Online Bulletin
Final Week for the January Special Offering: Community Missions: This weeks offering is for Community Missions which will provide funding for students or members to participate in local mission opportunities and will also contribute to local outreach opportunities for Willoughby Church (ex. Movie night or games night). * 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 February:
- Jan 28: Youth Dinner 5 to 7pm
- Feb 4: Study with Joanna and Will 7 to 830pm
- Feb 10: Saturday - Learn to Curl at George Preston Arena: 4 to 6pm $20/person. We will be renting ice and learning from a coach. Please pay & RSVP to Amanda Storteboom by Feb 4.
- Feb 18: No Youth - Family Day Weekend
- Feb 25: 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. On February 2nd, they will be studying Ephesians 4:17-32. All are welcome!
WCRC Library: Did you know Willoughby Church has a library? Find the 'Willoughby Faith Formation Library' through the offices or look online on our website! Whether you are looking for a devotional or a book on reflection, there are books available for all ages. This resource is open during office hours and after the Sunday service. For inquiries, email Natalie at natalie@willoughbychurch.com.
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.
Mother's Helper Needed: Perfect for a teen or young adult. We are looking for someone to come into our home and help with caring for our two small children (age 3.5 and almost 2) and a few things around the house. I (Lauren) would always be present. Weekly hours: about 5-10, possibly more when third baby arrives in April - hours are negotiable. Please email: laurenheinen@hotmail.com for more details. Located near Langley Costco.
Stories & Strategies: Strengthening the Church in Canada: Join with other Christian Reformed Churches in Canada to discuss some of the exciting things happening in church planting and church renewal. You’ll have a chance to hear and share some stories, discuss lessons that might help you in your local context, and explore resources for next steps. Saturday, January 27, 2024 - 11:00am to 1:00 p.m. (EST) Register or find out more at crcna.org/Canada or by emailing canada@crcna.org
Jam Session: Do you play a instrument, love to sing or are interested in tech or sound???? The Worship Leaders are having a Jam Session and would love to have you join them on Saturday February 3, 2024 from 12 - 2pm. Come play or learn how to mic an instrument, use the sound board and just enjoy making music with one another!! No sign up necessary, just stop by anytime between 12 - 2pm and be ready to play, sing or learn in the tech booth.
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
Calvin University January Series Watch Party - Calvin University January Series Watch Party at 1Life Learning Hub (Fleetwood CRC) : January 22, 23 & February 1 at 9:30 a.m. The full January Series viewing is also available at New West CRC weekdays at 9:30 a.m. from January 15 to February 2. Don't miss the chance to engage in thoughtful lectures on important topics. Watching at home is also possible. Register at calvin.edu/january-series/
Recommended Resource: "The Chosen" Season 4 is gearing up for its Canadian theatre premiere on February 1st, 2024. For those unfamiliar with "The Chosen," it has received widespread acclaim for authentic storytelling and a heartfelt connection to the teachings of our Saviour. Get Your Tickets
Reimagining Church Properties - Come to First CRC Vancouver on March 12 & 13 to engage with a theology of land on unceded territories, hear multiple short stories of creative land utilization and development, and equip you with a process to lead your own church or churches in your denomination through a critical analysis and decision making pathway. Learn more at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/reimagining-church-land-community-vancouver-2024-tickets-784585695937?aff=erelpanelorg
HOUSING HELP FOR REGENT STUDENTS: Regent College is a graduate school of theology located on the UBC campus. Regent students are in desperate need of high quality and affordable housing to continue in their calling to study theology and serve the body of Christ. If you have a rental suite, or know someone who does, will you consider advertising it to Regent students? Visit housing.regent-college.edu to sign-up. Thank you!
Food and Faith (webinar) Series: 6 Weeks - Join the 2024 Food and Faith 6-week series of discussions with leaders working in food justice and faith. Topics will include Food and Our Faith; Food, Faith and Farming; Food, Faith and Creating Just Food Systems; Food, Faith and Church Growing Projects; Food, Faith and Sharing with Community; and Food, Faith and Advocacy. Discussions will include congregations in the US who are responding in creative and caring ways because of their faith. Dates: February 8-March 14, Thursday PM (7:30 Eastern, 6:30 Central, 5:30 Mountain, 4:30 Pacific). Register at worldrenew.net/events. There will be a giveaway at each session, but you must be present online to win! Contact Jodi Koeman at jkoeman@worldrenew.net.
Calvin Symposium on Worship (Feb. 7-9, 2024) - Join us as leaders from churches and worshiping communities of all sizes and settings gather February 7–9, 2024, on the campus of Calvin University & Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to learn and worship together. The book of Ezekiel will be the preaching focus at the five primary Symposium worship services. In a fractured time for the worldwide church, Ezekiel’s messages of judgment and profound hope provide just the word the people of God need. Learn more at worship.calvin.edu/event-programs/2024-calvin-symposium-on-worship
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:
Ministry in Canada: Canadian Multicultural Cohort Begins On January 9th, 40 people from 13 churches gathered to discuss what it means to be a healthy multicultural church.
The Network: A Call to Servanthoodin the Ordinary How can we better serve the elderly members of our communities?
January Series: Gathering around the Table In her presentation at the January Series, Kendall Vanderslice discussed the tables of communion and fellowship.
Groundwork: Generosity - Giving generously of our time, money, and ourselves does not always come naturally. Join Groundwork as we study Mark 6:35-44, Titus 3:3-7, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, and 1 Timothy 6:17-19 to discover why generosity is an important virtue for Christ's followers to cultivate, what it looks like to be generous people, and how we can nurture generosity in our everyday lives. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - Retelling Bible stories together helps those stories “stick,” especially for kids. Check out the one-page resource 5 Ways to Retell a Bible Story with Kids (tinyurl.com/5WaysRetell) for ideas. 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 January 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