1.     Today is the fourth and last Sunday of Advent this year, when we light the candle of love. Marry Christmas to you all!

2.    We invite y’all to join us in the Year End Thanksgiving Sharing session after service on Dec 31 at 11am in the English Sanctuary. This will be followed by a Love Feast at the basement, please sign up with Jasmine before the end of today if you are interested. The cost of the Love Feast is about $7 per person, a freewill donation would be collected. As we approach the end of 2023, please prayerfully consider making a special Year End Thanksgiving offering in response to God’s grace and to cover the budget shortfall. Please use the special envelopes distributed for cash and cheque donations. For all online donations, please kindly indicate that it is dedicated towards the Year End Thanksgiving offering. Please note that as we are wrapping up our account for 2023, only donations received on or before Dec 31 (online, cash and cheque) will be reflected on the 2023 Offering Summary and receipted as 2023 donations.

3.    The church office will be closed on Dec 26 for Boxing Day Holiday, on Dec 27 in lieu of Christmas Day Holiday, and on Dec 29. Also, due to some staff’s participation in the Winter Conference, they may be less available this coming week. Thank you for your understanding.

4.    Praise Dance will pause for a week and resume on Jan 5, 2024.

5.    For any expenses in 2023 that requires reimbursement from the church, please fill out and submit a claim form with receipts attached to Jasmine by Jan 1, 2024.

6.    The 48th Anniversary Joint Service (Jan 7, 2024) event arrangements:

·     Joint Service and Worker’s Installation will begin at 11am in the Cantonese Sanctuary;

·     refreshments and cake will be provided in the basement after the service, a free will offering will be collected to cover the cost of the food, please register with Jasmine before Jan 2 if you are interested;

·     Children’s Church (9:30) will be cancelled, but arrangements for Children and Youth Sunday school (11:00) will be as usual;

·     communion will be taken on Jan 14 instead.

December EB Meeting Highlights

a.   Confirmed the 2024 budget, event calendar, and workers list, including the Elders’ roles

b.   Decided to donate $1500 from our Benevolent Fund budget to the Vancouver Food Bank

c.   Decided to explore options for composting at the church

d.   Decided to relocate the copier room to room 7 for more flexible use of space