English Announcements - January 28, 2024

1.       Welcome – A hearty welcome to our guest speaker Pastor Brian Ho. Thank you, Pastor Brian for sharing God’s Word with us today.

2.    For those serving in 2024, the link to the schedule has been emailed to you. If you haven't received any emails or have any questions or concerns, please contact Kendra or Ps Andy. We'll also be having a meeting on February 4th for the upcoming year so please sign up through the Google Forms link that was included in the email as well!

3.    We are excited to announce that this year’s Mission Week will feature a young missionary couple working in creative ways to bring the good news of Jesus to the victimized in S.E. Asia. We have been supporting them financially since last year, and now we finally get to meet their family of three in person! A S.E. Asian-themed dinner is being planned for Saturday, Feb 24th, at 6:00 pm, followed by separate meetings in English and Cantonese at 7:30 pm, in which the couple will split up to share about their stories and mission work. On Sunday, Feb. 25, the couple is scheduled to preach together in both services. Please mark your calendars for these events and register for the dinner when the time comes.

4.   This month we are sending our financial support to Vancouver Chinese Christian Short Term Mission Training Centre (VCCSTM) and A Rocha Canada. The updated profiles and prayer requests of both organizations will be posted on Whatsapp and on our website.

5.    December Offering Record - Please verify your offering record that has been posted on WhatsApp and contact Elder Roger Hiew for any questions.

January EB Meeting Highlights:

1.     Approved the Mission Department’s recommendation to redirect $4000 from the Other Mission Fund to Pastor Abraham's most recent appeal for building a new church in India.

2.    Decided to implement recycling and composting at church by preparing bins to sort and collect recyclables and compostables, to be removed from church weekly by staff and volunteers to be properly disposed.

3.    Decided to discontinue the printing and distribution of the church directory to protect members’ privacy and security. The Board urges all members with old copies of the directory to store and use them with discretion.

English Announcements - January 21, 2024

1.    Ps Michelle will be away on leave from Jan 10th-29th. For Kids’ Ministry matters, please contact Ps Marcus.

2.   Mandarin Small Group will be meeting this afternoon at church after having a potluck lunch in the basement.

3.   For those serving in 2024, the link to the schedule has been emailed to you. If you haven't received any emails or have any questions or concerns, please contact Kendra or Ps Andy. We'll also be having a meeting on February 4th for the upcoming year so please sign up through the Google Forms link that was included in the email as well!

January EB Meeting Highlights:

1.    Approved the Mission Department’s recommendation to redirect $4000 from the Other Mission Fund to Pastor Abraham's most recent appeal for building a new church in India.

2.   Decided to implement recycling and composting at church by preparing bins to sort and collect recyclables and compostables, to be removed from church weekly by staff and volunteers to be properly disposed.

3.   Decided to discontinue the printing and distribution of the church directory to protect members’ privacy and security. The Board urges all members with old copies of the directory to store and use them with discretion.

English Announcements - December 24, 2023

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

English Announcements - December 17, 2023

1.     Today is the third Sunday of Advent this year, when we light the candle of joy. May the Lord help us to prepare our hearts.

2.    Mark your calendars - Kids Min Christmas Carnival is happening on Dec 24. This will be an outreach event welcoming our neighbours. For further inquiries, please contact Ps Michelle.

3.    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 Dec 24 if you are interested. The cost of the Love Feast is about $7 per person. Instead of collecting a registration fee, a freewill donation would be appreciated. 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. Special envelopes will be distributed on Dec 17 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.

4.   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.

5.    2023 Annual Report - Would all pastors, elders, department leaders and fellowship leaders please submit your annual reports to Jasmine by Jan 15, 2024 via email at aa@newbern.bc.ca.

6.    Please join us for refreshments in the basement after the Cantonese Service at 12pm!