SERMON NOTES
What ’s up at St. John’s CELEBRATING A GIFT // DEC 9 You might think that as Christians we would get used to the idea of receiving gifts. After all, our lives and our salvation are purely gifts from God. And we use the language of “freely giving back” to God in our songs – which is not a repayment, but arises from the sense that God loves us so much, he has held nothing back from us. Yet sometimes an act of generosity should be celebrated since it produces thanksgiving to God. This is exactly what we plan to do immediately following the 10:00 am service on Sunday, December 9. We want to take time with the whole congregation to thank God for the substantial financial gift we received in 2018 from a long-time member of the congregation. We will also hear from the Trustees how we plan to use this gift to further the priorities of St. John’s. Please join us. PRACTICING ADVENT There’s more to getting ready for Christmas than just buying a tree! We’ve prepared an Advent liturgy and bible reading booklet based on our sermon series “Christ in the Carols.” Pick up a copy today. FINANCIAL UPDATE TO NOVEMBER 29 Please continue to pray for our church finances, and consider how you might use your own financial resources to further the ministries of St. John’s. Below is the offerings update up to November 29. 2018 Offerings Budget
$2,192,000
Offerings to Nov 29
$1,624,515
Total we still need to receive by December 31
$567,485
BRASS AND ORGAN CONCERT // DEC 11 Come and celebrate Christmas with the VSO Brass Quintet and organist Terry Fullerton on Tuesday, December 11 at 7:30 pm. Great music for Christmas including a piece with children in the audience playing percussion instruments. Tickets are available at the door only. Children 12 and under free.
DECEMBER EVENTS 2 Advent Carol Service 4:30 pm 6 Welcome to Worship 10:00 am 9 Evening Carol Service 6:00 pm 10 Expecting Emmanuel 7:30 pm 11 Brass & Organ Concert 7:30 pm // Kerrisdale Presbyterian Church 15 First Noel 10:00 am // 2:00 pm // 6:30 pm VanDusen Garden 16 Lessons & Carols 4:30 pm 24 Christmas Eve 5:00 pm // 8:00 pm // 10:00 pm 25 Christmas Day 10:00 am
The concert will be at Kerrisdale Presbyterian Church, 2733 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver. Get our weekly email with all events happening in our community by subscribing to the parish email list at sjvan.org
EXPECTING EMMANUEL // MONDAY, DEC 10 Expecting Emmanuel is a special Advent service on Monday, December 10 at 7:30 pm. This is the time of the year when we are often too busy. We feel the expectations and pressure of our “Happy Holiday culture” while at the same time longing to meet the Christ of Christmas. And for some of us, the burdens we carry seem to harder to bear in this season of parties and celebrating. If you’re tired, burdened or just in need of a time apart from all the hustle and bustle, a time to meet Emanuel, consider coming to Expecting Emmanuel for rest. with special music.
MONDAY, DEC 3 10:45 am Little Years TUESDAY, DEC 4 7:00 pm Women’s Bible Study 7:30 pm Men’s Bible Study WEDNESDAY, DEC 5
SENIORS CHRISTMAS COMMUNION AND LUNCH TEA
7:20 am
Join us on December 11 at 11:00 am in the church chapel for Christmas communion followed by lunch. Please RSVP to Margaret Wilson, margaret@sjvan.org or 778-838-7400.
Men’s Breakfast Bible Study
6:30 pm
Ekklesia (18 to 20-somethings)
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A TEAM TRIP TO MALAWI? St. John’s is accepting applications to join a short-term mission team trip to Malawi for the summer of 2019. Contact Krista Friebel at krista@ sjvan.org for an application form. Application deadline is today. WOMEN’S RETREAT // SAVE THE DATE Mark your calendars for a women’s retreat in the new year from February 1-3. We will be heading down to Cedar Springs Retreat Centre, just over the border from Abbotsford. Registration will open this week.
THURSDAY, DEC 6 10:00 am Welcome to Worship 10:00 am Kids @ 10 7:30 pm Choir Practice FRIDAY, DEC 7 5:45 pm Men’s Bible Study 6:00 pm Youth (grade 7-12) SUNDAY, DEC 9
In our community
Isaiah 35 8:00 am Holy Communion
CONDOLENCES
10:00 am Morning Prayer
We give thanks for the life of Colin Samson who died on November 20, 2018 at Youville in Vancouver. Please remember Colin’s family including Diane (wife) and children including Piers, Benjamin and Sandy. Colin’s funeral service will be December 6, 3:00 pm at St. John’s Church, Vancouver.
10:00 am Jr & Sr Youth Service
CHRISTMAS BOOK SALE // DEC 1 Bring your family and join us for the Regent College Christmas Book Sale on Saturday, December 1! There will be free coffee, hot chocolate, and treats for you as you browse, plus a craft corner to keep the kids occupied while you shop. There will be Christmas story readings throughout the day by James Houston, Iwan and Amanda Russell-Jones, and other Regent friends!
6:00 pm Evening Carol Service Learn more at sjvan.org/calendar
Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. Charles Wesley, 1744 What is your favourite Christmas carol? In spite of the almost complete lack of Jesus in our modern Canadian “holiday celebrations,” ask anyone this question and their face will almost certainly light up as they hear the tune of “Joy to the World” or Hark the Herald” begin to play in their head. There is a beauty and joy expressed by these carols, which touches a deep longing in each person’s heart for something or someone to shine a light into the darkness we see all around us. Our Advent series “Christ in the Carols” will pair seven of the best loved Christmas carols with a bible reading that inspired it. Because these carols are so well known, it’s easy to sing along without paying much attention to the lyrics. It’s helpful to slow down and examine the words alongside the biblical text. Through song and scripture, this series aims to proclaim the gospel we have received in Jesus. As our hearts are lifted up in worship, we also pray that visitors will hear the message of hope that is good news of great joy for all people. The carols we sing during Advent are like “waiting songs” that turn our hearts and minds away from the tinsel and traffic of commercial Christmas towards the One who satisfies our longings. As Christians, we live in an in-between time: the now and the not yet between Jesus Christ’s first and last coming. Our location in this in-between time places us in the midst of much darkness and the constant signals that all is not well in our sin-soaked world. Christian carols are not sentimental; rather they boldly respond to this tension with the unwavering assurance that Jesus “rules the world with truth and grace,” and will come again as Judge and King over all. Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus! Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above! Glory to God, glory in the highest: O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord. John Francis Wade (1711-1786) St. John’s Vancouver Offices: 2325 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6J 3J2 | Phone: 604.558.4400 | stjohnsvancouver.org Stay informed: facebook.com/stjohnsvancouver | Engage with each other: facebook.com/groups/stjohnsvancouver