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!
Women’s Bible Study: A bi-weekly study of Ephesians will begin on Tuesday, January 23 at 9:30 am in the church building (room tbd). You are welcome to join us. Please contact Grace Groot at ngroot@shaw.ca if you plan to attend.
Seniors: Come and join the Seniors on Thursday January 18 at 10 am, we will be getting together for a time of fellowship, refreshments and fun. Everyone is welcome!
Job Search: Richard Nyembo, a Congolese newcomer to Canada who has been worshipping at Willoughby for some time, recently received a Work Permit and is searching for employment. He is prepared for construction, warehouse, greenhouse, landscaping, and security work. If you know of any jobs in these (or related) areas please get in touch with Peter Roukema at phroukema@gmail.com. Thank you.
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
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.
Christian Stewardship: Is there a charity close to your heart that you would love to see thrive for years to come? Christian Stewardship Services is hosting open Q&A sessions every other week this winter to answer all of your questions on charitable giving and estate planning, Explore the topics and register here!
Each session will have a 10 minute introduction, and then an interactive Q&A. The first three topics are: adding a Charity Child, estate documents, and donating life insurance. For more information, contact: info@csservices.ca.
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
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:
Global Mission: A Safe Spaceto Explore Faith A Resonate Global Mission partner at Loyola University has started Explore groups for students looking for answers about the Christian faith.
The Network: Metanoia: Moving Beyond Mere Repentance Meet METANOIA, a concept to bring revival and renewal into your faith.
Ministry in Canada: Stories Worth Celebrating Ministry today can be messy, hard, and complicated. That’s what makes stories of innovative and effective ministry even more interesting.
Groundwork: Humility - If we look closely, the Christlike virtue of humility is a root virtue from which many of the other virtues flow. Join Groundwork as we explore Romans 12:3, Philippians 2:3-4, John 13:3-17, and Colossians 3:1-17 to discuss what it means to be humble, to witness Christ’s own humility, and to learn how humility influences our thoughts and our actions. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - N.T. Wright wrote, “Reading and studying Scripture [is] central to how we grow in the love of God.” This coming week, start each day by reading 1 Corinthians 13 and praying that God’s love will flow through you to others. 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
CEO Opportunity – The Emmanuel Seniors Living Society is now accepting applications for its next permanent CEO. There are some exciting things happening in the Society and the Board is seeking the right person to lead the Society through the next chapter of its growth! More information, including the Job Posting and Organization Profile, can be found at www.emmanuelhome.ca and inquiries can be sent to the Transition Committee at info@emmanuelhome.ca.
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