The E-Postle March 31, 2019

The Fourth Sunday in Lent

E-postle

March 31, 2019

    “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

Sunday, Mar 31           8:30 & 10am + coffee hour discussion after each service – 4^th sermon in Preaching Series – “The Method of Jesus’ Ministry”

Tuesday, Apr 2            10:15am – noon – “The Poetry of Lent” Bible Study in the Parish Hall

Wednesday, Apr 3      10am – Coffee and Crafts in the Parish Hall

Sunday, Apr 7              8:30 & 10am + coffee hour discussion after each service – 5^th sermon in Preaching Series – “Jesus’ Commission”

Thursday, Apr 11         7pm – ACW monthly meeting

Sunday, Apr 14            8:30 & 10am – Palm Sunday worship

Thursday, Apr 18         6pm – simple supper + Maundy Thursday worship

Friday, Apr 19              11am – Good Friday worship, with Stations of the Cross

Sunday, Apr 21            8:30 & 10am – Easter Sunday worship

 

Stewardship Reflection

“We must try to discover the real person we are, otherwise we cannot encounter the Lord in truth. From time to time something authentic shows through in moments when we are carried away by such joy that we forget who might be looking at us…when we are unself-conscious in moments of extreme pain… or when we have a deep sense of sadness or of wonder.  At these moments, we see something of the true person that we are.  But no sooner have we seen than we often turn away because we do not want to confront this person face to face… Nevertheless, this is the only real person there is in us.”

• from Anthony Bloom (1914-2003) Courage to Pray

 

“May this Lent bring you closer to the one who dwells deep within you.”

• from Contemplative Outreach.ie

 

Supper at Maundy Thursday Service   Thursday 18th April @ 6 pm

We will be having a simple supper of soups, cheese and buns at 6 pm as part of the Maundy Thursday worship service. We are requesting volunteers to cook/donate soups, cheese, olives and buns.

Sign-up sheets are posted at the usual place in the Parish Hall. For further details, please check in with Ruby at peopleswarden@stja.ca

 

Easter Lilies

The Altar Guild will be decorating the church on Saturday April 20th. If you would like to help offset the cost of the Easter Lilies by donating $10.00, please phone Brenda Binns at 604 931 2482. You may collect your Easter Lily after the 10 a.m. service.

New Chasubles

Keep an eye out at worship this year for 2 lovely new priest chasubles (purple and green) that have been recently purchased to complement our blue chasuble that debuted this past Advent. These chasubles were paid for by donations to the Memorial Fund – thank you to all who have generously contributed to this fund, and to Brenda Binns for shepherding the order through.

 

Lenten learning opportunities

Just two more weeks for learning together this Lent at St. John’s!:

• Preaching Series on Jesus – remaining Sundays March 31, and Apr. 7. Michael Chin, Anne Anchor, and Vivian Lam are taking turns preaching on a different aspect of Jesus’ ministry, and how that connects to our lives now. At coffee hour after both the 8:30am and 10am services, we are gathering to share our reflections on that week’s sermon topic.
• Lent Worship Words – 6 – Apr. 14 – This Lent, we are reflecting together each day on how different aspects of our worship and worship space bring us closer to God. We are creating our own St. John’s Lenten calendar—both online via our Facebook page, and a physical calendar at the church. Individuals and families are encouraged to sign up to take the lead on reflecting on one day’s word – there are just five more slots available! Sign-up sheets are in the parish hall, or contact Vivian at rector@stja.ca
• The Poetry of Lent – remaining Tuesdays Apr. 2, 9 – 10:15am-12noon – Our Tuesday morning Bible Study is reading the poetry of Mary Oliver together and reflecting on it and different scripture passages each week. Printed copies of the study guide are available – pick one up in the back of the church or contact Jennifer in the parish office at administrator@stja.ca to have the guide emailed to you.

 

Cobs Bread

A big thanks to Alan Yuen and Bob and Kristin Kuhn who have volunteered to join the team of people who pick up Cobs Bread on alternate Tuesdays. Thank you also to Charlotte and Doug Robertson (and their friend Mika), Teri Hazelton and Ann Adair-Austin for their continued support in this area.  A big Thank You also to the following people who consistently bag the bread in preparation for distribution to the Food Bank: Brenda Binns, Ferne Malcolm, Betty Moore, Mary-Lou Kyle, Joanne Rippon, Jan Castle, Sue Meredith, Teri Hazelton, Lynne Milner and Ann Adair-Austin.

 

A.C.W. News

The next A.C.W. meeting, originally scheduled for April 18th, has now been rescheduled to Thursday April 11th at 7 pm., as it conflicts with Maundy Thursday. We will be collecting our annual Baby Layette at this meeting. This outreach is not limited to A.C.W. members. If you would like to donate a new baby item please speak to Sue Hall, or any A.C.W. member. Any donation would be much appreciated. Baby Layettes are a collection of items a family would need for a new baby, bundled up in a blanket, and sent to needy families in the North of B.C. and locally.

