2009-12-06
English Congregation News

CHURCH NEWS

Annual General Meeting, TODAY, 2pm at Sanctuary, Agenda as follows: 

• i. The election of the member representatives of the 2010 nominating committee.
• ii. The acceptance of the annual ministry report of 2009.
• iii. The adoption of the 2010 mission budget.
• iv. The adoption of the 2010 PGMBC ministry plans and budget.

The sale is completed on Nov. 30, we sold our old church building to New Beginnings Baptist Church for $1.05M. The deacon board suggested paying back for some of the loans we got from the MB Conference: $300K for renovation and $400K for the mortgage, paying a total of $700K.

The Jan. - Nov. 2009 Offering Report Please check your record. For inquiry, please contact Mrs. Mimi Chu during office hours.

2010 Church Calendar Please pick one up today but limit one per family.

Disposable tableware our church no longer provides disposable tableware for departments & fellowships. There is some chinaware for fellowships to borrow. After using the kitchen and its equipment, please clean and put them back in place.

Christmas Fundraising Dinner "Banquet of Love", Dec 12, 6pm at Gym: Celebrate our love and unity in the Lord! Ticket sales and gift collection is closed. We look forward to the wonderful Fundraising Christmas Dinner together.

Fund Raising Committees are selling Key Lights to raise funds for the Church development project. The key light is $5 each, available in the foyer.

Baby Dedication Service, Dec 20: Parents who desire to dedicate their children before the Lord and congregation, please contact the pastoral staffs.

Church Open House, Dec 13, 2:30-5:00: We are now looking for volunteers, pictures & video of your church life, can you help? Please contact Pastor Ian.

The Evangelism Department plans to launch the "Pacific Grace Urban Center" to reach out to the community. The proposal is available in the foyer and posted on the bulletin board. All comments and suggestions are welcome! Please contact Rev. Chang or Jeffrey Ng.

Staff News: Pastor Sherman Lau is taking study leave on Dec 10 &11. Pastor Sherman Lau will be finishing his ministries here at Pacific Grace on Dec. 31, 2009. Pastor Ian Lau will be finishing his contract with PG on Dec. 31, 2009. Starting from 2010, Mrs. Mimi Chu will no longer continue the administrative work for the mission department, her office hours will be reduced to 32 hours per week (4 day). Admin. Assistant Miss Amy Pun has extended her contract with PG to June 30, 2010, her office hours remained 20 hours per week. 

PRAYER & PRAISE

• 1. Continue to pray for the Mah family.
• 2. Pray for the Christmas outreach programs that are being planned for Dec.
• 3. Pray for the Pastoral Search Team as they begin their search for a new English Pastor.

GOSPEL & MINISTRY

Community Christmas Dinner and Program, Dec 22, 2009, 5-8pm: We are partnering with Vancouver Urban Ministries to bless families in the Vancouver East area by shining the light of Jesus by preparing a Christmas dinner, gifts and program. We're looking for volunteers to help with meal preparation, decorations, gift wrapping, singing and presentation. Please speak with Pastor Sherman if you are interested.

MISSIONS & EVANGELISM

Mission Pledge 2010 currently, we have collected 45 pledge card for 2010, totaling $45,610. (Our goal for 2010 is $60,000). If you are interested in making a pledge, please complete a pledge card and put it in the offering bag.

BIBLE & TEACHING

Sunday School Fall Classes, 11:45am-12:45pm! -For the month of December, the class topics will be:

Adult and Youth Sunday School teaching opportunity: Enjoy helping others learn and apply God's word in their lives? Here is an opportunity to invest in the lives of youth (Grade 7-9, Grade 10-12) and adults through teaching. We are scheduling a SS teachers meeting on Dec 19, 9am-12pm in room A9. Please follow up with Paul Shum at (778)233-6028, if you are attending.

CARING & COMMUNITY

Please come join us for all these DECEMBER Events:

Dec 13 (Sun, 2:30 - 5:00pm): Church Open House

Dec 22 (Tue, 5-8 pm): English Community Christmas Dinner (register prior 12/15)

Usher and Greeter Updates: The ushers and greeters met last Sunday, and would like to announce some changes to minimize disruption of the service and to create a better atmosphere for greeting guests.

1. Main sanctuary doors will be closed as soon as the service has started. If you arrive late, ushers will direct you to enter from the side entrance.
2. Ushers have been trained to direct you to your seat. Please follow their directions for ease of flow.
3. All members and guests will be invited to go to the gym/basement for refreshments after the service.