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: The youth will be meeting this Sunday December 18 for their Christmas Party at the Stortebooms from 6-8pm. Please bring an appy to share!
Church Christmas Office Hours:
Friday, December 23rd - closed
Tuesday, December 27th - closed
We will be open regular office hours December 28th - 30th.
If you have any questions, please call the office @ 604-530-5959
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 6 this Tuesday, December 20th at 10 am.
New Song: We will be adding a new song to our Sunday worship list in a few weeks, please have a listen and become familiar with the song! Phil Wickham - Hymn of Heaven
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 with 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!
"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
Coffee Break: 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
Begin 2023 with Free CRC Leadership Training - Register now to take the Thriving Essentials virtual training in January at no cost (limit 25 persons). The two, 2-hour-long Zoom sessions (Jan. 11 + 18) 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. More info at: crcna.org/Thrive
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!
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. Check out the website: www.southcoastbeachproject.org and this video to hear the reflections of last year's participants.
Online Stewardship Course - Does your church need resources and guidance in the area of stewardship? HELP IS ON THE WAY! Diaconal Ministries Canada is excited to share that a brand new, online, self-guided Stewardship Course will go live on the CRCNA's learning portal in January 2023! The online course includes an introductory module on the definition and basics of biblical stewardship as well as modules for each of the four T’s of Stewardship (Time, Talents, Treasures & Trees/Creation Care). Resources and ideas for individuals and teams are included as well. Find out more on our website: https://diaconalministries.com/stewardship/#stewardship-resources.
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. Sustainability in Tucson: Mission Church in Tucson, Ariz., sees the earth as a gift to be loved and stewarded. Click here for the full article.
2. Tears at the Manger: Why does Christmas expose so much pain? Click here for the full article.
3. Christmas Trees and Finding Joy: The tree farm I grew up on reminds me that joy and sorrow often mingle, especially during the holidays. Click here for the full article.
At-home Faith Formation Tip - During Advent, we light the candle of Peace. Through Jesus Christ, God gives us peace. In what area of your life do you most need God’s peace? How might you be a peacemaker this week? Wonder and talk about that this week. (Tip from Faith Formation; bit.ly/CRCFaithFormation)
Groundwork: Joseph: The Virgin Birth and Prophecies Fulfilled - It isn’t until Joseph receives angelic confirmation that he believes the miracle of the virgin birth. Join Groundwork as we study Matthew 1:18-25 to discuss how this fulfills Old Testament prophecies and gives us confidence to trust in God’s continued presence and faithfulness in our lives as we prepare for his second coming. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
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
CRCNA Position Openings - Resonate Global Mission of the CRCNA has a full-time position opening for a Campus Ministry Coordinator anywhere in the United States or Canada. The purpose of this position is to provide leadership through capacity-building, connecting, innovation, learning, and resourcing in the area of Campus Ministry within the Resonate system and across the denomination. For details visit www.crcna.org/jobs. Deadline is January 5, 2023.
Now Hiring: SUPPORT WORKERS (RICHMOND, LADNER, SURREY, LANGLEY & MAPLE RIDGE, BC) – Bethesda. A support worker at Bethesda supports people with intellectual disabilities in a variety of sites or resources. You must have the desire and capacity to support people with diverse abilities and must believe that the person receiving support is uniquely valuable. Competitive salary: $21.63 – $25.19/hr. **NEW** hiring bonus + leadership development program + exclusive employee discounts through Perkopolis. *Please note that as per current provincial health orders, all Bethesda staff must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19*. Interested applicants may reference posting #818 and apply online at bethesdabc.com/careers. See full job description on Bethesda’s website.
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