June 28, 2026
Flowers are placed on the altar in thanksgiving for baptism’s welcome given for all of God’s children, and for Christ’s promise that a cup of cold water given to the little ones serves Christ himself.
Happy Hour: Our rescheduled Happy Hour over Zoom is this Thursday, July 2 at 4 pm. All are welcome!
YOU Are Invited!: We are all invited (since we are all one family) to Kate Wright’s 85th Birthday Celebration on Friday, July 3 from 6 pm – 9 pm here at the church. Light snacks will be served. NO GIFTS REQUESTED. If you would like to make a gift of performance, her daughters Grace and Margaret will be organizing a showcase for Kate! RSVP to KFWturning 85@gmail.com, or speak to Grace or Margaret when you see them.
Favourite Hymn Sing: Beginning next Sunday, July 5th, as is our usual practice over the summer months, we gather ten minutes before the service starts (at 10:20 am) to sing a couple of our favourite hymns before our regular service begins. The songs sung are selected by those attending, so come early and nominate your favourite hymn!
Vacation Bible School 2026: Plans are well underway for VBS Summer 2026. It will be held at our church August 24-28, 9:00-12:00, hosted by Saint Laurence and Good Shepherd Lutheran. VBS is for kids ages 4-11 and this year’s program “Rainforest Falls – Exploring the Nature of God ” is filled with learning and fun through games, crafts, storytelling, science experiments and music. See the poster that follows for all the details and to register you can click here. If you would like to help out in any way, please contact Amy MacLeod our VBS co-coordinator, or Pastor Eric.
JUNE is National Indigenous History Month: National Indigenous History Month is a time to honour the histories, cultures and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in Canada. June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day and 2026 will mark the 30th anniversary of the celebration. We are invited to
take time to reflect on reconciliation and commit to truth, justice and healing, and to learn from Indigenous voices – through books, films, conversations and events. Attend a National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration on or around Sunday, June 21, visit a local friendship centre, or explore whose land you live on and the treaties that shape it. This month, let us listen, learn and walk together in respect and relationship. You can find additional resources below:
The Anglican Church of Canada The Presbyterian Church in Canada The United Church of Canada
Pride Celebrations: June is traditionally recognized as Pride Month. On the ELCIC website, you’ll find tools and resources for faith communities for further engagement as we journey together, Living out God’s grace and unconditional love. Learn more and view those resources here. Here in the Lower Mainland, Pride celebrations will be taking place later in the summer. We will be celebrating a pride themed service at some point. Please take note of the following opportunities and resources:
- Invitation to Participate: You are invited to get involved in a Synod-wide collaborative piece. What are your thoughts on God and Gender? If the Spirit moves you, please send a short meditation to Tressa, of Ascension Lutheran Church in Nelson, at tresstf@gmail.com. The meditations will be published together at the end of Pride Month. Please send all meditations before June 17th!
- Prayer: Our BC Synod DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Working Group (DEI) offers the following prayer for us all to pray:
Oh God, thank you for the gift of diversity within our church and community. For all the ways that LGBTQ+ people have and continue to contribute to the work and life of the church. Open our eyes to see the human-set limitations that hinder our ability to effectively love all people and your creation well. Grant strength and peace to all who are in need of it. Amen.
Campfire in the City: You are invited to come and join us at Dunbar Lutheran’s garden (3491 West 31st Ave) for evenings of family-friendly campfire fun – songs, stories, and s’mores. Stop by for the evening, or just for a while. Bring a lawn chair if you have one – if not, we’ll find a seat for you. Light drizzle won’t stop us, but in case of heavy rain, the event will be cancelled. We gather once a month on Friday evenings June 12th, July 10th, August 14th, and September 11th, 7:30 pm – 9 pm. See the poster that follows for all the details.
Seeking Accommodation: Yvon Malenfant and Michelle Ryu are seeking temporary housing. If you have any, or know of any, please let them know. Yvon writes:
We are looking for temporary housing for the interim. 1 bedroom with a bathroom would be great! Something not too expensive. Let us know if you have anything. Thank you for your kind consideration.
Yvon & Michelle: 778-862-5240 Y / 778-863-5240 M
Youth Camp: BC Synod is hosting a Youth Camp later this year from August 10-14 at Loon Lake Lodge in Maple Ridge. It is open to all youth ages 11 to 18. If you are interested in helping in any capacity with this event, please contact the synod office at bcsynod@elcic.ca.
Sacred Cuisine: Food, Love, and Resistance: Izzeldin Bukhari is a Palestinian chef. This summer, he is touring in Canada, bringing us his love of food and cooking and his stories of life under occupation. Chef Izzeldin will be touring around BC until August, hosting talks, presentations, and cooking classes. You can find the various events here .
‘Every Square Foot Counts’ – Educational Opportunities for Congregations:
- This month’s blog post is “What the Quiet Season Is Asking of Us” which invites congregations to reflect on how their buildings and land they sit on are seen and understood by their neighbourhoods. Read the full blog here.
ignYte Return it Express Account: You’re invited to support our ignYte Youth Ministry with your recyclables. See the instructions on the bulletin board.
Greater Church News
- Update from Bishop Larry: ELCIC National Bishop Larry Kochendorfer has shared an update with the church regarding Natalie Abudayyeh, a youth member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), who remains detained after being taken from her student apartment (alongside three others) in Birzeit on June 2. Read the letter here.
- World Refugee Day Webinar Event: A webinar titled Food Security and Forced Migration: A World Refugee Day Webinar is going to be held on Wednesday, June 17 at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. discussing what a Christian response looks like to support those forced to flee. To Register, please click here.
Justice Updates
- LCIC GHG Inventory Calculator & User Manual: If you would like to learn more about the GHG Inventory Calculator, contact Rev. Paul Gehrs, Assistant to the Bishop at pgehrs@elcic.ca .
- WCC Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action: The World Council of Churches (WCC) invites you to join the Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action (2025-2034): Moving Together in Ecological Metanoia for Transformation. This movement supports people in answering the prophetic call to care for our common home and stand in solidarity with those who suffer most from climate injustice.