Message from the Pastor - Ken Radant
Happy 2024!
I trust you’ve all had a wonderful, restful holiday season, and pray that things will go smoothly as you settle back into the normal January routines. Prayers especially for the teachers, students, and parents who transitioning back into the rhythms of school.
It always takes me a little while to get comfortable writing on the new date when I’m signing papers. Somehow “2024” still feels foreign. I’m sure you can all relate. For me, it’s just one of many adjustments in this new year—it will take a while yet before it feels natural answering to “Pastor Ken”!! But I’ll adapt. Thank you to everyone for your prayers, words of encouragement, and warm welcome into this new role. I’m conscious that it’s a great privilege and a serious responsibility, and I certainly covet your prayers and support.
At a practical level, I’m beginning to settle in as the week progresses. I now have an office, keys, and a WVBC email. (It’s kenr@westvanbaptist.com when you need to reach me on business.) So that’s a good start. I’m grateful for all the help our wonderful team has given in these early days. We’re still figuring out how weekly office hours will work going forward, along with a million other details. We’ll post updates as the plans become clearer. Thanks for your patience as I find my way around the office and the church calendar.
This Sunday we’ll pick up our sermon series on the book of Acts. When we left it for Advent back in November we had just started into chapter 16, which puts us a little more than halfway through. We’ll probably spend another 6 weeks or so working through the remaining chapters. Acts is such an encouraging and challenging book, I think it’s a great place for us to meditate as we launch into the new year. This week we’ll be looking at the ministry of Paul and Silas in Philippi from Acts 16:11-32. It’s a familiar passage, but I encourage you to review it and reflect on it again as we prepare for worship on Sunday.
In the meantime, have a great week. May it be the start of a joyful, fruitful, blessed year for us all, both individually and as a church family. I’m so grateful that we can go into this year, and every new year, with the confidence born of God’s promise that “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil 1:6)
After many years as our trusted and reliable Bookkeeper, Mary Findlay, has reluctantly decided to leave this important role in our church. Of course, ordering our finances and payment processing is not all that Mary does at WVBC, so we trust and hope to continue to have Mary and Ray with us for a long time to come!
Mary has graciously offered to continue until a suitable replacement is found - thank you, Mary! Inquiries for the role of Church Bookkeeper can be directed to our Treasurer, Tom Walker, by email at walkert@shaw.ca or by phone at 604-218-3697.
Events
Mark your calendars for these great events coming up.
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