Message from the Pastor - Bob Bahr
Once again, it’s a pleasure to take a few moments to connect with you. I’m grateful for those who serve Christ so faithfully in our church and in our outreach commitments to our community.
I’m also conscious of those of you who are facing some very difficult challenges that show little sign of diminishing in the near future. Marleen and I pray for many of you on a daily basis. For me personally, these are the most difficult times in our lives. When there is no light at the end of the tunnel we feel so alone. We can even begin to doubt God’s unconditional care and love.
During such times it has been helpful for me to recall God’s miraculous interventions and answers to my prayers in the past. It has also been helpful for me to tell God honestly how I feel. In the Psalms, which are the Jewish prayer book, it’s instructive to note that there are more psalms of lament than there are of praise. So, don’t hesitate to tell God how you feel - your fears, frustration, doubts, exhaustion, and anger.
I’m also comforted knowing that the Holy Spirit takes our groans and translates them into prayers of intercession which are in harmony with God’s will for our lives. “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27).
The Holy Spirit is such a gift to us. So, on this Pentecost Sunday let’s take a few moments to bask in His loving presence.
Please also pray for Pastor Yu this Sunday as he preaches on Acts 2: 42-47 on the subject entitled “New Faith Community.” This will be a joint service and I’m excited about what God has laid on his heart to share.
In closing let me encourage you to pick up the phone and connect with someone going through a difficult or uncertain time. May the grace and love o God’s Spirit guide and comfort you.
Please Note: Once the services start (usually around 9:55 with the prelude) please do not disturb the people in the sound and audio booths. This is a distraction from the operation of the camera, PowerPoint, and any sound issues.
Memorial Gardens Dedication and Church BYO Picnic Lunch Sunday, June 11: After the service on Sunday, June 11, Pastor Bob will be dedicating our Memorial Garden. This will be followed by a BYO (bring your own) church picnic on our field. Please bring lawn chairs with you and enjoy some fellowship time together.
Thank you: To everyone who donated diapers, pull-ups, and wipes. The missions committee took them to Harvest Project and they were thrilled to receive them.
Vancouver Oratorio Society 2023 Spring Concert Sunday, June 4 at 7:30 pm: This concert is being held at the Evangelical Chinese Bible Church, 5110 Marine Drive, Burnaby. Admission is free, and donations are appreciated. “Each movement brings together divergent biblical passages illustrating the journey from the life, glory, and peace of the created order, through the lament of the exiled wanderers, to the Good Shepherd who is our peace, and His suffering, and to our final promised dwelling place in the Garden of Joy yet to come.” Our lovely Ada Chang will be performing so, please consider going to support her. Invitations are available at the information table in the Narthex. More information can be found HERE.
Seating in the sanctuary for better sound: Some people have expressed concerns about the music volume being too quiet or too loud; after all, our ears are different (just as our eyesight varies!). The quietest pews are the back row and the first two rows. If the sound is too quiet, please avoid these pews. Conversely, if the sound is too loud, why not sit in these areas? It will make a difference.
Events
Mark your calendars for these great events coming up.
