The Word

Check out a new entry on “Brian’s Blog”, the first of a series of entries entitled, “What Must I Do To Be Saved?”.  Even if you think you know the answer to that question, read these entries, open your Bible and allow your heart and mind to be challenged!

Already over 100 people have bought their tickets for the banquet.  If you haven’t reserved your seat, you’ve got the next two Sundays to do so (November 23 & 30).  Postdated cheques dated up December 7th (the date of the banquet) are acceptable.  As always, if the cost of the banquet is a financial strain for you, we’re family, so please let Butch or Shing know of your need.

Check out my November 12th entry on Brian’s Blog entitled, “Are Shades of Grey the Colors You See?” I think you’ll have some kind of reaction to it.  Let me know and write a comment.  Thanks.

This is a reminder to all VCOC members, their friends and family that our worship service this coming Sunday is at the JIBC, but it starts at 3:30 p.m. It will be a normal length service with a full kingdom kids program. The only difference is the start time.  Michael Tanlimco will be preaching at this service.

Remember to bring money to purchase your tickets for the VCOC “End of the Year” Banquet on December 7 at the Delta Airport Hotel in Richmond.  Cost is $48 per adult - great food, entertainment and fellowship!  Join us!

On Sunday, Brian presented a need to the church and asked for a one-time free will offering.  The Jukowskis lead the churches in Israel and last week they experienced an extensive fire in their apartment in the middle of the night resulting in the loss of almost all their possessions.  They are only supported “part time” in the ministry, with Jakov working 4 days a week as a carpenter and thus have limited resources.

The VCOC members responded on the spot with just over $1,400 CDN (just under $1,200 US).  That money was sent via personal U.S. money order to the Central Jersey Church of Christ (who oversee and help support the ministry in Israel) and it will be forwarded to the Jukowskis.  On hearing of the generosity of the gift from the VCOC, Jakov emailed this to Brian, “Wow!!! We did not expect that! I can’t believe in it ! Thank you SO MUCH!”

On behalf of the entire Vancouver church, including the Leadership Team and especially Brian and Sara, we want to say a huge “THANK YOU” to Dave, Erica, Alexander and Gabriel Jung for their visit to Vancouver last weekend.  All who heard his point on Sunday morning about us having a Kingdom Kids view of our Bible heroes will not soon forget it.  Now we see them all more realisitically and we are encouraged that God’s grace is working in and through the messes of our lives, but we are also motivated by God’s grace to clean up our messes as quickly and completely as possible.

The Jung family are in town from Winnipeg visiting with the Felushkos (Friday) and spending some time with the Leadership Team (Saturday).  They will join us for church on Sunday and Dave will be preaching.

We will be taking up a special free will offering on Sunday for the leaders of the Tel Aviv & Jerusalem churches, Jakov & Natasha Jukovski, whose apartment was almost completely destroyed by fire.  Having moved from their home in Eastern Russia, they have served the disciples in Israel for the last decade, some times supported, sometimes supporting themselves.  We will explain more on Sunday as to how you can contribute to their need.

We will begin selling tickets for our annual VCOC “End of Year Banquet” which is scheduled to take place at the Delta Airport Hotel on Sunday December 7th. Doors open a 5 p.m and dinner begins at 6 p.m.  In addition to the buffet dinner (which we have all experienced before), disciples are planning and preparing a brief time of entertainment at the end of the meal, including a family slide show.  In order to attend, you must purchase your tickets in advance.

There will be no worship service at the JIBC this Sunday.  All VCOC members are encouraged to attend the house church hosted by their midweek discussion group (MDG) as listed below.

There will be no children’s classes, but bring your kids to enjoy a family worship time.  Please take note of the exact location and time of your house church service.  All members are requested to bring their usual weekly contribution and their songbooks.

EVERYONE IS REMINDED TO TURN THEIR CLOCKS BACK ONE HOUR ON SATURDAY NIGHT BEFORE GOING TO BED.  In that way you won’t show up an hour too early for your house church.

1.  Richmond MDG: Vuljak’s Party Room (12211 Cambie Road) starting at 10:30 a.m.

2.  Burnaby MDG: Church Office (113-3993 Henning Drive) starting at 11 a.m.

3. South Fraser MDG: Dave & Kelly Zayoncs’ home (11082 Lincoln Drive) starting at 11 a.m.

4. Reimer’s MDG: Liz St. Rose’s apartment (Unit B, 5968 Baffin Place, Burnaby) starting at 12 noon.

The Midweek Discussion Groups (MDG) have organized worship services by House church for this Sunday November 2, due to the fact that the JIBC is not available to us.  Please contact your MDG leader if you are unaware of all the details.  As soon as we get details as to time, locations and any other details, we will post them right here!

Very excitingly, Dave and Erica Jung (Dave is the evangelist for the Winnipeg church of Christ), have made plans to visit Vancouver on the weekend of November 8 & 9!  Entirely on their own, prompted primarily by concern for the health challenges Brian is experiencing, they offered to come out, with their whole family, to visit both the Felushkos and the Vancouver church.  For sure, he will be preaching on the Sunday (November 9 at JIBC), but we might be able to convince him and perhaps Erica to do something on the Saturday as well.  The Jung family have not only been great friends to the Felushkos for several years now, but they are also true partners in the gospel and a source of much counsel and inspiration both personally and professionally.  Plan now to attend on November 9 and bring your family and friends.