June 18, 2017 WHAT S HAPPENING! Baptism and Membership Sunday p3. What s Inside! p4 Summer in CM p7

Transcription

1 June 18, 2017 WHAT S HAPPENING! Baptism and Membership Sunday p3 What s Inside! Happy Father s Day! p2 From the Rector p4 Summer in CM p7

2 Happy Father s Day! Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers. (Proverbs 17:6) WHAT S HAPPENING! St. Paul s Bloor Street 227 Bloor Street East Toronto, ON M4W 1C8 Phone: mail@stpaulsbloor.org Office Hours Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sanctuary Hours Sundays: 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Parking Parking is free on Sunday mornings at the Manulife building located on the north side of Bloor Street at the top of Ted Rogers Way. To gain access to Manulife s parking, press the intercom button and inform the security attendant you are attending a service at St. Paul s. Charitable Number RR0001 stpaulsbloor

3 Baptism and Membership Sunday Please pray for our baptismal and membership candidates as they continue in their faith journeys. Zane Gadsden Ethan Kumar Abigail Law Miguel Angel Mero-Partington Rebecca Pullenayegum Isabella Tutsch Elton Law Kathleen Law Kirsty Peddle Hsin-Yi (Sophia) Chen Dhoui Chang Benjamin Bergstrom Erik Bergstrom Annalise Brown Cayla Brown Veronica Taranu-Smith Jhaan Jones Rumbidzai Mugwagwa Ehinomen Obinyan Christian Volling Sonya Lawley Marci Prescott-Brown Orett Brown Today we are celebrating Baptism and Membership Sunday at St. Paul s. Among our candidates for baptism is Ehinomen (Ehi) Obinyan. Ehi was born in Nigeria and later moved to the U.S. for several years. After losing her father unexpectedly four years ago, Ehi decided to move to the GTA to be with her mother and siblings. She started attending St. Paul s in January Ehi says her mother helped her find our church when she moved downtown: I came in on my first Sunday in my new home and fell in love with the choir. Even though I came back for the choir, I stay for the people. There is a sense of community and safety I feel here, I know I am where I need to be. Ehi says she was not baptized as an infant because her parents wanted her to choose Christ on her own, as an adult. She says, I have evolved as a young woman and getting baptized today, as a symbol of expressing union with Christ in His death and resurrection, in the presence of my mom, brothers, family and friends means the world to me. One verse that has been close to Ehi s heart during the baptism process is Philipppians 4:6-7, do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Our next baptism and membership service will be held in the fall. For more information contact Sandra Seaborn at sseaborn@stpaulsbloor.org or ext

4 By Barry Parker, Rector (Senior Pastor) A Thank You Note from the Rector What a Sunday we had last week! To celebrate our 175th anniversary, we had an amazing worship service (the first time in memory combining all three Sunday services), a great group photo, a photo booth, testimonials, brisk hospitality CLXXV lager sales, tours and more. As you can imagine, it takes many people to ensure a day like Anniversary Sunday was such an incredible success. My heartfelt thanks to the dozens of volunteers, leaders and staff who poured themselves into making it happen. It was also a great privilege to announce our new financial status. We have spent approximately $35 million over the past 25 years to restore, renovate and refresh our physical space so we can hand an incredible ministry container to future generations. Our last capital campaign was Above and Beyond, starting 2 years ago, almost to the day. Above and Beyond was a campaign that responded to God s call to first get our financial house in order and then to move forward in His wonderful missional plan for our church. In May 2015, we had an interest-bearing debt of $2.29 million and St. Paul s required funds so active ministry would not be curtailed or endangered. Our plan was to have all our debt paid off by early 2018 and we were on track to do that. I was thrilled to announce, that as of June 1, St. Paul s is debt free! In two short years, the people of St. Paul s have gone above and beyond regular Sunday contributions to ensure investment into future ministry! I was also pleased to announce that we are moving into phases 2 & 3 of our Above and Beyond vision. The working title for phase 2 was Ministry Apprenticeship Program or MAP which is the formation of a new generation of leaders. This will be an incubator for Christian leaders impacting our communities and the Church, equipping disciples to be disciples, and tapping into individual s gifts of the spirit by providing a program of mentoring and discernment for future church leaders. Phase 3 is strategic capital investment in our worship space. We will improve our methods for delivering worship today and for years to come through updated lighting, sightlines, accessibility and sound. We seek to build engagement in worship for the next generation. You will hear more concrete planning news at our Annual Meeting in October. What a remarkable time to be at St. Paul s. Once again, thank you! 4

5 Dear Friends, I wanted to write to you on the occasion of the 175th anniversary of St. Paul s Bloor Street. As you know, the parish holds a very special place in my heart and I continue to be grateful for the eight years that my family and I were able to be part of the St. Paul s family. St. Paul s has impacted thousands of people s lives for Christ over your long history and continues to be a pioneering beacon of gospel ministry in the downtown core and beyond. Thank you for all that you do for the cause of Christ, often at great cost, and please know that I continue to be encouraged by the ministry of St. Paul s and look forward to seeing all that God continues to do in your midst. This letter comes with my gratitude for your history, my excitement about your present, and my hope about your future. Peace, The Right Reverend Jenny Andison Area Bishop of York-Credit Valley Bishop Suffragan of Toronto Don t miss more photos of our 175th anniversary service on facebook! Thank you to our photographers Dhoui Chang, Michael Hudson and Orvin Lao. 5

