Pastor's Message - Chris Kibble
Joy is our Advent theme this week, and I was reminded of this comment from William Culbertson in Christianity Today. ‘I find that discipleship means, first, truly living. It does not mean a joy ride to heaven; it does not mean that there are no trials and no burdens. But it does mean peace in your soul and joy in your heart, and a sense, a supreme sense, of the smile of the Lord upon you. It is living. And discipleship means that you are using your time on earth to the best possible advantage. The Lord Jesus says so’ Wise words.
In-person services: it was great to welcome you back in person on Sunday, November 28, 2021. But with the release of the latest BC guidelines, we ask that you remain fully masked apart from the situations described under ‘Masks’ below.
Those who are fully vaccinated (required for age 12 and up) should continue to gather in the Sanctuary and those who are not vaccinated, and others if they choose, in the Fireside Room. Our Farsi group is in the Stage Room. When seated, we would encourage a ‘respectful’ distance between family groups.
There’ll be a budget vote immediately after the service We aren’t having refreshments after the service, but by all means fellowship after the budget vote either in the foyer for the vaccinated, the Fireside Room for the unvaccinated, or the Stage Room for the Farsi group.
For those who would prefer to join us from home, you can do so by joining our brand-new Livestream. The stream is hosted on the WVBC website – you will see a large “JOIN NOW” button at the top of the home page when the service is live at 10:00am. For our Mandarin participants, you can still watch the Livestream on ZOOM to hear the translated message. You can join using this link.
Masks: The latest information we have is that in worship services, masks are required for all. They may be temporarily removed when physical distancing if you are partaking in communion, and if you are ‘officiating’ – emcee, giving announcements, leading prayer, calls to worship, benediction, spotlights on ministry presentations, preaching, scripture reading, Advent candles - and if you are the lead singer of a song, hymn or carol.
Notice: a general meeting will be held after Sunday’s worship service on Sunday, December 5, 2021, and on Zoom to consider and vote on the proposed 2022 church budget.
The budget and the agenda are attached to this newsletter. If you will not be attending the business meeting and wish to vote, please contact the church office and provide your name and your vote. On December 5, 2021, the following motion will be considered ‘Motion to approve the 2022 budget. Moved by Don Hill and seconded by Bob Kruse that the proposed 2022 budget as presented at this meeting be approved.’
Joining the budget meeting online: if you are viewing the service online, at the end of the Sunday service, please log off and log in with this link.
Events
Mark your calendars for these great events coming up.
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A reminder that tithes and offerings for 2021 must be in the office by December 31, 2021, 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. We are thankful for the generosity during the pandemic. If you need to make any changes to your Pre-Authorized Giving through your bank, please call or send an email to Judy Thompson. If you make a change directly at your bank, we don’t get a notification then our records don’t balance. Follow-up would be appreciated.