St. John’s Vancouver Things happening in the life of our church and in our community September 29, 2019
What’s up at St. John’s CATECHISM // STARTS TODAY
LEARNERS’ EXCHANGE
This week Catechism begins, now offered at three services, all with slightly different flavours! Not sure Catechism is for you? Feel free to join us for a taster as we start up the term.
Every Sunday in the Café Room at 9:00 am, Learners’ Exchange offers stimulating speakers and engaging discussions.
ON THE MENU 9:00 am (Library) We start at the very beginning. What is the Gospel and how do we respond to it?
11:00 am (Café) The Trinity. We will begin a series on the Apostle’s Creed starting with this foundational doctrine.
5:00 pm (Chapel) We will start our series on the Ten Commandments and what they mean for how we live today in Vancouver. GRIEF GROUP // STARTS OCTOBER 1 When dealing with the loss of a loved one, there are often many questions that arise. 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, using the Psalms To participate register on our website (sjvan.org/events). The cost is $15 to cover the cost of the book. If you have any questions contact Lyn, lyn@sjvan.org. CONDOLENCES Sandra Clarke passed away on September 13. She worked in the St. John’s office for 15 years as the bookkeeper. Sandra was a stalwart Sanctuary Guild member, and often helped to decorate the church for Christmas. Please pray for her children, Alan, John, and Hillary as they grieve her loss. Funeral arrangements will be announced. CONDOLENCES Merv Hanson passed away September 17. He was a long-time member of St. John’s and was part of leadership within the church. Please pray for his wife, Kathleen, and children, Jennifer and Stephen and their families, as they mourn his passing.
Sept 29 // David Falk Egypt in the Eyes of an Egyptologist October 6 // Jeff Greenman The Anglican Liturgy pt.2 SUNDAY SCHOOL PARENTING SERIES Join us for a three-part series led by registered social worker and parent consultant Rebecca Janke. The workshops are grounded in developmental and attachement theory as well as neuroscience. They will happen on Oct 27, Nov 24, and Jan 26. For more information and to register visit the events page online. WELCOME TO WORSHIP // OCT 3 @ 10:00 AM Welcome to Worship is a monthly gathering for the women of our city. Bring along your friends and neighbours for a morning of fellowship, music, teaching, prayer, and some quiet. We hope you’ll join us! Email women@sjvan.org if you have any questions.
In our Community RIDE FOR REFUGE // OCT 5 Each year members of our congregation participate in the Ride for Refuge, which supports our partners in refugee assistance, Kinbrace Refugee Housing and Journey Home. This year Andrew Baylis is leading our team fundraising for Kinbrace and Laura Brook is leading our team fundraising for Journey Home.
Calendar MONDAY, SEPT 30 Little Years @ 10:45 am Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre TUESDAY, OCT 1
You can support the teams by either donating or joining the team. Below is contact information for each of the teams.
7:30 pm Grief Group
Andrew: andrew.j.baylis@gmail.com (778) 887-1451 Laura: laura@journeyhomecommunity.ca (604) 612-6930
7:20 am Men’s Bible Study
UPDATE ON SIRIWARDANA (SIRI) MANAWADUGE Many of the St. John’s family is familiar with the long, often taxing, immigration journey of Sri Lankan refugee Siri Manawaduge. His story began with an unanticipated entry into Canada in 2008 as a seafarer aboard a ship that was diverted to Delta Port because of a fire. Personal safety issues related to national turmoil in his native country at that time moved Siri to make a refugee claim to remain in Canada. Many twists and turns in the immigration process occurred with the result that his application was changed to a humanitarian and compassionate one. Much prayer for Siri and support came from the congregation St. John’s over the course of the last ten years while he waited on a decision regarding his status in Canada. The waiting is now over. On August 21, to the great joy of many, Siri was approved for permanent residency in Canada. Plans are being made to possibly bring his wife and thirteen year old daughter to Canada. Thank you to all at St. John’s who stood behind Siri. All glory be to God!
Prayer Points
areas to pray
Small Groups: Pray that our community groups would be places of earnest discipleship. Pray for the foundation of new groups in our parish, and that Christian fellowship would be a central rhythm in our life together. Catechism: Please pray that all those participating in catechism this fall would grow in Christ through this ministry and that as we are grounded in knowing him, we would live out his love as we live and work, play and pray.
WEDNESDAY, OCT 2
6:30 pm
Ekklesia (18 to late 30s)
THURSDAY, OCT 3 7:00 pm DivorceCare FRIDAY, OCT 4 Senior Youth Fall Retreat 6:00 pm Youth (grades 7-12) SATURDAY, OCT 5 Senior Youth Fall Retreat SUNDAY, OCT 6 Senior Youth Fall Retreat Matthew 18:1-14 7:30 am Holy Communion 9:00 am Holy Communion 11:00 am Holy Communion 6:00 pm Evening Service 7:00 pm Soup Sunday LEARN MORE AT SJVAN.ORG/CALENDAR
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A LIFE EXPLORED INVITATION THAT WENT A BIT SIDEWAYS by Krista Friebel I had a person in mind that I wanted to invite to the Life Explored sessions beginning October 8. I had been praying for courage to speak, and for God to open the heart of the person I was inviting. Finally, last weekend I had the perfect opportunity to extend an invitation. The conversation segued seamlessly into issues of faith, and belief in a Supreme God, but as the discussion progressed it became clear that this person was not open to considering faith in God much less coming to 7-weeks of Life Explored. This is not the end of the conversation and I believe God will give me other opportunities with this person. As you have heard about and considered Life Explored, I wonder what some of your stories are. Perhaps:
• Like me, you’ve started talking about faith with people who aren’t ready for something like Life Explored. • You’ve invited people who have said, “Thanks, but no thanks.” • You’d like to invite people, but you aren’t sure about Life Explored, wondering, “What if I take a chance and bring someone to something really lame?” • You need to be encouraged and strengthened in reaching out to others with the good news of God. • Or maybe you’re bringing 10 friends and you just haven’t gotten around to registering.
Whatever your story is, we invite you to take part in Life Explored this fall. It will be an ongoing program that we run at St. John’s, and we would like you to experience it. If you want to know more there will be a table in the foyer after the service with more information and someone who can answer any questions you have. If you’d like to take part in Life Explored please register online, sjvan.org/events.
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