September 20, 2026

Flowers are placed on the altar in repentance for our human-made climate crisis through which all earthbound beings are suffering. We have taken your gift of clean water for granted and by greed, apathy and indifference we watch our water become choked with plastic and our forests burn. Transform us, Lord, into Living Water that we may truly care for our earthly home. 

RESCHEDULED – Creation Movie, Dinner & Discussion: This event has now been rescheduled to next Wednesday, September 23^rd when we will gather from 6-8 pm in the Fireside Room to watch 3 short films while we eat and discuss them over dinner courses of salad, pizza and dessert. Please sign up on the sheet on the usher’s table if you plan on joining us, so the correct amount of food can be provided for this event.

Reader’s Workshop next Sunday: We will be offering a Reader’s Workshop about 10-15 minutes following the service next Sunday, September 27^th, for those who read our scripture texts on Sunday morning. All current volunteer readers and those interested in participating are invited to attend. It is anticipated this will be a short time commitment (approximately 30 minutes).

Fall Clean-up: All are invited to Save the Date and come and help ‘shine up the church’ on Saturday, September 26^th from 9 am to noon-ish. As in the past, we hope to clean both the inside of the church and our outside yard, so bring your energy and stay as long (or as little) as you are able. There are several tasks that need attention, so even if you can only stay for 30 minutes and tackle one job thoroughly, that would help out a great deal. Task lists are out on the Ushers Table, so if you can’t make it that Saturday but still want to take on a task when it is convenient for you, just sign your name beside the task and it will be left for you to do at a different time of your choosing. Thank you for your consideration! Your Property Team 

CALLING ALL LADIES OF GOOD SHEPHERD!  Once again, we are planning another luncheon, for Tuesday, September 29th, at 12:00. It will be held at the Coquitlam Grill, at 2635 Barnet Highway. Please let Linda Berry know if you are able to come or if you need a ride (604-937-7349). We always have a great time and it is a good chance to visit with each other. We hope you will join us!  

Season of CreationActivities and Events

Please take note of the following ways to participate in the year’s Season of Creation:

• Creation is our Theme for Worship Sundays from September 6 to October 4
• Plan an earth-friendly way to get to church, like walking, biking, car-pooling, transit etc.
• You are invited to Creation Movie, Dinner & Discussion Evening – Wednesday September 23^rd at 6 pm. See announcement above.
• Help us meet our Friends of Creation goal, by donating here to our Lake Chad Challenge page.
• We’ll be holding a Prayer Walk around Como Lake after worship on Sunday, October 4^th. 
• Consider signing the Global Plastics Treaty here: https://action.earthday.org/global-plastics-treaty

Wonderous Tree Festival: Wonderous Tree Fellowship, an environmental stewardship group in our community, invites everyone to their free festival on Saturday, September 26^th at Lions Park in Port Coquitlam from 1 pm to 4 pm. The afternoon includes music, speakers, displays, and art and nature activities. See the poster on the bulletin board.

Talitha Koum Fundraising Gala: All are invited to attend Talitha Koum’s annual fundraising Gala on Saturday, October 3 at St. Clare of Assisi Parish Hall at 6:30 pm. See the poster that follows for all the details, including ticket price.

Free Movie: The Road Forward: Como Lake United Church is showing the film “The Road Forward” on Thursday, October 15 at 7:30 pm. It is described as a powerful, musical documentary tracing the history of First Nations Activism and the ongoing struggle for Indigenous Rights. Free admission. All are welcome. See the poster that follows.

National Worship Service to Celebrate the ELCIC’s 40th Anniversary: All members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada are invited to gather for a special national worship service on Sunday, October 25 led by Nation Bishop Larry Kochendorfer. The service will be livestreamed. To read the full news article, please click here.

‘Seriously Cereal’: With school beginning, kids need a good start to the day with food in their bellies. Please consider dropping off a box of cereal (or instant oatmeal packets) to help fill this need for children, families, and also for seniors. Statistics show that today, one in three Foodbank visitors is a child— hungry for nourishment, hope and a better future. There is a bin in the Narthex for this purpose. 

With Gratitude, from Your Outreach Team

Something of note:   The SHARE Foodbank is now accredited through Foodbanks Canada’s 

                                     Standard of Excellence Program!                                   

CLWR Nepal Appeal: On August 26th, a sudden and devastating flood swept through communities in northern Nepal, destroying homes, roads and bridges, and leaving families in urgent need of help. The disaster began when a suspected glacial lake outburst flood surged into Nepal’s Bhote Koshi River before rushing downstream through six districts. Please keep the people of Nepal and the rescue teams in your prayers and consider making an emergency gift today through CLWR to help families affected by the floods in Nepal. 

