Month: June 2016

Baptisms – Apostle’s Creed

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We’re going to be celebrating baptisms July 3 in the Greenspace (weather permitScreen Shot 2016-06-29 at 5.49.46 PMting).  In case you want to know beforehand what we’re going to be doing, below are the call and responses of those getting baptized.  Also, together we will publicly declare our trust in Jesus by saying the Apostle’s Creed – an old statement that has been affirmed by the vast majority of the church throughout the centuries.  Let’s use this time to re-affirm our own trust in God as we witness and participate in this sacrament which speaks to the reality of dying to our sin, being raised to new life, and joining the community represented in the church.

PS. Afterwards, we’re going to have a BBQ, and set up the Bouncy Castle and have a few other fun activities as well!  If it’s nice the children may want to bring a swimming suit for the slip-n-slide.

 

Elder:        Do you reject Satan?

Person:   I do.

Elder:        And all his works?

Person:   I do.

Elder:        And all his empty promises?

Person:   I do.

Elder:        Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?

Person:   I do.

Elder:        Do you turn to Jesus as Saviour?

Person:   I turn to Jesus.

Elder:        Do you submit to Jesus as Lord?

Person:   I submit to Jesus.

Elder:        Do you come to Jesus, the way, the truth and the life?

Person:   I come to Jesus Christ.

 

 

The Apostle’s Creed

Screen Shot 2016-06-29 at 5.52.21 PMI believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.  He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.  He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.  He descended to the dead.  On the third day he rose again.  He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.  He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy universal Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Amen!

 

Elder: Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayer?

Person: I will, with God’s help.

Elder:      Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?

Person: I will, with God’s help.

Elder: Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?

Person: I will, with God’s help.

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Women’s Retreat 2016 (+ new note from Amanda)

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By all accounts, it was a great time!

Here’s a note from Amanda Leighton:

Hi Women Retreaters,

Screen Shot 2016-06-29 at 5.32.24 PMI just wanted to take a few minutes to acknowledge some things I noticed this weekend…..

First of all.  Those gift bags were such a blessing.  That someone handpicked the teacups and wrote out individual notes was such a gift to us.  I personally saw the significance in the things in my bag, including the colouring page!  So thank you for giving the time and thought to each woman, and that, upon arrival, we would already being receiving the richness of our community’s love.  

I am also just over the top grateful for the use of the physical space and I think it’s safe to say that we all were blessed by John, Violet, Lillian, Darryl and Robin.  I know we wrote them notes so they can just read those for further gratefulness and loving!  

I also have really reflected on those of you who took special care of Lindsey.  Thank you to those of you who were willing to just sit and be present to her.  The love of this community is really something.  

Another thing that I loved was that there were youth among us.  That just brought such a wonderful dynamic that, until now, we’ve been missing at these retreats.  So thank you for coming and thank you to the parents who encouraged and brought their kids.  It will be hard to forget seeing the circle of dancers that included both the youngest and the eldest doing that hip arm dance combo.  Such a beautiful (and hilarious) picture.  

The laughter this weekend was equally unforgettable.  and the tears.

It is just really wonderful to be a part of this amazing community of women. So rich.    

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.  

Love, Amanda

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Missing: Melody Schellenberg & Ang Falk

Do you have a story you’d like to share about something from the retreat?  Let us know or use the comment section below!

(Click on the pics to enlarge them)

 

New Elders

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We’re excited to report that our New Elder process has resulted in four new elders joining the team!  Rod & Elisa Jersak and Jason & Theresa Eheler are now Lay Elders and will bring valuable insight and unique perspective to the team as it attempts to follow Jesus and tend to the mission and vision of WCV.  The elder team is comprised of both Lay Elders (Paul & Sherry Ansloos and Cliff & Krista Heide) and the Pastoral Elders (John & Violet Rademaker, Nathan & Kendra Rieger, Jodi & Mike Labun and Andy & Beckie Wood).  The Elder team (both Lay and Pastoral elders) are the only leadership positions which require a membership vote.  This happened at the last Outer Circle gathering where the Ehelers and the Jersaks were enthusiastically endorsed.  If you want to know more about being a voting member at WCV, go here.

It may be important to note that this is not a promotion or a position of prestige as the world may view it.  We’ve simply recognized that the Lord has put these four people in our midst, and has called them into serving the body in this way for this season.  We also want to note that being a couple is not a requirement for being either a Lay Elder or a Pastoral Elder at WCV.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this process whether it was through submitting names back in the Fall, talking with us about who you perceived to be elders, praying along the way or voting on Saturday.

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The Jersaks in Nepal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Ehelers at the Lake

It Whistles Through – a poem

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Here’s a poem by Blair Barkley.  He read it at Celebration Sunday a few weeks ago.

It Whistles Through:

It whistles through the willows of a borough,

and floats on the water of a pond,

and roars down the falls of a river,

inverted in a glassy refection of a sea,

foaming on the shores of a beach,

and crackling in the clouds of a storm,

the likes of which we haven’t seen before.

 

It soars on the strings of a past,

and flutters through memories too far to grasp,

catching a tide of a sorrow retreating,

and flutters the feathers of a bird fleeting,

falling from a kingdom of a king,

to mere mortals made of a clay,

crafted by the Father, in a race made of colourful hues.

 

It speaks through the voice of a mute,

and brings justice from the heart of a widow,

and wells up strength in the quiet and meek,

bubbling up the blood in the veins of a martyr,

crashing on the rocks of a stoney shore,

illuminating the ocean with a crystal lining,

stretching over a never-ending horizon,

resides a sacred space,

idling in the hearts of everyone