Online Bulletin
December Special Offering: The December special offering is for the World Renew - Gift Catalogue, 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 catalog). One bundle, worth $3,878, 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 in the church lobby and ‘buy’ an ornament(s). Each ornament is a unique gift that can make a difference for people in need around the world. Complete the information on the ornament card and mail it directly to World Renew. You can also browse or purchase the giving ornaments online with the World Renew Gift Catalogue.
Youth Group: Here is the schedule for December:
- Dec 3: Study with Will & Joanna 7 to 830pm at Willoughby
- Dec 10: Cookie Decorating with Young Adults 3 to 5 pm (@ Ravensbergen's 20945 50a Ave)
- Dec 17: Christmas Party at the Scott's from 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
Women's Bible Study: Women's Bible Study meets weekly on Fridays, from 2-3 pm in the Fireside Room. This week we will study Ephesians 4:1-16. All are welcome!
Preteens: Preteens are meeting Wednesday, December 13 @ 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.
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 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.
Church Christmas Office Hours:
- Monday, December 25th - closed
- Tuesday, December 26th - closed
We will be open regular office hours December 27th - 29th. If you have any questions, please call the office @ 604-530-5959
You are invited to Coffee Break, a Bible Study for women of all ages and stages of life Along with Story Hour and nursery care for children, ages 0-5! Reminder the Coffee Break Christmas Brunch will be held on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 Please RSVP to Elsa at CoffeeBreak@licrc.ca Please bring along a brunch appetizer to share We will continue with Coffee Break/Story Hour on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 with a new study on the Book of James by Greg Gilbert; edited by J. I. Packer All at Langley Immanuel Church (21713-50 Avenue, Langley) Doors open at 9:15 a.m. Please contact Elsa for more info at CoffeeBreak@licrc.ca Or Rose at coffeebreak@willoughbychurch.com
The Gloria Dei Chorale, under the direction of Rob Workman, is pleased to present a Christmas Worship Service with lessons and carols on Saturday, December 16 at 7:00 pm in the Oasis at Elim Village, 9025 160 Street, Surrey, BC and on Sunday, December 17 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.
Christmas Concert: The Langley First Capital Chorus will be having a benefit concert for the Langley Christmas Bureau on Saturday, December 16 at 7:00 pm here at Willoughby Church. Tickets are $20 for Adults, $15 for Seniors and 12 and under are free. Tickets are available at the door or by clicking here.
Blood Donor Clinic: This month we will be hosting a Blood Donor Clinic on Tuesday, December 19 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.
Songs Strings & Steps presents “A Symphony for Christmas” on Fri Dec 22nd and Saturday, Dec 23rd at Central Heights Church (Abbotsford) directed by Calvin Dyck featuring singers, dancers and a professional orchestra along with the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra. More information/tickets links can be found at www.calvindyck.com/concerts.
Stories & Strategies: Strengthening the CRC in Canada - Are you interested in learning more about church planting and renewal in the CRC? Join the Canadian Ministry Board for stories (and best practice learnings from those experiences) and how they might be applicable to your local church context. We look forward to discussing these ideas with you alongside other church members & leaders. More at crcna.org/Canada
Devotions for a Blue Christmas - Amid hard times, find strength and encouragement through God's word. A set of fourteen encouraging Today devotions reassure you that even during the darkest of Christmas seasons, you’re not alone. Receive this free email series and ebook when you subscribe to Today at todaydevotional.com/bluechristmas
Need Someone to Listen? Support is a Phone Call Away
Our church is partnering with Telecare Crisis & Caring Line. If you need to talk to someone about feeling alone, family issues, health issues or seek prayer, call 604-852-9099 or toll free at 1-888-852-9099. Your call is confidential, anonymous and not recorded. Telecare is a ministry showing the compassion of Jesus to anyone who calls for help.
You are making a difference! On behalf of the ministries of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, thank you for your gifts to ministry shares. Your support enables congregations to do so much more to further God's Kingdom than any one church could do alone. Our denomination could not impact the world through missions, media, and church development without your incredible and faithful support. Thank you! To discover more visit crcna.org/ministryshares.
God’s Love at Christmas - Advent is the time we remember God’s sacrificial love for us through the birth of Jesus. You can share the warmth of God’s love with a person living in poverty through World Renew’s Gift Catalogue this Christmas. Your life-changing gift helps someone facing hardship and hunger in the year ahead! Donate today at worldrenew.ca/gifts or call 1-888-975-3769 to give.
Christian Stewardship Services: Is there a charity close to your heart that you would love to see thrive for years to come? Have you ever considered who would make a suitable Executor or Power of Attorney? Why might someone donate Life Insurance? Christian Stewardship Services is hosting open Q&A sessions about these topics and more throughout the winter to answer all of your questions on charitable giving and estate planning. Find out more about the Winter Conversation series here. While you are planning, why not contact a consultant to maximize your year-end giving, or set up an appointment to review your will in the new year? Schedule an appointment today!
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 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, discipline & 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!
CRC NEWS:
The Network: Bird's Eye View - I believe we need each other more than we need to weed each other out of the garden. Click here to read the full article.
The Banner: Managing Emotions - We cannot erase our emotions, but we can learn to lower their intensity so that they become more manageable. Click here to read the full article.
Groundwork: Jesus: Our Mighty God - The prophet Isaiah next calls the coming Messiah “Mighty God.” Join Groundwork as we explore Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 10:21, Acts 1:6-8, and Revelation 5:6,11-14 to discover what this title communicates to us about Jesus. Together, we’ll discuss how his presence as a helpless baby displays the awesomeness of God’s power and gives us hope as we anticipate his return. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - In the Bible, the Greek term that is usually translated as “hospitality” means “love of strangers.” How might your home (whether it’s a house, an apartment, a dorm room, or another place) become a space to practice the love of strangers? Learn more at crcna.org/FaithPracticesProject
Job Postings:
Position available – Part-time Bookkeeper needed (6 hours per week) at Fleetwood Christian Reformed Church, in Surrey.
The primary purpose of the role is to ensure accurate church financial records, specifically to maintain and complete the Accounts Payable, Payroll, Accounts Receivable, Bank Reconciliation, and Financial Reporting for Fleetwood Christian Reformed Church. This position provides week-to-week transactional support for Fleetwood Church, as well as prepares documentation at month-end and year-end closing and reporting. Pay commensurate with experience.
Please contact info@fleetwoodcrc.org or (604) 584-6244 for more information. Thank you.
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 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