News > 2008 Parish Life Notes > 08.07.27 Parish Life

Jul 27, 2008

August Family Services

August 3rd. Join us next Sunday for the first of our one-hour August family services. Since the children will be with us for the whole service, real effort has gone into ensuring these services are for people of all ages. The theme for the month is RUNNING THE RACE INTO WHICH CHRIST HAS CALLED US. We will be encouraging one another to persevere in the race ‘til the end. Each Sunday morning we’ll look at another way the Lord gives us to help keep our eyes on the finish, such as meeting with the body of Christ, feeding on His words, praying, inviting others to join in the race, and giving from all that the Lord has given us.

We will hear from people who’ve just joined the race as well as from some who’ve been running for many years. What has kept them going? What has been difficult? What happened to convince a person that they should join in? Come and hear people’s stories and thank the Lord again for his grace in our lives.

Follow Up For Dr. Gagnon

Suggested resources to follow up from Dr. Gagnon’s talk on homosexuality on July 15th:

• http://www.robgagnon.net/ – Dr. Robert Gagnon’s website has numerous resources available.
• When Homosexuality Hits Home: What to do when a loved one says they’re gay by Jo Dallas. Used by Living Waters, it is a sensitive and practical book to help Christians seeking to love their gay friends and relatives while not affirming their lifestyle.
• Setting Love in Order by Mario Bergner. This book is focused on journeys of healing and transformation.
• Manya Egerton, who is very familiar with these resources and the authors, is willing to answer questions. 604.261.7785

Summer Nursery

The nursery and toddler’s room programs will be informal and parent run for the duration of the summer. Parents will be responsible for the supervision and care of their children from week to week, along with some assistance from the youth.

Divorce Care Course

August 25 – Oct 6. This is a seminar/support group for people who are either going through divorce, or who are already divorced. This year we will be offering Divorce Care on a twice-weekly basis for 7½ weeks – Monday and Thursday evenings each week. Cost of the course materials is $20.00, and pre-registration is strongly advised. If you, or anyone you know, would benefit from this very helpful program, please email Edie Rittinger or call 604.731.4966 ext 24.

Luncheon

Sunday, July 27. Doug and Anna-Marie Graham serve in China and we will be hosting a luncheon for them today after the morning service in room 100. The cost is $5 per person or $10 per family.

Warehouse Needed

New Beginnings Baptist Church is in need of at least 3,000 square feet of warehouse space for their furniture ministry. They provide furniture for the struggling families in their downtown congregation. If you can help them please contact pastor Joe Russel, 604.338.8909

Parish Announcements

Marriage Announcement. The flowers on the Credence Table are given to the glory of God on behalf of Bronwen Fergusson and Glenn Kelly who were married here yesterday.

Birth Announcement. Chien & David Gan give thanks for the birth of a new granddaughter, Claire Hallam, born July 24th to their daughter and son-in-law.

Condolences. Our condolences to Roger Pieters, whose father died last week in Calgary. Mr. Pieters’ funeral was held this past week. Please keep Roger, Susan and their family in your prayers.

We also express our sympathies to Kathy Tyers in the loss of her father last week. His funeral will be taking place in California this week. Please remember Kathy and her family in your prayers.

Dear Friends,

GAFCON
We had a great time last Wednesday night sharing something of the joy of the recent Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) in Jerusalem. It was a great privilege to represent St. John’s, to be among 1,200 pilgrims, and to see the creation of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans based on the Jerusalem Declaration. You will be hearing more about this in the Fall.

New Pew Bibles
In 2004 the Church Committee accepted the recommendation of the Pew Bible Committee that St. John’s should replace its pew Bibles. I want you to know that
I have chosen the English Standard Version (ESV) which will replace our RSV’s in the Fall.
As English speakers, we are very fortunate to have God’s word in a variety of excellent translations. We believe, as Christians have always believed, that the words of Scripture, written by humans in 66 books over approximately 1,500 years, ultimately come from the mind of God and are trustworthy and authoritative for faith and life. As the English language changes, there is a need for new translations and each translation follows a philosophy. Some
paraphrase the original meaning, which makes the text easy to read but not so accurate for study. Others use what is termed ‘dynamic equivalence’ to
translate, which is a phrase by phrase translation (e.g. NIV). Others use a word for word method, with the intention of strict accuracy. Of course all translation from one language to another involves interpretation which means that one’s use of the Bible will have a big impact on which version one uses.

We have chosen the ESV because of its wide acceptance by evangelicals, its level of transparency to the original text, and because it makes an excellent study Bible (and it is no secret that Dr Jim Packer was general editor and chair of the ESV Translation Oversight Committee). This is a great translation for use at home and at church, to make us wise to salvation, and I am grateful for the work of the Pew Bible Committee.

August Sundays
During the month of August our 10 a.m. services will have a more ‘family’ feel. This means they will be shorter and more accessible to children and adults. Our theme will be THE RACE—meaning the Christian life, not the Tour de France. There are five Sundays in August and they are a great opportunity for us to maintain
the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and to grow up into Christ who is our head.

Warmly,
David Short