Online Bulletin
This is the last Sunday to give to the September Special Offering which is for the Indigenous Ministry CRC which is made up of a national committee (Canadian Indigenous Ministry Committee), three Urban Indigenous Ministries, and a Senior Leader for Indigenous Justice, each using their strengths to support healing and reconciliation between Indigenous peoples and non-Indigenous people in Canada. It is rooted in a recognition of our Creator’s love for all creation and in the understanding that we all have gifts to offer one another.
Hymn Sing Sunday: On Sunday, October 1st, we are offering a hymn sing at 4:30pm. Come join us to worship and celebrate some of your favourite hymns!!
Guatemala Missions 2024: Once again, we hope to have a team of 14 heading down to Guatemala to be involved with house building, wheelchair distribution, and visiting homes to get to know the people. It is a busy week of seeing the great things God is doing in this country! If you are interested in being involved with this team and for more information about costs, please email Al Vandenberg at al@scouttg.com. Dates are March 2 – 9, 2024.
Youth Group: It is that time of year again and the Youth Ministry is back!! Here is the upcoming schedule for September:
- Sept 17: Welcome back! Bring your favorite snack to share with the group. Games and chat from 7-830pm.
- Sept 24: Youth Dinner from 5-7pm at Purdy's 21920 46A Ave., Langley
Thanks! The Youth Team - Amanda, Will & Joanna
Preteens: Preteens Youth Night is back! The new ministry year has begun and we are excited to have the children in grades 4-7 at Willoughby, meet at the Church every second Wednesday at 7:00pm. The group is led by Brooklyn, with Jamie-Lynn & Josiah as other leaders. Their first event is on Saturday, September 23rd at the Aldergrove Waterpark from 5:00 pm-7:30pm swim session. Preteens will be required to arrive 15 minutes before the start of the session and bring a swimsuit towel and/or anything else they would want for a day at the pool. The first official meeting is on Wednesday, October 4th at 7:00 pm. If you are interested in joining or want to know more about the program please contact Brooklyn at preteens@willoughbychurch.com.
Young Adults Hosting: The young adults would love to continue to have their weekly meetings at church member's households. If you would like to have (or have again) around 7-10 young adults meet at your house for dinner and devotions one Monday, please sign up this Sunday after the service using the form in the lobby or contact Jilise. Thank you again to all who have so graciously hosted previously!
Celebration of Life: The Funeral for Pieter VanSmeerdyk will be on Monday, September 25th at 3:00pm here at Willoughby Church.
Blood Donor Clinic: This month we will be hosting a Blood Donor Clinic on Tuesday, September 26th starting at 1pm. If you are able, please join in saving lives together by donating blood. Appointments are necessary and can be booked at blood.ca.
Celebration of Life: The celebration of life for Martin den Haan will be Friday, September 29th at 1:00pm at Fleetwood CRC.
Join Hearts Exchanged - Wondering how to personally move ahead on Indigenous reconciliation? Joining Hearts Exchanged might just be your next step. Hearts Exchanged, a project of the Christian Reformed Church, is designed for those who want to grow in understanding of and practices towards Indigenous people. Starting this fall, Liz Tolkamp is hosting an in-person Hearts Exchanged cohort just for Willoughby Church! We will meet once a month for 7 - 8 months with individual self-guided online learning between cohort meetings. If you are interested in joining this cohort, contact Liz at liztolkamp@gmail.com
Garden Sharing Table: If you have extra vegetables and fruit in your gardens, you are invited to bring them to our Garden Sharing Table located in the front hallway of the church. We will continue the sharing table through the summer months.
