News > 2010 Parish Life Notes > 10.03.21 Parish Life

Keeping Company with God - Monday, March 22nd

Looking for a quiet space to draw close to God during the season of Lent ? Then come to Keeping Company with God tomorrow, Monday March 22nd at 7:30 pm in the sanctuary. This service is held every second and fourth Mondays of the month.

Easter Decorating

First of all, a big “Thank you” to Sandy Ley (and, indeed, the entire Ley family) for gracing all of us with the beautifully decorated church which we have had every Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas for the last several years. Sandy has stepped down from this ministry – and it is only appropriate that we express our appreciation to her.
Then – a question: Would you be willing to help decorate our church for the coming Easter Services? Solveig Brickenden has accepted the challenge to coordinate the decorating as Sandy’s successor. She would love your help. Please contact her at solveig@telus.net, or call the church office and leave your name and phone number for her to phone you back.

Palm Sunday - Come Early

Please come 5 mins early to the 9 and 11 am services next week for a rehearsal of the Hallelujah Chorus for Easter Sunday.

Living Waters

Want to help Christian young people take on the challenge of living in the world today? Then come to “A Thousand Whys” on April 9 when Darrell Johnson, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Vancouver, and his wife, Sharon, will launch a trust fund to honour their son and to expand The River—the Living Waters Canada ministry to youth. Hear why the Johnsons want to equip young people, and how you can support Living Waters. First Baptist Church, 969 Burrard St. in Vancouver at 7:30 pm. Free parking at Nelson Square (808 Nelson St.). For more info, phone 604.301.1470 or go to www.livingwaterscanada.org.
A local pastor writes – “The River is a ministry that our youth and young adult groups are crying out for. They want a place to talk openly and safely about the tension they feel in their lives between the values of their parents and church and the sexually charged culture. In The River young people hear real life stories and learn about topics, like peer pressure and temptation ,through interactive skits and small group discussion. Working with churches and pastors, The River staff model how to talk about the issues facing our young people and equip churches to enter into life-changing conversations with their youth. I thank God for the ministry of Living Waters and am excited to see our churches embrace what The River has to offer.”

Mission Lunch Next Week

Heather Belamy who has worked for many years with Samaritans Purse in Afghanistan will be presenting her ministry at a Missions Lunch in Trendell Lounge after the 11 am service on March 28th. The cost is $5 per individual or $10 for a family.

Ratanak Team

Please remember to keep the mission team in Cambodia in your prayers. The team will be there for another week. You can read their blog at www.ratanak.org. Please pray that God will use them as bright lights in a dark place.

Volunteers Needed

Every week some very dedicated volunteers stuff the service sheets. But they need help! Many hands make light work. If you are able to help on Friday afternoons for up to two hours, please contact Joanne McKinnon at ext 15.

Please keep Lost & Found Table

If you have recently lost something at St. John’s please have a look at our lost & found table set up just outside the Trendell Lounge.

Prayer Book Society of Canada, Vancouver Chapter

The AGM will be held on Tuesday, March 30th at 7 pm in Room 100 of St. John’s Church Hall. Prior to the meeting, you are invited to attend Evensong at 5:30, followed by dinner at 6:15 ($8 by donation). If you plan to come for dinner, please RSVP to Norah Johnston, Chairman, 604.224.8986. For more information, please pick up a sheet from the tables in the Narthex or North Chapel.

Women’s Retreat

Women’s Retreat- All Ladies, come to a weekend away to be refreshed by God’s word and wonderful company! The retreat this year is going to be April 23-25 and it will be at Loon Lake Educational Centre in Maple Ridge. The topic is Learning to trust God, the journey from entitlement to thanksgiving. Our speakers are Marion Maxwell and Kerensa Symons. Registration starts March 28, 2010. Cost of the retreat is either $155.00 for four people to a room, or $200.00 for two people to a room. If you have any questions please contact Darrell Thomas at 604-269-9011.

Malawi Visitors from the Diocese of the Upper Shire

Newly ordained Bishop Brighton Malasa,and Father Grant Tebulo, the Sunday School co-ordinator, will be visiting St. John’s for two weeks at the end of April. The Malawi committee is planning several events, please put these dates on your calendar.
Saturday, April 17, 6:30 pm -Coffee House. If you are interested in performing, please contact Karen May, 604.324.3134 or k_e_may@yahoo.com. This is a family event and preformers of all ages are welcome.
Sunday, April 25 - Bar-B-Que Lunch to follow the 11:00 am service.

Job Opening

Saint Matthew’s (ANIC – Abbotsford) is looking for a full time Assistant Priest. Those interested should contact the church office (604) 853-2416) or email: stmatts1@telus.net for a Parish Profile. The cut off date for applicants is March 31, 2010.

Dear St. John's,

It is time for me to give you a personal update as I have been on medical leave since late October last year. My doctor is pleased with my progress and I am definitely stronger than I have been for some time. The Trustees have urged me to do what is necessary for full recovery and, although I am finding the process frustratingly long, I intend to do so.

Thank you for your prayers and patience. The Bible word for ‘endurance’ is literally ‘remain under,’ not in the sense of passive resignation but in the sense of actively embracing all that happens to us because we know it comes from the hands of our loving heavenly Father. We ‘remain under’ because he remains; we are able to ‘stay under’ because he will raise us up. So patience and endurance do not truly arise from insensitivity or bravery but from faith and hope in the God who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

warmly,
David Short.