Pastor's Message - Bob Bahr
Dear Friends,
This is the third week of Advent and we will be lighting the candle of love. This week we will be looking at the Christmas story from God’s perspective; through His eyes. The birth of Jesus, in the words of Charles Chesterton, “is an expression of the ferocious, relentless, tender love of God for each one of us.”
This Sunday I want us to reflect on God’s relentless pursuit of each and every one of us – regardless of age, race, beliefs, education, gender, tastes in music, etc. Jesus came to show us what God really thinks of us.
My prayer for each of us is that we may experience in our own lives God’s presence with us during this season of Advent.
John 1:18 “No one has ever seen God but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side has made him known.”
Winter Weather: It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas with lots of snow coming our way. If for any reason the Sunday morning service will not occur we will put a notice on our website. Be sure to take a look before coming to church.
Baptism Service: On Sunday, December 18 we will be celebrating the baptism of Xiao Hui Li (Wendy) and Song Wang. Please be praying for Song and Wendy as they prepare to be baptized. We look forward to being together next week for this celebration.
Awana Youth Christmas Party: 7pm Wednesday, December 21 in the Adult Lounge – all youth welcome to come. Desserts and beverages will be provided.
Volunteers needed for the technical team: We are looking for volunteers to help the tech team on Sunday mornings plus our Blue Christmas and Christmas Eve services, computer experience would be helpful. Training will be provided. For more information email wvbc@westvanbaptist.com or call the office at 604.922.0911.
Thank you to the Missions Committee for decorating the WVBC tree for the Dundarave Festival of lights. We encourage you to go down and have a look at it, it is beautiful.
Harvest Project Gift Card Drive: Please drop off your donations of gift cards to grocery stores (e.g. Walmart, Superstore, Save-on-Food) and/or prepaid visa gift cards in the collection box in the foyer on Sunday morning or bring them to the Office during the week. We will be collecting the gift cards until Monday 19 December and then delivering them to Harvest Project.
Council Email: if you have any thoughts for Council, please send them to the special email on the council page. This will be reviewed on a regular basis.
Events
Mark your calendars for these great events coming up.
Year-End Donations: Just a reminder that tithes and offerings for 2022 must be in the office by December 31, 2022, or postmarked no later than the same date. Charitable tax receipts will be available once the year-end financials have been closed, but no later than mid-February. If you want to know what your year-to-date giving is, please call or email Judy Thompson, she is in the office on Mondays from 10am to 2pm. Or email jthompson@westvanbaptist.com.
We will be sending out the charitable tax receipts by email again this year. If we don’t have an email on our database the receipt will be mailed or available for pick-up in the office. If you need more envelopes please contact the office at 604.922.0911. If you want to know how much you have donated so far this year send Judy an email or give her a call on Mondays only. Thank you for your support for the ministry of our church.