Online Bulletin
World Renew - Hunger for Good: The special offering this month is for World Renew and its efforts to end hunger for over 1.6 billion people around the world. This year, conflict, drought, and the effects of COVID-19 have intensified the global hunger crisis resulting in the world facing its worst food crisis in decades. Prayerfully consider how you can support the work of World Renew and help put food on tables around the world.
Refugee Sponsorship Team: The Willoughby Church Refugee Team is looking for a car in good condition, that could be donated "in kind" to Willoughby CRC. ("In kind" means you would get a tax receipt for the value of the vehicle), please let Peter Roukema know. phroukema@gmail.com. Thank you!
Council Updates: The monthly Council Notes for the October & November meetings are available on the website. Please click here to review.
Youth Group: Here is the upcoming November Youth Group Schedule!
November 13 - Bible Study with Will at Willoughby - 7pm
November 20 - 20:20 at Immanuel - 6:30pm
November 27 - Study with Will & Joanna at Willoughby - 7pm
Youth & Young Adults: Fleetwood CRC is hosting a "faith and work" night for youth (young adults welcome, too) to help them explore the connection between our faith and our work. On Tuesday, Nov 15 6:45pm-8:30pm at Fleetwood CRC. This is also to inspire them to think about their future work and expose them to many different kinds of jobs. This will be an interactive night where they can ask questions, listen to a panel discussion, and end with snacks & drinks and a chance to have one-on-one chats with those in careers they are interested in pursuing.
A PLACE AT THE TABLE: On Tuesday, November 15 from 7-9pm at the Regent College Chapel. Join us for an evening book launch to celebrate the release of A Place at the Table: Faith, Hope and Hospitality with Jo Swinney. Rooted in the story of the Christian environmental conservation charity, A Rocha, and the life of its late co-founder Miranda Harris, A Place at the Table is a profound reflection on hospitality and the transformative power of community.
Women's Bible Study: This Wednesday November 16, at 7:00pm, hosted by Jenn, will be focusing on the second chapter of Ephesians this week. This Friday November 18, at 10:00am hosted by Pat. All are welcome!
Preteeens Group: This Wednesday, November 16 @ 7:00pm is Preteen Youth Night here at the church. If you have any questions, please contact Brooklyn for more information at willoughbygems@gmail.com.
Seniors: Come and join us for coffee on Thursday November 17th at 10 am as we enjoy a morning of fellowship and community together. All are welcome!
Hearts Exchanged: Do you want to grow in your reconciliation journey in a robust and appreciative way? Hearts Exchanged is an 8-session (once a month) learning opportunity for anyone willing to come with minds and hearts open to transformation as we wrestle with the challenges and opportunities of reconciliation in our personal lives, local communities, and our CRC churches and institutions. The 8 session course starts Monday, November 14th at 7:00pm. For more information or to sign-up contact Pastor Liz - liz@willoughbychurch.com
Coffee Break: You are invited to Coffee Break, a Bible Study for women of all ages and stages of life Along with Story Hour and nursery care for children, ages 0-5! We are inviting YOU to join in the fellowship and refreshments at Langley Immanuel Church (21713-50 Avenue, Langley) on Tuesday mornings. Doors open at 9:15 a.m. For more details please connect with Elsa at coffeebreak@licrc.ca or Rose at coffeebreak@willoughbychurch.com
Handel's Messiah: Celebrate the birth of Jesus this Christmas with The Gloria Dei Chorale, under the direction of Rob Workman, as they present HANDEL’S MESSIAH, with orchestra, on Sunday, November 20 at 3:00 pm at Calvin Presbyterian Church, 33911 Hazelwood Ave., Abbotsford, BC and on Saturday, November 26 at 7:30 pm at New Westminster Christian Reformed Church, 8255 – 13th Ave, Burnaby, BC. Tickets available from members, at the door and on Eventbrite.ca. Adults: $30.00, 12-18: $20.00, 11 and Under: Free. Contact Tina at 604-588-6377 or Elaine at 604-271-0283 for more information.
Handel’s Messiah: Saturday, December 10th at 2:00 PM Central Heights Church, Abbotsford Join the Valley Festival Singers and the Pacific Spirit Choir along with four outstanding soloists for this timeless work - led by concertmaster Calvin Dyck and conductor Gerry van Wyck. Tickets at calvindyck.com or on Eventbrite.
Christian Stewardship Services: “Gain peace of mind and answers to your charitable giving and estate questions by participating in Christian Stewardship Services’ upcoming Partner Community Will Clinic! You can support your church or learn more about some our Partner Charities and others. Our online Partner Community Will Clinic will be on November 24th as well at 8:30pm EST. Register HERE for the online will clinic.
