Online Bulletin
October Special Offering: The local Langley Foodbank is the focus of our giving for October. The Langley Food Bank is a not-for-profit organization and is funded entirely through the support of local churches, organizations, and individuals. With the rise of inflation rates and increased cost of food, the food bank is being utilized more and more by families in need. You have a few options for giving: Food/grocery items; grocery bags with a list of food items to purchase (3 of an item, 2 of an item, and 1 of an item) for the Langley Food Bank are available in the church lobby. Return the filled grocery bags to any of our services this month or drop them by the church office at your convenience. As well you are also invited to donate through the offering plate on Sunday mornings or by clicking here to give through Tithley (Langley Food Bank). Please give generously to this great cause!
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: Here is the upcoming schedule for October:
- October 1:Bible Study at Willoughby with Will & Joanna 7-8:30pm.
- October 8: NO Youth - Happy Thanksgiving!!!
- October 15: Bible Study at Willoughby with Will & Joanna 7-8:30 pm
- October 20: Friday Night Special Event - BC Lions Game!!
- October 22: Youth Dinner at Willoughby 5-7 pm
- October 29: Youth Pumpkin Carving at Willoughby 7-8:30 pm.
Thanks! The Youth Team - Amanda, Will & Joanna
Thank You: We would like to thank all of you for your singing, and the beautiful card with all the birthday wishes, thoughts, and prayers for mom's 100th birthday. She was very grateful for it all! Johanna de Blieck and family.
Women's Bible Study: The Friday Women's Bible Study will begin on Friday, Oct 27 2-3 pm in the church prayer room. This time we will study Ephesians 1: 1-14. All are welcome!
Preteens: We are excited to have the children in grades 4-7 at Willoughby, meet at the Church every second Wednesday at 7:00pm, the next meeting is October 18th. The group is lead by Brooklyn, with Jamie-Lynn & Josiah as other leaders. If you are interested in joining or want to know more about the program please contact Brooklyn at preteens@willoughbychurch.com.
Connect Course: We are pleased to be offering our Connect Course for new members here at Willoughby Church. There will be three sessions, on October 22, 29 & November 5. All three courses are in person and will be after the Sunday morning service in the Fireside Room. Lunch will be provided and we hope to see you all there. If you would like to register for the course, please click here! Any questions, please contact me or Pastor Jenna! Thanks, Tamara
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. Community Farm Note: The Heppell family farm, located at 4945 184th St., Surrey is having an Ugly Produce Day – on Saturday, October 14, from noon until 3 p.m. Bring a bag and get your ugly produce for free or a cash donation! The initiative benefits the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, Raphael House in Langley and the Cloverdale Community Kitchen.
Classis BC South-East: Classis will meet this week Tuesday and Wednesday in Willoughby CRC, Langley. The agenda includes an ordination examination for Jonathan Hwang, called to be pastor at Hope Community CRC in Surrey, as well as several other transitions in ministry. Classis will also hear reports from classical ministries and special presentations from denominational personnel including our transitional Canadian executive director and staffers from Thrive, Resonate and the Office of Advancement (to explain the ministry share system). Please pray for the officers of classis, the reporters, and delegates. Classis is busy with the Lord’s work, and we pray that the Spirit of Jesus will be with us and in us. - Len Batterink, Stated Clerk
With the Fall season comes preparations for Christmas at Sea. This year the Ministry to Seafarers will again be delivering Christmas gifts for seafarers. Your donations for this project can be made by cheque payable to Ministry to Seafarers, and mailed to 401 E Waterfront Rd, Vancouver, BC V6A 4G9. You can also make donations online via our website, ministrytoseafarers.com. Please designate gifts for "Christmas at Sea." Thank You! For more information or to view our Fall Newsletter, please click here!
Hope Community Church: Will be hosting an evening event All of Life with Pastor Mary-Lee Bouma join her for a conversation on sexuality and the Bible and what it looks like to follow Jesus with our bodies. Mary-Lee Bouma was one of the people who helped write the Human Sexuality Report, specifically how the Scriptures address same-sex relationships. The event is taking place on Friday, October 20. Doors open at 7:00 pm so we can enjoy charcuterie, wine, and music. The interview will begin at 7:30 pm.
