SERMON NOTES
What ’s up at St. John’s REFUGEE FAMILY St. John’s Afghan refugee sponsorship family are expected to arrive from India in the new year. In preparation, we are looking for two bedroom housing at a moderate cost for this family of four for February or March. Our hope is to house them within the general vicinity of East Vancouver, Central Vancouver, or Burnaby. If you have any leads, please contact Owen Underhill, Chair of the Refugee Committee, at underhil@sfu.ca GIVING ENVELOPES The 2019 giving envelopes will be available for pick up at the back of the church. If you regularly give please pick up your box of envelopes. If you give online, it would be helpful if you picked up your box and recycled them.
ST. JOHN’S TRUSTEES 2019 NOMINATING COMMITTEE The Nominating Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2019 St. John’s Board of Trustees. The Trustees are responsible for setting the vision and providing overall governance at St. John’s. If you know someone who would be suitable for this position of leadership please contact our People’s Warden, Joanne Sawatzky at jmccran@gmail. com by January 15, 2019.
If you would like envelopes please contact Jo at staff@sjvan.org. CONDOLENCE
FINANCIAL UPDATE TO DECEMBER 16 We are very grateful for the generosity that has been shown by so many in giving to the ministries of St. John’s throughout 2018. Each gift received is invested in God’s Kingdom and will surely bear good fruit. As you know, each year we receive a significant amount of our annual giving in December and this year is no different with the exception that the pace of giving this year is running behind that of recent years. We are trusting God to provide for all our financial needs in 2018 and ask that you prayerfully consider how you might help us to fully meet our budget this year.
We give thanks for the life of Mike Grinvalds, a member of the Evening Service, who died on December 6, 2018 in Whiterock. Please remember Mike’s family in your prayers including Sue (wife), and children John and Holly. The funeral will take place on January 18 at 2:00 pm at St. John’s Vancouver.
If you have any questions about our finances please contact one of our Trustees through the church office, or Krista Friebel, Director of Church Operations. 2018 Offerings Budget
$2,192,000
Offerings to Dec 16
$1,873,113
Total we still need to receive by December 31
$318,887
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Calendar
In our Community MISSIONS FEST 2019 // JAN 18-20 Missions Fest Vancouver is a weekend event for everyone. You’re invited to come for an hour, a day, or the whole weekend. This year the focus is discipling: the process that we’re all called into as children of God. Discipling flows out of our deepening experience of abiding in Jesus (John 15:1-18). It’s exciting because it’s a journey towards abundant life in Jesus that we’re on, and that we can help others on, too. Missions Fest will be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre East, 999 Canada Place. General Admission is free, but registration is required.
MONDAY, DEC 24 5:00 pm
Family Christmas Eve Service
8:00 pm
Christmas Eve Service
Holy Communion 10:00 pm Christmas Eve Service TUESDAY, DEC 25 10:00 am
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS Friday, January 4, 2:00 pm – St. Hilda’s (5838 Barnacle St, Sechelt) Saturday, January 5, 2:00 pm – Sts. Joachim & Ann (2827 - 273rd St, Aldergrove) Saturday, January 5, 7:00 pm – St. Patrick’s (2881 Main St, Vancouver) Come experience the fullness of Christmas with a concert of beautiful choral and organ music. From the sounds of Palestrina and J.S. Bach to favourites by Sir David Willcocks and a new arrangement by Canadian composer Sarah MacDonald, join MOTET Chamber Choir as we celebrate this most wonderful time of year and take you on a musical journey to Epiphany. Admission by donation. All ages warmly welcomed. For more information visit motet.ca
Holy Communion Christmas Service
SUNDAY, DEC 30 1 Corinthians 1:17-31 8:00 am Holy Communion 10:00 am Morning Prayer 6:00 pm Holy Communion Learn more at sjvan.org/calendar
CHRISTMAS EVE
Our Christmas Eve services are for everyone. You don’t need to have experience in church or believe in God to attend. During the service we will sing carols, and hear a sermon—feel free to participate as much or little as you’d like. 5:00 pm // Family Friendly Carol Service A service for families with young children. 8:00 pm // Christmas Eve Carols Service with Treats This service is for all ages with Christmas treats between the 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm services. 10:00 pm // Holy Communion Service Our traditional Christmas Eve service.
CHRISTMAS DAY
10:00 am // Holy Communion
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