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Join World Renew in Extending God’s Love to Refugees - Since 1979, Christian Reformed Churches across Canada have welcomed over 10,500 refugees through the World Renew Refugee Sponsorship and Resettlement program. Next week, Refugee Sunday, discover how during the sponsorship process one community came together and found reward in extending God’s love to welcome a family from Eritrea. Through your gift in support of the program, we can help extend God’s love to welcome more refugees seeking safety and a new start in Canada. For more information go to: worldrenew.ca/refugeesunday

Boarder Request:  Grace is a 22 year old student from Iowa and is taking a 3 month internship at Cornwall Ridge Equestrian Barn in Langley. She needs a place to stay for the 3 month internship, starting on May 20th. She is studying for an equine management degree at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa.  She comes from a Christian family and her father is the hospital chaplain at the Iowa City Veterans Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. He has been a Christian pastor for 36 years and the family's hope is for her to boarder with a Christian family while she is here. Please contact Grace at grhal353@gmail.com if you are able to help secure living arragements for her this summer.

Free CRC Leadership Training Course - Register now to take the new Thriving Essentials virtual training in April at no cost (limit 25 persons). The two, 2-hour-long Zoom sessions on April 18 and 25 can help get all church leaders on the same page concerning the key concepts of Mission, Discipleship, Discernment, and Leadership. Take the class for yourself, then decide if attendance would benefit your core church leadership. Website: crcna.org/Thrive

Resonate Match Campaign: Double Your Impact - Resonate Global Mission has a great opportunity for your giving to God’s mission through the Christian Reformed Church! April 1-30, any amount you give for our special campaign will be matched, dollar for dollar, by a generous donor! Learn more at www.resonateglobalmission.org/MatchMyGift

Join the Conversation “Rising Prices & Global Crises" with World Renew - World Renew invites you to join the conversation on Wednesday, March 30th, at 2:00 pm (Eastern). While the global spotlight is focused on the conflict in Ukraine you are invited to consider the more far-reaching impact of this conflict on food insecurity in the Global South. Ukraine and Russia are major suppliers of wheat, oil, and maize, as well as fertilizers used in agricultural production. t. Join the conversation to explore our interconnectedness and how human conflict can have global implications. To register, please visit this link

How the World Has Changed Workshop - Wednesday, March 30, 6:30-8:00 PM - Let’s discover anew what it means to be God’s people discovering and participating in God’s mission today! In this online workshop, participants will consider the changes of the world, 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. Register here

The #MeToo Reckoning Webinar - Wednesday, March 30, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm PST - Join Rev. Ruth Everhart as she discusses her book The #MeToo Reckoning. Through powerful storytelling & insightful scriptural analysis, Ruth will show us how we got to where we are and why abuse matters, as well as offer churches a needed way forward and a more biblical practice of justice for victims. Register here

Discerning God’s Will Together: is it even possible? - Monday, April 11, 7:00-8:45PM - Through this workshop, participants will be introduced to a clear but rich process of Biblical discernment outlined in Ruth Haley Barton’s book Pursuing God’s Will Together. Participants will also engage Barton’s challenging thesis that a “conversion” of sorts is needed if church leadership teams hope to make decisions with the confidence & joy expressed by the Jerusalem council in Acts 15. Register here

Cascade Christian Counselling E-Newsletter – Please find the link to our latest Spring 2022 E-Newsletter with articles that offer suggestions on how one can manage the stresses and anxiety that might surface from the series of challenging events happening to us on a local and global scale. Our counselors have shared some tools on how one can ensure self-care in these times. 

CRC NEWS:

Inspire Conference 2022  - August 4 - 6 - Chicago, Illnois: Join sisters and brothers in Christ from all around the CRC for three days of worship, prayer, learning, and fellowship.  Register today and get the early bird rate. Groups of 5 or more from one church qualify for a further discount with our group rate! Learn more at crcna.org/inspire

Simple Solution Brings Joy - Guerilla conflicts, a mass refugee crisis, and regular flood damage have contributed to ongoing food insecurity in Colombia. World Renew is responding with a simple solution. Click here for the full article.

Reimagining Accessibility Post-Pandemic - Mask and capacity mandates have expired. But what about those who are unable to reach the "normal" finish line? Click here for the full article.

Shalom-Seeking - What can Christians do to inhabit this fraught moment in a way that reflects the peace of God, the reconciliation of Christ, and the fruit of the Spirit? Click here for the full article.

The Banner’s Counting On You! - Please support the award-winning, journalistic ministry of the CRC by donating online today. $500,000 is needed every year to keep The Banner going. Give now at: TheBanner.org/Give

Groundwork: The Paradox of the Cross - In the Roman empire, the cross brought death in a brutal, humiliating way. But believers of Jesus Christ find life in the cross. Join Groundwork as we study 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Romans 5:1-11, and Ephesians 2:8-10 to study the paradox of the cross, remember the profound love of God, and learn how we should live in light of this paradox. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.

At-home Faith Practices Reflection Tip - Reflection and Discussion Starter—the Practice of Listening: Read Psalm 19:1-4 and ponder or discuss the following questions. How does God’s creation “pour forth speech” about God? How might we become better listeners to the testimony of God’s creation? How can each of us use our gifts and talents to help God’s creation flourish? (For more on faith practices from Faith Formation Ministries, visit bit.ly/FaithPracticesProject)

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. This Is My Father's World
  2. Worthy, You Are Worthy
  3. Nothing But The Blood
  4. Lion And The Lamb
  5. What Wondrous Love Is This
  6. His Eye Is On The Sparrow
  7. We Receive Your Blessing

Job Postings:

Now Hiring: FAMILY SUPPORT & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (ABBOTSFORD, BC) – Bethesda. The manager for family support and community development is a highly collaborative, front-facing role. You will work closely with your team, other Bethesda staff, families, and community organizations to find and develop opportunities to support families of people with diverse abilities and to promote inclusion within our communities through relationship building and new initiatives. This is a new role and well suited to someone enthusiastic and excited to grow in this area. You will find opportunities to refine the role and develop as a professional. You will find immense satisfaction from seeing families and relationships thrive and making a difference in people’s lives. As you forge connections and increase public awareness of Bethesda, you will bring our vision of inclusive communities closer, a vision where people of all abilities are valued and empowered. This is currently an 18-month, full-time position with plans to make it permanent. The position is available immediately and is ideal for an experienced leader who has worked directly with people who have diverse abilities and their families. This position includes the following competitive salary range: $59,945 – $65,062. *Please note that as per current provincial health orders, all Bethesda staff must be vaccinated against COVID-19*. 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 April 1, 2022. Applicants should reference posting #840. (Full job description is available on Bethesda’s website).

Now Hiring: 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) an annual salary plus free rent including utilities as a taxable benefit on an on-site 3-bedroom suite, (2) an excellent extended benefits package, including a 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. This is a pet-free environment.*Please note that as per current provincial health orders, all Bethesda staff must be vaccinated against COVID-19*. 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). Applicants should reference posting #821. (Full job description is available on Bethesda’s website). 

The Banner: The March 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