Around Town: Music for all tastes, Hope Vancouver, Lapu Lapu memorials . . .

Josiah Queen is one of several musicians who will be in concert soon.

As I noted a couple of weeks ago, my updates will be spotty until mid-June, because my wife Margaret and I are travelling in Europe (see accompanying (Not) Around Town article for a brief update.

But we are staying with our daughter and her husband (and children) this week, so I do have some free time for an update.

Lots of music

It appears that we will be missing a lot of good music over the next month or so, both big names and local artists. Some of the big name concerts – Bethel Music, Steve Bell, Josiah Queen – appear to be sold out, but there are still plenty of other good options:

• April 16: Bethel Music: Nights of Response, The Centre, Vancouver (Possibly four tickets left.);
• April 16: Steve Bell with Carolyn Arends, White Rock Baptist Church (Sold out but Steve’s concert with Kevin Boese in Abbotsford on the 18th still has tickets available. Well worth the drive.)
• April 17: Bez Gospel Choir: Live!, New Life Community Church, Burnaby (Featuring Lincoln Tatem and Diane Lines; free snacks and desserts);
• April 17: Door & Table with Jon Bryant, St. James Anglican Church, Vancouver (Fundraiser for Jacob’s Well in the Downtown Eastside.);
• April 21: Tyler Staton: The After Amen Tour, Centre Church, Vancouver (An intimate evening of prayer, poetry, scripture and song – with musical accompaniment from Young Oceans.);
• April 21: Josiah Queen: The Mt. Zion Tour, Orpheum Theatre, Vancouver (One of the most popular voices in Christian music today.);
• April 25: Amabilis Singers: You Who Bear the Light, New Westminster Christian Reformed Church, Burnaby (This concert traces a powerful emotional journey – from stillness and longing to joy, connection and celebration.);
• May 9: Bez Kept Secrets: Fundraiser / Concert / Album/Book Release, Bez Arts Hub, Langley (In support of the many important and inspiring events and arts activities that take place in this notable local performance space!)

And these are not all; check below or on ‘Events’ (above) for more.

Hope Vancouver gathering

Pastor Gideon Chiu and Hope Vancouver leaders (including Giulio Gabeli at left) prayed for Pastor Bayo and his wife (between Giulio and Gideon) and the Grace Chapel team.

I took part in a Hope Vancouver gathering shortly before leaving for Europe. Retired pastor Dave Carson, still serving at Village Church, sent me this report:

On Sunday evening, March 29, a dynamic time of worship and prayer lasted for more than two hours with a full congregation from many different churches.

The Hope Vancouver Network team of pastors met in New Westminster at Grace Chapel in its old style sanctuary with rounded pews and large stain glass windows. [The heritage building was formerly home to Sixth Avenue United Church].

Pastor Bayo Adediran was the Grace Chapel host pastor and the meeting was chaired by Pastor Giulio Gabeli of Westwood Community Church, Coquitlam. The youthful Grace Chapel Choir led us into passionate worship of Jesus with contemporary songs but with a flavour of Africa! 

National and International Issues were first up for prayer and the Hope Vancouver Team of pastors cried out to God for five main topics: 

1. Government: federal (Bill C-9) / provincial / municipal;
2. Middle East Crisis: US / Israel / Iran War;
3. Antisemitism in Canada: repentance / protection of Jewish communities; 
4. Restoration of marriages / families; 
5. Revival / harvest in Canada.

With as many as 15 people on stage, the Glory Chapel worship leaders were dynamic.

After another worship set it was the turn of the congregation to pray in small groups for the Lower Mainland, including Greater Victoria. I pointed out that the population of this area makes up nearly 10 percent of Canada and prayed that a move of God would start on the West Coast and spread to the East!  

Issues were:

1. Politicians, mayors, elections;  
2. Fiscal responsibility in municipalities;  
3. Organized crime and violence;
4. Wisdom for Indigenous land title;
5. Move of God from Hope to Pemberton and Greater Victoria. Amen!

Time went quickly with all this intensity of worship and prayer. By 8:30 it was time for a closing prayer from Pastor Gideon Chiu, Church of Zion. We gathered around Pastor Bayo and the Grace Chapel leaders, to thank God for them and pray the mighty hand of God upon them in 2026. We also prayed blessing for the City of New Westminster and all those who serve the city in government. A powerful time of inter-church unity in Christ!

Grace Chapel is part of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), based in Nigeria. Pastor Bayo mentioned during the service that the RCCG now has about 20 churches in British Columbia. 

Lapu Lapu memorials

A number of churches are holding memorials to commemorate the killing of 11 people and the injuring of dozens more at the Lapu Lapu festival April 26, 2025. The attack took place just south of John Oliver Secondary School off Fraser Street.

Several political leaders took part in a Friday afternoon (April 10) memorial mass at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, located near the site of the tragedy. An article in the Vancouver Sun reported:

Among the mourners were Premier David Eby, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, all sitting in the front pew of the high-ceilinged church still decorated with potted lilies and spring bouquets from last weekend’s Easter celebrations.

Parish priest Salvador (Jun) Reyes in his homily said he was struck by the messages he had read earlier Friday during a visit to the memorial to victims at Mountainview Cemetery.

“Yes, there was pain and sadness, but at the same time there was something else,” he said. “There was love and compassion and unity among those who chose to stand with others.”

He urged everyone to continue to pray for one another.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre attended the mass, along with Cloverdale-Langley City MP Tamara Jansen (just behind him). Photo: Tamara Jansen Facebook

The B.C. Catholic posted an article April 15:

Archbishop Richard Smith says the pain of the Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy is still being felt a year later, especially within Vancouver’s Filipino community, which continues to carry the wounds of that day.

He told The B.C. Catholic the April 26 anniversary is a time of remembrance, prayer, and solidarity with those most deeply affected.

“In particular the Filipino faithful, who bring such vitality and devotion to our parishes and to the life of the Archdiocese of Vancouver. They’ve endured a great sorrow that makes this a story that touches the Catholic community in a profound way,” the Archbishop said.

The Archbishop noted that the response of the Filipino community over the past year has been a powerful witness of faith. “In the face of grief, we have seen a deep reliance on prayer, on the sacraments, and on the support of one another. Their resilience and faith have strengthened our entire local Church,” he said.

A memorial service led by Archbishop Smith will be held at Holy Rosary Cathedral April 29.

Events are listed below, but there is also an Events page and a Jobs page on the Church for Vancouver site.