The E-Postle March 3, 2019

The Last Sunday after Epiphany

E-postle

March 3, 2019

 

“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

Sunday, Mar 3                   10am – Blessing of the new 2019 Parish Council

Monday, Mar 4                  9:30am – A.C.W. Spring Cleaning of the church

Tuesday, Mar 5                 10:15am-noon – Bible Study in the Parish Hall

Tuesday, Mar 5                  6pm – Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

Wednesday, Mar 6          9:30am & 7pm – Ash Wednesday worship services

Wednesday, Mar 6          10:15am – Coffee & Crafts in the Parish Hall

Sunday, Mar 10                 8:30 & 10am + coffee hour discussion after each service – 1^st sermon in Preaching Series on Jesus’ Ministry

 

Rector’s Note

Here we are at the threshold of another season in the church year – Lent. This is a time as our prayer book says, of “self-examination, penitence, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving” and in which together with the Church worldwide we take an honest look at how our relationship is with God, and devote a little extra time to doing some re-tuning and maintenance work on our faith lives. Hopefully these 5 weeks of Lent will encourage us to draw ever closer again to God in new ways.

There is something about marking these important touchpoints each year in community – please consider joining us at both our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper (Mar. 5, 6pm), and one of our Ash Wednesday services this week (Mar. 6. 9:30am or 7pm).

I am also excited to invite you to several opportunities for learning together this Lent at St. John’s:

• Preaching Series on Jesus – Sundays Mar. 10, 17, 24, 31, and Apr. 7. Michael Chin, Anne Anchor, and I will be taking turns preaching on a different aspect of Jesus’ ministry, and how that connects to our lives now. At coffee hour after both the 8:30am and 10am services, we will gather to share our reflections on that week’s sermon topic.
• Lent Worship Words – Mar. 6 – Apr. 14 – This Lent, we will be reflecting together each day on how different aspects of our worship and worship space bring us closer to God. As we did in Advent, we will be creating our own St. John’s Lenten calendar—both online via our Facebook page, and a physical calendar at the church—and I am hoping that everyone in our community will participate. There will be a chance for individuals and families to sign up to take the lead on reflecting on one day’s word. More details to come shortly.
• The Poetry of Lent – Tuesdays Mar. 12, 19, 26 & Apr. 2, 9 – 10:15am-12noon – Our Tuesday morning Bible Study will be reading the poetry of Mary Oliver together and reflecting on it and different scripture passages each week. We will have printed copies of the study guide available – pick one up in the back of the church this Sunday.

I pray every blessing upon you as we begin this holy season together.

Peace,

Vivian

 

 

Stewardship Reflection

From Ruth Burrows (in Before the Living God):

“If I let God take hold of me more and more; possess me, as fire possesses the burning log, then I give off light and heat to the whole world even though the influence be completely hidden.”

 

 

Office Administrator

We are delighted to announce that Jennifer Green has joined our ministry team as our new Office Administrator, beginning on March 1. Jennifer is a lifetime member of St. Catherine’s, Port Coquitlam, and participated in EfM (Education for Ministry) at St. John’s. She says, “I am sure that I have met a number of the St. John folks over the years at your bazaar, deanery events and Synod. I am looking forward to getting to know you better.” Welcome to St. John’s, Jennifer!

 

 

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

Before we enter the season of Lent, we will be observing Shrovetide together, celebrating with a simple but festive meal of pancakes in the church hall this Tuesday, March 5th, 6pm.

Sign-up sheets are posted in the hall to help with catering, as well as for help in setting up, flipping pancakes and cleaning up.

If you wish to help, please connect with Ruby or email her at peopleswarden@stja.ca.

 

 

Ash Wednesday worship

There will be two opportunities to observe Ash Wednesday (this Wed., March 6th) here at St. John’s: a morning service at 9:30am and an evening service at 7pm. Join us as we begin the season of Lent together as a community, and gather for prayer, Eucharist, and the imposition of ashes.

 

 

A.C.W. News

The A.C.W. ladies are organizing a ‘Spring Cleaning’ of the church, rescheduled to this Monday, March 4^th, 9:30am. If anyone feels inclined to shake up a little dust or sweep clean with a new broom, you would be more than welcome to join us.

 

 

Food Bank Bread Help Needed

Help is needed! We are in need of more people to help to collect the bread for the Food Bank from Cobs Bakery on alternate Tuesday evenings at 8 pm and deliver it to the church. This takes approximately ½ to ¾ of an hour to complete depending on how much bread is to be collected. Ability to lift the bins, which are a moderate weight, is required. If you are interested in helping out, please talk to Teri Hazelton or Ann Adair-Austin.

 

 

Cold Wet Weather Mat Program volunteers and donations needed

The Cold Wet Weather Mat Program (CWWMP) is being held again in the Tri-Cities. Even with people being housed at 3030 Gordon there is a need for extra shelter at this time of year.

The people of St. John’s have been helping in many ways since the beginning of this program in 2010. The Hope for Freedom Society continues to provide this unique CWWMP (it is the only one of this sort running in North America) with the help of the area faith communities. The uniqueness of this program is that the guests are able to get a good quiet night’s sleep, which is unusual at other shelter programs with people coming and going all night. Another unique quality is that people are fed dinner and breakfast on site and provided with a bag lunch to nourish them throughout the day. The evening meal is served restaurant style, rather than the guests standing in a line up to receive food and they report that they feel loved, respected and welcomed.

Homelessness is on the increase as our BC economy makes it more difficult for those living on the edges of employment. It is now estimated that 80% of working age people have seen a decline in their living standards. With this also is an increase in addictions and the cycle that goes along with that.