Circle of Grace Training: For all Children, Gems, Cadets, Youth Ministry Leaders & Interested Participants, Monday Oct 2, 2023 - 7:30 - 9:30pm - via Zoom. As a participant you will be trained to use the Circle of Grace curriculum in your church. Circle of Grace teaches children and youth the value of positive relationships with God and others. It educates and empowers them to actively participate in a safe environment for themselves and with others. Circle of Grace is intended to supplement a K-12 church education curriculum for 1-4 weeks per year. Teachers can also draw from the concepts throughout the year embedding them into your child/youth ministry. REGISTER Free: CIRCLE of GRACE Training Contact info: Faye Martin: Faye@bcsafechurch.com 604-850-5137 Liz Tolkamp: ltolkamp@crcna.org 604-996-3183 This training is offered in partnerships with Safe Church and Faith Formation Ministry. For more info and flyer see BC Safe Church Circle of Grace | Christian Reformed Church
Trauma Informed Response in the Church: Monday Oct 23, 2023 @ Fleetwood CRC – 2 options – 12:30-3pm OR 6:30-9pm. On average 2 of 5 congregants have experienced trauma. Trauma is a wound of the heart and mind that causes suffering. Our churches can become safe places to process & heal from trauma when leaders are equipped to support those whom God puts in our paths and churches. Come learn about trauma, what the Bible says about trauma, recognizing symptoms in self & others, gain understanding of the 3 most common ways trauma presents itself, & responding in nonharmful/practical ways. Facilitated in partnership by Stacey Stolte (program lead-Bible based Trauma Healing - Canadian Bible Society) & Faye Martin (Abuse Prevention & Response Coordinator - BC CRC Safe Church Ministry) INFO & REGISTER FREE @ www.bcsafechurch.com
Coffee Break: Coffee Break, a Bible Study for women of all ages and stages of life and Story Hour and nursery care for children, ages 0-5, is ready to begin a new season! We are inviting YOU to come to our fellowship, refreshments, and Registration morning at Langley Immanuel Church (21713-50 Avenue, Langley) on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. Doors open at 9:15am We are beginning our study this season with a book, “Identity Theft: Reclaiming the Truth of Who We Are in Christ” Editor: Melissa Kruger “Who am I? It’s a question we all ask ourselves at some point. Depending on the season we focus our identity on our job performance, marital status, personality type, or social network, among other options. However, there’s a larger question to consider. Who does the Bible tell me I am in Christ? From the wisdom and perspective of insightful authors—including Jen Wilkin, Hannah Anderson, Trillia Newbell, and Jen Pollock Michel—we’ll seek to answer this question.” We look forward to meeting with YOU!
Advokate Life & Education Services invites you to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Hope for Women at the 9th Annual Celebrate Life Gala on Thursday, November 2nd at 7pm. We are thrilled to welcome David Bereit, founder of the global 40 Days for Life movement that has saved 14,643 children’s lives and mobilized 750,000 volunteers in 700+ cities. We’ve got 161 reasons to celebrate! Sponsor a table or reserve your spot for FREE in General Seating. Visit celebratelifegala.ca or call 604-852-4623 x26.
Today is Abuse Awareness Sunday - The CRCNA invites congregations to imagine a more holistic approach to nurturing a safe and healthy church community where abuse itself becomes unthinkable and where trauma survivors feel supported and safe. Please help this valuable ministry that promotes safer churches and empowers all CRCs. Give now at: crcna.org/SafeChurch/Donate
All Nations Heritage Sunday is October 1 - In two weeks, we will celebrate All Nations Heritage Sunday. In preparation, learn more about Thrive's Multicultural Scholarship Fund which provides financial assistance for students of various ethnic minorities in the CRC. Check out the website: crcna.org/AllNations for more information.
