Easter Sunday Worship Service – 11am
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Good Friday Service
Easter Offering for World Evangelism
Leadership Workship with Tom Nees
what’s happening…week of Febuary 15
This Week
Tonight: Men’s dinner and spiritual formation group. 7pm – 8:30pm at the church.
Sunday: There’s still time to join “More Ready Than You Realize”, an excellent discipleship course taught by Brian Postlewait. Come from 6-8pm for food, fellowship and discussion. Everyone age 10+ is welcome to attend! Please e-mail Pastor Kadee with any questions, or if you are planning to attend (pastorkadee@gmail.com).
Next Week
Monday: Church Board Meeting
The regular church boarding meeting will be held this Monday evening (February 20). Finance committee members will meet at 6:30pm and the full board session begins at 7:30.
Tuesday: (Monday) Women’s Bible Study
The Monday evening women’s Bible study is moved this week to Fat Tuesday (February 21), and will begin with pancakes at 5:30pm in Brenda’s home.
Wednesday: Ash Wednesday Service
Come join your VFC brothers and sisters Wednesday, February 22 at 7pm for a special Ash Wednesday service of prayer and reflection.
Friday: CrossTrainers Event:
Kids aged 10-12 (grades 5-7) will meet downstairs in the youth room at the church Friday, February 24 from 6:30-8:30pm. Please e-mail Aisling for more information (aislingz@yahoo.com)
Saturday: Planning Dinner and Prayer Night for Pre-Teen/Teen Ministry.
Saturday, February 25 from 6-8pm at Pastor Grant and Aisling’s home. New volunteers are welcome to attend! RSVP to Aisling (aislingz@yahoo.com)
Other Announcements
Ashes to Fire
Our worship journey “Ashes to Fire” begins on Ash Wednesday (February 22). If you would like to be a Scripture reader during one or more of the Sunday morning worship services, please e-mail Pastor Kadee (pastorkadee@gmail.com).
75th Anniversary–75 stories
As part of VFC’s 75th anniversary, we are collecting 75 short stories (funny, inspirational, heartwarming, encouraging) that reflect the rich experience of First Church and the faithfulness of God to sustain 75 years of worship and service in our neighbourhood in East Vancouver. If you have a story about First Church, please submit it to the Story Committee via Pastor Kadee (pastorkadee@gmail.com) or Stephanie Pike (stephpike@shaw.ca) or give them a printed copy at the church. Please include your name, telephone number, and e-mail address with the story. If you have an idea for a story, or would like to be interviewed for one, please see Pastor Kadee or Stephanie or e-mail them at the addresses above. Thanks!
Listen to Sermons on VFC Facebook Page
We are now posting the sermons on the VFC Facebook Page. You do not need to be a Facebook user to listen to the sermon.
Prayer Requests
…For our brothers and sisters around the world facing persecution and oppression for their faith in Christ
…For the victims of human trafficking, and for the work of the church, non-profits, and governments to bring it to an end
…For our VFC friends and family who are sick or undergoing treatment
…For our ministry partners here in Vancouver and around the world (Mission Possible, Heal the Kids, the Parents’ Support Group, Servants Anonymous, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, the international Church of the Nazarene)
…Other requests for family and friends
Scripture Memorization
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” -Psalm 42:1-2 (NIV)
what’s happening…week of January 30, 2012
This Week
Monday, January 30: Kenya planning meeting at VFC at 7pm. All interested in being part of a future Work and Witness trip to Kenya are strongly encouraged to attend!
Tuesday, January 31: Early-bird registration deadline for Ladies’ Retreat (March 2-4, Hope, BC). If you are planning to attend, please register online at www.pacnaz.ca/oasis. Registration will still be accepted after January 31, but fees will be higher. Register now!
Wednesday, February 1: Men’s Spiritual Formation group dinner, 7pm in the MacDonald Room.
Upcoming Opportunities
More Ready Than You Realise–NEW START DATE!
What: A discipleship course taught by Brian Postlewait. Meet for food, fellowship, a short talk, and small group discussion
When/Where: Sunday evenings 6-8pm (February 12-April 1) in the MacDonald Room
Who: Everyone (aged 10 and over) is welcome, but this is particularly helpful for those who want to grow in their walk with Christ, have completed the Alpha Course, or are interested in being baptized.