St. John’s is a caring community and can continue to offer support to this program when it is being held at St. Laurence Anglican, Coquitlam, in the month of March.  If you are unable to help on a morning or evening shift you can be part of collecting food for the lunches provided.

There is always a need for juice boxes, soft granola bars or simple bag lunch snacks that are easily chewed. These can be dropped off on Sundays at St. John’s or taken directly to St. Laurence during the week from 10-2.

A sign-up sheet for making sandwiches is posted on the bulletin board by the door in the hall.

Contact Mary Lou Kyle or Anne Anchor if you would like more info or would like to work a shift in March.

 

 

Death, Dying, & Dessert

Why should you have your estate & funeral planning in place? Come and learn how to make your family’s life a little easier when you’re gone. There will be presentations by the Rev. Wally Shea (Deacon) who is a retired Pre-Planning Counsellor & Funeral Director, and Stephen M. Miller who is a Barrister & Solicitor of Miller Law.

This free workshop will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2:00 to 4:30pm, at St. Stephen the Martyr Anglican Church, 9887 Cameron Street, Burnaby. Please RSVP to ststbby@shaw.ca or 604-421-0472 to reserve your space. Presented with the support of the Anglican Parishes of North Burnaby and Tri-Cities (St. Timothy, St. Stephen, St. Laurence, St. John, St. Catherine).

 

 

Celtic Fundraising Concert

All Saints Anglican Church (7405 Royal Oak Rd., Burnaby) invites you to a fundraising concert on Saturday, March 9^th, 7pm, featuring the wonderful toe-tappin’ and hand clappin’ music of professional Celtic band, Blackthorn. Come celebrate the traditional music of Ireland, Scotland, and the folk music of English and French Canada. Refreshments and door prizes at intermission. Admission is $20 (seniors over 65 are $15). Tickets available at the door.

 

 

Less Plastics for Lent calendar

The Anglican Communion Environmental Network and Green Anglicans has created a “Less Plastics for Lent Calendar,” with a practical suggestion for each day of Lent to reduce your use of plastics. Download a PDF of this resource from https://files.constantcontact.com/a9c022f9001/d595440e-bcf3-4647-bddb-ee946084a535.pdf

 

 

Anglican Journal and TOPIC subscriptions

Following the receipt of the June (Summer) issues of the Anglican Journal and TOPIC, members of parishes will no longer be automatically subscribed to these national and diocesan publications. In order to continue to receive print copies, folks will need to confirm their subscription. Subscribing is very simple and there are four easy to follow options outlined at https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/news/confirm-your-anglican-journal-and-topic-subscription. The print copies of the two periodicals will also include detailed information on how readers can confirm their subscriptions.

 

 

General Synod Volunteers

The Diocese of New Westminster is very excited to host the 42nd General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada July 9 to 16, 2019, at the Sheraton Wall Centre in Vancouver, and are looking for people to join the General Synod volunteer team.

They are seeking people who are:

• outgoing and friendly,
• have experience in welcoming or greeting at church, or in other frequent capacities,
• and are interested in witnessing the wider Church in action.

Volunteers will be assigned in shifts to participate in areas such as meeting participants at the airport, on-site registration, providing local information and directions, etc.

Please see https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/diocesan-ministries/general-synod-2019 for more information.

 

 

The VITA Retreat

You are invited to take part in VITA, a diocesan spiritual formation retreat, rooted in Anglican spirituality, where the Holy Spirit can move to personally transform participants to more actively engage in Christian prayer life and mission.

The next VITA retreat will be held from Friday, Mar. 22 – Sunday, Mar. 24 at Loon Lake Retreat Centre in Maple Ridge. This two-night retreat is open to 25 people who desire spiritual growth and who want to explore their prayer lives. The $175 registration fee (bursaries available) includes accommodation, all meals/snacks, and materials. The facilities are modern cabins that include a common lounge, private showers and rooms with two beds; two people per room.

Retreat goals are:

• To support participants as they broaden and deepen their experience of prayer in their everyday lives and activities.
• To inspire the energy, creativity and commitment of the next generation of Anglicans as they engage the communities where God has placed them.

For more information and to register, visit https://conta.cc/2TC8HAV – registration deadline is Feb. 28.

 

 

Proteins needed for St. John’s 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. John’s Food Bank in March:

• 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, arrange with the office to drop off during the week, 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:

*          Sorrento Retreat and Conference Centre – The Reverend Michael Shapcott (Executive Director), Staff and Board of Directors;

*         Education for Ministry – The Reverend Paula Porter Leggett (Diocesan Coordinator);

*          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 March 3, 2019 – Last Sunday after Epiphany

Exodus 34:29–35; Psalm 99; 2 Corinthians 3:12—4:2; Luke 9:28–36

 

Readings for March 10, 2019 – First Sunday in Lent

Deuteronomy 26:1–11; Psalm 91:1–2, 9–16; Romans 10:8b–13; Luke 4:1–13

 

 

 

Important Contact Information

Rector – The Rev. Vivian Lam – rector@stja.ca or 604-936-7762

Office Administrator – Jennifer Green – administrator@stja.ca or 604-936-7762

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 or ACW@stja.ca

Children’s Ministry /Godly Play – Christina Anchor – children@stja.ca

Prayer Shawls – Rosa Weisensel – administrator@stja.ca

Bible Study – Lynne Milner – biblestudy@stja.ca

Food Bank – Lynne Milner – foodbank@stja.ca