Online Bulletin
January Special Offering: Guatemala Missions Ministry Project 2024: Once more we are hoping to have a team head down to Guatemala to be involved with house building, wheelchair distribution, and visiting homes to get to know the people. This month’s collection goes directly to the costs of the 50 wheelchairs to be distributed, housing projects & food/healthcare distribution packages. Please consider giving generously to this project. * The Deacons we will now be doing two Special Offerings per month, the Guatemala Mission Trip will run for the first two weeks, with Community Missions for weeks 3&4. You are invited to give to either or both offerings as they will both be available on tithley for the whole month of January! *
Youth Group: Here is the schedule for January:
- Jan 7: No Youth - Enjoy Christmas Break with family and friends!
- Jan 14: Study with Joanna and Will 7 to 830pm
- Jan 21: Vancouver Giants hockey game at 2pm. Drop off and pickup at Langley Events Center. Please RSVP to Amanda, Will or Joanna by Jan 14. Thanks!
- Jan 28: Youth Dinner 5 to 7pm
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. We are back on January 12th, studying Ephesians 4:17-32. All are welcome!
Preteens: Preteens will be meeting Wednesday, January 10 @ 6:45pm! If you are interested in joining or want to know more about the program please contact Brooklyn at preteens@willoughbychurch.com.
Happy New Year, 2024! Coffee Break, a Bible Study for women of all ages and stages of life Is inviting YOU to come! Along with Story Hour and nursery care for children, ages 0-5! Coffee Break/Story Hour resumes on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 with a new study on the Book of James by Greg Gilbert; edited by J. I. Packer Meeting 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
Blood Donor Clinic: This month we will be hosting a Blood Donor Clinic on Tuesday, January 16th 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.
Refugee Housing Crisis: Imagining a Response: Join Dena Nicolai (Chaplain and Refugee Support Mobilizer) and others involved in welcoming refugees on Saturday, February 3 from 9:30 am - 11:30 am at First Christian Reformed Church of Vancouver (2670 Victoria Drive) for a morning of discussion around the urgent need for housing for refugee claimants and what we can do to address this need collectively. This event is free but we ask you to register so we have a sense of numbers. You can do so at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/refugee-housing-crisis-developing-a-response-tickets-758546020567
KEEP UP WITH THE BOOKSTORE IN 2024: Regent Bookstore is looking forward to another year of great reads, engaging conversations, and special sales sure to warm the hearts of book-lovers. Keep up with announcements, reading recommendations, and more on the Bookstore's website or Facebook page. And remember: you can shop online via Abe Books! Friends in the Vancouver area are invited to join the Bookstore team at 7 pm on Friday, Jan 12, when Dr. Michael Bird will address the question: What Did Jesus Mean by the "Kingdom of God"?
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
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.
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 January 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 January 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: A New Year's Checklist - Here’s a list to help you get your children’s ministry off to a smooth start in 2024.
The Banner: Peace - Jesus not only brought us peace with God, but gives us the peace of God in our hearts. Read more here.
Groundwork: Compassion - The Christlike virtue of compassion is more than an emotion. Join Groundwork as we explore Matthew 9:36, Colossians 3:12-14, and 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 to discover why the apostle Paul identifies compassion as a defining characteristic in followers of Jesus and what it looks like in our everyday lives. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - “Visio divina” is the practice of meditating on Scripture using art or other images. Try it by reading the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 and then meditating on the art in Calvin University’s collection based on this story (tinyurl.com/ProdigalArt). Learn more at crcna.org/FaithPracticesProject
Job Postings:
Executive Search: Executive Director - Canada - The Christian Reformed Church in North America is seeking a candidate to fill the full-time, permanent position of Executive Director Canada. A search team has been tasked with recruiting for this position with the goal of having the successful candidate begin on or before May 1, 2024. Learn More at crcna.org/executive-director-canada-search
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