Interested? E-mail Pastor Kadee at pastorkadee@gmail.comfor more information, or if you are planning to attend.
Ashes to Fire Devotionals
Beginning February 22, we will be participating with thousands of other Nazarene Christians in “Ashes to Fire”, a worship and discipleship journey that lasts from Ash Wednesday through Pentecost. As part of Ashes to Fire, we have a limited number of devotionals available for purchase for $10.00 each. See Pastor Kadee on Sunday to get your devotional, or e-mail her at pastorkadee@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Cross Trainers Pre-teen Event
Friday night, Feb 3rd, we will be going to Watermania & Bowling Centre in Richmond (14200 Entertainment Blvd.) Bring a towel, swimsuit, money, and change of clothes, if desired. Cost is $10.00. We are asking that parents drop-off and pick-up their children themselves in Richmond at 6:00pm. Please let Aisling know if you plan to attend: aislingz@yahool.com Stay tuned for additional Cross Trainer Events coming soon. Feb 24th will be our next Church Adventure Night!
75th Anniversary Stories
2012 marks the 75th Anniversary of Vancouver First Church of the Nazarene in Vancouver, BC. Thanks be to God! As part of that celebration, we will be collecting 75 short stories (funny, inspirational, heartwarming, encouraging) that reflect the rich experience of First Church and the faithfulness of God to sustain 75 years of worship and service in our neighbourhood in East Vancouver. If you have a story about First Church, please submit it to the Story Committee via Pastor Kadee (pastorkadee@gmail.com) or Stephanie Pike (stephpike@shaw.ca) or give them a printed copy at the church. Please include your name, telephone number, and e-mail address with the story. If you have an idea for a story, or would like to be interviewed for one, please see Pastor Kadee or e-mail her at the address above. Thanks!
Prayer Requests
Health and strength for our church family and communities during this season of illness
For our international and national church leaders as they make decisions related to the future of the church in North America and around the world
For the countries of Syria and Iran, that the internal and external pressures would result in justice and increased support for the rights of all their citizens.
For the victims of human trafficking here and around the world, and for those who work on their behalf for freedom and a future.
Other requests for family and friends…
Scripture Memorization
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.” Psalm 111:10 (NRSV)
Heal the Kids/VFC/NCM Kenya Project Overview
In Canada, children are encouraged to pursue their dreams. Many of the world’s children dream of things our children take for granted: education, food, clean water, basic health care. Since 1996, Heal the Kids has made a difference in the lives of thousands of children by meeting basic needs, so that children can grow, thrive and learn. Heal the Kids was started by Domenic and Marie Esther Peluso to provide underprivileged children the basics of education, food, clean water, and medicine without cost. Heal the Kids operates as a special project under the umbrella of the First Church of the Nazarene in Vancouver, BC and in partnership with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM).
In November, Pastor Grant Zweigle, his son Graiden, and Domenic Peluso will travel to Nairobi, Kenya to continue the work of the Heal the Kids Kenya Project. This trip will include visits to Heal the Kids Kenya Projects in Narosura, Kawangware, and Kabete. They will be in Kenya from Nov. 14-24.
Narosura is a settlement in Kenya’s Rift Valley Province in Narok South district, approximately 175 km from Nairobi on an often neglected road. Heal the Kids Kenya Project is supplying the funds to complete the building of a water tank and pump station to bring clean drinking water to the school children, as well as complete the building of a school. In November, Grant and Graiden will join Domenic to see the progress on the water project and school, discuss the next steps toward completing the project, and envision future projects. They will also provide school supplies and school uniforms for the children.
Kawangware is a district 15km from the city of Nairobi. In April of 2011, Heal the Kids Kenya Project, working with NCM, brought clean water to a school in Kawangware. In November, Grant, Graiden and Domenic will visit the school to evaluate the success of the past project and discuss future projects, including the installation of a septic system. They will also provide school supplies and school uniforms for the children.
Kabete is a district just outside Nairobi borders in the Central Province of Kenya. Heal the Kids Kenya Project supports a school and day care run by a Church of the Nazarene in Kabete. In November, Grant, Graiden and Domenic will visit the school to evaluate the success of the past water project and discuss future projects. They will also provide school supplies and school uniforms for the children.
