Online Bulletin
World Renew Christmas Giving: The December special offering is to help people who live in extreme poverty experience more of the fullness of life God intends for them, we are striving to raise funds for two of World Renew’s best seller bundles (p. 17 in the gift catalogue). One bundle, worth $4,181, contains goats and quackers, the herd, 1 farm team, the whole barnyard, a family-sized water filter, 1 bicycle and “where needed most”. You are also invited to visit the Christmas Giving Tree and ‘buy’ an ornament (or ornaments). Each ornament is a unique gift that can make a difference for people in need around the world. Click here to see the World Renew Gift Catalogue.
Youth Group: Here is the upcoming December Youth Group Schedule!
December 4 - Youth Dinner at Willoughby - 5-7pm
December 9&10 - Combined "Christmas Lock-In" with Immanuel at Willoughby - 8pm-8am
December 18 - Youth Christmas Party at Stortebooms time TBD
An Advent Evening of Lament: December 4th at 7:00pm, join us for a time of reflection, lament, and prayer as together we pause to remember the past weeks, months, and for some of us, years of difficult times. Through readings, prayers, and songs we will reflect on our individual and communal losses and be offered the hope and assurance of God’s presence with us, even in the midst of our darkness.
Cookies for Kids: Help fill Peter Fish with coins! Our popular "Cookies for Kids" to support World Renew will be back Sunday, Dec 4, following the worship service. Bring your loose coins and trade them for delicious cookies brought by the children. All proceeds to the World Renew campaign to fight world hunger.
Congregational Meeting: There will be a Semi - Annual Congregational Meeting on Monday, December 5th at 7:00 pm to review the upcoming years budget. This is an in person meeting only. A package will be available in your mailbox for review prior to the meeting.
Bible Study: Women's Bible Study hosted by Grace doing the book Life Lessons from the Book of Mark by Max Lucado, will be doing Lesson 5 this Tuesday, December 6th at 10 am.
Coffee Break: Over the next two weeks we hope to complete the study of the prophet Isaiah in “The Word of the Lord-Seeing Jesus in the Prophets” by Nancy Guthrie. This will lead us into the coming of the Christmas season. We will end with our Coffee Break-Story Hour Christmas Social with a special morning of delicious treats and fellowship at Langley Immanuel Church (21713-50 Avenue, Langley) on Tuesday December 6, 2022. Doors open at 9:15 a.m. We are planning to resume in the new year on Tuesday, January 10, 2022 with the study of the prophet, Habakkuk. We look forward to celebrating together! For more details please connect with Elsa at coffeebreak@licrc.ca or Rose at coffeebreak@willoughbychurch.com
A Christmas Concert: The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet & Organ will be having a Christmas Concert on Monday, December 12, 2022 at 7:30 PM at the Langley Canadian Reformed Church (21804 52 Avenue, Langley). Admission is $20 for Adults, $10 for Students and Children are free. Come out and support the VSO and enjoy some holiday music.
The Gloria Dei Chorale, under the direction of Rob Workman, is pleased to present this Christmas “Sing Gloria”, featuring choral selections, readings, and congregational songs, on Saturday, December 17 at 7:00 pm in the Oasis at Elim Village, 9025 160 Street, Surrey, BC and on Sunday, December 18 at 7:00 pm at the New Westminster Christian Reformed Church, 8255 – 13th Ave, Burnaby, BC. Contact Tina 604-588-6377 or Elaine at 604-271-0283 for more information. A free-will offering will be received.
Celebrate the Season: The Langley Community Chorus presents Celebrate the Season a Christmas Concert on Friday, December 16, 2022 at 7:00pm here at Willoughby Church. Tickets are $20 for Adults and Children 12 and under are free. Tickets are available on the LCC website or at the door.
Come Messiah: Langley Immanuel CRC is presenting a wonderful evening of Christmas music on Sunday December 18, 2022 at 6:00pm. This candle lit evening will feature both our choirs, congregational singing and readings throughout telling the Christmas story as well as a short message by our Pastor Chris. Admission will be by cash donation at the door to the Langley Food Bank. Hope you can come enjoy this special evening with us!
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.
"O Holy Night": Alison Nystrom (soprano), Carmen Hollett (piano) & Calvin Dyck (violin) invite you to a special Christmas concert – “O Holy Night” on Thursday, Dec 22nd at 7pm at South Abbotsford Church. The trio will perform some of your favourite Christmas songs including O Holy Night. Tickets on Eventbrite or www.calvindyck.com/concerts
Sierra Leone: Check out the latest October newsletter from our ministry partners. Click here to read the newsletter.
"Prepare the Way" - Free Advent Devotion - Prepare the Way is an email devotional series put together by World Renew, Resonate, and CRCNA Social Justice that features reflections from people with CRC ministries around the world during Advent 2022. Sign up to receive the email devotions every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in Advent at crcna.org/advent.
1Life December 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 December 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!
Canadian National Gathering 2023 - Every three years, representatives of Christian Reformed churches and classes across Canada gather to discuss, pray, listen, and plan next steps for ministry at a congregational, regional, and national level. The next Canadian National Gathering will be held May 25-28, 2023 in Ottawa, Ontario, on the campus of Algonquin College and will focus on Indigenous justice and reconciliation. Representatives from every classis across Canada are invited to participate. If you are interested in attending to represent your area, please talk to someone who is attending the next meeting of your classis. For information, go to www.crcna.org/canadian-national-gathering
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.
A Tough Time of Year: Are you having a challenging time this Christmas season? Telecare Crisis & Caring Line is available to support you if you are feeling lonely, low, and stressed. Trained listeners are sisters and brothers in Christ who understand difficult times. You can reach them toll free at 1-888-852-9099 or locally at 604-852-9099 (Mission & Abbotsford). Let Telecare help make your Christmas season a little lighter and brighter.
CRC NEWS:
1. Churches Focus on Hospitality: Brian Fournier was homeless when he met a pastor who invited him to attend church in his carport. Click here for the full article.
2. Developing Ministry Leaders: Calvin University’s Ministry Leadership Cohort offers pathways for students who want to live out their faith in all of life. Click here for the full article.
3. Editorial: Christ’s Humility: The second person of the Trinity becoming flesh in baby Jesus was not only miraculous — a sign of God’s power — but also astonishing — a sign of God’s humility. Click here for the full article.
Advent At-home Faith Formation Tip - During Advent, we light the candle of Love. Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection were all characterized by love. In return, we are to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. And love your neighbor as yourself.” Consider how your family or household might do those things more fully in the coming year. (Tip from Faith Formation; bit.ly/CRCFaithFormation)
Groundwork: Zechariah, Elizabeth, and John the Baptist: Preparing the Way for Jesus - Just like we prepare for Christmas, God prepared the world for salvation. Join Groundwork as we study Luke 1:5-25, 57-66 to witness how Zechariah, Elizabeth, and their son, John the Baptist, prepare the way for Jesus’ birth and allow their message to prepare our hearts again for Jesus’ second coming. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Become a Lead Cook with World Renew DRS! - Do you enjoy caring for others by cooking for them? Consider a ministry opportunity by becoming a Lead Cook DRS volunteer! While volunteers are working hard on reconstruction sites, there are others working hard in the kitchen, cooking to nourish bodies which are rebuilding hope for disaster survivors! If interested, email Diana at dmarquez@worldrenew.net with questions.
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