First Sunday in Lent

E-Postle

Feb 22, 2026

8:30 am (in-person) Holy Eucharist

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, including Zoom links and bulletin and scripture readings for Sunday worship.

Only Coffee/Tea will be served

(Please bring your own snack/lunch as Vestry will end approximately at 1 pm)

 

 

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS

 

Tuesdays                     10:30 am: Bible Study (on Zoom, see link above under This Week’s Worship & Programs)

Fridays                        11:00 am: Choir Practice

Ongoing                      Beverage container deposits (refer to HOW YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT ST. JOHN)

 

Sun – Feb 22                11.30 am: Vestry meeting – will be accessible via Zoom (use Sunday worship link above)

Sun – Mar 1                12 noon: Chinese New Year lunch

Fri – Mar 6                  1 pm: World Day of Prayer

Wed – Mar 11             10 am: Spring Cleaning

 

 

NEW THIS WEEK

 

Stewardship Reflection

Matthew 4:10 Stewardship Bulletin Bits prepared by Archdiocese of Regina.

“It is written: “The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.”

Tempted between the riches and power of this world and service to God, Jesus chose service to His Father. If we wish to truly follow Jesus, we too, must decide to turn away from worldly power and riches and put God at the centre of our lives. Lent is our time to prune ourselves of earthly things and develop and nurture heavenly things. Lent is the time to repent and let go of the other “gods” we have put before God.

 

Weekly Update from Children and Family Coordinator

This week we begin our Lent season and will be learning about what Lent actually is. We will then make a 3d lantern to symbolise the season. Contact Sophie Anchor at children@stja.ca

 

Exploring “The Wilderness of Lent” at St. John’s

THIS WEEK’S DEVOTIONAL PROMPT: Identify something in your life that’s beginning or just getting started—a new job, a new relationship, a new chapter, a new interest. What is your prayer for this beginning?

 

This Sunday, Feb. 22, is the first Sunday in Lent, and our gospel is the well-known passage where, immediately after his baptism, Jesus is driven by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested before beginning his ministry. In a way, the story of Jesus really begins here in the wilderness.

 

Wilderness provides a metaphor of our journey through Lent, traditionally a time of self-examination and preparation for Holy Week and Easter. Wilderness is also the theme of our Tuesday Zoom Bible studies during Lent, or that you can explore in your own personal Lenten journey with our devotional booklet.

 

Through this series we are invited to reflect on “wilderness” in our lives, beginning in the first Bible Study this Tuesday Feb. 24 with “Wilderness as a place of beginnings.” Following weeks will explore Wilderness as: a place of mystery and the unknown, a place of isolation but also of connection, a place of disruption in our lives, a place of new and resilient life, and—in Holy week—a place where we are called to be brave.

 

So, come, join us as we journey together through the wilderness!

 

Pastoral Note: Michael Regan

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Michael Regan, beloved husband of Maureen Simons, on 19 February 2026. Please hold Maureen and her family in your prayers during this difficult time.

 

Maureen has requested privacy for the time being, and so we ask everyone to honour this by refraining from phoning or emailing. Sympathy cards may be sent to Maureen via the Parish Office, for those who do not already have her address. We will let the parish know as funeral details are determined.

 

May Michael rest in peace, and may God grant comfort and strength to all of us who mourn.

 

Chinese New Year Lunch

Sunday, 1st March – 12 pm
To usher in the Year of the Horse, we will gather for a celebration lunch at Lougheed Wonton Restaurant.
Only 12 tickets left at $25 each. Tickets are available from Antoinette Woodman and Sue Meredith.

 

Name Badges – A request by the ushers

If you have taken your badges home, please remember to bring them with you the next time you come to church. If you prefer to leave your badge at church, please return it to the box and place it in alphabetical order by your last name.

The box will be brought downstairs for those who continue to wear their badges during coffee hour.

Thank you for your cooperation.

 

World Day of Prayer – Wednesday, 6 March 2026 at 1:00 pm

The ACW ladies are organizing a special gathering to observe the World Day of Prayer. We will be viewing the service titled “I Will Give You Rest: Come”, produced by the World Day of Prayer Committee of Nigeria.

The service will be followed by tea and Nigerian snacks. Everyone is warmly welcome.

To assist with catering, please let peopleswarden@stja.ca know if you will be attending by Tuesday, 3 March.

