St. John’s Vancouver Things happening in the life of our church and in our community September 15, 2019
What’s up at St. John’s A NOTE FROM THE TRUSTEES
LEARNERS’ EXCHANGE
As many of you know our Rector, David Short, suffered a concussion earlier this summer and as a result has been on medical leave for several weeks. At this point, although David had hoped to be fully recovered, he is still experiencing the effects of the concussion and will continue medical leave until October in order to facilitate a full recovery.
Every Sunday in the Café Room at 9:00 am, Learners’ Exchange offers stimulating speakers and engaging discussions.
During David’s leave our Vicar, Dan Gifford, has stepped in as the Acting Rector. Under Dan’s leadership our clergy and staff have been fully engaged in launching our fall programs and carrying on the ministries of our church. The Trustees are very thankful for Dan’s leadership and for the dedication of our entire staff during this period. Please continue to pray for David’s complete recovery and for our church during this time. We continue to trust in God’s faithfulness and daily provision for all our needs. If you have any questions, please contact either Ewan Wilding, Rector’s Warden or Joanne Sawatzky, People’s Warden through the church office. SENIORS TEA // SEPTEMBER 17 Join us on Tuesday, September 17 at 1:30 pm in the church chapel for tea and coffee. Jessica Fehr, the new Director of Children’s Ministry, will share her faith journey. Please RSVP to Margaret Wilson, margaret@sjvan.org or 778-838-7400. MEN STUDYING MATTHEW // STARTS SEPTEMBER 24 All men are welcome to register for the fall term of Bible study on Tuesday evenings at the church. We will learn, share our lives, and grow in Christ together in small groups as we study the same passages from the Gospel of Matthew as our sermon series. The term begins on Tuesday, September 24 at 7:30 pm. You are warmly invited to join us. Please register on the St. John’s men’s ministry page. ESL DISCUSSION GROUP // STARTS SEPTEMBER 27 We have a friendship group for ESL learners that provides a great opportunity to practice speaking English while learning about Canadian culture and Christianity. Please invite your friends and neighbours to our meeting on Friday, September 27 at 10:30 am. We will meet every second Friday. Dates can be found on the St. John’s website calendar. For more information contact Sandra Leskewich sandralesk@telus.net or (604) 418-7885.
Sept 15 // Harvey Guest On Authority Sept 22 // Lyn Unger Grief FLOWERS The flowers are offered today to the honour and glory of God from Margaret Yee and her family in loving memory of her parents, Laura & Jimmy Lai. KEEPING COMPANY WITH GOD // SEPTEMBER 23 Needing a place to rest and be still as the busyness of the fall season begins? Join us for Keeping Company with God: rest, reflection, and restoration at the end of the day on Monday, September 23 at 7:30 pm. This worship service is held at 7:30 pm in the Chapel, usually on the forth Monday of each month. The service includes music, a short reflection on a Bible passage, prayers from across the centuries and around the world, and if you so desire, an opportunity to be prayed with by a member of our prayer team. If you have questions, please contact Manya Egerton megerton@telus.net
Calendar MATTHEW BIBLE STUDIES Guides are now available for “The Great Wisdom of God,” our upcoming sermon series in the gospel according to Matthew. This term there will be two different guides offered: a shorter discussion guide, designed for a quick dip into the passage of the week; and a longer study guide, designed to encourage deeper reflection prior to the group meeting. The discussion guides will cost $3, and the study guides will cost $5. You can purchase them in the foyer today, from our community groups coordinator Joel Strecker.
MON, SEPTEMBER 16 Little Years (Marpole-Oakridge 10:45 am Community Centre) TUES, SEPTEMBER 17 1:30 pm Senior’s Tea WED, SEPTEMBER 18
GRIEF GROUP // STARTS OCTOBER 1 When dealing with the loss of a loved one, we often ask ourselves questions such as: How will I get through the day? Why did God let this happen? Such fears and thoughts are very real. The journey of healing, recovery, and integration is a painful yet promising one requiring patience, support, intention, and the work of the Holy Spirit. We will be facilitating a group that meets for nine sessions, to support people through their painful loss. We will look at how the Psalms can shape our knowledge and experience of God through subjects such as denial, anger, sadness, trust, and acceptance as related to grief. Please register on our website (sjvan.org/events). The cost is $15 to cover the cost of the book. If you have any questions please contact Lyn, lyn@sjvan.org DIVORCECARE // STARTS SEPTEMBER 26 Most people feel that separation and divorce are the most painful and stressful experiences they’ve ever faced. It’s a confusing time when you feel isolated and have lots of questions about issues you’ve never faced before. To help, we run DivorceCare. It is a 13-week group that helps those who are feeling the pain of separation or divorce. The group is open to anyone, not just those who attend St. John’s. If you know someone who would benefit from it, please let them know. This fall DivorceCare will happen Thursday nights at 7:00 pm, starting on Sept 26. The cost is $20, which covers the cost of the book. To take part, please register online (sjvan.org/events). If you have questions, contact Margaret, margaret,@sjvan.org, or 778-838-7400.
7:20 am Men’s Bible Study 6:30 pm
Ekklesia (18 to late 30s)
FRI, SEPTEMBER 20 Parish Retreat 6:00 pm Youth (grades 7-12) SAT, SEPTEMBER 21 Parish Retreat SUN, SEPTEMBER 22 Parish Retreat Matthew 17:1-13 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
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CATECHISM As a new batch of children begin kindergarten this Fall, I’m reminded that education is always about more than facts and figures. New knowledge is essential for a kindergartener; there’s an awful lot they don’t know! But equally important is the work of formation: how to queue up, hang their backpacks, build friendships, and use their words instead of their teeth. Teachers work to form these children in nearly every area of life, helping them to mature by thinking, relating, and acting rightly. This is a helpful picture for the aim of catechesis, which seeks to grow and mature us in Christ. Every Christian is called to “grow up into Christ” which takes a whole lifetime. Catechesis teaches us who God is (doctrine), forms us in His way of living (duty), and nourishes our ability to love and relate to God (delight). Catechism at St. John’s is a space for thoughtful engagement, questions, and growth, as we answer the question: What do Christians believe, and how do we embody these beliefs in the places we live and work, play, and pray? Or as Dr. Packer has said, “Catechism is truth to live by, and a way to live by it.” This fall at St. John’s, we will be offering three streams of catechism, at three different times, starting September 29. Please register online (sjvan.org/events) to attend any of the following classes:
9:00 am This stream is an overview course, which covers each section of the ACNA Catechism in 15 weeks, over the length of the year. Like the view from 30,000 feet, it will highlight the key landmarks and give a solid, bigpicture view of the Christian life.
11:00 am This stream is a seminar course, which seeks to move more slowly, covering the whole Catechism in two years. Like a road trip, this course gets a closer look by allowing more time for questions and exploration. This Fall it will begin by covering the Apostles’ Creed.
5:00 pm This stream interweaves the Catechism with application. Slowest of the three, we’ll camp out on each of the Ten Commandments for two whole weeks. In the first week we’ll unpack the meaning of the commandment from Scripture and the Catechism. On the following week we’ll discuss how that Commandment plays out in our lives and in our city.
As always, we welcome further questions about our Catechism program please contact Ben Roberts, ben@sjvan.org. If you are interested in being trained as a catechist, please email Bron Short, bronshort@telus.net.
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