Fourth Sunday in Lent

E-Postle

March 10, 2024

 

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 – http://www.stja.ca/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

 

Coffee/Tea will be served after the 10am service.

 

 

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS

 

Tuesdays                     10.30 am: Lenten study (see link above for Tuesday Bible Study)

7:00 pm: Prayer Group (see link above)

Fridays                        11 am: Choir Practice

 

Tues – Mar 12              7pm: Public Lecture (Reimagining Church, Land & Community)

Wed – Mar 13             9 am to 4.30 pm: Conference (Reimagining Church, Land & Community)

Thurs – Mar 21            1 pm: ACW meeting

Sat – Apr 13                 9am: Parish Council retreat

Sat – May 11               9.30 am: Mission Conference – Toward a Theology of Land

Sat – May 25               11am: Ron Barnes’ interment @ St Clements, North Van

Sun – May 26               Trinity Sunday – Bishop’s Visit

 

 

NEW THIS WEEK

Stewardship Reflection              

Prepared by Ven. Dr. M. Pollesel John 3:14-21

Darkness or light—-Jesus tells us that if we live our lives as faithful stewards our deeds will shine out, as we reflect God’s dream. How much light do our deeds give off?

 

Mission Conference – Toward a Theology of Land

May 11: 9:30am-3:00pm @ St. Mark’s, Ocean Park

You are invited to one of the largest biannual gatherings of the diocese of New Westminster. The Mission Conference is the key social and learning event held every other year when Synod is not in session. It is open and free to all members of the parishes and not just clergy and synod delegates.

Following the 2023 Synod discussions about housing and homelessness, the Mission Conference planners chose as this year’s theme: Toward a Theology of Land. Presenters: Richard Leggett, Mari Joerstad, and Katherine Murray are all local, ordained and lay leaders, with rich experience in teaching and reflecting a thoughtful, God-centred understanding of land, as well as walking with churches who are seeking to steward their lands and buildings for God’s mission in the world.

Registration is free and lunch will be provided.

 

 

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE PART OF ST JOHN’S

The following are vignettes from parishioners of the parish being offered throughout the year of the 125^th Anniversary celebrations. If you are asked to offer one week, please accept so that we may get to know a bit more about our friends in the pews. Please forward a written copy to news@stja.ca thereafter. These will be posted in the E-Postle as well as a compilation for print later in the year.

 

Richard Thompson 3 March, 2024 @ 10 am service

Iris and I first started attending St. John’s in 1998. Neither of us had been particularly regular church goers as adults, although Iris had a more religious upbringing as a child and adolescent than I did. I recall my dad being a very devout Anglican, but only about two days out of the year.

Despite this, once our first daughter was born, we felt that we would like to get Jane baptized, and that we should, as responsible parents, give Jane, and later Hilary, some exposure to religion and the church. We did scout out some other churches, but I think the first church that we attended services at was here at St. John’s.

The welcome that we received was very warm, and we really felt that this was the church for us.  If I’m remembering correctly the rector at the time was an interim, named William Roberts, and he was a very warm and friendly priest. We later learned, or were led to believe, that he hailed from Edmonton, and in addition to his clerical life, had also been a municipal politician and a car salesman.

We settled right in at St. John’s. I think it was the early 2000’s when I was first asked to be part of Parish Council, and I’ve held a few different positions since then. Iris has made connections with several people in the church, including a group of women who used to meet regularly for centering prayer.

I think what I have found most enjoyable about being part St. John’s is threefold: I find comfort in the familiarity of the rituals, the parts of the service itself, and the people that we see and know here; secondly, is the knowledge that God is with us always, and being part of St. John’s certainly nurtures our feeling and understanding that God is part of our life, and lastly, the opportunity to be of service as a way of offering thanks for what we receive, is also part of life at St. John’s.

We get a lot out of being part of St. John’s and so I’d like to say thank you for being here and thank you for offering me the chance to share my recollections.

 

 

INFORMATION

Bible Study on Tuesdays at 10:30am.

The Bible Study Group will be studying a book this Lent titled Healing our Broken Humanity by Grace Kim and Graham Hill – Practices for Revitalizing the Church and Renewing the World.

 

 

 

Reimagining Church, Land & Community

March 12 & 13, 2024. A Public Lecture and a Conference for anyone who is keen to learn, share, and explore collaboration, as we work to re-imagine church properties for urban flourishing, Indigenous-settler reconciliation, community justice and services, and affordable and supportive housing.

Venue: First Vancouver Christian Reformed Church, 2670 Victoria Drive, Vancouver.

Enquiries, please contact Tim Dickau tim@citygatevancouver.org or David Kupp david@kabisa.ca

 

Easter Support for a Kinsight family
Christine and Karlis Kesans will be coordinating the Easter gift for a Kinsight family. This is from a Council goal to support a family in need three times a year. If you wish to make a donation to this ministry please do so by envelope with a notation… for the Kinsight family… and  put it on the offertory plate.
We will hear more as this ministry goes forward throughout the year
Questions can be directed to Christine Kesans at  chris.kesans@gmail.com

 

Nominations for the Order of The Diocese of New Westminster

It is time now to nominate our next exceptional parish leader.

The purpose of the Order is to honour and give special recognition to lay members of the Diocese who have given outstanding service over a significant period of time in their volunteer ministry.

Information on eligibility criteria and nomination from can be found at https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/programs/odnw-order-of-the-diocese-of-new-westminsterhttps://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/programs/the-odnw

Should you wish to nominate someone, please let Rev Miranda know at interim@stja.ca by 2 April, 2024.

 

HOW YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT ST. JOHN’S

 

Flower Chart for 2024

This is up in 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

10 March 2024 Fourth Sunday in Lent

Numbers 21: 4–9; Psalm, 107: 1-3, 17–22; Ephesians 2: 1–10; John 3:14–21

 

17 March 2024 Fifth Sunday in Lent

Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51:1-13 or Psalm 119:9-16; Hebrews 5:5-10; John 12:20-33