Second Sunday in Lent

March 1, 2026

 

8:30 am (in-person) Holy Eucharist

 

10:00 am (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.

Coffee/Tea will be served after the 8:30am service.

No coffee hour after the 10am service due to the Chinese New Year lunch.

 

 

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS

 

Tuesdays                     10:30 am: Bible Study (on Zoom, find link above at 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 – 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

Genesis 12:1 Stewardship Bulletin bits . Prepared by Archdiocese of Regina.

“Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.”

God calls all of us to leave behind our old ways and to follow Him, placing our complete trust in Him. Some of the old ways that we struggle to leave behind might be materialism , selfishness and greed. Yet God promises to show us a new land and a better way to live. Remember what St. Teresa of Calcutta said,”God does not call us to be successful, God calls us to be faithful.”

 

Weekly Update from Children and Family Coordinator

This week is the second Sunday in our Lent season and we will be learning about what people actually do during this time. We will then be doing an activity to celebrate the season. Contact Sophie Anchor at children@stja.ca

 

Pastoral Note: Michael Regan

Thank you to all who assisted with the funeral of Michael Regan, spouse of Maureen Simons, this past Friday Feb. 27.

Please continue to hold Maureen and her family in your prayers in this time. As a reminder,

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

 

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

THIS WEEK’S DEVOTIONAL PROMPT: Name something in your life that is covered with questions and uncertainty. What helps you navigate the unknown?

Join us also as we continue to reflect on “wilderness” in our lives at our 2^nd Zoom Bible Study this Tuesday March 3, 10:30am – 12 noon. The theme for the week is “Wilderness as a place of mystery and the unknown.” The Zoom link can be found at the “This Week’s Worship & Programs” page.

 

INFORMATION

 

World Day of Prayer
Friday, 6 March 2026 – 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 at mfernem@icloud.com

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!

 

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 below. Angus can be reached at interim@stja.ca.

For pastoral emergencies, 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.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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 March 1st – Second Sunday in Lent

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

 

Sunday March 8th – Third Sunday in Lent

Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 95; Romans 5:1-11; John 4:5-42