St. John's Vancouver // Jan 27, 2019 News and Events

SERMON NOTES

What ’s up at St. John’s NEWCOMER COURSE // TODAY

LEARNERS’ EXCHANGE

A reminder that the newcomer course is starting today. We’re meeting in Fellowship Hall immediately after the 11:00 am service.

Every Sunday in the Café Room at 9:00 am, Learners’ Exchange offers stimulating speakers and engaging discussions.

KEEPING COMPANY WITH GOD // JAN 28 @ 7:30 PM Looking ahead to the New Year isn’t always easy. The challenges and uncertainties we face can sometimes seem daunting. Come to Keeping Company with God: rest, reflection and restoration at the end of the day to be encouraged. We will reflect on the wonderful promises in Psalm 121, where the psalmist reminds us that our help for the year ahead comes from the God who made heaven and earth.

This worship service is held at 7:30 pm in the Chapel. It will include music, a short reflection on a Bible passage, prayers from across the centuries and around the world, and if you desire, an opportunity to be prayed with by a member of our prayer team. If you have questions, please contact Manya Egerton, megerton@telus.net LEARNING TO LEAD // JAN 28 @ 7:00 PM When we gather in community groups for study, we gather to be nourished and transformed by Jesus, as our relationship with him deepens. This is a life-long task in which all of us can grow. If you lead Bible studies, or are interested in leading Bible studies, join us for an evening of teaching and discussion on going deeper into Scripture, and the impact this has on every aspect of our lives.

GRIEF: GOD’S HELP IN TIMES OF LOSS When dealing with painful loss, we often ask ourselves questions such as: What has happened to me? How will I get through the day? What if I can’t hold back my tears publically? Why did God let this happen? Such fears and thoughts are very real. The journey of healing, recovery, and integration is a painful yet promising one requiring patience, support, intention, and the work of the Holy Spirit.

St. John’s Vancouver will be facilitating a group that meets for six lessons, to support people through their painful loss. We will look at how the Psalms can shape our knowledge and experience of God through subjects such as denial, anger, sadness, trust, and acceptance as related to grief.

Meetings will be every other week, starting on February 14 at 7:30 pm, at the church. Please register at sjvan.org/events.

January 27 // Dan Glover John Calvin at Stake: Reconsidering the Genevan Reformer’s Role in the Burning of Michael Servetus LUNAR NEW YEAR PARTY // FEB 9 The St. John’s ESL ministry is hosting a Lunar New Year Party on Saturday, February 9, 5:00 to 9:00 pm. It is meant to welcome and build community with our newest international members, families, and friends. ALL are welcome to an intergenerational event with games, talent show, music and singing, and testimonies of faith by some of our new members.

It will be a pot-luck dinner so please bring a dish to share.

Please register on our website.

Need more info? Contact Sandy at sandyharmel@shaw.ca or 604-266-9940.

BIRTH TO THREE St. John’s Birth to Three ministry is seeking volunteers who are enthusiastic to share God’s love with young children. We have great fun making crafts and telling stories. Please email heather@sjvan.org if you are interested in helping out on a monthly or bimonthly basis.

Get our weekly email with all events happening in our community by subscribing to the parish email list at sjvan.org

Calendar CATECHISM // THE GOSPEL Have you ever noticed that the word “gospel” is used in dozens of different ways? Gospel is the book of Matthew’s genre, but it’s also a category in the grammy music awards. We sometimes talk about gospel ministry, but will also say off-hand that something is “gospel truth.” We may know that the Gospel is “good news”, but could we explain to another person what the Gospel actually is? This week we begin our seminar-style catechism class with the first question of the Catechism: “What is the Gospel?”

Come along and learn about the Gospel, it’s content, history, and importance for our lives today. We meet downstairs from 11:00 am to 12:15 pm, please join us!

PARENT NIGHT // FEB 15 & 22 Parent Nights are designed to equip and support parents navigating the many changes their children experience throughout adolescence. In February, we will be discussing the new SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) curriculum in schools.

All are welcome, please register on our website. If you have questions, please contact Jeremy, jeremy@sjvan.org

In our Community

MONDAY, JAN 28 10:45 am Little Years 7:00 pm Learning to Lead 7:30 pm

Quarterly Prayer Meeting

TUESDAY, JAN 29 7:30 pm Men’s Bible Study WEDNESDAY, JAN 30 7:20 am

Men’s Breakfast Bible Study

6:30 pm

Ekklesia (18 to 20-somethings)

THURSDAY, JAN 31 10:00 am Women @ 10 7:30 pm Choir Practice FRIDAY, FEB 1 4:00 pm Women’s retreat 5:45 pm Men’s Bible Study

JUST ONCE IN FIFTY YEARS This summer is Regent College’s 50th summer school (May 13-Aug 2) and class offerings are extraordinary! No educational background is needed, most courses are five days long, and Regent would love to have you!

Consider a week in July with N.T. Wright on Galatians. Gain clarity on the complex issues of sexuality with Sarah Williams, or delve into “Technology in the Household” with Andy Crouch. Attend to “Five Traditions and Practices of Prayer” with our own Bruce Hindmarsh.

More than 50 summer classes (including en route classes in Italy, Germany, Kenya, Scotland, and the Gulf Islands) will be offered on topics ranging from “Law, Advocacy and the Redemptive Work of God” to “Ephesians” to “George Herbert: Country Priest, Radical Poet,” and “Sitting with Job When Your World Falls Apart.” Iain Provan, Mariam Kovalishyn, Malcolm Guite, John Walton, Susan Phillips and many others will be teaching!

Go to rgnt.net/summer for information.

6:00 pm

Youth (grades 7-12)

SUNDAY, FEB 3 Matthew 12:22-27 7:30 am Holy Communion 9:00 am Holy Communion 11:00 am Holy Communion 6:00 pm Evening Prayer Learn more at sjvan.org/calendar

LEARNERS’ EXCHANGE At St. John’s, there is a weekly opportunity for adult education at Learners’ Exchange. This began in 1980 as a joint initiative between Dr JI Packer and Rev. Harry Robinson and continues today, providing a unique opportunity to meet, learn, and grow. They put in place four pillars to guide the topics: Christian History, The Bible, Anglicanism, and Applying our faith in daily life.

Learners’ Exchange was founded on the principle of lifelong learning and that we all have something to share. Each week has a presentation followed by an exchange of questions and ideas (and everyone is welcome to participate). Our speakers are members of the congregation who present on a topic that falls under one of the pillars.

This past term, we’ve heard presentations on a wide range of topics, including the Trinity, the Gafcon 2018 conference in Jerusalem, Urban Life and Mission in Victorian England, and Early Children’s Literature.

We meet each Sunday in the cafe room at 9:00 am. Coffee and refreshments are offered before we begin and you’ll find the people friendly and welcoming.

It is a great way to meet people and find your place in the larger congregation of St. John’s. If you’re looking for a friendly informal small group that meets regularly, come and join us at Learner’s Exchange.

St. John’s Vancouver Offices: 2325 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6J 3J2 | Phone: 604.558.4400 | stjohnsvancouver.org Stay informed: facebook.com/stjohnsvancouver | Engage with each other: facebook.com/groups/stjohnsvancouver