The E-postle

The E-postle

February 11, 2018

 Washington Cathedral window, copyright from flickr.com/photos/mjhbixby6/5700689477/

 “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 Meaning of Lent

In the circle of the Church year, the forty days that come before Easter are known as the season of Lent.  Following the example of Jesus, who was sent into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to prepare for his public ministry, candidates for baptism spent the forty days before Easter learning how to be better disciples of Christ.  The spiritual disciplines that evolved- penitence, prayer, fasting, acts of charity, studying scripture- came to be hallmarks for many Christians.  If you count from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday (excluding the Sundays), Lent does indeed last for forty days.  Tradition has been to give up a bad habit or take on something life-giving to practice.  This is a helpful guide, but don’t stop when you get to Easter: God give you the courage to more clearly transmit the love of Christ as you go forward into the year.

Yours in Christ, Stephanie +

Upcoming Dates

February 11- 11:15 am, Q & A in church on Napier Property proposal following 10 am service

11:45 am, Liturgy Group meeting in vestry

2 pm, Canonical Committee meets with                                       regional archdeacon

February 13- 10:30-noon, and 7-8:30 pm, “Meeting Jesus in the gospel of John” begins

4-5 pm, Catechism Group in the parish hall

February 14- Ash Wednesday:  pancake supper 6 pm, services 8:30 am and 7:30 pm

February 15- 1:30 pm, Anglican Church Women’s meeting in parish hall

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

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- 1:30 pm, Seniors’ Tea

March 2- 1 pm, World Day of Prayer at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

March 18- 12:30-2:30 pm, Diocesan Sexual Misconduct Policy Workshop at St. Laurence

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

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.

Lenten Book Study Groups Begin Next Tuesday

“Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John” begins Tuesday February 13^th, at 10:30-noon or 7-8:30 pm. You can also sign up on the online link for daily reflections at https://www.ssje.org/meetingjesusinjohn/

 

Pancake Supper February 14

Food served from 6 pm. Helpers needed to set up, flip pancakes and to clean up.  Please sign up on sheets posted in the Parish Hall. Cost – by donation.

 Anglican Church Women

All are welcome at the St. Johns A.C.W. meeting at 1:30 pm in the parish hall on Thursday February 15th.  A.C.W. members- please remember to bring your United Thank Offering.

Lunar New Year Celebration Lunch

Chinese New Year celebration lunch at 12 pm at Lougheed Wonton Restaurant – tickets are on sale at $15 per person for a 9-course meal. Please approach May Chin/Ruby.

World Day of Prayer for Suriname

This year, Christians from many denominations gather to pray with and for the people of Suriname.  Officially known as the Republic of Suriname, the country is a sovereign state on the northeastern Atlantic coast of South America. It is bordered by French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west and Brazil to the south. At just under 165,000 square kilometers (64,000 square miles), it is the smallest country in South America.

On Friday March 2, people of faith from the Tri-Cities will gather at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1504 Sprice Avenue, Coquitlam.  The service begins at 1 pm.  For more information or to help with the service, phone 604-936-2939.

 Stewardship Reflection
“ And it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.” – Galatians 2 :20.

“The indwelling Christ, reborn in me, guides my will. I let God’s perfect will be done in all that I think say and do.”  – Author unknown

In the transfiguration on the mountain, the true nature of God shone through Jesus.  We now have Christ reborn within us.  In what ways do we listen for Christ to guide us, so that we too can shine?

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 people of the Deanery of North Vancouver – The Rev. Patrick Blaney, Regional Dean

*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 18, 2018             Lent 1

Genesis 9:8-19; Psalm 25:1-9; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15

 

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