Sierra Leone: Check out the latest October newsletter from our ministry partners. Click here to read the newsletter.
Scriptoria Writers’ Workshop - The Scriptoria Writers’ Workshop welcomes all writers to its 2023 incarnation, to be held at Calvin University on June 19-23, 2023. Come spend a week of writing workshops, craft classes, meetings with editors and agents, and lectures and readings from our guest writers: Leslie Leyland Fields, Maurice Manning, Vinita Hampton Wright, Patrice Gopo, and others. Visit www.scriptoriaworkshop.org/home or contact Gary D. Schmidt at schg@calvin.edu for more information.
SoCo Beach Project: Summer Young Adult Discipleship Experience Are you or is someone you know a young adult (18 - 29) looking to dig deeper into the life of faith and what impact that has on their unfolding life story? Check out the SoCo Beach Project - an intentional Christian community experience from May - August located in Port Dover, Ontario. Applications are open for SoCo 2023- deadline is Jan. 16 '23. For more information or a deeper conversation about this experience, email Pastor Willemina Zwart: info@southcoastbeachproject.org. Hear the reflections of last year's participants and check out the latest newsletter: click here
Tour the Biblical Lands of Israel - March 6 – March 17, 2023. Experience a refreshing renewal of your faith, and gain a deeper understanding of the Bible, as you tour the biblical lands with teaching host, Pastor Peter Tuininga, and Sindbad Tours of Israel. See many of the biblical places (Jerusalem, Galilee, Caesarea, Jericho, and much more), and gain spiritual and historical insights which will make the Bible come alive for you. For complete information, cost, and registration, go to toursofisrael.wordpress.com or call Peter Tuininga: 1 289 877 8433 or e-mail: peter.tuininga@gmail.com
Prayers of Compassion - Perhaps the best way to support a grieving friend or loved one is to pray for them. The ReFrame Prayer Ministry has released “Prayers of Compassion for Someone Who is Grieving,” a 31-day intercessory prayer guide. You can download it for free by clicking here.
Free Advent Devotion: Prepare the Way - Join World Renew, Resonate, and CRCNA Social Justice as we reflect on what it means to “prepare the way for the Lord” in the midst of injustice, conflict, and creation that groans. Sign up to receive reflections every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in Advent at crcna.org/advent
1Life November Newsletter: 1Life exists to curate a curriculum of resources that equips individuals and congregations to become increasingly whole-hearted, vibrant communities of Christian worship, discipling & mission. Click here for the November newsletter.
Do Justice - Justice Prayers: Do Justice is a conversation space for justice in the Christian Reformed Church, from the Office of Social Justice. Justice Prayers is a weekly post addressing justice issues from around the world. Click here to pray and read more!
Living the Call: This informative report gives you a brief overview of the work that you are a part of as a congregation of the Christian Reformed Church. The report goes out in February, April, June, August, and October, and each one has as its theme one of the five callings of the CRC: Global Mission, Mercy and Justice, Gospel Proclamation and Worship, Faith Formation, and Servant Leadership. To read the new report, click here.
Share the gift of a World Renew Catalogue! - Did your church or household find yourself with multiple copies of this year's World Renew Gift Catalogue? Great! We're hoping you can help us share about this wonderful initiative. Whether it's sending one along to school, leaving one in your doctor's waiting room, or bringing a few to your next family event, World Renew relies on you to help spread the word about how great it feels to give! worldrenew.ca/gifts
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.
CRC NEWS:
1. Bringing Good Out of Evil: Not long ago, Burkina Faso was a poor but peaceful country. Terrorism has been on the rise in recent years, yet Christian ministry is continuing. Click here for the full article.
2. An Anchor for the Soul: A Resonate partner ministry in Nicaragua partnered with Joni and Friends to host a retreat for families affected by disability. Click here for the full article.
3. Raising Our Voices: Two people who are connected with the CRC’s Climate Witness Project are participating in Christian advocacy at COP27. Click here for the full article.
At-home Faith Formation Tip - “Wondering questions” are an excellent way to engage kids (and people of all ages!) with Scripture. For example, after you read the creation story, ask open-ended questions like “I wonder what it looked like when God created the stars?” “I wonder what it would be like if there were no predators in our world?” “I wonder what you would feel like if you were the first person in God’s creation?” (Tip from Faith Formation; bit.ly/CRCFaithFormation)
Groundwork: Understanding God's Judgement - Judgment and consequences can feel unfair and mean. Join our Groundwork conversation as we study Ezekiel 14 and 22 to better understand God’s judgment: where it comes from, what it means, why it’s necessary, and why it’s also a source of grace. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
The Banner: The November 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