If you would like to bring a dish to share, please connect with Ferne.

We look forward to gathering together in prayer and fellowship.

 

Spring Cleaning – Wednesday March 11, 2026 @ 10 am -12 pm

We will be gathering at 10:00 am to give the church a thorough cleaning.

Cleaning equipment and supplies will be provided. However, please feel free to bring any additional items you prefer to use, such as long-handled dusters, mini vacuums, or your favourite cleaning cloths.

Thank you in advance for helping us care for our church home!

 

 

INFORMATION

 

Priest Weekly Schedule & Contact Info

For February & March, the first 2 months of Vivian’s 4 month graduated return-to-work plan, both she and Angus will be working half-time hours.

 

• Sundays – both priests at both worship services, alternating as presider and preacher.
• Tuesdays – Vivian in the office, Angus works from home.
• Thursdays – Angus in the office, Vivian works from home.
• Remaining hours will be variable according to what is needed for the week, and the above schedule may sometimes be adjusted.

 

Vivian can be reached at rector@stja.ca or her cell phone. Angus can be reached at interim@stja.ca.

For pastoral emergencies, call or text Vivian’s cell phone. You can also call the parish office at 604-936-7762 during office hours (Tues/Thurs/Fri 10am-2pm); after hours, you can listen to the church voicemail to get the pastoral emergencies phone number.

 

Lenten Program: Wilderness

This Lent, our parish is exploring together the theme of wilderness. As the publisher of our program describes:

“…through the wilderness of Lent, we are invited to surrender to the wild leadings of the Spirit. We rarely enter the wilderness willingly, but hopefully through our wandering we remember who we are and whose we are…”

 

We hope you’ll join us! There are several ways you can engage with the material:

 

1. Devotional Booklet – offers various devotions on a weekly wilderness theme, using scripture, poetry, artwork, written reflections, and colouring/journaling prompts. A sample booklet is available on Sundays at church, if you’d like to have a look-through before requesting it.

 

Contact the Parish Office at administrator@stja.ca or 604-936-7762

1. for a printed copy (donations to offset printing costs appreciated, for those who are able).
2. for a downloadable e-copy that you can print yourself or view on your device.
3. Note: there is a larger-print version available for those who prefer it.

 

2. Tuesday morning Zoom discussions – come together online to share your learning through the devotional booklet at our Tuesday Bible study—10:30am-12noon each Tues. of Lent (Feb 24, Mar 3, 10, 17, 24, 31)

 

3. Wilderness Words – pick up one (or several!) devotional cards at Sunday worship. Each card has a word connected to wilderness, and a related scripture verse and short prayer to reflect on.

 

4. Weekly devotional prompts in the E-Postle and on our Facebook page

 

5. You’ll also hear the scriptures and themes picked up at Sunday worship and preaching.

 

Nominations for the Order of The Diocese of New Westminster 2026

It is time now to nominate an exceptional parishioner.

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 can be found at https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/programs/the-odnw

Should you wish to nominate someone, please let Rev Vivian know at rector@stja.ca by 3 April 2026.

 

 

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE PART OF ST JOHN’S

 

Prayers and Pastoral care
There are many ways that this community of St. John’s offers prayers.
Weekly Intercessions in the service. Requests to deacon@stja.ca

Ongoing prayer requests for any concerns one may have. Requests to prayer@stja.ca
Pastoral Care – For Parish Visiting Ministry, please contact Debora Jones-Akiyama.

 

 

HOW YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT ST. JOHN’S

 

Beverage container deposits

Please consider making St. John’s the recipient of the proceeds when you return bottles and cans to any Return-It recycling depot. https://www.return-it.ca/

Place them in clear plastic bags, enter the Church’s phone number 604 936 7762 into the machine that prints the sticker, affix to the transparent bag (s), and St. John’s will get credit for the deposit returned.

OR you may just want to bring your empties to the church.

This fund is to help defray costs of having a neighbour-teenager manage the garbage and green waste bins.

 

Flower Chart for 2026

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. You may also give via PayPal/credit card. Please contact Sheila at treasurer@stja.ca for more details.

 

READINGS

Sunday February 22nd – First Sunday in Lent

Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7; Psalm 32; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11

 

Sunday March 1st – Second Sunday in Lent

Genesis 12:1-4a; Psalm 121; Romans 4:1-5, 13-17; John 3:1-17