Online Bulletin
March Special Offering: This is the last Sunday to give to this worth cause!!! The Special Offering for March is the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, right now, an estimated 828 million people struggle with chronic food insecurity due to conflict, climate and COVID-19. More than ever, Christ's command to love our neighbour rings out loud and clear. In times of conflict and disaster, hunger becomes even more overwhelming. Together, World Renew and the Foodgrains Bank assist communities with today's recovery, while laying the groundwork for tomorrow's security through vital agriculture and nutrition programs. Your gifts today can be matched up to 4X by the Foodgrains Bank!
Refugee Sponsorship Team: One of our recent newcomers is in need of the following items: Single bed, mattress (good condition), microwave, small dining table and 1-2 chairs, and a small wardrobe. Contact Evelyn Bouwman if you can help with any of these items. bouplumb@telus.net
Community Meal Share Program: Are you tired of meal prep?? Or have extras to give?? The community meal share is a new program here at the Church and is another way for each of us to bless and be blessed by our community on a regular basis with culinary delights. On Sundays and throughout the week during office hours the church will be open for meals to be dropped off or taken home whenever is convenient for you. This is not charity, it's just community. Grab a meal for no other reason than you want to, or you're having a busy week. Bring a meal just because you had leftovers! Swap a meal if you're dropping off and another meal looks good! Labels to provide the date and any common allergens will be provided, and there will be a space in the freezer for the meals.
Youth Group (Grades 8-12): Here is the March Youth Group Schedule!
- March 26 - NO YOUTH
Women's Bible Study: The following are all the sessions offered at the church for Women's Bible Study, please feel free to join any session at any time. All are welcome!
- Friday, March 31th, at 10:00 am, studying Daniel 2.
Easter Worship Night: The multi-church Young Adult Ministries (YAM) invites all young adults to join for an Easter themed worship night on March 26 7pm @ Maple Ridge CRC
Becoming Neighbours Workshops: You're invited to join the 2023 Becoming Neighbours Workshops. These five community workshops explore the values that undergird, guide, and enliven communities of refugees and citizens in Canada. Each dialogue focuses on the complexities of one "value" and includes refugee panels and roundtable conversations. Our first event is Saturday, 25 March 2023, 0900-1200 and focuses on 'welcome.' The events will be hybrid: join in-person in Vancouver or via zoom from anywhere. To register click here.
Hope Community Church (18625 Fraser Hwy) is hosting an information session about foster parenting on Monday, April 3 at 7:00pm. If you’ve considered doing foster care, respite care, or just want to know how to support those who are doing foster care, please come! Representatives from the Ministry of Children and Family Development, as well as members from Hope who are currently doing fostering and respite will be speaking. There will be coffee, tea, and cake! This is an open event, so please invite your friends and neighbours.
The GLORIA DEI CHORALE, under the direction of Rob Workman, is pleased to lead the Palm Sunday Worship Service, featuring choral selections, readings, and congregational songs, on Saturday, April 1 at 7:00 pm in the Oasis Room at Elim Village, 9025 160 Street, Surrey, BC, and on Sunday, April 2 at 7:00 pm at the New Westminster CRC, 8255 13th Ave, Burnaby, BC. A free-will offering will be received. Contact Tina 604-588-6377 or Elaine at 604-271-0283 for more information.
Coffee Break: Coffee Break and Story Hour at Langley Immanuel CRC will be taking a two-week break, March 21 and 28, 2023 resuming with our regular meetings again on Tuesday April 4, 2023...enjoy the break! We look forward to seeing all of you again! For more details contact Elsa at coffeebreak@licrc.ca or Rose at coffeebreak@willoughbychurch.com
LIVING FRUITFULLY: A BIBLICAL THEOLOGY OF WORK: Wednesday, Mar 29, 2023 at 10:00AM - 11:00 AM (Pacific Time) Join Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts as he digs deeper into a biblical theology of work and explores how you can make that relevant to your congregation. This live online workshop is designed for pastors and church leaders, but all are welcome!
Stewardship Toolkit: Time, Talent, Treasures, Trees Wednesday, Mar 29 @ 7:00PM - 8:30PM Deacons are to encourage their congregations to live stewardly and to ask the question: how can my whole life show that Jesus is my Lord? Facilitator: Pastor David Hornor Host: Rachel Vroege Online only Target Audience: anyone interested in stewardship, stewardship teams, bookkeepers, church treasurers, especially deacons. To register click here.
Concert Announcement: The Trinity Western University Chamber Choir and Klemata Chorale present their final concerts of the year. They will be joined by soprano Alison Nystrom, chamber orchestra, and members of the Vancouver Oratorio Society (Saturday performance only) and the Gloria Dei Chorale. Don’t miss this special presentation of works by Vivaldi, Mozart, and Tawnie Olson, as well as the world premiere of Dr. David Squires’ oratorio, Gardens. Tickets* are available through Eventbrite. Adults | $25 Seniors | $22 Students and Children | $10 *prices don’t include GST and online surcharge Saturday, April 15th at 7:30pm Fleetwood Christian Reformed Church (9165 160 St, Surrey) Sunday, April 16th at 3:00pm Central Height Church (1661 McCallum Rd, Abbotsford).
