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November Special Offering:  This is the last Sunday to give to this worthy cause!!  World Renew - World Hunger: Due to conflict, climate change, and current economic crises, as many as 828 million people do not know where their next meal will come from. While the scale of the current global hunger crisis feels enormous, your gifts will help hungry families to plant, grow, and harvest enough food. Help World Renew change the story of hunger for good.

When you give to end world hunger, you are giving families around the world access to essential tools and in-depth training in sustainable, climate-adaptive farming. With your gift, you not only provide families with nourishment—but also with the opportunity to educate their children, start new businesses, and save for the future. With enough food, families can thrive.

Together let our hunger for good inspire action. And today, let the action start with you. You are invited to donate to this worthy cause via the offering or click here to give through the Tithley website. (World Renew - World Hunger)

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 schedule for November & December:

  • Nov 12: No Youth - Remembrance Day Weekend
  • Nov 19: Youth Dinner 5 to 7pm at Willoughby
  • Nov 26: Ice Skating!  Meet at George Preston Arena at 4:15pm (pre-registration required)
  • Dec 3: Study with Will & Joanna 7 to 83pm at Willoughby
  • Dec 10: Cookie Decorating with Young Adults 3 to 5pm (@ Ravensbergen's 20945 50a Ave)
  • Dec 17: Christmas Party at the Scott's 6 to 830pm. (5028 200B st) Please let your leaders know what appy you can bring! Also bring a wrapped $15 gift for a gift exchange.

Thanks! The Youth Team - Amanda, Will & Joanna

Peter Fish: Help fill our Peter Fish with coins! The Sonlife kids are hosting a "Cookies for Kids" to support World Renew on Sunday, November 26, following the worship service. Bring your loose coins and trade them for delicious cookies brought by the children. All proceeds will go to the World Renew campaign to fight world hunger. Blessings, Sonlife Children!

Congregational Meeting: There will be a Semi - Annual Congregational Meeting on Monday, November 27 at 7:00 pm to review the upcoming years (2024) budget.  This is an in person meeting only, and a package will be available in your mailbox for review prior to the meeting.  If there are any further questions for council, they can be sent to council@willoughbychurch.com.

Preteens:  Preteens are meeting Wednesday, November 29 @ 7:00pm! Preteens is for children in grades 4-7 they meet at the Church every second Wednesday at 7:00pm. 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.

Women's Bible Study: Women's Bible Study meets weekly on Friday's, from 2-3 pm in the Fireside Room. This week we will study Ephesians 3:1-13.  All are welcome! 

Seniors: Come and join us on Thursday December 7 at 10 am, we will be getting together for a time of fellowship and devotion.  We will be focusing on Advent as we anticipate and prepare for Christ’s birth on Christmas Day.  Be here for devotion and plan to stay for a nice warm lunch afterwards.  Everyone is welcome!

URGENT NEED: Please see the note and need below from Dena Nicolia, 

As many of you know, I serve as Chaplain and Refugee Support Mobilizer with the CRCs of BC, coordinating a ministry of presence and support for people who arrive as refugees in the lower mainland. Part of what I do involves facilitating a "Clothing Bank" out of the space of First CRC Vancouver. With the colder weather, many more newcomers are accessing the clothing bank, and I am in urgent need of several items!!!

We are currently in need of the following items (used - clean and in good condition, or new):

  • 1) Winter coats and rain jackets (all sizes)
  • 2) Warm sweaters (adult only)
  • 3) Gloves and mittens (all sizes)
  • 4) Socks (all sizes)
  • 5) Umbrellas
  • 6) Scarves

If you are able to donate any of the items needed above, please bring them to the Willoughby Church office by Sunday, December 3rd!!! As we will be delivering the items on the 4th! Any questions, please reach out to Tamara at tamara@willoughbychurch.com.

URGENT NEED: Covenant Kids Christian Daycare (CKCD) is in urgent need of a staff member who is also able to drive the (24-passenger) bus before and after school.  We are looking for someone with an Early Childhood Educator (ECE) certificate who also has a Class 4 Driver's License. If you know of anyone who may be interested in this position, you are encouraged to pass this information on. Joni Garratt, the CKCD Director, can be contacted at 604-530-5619 or at joni@willoughbychurch.com. Anyone with a Class 4 Driver's License who doesn't have an ECE Certificate and is interested in a part-time small bus driving position, is also encouraged to apply.  

"Coffee Break-Story Hour" will be completing their study of "Identity Theft" on December 5, 2023. Then on December 12, 2023 we will close with a Christmas Coffee Break Brunch as we take a break for the Christmas season. We will resume on January 9, 2024 and invite women of all ages to come! Story Hour and nursery available for your preschoolers. Please mark your calendars! Interested? Please email Elsa at CoffeeBreak@licrc.ca 

The Gloria Dei Chorale, under the direction of Rob Workman, is pleased to present “CELEBRATE the MUSIC of LIFE” on Saturday, November 25 at 7:00 pm at New Westminster Christian Reformed Church, 8255 – 13th Ave, Burnaby, BC.  We welcome special guest musician, cellist Ben Goheen, to the concert. Tickets: $25, 11 and Under: Free, available from members, at the door and on Eventbrite.ca.  Contact Tina at 604-588-6377 or Elaine at 604-271-0283 for more information. 

