Please join us this Sunday, July 17 for a special worship service and "Blessing of the Quilts" made by our quilting group. The sanctuary will be beautified with the quilts displayed on the pews - you don't want to miss it!

Also, we will have the joy of presenting two baby quilts made by Dorothy Sanders to Sergei, Nataliya and Ieva Liubchyk.  

The Liubchyk family arrived in the Vancouver area in March.  They are from Odessa in Ukraine, where Sergei was stationed as merchant seaman working as a marine electrician.  When the war broke out Sergei was about to sail, but plans were immediately changed so that he could whisk his family to safety across the border.  They transited through several countries before finally reaching Canada. They are living in Coquitlam and Sergei is studying for the Canada Marine Law exam. He hopes to find employment with BC Ferries.  

Sergei and Nataliya received two of Gloria Dei's quilts earlier in June.  Nataliya is expecting another child in November so we wanted to bless them with a baby quilt made by Dorothy Sanders as well as one for Ieva.  

Church Council has also approved a free will offering to be taken this Sunday on behalf of the the Liubchyk family.

We will present the financial gift at the coffee social following the service. 

From Pastor Vida:

On July 2, I had the pleasure of officiating at Ryan Cross' marriage to Miranda Lewis on the beautful territory of the Lil'wat people in Pemberton. Mount Currie provided a spectacular backdrop in nature's cathedral as Ryan (son of Marianne and Ryan Cross) and Miranda exchanged their vows before family and friends who in the presence of God and by God's grace affirmed to uphold and care for  Ryan  and  Miranda  in their life together. 

Miranda and Ryan,

the congregation joins me in extending their blessing to you in these words spoken at your wedding: 

May you grow ever closer from this day forward, in work, in play, in hope, in counsel, in laughter and tears.

May you, in all the changes and chances of life, be true helpers, one to the other.

Hand in hand, heart with heart, may you go forth on your journey in such confidence and trust and affection

that no suffering or sorrow or loss can ever blight the joy of your companionship.  Amen.

Following prayerful consideration at its March 2022 meeting, the ELCIC’s National Church Council (NCC) made the decision to hold the 2022 ELCIC National Convention as a virtual online gathering to conduct essential business of the church. The primary business of this year's Convention will be the election of Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer for National Church Council. A  special in-person convention is planned in 2023 to allow time for a fuller gathering experience. 

For highlights of the convention including the link to view the livestream please click here 

Pastor Vida is one of seven delegates (four clergy and three lay) representing the Lower Mainland Region of our Synod at the Convention. She will be participating online via Zoom on Friday July 15 - Saturday, July 16.

As Pastor Vida was away on vacation we did not have an "Order of Blessing for Delegates" last Sunday. This does not mean, however that Pastor Vida should participate in the Convention without our prayerful support. As the "Order of Blessing" highlights, Pastor Vida joins the convention to serve the whole church and needs the guidance of God as she joins in working with others to determine the will of God for the future of the church.