Tickets are free, but registration is required. Please click here to register.
CA CHURCH & REGENT BOOKSTORE PRESENT: FAITH & WORK CONFERENCE 2023
DOES MY WORK MATTER TO GOD? SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21 • 8:45 AM–1 PM Does God only care about what happens on Sunday morning? What about the other six days of the week? Does my work matter to God and if so, how? Should I change jobs? What kind of work honours God? What about retirement? These are huge questions that so many of us struggle with in our daily lives. If you have ever wondered whether what you do during the week matters to God, then this conference is for you. We have invited key thinkers in the field of Faith & Work, Dr. Paul Stevens, Dr. Wilson Chan, Dr. David Robinson, Paul Townsend and Elaine Comeau, to help us explore these questions and more. Click here to learn more!
Trauma Informed Response in the Church: Monday, Oct 23, 2023 @ Fleetwood CRC – 2 options – 12:30-3 pm OR 6:30-9 pm. 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, recognize symptoms in self & others, gain an understanding of the 3 most common ways trauma presents itself, & respond 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
MATT MAHER IN CONCERT • OCT 18: You're invited to an unforgettable evening of live music at The Centre for the Performing Arts in Vancouver with Grammy-nominated artist Matt Maher and special guests Jon and Valerie Guerra. Presented by Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries, this event will feature original music and selections from the new album by The Porter's Gate, Sanctuary Songs. There will also be an opportunity to learn more about and support the vital work of Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries. For Info & Tickets click here.
Advocate Life & Education Services invites you to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Hope for Women at the 9th Annual Celebrate Life Gala on Thursday, November 2nd at 7 pm. 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.
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 are online (calvindyck.com or Eventbrite).
Trends in Youth and Emerging Adults Ministry: On Saturday, November 18, a workshop addressing the topic of Faith Formation Trends in Youth and Emerging Adults Ministry will be held at Gateway CRC in Abbotsford from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lunch is included. All Youth Pastors, Youth Leaders, Parents, Elders, Pastors, and, honestly, anyone interested in this topic is welcome to come out! It will be led by Ron DeVries (Youth and Emerging Adult Ministry Consultant for the CRCNA) and Kevin Lobert (longtime Youth Pastor at Langley Immanuel CRC and member of the Classis BCSE Youth Ministry Task Force). This workshop will focus on current trends happening in youth/emerging adult culture, and how the church can best learn, serve, and minister to this demographic in our congregations. Cost is $20 per person. Please click here to register.
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
All Saints Community Church: Their Christian family are on a mission to save the last existing church in Cresent Beach, Surrey. Chrisitans have been worshipping there since 1946. The building is in need of repairs, so if you are interested in helping out this community. Please visit www.allsaintswhiterock.com for mare details.
1Life October 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 October 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:
Justice & Mercy: Statement on Israel-Palestine Conflict - Many of us were shocked and horrified to hear about the unexpected attack that happened in southern Israel. Click here to read the full article.
The Network: Practicing Gratitude - When the darkness is thick around you, reflect on the coming Light, and be thankful. Click here to read the full article.
Global Mission: Reaching Those Who Are “Down and Out” - John Lee and others walk the streets surrounding their church, handing out Today devotions and sharing their faith. Click here to read the full article.
Groundwork: God is in Charge, Now and Forever - God revealed truths about the End Times to Daniel through complex images and symbolism. Join our Groundwork conversation as we conclude our study of Daniel with the dreams and prayer we find in chapters 7-12 where we discover a reassuring message from God: God is in charge and only God’s kingdom will endure forever. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Job Postings:
Position Opening with EduDeo - EduDeo Ministries is hiring! If you have a heart for seeing local communities lead their own development; strong relationship-building skills across cultures; and strong administrative, communication, and planning skills, come join our team! The position is open to remote work across Canada and the posting closes October 31, 2023. Visit edudeo.com/careers for more info and to apply.
The Banner: The October 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