Memorial Service for Christchurch, New Zealand - Monday March 7 at 7:00 pm

There are many people living in Vancouver who have been tragically affected by the earthquake last week in Christchurch, New Zealand. In response St. John’s will be hosting a memorial service in memory of those who lost their lives.  It will be a short service with prayers, silence, singing, and a message from New Zealand-born Rev. Aaron Roberts.  

Ash Wednesday Service

This coming Wednesday is the first day of Lent. We will be having a special service at 7:30 pm with singing, prayer and a homily by Rev. Aaron Roberts. Please join us for this service as we start this season of Lent.

Guest Services - Next Sunday, March 13

Next Sunday we will be having guest services at 9 am and 11 am. You will notice a special card inserted in the service sheet. The intention is for you to give this card to someone you would like to invite to next week’s service. There are extra cards by the doors. Pray about whom the Lord would like you to invite as the gospel will be clearly presented.

Men’s Breakfast

The next men’s breakfast will take place on March 12, 9.00 am - 11.00 am in the Trendell Lounge.  The theme for the morning will be “How Jesus Renovates and Restores Men’s Lives”.  It will take the form of five testimonies from men who will share how Jesus has brought great change and redemption into their lives.  Cost is $15.00 and you can register by contacting Dave Dunkerley at 604-294-0886 or email him.

St. John’s Vancouver First Annual Vestry Meeting, March 16, 2011, 7:30 pm, sign-in begins at 7:00 pm.

On March 16, we will hold the first St. John’s Vancouver Annual Vestry Meeting.  At this meeting St. John’s Vancouver ministry plans, budget, and bylaws will be presented and St. John’s Vancouver trustees will be elected. Please plan to attend.

Membership in St. John’s Vancouver Church

Excerpt from the Parish Letter that was sent out with the tax receipts.
Trustees have recently added all members of St. John’s (Shaughnessy) to the list of members of St. John’s Vancouver (Anglican) Church. Their membership is now identical. If any one has any questions about membership or about St. John’s Vancouver’s constitution or bylaws, please feel free to contact our Rector’s Warden, David Avren, at 604-261-9541 or by email at david_avren(at)telus(dot)net.  If any member of St John’s (Shaughnessy), for whatever reason, would prefer not to be a member of St. John’s Vancouver (Anglican) Church, or if any one would like to ensure they are on the official St. John’s Vancouver membership list in time for vestry, please contact Krista Friebel in the church office at 604-731-4966, extension 19.

Youth Ministry Prayer

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”(Romans 12:12)
Our heart in the youth ministry is to be constantly in prayer for our amazing youth and families and see Jesus do amazing things. We are looking to have a couple of organized prayer times a month: one Thursday and one Sunday. Our first prayer team meeting is Thursday March 10, 9:15 am at St. John’s. We will have another prayer meeting on Sunday March 20 at 12:45 pm. This is for youth parents, or anyone else who has a desire to love and pray for our youth and families. If you are interested in praying with us, please connect with Lyn Unger or Dave Little.

Christianity Explored

a course for the curious, a place to ask questions
The Christianity Explored course meets Monday night at 7 pm in the Church Hall for a wonderful home cooked meal, short presentation and discussion. The course runs for seven weeks and is designed for those who are curious about Christianity or are new to the Christian faith. Christianity Explored provides a warm, pressure-free environment to explore questions of faith and life. It’s informal and fun and you can choose to be silent or say whatever you want. No question is too hostile or basic and no knowledge of faith is expected!
If you have any questions or wish to register please email Aaron or phone Aaron at the church office, 604.731.4966 ext 22.

The course is free, but a small donation is asked to help cover the cost of the awesome food. The next Christianity Explored course begins on March 21.  

Photos of Vancouver?

We are looking for pictures of Vancouver for potential use in our St. John’s Vancouver Vestry Report.  If you have cityscapes, photos of famous landmarks, or maybe just your family enjoying the city, email the image to Krista Friebel for potential use in our report. Contact Krista Friebel at 604.731.4966 ext 19 for more information.

Women’s Retreat 2011-  Ladies mark your calendars. 

The women’s retreat this year is going to be June 3-5.  It definitely will be something you won’t want to miss. The retreat will be at Loon Lake Research and Educational Centre.  If you would like to help in the planning process of this wonderful event, please email Darrell Thomas or phone 604.269.9011.

A Morning in Afghanistan

Heather Bellamy, who has made her home with Afghan people these last 18 years, will be addressing Women@10 and friends on Thursday, April 14 in the church hall. She will be speaking on “ Issues of the Heart for Women in Afghanistan”.
This is a great opportunity to invite friends to see what it means to live out the gospel.  Women who come will be invited to sign up for a seven week Christianity Explored course commencing after Easter on Thursdays at 10 am at St John’s.

Library

When did you last have a good look at your book collection? May we suggest that you take a few minutes to do so. You may be surprised to find one or more St. John’s books lurking there! Don’t let that bother you. Just return them to the library ASAP and we will be very grateful.

Moody Bible Institute Women’s Concert Choir  – Request for Billeting – Monday, March 21

Do you have a place for two or more talented young musicians to spend the night (beds, air mattresses, couches – all are OK!)? The Women’s Concert Choir and Bell Ensemble from the Moody Bible Institute (Chicago) is coming to perform a concert of sacred music at St. John’s on Monday, March 21, at 7:30 pm as part of their spring tour. In exchange for a great concert, we need to find accommodation for 50 young women overnight! If you can host two or more women for the night (including transportation to your home after the concert and back to church the next morning), please contact Rev. Keith Ganzer by calling the church office or sending an email Keith.

Community News

Sense & Sensibility. April 2 is a one-day Christ-centred conference for women, providing an opportunity to explore the sense and sensibility of living our lives as Christian women in today’s world. By hearing God’s story, you will learn yours. By hearing women’s stories of real change, you will experience hope. And through Christ-centred worship and honest prayer, you will be encouraged and strengthened to live your life as God intends. Earlybird registration is $25, catered lunch is included.  For more information or to register visit www.livingwaterscanada.org.