Who we are:

Church address:
5350 Baillie Street
Vancouver, BC
(on 37th Ave between Cambie and Oak)

Church office address:
2325 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC V6J 3J2
604.558.4400

St John's Vancouver Anglican Church is a community of Christians dedicated to the exposition and teaching of the Word of God, to the spreading of the good news of the Gospel at home and abroad, and to the application of God's purpose in our own lives and families.

 

News > 2008 Parish Life Notes > 08.01.27 Parish Life

Jan 27, 2008

Dear Friends,

One of the most quoted truisms about the church is that “the church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum (or hotel) for saints.” It nicely captures a very precious truth: that we are all sick with sin and very much need the healing power of God’s grace and the medicine of the gospel. It should not come as a shock to you that churches are full of hypocrites and sinners and there are no perfect churches because there are no perfect people.

Some churches convey an image of being a school, or a gymnasium, where there is lots of learning and sweat and body building. Others project an image of an establishment, an institution, a club with intentionally mysterious rules for keeping those at the centre secure. Still others resemble an entertainment complex, a shopping mall which caters to our every need.

Jesus was often criticized for mixing with the wrong kind of people. In response he simply said: “those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Of course the devastating irony of Jesus’ words is that none in fact are righteous, only self-righteous and they cannot see their need. But Jesus loves to be among the sick, those who are sinners.

So it is no surprise that the church forms itself into a hospital around this divine physician, as a place for those who are wounded, weak, and wicked. The welcome offered is so important, because some come traumatized and others not really understanding the depth of their sickness. Other come regularly, completely unconvinced of the effectiveness of the medicine, or of their need for a physician. Some need direct intervention, and all who come, including those who work at the hospital, need long term treatment and therapy.

Receiving the medicine of the gospel changes us into care-givers, and each church then becomes a training hospital to extend the care and love of Jesus, so that it becomes known round about that if you are really sick, the church is the first place you should go.

Warmly,
David Short

Anglican Essentials Canada. Hot off the press are the next three issues in the Anglican Agenda Series. They will be on sale in the Trendell Lounge today after the 9 am service.

Want to watch the DVD and don’t have a player?
The DVD, A Crossroads: St. John’s and the Anglican Realignment will be shown at 11 am in Room 100 today. We will also set the DVD up to run while Town Hall meetings are taking place, so that you could come and watch the DVD one day and attend a Town Hall meeting another day.

The Annual Vestry Meeting (the annual general meeting) of the Parish will take place on Wednesday, February 13th at 7:30 pm in the Church. Sign in will begin at 6:45 pm. You are considered to be a member of the parish if you have been baptized, are 16 years of age or older, attend Sunday services regularly, have had your name on the parish list for at least 3 months, and are not a member of any other Anglican parish in the Diocese of New Westminster.

The Town Hall meetings are scheduled to be in the Trendell Lounge on the following dates:
Monday, January 28th, 5:30 pm
Tuesday, January 29th, 7 pm
Sunday, February 3rd, 1 pm

Rides and Drivers to the Vestry Meeting. If you would like a ride to the Annual Vestry Meeting or could drive someone, please phone the church receptionist and leave your name.

Ministry to Children and Families.
Interested in contributing to a discussion as to the shape of the year at St. John’s with regard to special events. Join us tomorrow, Monday, January 28th, in the library from 4:30 to 5:30 pm or from 7 to 8 pm. Please register today, indicating which meeting you plan to attend (ruthf(at)stjohnsshaughnessy(dot)org). Letters with details can be picked up in the Lower Hall this morning.

Spots open in Children’s Choir. The St. John’s Children’s Choir has spots available for children who wish to join. This choir is open to children aged 7 and older who are independent readers. We rehearse Monday afternoons from 4:30-5:30 pm. Contact Amber Salladin with any questions
and to register your child at amber(dot)salladin(at)gmail(dot)com or 319-6048.

Connections - Hospitality Ministry. Do you want to get to know other people at church? Are you finding it challenging to connect with new people at St. John's? Connections is a way to get to know new people or connect with old friends by sharing a light lunch with 6 or 8 others in a host-family's home. You will meet with them after the Sunday services on Feb. 24 and March 30. How do you get involved? We will have a registration table after the morning services next Sunday in the Trendell Lounge or call Jan at the church office (ext 28).

Living Waters Parent Support Group. A new session of the Parent’s Support Group for parents whose kids are struggling with or in the gay lifestyle will be beginning in February. It meets once a month and continues for 14 months. This Christ-centred group is facilitated by a Living Waters staff member and is open to all Christian parents in the greater Vancouver area. If interested contact the LW office at 301-1470 or at lwc(at)livingwaterscanada(dot)org. If you have questions, please contact Manya Egerton at 261-7785 or megerton(at)telus(dot)net.

Noon hour Bible study at St. John’s – (12-1:15 pm). What do you normally do at lunch-time on a Tuesday? Swimming or fitness training or eating and drinking at the club? In Room 100 at the church you can bring your healthy, meager lunch, enjoy friendship and fellowship while munching and engage in spiritual fitness training by considering God’s word and His purpose for our lives. This spring (February 19th, March 4th and 18th and April 1st, 15th and 29th) we will be exploring how Jesus made use of the Scriptures of His day (our Old Testament) and attempting to apply His approach in our own lives. If you would like more information, please contact Jan Hobbis at Jan(at)sjvan(dot)org or phone ext. 28.

St. John’s Seniors Tea will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 29th at 1:30 pm in the Trendell Lounge. Edie Rittinger will speak to us about her recent trip to Afghanistan. If you need a ride, please call the church office.