Job Opportunity – Youth Minister: ignyte, the joint youth ministry of Good Shepherd and St. Laurence Anglican, is looking to hire a new leader. This is a role for someone who loves working with young people, thrives on genuine relationships, and is ready to build something meaningful in partnership with a community poised for growth. To see more details, click on the ignYte page on our website here .

Lutheran Manor Society – Notice of Special General Meeting: The Board of Lutheran Manor Society has called a Special General Meeting for Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 7:00 PM over Zoom. See the notice that follows for all the details.

Liberating Lutherans: Theology & Organizing for the Church Today: Spirit of Life and Church of the Cross (2 churches in our Synod) are collaborating on an on-line education offering consisting of 1 hour classes on Thursdays, from September 17 to November 5.This is a brief survey of Liberation Theology and its application to ministry today in our context. This is not an academic course, but rather a reading group open to anyone who wants to join. For more information, contact either of the church offices who will forward your email on. 

spiritoflifelutheranoffice@gmail.com                                 lutheranchurchofthecross@shaw.ca

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 

‘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.

Items from the ELCIC National Office:

• Bishop Larry’s Prayer for Nepal: As we receive the news of the devastating landslide and flash flooding in Nepal, we offer the following prayer… “Gracious God, strengthen and embrace all touched by the landslide and flash flooding in Nepal. Accompany all who grieve, who suffer, who are in pain. Be near to those who watch and wait. Support all who seek to provide care, who sit with the grieving, who search for the living. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.”
• Grace At The Table…Two Stories, Two Journeys – October 4:You are invited to an online event organized by the ELCIC on Sunday, October 4 at 3 pm. Through our guests’ individual journeys, we will hear about living with chronic illness, navigating blindness, discovering purpose, and allowing for greater inclusion and accessibility. To register for this event, please click here. 
• Luther League Legacy Fund – Call for Applications: If you are 30 years of age or under, and looking to be involved in a leadership development opportunity or looking to plan a project that would benefit people 30 years of age and under, please check out our application guidelines when you click here. Deadline for applications is fast approaching on October 1, 2026.
• Bishop Larry’s Pastoral Letter on Season of Creation
• Bishop Dr. Imad Haddad – Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL)’s Message 
• Messages and Statements from the National Bishop: Stay informed and connection when you click here.
• Resources from the National Office for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA): Click here for resources

Greater Church News

• World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel: The World Council of Churches (WCC) has designated September 20-26 as World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel. Read the full article when you click here.
• CCC Invitation to join a Reading & Discussion Group this fall: The Canadian Council of Churches (CCC) invites you to join a small-group reading experience of Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity). To join a BC Reading Group over Zoom or to learn more, click here.
• Monthly Reflections on Climate Justice: The Task Force on Carbon Neutrality provides monthly reflections on climate justice to encourage engagement, share resources and call for prayer, reflection and learning. Biblical Passages Related to Climate Change and Carbon Neutrality and Community Focused Environmental Stewardship are monthly reflections that you can read today by clicking here. 

Justice Updates

• Free Resources for Truth and Reconciliation Week: September 21-26: To learn more and to access and prepared by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) click here.

A gentle reminder that in consideration of those who have severe sensitivities and allergies, the church has been designated a fragrance-free zone. Your understanding and cooperation is greatly appreciated.

As backpacks are packed, classrooms prepared, and a new school year begins, we hold in prayer all who are stepping into this season of learning, growing, teaching, and becoming.

God of wisdom, wonder, and boundless love,

Be with every child and young person beginning a new school year. May they enter their classrooms knowing they are beloved exactly as they are. Give them curiosity to learn, courage to ask questions, friendships that bring joy, and communities where they feel safe, seen, celebrated, and valued.

Bless the teachers, educators, counselors, administrators, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, coaches, and school staff who care for students each day. Give them patience, creativity, compassion, and the resources they need to nurture every learner.

Be with parents, guardians, caregivers, and families as they encourage, support, worry, celebrate, pack lunches, navigate schedules, and walk alongside their young people.

May our schools be places where every student—of every race, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, ethnic identity and language—knows they belong.

When the year feels overwhelming, grant rest.
When someone feels alone, bring connection.
When injustice appears, give us courage to speak and act.
When there is joy, help us celebrate abundantly.

Holy One, go with all who begin this new school year. Surround them with love, guide them with wisdom, and remind them each day:

You are beloved. You are seen. You belong.

Amen.