Online Bulletin
February Special Offering: ABBA Canada: Provides financial assistance and support to Canadian Christian families wanting to grow their family through domestic or international adoption. Although not every Christian will adopt, ABBA believes every Christian is called to play a part in caring for the orphan. ABBA Canada was born as a response to seeing Christian families who desired to bring a child in need into their family, but not pursue adoption because of the overwhelming process and financial hurdles. Since 2011, ABBA Canada has provided $700,000 in adoption grants to over 170 deserving Canadian Christian families. 100% of all donations to ABBA Canada help fund a Canadian family’s adoption without deducting administration costs. Our dream is for every believer to be engaged with helping these vulnerable children. * The Deacons we will now be doing two Special Offerings per month, ABBA Canada will run for the first two weeks, with GCM - Great Commission Media Ministries 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 February! *
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: 3 to 5pm $20/person. We will be renting ice and learning from a coach. Please pay & RSVP to Amanda Storteboom by Sunday, 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: You are welcome to join a Women’s Bible Study that meets at church every other Tuesday at 9:30 am. Please contact Grace Groot at ngroot@shaw.ca if you plan to attend. On February 6th we will be studying Ephesians 1.
Preteens: Preteens will be meeting Wednesday, February 7th @ 6:45pm! If you are interested in joining or want to know more about the program please contact Brooklyn at preteens@willoughbychurch.com.
Seniors: Join the Seniors on Thursday February 8th at 10 am, we will be getting together for a time of fellowship, refreshments and fun. After the fellowship we will be celebrating Valentine's with a meal at Adrian's at the Airport. Please join us, anyone is welcome!
Women's Bible Study: Women's Bible Study meets weekly on Fridays, from 2-3 pm in the Fireside Room. On February 9th, they will be studying Ephesians 5. All are welcome!
Funeral Service: Henk Van Eyk's funeral service will be on Saturday, February 10th at 11:00am in the Oasis building at Elim.
Ash Wednesday Service: Wednesday, February 14 @ 7:00pm - Join us for an Ash Wednesday Service to mark the beginning of the season of Lent. Ash Wednesday begins the period of Lent, a time of deepening reflection and renewal and an opportunity to renew our commitment to Christ as we journey toward Easter.
Games Night: We will be having a Games night on Saturday, Feb 17th at the church from 5:00-9:00 pm. Bring your board games, cards and/or puzzles, for a fun night of fellowship!!! Open to all ages. We will begin at 5:00pm, break for supper at 6:30 and then play some more. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided. Please e-mail Helen Vandenberg at helenjvdb@gmail.com so that we know how many will be attending for the food. There will also be a sign up sheet available at church on Feb 4 & Feb 11 after the service. Hope to see you all there!!!
Women's Connect Social: Save the date!! We will be having another women's social on Saturday, March 2nd from 10am - 12pm, please mark the date in your calendar to join us! More details to follow, hope to see you all there!
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.
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.
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
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
The Virtuoso Organist Concert: Maranatha Canadian Reformed Church presents Loreto Aramendi, an international concert artist and main organist of the Basilica of Santa Maria del Coro in San Sebastian Spain. On Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 3:00pm, tickets are available at Maranatha2024.eventbrite.ca, Refreshments served following the concert. This is a rare opportunity to hear this extraordinarily talented musician perform in the might pipe organ at Maranatha, this is a concert not to be missed!
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 February 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 February 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:
Disaster Response: A Window of Hope - February 6 marks one year since devastating earthquakes rocked Syria and Türkiye. World Renew has been responding.
January Series: Finding the Route to Success - Rock climber Tommy Caldwell told January Series listeners to challenge themselves with a focus on people first.
The Banner: Dust and the Divine - Humans are both dust and reflections of the divine. But what happens when the balance is thrown out of whack?
Groundwork: Truthfulness - As humans, we tend to value honesty over lying, but have you ever considered truthfulness a virtue? Join Groundwork as we explore Numbers 23:19; John 17:13-18; John 1:1-2, 14; and Ephesians 4:17-25 to discuss the Christlike virtue of truthfulness, why it’s important, and the practical ways we can embody it in our daily lives. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - Proverbs 14:31 says, “He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” Who in your community is needy? What might you do to show kindness to that person or group of people? Learn more at crcna.org/FaithPracticesProject
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