Have you heard? Your voice matters! Our congregation has a once-in-five-year opportunity to participate in the 2023 CRC denominational survey. This survey helps denominational leadership understand the concerns and needs of local congregations like ours. It is crucial that as many people from our congregation as possible participate. Please visit crcna.org/survey/1059 to answer the survey questions by March 31.
Learning How to Grow Restorative Churches: Mar 31 – April 1, 2023, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Willoughby Church. This 2 day training will introduce participants to FaithCARE’s framework & vision for restorative congregations. Participants will learn how to design and facilitate proactive listening circles for a variety of topics and occasions, incorporate restorative practices into interpersonal relationships, ministry groups, congregational life & discernment, leadership meetings etc. Tools are given to help restore or make right where harm and wrong has occurred. The training supports churches to become restorative culture congregations which can help to both reduce & address conflict in healthy ways. More INFO & to REGISTER: Restorative Congregations BC Registration is limited to 25 people
1Life Learning Hub Conference w/ Andrew Root - Join us Friday, May 12 through Sunday, May 14 for a 1Life Learning Hub Conference w/ Andrew Root, Will there be Faith? Following Christ in a secular age. Author & cultural critic Andrew Root (Luther Seminary) and jazz musician Mark Glanville (Regent College) will unpack Jesus’ big question at the first ever 1Life Foundations conference at Fleetwood CRC in Surrey. For more info or to sign up, see crc1life.ca. Sign up for the whole conference or for single events.
Let’s Answer God’s Call to Welcome Strangers - Around the world there are over 27 million refugees – people who have been displaced by war, conflict, persecution, or violence. God calls us to welcome strangers and offer them shelter, food, and rest. On April 2nd – Refugee Sunday – World Renew celebrates the churches across Canada who have welcomed refugees into their communities through sponsorship. To learn more about sponsorship, view the video at: https://vimeo.com/695814671 or visit: worldrenew.ca/refugeesunday, then join World Renew on April 2nd and through your gifts become part of the story of answering God’s call to welcome strangers.
Join World Renew in Sharing Hope with People Impacted by Cyclone Freddy - In early February, Cyclone Freddy developed over the Indian Ocean and made landfall in southern Africa three times. Freddy, the longest-lasting and most-travelled tropical cyclone ever recorded, brought torrential rains and high winds that resulted in landslides and flooding that claimed hundreds of lives and caused widespread damage across Malawi, Mozambique, and Madagascar. World Renew has released emergency funds to provide blankets, food, and tarps to people who have lost homes and loved ones. You can help families impacted by this disaster. Please give online at worldrenew.ca/cyclonefreddy, call 1- 888-975-3769, or mail your cheque, made out to World Renew with “Tropical Cyclone Freddy” in the memo line, to: World Renew, 3475 Mainway, PO Box 5070 STN LCD 1, Burlington, Ontario, L7R 3Y8.
1Life March 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 March 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!
CRC NEWS:
1. Heartbreak in Southern Africa: Cyclone Freddy brought torrential rains and high winds, causing damage across southeastern Africa. World Renew is responding. Click here for the full article.
2. Finding Community as a Young Adult: It can be tough to find community as a young adult. That's why Austin Phillips started a microchurch. Click here for the full article.
3. Bearing Witness, Seeking Justice: By taking part in the Faith in Action Workshop, these deacons learned how to better advocate for those they serve. Click here for the full article.
Groundwork: Experiencing Palm Sunday with Jesus - During Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the crowds hailed him as king. Join Groundwork as we examine Matthew 21:1-9, Mark 11:11-17, Luke 19:41-44, and John 12:12-19 to discuss the meaning of Palm Sunday and observe Jesus’ actions and countenance as he experiences the events of that first Palm Sunday. Listen now at Groundworkonline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Lent At-home Faith Formation Tip - During Lent, many Christians try to become more aware of the suffering of others as we remember Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice. How might you do this? Consider volunteering as a family, with friends, or on your own at a ministry of mercy, or visiting members of your congregation who can’t physically join you in worship on Sundays. (Tip from Faith Formation; bit.ly/CRCFaithFormation)
Summer Service Trips with World Renew DRS - Looking for ways to serve with your congregation or youth group this summer? Join World Renew DRS to repair homes after natural disasters all across the US and Canada! We have sites available in Washington, Kentucky, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, and more! Contact Chris, our Groups Program Manager, at cgibson@worldrenew.net if interested or with questions.
Christian Stewardhip Services: Gain “Peace of Mind” and answers to your charitable giving and estate questions by attending one of Christian Stewardship Services’ upcoming Partner Community Will Clinics! You can learn the basics of getting your documents in place, and learn how to support your favourite Partner Charity and others. Our online Partner Community Will Clinic will be on April 5th as well at 8:30pm EST. Register HERE for the online will clinic. For more information contact Katiev@csservices.ca or 800-267-8890 x213
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
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