AN EVENING WITH THE HONOURABLE PRESTON MANNING: CANADA'S POLITICAL FUTURE
AND HUMAN FLOURISHING - Thursday, November 30 • 7–9 pm UBC Sage Bistro Lecture Hall | 6331 Crescent Rd : You are invited to attend a public lecture by the Honourable Preston Manning, author, founder of the Reform Party of Canada and the Canadian Reform Conservative Alliance, and former member of Canadian Parliament. With an eye toward Canada's political future, Mr. Manning will discuss the different understandings of human flourishing found in secular politics and in Christianity, obstacles to the effort to bring political life and government fruitfully to bear on human flourishing, and alternative approaches to overcoming some of these obstacles. Two respondents, Fr Dcn Andrew Bennett (Program Director, Faith Communities, Cardus) and Leanne J Smythe (Assistant Professor of Political Studies, Trinity Western University), will offer remarks on Mr. Manning's lecture. 

A Rocha Christmas Open House (Surrey, BC) December 2 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm PST |Free: Celebrate Christmas with the merry A Rocha community! Enjoy caroling by the fireplace in our cozy heritage guest house with a hot chocolate in hand. Come by for some homemade treats and kids crafts. And on your way out, be sure to stop by the A Rocha Café & Farm Stand and stock up on gifts for friends and family! No RSVP required.

"Advent in the Neighborhood" Free Webinar - How do you share the hope and peace of the gospel with your neighbors this season? Many of your neighbors might not know what Advent is, but most of them likely get into the festive spirit of Christmas. Advent is a wonderful opportunity to share the love of Christ, but how? Join us Monday, December 4 from 7-8:30 pm EST for a free webinar. Learn more and register at: www.resonateglobalmission.org/adventwebinar

Concert Event: Songs Strings & Steps presents “The Celtic Tenors” from Ireland performing at Central Heights Church (Abbotsford) on Sunday December 3rd at 3:00 pm.  More information/ticket links can be found at www.calvindyck.com/concerts.

It's Giving Tuesday! - This coming Tuesday, November 28, is now known at #GivingTuesday - a day to give just a little bit back to make our world a better place! The NewGround program (formerly called Operation Manna) of Diaconal Ministries Canada equips and supports churches who want to make a difference in their local communities. This year we saw a sharp increase in grant requests: from $35,000 last year to $90,000 this year! Diaconal Ministries would love to help these churches be on mission in their own backyards: will you help us help them? Donate today - every single dollar will make a difference to a community in Canada that needs to see and experience the love of Jesus! Visit https://diaconalministries.com/donate-now today.

Explore the Intersection of Faith and Art in Italy! - Join the Institute for Christian Studies for ART in Orvieto, an advanced summer studies program in art, religion, and theology located in Orvieto, Italy, a magnificent hill town 90 minutes north of Rome. The program offers an ecumenical exploration of Christian understandings of the arts through a three-week residency designed for practicing artists, art teachers, graduate students in relevant fields, and other adult learners. The first eight applicants are eligible for a $500 early bird scholarship, and additional financial aid is available for teachers, graduate students, and working artists. Want to learn more? Visit icscanada.edu/art-in-orvieto, or join us for an online Info Session on November 30 at 6:30pm. Email recruitment-coordinator@icscanada.edu to RSVP.

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!

Paul’s Missionary Journeys in Greece (May 31 - June 11, 2024): Travel by motor coach (7 days) and cruise ship (3 days) to sites connected with Paul’s second and third missionary journeys, as well as visit other major sites of biblical, archaeological, and cultural interest. Jeff Weima, professor at Calvin Theological Seminary and leading Pauline scholar, hosts this inspirational tour. For more information, contact Dr. Weima at 616-328-3110 or weimje@calvinseminary.edu.  

1Life November 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 November 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:

Global Mission:Challenges and Rewards in India - ReFrame shares the gospel with Hindi speakers in India using audio and video programs and devotional booklets.    Click here to read the full article. 

The Banner: Wintering Wisdom - Here are five ways to delve into the icy months and glean the most reward and meaning out of the season even as we look forward to spring.   Click here to read the full article.

Groundwork: Love God By Loving One Another - Differences and disagreements are inevitable, even among Christians, because the gospel calls people of many ages, backgrounds, and experiences. Join Groundwork as we study Paul’s instructions for Christian living in Romans 14-16 to discover what it looks like to live in a community and to hear the heart of Paul’s message—love for God and love for each other. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.

Thrive Faith Formation Tip - Our God is a generous God. Read Psalm 36:5-9, and spend some time thinking about the abundant gifts God has lavished on us in creation and in other ways. Make a list of everything you can think of that testifies to God’s generosity. If there are kids in your home, invite them to draw pictures of those things. Hang your list where you can see it often! Learn more at crcna.org/FaithPracticesProject

Job Postings:

Position Opening: Administrative Coordinator (Thrive) - The successful candidate for this position will provide administrative coordination for Thrive as it supports congregations and local ministry leaders. Tasks will include event logistics in collaboration with Thrive staff; fostering communications and relationships with church leaders and members; preparing presentations, reports, invoices, cheque requests, and expense reports; and other administrative support to Thrive staff. This position offers a flexible work schedule, attractive benefits package, including Group RRSP program and generous paid time off policies. The successful applicant will be able to work either at our Burlington office, hybrid, or remotely in Canada.

CRCNA Position Opening - The Christian Reformed Church in North America is looking for a part-time (10-15 hrs/wk) Sales Representative for The Banner. The Banner Sales Representative is responsible for meeting Banner advertising sales objectives by maintaining excellent relationships with our existing advertisers, developing new accounts, and managing the workflow of display ads. This position is hybrid (Grand Rapids, MI, or Burlington, ON, area) or remote anywhere else in the US or Canada. Visit www.crcna.org/jobs for details or to apply.

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 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