Parish Update
THE COLLECT FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Set us free, loving Father, from the bondage of our sins, and in your goodness and mercy give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in our Saviour Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Pastoral Reflection
By Rev. Ben Vanderheide
Friends, this week the Anglican Diocese of Canada will host our annual synod at the Church of the Good Samaritan in St. John’s Newfoundland.
Canon Mark Eldredge and Canon David Short will be the primary speakers and teachers. You can learn more about them on our Attending Synod 2026 webpage. Please be praying for them as they prepare: Canon Mark to present on Church Revitalization and Canon David to bring our Bible teaching from 2 Timothy chapter 4.
You will be able to livestream the opening Eucharist at 6 PM Wednesday and morning prayer followed by Bible teaching by Canon David at 8 AM on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday on the Diocesan YouTube channel:youtube.com/@dioceseofcanada. The Opening Eucharist includes the Bishop’s Charge given by The Rt. Rev. Dan Gifford, our diocesan bishop.
The theme of this year’s synod will be "Growing & Building God's Church": "For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 3:9-11).
Pastor Ben Vanderheide and Pastor Michelle Terwilleger will be attending, along with our delegates: Kaleb Earl and Janiese Karpa, and Carolyn Vanderheide, who is the diocesan priority leader for discipling children, and Evan Baker, who will be representing Packer College.
Please pray for our diocese, as we gather to worship the Triune God of grace, celebrate the good that God is doing in and through our parishes, and continue to be equipped to spread the Gospel across our nation.
Almighty and everlasting God, by your Holy Spirit you presided in the council of the blessed Apostles, and you promised, through your Son Jesus Christ, to be with your Church to the end of the world: Be with the council of your Church as we assembly in St. John’s Newfoundland, in your Name and presence.
Save us from all error, ignorance, prejudice, and pride; and of your great mercy direct, sanctify, and govern us in our work, by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit; that the order and discipline of your Church may be maintained, and that the Gospel of Christ may be truly preached, truly received, and truly followed in all places, breaking down the kingdom of sin, Satan, and death; till all your scattered sheep, being gathered into one fold, become partakers of everlasting life; through the merits and death of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
UPCOMING EVENTS – Mark Your Calendars
October 17: Choral Evensong at 5 PM.
October 18: Sunday service at 10:30 AM with Jr Church. (Streamed online)
October 18: Life @ St P&P’s Course at 9 AM in Stiller Hall. Register here.
October 21: Weekday Eucharist Service at 12:15 PM.
October 21: Young Adults weekly potluck at 6 PM in the Library.
October 21: Livestream of Diocesan Synod Opening Eucharist at 6 PM. Watch here.
October 24: Men’s Catered Breakfast at 8:30 AM. Register here.
October 24: Mike Janzen Concert: The Psalms Project. Details here.
October 31: Women’s Potluck Breakfast at 9:30 AM in Stiller Hall. Register here.
November 14: Room at the Table for Jr Church families. Register here.
Choral Evensong at 5 PM on Saturday, October 17
Join us for our monthly service of Choral Evensong as we prepare our hearts for Sunday worship, hear God’s Word, sing hymns, and pray for the church and for the world. This contemplative service is one of the gems of the Book of Common Prayer and is a gift to all who participate in it.
The PSALMS PROJECT with Mike Janzen and Band: 7:30 PM on Saturday, October 24
Experience the Psalms in a powerful way as Mike Janzen and friends perform a concert at St Peter & St Paul’s on Saturday, October 24, revolving around these ancient words.
Mike will be joined by Juno-nominated singer Erin Propp as the band performs selections from all three albums of The Psalms Project. Grab your tickets on Eventbrite here and save $10 when you use the promo code "thepsalmsottawa".
The Book of Common Prayer available for sale: $35
In our church office, we have copies of the 2019 Book of Common Prayer (BCP) for sale for $35 each. The Book of Common Prayer includes the texts we use for Morning and Evening Prayer, our Holy Communion services, the Psalter, the lectionary (readings for Sundays and holy days), the readings for the daily office, and much more. All of these texts are also accessible online for free at bcp2019.anglicanchurch.net
If you would like to purchase a copy of the 2019 BCP, please come by the church office during the week or talk to Karen Walker on Sunday mornings. You may pay for the book by cheque (mark “BCP” in note line), cash in an envelope marked “BCP,” or by e-transferring funds to payments@peterpaulottawa.com. Please note that these are not tax-deductible donations.