 

Cold Wet Weather Mat Program

THANK YOU to all who helped at the Cold Wet Weather Mat program this month. There was a steady average of 12 guests who were housed and fed at St. Laurence. Thanks to those that worked a shift, prepared and served an evening meal and prepared and delivered sandwiches over 5 days. The donation of snack foods and of bread from our Cobs Bread program also aided in providing abundance for those who were in need this month.

The generous heart of the people of St. John’s clearly shows forth the love and ministry of following a servant Jesus.

 

Introduction to Centering Prayer Program

This program offers the opportunity to explore a deep reflective practice of silent prayer based on the rich wisdom teaching of the Christian contemplative tradition. Hosted by Ridge Meadows Centering Prayer Group at #156 – 19639 Meadows Gardens Way, Pitt Meadows, V3Y 2T5

There will be a Saturday workshop on April 27th, 10 am to 3pm. Continuing sessions will be held every Wednesday in May from 7pm to 8.30pm. For further information check out the flyer online at www.cogv.org  or contact Christine Kesans at 604-944-7447 or chris.kesans@gmail.com

 

Companion Diocese Pilgrimage Report

At the invitation of Bishop Brent Alawas, Archbishop Melissa Skelton—along with seven others from our diocese—visited our companion diocese of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines. They attended Diocesan Convention (read ‘Synod’), visited companion parishes and learned about the ministry in EDNP. The pilgrimage was supported by the Bishop’s Friends.

The participants will be sharing their stories, photos and learnings with our diocese on two occasions:

• Saturday, April 6 from 9:30 for 10am to 12noon at St. Christopher, West Vancouver
• Sunday, April 7 from 2 – 4pm at Holy Trinity Cathedral, New Westminster

Come and see.

 

Renewal of Baptismal and Ordination Vows & Chrism Mass

On Tuesday, April 16 at 12:10pm in Christ Church Cathedral (690 Burrard St., Vancouver), the Archbishop will preside as we make our annual renewal of vows and the blessing of Chrism. The Dean will preach.

Following the Mass and distribution of Oils a light lunch will be served. Following the lunch in the Cathedral Chancel, Father Martin Brokenleg will give a brief address on the spirituality of Holy Week, beginning at 1:45 and ending by 2pm. All are welcome.

A reminder that the Mass is open to all to renew their baptismal vows and to the clergy to renew their ordination vows.

Please register by April 11 via the link at the bottom of https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/events/renewal-of-vows-chrism-mass/2019-04-16

 

General Synod Volunteers

The Diocese of New Westminster is very excited to host the 42nd General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada July 9 to 16, 2019, at the Sheraton Wall Centre in Vancouver, and are looking for people to join the General Synod volunteer team.

They are seeking people who are:

• outgoing and friendly,
• have experience in welcoming or greeting at church, or in other frequent capacities,
• and are interested in witnessing the wider Church in action.

Volunteers will be assigned in shifts to participate in areas such as meeting participants at the airport, on-site registration, providing local information and directions, etc.

Please see https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/diocesan-ministries/general-synod-2019 for more information.

 

 PWRDF response to Cyclone

The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) is responding to two ACT Alliance emergency appeals for Cyclone Idai relief with an initial pledge of $30,000 for Mozambique and $20,000 for Zimbabwe. Cyclone Idai has caused loss of life, destruction of property and displacement in the two countries as well as neighbouring Malawi.

More than 215 people have been killed by the storm according to official figures in the three countries. Still hundreds more are missing and more than 1.5 million people have been affected, according to the Red Cross and government officials. The president of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi, fears the number of dead in Mozambique may be as high as 1,000 people.

Please see https://pwrdf.org/pwrdf-responds-to-cyclone-disaster/ for more information on ways to contribute to these relief efforts.

 

Proteins needed for St. John’s 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. John’s Food Bank in April:

• 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, arrange with the office to drop off during the week, or give some money to this ministry towards the purchase of fresh products.

 

Prayer Cycle

The Anglican Church of Canada – the Most Rev. Fred Hiltz, Primate, and the Rt. Rev. Mark MacDonald, National Indigenous Bishop.

The Diocese of New Westminster – the Most Rev. Melissa Skelton, Archbishop, and Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of BC and Yukon.

This week:

*        care + share

• The West Point Grey Neighbourhood Ministry Mobile Unit

• Salal & Cedar Watershed Discipleship Ministry – The Reverend Laurel Dykstra

*        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 March 31, 2019 – Fourth Sunday in Lent

Joshua 5:9-12; Psalm 32; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Readings for April 7, 2019 – Fifth Sunday in Lent

Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3:4b-14; John 12:1-8

  

Important Contact Information

Rector – The Rev. Vivian Lam – rector@stja.ca or 604-936-7762

Office Administrator – Jennifer Green – administrator@stja.ca or 604-936-7762

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 or ACW@stja.ca

Children’s Ministry /Godly Play – Christina Anchor – children@stja.ca

Prayer Shawls – Rosa Weisensel – administrator@stja.ca

Bible Study – Lynne Milner – biblestudy@stja.ca

Food Bank – Lynne Milner – foodbank@stja.ca