THE COLLECT FOR ALL SAINTS’ DAY AND THE TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical Body of your Son: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, as we live among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Pastoral Reflection
By Rev. Harman Thomas
As I approached my thirteenth birthday, my dad asked several influential men in my life to write me letters marking my coming of age: congratulating me on entering manhood and charging me to become a good man. I remember the honour and responsibility their words conveyed, and how they inspired me to become a man who loved Jesus and people well.
On my birthday, my dad told me, “Harman, your mom and I have done our best to raise you to love God and others, to be a wise and good man. Until now, we’ve been your coaches, sometimes on the field, sometimes off, teaching and guiding you. But now you’ve become a young man, and we’re moving to the bleachers. We’ll always be here, cheering you on. If you ask for advice, we’ll gladly give it, but know that we’ll always support and encourage you.”
That image of being cheered on by those who have gone before us has stayed with me, and shapes how I approach All Saints’ Day. Hebrews tells us, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.” I imagine the saints in the heavenly bleachers, cheering us on as we run the race of faith, just as my parents promised to cheer me on. Generation after generation, the Church has passed down the faith, wisdom, and goodness of the Kingdom, each generation eventually joining that great cloud of witnesses. From a human perspective, the Church exists today because the saints before us passed us the torch, and now we must carry it to the next generation.
I find this both an immense honour and a profound responsibility. The saints’ unseen witness inspires me to run harder, press further, and strive with greater ardour toward “the goal of the prize of God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.” As we prepare to worship this Sunday, joining “with angels and archangels, and all the company of heaven” in giving glory to God, let us take up the torch of faith, run to win the prize, and fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, knowing that in Him we have all that we need to run the race, until we join the saints in those heavenly bleachers, and it’s our turn to cheer on the rest of the Church in her earthly pilgrimage.
UPCOMING EVENTS – Mark Your Calendars
October 31: Women’s Potluck Breakfast at 9:30 AM in Stiller Hall.
November 1: Sunday service at 10:30 AM with Jr Church. (Streamed online)
November 4: Weekday Eucharist Service at 12:15 PM.
November 4: Young Adults weekly potluck at 6 PM in the Library.
November 5: Ephesians Course at 6 PM in Stiller Hall. Register here.
November 14: Room at the Table for Jr Church families. Register here.
November 28: Lessons and Carols at 7 PM.
Our Streaming Service is Moving to YouTube This Sunday
After seven years of livestreaming our services on Facebook, this Sunday, November 1, we are switching over to livestreaming on YouTube. In addition to being a Website used by many more people, YouTube also will not delete our videos after 30 days, which Facebook began doing this year.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@PeterPaulOttawa where we have already begun posting videos of our worship services.
On November 1, we will post a link to our YouTube channel on our Facebook page so anyone looking for the service on Facebook can easily switch over to YouTube. Please bookmark our YouTube channel for easy access.
Outreach Partner Update: Bible Translation
Our outreach partners Larry and Andrea Ciccarelli work to translate the Bible into Arabic and other languages, making Scripture accessible through print, audio and video.
Their recent work includes Arabic Bible recordings and beautifully designed Scripture verses. One reader described their translation as “not just my mother tongue, but how we speak!”
Their daughter Amani is volunteering with churches in Bethlehem, encouraging Christians facing terrible conditions. Larry is translating a video into Arabic to help people in Gaza cope with trauma.
We are grateful to support Larry and Andrea’s work through our designated outreach funds. Please pray for their ministry and for the people they serve.
Steve Bell - Solo Concert - Friday, November 20 at 7:30 PM
Christian singer-songwriter Steve Bell will be in Ottawa for a concert on Friday, November 20, 7:30 PM at Ottawa Mennonite Church (1830 Kilborn Ave). It is an evening of story and song, featuring music from Steve's latest album, The Glad Surprise, as well as Steve Bell classics and favourites. Tickets $29. Visit www.stevebell.com/events for more info.
Advent Service of Lessons & Carols - Saturday, November 28 at 7:00 PM
We are excited to announce that we will be having a service of Nine Lessons & Carols this year at the church beginning at 7 PM on Saturday, November 28. Join us as we prepare our hearts for the Advent of Christ at Christmas by hearing the mighty acts of God in Scripture and singing His praise in traditional choral and congregational carols. We encourage you to invite friends and family to attend.
Annual Christmas Dinner - Friday, December 25 at 1:30 PM and 4 PM
Every year, St Peter’s and St Paul’s serves our community a feast of food and fellowship at our Christmas Day Dinner. We need many volunteers on Christmas day to make this happen. We need people to bake cookies and squares to drop off at the church on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day. We also need volunteers for our PREP TEAM to help in advance with food preparation and set up on Christmas Eve.
On Christmas Day, there will be two dinner sittings: 1:30 PM and 4 PM, and we will need servers and cooks for each, as well as a cleanup crew afterwards.
For more details and to sign up, please click here or or by going to our church website, peterpaulottwa.com and clicking on events.
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.
Ephesians Course - Thursdays at 6 PM
Pastor Ben is in the midst of leading an 11-week course focused on Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus. Our time together is a mix of teaching, discussion, and prayer. There are light refreshments. A study guide is provided. Download it here or on our website.
Please register here.
Thursday Morning Online Bible Study at 10:45 AM
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
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 begin a new series on God’s Promises. This week they will hear that because the people are trapped by sin, they do not listen to the messages God sends them. Even so, God makes a promise to rescue them from sin. He does this because He loves us and we are His beloved children.
Our Kingdom Kids continue in the book of Exodus. God has freed His people from slavery under the Egyptians, and now His glory will be known to all as He leads the people with fire and cloud to the edge of the Red Sea. By faith, the people cross on dry land as God fights for His people and rescues them from their enemy. The Israelites see the Lord’s great power, and they trust in Him.
Lions of Judah continue a series on the Covenants of the Old Testament. This week they will hear the story of David and Goliath. This story shows us what God values and how He works in the world.
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
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.
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 the 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. Check out our service this Sunday on our YouTube channel (Youtube.com/@PeterPaulOttawa).
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 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.