Men’s Breakfast (Brothers of St. P&P): 8:30 AM Saturday, October 24
The men of the church ages 16 and older are invited to the next Men's Breakfast on Saturday, October 24. We will gather at 8:30 AM in Stiller Hall for coffee and at 9 AM for a catered breakfast. This event will provide a chance for the men of the parish to get together for food and fellowship and get to know one another better. Cost is $12.50, and registration is required by October 21. Register here.
Women’s Potluck Breakfast: 9:30 AM on Saturday, October 31
The women of the church are invited to take part in our next potluck breakfast on October 31. We meet at 9:30 AM in Stiller Hall. Please bring a dish to share. Register here.
Young Adults Wednesday Potluck at 6 PM
Our young adults' Wednesday night potluck takes place on Wednesdays from 6 PM to 8 PM in the parish library. This group is for adults in their 20s and 30s and is a chance to enjoy food and fellowship and study the Bible together. Plan to join and bring a dish to share. You can chat with Pastor Harman if you have any questions or would like to be added to the email list.
Life @ St P & P’s Course – Sundays, from September 13 to October 25, at 9 AM
We are in the middle of a 6-week class in Stiller Hall designed for those who are new to our parish and interested in learning more about what it means to follow Jesus in the Anglican way. This class focuses on our core values, our approach to interpreting and applying scripture, Anglican worship and discipleship and membership.
Register here.
Thursday Morning Online Bible Study begins September 17
The Thursday morning Bible study meets on Zoom from 10:45 AM to noon. We are studying the book of Daniel. If you are considering joining the Bible study, or if you would like more information, please contact the church office at admin@peterpaulottawa.com
Join us by using the Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83591508654?pwd=Cis6LF9fnhIjWzezod11eryLkZjaM1.1
Meeting ID: 835 9150 8654
Passcode: 985683
One tap mobile
+16475580588,,83591508654#,,,,*985683# Canada
+17789072071,,83591508654#,,,,*985683# Canada
Check out our Parish YouTube Page: @PeterPaulOttawa
As you may have noticed, Facebook now has a policy of deleting posted videos after 30 days. We have begun posting videos of our services on our YouTube page as well as our Facebook page, so you can watch them there without expiration. We plan to move the livestream of our services from Facebook to YouTube in the future, so please familiarize yourself with our YouTube page: youtube.com/@PeterPaulOttawa
Youth Group at 6 PM on Sundays
Youth Group takes place on Sundays with doors opening at 5:45 PM and youth starting at 6 PM. All youth in grades 7 through 12 are welcome to join. All families need to have filled out the registration forms for Grades 7 & 8 and Grades 9-12 for the 2026-27 school year before they attend youth group.
For more information and to register your youth, please fill out the form on our website or here.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES: Time to Register!
We have resumed our Children’s Ministry program for the new school year. Please make sure to register your children. We need a new registration form each fall.
Jr Church Registration for children born 2015-2022 can be found here.
Nursery Registration for children born 2023-2026 can be found here.
Our Nursery Blessings begin their time in our nursery space with free playtime. This gives opportunity for the children to interact with one another and also for adults to connect. The children are then invited to gather on the carpet for circle time. Circle time includes songs, a story and prayer.
Chapel Lambs continue to hear the story of Adam and Eve found in Genesis 1. From the very beginning, we want the children in our care to know that God is the highest authority. God made us, He loves us, and He made us to know and love Him in return. We are, put very simply, God’s beloved children.
Our Kingdom Kids continue in the book of Exodus. God has heard the cry of His people and has sent Moses before Pharaoh, but Pharaoh will not release God’s people. God judges Egypt with plagues. The judgments are intended to show God’s power and that He—not Pharaoh and not the Egyptian gods—is the true God. God reveals His character and proves Himself greater than the gods of Egypt.
Lions of Judah continue a series on the Covenants of the Old Testament. They will continue to look at the story of Moses.
