The Third Sunday of Advent
E-postle
December 16, 2018

“The Parish of St. John the Apostle is called to be
* A Spirited Community at the heart of Port Moody
* transformed through the experience of the presence of Christ
* and sent out to share God’s Love”

Upcoming Dates
Tuesday Dec 18 10:30-noon, Bible Study in the parish hall
Monday Dec 24 Christmas Eve Service times are 7:00 p.m., (Family Service) and 10:00 p.m., (Choral Eucharist)
Tuesday Dec 25 Christmas Day Service is at 10:00 a.m.

Rector’s Note
I am still feeling a warm glow after Tuesday’s Celebration of New Ministry and Induction! Thank you to everyone who helped make it possible. I’ve included below the thank you page from the bulletin from that evening, which names some of these people. Of course, there were many, many more—too many to name individually!—who helped in various and important ways, often in ways hidden and behind-the-scenes. Thank you to each and every one of you!

On that note, one of my favourite parts of the service was when as each of the gifts were presented to me, each presenter joined me up front. By the end when Archbishop Melissa said “Vivian, let all these be signs of the ministry which is mine and yours, and is shared by all the people of God,” we had this wonderful visual with everyone standing up there, of how God’s ministry that is done here at St. John’s is truly a community effort – that each and every one of us, ordained and lay, young and old, are integral parts of it all. I give thanks to God for this, and may it continue to be so as we move forward together into our joint ministry here.

Peace,
Vivian
(THANK YOU PAGE FROM TUESDAY EVENING’S BULLETIN)
Welcome to the Parish of St. John the Apostle. This evening Archbishop Melissa Skelton inducts Vivian Lam as our new Rector, and blesses her shared ministry with the people of this congregation. We are excited to have you join us as we mark this new chapter of our congregation’s life. We have come to this place through the support and work of many.

We thank Charlene Aleck, elected Councillor of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, for honouring us with her presence and for offering the Territorial Acknowledgement and Welcome tonight; we also thank Tasha Faye Evans, for connecting us to Charlene, and for sharing her friendship and wisdom with our community.

We acknowledge with deep appreciation the work of our Interim Priests, the Rev. Stephanie Shepard and the Rev. Timothy Morgan, who led and walked with us for a year and a half and the last three months, respectively. They have blessed us with their preaching, pastoring, and abundant gifts of energy and faith.

We thank wardens Geri Grigg and Ruby Ng and the Parish Council for their sure servant leadership of this congregation during this time, and the Canonical Committee for shepherding the Rector search process.

We thank the Rev. Anne Anchor for her often behind-the-scenes leadership in liturgical, pastoral, and administrative and other areas during the interim time, and for the steady pastoral presence and leadership of the Rev. Michael Chin and the Rev. Lilian Elliott.

We thank Sue Hall and the Anglican Church Women (ACW) for their ministry of hospitality in hosting tonight’s reception, and Brenda Binns and the Altar Guild for their ministry of liturgical support for tonight’s service. We thank Rich Thompson and Michael Lau for their ministry of property care and maintenance, and for their role in overseeing the multiple preparations of the building for tonight. We thank all those participating in the service, both parishioners and guests from the wider diocese.

Finally, most importantly of all, we thank God for the privilege of serving in this ministry. We pray that as we at St. John’s strive to be faithful disciples and active witnesses to Christ in Port Moody and beyond, that always to God be the glory.

Advent Learning Opportunities
Continuing on Dec. 16 & 23, after the 8:30am and 10am services come gather to share our findings and discoveries about God through our AdventWords. Check out our St. John’s Adventword calendar at www.facebook.com/StJohnAnglican and the paper version in our parish hall. You can also view the global Advent calendar at https://www.adventword.org/, and sign up there for daily emailed meditations on each word.

The Tuesday 10:30am Bible study is continuing to discuss together on Dec. 18 the Living in the Edge program. From the program description: “How do we find our way when one thing is ending and another thing is beginning? In the great joys and sorrows of our lives, and in the economic, political and climatic changes of our world, how do we live in the in-between?” Read more about the program at http://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/diocesan-resources/2018-advent-resource, and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up for daily emails (whether or not you can attend on Tuesdays).

