St. John’s Vancouver Things happening in the life of our church and in our community August 25, 2019
What’s up at St. John’s A NOTE OF THANKS FROM DAVID SHORT I have been off work recovering from a concussion I received earlier in the summer. Thank you for your understanding and prayers. While some symptoms persist, I am feeling stronger and I plan to make a gradual return to work in September. LIFE EXPLORED INFO SESSION // SEPT 7 This spring we hosted an informational session in order to learn a little bit more about Life Explored, the evangelism program that we’re beginning to use as a church. We’ll be hosting a second session on September 7, with the same trainer, as we prepare to roll out Life Explored in October. Whether you are curious about the program, or have already been through it once with us this spring, this session will provide a helpful context to explore content, and to work through questions you might still have about how to make the most of Life Explored. The session will be held in the Cedar Room at VanDusen Garden, from 8:30 am-1:30 pm. Coffee, snacks, and lunch will be provided. If you’d like to attend please register online. ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BEING PART OF A WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY IN THE FALL? This fall there we will be offering morning and evening small groups for women! Our evening program will be meeting Wednesday nights at the church office beginning later in September. Our Thursday morning study will begin September 12 with a welcome brunch. Kids@10 will continue to run alongside this Thursday morning study for children from 18 months – 5 years old. If you are interested in being part of a group please register online soon (sjvan.org/women) as these groups fill up quickly. Any questions? Email kimberley@sjvan.org. DO YOU KNOW OF A JOB OPENING? Earlier this year the Abdul Satar family, the refugee family we sponsor, was able to move to Vancouver. In the past months, Farhad, Homa and their children Marve (8) and Arsham (4) have begun to settle well, all things being considered. At the moment Farhad is eager to work and is looking for full-time work in the day so he can attend English classes in the evening. If you know of possible employment for Farhad, a former soldier with basic English skill, please contact Owen Underhill, underhil@sfu.ca.
SUNDAY SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Do you love children? Are you passionate about sharing the Gospel? If so, the Children’s Ministry team is looking for volunteers to join our Sunday school team. No experience necessary. If you’re interested email Jessica, jessica@sjvan.org for more information. IF IT’S BROKEN AND / OR SHARP... If you happen to break glass or have something with sharp corners that needs disposing, please do not put it in the garbage bins at church. We don’t want someone to get hurt when dealing with the garbage. Instead of putting it in the garbage, set it aside and let Marion know.
Calendar MON, AUGUST 26 7:00 pm
Youth hang out @ Locarno Beach
WED, AUGUST 28 6:30 pm
Ekklesia (18 to 20-somethings)
SUN, SEPTEMBER 1 2 Kings 2:1-14 8:00 am Holy Communion 10:00 am
Family Service Holy Communion
6:00 pm Evening Prayer LEARN MORE AT SJVAN.ORG/CALENDAR
Prayer Points 1. Please pray for people who will attend DivorceCare in the fall. Pray that they will see how Jesus not only helps the broken hearted but give us the hope and grace of the gospel. 2. Pray that Farhad will find full-time work that will allow him to also study English. 3. Pray that we at St. John’s would be convinced that the gospel is good news and brings new life; and that we would have the desire to share Jesus with others.
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Prayer Stories We all know the importance of prayer, yet for many of us, it can feel as though there isn’t enough time in the day to sit down, quiet our minds, and pray. Through these Prayer Stories, we hope you will be encouraged to set aside time for prayer and to remember where you see God at work in your life. This week’s story was written by Caroline Ratsoy. Caroline and her family attend the 11:00 am service. She is involved in the prayer and morning coffee teams and attends W@10. In my teenage bedroom hung a large plaque of a young girl on her knees praying. The caption read “Prayer changes things.” I looked at it often, and it reminded me of how the Lord was never far away and how he cared about even the smallest details of my life. At thirteen, I experienced great fear upon learning that the spine surgery I required could mean paralysis and a host of other possible side effects. I know God heard my cries as I prayed that he would allow me to be braced instead of having the surgery. But instead of granting that request, he gave me the gift of knowing He was with me. His perfect peace powerfully filled me, replacing the fear. He answered prayers in so many other ways that let me know He was present. I learned I could call out to him for help with even the most basic of my body’s physical needs and functions. I was not paralyzed from the surgery but affected by other complications, including a nicked lung and infection which prolonged my hospitalization at Vancouver Hospital. I was isolated from my family in Northern BC, and my prayer life began at this point. I began to know, deep in my being, that my Heavenly Father’s love was with me everywhere and for always. I came to realize that I could cast my cares on Him in prayer because He genuinely cared for me. This experience helped me love and look to the Lord in ways I had never done before, understanding that He was with me in my fear and loneliness. As one of my favourite scripture verses reminded me then and still does now, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4.
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