Third Sunday in Advent

E-Postle

December 17, 2023

 

8:30am (in-person only) & 10:00am (in-person + Zoom) – Holy Eucharist

https://zoom.us/j/542312325?pwd=R3FKTnZ4WUU1YUFveCtzOUljM2FLZz09

Meeting ID: 542 312 325

Password: 010729

 

This Week’s Worship & Programs – https://www.stja.ca/2023/program-updates/ – current information on what’s going on at St. John’s, including Zoom links and bulletin and scripture readings for Sunday worship.

 

Click here for contact info for parish ministries

 

There will be Coffee hour following the 10am service.

 

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS:

Tues – Dec 19             11 am: Shirley Nissen’s funeral

Bible Study 10:00am (see link above)

Prayer Group 7:00pm (see link above)

Wed – Dec 20             9.30 – 11.30 am: Wednesday morning prayers, last session.

Fri – Dec 22                 11- 12:30: Choir practice

Sun – Dec 24                 8.30 am & 10 am: Regular Services

                                    7 pm: Family service and Christmas Pageant

10 pm: “Midnight” service.

Mon – Dec 25              10 am: Christmas Day service

 

 

NEW THIS WEEK

Stewardship Reflection              

John 1:6-8, 19-28. Prepared by Ven. Dr. Michael Pollesel.        

John’s  ministry and mission was to point to “one more powerful.” How do we, as good stewards, allow our lives to point to this same one?

 

Christmas Help to a Family in Need

As part of our Parish Council Goals for 2023, Outreach ministries to the wider community of Port Moody was a key component. In this regard we discussed and approved supporting a family in need from outside the parish.

 

The hope was that we would have a parish drive to do this. Unfortunately, time restraints due to various reasons meant they we are unable to offer support this way, but Council approved supporting the family by using some funds from the Food Bank Fund, and a Walmart gift card will be purchased.

 

In my contact with Kinsight (https://kinsight.org/) I learned that we have been paired with a single mother and a pre-teen daughter with Neurodiverse concerns.

 

If you wish to personally help this outreach you can do so by making a donation payable to St. John’s ‘ear-marked’ Christmas Family outreach Food Bank fund.

 

There will be a card at the back of the church on Sunday Dec. 17th for all to sign their name which will be given to the family when the gift card is given to them.

 

Due to circumstances beyond their control, this family will have a need for a while yet, so it may be that we can continue to offer support beyond the season of Christmas.

 

Thank you and God bless you as you consider helping this family…. Deacon Anne

 

Beware Email Scams

A reminder to stay vigilant about email scams! Recently, several people received fraudulent emails claiming to be from Anne, asking for assistance with a money transfer. Other recent emails claiming to be from Clergy asking if you are busy or say that a favour is needed; and ask you to handle a request discreetly. When you reply, the person asks you to purchase a gift card (or something similar) to help someone in need. Note that Anne, Vivian, and Angus, would never ask you to assist them in these strange ways!

 

You can often tell that a message is fake if you look carefully at the originating email address, if the tone/wording seems strange, and if the request asks you to give money in an odd way. If you ever have any doubt about an email’s authenticity, please feel free to call Angus or Anne (or email interim@stja.ca  or deacon@stja.ca directly in a separate email) to confirm.

 

For further information, 2 government resources re: email fraud recommended by the Diocese are: The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and an article on Internet, email and telephone scams.

 

 

INFORMATION

Theresa Hazelton ODNW

We are sad to announce the passing of Theresa (Teri) Hazelton ODNW on 5^th December 2023. A memorial service will be held in January and details will be posted when it is confirmed.

 

Wednesday Morning Prayers

We started this ministry in early May 2023 as we felt there is a need in the community for people in need of quiet time and prayers. However, there has been no response, and it is decided that we will no longer continue with this. Our last “open-door” will be Wednesday December 20 from 9.30 to 11.30 am.

Thank you to May & Michael Chin, Christine Kesans, Sheila De Vaal and Mark Grigg for responding to the call for companions.

St. John’s 125^th Anniversary in 2024

Council has decided that the celebrations will be reduced to three. Events that are being planned are:

Jan 28 – Kick-off worship event

May 26 – Bishop visitation to church – to invite those baptized/married at St. John’s to come back for this day + have reaffirmation of baptismal vows etc. Followed by BBQ.

Sept 28 – Gala Dinner – the culmination event for the year, catered dinner with entertainment held at offsite location.

We are still in need of volunteers for the above celebrations and mini projects. Sign-up sheets are up in the hall.

Please connect with Ruby at peopleswarden@stja.ca if you feel called to help in making the celebrations a success.

 

Financial Status – September & October 2023

 

	Sept 2023 Actual $	Oct 2023 Actual $	YTD Oct 2023 Actual $	YTD 2023 Budget $	YTD 2023 Budget Difference
Income	13,079.63	17,367.00	159,998.98	199,587.60	(39,588.62)
Expenses	17,861.47	16,518.59	184,080.35	199,587.20	15,506.85
Surplus (-) Loss	(4781.84)	848.41	(24,081.37)	0.40	(24,081.77)
Offering for General Funds	10,273.75	11,893.75	109,380.50	154,850.00	(45,469.50)

 

Wardens’ Note:

Thank you to all who helped increase the Offering for General Funds in October by 15%.

Huge thanks to all, mainly from the Bazaar proceeds, for increasing the October Income by 33%.

However, we are still operating at a deficit of $24,000 and are expected to close the fiscal year with a $30,000 deficit.

 

HOW YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT ST. JOHN’S

 

Flower Chart for 2024

This will be up shortly at the Narthex (at the back of the church, by the chapel).  Should you wish to commemorate a birthday, anniversary, or give in memory of a loved one, please consider signing up to donate flowers for the altar.

 

Parish Giving

Donations may be made by cheques, PADs or through e-transfer directly to the church account. Please contact Ruby at peopleswarden@stja.ca or Sheila at treasurer@stja.ca for more details. You may also give via PayPal/credit card via our website.

              

READINGS

December 17, 2023, Third Sunday in Advent

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; in place of psalm: Canticle 18 (Luke 1:47-55); 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28

 

December 24, 2023, Fourth Sunday in Advent

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38