The E-Postle December 23, 2018

 

The Fourth Sunday of Advent
E-postle
December 23, 2018

 
 
“The Parish of St. John the Apostle is called to be

          A Spirited Community at the heart of Port Moody
          transformed through the experience of the presence of Christ
*          and sent out to share God’s Love”

 

Upcoming Dates

Monday Dec 24           Christmas Eve Services – 7pm (Family Service) and 10pm (Choral Eucharist)
Tuesday Dec 25         Christmas Day Service 10am
Sunday Dec 30           Christmas Lessons & Carols at 10am service
Tuesday Jan 8           10:15am – noon, Bible Study in the parish hall
 

 

Rector’s Note

Can you believe that Advent is drawing to a close and we are just about at Christmas?!  As we gear up to celebrate our Saviour’s birth at our 3 Christmas services, I encourage everyone to remember that Christmas is a time of year when many people feel especially drawn to come to church.   It’s a great opportunity to invite others in our lives to join us for worship!  And whether it’s local or visiting family members, or friends and neighbours in our surrounding community, let’s all be especially sensitive to the presence of individuals and families at church who may not be “regulars” and make an extra effort to be welcoming. Whether that’s making room in the pew you’re sitting in, assisting with an unfamiliar leaflet or hymnal, or simply offering up a warm smile, greeting, and conversation – may we all joyfully reflect Christ’s love and hospitality as a community this Christmas.

 

Advent Learning Opportunities
Join us for our final AdventWord discussions on Sunday, Dec. 23—after both the 8:30am and 10am services—as we continue to share our findings and discoveries about God through these words and images. Thank you again to all who have contributed to our St. John’s Adventword calendar at www.facebook.com/StJohnAnglican and the paper version in our parish hall. You can also view the global Advent calendar at https://www.adventword.org.

 

The Tuesday morning Bible study will be on break for Christmas and New Year’s and reconvene on Jan. 8, 10:15am, to finish discussion of the Living in the Edge Advent program. From the program description: “How do we find our way when one thing is ending and another thing is beginning? In the great joys and sorrows of our lives, and in the economic, political and climatic changes of our world, how do we live in the in-between?” You can read more about the program at http://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/diocesan-resources/2018-advent-resource.

Christmas Lessons & Carols

We’ll be marking and celebrating the 12 days of Christmas this year with Christmas Lessons & Carols at 10am worship on Sunday, Dec. 30. (8:30am worship will be a regular service.) This is a special service of scripture readings interwoven with carols and other hymns, followed by Eucharist. We are looking for a few readers of the Lessons, so please connect with Vivian in person or at rector@stja.ca if you are interested in serving in this role.

 

Diocesan Media Coverage of Induction

The Diocesan communications office was present at our parish’s Dec. 11 Celebration of New Ministry and Induction of a New Rector. 3 diocesan media items available online are:

1. A wonderful article at https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/news/christ-is-present-in-this-place.
2. Video and text for Archdeacon Douglas Fenton’s sermon at https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/media/2018-12-11-what-has-gone-before-is-not-lost-but-neither-is-it-where-you-are-now
3. A Facebook album of many lovely photos at https://www.facebook.com/pg/Anglican-Conversation-Diocese-of-New-Westminster-130319853684475/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1970110703038705.

 

For those who prefer paper keepsakes, printed copies of the article and sermon will be available this Sunday in the back of the church.

 

Office Christmas Break

Please note that the parish office will be closed from Dec. 26 through Jan. 2. During this time, for pastoral emergencies, please call Vivian at 604-723-5029, and for other urgent parish matters please email Geri and Ruby at rectorswarden@stja.ca and peopleswarden@stja.ca or Vivian at rector@stja.ca.

 

Stewardship Reflection

Dear Jesus, may the light of your love always shine in our hearts. As Christmas draws  closer we marvel at your great love for us.  Let your love transform every aspect of our lives and touch everyone we encounter.  Our hearts are open to you Jesus.  Amen.      From the Dynamic Catholic web site.

Community Kitchen

The curry puff-making session on 8th December went off with a bang.
 

