Online Bulletin

Joy Has Dawned - A Christmas Musical - You are formally invited to join Langley Immanuel CRC for a Christmas musical on December 19 at 7:00 pm.  Composed and arranged by Lloyd Larson, this musical tells the Christmas story through Chorus, Narration and Children's Chorus.  Admission is by donation for Abbotsford flood relief.  You can donate online or with cash at the door.  There will be a sign up to attend the evening, if the 19th fills up, there will be another showing on the 22nd.  Click here to sign up.

Church Family:

1. We would like to thank everyone who called, visited, sent cards and prayed for us during Marion's recent illness.  We continue to thank God for his healing and strength and are so grateful to be part of this church family.  'Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever' Psalm 118: 29  Bill & Marion 
2. Congratulations to Eve and Keith Hamming on their 50th wedding anniversary, December 19th and to Jackie and Neil Themmen on their 65th wedding anniversary December 20th.

A Christmas Concert:  After a two-year hiatus, Songs Strings & Steps is back with three LIVE Christmas concerts on Monday, Dec 20th at 7:00 PM and Tuesday, Dec 21st at 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm at Central Heights Church in Abbotsford.  The concert will feature a 50-piece orchestra, a vocal quartet led by celebrated soprano Alison Nystrom with familiar carols, and a sing-along Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah.  If you are interested in attending please click here. 

Off the Rails: a social justice pilgrimage around America: 
Begin 2022 seeking reconciliation and justice in the company of Gus and Wynanda Polman (former members of Willoughby Church) who will share pilgrim stories, pictures, and reflections on their recent six-week pilgrimage to the southern U.S. via Amtrak. Monday, January 3, 7 - 9 pm at the 1Life ministry center Fleetwood CRC 

Mission is All of Life: Listen to Naji Umran, our partner in missions, working in the Middle East with Resonate, tell more of his life story, and reflect on how all of our lives can be used by God when we just “be.” Click here for the podcast. 

World Renew to Share in $75 Million Grant - This grant will allow World Renew to respond quickly to disasters and disruptions. To read the full story click here.

Blood Donor Clinic: On Tuesday, December 21st, a Blood Donor Clinic will be held in the church starting at 1 pm.  If you are able, please join in saving lives by donating blood.  Appointments are necessary and can be booked at blood.ca or by clicking here.

World Renew - Advent Means Hope - With World Renew’s 2021-2022 Gift Catalogue, you can help a family plant seeds to grow food after COVID-19 lockdowns, give a child the supplies they need for health with a nutrition kit, or provide safety for a disaster survivor. Choose a gift that gives someone who is struggling with hunger and income insecurity the opportunity for transformation today and hope for the future. Visit the Giving Tree in the church lobby to choose an ornament and look through the Gift Catalogue.

Groundwork: Christmas Hope: Bathsheba - Our stories are filled with mistakes, missteps, and moments when our best simply is not enough. Join Groundwork as we study Matthew 1:5-7 and 2 Samuel 11:1-12:25 to take an honest look at our brokenness, see the truth of God’s abundant forgiveness, and celebrate Jesus’ coming at Christmas, through the story of Bathsheba. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.

At-home Faith Practice Reflection Tip - Reflection and Discussion Starter—the Practice of Hospitality: Read Luke 14:12-14 and ponder or discuss the following questions. In this story, Jesus encourages us to offer hospitality to people who can not repay us. In your unique context, who might that be? How might you offer food, shelter, and protection to them? 

Book Club: Have you made plans for the new year? How about joining a book club? This January 2022 (13, 20 & 27) online, from 4 - 5 pm PDT, dig into Kate Bowler's new book: No Cure for Being Human (And Other Truths I Need to Hear). Hosted by Disability Concerns CRCNA. For information and to register click here. 

Sunday Song Selection:

Here are the current song selections for this Sunday's service, please feel free to familiarize yourself with the music ahead of time by clicking on each song below. * Please note that adjustments may be made prior to Sunday morning.

1. O Come All Ye Faithful
2. Angus Dei
3. The Heart of Worship
4. Jesus Messiah
5. Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me
6. Noel
7. Doxology

World Renew - Southern U.S. Tornado Response - World Renew Disaster Response Services (DRS) is working with our partners and other disaster organizations to plan a response to the devastating tornadoes that hit six states in the southern U.S. on Friday, Dec. 11, 2021. Please pray for those who have lost loved ones and possessions. To volunteer with DRS in this and other responses, email cgibson@worldrenew.net. To give online for Dec. 11 tornado response, click Donate at worldrenew.ca, call 888-WRLD-RNW, or mail your cheque, made out to World Renew DRS with “Winter Tornadoes 2021” in the memo line,  Send to: World Renew, 3475 Mainway, PO Box 5070, STN LCD 1, Burlington, Ont., L7R 3Y8.

The Banner: The December edition of the Banner is now available at the church. You can also access a copy online at The Banner.  To support the Banner's ongoing journalistic ministry, consider making a donation.  www.theBanner.org/Donate

Today Devotion Books: The Today booklets are available at the church.

Contact for Online Bulletin: If you have anything to add to the bulletin, please email info@willoughbychurch.com 

Contact Council: If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email the council at council@willoughbychurch.com

Job Opportunities:

CARETAKER OF AN INTENTIONAL COMMUNITY (CHILLIWACK, BC) – Bethesda. Bethesda is seeking an on-site caretaker couple or family for a beautiful and well-established 9-unit townhouse community. Opened in 2016, the Vedder Terrace community has become a place rich in belonging for people with and without disabilities. People who, with their unique contributions and their personal dreams and goals, have created a vibrant community and lifestyle that reflects their shared commitment to inclusion and interdependence. This position includes (1) annual salary plus free rent including utilities as a taxable benefit on an on-site 3-bedroom suite, (2) excellent extended benefits package, including pension plan and, (3) 3 weeks vacation to start. This role is suitable for a couple or family. The caretakers will live on site in a 3-bedroom townhouse suite and have the flexibility to schedule duties to suit.*Please note that as per current provincial health orders, all Bethesda staff must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an exemption by January 14, 2022.* Interested applicants may apply online at https://bethesdabc.com/careers or submit a resume, cover letter, and references to the Chief Human Resources Officer via email (careers@bethesdabc.com)  or mail (2775 Emerson Street, Abbotsford BC V2T 4H8). Deadline to apply is December 20, 2021. Applicants should reference posting #821. (Full job description is available on Bethesda’s website)