St. John’s Vancouver Things happening in the life of our church and in our community March 17, 2019
What’s up at St. John’s LIFE EXPLORED TRAINING
LEARNERS’ EXCHANGE
Life Explored is a course designed to share how our deepest longings as humans are fulfilled in relationship with God. Through a seven-part series, groups are led into an encounter with the best gift God has ever given: Jesus Christ.
Every Sunday in the Café Room at 9:00 am, Learners’ Exchange offers stimulating speakers and engaging discussions.
Life Explored is sending a trainer to help us run the program well. If you would like training on how to lead Life Explored, please register below. As we need to order materials for the training day, registration will close on April 5.
March 17 // Cindy Aalders John Bunyan’s Book for Boys and Girls (1686)
GAFCON QUARTERLY Gafcon has started to publish a quarterly newsletter which highlights what is happening within Gafcon and the Anglican Communion worldwide. The first edition includes reports, including one about the new General Secretary, and another on the work of the nine strategic networks that were launched at the conference in Jerusalem last year. Copies of Gafcon Quarterly can be picked up in the foyer.
SENIORS MINISTRY // MARCH 19 Join us on Tuesday, March 19 at 1:30 pm in the church chapel for tea and coffee. Jim and Annette Ferguson will be sharing about their first trip to Israel and how they discovered “It Really Happened.” RSVP Margaret Wilson, margaret@sjvan.org or 778-838-7400.
LENT DEVOTIONAL We have prepared a devotional for the season of Lent, which includes morning and evening prayers and Bible readings for each day. Practicing Lent can be picked up in the foyer. An electronic copy can also be found
GET OUR WEEKLY EMAIL WITH ALL EVENTS HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY BY SUBSCRIBING TO THE PARISH EMAIL LIST AT SJVAN.ORG
In our Community CELEBRATION OF LIFE // MARGE FRIESEN The Celebration of Life for Marge will be held at Peace Portal Alliance Church (15128 27B Avenue, Surrey BC V4P 1P2) on Monday April 29 at 2:00 pm. Please pray for Benno, their two daughters, grandchildren, and many others who will face the days ahead without Marge, who is now beyond the suffering she experienced over the past several years.
Calendar MONDAY, MAR 18 10:45 am Little Years TUESDAY, MAR 19 1:30 pm Senior’s Tea WEDNESDAY, MAR 20
MARTYRS, MONKS, AND MYSTICS // VISIT ITALY
7:20 am
Join Bruce and Carolyn Hindmarsh for a once in a lifetime trip in Italy. The journey will begin in ancient Rome, end in Renaissance Florence, and trace the development of Christian life through the centuries.
Men’s Breakfast Bible Study
6:30 pm
Ekklesia (18 to 20-somethings)
Through art and architecture, learn about and witness the transformation of Christianity from a persecuted sect to the centrepiece of high medieval civilization. Regent College is offering this trip a class for credit or audit. For more details, the itinerary, and to register, visit regent-college.edu/summer/ courses/enroute. LIFE ON THE MARGINS // A WORKSHOP AT JACOB’S WELL Fri, March 22 (7:00-9:30 pm) and Sat, March 23 (10:00 am-4:00 pm) Join Jacob’s Well, a parachurch community in the Downtown Eastside, for a two day workshop talking about charity, justice, and sharing life with people living on the margins of society. We’ll examine stories from the Bible and share our experiences from life in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. Register before March 15 at www.jacobswell.ca/workshops. The cost is $35. Saturday lunch will be included. THE ROSARY PROJECT: JOYFUL MYSTERIES March 23, 3:00 pm, St Mary’s, Gibsons (956 Gibsons Way) March 24, 3:00 pm, Our Lady of Mercy, Burnaby (7455 - 10th Avenue) In anticipation of the Feast of the Annunciation, MOTET chamber choir presents The Rosary Project: Joyful Mysteries. This afternoon of beautiful and reflective music will guide listeners through the joyful mysteries of the rosary. Come to listen, to meditate, and to pray, as MOTET sings the prayers of the Church as realised by composers through the ages. No admission will be charged for this event; however, a retiring collection will be taken to help cover associated costs. Visit www. facebook.com/MusicaeOpus/ for more information.
THURSDAY, MAR 21 7:30 pm Choir Practice FRIDAY, MARCH 22 10:30 am
ESL Discussion Group
SUNDAY, MAR 24 Matthew 15:1-20 7:30 am Holy Communion 9:00 am Morning Prayer 11:00 am Morning Prayer 6:00 pm Evening Service LEARN MORE AT SJVAN.ORG/CALENDAR
PREPARATIONS FOR THE ARRIVAL OF OUR AFGHAN REFUGEE FAMILY The Abdul Satar family – father Farhad, mother Homa, eight-year-old daughter Marve and three-year-old son Arsham – will arrive in Vancouver close to the end of April. We are thankful that God is watching over our sponsored refugee family and the application and immigration process, and we are now busy as a Church with preparations. This is an anxious time for them, so we ask for your continued prayers for the transition. The family was forced to flee from Afghanistan in 2013 due to their conversion to Christianity and religious persecution and have been living in New Delhi since that time in precarious circumstances. There are a variety of ways that you can help: As part of our obligations under the Community Refugee Sponsorship Fund Raising program, we will support the family for one year, covering the costs of
their housing, household, and all living expenses. As a result, we invite you to prayerfully consider whether you can support the family through a donation to St. John’s Vancouver Church. You can contribute (1) through the website by clicking on the Refugee Fund button on the giving page, or (2) put a cheque in the offering plate with “Refugee Fund” marked on the cheque or envelope.
We are seeking an affordable two-bedroom apartment, preferably in the Housing and east Vancouver area, for May 1 or thereabouts. If you have any leads on please contact Owen Underhill at underhil@sfu.ca or Jonathan Household needs housing, Baylis at jonathan@baylis.ca The Refugee Committee and Welcome Group have formed a group Relational and of approximately 15 members who will walk with the family over the year and support them with companionship and specific needs. Practical Support upcoming Should you have an interest in making a specific contribution, please contact Jonathan or Owen.
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