Stories of Invitation Over the last two years, we’ve been encouraging you in different ways to think about how to share your faith. And as we approach Christmas, we’ve been thinking again about reaching out. For many non-Christians, attending a traditional Christian event during the Christmas season is a very natural and attractive way to celebrate the season. So, throughout November and December, we will provide suggestions on ways you can extend invitations. We realize this will be done differently for each of us, so we’ll try to offer a wide array of suggestions. If you have ideas from your own life or that you have seen (or heard of) feel free to let us know (email brie@sjvan.org). practical suggestions to consider:
• Invite friends to an afternoon service in December (Advent Carol Service or Lessons and Carols) and go for dinner together afterwards. • Invite someone over for lunch or dinner after the service today. • Invite someone to join in your everyday tasks (eg. going for a walk or bike ride). • Invite people to join your Christmas or Christmas Eve dinner, and think through how to make them feel welcome at dinner. As you are in conversation in the next few weeks think about if they have somewhere to go – perhaps they’re not going home for Christmas, or they’re an international student. • Invite people over for an afternoon of advent crafts, baking, or gingerbread house decorating. who should i invite?
• People sitting around you at church • Neighbours • Co-workers
What’s up at St. John’s SERVICE TIMES IN DECEMBER Throughout December we will be changing to three Sunday Services: 8:00 am, 10:00 am, and 6:00 pm WELCOME TO CHRISTMAS // DEC 5 @ 10:00 AM Come and join with other women to celebrate the beginning of the Advent Season. Enjoy our free “make your own” craft fair, marketplace tables, holiday treats and sweets, and the story and songs of Christmas. Family, friends, and neighbours are welcome. Childcare will be provided for children aged 18 months to 5 years old. RSVP for childcare to jessica@sjvan.org FINANCIAL UPDATE TO NOVEMBER 17, 2019 We thank God for all of you who have generously donated to the ministries of St. John’s in 2019. Below is an offerings update: Total 2019 offering budget
$2,225,000
Offerings to November 17
$1,646,501
In order to reach our budget we will need to receive $578,499 by December 31. Last week we sent out contribution reports to all of our donors. We ask that you review them and prayerfully consider how you might help us to meet our offering budget by December 31. If you did not receive a contribution report please contact Julie Boechler at the church office, julie@sjvan.org, so that we can make sure you receive them by email. If you have any other questions about your offerings or the St. John’s budget please contact either Krista Friebel, krista@sjvan.org, or our Treasurer, Christine Klukas, who can be reached through the church office.
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KEEPING COMPANY WITH GOD // NOV 25 Are you feeling weary at the end of your day? Join us for Keeping Company with God on Monday, November 25 at 7:30 pm. We will spend time worshiping our God, who in the words of Psalm 18 is described as our rock, our strength, our deliverer, and our refuge. This 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. We will meet at St. John’s Vancouver, 5350 Baillie St.
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ADVENT CAROL SERVICE 4:30 pm
WELCOME TO CHRISTMAS 10:00 am
EXPECTING EMMANUEL 7:30 pm
EVENING CAROL SERVICE 6:00 pm
BRASS & ORGAN CONCERT 7:30 pm // Kerrisdale Presbyterian
FIRST NOEL
1:00 pm // VanDusen Garden
LESSONS & CAROLS 4:30 pm
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES 5:00 pm Contemporary Carol Service 8:00 pm Traditional Carol Service 10:00 pm Holy Communion
CHRISTMAS DAY
10:00 am Holy Communion
Calendar ADVENT CAROL SERVICE // DEC 1 @ 4:30 PM Join us as we begin the Advent season with a service of music and Scripture in order to fix our eyes on the joy of Jesus Christ. LEARNERS’ EXCHANGE Every Sunday in the Café Room at 9:00 am, Learners’ Exchange offers stimulating speakers and engaging discussions. Today // How “The Five Love Languages” by Pastor Gary Chapman can help you love your neighbour in a practical way December // no Learners’ Exchange
MONDAY, NOV 25 Little Years @ 10:45 am Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre 7:30 pm
Keeping Company with God
WEDNESDAY, NOV 27 7:20 am Men’s Bible Study
SOUP-ER SOUP!! // DEC 15
Ekklesia (18 6:30 pm to late 30s) @ UChapel
On December 15 we’ll be having Soup-er Soup Sunday after the Evening Carol Service! This is a great night to invite visitors!
7:00 pm DivorceCare
If you would like to make a pot of soup, whip up a dessert, help set-up or take-down, email Katy, katy@sjvan.org
THURSDAY, NOV 28
FRIDAY, NOV 29 10:30 am
In our Community LIGHTHOUSE ADVENT BREAKFAST // DEC 7 @ 8:30 AM Lighthouse Harbour Ministries is hosting their annual Advent Breakfast on Saturday, December 7. You are invited to join them as they celebrate the Lord’s wonderful work among seafarers. Breakfast will be at Bethany Baptist Church, 22680 Westminster Highway, Richmond. A freewill offering will be taken. To RSVP, contact Paul, 604-988-5084 or info@sealight.org.
Prayer Points Sanctuary Guild: That there are enough hands to do all the work required through Advent and Christmas.
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ESL Discussion Group
6:00 pm Youth (grades 7-12) SUNDAY, DEC 1 Matthew 20:17-34 8:00 am Holy Communion 10:00 am Holy Communion 4:30 pm
Advent Carol Service
6:00 pm Evening Prayer Learn more at sjvan.org/calendar
Christmas in Vancouver is a chaotic mix of school concerts, family reunions, last-minute shopping, large-scale cooking, and the same twelve Christmas songs in every place you go. Yet, somehow there remains a lingering longing in our culture for the “traditional Christmas,” which opens a unique opportunity for us to share the beauty and joy we have in Jesus Christ. On Saturday, December 21 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm we will be hosting First Noel at VanDusen Gardens. Children and adults are invited to join us for this special Christmas program. There will be crafts to take home, songs, three opportunities to watch a special presentation of the Christmas story, and Christmas treats! The program and crafts are ideal for children twelve and under. We’ve designed First Noel as a warm and welcoming setting to share the good news of Jesus’ birth. We hope you will consider who you could invite. Invitation cards are available in the foyer, and you can find a digital invitation on our website. If you plan to come we’d love for you to register so we can gauge how many people to expect. You will find registration on our website (sjvan.org/events), but registration is not necessary to attend. As with any large event, we need volunteers to make it happen! If you are interested in helping out on December 21 in any capacity, contact Jessica, jessica@sjvan.org. Please join us in praying for this exciting event. We hope to see you there!
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