Stewardship Reflection
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Question: What can you let go of this week and put your trust in God?

Food Bank Christmas Fundraiser
Each year at this time we ask parishioners for a donation of $20 towards a gift of boxed cookies to be given out to Food Bank families at Christmas. The remainder goes towards the Christmas dinner on Dec. 6 and the extra groceries given on Dec. 20. There will be a table set out at the back of the Church on Dec. 16 to receive donations.
New Members for the Altar Guild
The members of St John’s Altar Guild are looking for some new members to join us. We work in groups on a 4 week rotating schedule, usually on a Saturday morning, arranging flowers, cleaning the brass, setting up for the Eucharist and laundering the Altar linens. Please speak to a member of the Altar Guild if you are interested in joining us.
STJA Website
We are continually monitoring and updating information on the website with the support of Amanda Mungal and Josh Pry of “It’s Your Time”.
Should you see any information that’s incorrect or incomplete, please let Vivian (rector@stja.ca) or Ruby (peopleswarden@stja.ca) know.

Proteins needed for St. Johns Food Bank
Protein-rich foods are often the most expensive items for families to purchase when grocery shopping. People on limited budgets often cannot afford them, and make do with stodgy foods to fill stomachs. Please help those who need them by donating the following to St. Johns Food Bank in December:
• tinned salmon, tuna, chicken, beef (not all can eat pork products)
• shelf stable nut butters
• dried or tinned beans and peas
• powdered or shelf stable milks
• meaty stews or soups
• cans of vegetables
Bring your offerings on Sunday, drop off during the week Monday through Thursday 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, or give some money to this ministry towards the purchase of fresh products.
Prayer Cycle
The Anglican Church, the Diocese of New Westminster, Archbishop Melissa Skelton;

This week:

• The Deanery of Royal City / South Burnaby – The Reverend Gordon Barrett, Regional Dean
• Our partner Diocese of Northern Philippines, Bishop Brent Alawas, and especially the people of our twin church at St. John’s Mission, Bila, Mountain Province;
  *The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada- National Bishop Susan Johnson, BC Synod Bishop Greg Mohr;
  *The brothers and sisters who share our worship space: The Port Moody Korean Presbyterian Church and the Polish Evangelical Church.

Readings for December 16, 2018 – 3rd Sunday of Advent
Zephaniah 3:14-20; Canticle 3 (Isaiah 12:2-6); Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18

Readings for December 23, 2018 – 4th Sunday of Advent
Micah 5:2-5a; Canticle 18 (Luke1:47-55); or Psalm 80:1-7; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke1:39-45

Important Contact Information
Rector – The Rev. Vivian Lam rector@stja.ca or 604-936-7762
Parish Office- Kelly Million administrator@stja.ca or 604-936-7762: 9:30 am- 1:30 pm Mon. – Thurs.
Rector’s Warden- Geri Grigg rectorswarden@stja.ca
People’s Warden – Ruby Ng peopleswarden@stja.ca
Treasurer – Cedric Miller treasurer@stja.ca
Envelope Secretary – Sheila de Vaal envelopesecretary@stja.ca
Parish Council – Adelaine Miller, Secretary parishcouncilsecretary@stja.ca
Altar Guild – Brenda Binns altarguild@stja.ca
St. John Prayer Circle – Sue Elliott prayer@stja.ca
Pastoral Visiting Ministry – Joanne Walton/Alma Oldenburg pastoralvisits@stja.ca
Anglican Church Women (ACW) – Sue Hall 604-936-0176 ACW@stja.ca
Children Ministry /Godly Play – Christina Anchor children@stja.ca
Prayer Shawls – Rosa Weisensel shawls@stja.ca
Bible Study – Lynne Milner biblestudy@stja.ca
Food Bank – Lynne Milner foodbank@stja.ca