While in Nairobi, Grant and Domenic will meet with Elizabeth Musimbi, who is the NCM coordinator for the Africa East Field, and Don and Evie Gardner, regional coordinators for the Church of the Nazarene. Since 1983 Nazarene Compassionate Ministries – Africa (NCM-Africa) has acted as the compassionate arm of the Church of the Nazarene, responding to the needs of hundreds of thousands people with the help of partners as well as compassionate individuals and organizations worldwide. NCM-Africa has been instrumental in mobilising resources and developing initiatives to respond compassionately to the neediest people in rural and urban communities of Africa.
Our vision is to develop a strategic partnership between the Vancouver Church of the Nazarene, Heal the Kids, and NCM – Africa to provide a hopeful future for Kenyan children. By identifying specific, achievable goals we will enable other churches, friends and neighbours to personally engage the work and offer a transformative experience for all those involved.
What can you do?
- Pray – there is both a known and an unknown task in front of us. It will be impossible to complete the current projects and discern the next steps for Heal the Kids Kenya Project without your prayer, faith, hope and vision.
- Give – your financial gifts go a long way in Kenya. For $10.00 a school uniform can be purchased, allowing a child to receive an education. In addition to financial gifts we will bring school supplies to be distributed to the children.*
- Go – our hope is that others will be drawn into the vision and that we can provide meaningful opportunities for you to go on future Heal the Kids Kenya Project trips.
* Financial gifts to support the Heal the Kids Kenya Project can be given through the Vancouver First Church of the Nazarene at 998 E. 19th Ave., Vancouver, BC, Canada, V5V 1K7. 100% of the gifts given to this project go to this project. These gifts will be receipted for charitable purposes. Financial gifts to offset the personal expenses of Pastor Grant, Graiden or Domenic are not receitable for charitable purposes.
GO!
During the months of June, July and August, the focus of our discipleship model is on go. Over the course of the year our congregation and sojourners hear the invitation to come experience the hospitality of God the Father; follow responding to the voice of Jesus Christ the Son; receive living in the fullness of God the Spirit. Now we are sent: go participating in the mission of God in the places we live, move, inhabit and visit.
Of course we are always coming, following, receiving and going. We are always engaged in God’s mission in the world. But in Vancouver at least, summer is a time that many of us uproot and head out on holiday, spend evenings in the park or neighborhood with our neighbors, enjoy the beauty of God’s creation with family and friends. Since we are going anyways, why not pay attention to what God is doing in the places you are going and move with intention toward building relationships with your neighbors, family and friends and as you do so, express in your life and words the love of God to others.
During June, July and August, many of our programs for outreach, Christian education and Spiritual formation slow down or stop altogether. You will notice that our calendar seems a bit empty. That is on purpose. We want to encourage you to go and engage your neighbors during these beautiful summer months when you’d rather be outdoors with others than hunkered down inside a building or your home.
But even as we go we also do not neglect the gathering of the people of God for worship and formation on Sunday. We are shaped and formed, strengthened and encouraged for God’s mission in the world as we gather with the people of God for worship. We never take the gathering of the worshiping community off of the calendar and hope you will not either.
Now go!
Kids Camp Fundraiser: Pay-In Potluck
Thanks to everyone who came to our Pay-In-Potluck fundraiser! You enjoyed good food, fellowship and helped send kids to our summer kids camp! Enjoy this panoramic picture created with photosynth…
Heal the Kids Kenya Project Update
Narosura is a settlement in Kenya’s Rift Valley Province in Narok South district, approximately 42 miles south of Narok Town on an often neglected road. Heal The Kids Project is currently raising funds to aid in the build of a water tank and pump station to bring clean drinking water to the school children. This is Phase 1 of the Narosura Water Project.
Phase 2 is to build an irrigation system for the 100 acres of land given to the people by the government. With the implementation of the irrigation system, the village will be able to plant crops of tomatoes, beans, potatoes and maise and will be able to cultivate enough food to feed the village of 3,000 people. The cost for both phases of the project is approximately $40,000 US dollars – the price of one luxury car.
Heal The Kids Project is working closely with professional engineers from Nairobi with Dominic and daughter Christina heading to the village in April 2011 to survey the land and meet with the engineers.
Dominic and his family are members of the Vancouver First Church of the Nazarene and our congregation provides support and oversight for this life changing ministry. Domenic will be sharing about their upcoming trip on Sunday, April 10. For more information, visit the new Heal the Kids website.