Keeping Company with God-
Monday September 14th
Looking for a quiet time with God at the end of your day, a place to receive prayer support for personal concerns or a desire to hold up this congregation in prayer? Then come to this service at 7:30 PM in the sanctuary. It is held every second and fourth Monday. Questions - call or email Manya Egerton.
Sunday School Registration Continues
This is the last week that registration for Sunday School will take place in the Trendell Lounge during the coffee hour. Please come and confirm or update your child(ren)’s information. Every child, returning or new, must be registered. For more information please contact Bettina or Lisa at ext 27.
We Need Sunday School Teachers
There are still some Sunday School classes that need teachers. If you think this might be a good fit with the gifts that God has entrusted to you, please contact Krista at Krista@sjvan.org or ext 19.
New to St John’s?
If you are new to St John’s, we would like to get to know you! Please join us for a free ‘Welcome lunch’ after the 11am service in the Trendell Lounge on September 20th. You can register by emailing or by calling the church office.
New to the Evening Service?
Are you new to St. John’s (or started coming over the summer) and thinking about making the Evening Service your church home? Then come to a “Welcome to the Evening Service Dessert and Coffee Time” after the Evening Service on September 20th. Make your way to the library, have some carrot cake, and find out how you can become involved. We look forward to meeting you.
Women at Ten - a Bible study group for women of all ages and stages - with childcare available.
The group begins with its start-up brunch on Thursday, September 17th at 10 am in the Trendell Lounge. If you wish to register for Bible study this year, please attend the brunch or contact Jan Hobbis at the church office. We will be studying the book of Acts and we warmly invite newcomers to join us. If you are a returning member, please come early with a contribution to the table, willing hands to help with the set up and a smiling face to welcome newcomers.
Enquiries to Jan Hobbis in the church office ext 28.
Central Focus – Bible study
Central Focus is looking forward to the coming year of study in the book of Acts. We will begin the term on Sept. 15th at 7:15 pm in the Trendell Lounge. CF is a small group Bible study that meets centrally throughout the year. Newcomers are very welcome. For more information call Jan at the church office (ext. 28) or email.
LIVEWORD Women’s Conference – Pride and Prejudice – The Surprising Message of Jonah
Ladies, mark your calendars now and register for the women’s conference on Saturday Oct 17. We invite you and women from churches throughout the Lower Mainland to attend a day of Bible teaching and great music, as three speakers (Bev Greenwood, Lesley Bentley, and Polly Long) teach from Jonah and Matthew. Brochures will be available soon. For more details visit our women's conference page or contact Jan Hobbis at the church office, ext. 28 or via email.
Home Groups
Most of our home Bible study groups are starting up in the next few weeks. There are small groups in many areas of the city and lower mainland. If you are interested in being in a group or want to know more about small groups please see Jan Hobbis in the Narthex after the service or call Jan at ext 28 at the church or email.
Alpha Marriage Course
We are planning to run a seven-week Alpha Marriage course, beginning Monday, September 28. This is a very practical course giving any married couple the tools to build a strong and healthy marriage and is suitable for marriages of all ages and stages, whether you are newly weds or have been married for years. If you’d like further information or would like to register, (pre-registration is required) please call Jan at the church 731-4966 (ext 28) or email
Catechism - Are you interested in learning about the basic doctrines of the Christian faith?
Dan Gifford will be leading an introductory twelve-week catechism course on Tuesday nights beginning on September 22nd at 7:15 pm in the Trendell Lounge.
In addition to the Bible, we will use the Creeds, the 39 Articles of Religion, and J.I. Packers’ “Concise Theology” as resources. Those new to the Christian faith, as well as long time Christians who want to be more clear on the fundamentals of belief in Jesus, will find this course helpful. Please call Jan Hobbis at the church office (ext 28) for further information.
LIVEWORD Women’s Conference - Pride and Prejudice - The Surprising Message of Jonah
Ladies, mark you calendars now and register for the women’s conference on Saturday October 17. We invite you and women from churches throughout the Lower Mainland to attend a day of Bible teaching and great music, as three speakers (Bev Greenwood, Lesley Bentley, and Polly Long) teach from Jonah and Matthew. Brochures are available in the church. For more details visit the website, under ‘Special Events’ or contact Jan Hobbis at the church office, ext. 28 or email
Discovering Christ presents Christianity Explored - A course for the curious, a place to ask questions.
The Christianity Explored course meets every Wednesday night at 7pm in the Trendell Lounge for a meal, short presentation and discussion. The course runs for 7 weeks and is designed for those who are curious about Christianity or are new to the Christian faith. Please register by emailing dc@sjvan.org or by phoning the church office on 604 731 4966 ext 22. The next course begins Oct 7th.
Arctic Fellowship
Please bring in your used stamps to the church office. Our next meeting is on September 25th. If anyone would like to join us or learn more about our group call and leave a message for Grace at 604.872.6031.
Book Club
St. John’s Book Club is starting up again. The first meeting is Wednesday, September 16th at 1pm in the Library. Newcomers very welcome! For more infomation contact Linda at 604.266.4370.
Parish Family News
Congratulations
To Jo Ella and Jeff Eriksen on the birth of their third child, wee Louisa Mary (5 lb 14 oz), who was born on Friday, September 4th in Bellingham, a new sister for Hans and Charlotte. Mother and baby are thriving.
Happy Birthday to Bishop Don Harvey
Today, September 13th, our much-loved moderator, Bishop Don Harvey, will celebrate his 70th birthday. Join together in thanking God for Bishop Don, for his wise and godly leadership, and for the health and vitality He has granted him, and in praying that the Lord will continue to bless Bishop Don and his dear wife Trudy. If you would like to send personal birthday greetings to Bishop Don, please use the paper and pens that are available on the table in the Narthex (Granville Street entrance).
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Dear friends,
Six months ago I took leave with the intention of returning to lead the ministry to our children and families this fall. During my leave it slowly dawned on me that it was time to close this chapter. I look back over these last sixteen years with a deep sense of gratitude for the Lord’s goodness and the generosity of his people here at St John’s. Some of the children who were entering kindergarten when I arrived are now youth leaders. It has been a great gift to be part of their early years and to watch from the sidelines as they’ve matured into adults rooted in Christ. I have loved working alongside so many of you as, week by week, we have led the children in interacting with God’s word, praying all the while that they learn to walk with him.
In the Lord’s amazing goodness and grace, he has brought three good women to continue leading in this ministry. During the summer, Joel and Lisa Nickkel left Edmonton for Vancouver and came to St John’s. With Joel studying at Regent College, Lisa needed to find full-time work. An experienced music teacher with a year at Regent already under her belt, she was excited to find the children’s ministry position posted on our website. This was a dream job as far as she was concerned and an answer to our prayers. Welcome Lisa! And while Jen Martin is on maternity leave, Bettina Konrad has stepped into the gap for which we are very grateful. The idea is not for these women to lead alone. Pray that there will be many who come alongside them to open the scriptures to our children and that these words would take root wonderfully in their lives.
There are thankyou’s to be said, but gladly, no goodbye’s at this time. The Flannigans are here to stay! I want to thank David and Bronwyn Short who have walked closely with me during all these years, for David’s unswerving commitment to teach us in truth and love and for Bronwyn who gives her all to help us grow in Christ. Thank you to the children and their families who have opened their hearts to me over the years and to all those who have partnered with me in ministering to our children. Heartfelt thanks to my dear husband Rod for being steadfast and true, to our daughter Mary who has deepened and widened my understanding of children’s ministry, and all the while giving thanks to Him who has loved us so.
With deep appreciation and love,
Ruth Flannigan
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