St. John's Vancouver // August 18, 2019 news and events

St. John’s Vancouver Things happening in the life of our church and in our community August 18, 2019

What’s up at St. John’s LIFE EXPLORED INFO TRAINING SESSION // SEPT 7 This spring we hosted a training session in order to learn a little bit more about Life Explored, the evangelism program that we’re beginning to use as a congregation. We’ll be hosting a second training session on September 7, with the same trainer, as we prepare to roll out Life Explored in October. Whether you are curious about the program, or have already been through it once with us this spring, this training session will provide a helpful context to explore content, and to work through questions you might still have about how to make the most of Life Explored.

The training session will be held in the Cedar Room at VanDusen Garden, from 8:30 am-1:30 pm. Coffee, snacks, and lunch will be provided. If you’d like to attend please register online.

DO YOU KNOW OF A JOB OPENING? Earlier this year the Abdul Satar family, the refugee family we sponsor, was able to move to Vancouver. In the past months, Farhad, Homa and their children Marve (8) and Arsham (4) have begun to settle well, all things being considered. At the moment Farhad is eager to work and is looking for full-time work in the day so he can attend English classes in the evening.

If you know of possible employment for Farhad, a former soldier with basic English skill, please contact Owen Underhill, underhil@sfu.ca.

DO YOU LOVE SHARING JESUS WITH KIDS? Do you love sharing the gospel? Do you love children and families and have an ability to teach children and nurture their spiritual growth? If so, please consider working with us as the Evening Service Kids Coordinator. This is a one-year contract position, working six hours per week primarily at the Evening Service. Details can be found at stjohnsvancouver.org/jobs.

Prayer Points

Calendar WED, AUGUST 21 6:30 pm

Ekklesia (18 to 20-somethings)

SUN, AUGUST 25 1 Kings 19:1-18 8:00 am Holy Communion 10:00 am

Baptism (Family Service)

6:00 pm Holy Communion LEARN MORE AT SJVAN.ORG/CALENDAR

CONDOLENCES Please pray for the family of Gordon McGee who recently passed away. Gordon was a beloved member of our St. John’s family for many years.

He was not able to come to church in recent years because of mobility issues but continued to receive visits from friends in our church. His vibrant faith and love for the Lord Jesus was a constant inspiration to those who knew him.

All are invited to his funeral which will take place at St. John’s on Friday, August 23 at 10:30 am.

1. Please pray for St. John’s members who have lost a friend or family member in the last five years and that they would seek the comfort of the Holy Spirit through the upcoming grief group.

2. That Farhad and Homa will find work that will allow them to also study English.

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

Prayer Stories We all know the importance of prayer, yet for many of us, it can feel as though there isn’t enough time in the day to sit down, quiet our minds, and pray. Through these Prayer Stories, we hope you will be encouraged to set aside time for prayer and to remember where you see God at work in your life.

This week’s story was written by Kathryn Haller.

My parents are elderly. My mother is frail. And they both have different forms of dementia. While they are secure in their hope of heaven, they need encouragement in living out their complicated last days with God’s presence in their lives.

A year ago, they lived with us for seven months, and they loved coming to St. John’s. My dad introduced everyone he met to the “micro-hug” and occasionally prayed for someone at coffee time. My mom basked in the music of the organ and appreciated David Short’s kindness to her. In the evenings, we tried to have time to sing and pray a short liturgy before they slept.

Recently I visited my parents in Parksville. After dinner, my mom started to get very agitated. I helped her lie down on the sofa, and we sang praise songs and hymns, and she calmed down immediately. After another 30 or 40 minutes of praise, she was peaceful, joyful, and spontaneously praying. She recited the 23rd Psalm when I asked her to. As my ride to the ferry came I thought we could sing the doxology and pray a benediction, but my mom started to pour out her heart in prayer, thanking Jesus for his blessings and praying for people.

When our prayers ended, we made a dash for the ferry. I ran to the ticket counter and bought my ticket seconds before the gate shut.

The Lord grant us a quiet night, and at the last a perfect end; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with us this night, and forevermore.

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