While waiting for the puffs to be ready, we sat down for a brain-storming session on how we would envision utilizing our facility to engage with the community. Those who were laying the carpets were treated to our sumptuous creations!
 
There are plans for more sessions in 2019 with Perogies, Pot Stickers and Cabbage Rolls on the menu. Watch this space.
 

Vestry Update
A shout-out to all who helped with the carpeting of the vestry on a Saturday morning and at short notice.  Special thanks to Brad Morrow (Rosa’s son) who always find time to help out at our Parish.

New Members for the Altar Guild
The members of St John’s Altar Guild are looking for some new members to join us.   We work in groups on a 4 week rotating schedule, usually on a Saturday morning, arranging flowers, cleaning the brass, setting up for the Eucharist and laundering the Altar linens.  Please speak to a member of the Altar Guild if you are interested in joining us.

 

Proteins needed for St. Johns Food Bank

Protein-rich foods are often the most expensive items for families to purchase when grocery shopping.  People on limited budgets often cannot afford them, and make do with stodgy foods to fill stomachs.   Please help those who need them by donating the following to St. Johns Food Bank in January:

• tinned salmon, tuna, chicken, beef (not all can eat pork products)
• shelf stable nut butters
• dried or tinned beans and peas
• powdered or shelf stable milks
• meaty stews or soups
• cans of vegetables

Bring your offerings on Sunday, drop off during the week Monday through Thursday 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, or give some money to this ministry towards the purchase of fresh products.
 

Prayer Cycle
The Anglican Church, the Diocese of New Westminster, Archbishop Melissa Skelton;

 

This week:

 

*  St. Stephen the Martyr, Burnaby – The Reverend Ruth Monette
*  St. Stephen, West Vancouver – The Reverend Canon Jonathan Lloyd
*  St. John the Evangelist, North Vancouver – The Reverend Patrick Blaney, The Reverend Juanita Clark
*  St. John the Divine, Maple Ridge – The Reverend Laurel Dahill
*  St. John the Divine, Squamish – The Reverend Nicholas Parker
*  St. John, Shaughnessy – The Venerable John Stephens, The Reverend Pitman Potter
 
* Our partner Diocese of Northern Philippines, Bishop Brent Alawas, and especially the people of our twin church at St. John’s Mission, Bila, Mountain Province;
*The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada- National Bishop Susan Johnson, BC Synod Bishop Greg Mohr;
*The brothers and sisters who share our worship space: The Port Moody Korean Presbyterian Church and the Polish Evangelical Church.

Readings for December 23, 2018 – 4th Sunday of Advent

Micah 5:2-5a; Canticle 18 (Luke1:47-55); Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke1:39-45
 
Readings for December 30, 2018

1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26; Psalm 148; Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 2: 41-52

 

Important Contact Information

Rector – The Rev. Vivian Lam  rector@stja.ca or 604-936-7762
Parish Office- Kelly Million  administrator@stja.ca or 604-936-7762: 9:30 am- 1:30 pm Mon. – Thurs.
Rector’s Warden- Geri Grigg   rectorswarden@stja.ca
People’s Warden – Ruby Ng  peopleswarden@stja.ca
Treasurer – Cedric Miller treasurer@stja.ca
Envelope Secretary – Sheila de Vaal   envelopesecretary@stja.ca
Parish Council – Adelaine Miller, Secretary parishcouncilsecretary@stja.ca
Altar Guild – Brenda Binns  altarguild@stja.ca
St. John Prayer Circle – Sue Elliott prayer@stja.ca
Pastoral Visiting Ministry – Joanne Walton/Alma Oldenburg  pastoralvisits@stja.ca
Anglican Church Women (ACW) – Sue Hall 604-936-0176 ACW@stja.ca
Children Ministry /Godly Play – Christina Anchor  children@stja.ca
Prayer Shawls – Rosa Weisensel  shawls@stja.ca
Bible Study – Lynne Milner biblestudy@stja.ca
Food Bank – Lynne Milner  foodbank@stja.ca