducing a change to our 10:30 Traditional Service this Sunday morning. Church announcements and news will be presented at 10:25, followed by an organ prelude, during which we are encouraged to quiet our conversation, calm our spirits, focus our minds and prepare to come before God in worship.

5.    Giving Thanks and Giving Generously – Let’s give thanks to God for all His blessings. This Thanksgiving season, let’s also share our blessings with others. At St. Paul’s, will you join us in sharing our bounty with those in need?

Pinecrest Terrace Food Bank – We invite you to bring nonperishable foods for the local Food Bank. There has been a decrease in food donations for the Food Bank this year. Your donations will be greatly appreciated. There is a great need for high priority items such as canned fish and meat, peanut butter, canned stew or chilli, hot and cold breakfast cereal, crackers, rice, juice boxes and granola bars. Food donations may be placed in the food bin located in the narthex.

Inviting the Children to Give – This Sunday, we will create a wonderful opportunity for the children to offer their food donations to the Food Bank. For both the Contemporary and Traditional Service, we are asking families to allow their children to bring to the front their food donations during the Children’s Time. Let’s teach our children the significance of giving during this season. 

Sharing Your Home – Thanksgiving is a wonderful time for family but it can also be a wonderful opportunity to invite a guest to your table. Consider others in St. Paul’s, in your workplace or in your neighbourhood who would be blessed by your fellowship this Thanksgiving.

6.    The Thanksgiving issue of Focus is available this Sunday. You can view it on our website or pick up a copy (one per family) in the narthex after the service.

7.    The Search Begins – Our congregation met last Sunday and approved the hiring of a part-time Children’s Pastor. A search committee has been formed comprising of Alison Wheatley-Price, Anne Kim, Evelyn Pike, Philip Kim and Rachel Colman. The Search Committee will prepare a job posting and advertise the position in various forums. Please join with us in prayer as we begin the search process. 

8.    An Invitation to Family Fellowship – Families with young children are invited to come to Campbell Hall on Sunday, October 14 at 4:00 p.m. for family fellowship. It is a wonderful opportunity for children to play together and for parents to experience warm fellowship. We always finish with a great potluck dinner. (We finish around 6:00 p.m.)

9.    St. Paul’s Book Circle is hosting a movie night on Monday, October 15, 2012 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Youth Room. We will be showing Pilgrim’s Progress: Journey to Heaven, a contemporary adaptation and dramatization of Bunyan’s classic work, as relevant today as when it was written in 1678.  Follow Christian, an everyday character, as he travels from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City and be encouraged in your own journey!  The sign-up sheet is available in the narthex, next to Scripture Union.  For further information, please contact Mary Anne Marston at 613-592-9171.

10.Missions Crafts Group Workshop – Please join us for coffee, tea, muffins and fellowship on Saturday, October 20 from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the Fireside Room. The Missions Crafts Group will demonstrate how to prepare and make milk bag mats for the “Mats for Haiti Project”. Try your hand at cutting milk bags and/or learning how to crochet! No experience needed. Please see the Ministry Opportunities Board in the narthex for details. We certainly appreciate the donated milk bags, but please – do remember to fold them FLAT only ONCE. (It takes SO much effort to flatten them out later!)

11.Seniors’ Luncheon – All seniors are invited to our next luncheon in Campbell Hall on October 24 at noon. Please join us for good food and warm fellowship. A freewill offering will be taken to cost the costs. Please register by signing the sheet on the table in the narthex so we can determine the amount of food we need. Entertainment will be provided by “Mostly Bows”!

12.Pioneer Prayer Pals and Helpers – We are in the process of pairing up our Pioneers with caring friends from our St. Paul’s family who will commit to praying for their “pal” throughout the year. If you are interested in being a part of this vital ministry, please speak with Ghislaine Maclennan (613-596-0365). You will be a blessing and you will be blessed! And Teens, if you are looking for a fun way to earn community service hours for school, please speak with Janet Mabie (jfmabie@yahoo.ca or 613-825-5239) or Josie Legrow (jmlegrow@bell.net or 613-843-9096) and find out how you can be a part of our exciting Pioneer Team! 

13.The Nursery is in Need of Volunteers – If you love interacting with our youngest members, please consider joining our vibrant and growing ministry.  Occasional and once a month positions are available as well as some new teaching roles.  Contact Rachel Topps Colman at 613-722-5630 or Rtoppscolman@gmail.com

14.Good Bye and Heart-felt Thank You – It seems only yesterday that Jean and I joined St. Paul’s and were immediately welcomed with open arms and Christian fellowship. When Jean tragically developed an aggressive form of Alzheimer’s, your prayers and support were of inestimable value.

I will forever be indebted to Jack and Marian who, seeing my struggle, welcomed me into their home, usually with delicious meals. The 7:00 a.m. Men’s Small Group was also one of my supports. I’m moving to Toronto to help my daughter whose husband has ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). I expect to be worshipping at Knox Presbyterian where both my father and Dr. DiGangi were ministers. St. Paul’s will always have a very special place in my heart and prayers.
Dr. Robin Barr

15.St Paul’s Website Renovation – We are currently renovating our church website. Check out www.stpaulspcottawa.com. You’ll find some new features as well as features that you have relied on in the past. We hope this website will be useful to regulars at St Paul’s as well as those who are curious. Let us know if you have any suggestions.