6 The Carlen Family The Carlén family is preparing to follow their calling to serve as missionaries from St. Paul s. Beginning this summer they plan to use their experience, background, and professional expertise to help equip, encourage, and shape a new generation of missionaries by serving with Operation Mobilization (OM) in Sweden. Their new roles and location require financial, prayer and practical support from all of us. You can help! To find out more, you are invited to an evening drop-in on Monday, June 26 at 6:30 p.m. at 180 Boxwood Avenue. Come ready to learn and give. RSVP to Sandra Seaborn at sseaborn@stpaulsbloor.org or ext All ages are welcome. For more information, or to offer support, pick up a card at St. Paul s Central or visit thecarlenfamily.org or Susan or Anders Carlén at anders@carlens.se or susan@carlens.se 6 Pioneer Camp Sponsorships St. Paul s and Ontario Pioneer Camp have enjoyed a fruitful connection that has spanned many years. Pioneer Camp offers all kinds of outdoor fun, lively worship, and Bible study. Every summer young lives are changed as Christian faith is taught and shared. We invite you to contribute to the sponsorship of our young people to spend a week at Ontario Pioneer Camp. The cost for this is $870 and contributions in any amount are welcome. Mark your cheques or envelopes for Pioneer Camp Sponsorship or donate online at stpaulsbloor.org/give For more information contact Janet Earle at ext. 241 or children@stpaulsbloor.org One Family s Pioneer Camp Testimony... Without the help of St. Paul s, my boys would not have had their spectacular experience at Pioneer Camp. What surprised me most about camp (aside from the odours emitting from their bags upon their return) was that I had not one complaint. All four boys raved about their experiences. They are already praying to go back next summer. They loved their counsellors and met a fantastic group of people, both staff and campers. When I noted that it rained alot, I was told, Who cares? We were always in the water any way. How about the bugs? I asked. Didn t eat any new ones mum. They learned God is beside us, even though we cannot see him. He is always there despite the bumps and bruises we all incur along the way.

7 Prayer List June 18 - This week we re praying for world and national issues and Church, both worldwide and locally, especially praying for: An end to the many wars and conflicts in the world, so we may all be peace-makers, peacekeepers and peace-builders. All victims of circumstances beyond their control, so that all may live in peace. Those in leadership, regardless of their position, to be faithful in service and exercise wisdom and justice in their role. Everyone gathered today to worship in the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton in central Alberta. Those serving in the Welcome Ministries in our church. The following members of our community: David, Jen, Ronan, Conall, Keeley, Lachlan, Ella, Ethan, Jennifer, Mike. For Membership and Baptism Sunday Lord Jesus, bless these candidates and consecrate this day of new beginnings. Smile upon these people and surround them with your wisdom and love. Watch over all of us that we may be examples of your love, peace and joy to all who meet us. May we always be thankful for your grace and redeeming love and help us share your message with everyone we know. In Jesus name we pray, Amen. The Flowers Today Flowers in the church are given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of: At the High Table: Mark Friegert given by Marilyn, Rudy and Andrew. In the Chapels: James & June Redwood given by Patricia Kendall & Fred Gillespie. Summer in Children s Ministry Join us this summer in Children s Ministry as we explore bugs! Find out how small things can make a big difference. Join us Sunday mornings July 2 to September 3 at 9:30 and 11 a.m. as we explore the Bible through art and fun activities. For more information contact Janet Earle, Children s Minster at children@stpaulsbloor.org or ext

8 What s Happening This Week Sunday, June 18 - Baptism & Membership Sunday CM Appreciation Event - 10:30 a.m. & 12:15 p.m. Dalton Room Tuesday, June 20 Winchester Group - 10 a.m. Library Holy Communion - 12:10 p.m. St. Paul s Chapel Christian Meditation - 1 p.m. Room 206 Wednesday, June 21 Wednesdays With God - 12:15 p.m. Room 206 Youth Group - 7 p.m. Youth Room Thursday, June 22 Choir Practice - 6:30 p.m. Music Room Join the Summer Choir The Summer Choir at St. Paul s is a delightful musical community that enjoys singing and offering their time and music to God. We meet each Sunday through July and August at 10 a.m. in the choir room to practise for the 11 a.m. service. The music during the summer months is not difficult to learn. If you enjoy singing, you are most welcome to join us. For more information contact our music director, Thomas Bell at music@stpaulsbloor.org or ext. 233, or speak with any choir member after the 11 a.m. Sunday service. Next Sunday s Preaching Passage Luke 2:41-52 Topic: The Thompson Window Every Sunday Worship Services 8:15 a.m. Chapel of the Good Shepherd 9:30 a.m. the bridge Sanctuary 11 a.m. Sanctuary Prayer Ministry 9 a.m., 10:20 a.m. & 12 p.m. St. Paul s Chapel Nursery beginning at 9:15 a.m. 2nd Floor Children s Ministry 9:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. 2nd Floor Youth Group 9:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Youth Room Prayer Groups 10:20 a.m. Room 7 10:50 a.m. St. Paul s Chapel Community Lunch 12:15 p.m. Great Hall Community Lunch Roasted Chicken with Salad and Rice - $8 Please Note: There will be no Community Lunch for the next two Sundays, June 25 and July 2.