Playgroup on Wednesdays at 10 AM
Playgroup gathers from 10 AM to noon in our Nursery space. Playgroup is for babies and children born 2023-2026, and their caregivers. If you know of anyone who may like to connect with other parents or caregivers please feel free to invite them along. All are welcome!
Room at the Table on November 14
Our next Room at the Table will take place on November 14 from 4 PM to 7 PM. This is a family event for Nursery and Jr Church children and their families. We aim to share fun, fellowship, and food. We are asking that families register so we have an idea of the numbers. Registration can be found here.
Midweek Eucharist Service on Wednesdays at 12:15 PM
Join us every Wednesday as we gather for a Communion service that starts at 12:15 PM and finishes by 1 PM, that includes a brief meditation on Scripture followed by Holy Communion. All are invited.
Daily Morning Prayer on Zoom
Our online Morning Prayer gatherings meet online over Zoom, Monday through Saturday at 8 AM. Morning Prayer lasts about a half hour. We pray through the Morning Prayer service using the Book of Common Prayer, which is displayed on the computer screen.
Join by using the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/353321062?pwd=SWVKTVFyMHFhK01SU1dBdlVMYVU2Zz09
Meeting ID: 353 321 062 Passcode: 537528
Looking for Sandwich Makers, Soup Makers, and Friday Night Volunteers
Our church runs a weekly drop-in on Friday evenings from 7 PM to 9 PM called A Place To Go. This ministry gives us the opportunity to provide Christian hospitality to our neighbours in Centretown and it provides a place for food, fellowship, community, and prayer for those who may not have anywhere else to go.
We depend on a large number of volunteers to make this ministry happen. A team of about seven volunteers (different ones each week) including a team leader prepares Stiller Hall, the drinks, and the food for serving. We pray together before opening the doors at 7 PM and then serve our guests. We have a lot of fun and get plenty of exercise! We also spend time in the kitchen washing dishes, running them through the sanitizer and putting them away.
In addition to our in-person volunteers, we rely on a team of soup makers and sandwich makers. Our sandwich makers make four loaves of sandwiches at home and then drop them off at the church once a month. Sometimes, sandwich makers who live close to one other will bring one another’s sandwiches. Those making sandwiches can submit grocery receipts to the church for reimbursement.
A Place To Go is in need of people who are willing to make sandwiches once a month, make a batch of soup once a month, and who are willing to volunteer at the church from 6 PM to 9:30 PM once a month.
If you would like to learn more about A Place To Go or volunteering, please click here or contact the church office.
Meals Ministry
Do you like to cook or buy and deliver meals? Our Meal Train Ministry is looking for people to cook and deliver meals. Providing meals is a practical way of supporting others during a challenging time. It is a real blessing to receive a meal following surgery or recovering from an illness. It is also a wonderful gift to young families after the birth of a new baby. If you are interested in joining the team or learning more about this ministry, please email church office at admin@peterpaulottawa.com.
Hospitality Team
Thinking you would like to volunteer somewhere, but are afraid of making a regular commitment? The Hospitality Team may be for you!
The Hospitality Team hosts Hospitality Hours after church, receptions, potlucks, and other parish events in Stiller Hall. You are welcome to join us once a year, once in a blue moon, or every time we host an event. You are welcome even if baking is not your thing. You can set out dishes, plate cookies, put jugs of water in the fridge, bring dirty dishes into the kitchen, help load or unload the dishwasher –there are lots of different things to do. You will receive an email when there is an upcoming event, and you can respond or ignore, depending on your availability. Join the team by signing up here.
CHURCH RESOURCES
Church Office: The church office is open from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM Tuesdays through Thursdays. You can reach the office by phone at 613-235-1636 or by email at admin@peterpaulottawa.com.
Worship: We gather together for worship at 10:30 AM on Sundays, both in-person at the church and online on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/StPandPOttawa/)
Please use the Worship Guide to follow along with the service. You can join us in person at 152 Metcalfe Street.
Parking: There is a paid lot directly behind the church on Gloucester Street that offers all-day parking at a flat rate on Sundays. For street parking, please check posted signs and pay stations.
Online: Check out our Facebook page or our Youtube page for livestreams and videos of our services and other news and posts. You can listen to our Parish podcast and sermons on your favourite podcast app by searching for “peterpaulottawa” and subscribing. And there is also our website, where you can listen to our sermons and podcasts, sign up for events, and read an extended cut of the weekly parish update.
