The E-postle – Lent 1, 2018

 

February 18, 2018

blessing of solar panels, greenfaith.org

“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”

The Church

When you think of a church, do you imagine the building or the people meeting within it?  The Church is the gathered people of God, who listen, discern, and act with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  There is no such thing as a solo Christian.  When we are baptized into the body of Christ we become part of a very large and diverse family of faith through time and space.

Coming together is an important part of our spiritual development.  In the teaching, the fellowship, the breaking of bread, and the prayers, we have opportunities both to learn and to check our perceptions.  Sometimes making decisions as a group is a messy process, and we don’t always get our way.  But there is more wisdom among us than any one person brings. Listening for God means drawing the circle ever wider.  Buildings can be holy spaces, but the true Church is without walls.

Yours in Christ, Stephanie +

Upcoming Dates

February 18- 10 am Annual Vestry Meeting beginning with Holy Eucharist

February 20- 10:30-noon, “Meeting Jesus in John” Lenten study

February 23-25- Spiritual Formation Weekend at Loon Lake “Prayer Beyond Words”

February 25- 8:30 am & 10 am, guest presider the Rev. Gary Hamblin

February 25- noon, Lunar New Year lunch at Lougheed Wonton Restaurant

February 26- 7-9 pm, Parish Council Meeting.  All welcome

February 26- 1:30 pm, Seniors’ Tea

March 4- 10 am, commissioning of new Parish Council

March 21- 9:30 am onwards, Spring Clean-up of the church

Finger Foods for Annual Vestry Meeting This Coming Sunday

Parishioners are invited to bring finger foods (nothing that needs a bowl or cutlery) to sustain us through the Annual Vestry Meeting beginning with Holy Eucharist at 10 am on Sunday February 18.

Bits of Coins for the Birds Nest

Collection boxes will be available for those who want to practice the Lenten discipline of almsgiving by saving change to donate to the ministry of the Birds Nest.  This home in Maple Ridge provides accommodation and support to indigenous young people accessing educational opportunities.  This will be the 3^rd year St. Johns has supported this important work, and the Birds Nest residents and coordinators thank you from the bottom of their hearts.  Pick up their latest newsletter from the church to read about all the happenings.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

A Christian community finds many ways to remind people that they are wrapped in the protection of God’s love.  One expression of this through St. Johns is the giving of knitted or crocheted shawls that have been made with prayerful intent.  These are blessed and bestowed on newly baptized or confirmed members, and those experiencing serious illness or grieving.  If you enjoy working with yarn or would like to learn, find out how you can volunteer for this ministry through the parish office.  Materials, ideas, and technical support available.

 

Meeting Jesus In the Gospel of John

No time or energy to get to one of the Tuesday groups?  You can still sign up on the online link for daily reflections at https://www.ssje.org/meetingjesusinjohn/

 

Stewardship Reflection

Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?  

                                                            – baptismal covenant of the Anglican Church of Canada

 

What practice can you deepen this Lent?

We give thanks this week for the gifts of all who serve this church, especially those who are stepping off parish council and those who are taking up roles in leadership.   Special kudos also to Ruby and Doris and those who helped with the Pancake Supper on Ash Wednesday.

Prayer Cycle

In the Anglican Communion-

* Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby; Primate of Canada Fred Hiltz and Indigenous Archbishop Mark McDonald; BC & Yukon Archbishop John Privett; Council of the North Diocese of Quebec with its indigenous and French-speaking congregations,

* our partner Diocese of Northern Philippines, Bishop Brent Alawas, and especially the people of our twin church at St. Johns Mission, Bila, Mountain Province;

* Diocesan Bishop Melissa Skelton and this week:

the administrators of the Anglican Initiatives Fund, which provides grants for parish development projects

*In our parish:

discernment for serving on parish council and parish groups

God’s business in the Annual Vestry Meeting

The work of the Canonical Committee

*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 February 25, 2018             Lent 2

Genesis 17:1-7 & 15-16; Psalm 22:22-30; Romans 4:13-25; Mark 8:31-38

 

Important Contact Information

Interim Priest– The Rev. Stephanie Shepard rev.seshepard@gmail.com or 778-773-6816

Parish Office– Karen Evans stjohn7@shaw.ca or 604-936-7762

Wardens– Geri Grigg gerigrigg@gmail.com Terry Walton terry&joanne_walton@telus.net

or through the parish office

Treasurer– Chelsea Belyk chelsea.belyk@gmail.com

Parish Council– Adelaine Miller, Secretary adelainemiller@shaw.ca

Altar Guild– Brenda Binns Brenda.Binns@hotmail.com

St. John Prayer Circle– Sue Elliott Elliott.sue1@gmail.com

Pastoral Visiting Ministry– Joanne Walton terry&joanne_walton@telus.net

or Alma Oldenburg almaolden@hotmail.com

Anglican Church Women (ACW)- Sue Hall 604-936-0176 sbhcat@hotmail.com