Ninth Sunday After Pentecost

E-Postle

July 30, 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 – Aug 1                   10:15am – Bible Study on Zoom (see link above) / 7pm – Prayer group on Zoom (see link above)

Wed – Aug 2                   9:30 – 11:30am – Wednesday Morning Prayer Space

Wed – Aug 2                   10am – Coffee and Crafts

Thurs – Aug 10               1-3pm – “High Tea at St. John’s” Fundraiser

Sat – Sep 9                      4-6 pm – Garden Party/BBQ  to launch Community Garden and Back to School

 

NEW THIS WEEK

Stewardship Reflection

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 – Prepared by the Ven. Dr. Michael Pollesel.
Heaven’s imperial rule, also known as the kingdom of heaven, seems like a pretty interesting and exciting place to be. The faithful steward is one who does what they can to help this part of God’s dream come closer to reality each and every day. How are you helping it come about?

Supply Clergy this Sunday

Thanks to Gary Hamblin, who will be serving as guest presider and preacher at both services this Sunday, July 30, while Vivian takes a rest to recover from some severe back pain. 

Guest Musician

We extend a warm welcome to Birgit Giesser, who is serving as guest musician at our 10am worship service this Sunday, July 30.

High Tea at St. John’s – Thursday, August 10, at 1:00pm.

Thank you for the great response.  There are still a few spaces available and I hope to be at the church following both services this Sunday to make sure everyone has their tickets. HATS OPTIONAL.

-Ferne Malcolm 

Community Garden – Mark Your Calendars!

A garden party/BBQ to launch the Community Garden—as well as to celebrate our children going back to school—is planned for Saturday, Sept. 9 from 4 to 6 pm. There will be outdoor music and fun for children, and burgers, hot dogs and cold beverages will be served. This event is open to the wider community. There is no charge but donations are welcome.

Please see our website information page and like, follow, and share our Community Garden Facebook page, where we are posting pictures and updates on this exciting project!

Financial Status – May & June 2023 

	May 2023 Actual $	June 2023 Actual $	June 2023 Budget $	YTD June 2023 Actual $	YTD June 2023 Budget $
Income	14,755.75	18,954.75	19,958.76	96,040.75	119,752.56
Expenses	18,536.77	18,322.37	19,958.72	112,475.43	119,752.32
Surplus (-) Loss	(3,781.02)	632.38	0.04	(16,434.68)	0.24
Offering for General Funds	9,403.75	13,227.75	15,485.00	65,376.50	92,910.00
Offering for Property	560.00	655.00	0	3,765.00	0

Warden Note on Financials

Thanks to everyone who responded to the appeal to increase your offerings to help narrow the deficit. We are pleased to report that for the first time this year, June has seen a surplus of $632.38. But we are not out-of-the woods yet. We hope you will continue to help your church and bring the finances to where they should be, as well as to meet the goals we have set together.

Parish Council July Meeting Summary

Parish Council had a productive Zoom meeting this past Tuesday, July 25. We will be taking a summer break in August, resuming with our next meeting on Tuesday, Sep. 26.

Besides our usual group prayer, spiritual reflection, and general reports, we shared on the progress of our 2023 goals; discussed the sustainability and future of the Food Bank and other food ministries; celebrated our June financials; and were updated on recent brainstorming done around the 125^th Anniversary celebrations and children/youth formation.

Music Director Job Posting

Our job posting for parish Music Director has now closed, and we are beginning the process of reviewing applications and interviewing candidates this week. Please continue to keep this process in your prayers.

 

INFORMATION

Temporary Office Hours

Until the Administrator position is settled, the office will be on modified hours. Office voicemails and emails will be checked during the usual office times of: Tues/Thurs/Fri 10am-2pm, but please make an appointment to come in for any in-person business to ensure someone is there to greet you.

In this interim time, we would welcome volunteers to help with any of the various office tasks including printing and assembling bulletins, answering and directing calls and emails, etc. Please let Vivian know at rector@stja.ca if you are able to assist if/as needed.

Indigenous Community Art Project (updated)

Inlet United Church invites us to a community art project this summer at The Springs. Artist Atheana Picha is sharing about Coast Salish art and culture during several free events in July and August. Atheana will paint the mural in late August, and there will be a culminating feast, ceremony, and blessing of the art in September. Please visit Inlet’s event page for registration and other info.

A video recording of the July 18 Artist Talk can be found here.

 

HOW YOU CAN SERVE THE WORLD AROUND US

Helping Out with Children & Youth

We are looking for folks to help make our brainstormed ideas for children and youth spiritual formation a reality! We will be experimenting with fun, interactive activities for our younger members and visitors one Sunday a month beginning this September through December. If you’d be interested in lending a hand on one of these Sundays, please chat with Vivian in-person or at rector@stja.ca.

 

HOW YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT ST. JOHN’S

Flower Chart for 2023

This is up 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.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FORMATION AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH FOR ALL AGES 

Education for Ministry (EfM)

A course of study offered on Zoom, on Wednesday evenings, for people who yearn to shape their faith into action and to strengthen their walk with God.

Participants have been asked why they have taken EfM…

• to speak with knowledge about their faith
• to be in community with fellow people who are on a journey
• for disciplined Bible study
• to live a life grounded in faith
• to deepen their understanding of their relationship with God

EfM offers…

Community with: 

• fellow people of faith
• enquiring people of faith
• discerning people of faith
• people longing for wisdom

Insight into: 

• Hebrew scripture
• New Testament
• Church history
• various theologies over time

A way to think theologically:

• in your day-to-day life
• in your place of work
• in your family
• wherever you minister in your church community

We meet weekly September to May, with breaks at Christmas and Easter. The program runs for four years but each year is taken independently. The seminar has people who are studying in all four years; this adds a real depth of richness and support for all present.

If you wish to find out more about this amazing and enriching program please contact Debora Jones-Akiyama, or one of the many in your parish who have participated in this course.

 

Readings for July 30, 2023, Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

GENESIS 29:15-28; PSALM 105:1-11, 45C; ROMANS 8:26-39; MATTHEW 13:31-33, 44-52 

Readings for August 6, 2023, Transfiguration of the Lord

DANIEL 7:9-10, 13-14; PSALM 99; 2 PETER 1:16-19; LUKE 9:28-36