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St John's Vancouver Anglican Church, Vancouver 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 > 08.05.25 Parish Life

May 25, 2008

Dear Friends,

It has been a huge privilege to be in Vancouver and part of St. John’s for the past four weeks. I have loved every minute of my time in your city and being involved in the life of your church.

Your city is one of spectacular beauty. Every time I see the mountains I stop and wonder at the handiwork of our Lord God and have been reminded that “the heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (Psalm 19:1).

Your church is an amazing testimony to the grace of God and to your willingness to conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel; to stand firm in one spirit and contend as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. (See Paul’s exhortation to the Philippians in 1:27-28.) We in Sydney (Australia) praise God for you and will continue to uphold you.

I want to urge you to:

  1. Cherish your staff team. They are amazingly gifted and completely dedicated to serving Jesus as they serve St. John’s. Some are (understandably) a little tired right now. I encourage you to see that they get a proper break over the summer. That may mean some of you stepping up and helping out where you can.
  2. Press on in faithfulness to the gospel and the Scriptures, no matter the cost. At the end of the great resurrection chapter of 1 Corinthians 15, the great application flowing from the argument that Jesus really did rise from death is ‘stand firm’. Why? Because if Jesus didn’t rise – then forget everything. All is a nonsense. But if He did (and He did!), then nothing must move us. So I say in the words of Paul: “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.”

In fellowship,
Mark Calder
Mark is a minister in Sydney and has been here on sabbatical for the last 4 weeks.

Youth News

Today is the last morning the Grade 9’s will be in CTC. This afternoon they make the big move up to Senior Youth! Please pray for them as they make this exciting transition. Next Sunday (June 1) we will have our annual “Thanksgiving and Grade 12 Graduation Service” at 4:00 pm. This will be a time of giving thanks and moving our Grade 12’s on to Ekklesia. Please come! (It will finish by 5:30 pm with a light supper afterwards.) Does anyone have a van we can borrow? From June 28-July 3 is our annual Grade 12 houseboat trip. We need a number of vans to go to Lake Koocanusa and back. (Three to four are needed.) Please contact Ken or Julie if you can help out (ken@stjohnsshaughnessy.org).

Parish Announcements

Flowers. The flowers on the Credence Table are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of F. Michael P. Warren from the Warren family.

Sincere Condolences. Many of you will remember Pete Wisstoff who led our evening service music for several years. We extend our sincere condolences to Pete, whose beloved father, Lothar Ehrenfried Wisstoff, died on Saturday, May 17th. His memorial service was held on Friday at Ladner Baptist Church.

Baptism. The following are being baptised today at the 9 & 11 am services. Please keep those being baptised and their families in your prayers. 9:00 am: Annastasya Lynn Wilke, 11:00 am: Samuel Charles Cohen and Joshua Tessaro.

Keeping Company with God - A Service of Prayer. Monday May 26, 7:30-8:30 pm - in the South Chapel. Feeling weary and heavy laden? Come join this “quiet” service, which includes periods of silence, personal and corporate prayer, a reflection on a passage from the Psalms and music.

Prayer Chain. Crises (loss of work, accidental injury, death in the family, or illness) often come upon us unexpectedly. St. John’s has a prayer chain; the members would be glad to pray for you or your family/friends in your time of need. Please phone the church office to be put in touch with the prayer chain. If you have questions, please speak to Edie Rittinger (604.731.4966 ext 24) or Ruth Matheson (604.731.4966 ext 12).

Marriage and Parenting. Our next evening will be on Friday, May 30 at 7:00 pm in the Trendell Lounge. Mike and Heather Searle will be speaking on, “Ways that each family member can be involved when on a mission trip.” Childcare is available in the nursery only, as the older children are encouraged to attend. Please bring an appi or dessert to share. If you have any questions contact Elizabeth Siemens at elizabethsiemens@telus.net.

Ratanak Presentation. There will be a Ratanak presentation on Sunday June 1 following the 11:00 am service in the Trendell Lounge: You are all welcome to come to a luncheon to hear Brian McConaghy, director of Ratanak, speak about what God is doing in Cambodia through this important ministry. Cost of the lunch is $5.00/person $10.00/family. Please call the front desk 604.731.4966 ext 0 to register for this event.

St. John’s Children’s Choir. The St. John’s Children’s Choir Summer Concert is Saturday, June 7 at 2:00 pm. We’d love to see you there!

Luke’s Gospel for Sunday School Teachers and Parents. In the fall many of us at St. John’s will launch into a study of Luke’s gospel, including all children on Sunday mornings. An evening is planned to prepare anyone interested in teaching Sunday School at which Bronwyn Short will give an overview of Luke’s Gospel. Join us on Monday, June 16th from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in the Trendell Lounge. Please direct enquiries to ruthf@stjohnsshaughnssy.org.

Community News

Pacific Rim String Quartet is performing today (Sunday May 25th) at 3:00 pm! Schubert, Mozart, and Beethoven. St. John’s member Brian Mix is the cellist. Tickets are available at the door. Pacific Theatre, 1440 W. 12th Ave. at Hemlock.