News

Discovering Christ presents DC2 Building Foundations

This course meets for 6 weeks every Tuesday night at 7:15 pm in the Trendell Lounge. DC2 is designed particularly for those new to the Christian faith or those still investigating. This is a warm, pressure-free environment to explore some of the foundations of Christianity. Watching video clips and looking at classical artwork are some of the ways we will study a variety of topics including an overview of Church history, a survey of the Bible, prayer, and tips on understanding ‘Christianese’.

Those new to St. John’s are also particularly encouraged to attend. Please register by emailing Aaron Roberts or by phoning the church office at 604.731.4966 ext 22. The next course begins Sep 23 and there is no fee for attendance.

Learners' Exchange

Sep 7 at 9:00 am: Learners’ Exchange begins. All are welcome to attend. Rev. Dr. J.I. Packer will be speaking on GAFCON. For a complete list of upcoming topics please see the Learner's Exchange page or contact Bill Chandler, 604.987.5445

Ordination

Sunday, Sep 7 at 3:30 pm: Please keep Artizo grad, The Rev. Josh Wilton and his wife, Katie, in your prayers. God willing, Bishop Sandy Greene will be ordaining Josh to the priesthood at Lynn Valley Full Gospel Church (1160 East 29th Street, North Vancouver). If you are free, you would be most welcome to join in the celebration.

Wednesday Morning Men’s Bible Study

Men, come to the kitchen for breakfast on Sep 10 at 7:20am and the start of our weekly study on Luke. All are welcome.

Women @ 10

Thursday, Sep 11: Women @ 10 will begin its fall term with a morning brunch. We start the brunch program at 10 am and childcare is available. We will be studying the gospel of Luke, following the sermon series. Study guides will be available to purchase for $15 on the brunch morning or through the church office. As preparation for the series, don’t miss the Luke Day on Saturday, Sep 13 (read more). We look forward to seeing you soon and newcomers are warmly welcome to join us. Enquiries about Women @ 10 can be made to Jan Hobbis, ext 28 or via email.

Luke Teaching Day

On Saturday, Sep 13 from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm, plan to come to a day of teaching by David Short on the gospel of Luke. David will give us an overview of Luke, the big themes, and also some tools to help us in our studies throughout the term. These teaching days fill up early and there is limited seating! Pre-registration is required. There is a cost of $15, which includes a lovely lunch. There will be a registration table in the Trendell Lounge both this Sunday and next. For more information call Jan Hobbis at 604.731.4966 ext 28 or by email.

Central Focus

Tuesday, Sep 16 at 7:15 pm: Central Focus will begin for the fall term. The first evening will be an introduction to the Gospel of Luke, and registration. Throughout the year we'll meet in the Trendell Lounge in small groups. Newcomers are most welcome! For more information call Jan at the church office, ext 28 or email.

Home Groups

Most of our home Bible study groups are starting up in the next few weeks. We have a new group starting for young singles/couples living/working in the UBC area. There are also small groups in other areas of the city and Lower Mainland. If you are interested in being in a group please call Jan at the church office, ext 28 or email.

Tuesday Noon Bible Study

Sep 30 at 12:00 pm: Tuesday Noon Bible study will begin. Watch for details soon, and check the calendar.

Liveword Women’s Conference

Mark your calendars now and register for the women’s conference on Saturday October 18. We invite you and women from churches throughout the Lower Mainland to attend a day of solid teaching and great music, as three speakers (Carolyn Hindmarsh, Marion Maxwell, and Polly Long) teach from the Psalms. Brochures are available in the church and on the reception desk. For more details visit our website under Special Events or contact Jan Hobbis at the church office, 604.731.4966 ext 28 or by email

Welcome Lunch

If you are new to St. John’s, we would like to get to know you! Please join us for our welcome lunch after the 11:00 am service in the Trendell Lounge on September 21. You can register by emailing or by calling the church office at 604.731.4966.

New to the Evening Service?

If you’ve recently come to St. John’s and want to hear more about the church and especially the Evening Service, we have just the thing for you! After the Evening Service on Sunday, Sep 28, you are invited to a dessert and tea/coffee in room 100. You will meet some of the people connected with that service and ways you can connect. Any questions, please email Manya Egerton or phone 604.261.7785.

Childcare Needed

Children's Choir

Were you surprised when your child enjoyed singing in the Christmas choir? This musical opportunity might be just right for your family. The fourth season of the St. John’s Children’s Choir begins Monday, September 15 from 4:30 - 5:30 pm. Open to children aged 7 and up who are independent readers. The St. John’s Children’s Choir learns to read music and sing properly, while serving the body of Christ at both St. John’s Shaughnessy and St. John’s Richmond. Contact Amber Salladin for more information, 604.319.6048.

Parish Announcements

Flowers. The flowers on the Credance Table are dedicated in praise and thanksgiving of God by Constant and Kallen Leung who were married here yesterday. Please keep them in your prayers.

Community News

Living Waters. This 24 week program will begin on Tuesday, Oct 7, 2008 at Tenth Avenue Alliance Church (at the corner of 10th and Ontario). This is a Christ centered discipleship ministry that deals specifically with relational and sexual brokenness. The program involves worship, teaching and small group prayer. Email or call the Living Waters office at 604.301.1470 for more information, or to apply. Space is limited. Questions? Call or email Manya Egerton 604.261.7785. All enquiries are confidential.

Bible Study Fellowship. Want to be part of an enriching Bible study? Join BSF (an inter-denominational Bible Class) to study the Life of Moses. We meet at St. John’s on Wednesday, 9:20-11:20 am. Introduction class on Sep 10 & 17 and the first Wednesday of every month (no child care on introduction days). If you need more information please contact: www.bsfinternational.org.

Arthur Turner Training School. The Arctic Fellowship is hoping to continue support of the ATTS in the Diocese of the Arctic, through your donations of stamps. Thank you to all who already give. For further information please call Grace Turner at 604.872.6031.

Dear Friends,

As we begin our fall term we want to dedicate ourselves to something larger than ourselves and our pleasure. In Luke’s gospel Jesus reveals that he has come to seek and to save the lost — as the friend and saviour of sinners. This is who we are and you are very welcome.

You will know from media reports that two weeks ago the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster invoked Canon 15 against two Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC) congregations, St. Matthew's Abbotsford and St. Matthias-St. Luke Vancouver. This is disappointing, particularly in the light of our repeated offers to seek mediation, the recent Lambeth conference, and our desire for reconciliation within the boundaries of Anglican theology and teaching as defined by the Anglican Instruments of Unity. Canon 15 means the parish bank accounts of the two churches have been frozen and the Diocese is claiming to have appointed new Trustees. Both parishes continue to operate through ANiC and to date the Diocese has not locked the parishes out or sought to disrupt their services.

We expect the Diocese to consider the same action in the near future against us and against the Church of the Good Shepherd in Vancouver. Please check this website regularly for information and update those that don't have internet access.

Our trustees have been in very close consultation with our legal counsel and with the other ANiC parishes in BC and the leadership of the Network nationally to protect the parish ministry and parish assets.

It is very important for us to dedicate ourselves to the joy of following Christ, trying to love him and show that he is the saviour of the world. The fall brochure included in this bulletin gives you some idea of how you can be involved and I want to ask you to particularly remember your leaders in prayer in the next few weeks. We are very fortunate to have the leaders we have and need wisdom, grace and clarity, now as always.

David