Choral Evensong Services | October 17
Our October service of Choral Evensong will be on Saturday, October 17, here at the church from 5 PM to 6 PM.
Choral Evensong is a traditional evening service of prayer, music, and scripture. It combines hymns, psalms, and anthems sung by our choir with readings from both the Old and New Testaments, creating a peaceful and reflective time of worship. The purpose of these services is to take time at the end of the busyness of our weeks for quiet reflection, helping us to pause, give thanks for the week that’s passed, and prepare our hearts for worship the next morning.
We hope you’ll join us at 5 PM on the third Saturday of each month for this beautiful, meditative experience. We look forward to sharing this sacred time with you!
Life @ St P&P Course | September 13 to October 25
We will be offering a 6-week class designed for those who are new to our parish and interested in learning more about what it means to follow Jesus in the Anglican way.
The course will begin on Sunday, September 13 at 9 AM in Stiller Hall. We will take a break on Thanksgiving Sunday, and finish up with a Luncheon on Sunday, October 25 at 12:45 PM.
This class will focus on our core values, our approach to interpreting and applying scripture, Anglican worship and discipleship and membership.
Young Adults Wednesday Potluck
Our young adults' Wednesday night potluck is back for the fall! This group is for adults in their 20s and 30s and is a chance to enjoy food and fellowship and study the Bible together. They meet from 6 PM to 8 PM on Wednesdays in the Parish library. Plan to join and bring a dish to share.
Midweek Eucharist Service
Join us for our Midweek Eucharist Services on Wednesdays at 12:15 PM. This is a spoken service and is a great way to spend some time in worship in the middle of your busy work week. Some of our major feast days (Saints' Days) are celebrated at these services. Everyone is welcome.
Ephesians Course | September 17 to December 3
On Thursdays, starting September 17 at 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Pastor Ben will be leading an 11-week course focused on Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus. Unlike many of Paul’s letters, Ephesians does not focus on any obvious pastoral issues, rather Paul gives us a big-picture view of what God has done for us in Christ, and how to live into the fullness of this new reality. The letter is a masterful work of art, made up of praise, prayers, theological statements, and practical implications for daily life.
Our time together will be a mix of teaching, discussion, and prayer. There will be light refreshments. A study guide will be provided.
The curriculum will be:
Ephesians 1:1-14 - Grace and Peace Revealed (part I) - September 17
Ephesians 1:15-23 - Grace and Peace Revealed (part II) – September 24
Ephesians 2:1-10 - Saved by Grace – October 1
Ephesians 2:11-22 - The New Humanity of Grace and Peace – October 8
Ephesians 3:1-13 - Paul’s Mission of Grace and Peace – October 15
Pastor Ben will be away October 22 at our annual Synod
Ephesians 3:14-21 - Experiencing God’s Grace and Peace – October 29
Ephesians 4:1-16 - The Goal of Grace - November 5
Ephesians 4:17-32 - Walking by Grace (part I) – November 12
Ephesians 5:1-21 - Walking by Grace (part II) – November 19
Ephesians 5:21-6:9 - Manifesting Grace in Our Relationships – November 26
Ephesians 6:10-24 - Standing Firm in the Grace and Peace of God – December 3
Men’s Breakfast | October 24
Saturday, October 24
The men of the church ages 16 and older are invited to the next Men's Breakfast on Saturday, October 24
Coffee: 8:30 AM
Breakfast: 9:00 AM (catered and included!)
Cost: $12.50
Registration deadline: Wednesday, October 21
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to admin@peterpaulottawa.com. Register using the link here or through the church website. We’d love to see you there!
Women’s Potluck Breakfast | October 31
Saturday, October 31 at 9:30 AM
The women of the parish are invited to a potluck breakfast on Saturday, October 31 at 9:30 AM. Please join us for food, fellowship, and inspiration. Please register below.
Room at the Table | November 14
Our next Room at the Table event will take place on November 14 from 4 PM to 7 PM in the Parish Hall. Dinner will be served at 5 PM. This event provides time for Jr Church and Nursery children and their families to gather together for food, fellowship and fun.