Online Bulletin

Love Listens (1-hour event) February 17th at 7:00 pm.  How well do those close to you really know your heart? How well do you know theirs? In Love Listens, Bill Strom promotes the idea that we come to know each other through active empathetic listening and that by listening well we deepen our relationships. Drawing on Telecare's Listen Up! curriculum, this presentation is crafted for people seeking to improve their listening skills as a means to show love with friends and relatives. To register, please go here.  

Online Worshop: Karen Wilk joins us online through BC CRC's 1Life Equipping and Learning Hub on February 15, 6:30pm PST for an evening workshop, we all know the world has changed but understanding the impact that has had on the church and knowing how to respond are harder to figure out.  Participants will consider these changes, their implications and how they are, by the work of the Spirit, leading the church to a renewed understanding of what it means to be God’s people joining the Spirit on God’s mission in their neighborhoods.

Do Justice - Office of Social Justice: Dena Nicolai, chaplain and refugee support mobilizer with the Christian Reformed Churches of British Columbia, shares the simple starting place for much of her engagement with people who have been refugees: joining them for a cup of coffee and saying “tell me how you’re doing.” Click here to listen to the podcast.

1Life Podcasts: Recently on the 1Life podcast Joanna DeVries and Sonya Grypma shared how the stories of their life and work are illuminated by and find their true meaning in the One Story told through Jesus. Click here to listen. or go to your podcast provider. 

The CRC and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission: An online workshop, Saturday, March 5, 2022, @ 8:00 am (PST) presented by Priya Andrade, the interim Canadian Justice and Reconciliation Mobilizer for Indigenous Ministry in the CRCNA. Priya will focus on CRC engagement in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action in Canada by repenting and lamenting its role in the cultural violence committed towards Indigenous Peoples. Registration is required: click here to sign up. 

CRCNA Ministry in Canada: On Jan. 29, about 100 people from across the CRC Canadian classes gathered via zoom to talk about the future of the CRC in the Canadian context.  Click here to read the full story.

Biblical Study Tour:  Paul’s Missionary Journeys in Turkey & the Seven Churches of Revelation (May 23 – June 4, 2022):   Travel to ancient sites in Turkey connected with Paul’s First, Second and Third Missionary Journeys, and also the seven churches of Revelation. Added to these magnificent biblical sites is a visit to the spectacular region of Cappadocia. Contact Dr. Jeff Weima, Professor at Calvin Theological Seminary and leading biblical scholar, at weimje@calvinseminary.edu or 616-328-3110. 

Launch of Thriving Essentials - Thriving Essentials is a new course for elders, deacons, church staff, and any volunteer ministry leader. These four, one-hour sessions are offered on Zoom and cover key ideas about mission, discipleship, discernment, and leadership. New groups start every month. Learn more and register now at crcna.org/thrive

Groundwork: When Life is Meaningless - Do you ever feel like you’re spinning your wheels but not getting anywhere? Life can bring its share of discouragement. Join our Groundwork conversation as we study Ecclesiastes 1-2 and 5:18-20 to glean wisdom for life from the Teacher and discuss why we can have hope even when life seems meaningless. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.

Reframe Ministries - Family Fire - is an online community exploring Spirit-led family, marriage, parenting, in-laws, blended families, and intimacy. Find encouraging articles and devotions at familyfire.com. Subscribe for regular email updates and connect with our Family Fire community on Facebook.

At-home Faith Practice Reflection Tip - Reflection and Discussion Starter—the Practice of Justice and Mercy: Read Isaiah 10:1-2 and ponder or discuss the following questions. What examples of unjust laws or oppressive decrees do you see in your community or your country? Throughout the Bible, God’s voice rings out to support people who are poor and oppressed and to protect them from injustice. In your opinion, does the church’s passion for justice and mercy match God’s? Why or why not? (For more on faith practices from Faith Formation Ministries, visit bit.ly/FaithPracticesProject)

Inspire 2022: Early Bird Rate - Join believers from across the continent August 4-6 in the Chicago area for a time of encouragement, renewal, and fellowship. Registration is now open! Register now for early-bird pricing of only $95 USD/CDN ($110 after March 31) plus flexibility if your plans change. This year’s theme, Inspired to Be One, focuses on celebrating our diversity in the CRCNA as a denomination, as well as the need for us to come together as one church. Inspire will connect people across generations, cultures, and missions, reorienting us in the hope of God’s kingdom. Find information and registration at crcna.org/inspire

Sunday Song Selection:

The Banner: The February 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

Get The Banner Straight to Your Inbox - The Banner, the magazine of the CRC, will send you news, features, and columns straight to your email inbox! Sign up for the weekly e-newsletter by visiting thebanner.org/signup. 

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