M2W2 - GALA DINNER AND SILENT AUCTION - October 2: Join us for our annual fundraiser! We’ll gather together, enjoy a delicious meal, bid on amazing silent auction items, and hear stories about how M2W2 walks with people as they overcome challenges related to incarceration. TICKETS ON SALE NOW! WWW.M2W2.COM/FUNDRAISER
Nurturing Belonging: Exploring Hospitality, Disability, and Theology - We believe that all people are created in the image of God and that each person is essential. Yet, when it comes to hospitality and belonging for people with disabilities, our congregations often don’t reflect what we believe. Join us online on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, from 1:30 to 6 p.m. (Eastern) to learn about how to nurture belonging. This event is virtual and free of charge. To register go to: https://www.crcna.org/disability/events
Listen Up! A workshop in active empathetic listening for real-world support: Join Telecare Crisis & Caring Line on Saturday, October 14, 2023, for an engaging workshop at Columbia Bible College. Registration begins at 8:30 AM, session starts at 9:00 AM. Continental breakfast included. Cost: $40 for Early Bird Registration through Sept 22, 2023. $50 for registrations from Sept 23 through October 14, 2023, and at the event site. Early registration is encouraged. Students: $25 for Early Bird Registration through Sept 22, 2023. $30 for registrations from Sept 23 through October 14, 2023, and at the event site. This event is for staff and volunteers in churches who use relational listening skills to build up the body of Christ in various contexts. Eventbrite Registration here
Saturday, October 21st, 7:00 pm. Matsqui Centennial Auditorium, Abbotsford. YOUNG ARTISTS concert features talented youth from the Fraser Valley accompanied by a professional orchestra along with members of the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra. Calvin Dyck, Conductor. Tickets online (calvindyck.com or Eventbrite).
Let's Extend Christ's Love - As we celebrate Thanksgiving soon, we remember that in many countries around the world, the struggle for parents to provide for their children is impacted by the hardships of poverty. In Phongsaly (Laos), the infant mortality rate is 60 per 1,000 but World Renew’s programs are making an impact. World Renew has helped train and mobilize volunteers in 13 villages, meaning more women are supported before, during, and after birth. Your gift in the offering on Thanksgiving extends Christ’s love and makes it possible for more families to find hope through World Renew’s Free A Family® program.
Tour the Biblical Lands of Israel - February 26 – March 8, 2024. 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 that will make the Bible come alive for you. For complete information, cost, and registration, go to the website: toursofisrael.wordpress.com or call Peter Tuininga: 1 289 877-8433 or e-mail: peter.tuininga@gmail.com
Volunteer with World Renew DRS this October! - Come enjoy the sun and service - World Renew DRS needs volunteers and On-Site Managers for our first reconstruction team in Sarasota, Florida! If you or someone you know can volunteer with DRS October 7th-28th, contact Diana at dmarquez@worldrenew.net to sign up or with questions.
1Life September Newsletter: 1Life exists to curate a curriculum of resources that equips individuals and congregations to become increasingly whole-hearted, vibrant communities of Christian worship, discipline & mission. Click here for the September 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:
Gratitude and My Faithful Bit: Mike Hogeterp shares some reflections as he leaves the Centre for Public Dialogue after 20 years of service. Click here to read the full article.
Misreading Scripture Cross-Culturally: If we do not respect the historical, cultural, and linguistic differences between us and Scripture, we are in danger of distorting it. Click here to read the full article.
Groundwork: Faith in the Fire - Throughout our lives, we will experience instances where we feel pressured to compromise our faith. Join Groundwork as we study the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace in Daniel 3 for encouragement to stand firm, trust God, and remain faithful even in the most challenging of circumstances. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Job Postings:
Classis BCSE & BCNW Safe Church Team Ministry (SCT) supports the important ministry work done by the Christian Reformed churches in BC. The SCT is looking to fill the position of Abuse Prevention and Response Coordinator. This position would require on average approximately 20 hrs per week, with certain months having increased hours. The work includes providing abuse prevention and response education and requires travel to the Christian Reformed churches in BC. Applicants must be knowledgeable about the subject of abuse, have related work experience & education. Start date is flexible & training for the position will be provided. For more information/ job description, please email the SCT executive chairperson – Andrew Vanderleek - avdleek@gmail.com.
Resonate Global Mission - Position Openings - The Christian Reformed Church in North America has the following agency/ministry position openings in the US and/or Canada: Part-time (20hrs/wk) Administrative Specialist in Grand Rapids, MI; and two ( 2) Full-time Mission Team Leader for South & South East Asia and East Asia. For details, deadlines or to apply visit www.crcna.org/jobs.
The Banner: The September 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 donating. 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