Parish Discernment Meetings
Today, after the 11:00 am morning service, is the last opportunity to attend Round 2 of our Parish Discernment Meetings. The January discernment meetings are different from the December discernment meetings. In Round 2 we share some of your feedback, and have plenty of time for questions and comments. You will also have an opportunity to complete a Round 2 feedback form.
Keeping Company with God
Feeling weary after the busy Christmas season? Come to a quiet and restful service, called “Keeping Company with God”, that is held every second and fourth Monday evenings. Our first service of 2010 will be Monday January 11th at 7:30 pm in the sanctuary.
Confirmation Preparation
St. John’s first confirmation service in several years is scheduled for Sunday, June 20, 2010.
Confirmation in the Anglican Church marks the point in the Christian journey at which the participation in the life of God’s people, inaugurated at baptism, is confirmed by the bishop by the laying on of hands, and in which those who have been baptised affirm for themselves the faith into which they have been baptised and their intention to live a life of responsible and committed discipleship.
If you are 16 years or older, and are interested in being confirmed, there is an 18 week preparation course for Confirmation beginning shortly. If you would like to register for this course please call the church office or send an email to staff@sjvan.org. For more information on confirmation please call Keith Ganzer or Rev. Dan Gifford at the church office 604.731.4966
March 15-28, 2010 - Are you keen to serve on a short-term mission trip to Cambodia with Ratanak?
The dates have been set for the “renovation team” that will be going to prepare the “Sanctuary” for ministry in Svay Pak (just outside Phnom Penh). The dates are March 15 to March 28. The team will be doing primarily finishing work: painting, cleaning, and whatever it takes to get the building ready to move into. Team members do not need construction skills. The most important qualification is a willingness to serve and a cheerful heart. The team will also include another church from Vancouver, and a couple of those ever-present Aussies. There are still some spots on the St. John’s team. If you are interested in joining, Steven Friebel will have an information table set up this Sunday during the coffee hour the in Trendell Lounge, or you can call him at 604.731.7508.
Community News
Genesis Vancouver Invites You to Our Open House
Sunday January 24th 2010 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
203 West 6th Avenue in Vancouver (Corner of Columbia and 6th)
Genesis Vancouver is a Christian long-term recovery and reintegration program for mothers with children seeking a way out of sexual exploitation. Our program provides housing, support and alternatives to families like these.
The open house is an opportunity to have a tour of our day program facility, to meet staff, board members and volunteers. You can find out more about who we are and what we are doing. We will attempt to answer all your questions. There will be light refreshments available. Your children are welcome.
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The water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water
springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14)
God’s blessing is beyond our expectations and even understanding. Here are three things that have happened in the last month that demonstrate how richly God bestows his blessing. Praise be to God!
God’s blessing of Artizo
Keith Ganzer has joined us for a 4-month contract to help out with preaching, pastoral care, and confirmation preparation while David Short is on leave. We have already been blessed by Keith’s preaching and Bible teaching as an Artizo intern and grad and it is a great gift to have him with us. The extra blessing is that he and his wife, Emily, have been a part of St. John’s family for the past 3 years and know and love St. John’s. Keith and Emily will both be graduating from Regent this spring.
God’s blessing of finances
God’s generosity to us financially in 2009 has been beyond expectations. At Vestry in February 2009, the leadership presented a budget, which was 8% over the previous year’s givings. This was done in faith and recognition that we needed to catch up with our growing ministries. God not only met our increased budget, he surpassed it, in a year of economic instability; our givings were approximately $40,000 over budget and our expenses are under budget, which means we have an operating surplus. And this happened in a year when he also provided the finances for our legal needs; the legal bill was paid in full within 30 days of the completion of the trial. The timing of God’s grace in this has allowed the leadership and us as a congregation to focus on discerning the next step in light of the judgment.
God’s blessing of the discernment
The feedback from the discernment meetings at St. John’s and the parish leadership meetings of the four local ANiC parishes has been both Spirit-filled and Gospel-focused. The number one concern, regardless of opinion on which direction we should take, is for Gospel unity -- that Christ would be glorified and that we would care for one another. There has been an articulated desire to follow God in the next step and to listen and care for one another in the process. Meetings have not been riddled with dissent or argument, but instead have been filled with listening, discussing and praying. This is a gift to be thankful for.
God’s blessing of leadership
David & Brownyn Short are a gift. God has used David to build a team that can continue with the ministry while he is on leave. David and Brownyn are both doing well and are currently away. David’s recovery is slow but progressing. Please continue to pray for them and thank God for his care of them and us.
Take some time this week and thank God for his guidance and care of St. John’s this past year and ask him for guidance on how we might best use all that he has given us for his glory and the building of his kingdom.
With thanks,
Joanne Lawrie
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