Online Bulletin
March Special Offering: Canada Foodgrains Bank is rooted in the belief that humankind is created in the image of God and that it is God’s desire that no person should go hungry. It is estimated that up to 783 million people are facing hunger worldwide and do not enjoy “food security,” meaning they do not have regular access to enough nutritious food to live healthy and active lives. Over 30 years ago, World Renew was one of five founding members of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Today, this organization is comprised of 15 member organizations who are all committed to providing a Christian response to global hunger. World Renew responds to the food needs of families around the world who have been impacted by conflict, disaster, and food insecurity. Together, World Renew and the Foodgrains Bank assist communities with today's recovery, while laying the groundwork for tomorrow's security through vital agriculture and nutrition programs. Your gifts today can be matched up to 4X by the Foodgrains Bank!
* The Deacons we will now be doing two Special Offerings per month, Canada Food Grains Bank will run for the first two weeks, with Chaplain for Refugee Support Mobilizer Dena Nicolai 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 March! *
Youth Group: Here is the schedule for February/March:
- Mar 10: Pizza and Games night at church 630 to 830
- No Youth for Spring Break & Easter - see you all in April!!!
Thanks! The Youth Team - Amanda, Will & Joanna
Youth Families: Hi YOUTH families! Would you like to join us for a Vancouver Canadians Baseball game on April 14 at 1pm? Please RSVP # of tickets to Amanda Storteboom before March 10.
Women's Bible Study: Women's Bible Study meets weekly on Fridays, from 2-3 pm in the Fireside Room. On March 8, they will be studying Ephesians 6. All are welcome!
Preteens: Preteens will be meeting Wednesday, March 13th @ 6:45pm! If you are interested in joining or want to know more about the program please contact Brooklyn at preteens@willoughbychurch.com.
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.
MAID Seminar: Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) has very quickly become a hot topic in our healthcare and society over the last few years, yet we don't often take the time to think through this conversation. Legislation has developed rather quickly that has made MAID more and more accessible. On Saturday, March 16th, we will be hosting a morning seminar with a presentation by Pastor John Tsang of First Baptist Church in Vancouver who will walk us through this conversation. Pastor John will touch on the development of MAID in Canada, forseeable legislations, perspectives of healthcare professionals, and some theological and pastoral reflections. There will also be space for Q&A. To register, there will be a sign-up sheet after the service on Sunday's in the lobby, or you can email Pastor Jenna. Registration will be limited for this seminar.
Worship Night: We are having a Worship Night on Wednesday, March 20th at 6:30pm here at the church. This is a combined worship night between 3 churches: Willoughby, Living Word (the church that rents out our building Sunday afternoon), and House For All Nations (the church where Jess is the Pastoral Admin). Please invite your friends and family to join our worship! There will be many nations, but one voice to worship Jesus during this Lent season.
Lent Devontionals: During this season of Lent, we are offering a few options for devotions to help you seek the Lord through prayer and scripture. One is from Union Gospel Missions - copies of the devotional will be available in the church lobby after the service for the next few weeks. The other is a digital resource offered by St. Andrews Hall (a Presbyterian school on UBC’s campus) which invited Pastor Jenna to be one of the contributors. You can access the digital copy by clicking here!
Coffee Break: Coffee Break and Story Hour at Langley Immanuel Church will be taking a three week break for the Spring/Easter Break from March 19 to April 2, 2024. We will be wrapping up our study on James in the next four weeks, returning on April 9, 2024 with a new study to be announced soon. More details to come. Please contact Elsa for more info at CoffeeBreak@licrc.ca Or Rose at coffeebreak@willoughbychurch.com
MY LITTLE PLASTIC JESUS playing March 5-15 across the Lower Mainland
Burnt Thicket Theatre’s hit comedy is touring western Canada, inviting Christians to alter how we engage with culture, and those who are ‘done’ with church to hear God’s voice of love. “We all have baggage, mine just has a ‘Honk if you love Jesus’ bumper sticker on it.” In this house concert style solo show, Tim Bratton unpacks his upbringing in evangelical pop culture, examining its folly and redeeming its faith, from a posture of critical loyalty and hope. March 5-15 across the Lower Mainland. Tickets, trailer and details at www.MyLittlePlasticJesus.com.
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
Saturday April 20 2024: Called to Lead: stewardship, leadership & the generosity of God, a 1Life Foundations conference at Fleetwood CRC in Surrey. Goal: Equipping leaders in our BC CRCs to strengthen & embody a culture of generosity in the church. Presenters: Maynard Wiersma (Christian Stewardship Services) & Wilma van der Leek (curator, 1Life learning hub). Registration fees $35 per person, $30 per person for a group of 3 or more. For more info go to crc1life.ca. Registration opens March 1.
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.
THE GATHERING: Date: May 9–May 10, 2024, Location: Regent College, 5800 University Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6T 2E4. The Gathering is an annual event for church leaders and pastors seeking to refresh and build lifelong friendships for resilient pastoral ministry. As a non-conference conference, we focus on encounters over information-exchange. Through worship, prayer, teaching, dialogue, sharing food, and recreation, we will grow our pastoral imagination. Come and refresh with us in the beautiful surroundings of Vancouver, BC.
Festival of Faith And Writing - The Calvin Center for Faith and Writing invites you to attend the Festival of Faith & Writing, April 11-13, on the campus of Calvin University. The Festival features over 70 speakers, including plenary speakers Anthony Doerr, Yaa Gyasi, and Tracy K. Smith. Visit our website to see our full roster of fabulous speakers, purchase tickets, or to learn more. Questions? Reach out to ccfw@calvin.edu.
1Life March 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 March 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:
Leadership: Executive Director-Canada Announced The Canada Ministry Board is pleased to announce the hiring of Rev. Albert Postma as executive director-Canada.
Church Renewal: Renewal to Be Focus of Classis Gatherings Over the next 18 months, 10 events will be held in various locations with an emphasis on storytelling and church renewal.
The Network: G.R.A.C.E. Reflect on the gift of God’s grace during this Lenten season.
Groundwork: The Shame Of The Cross - As we seek to comprehend the fullness of Jesus’ sacrifice, we need to revisit the shame of the cross. Join Groundwork as we study Isaiah 53:1-3, Philippians 2:5-8, Genesis 2:25, Genesis 3:7-10, Hebrews 12:1-3, and 1 Peter 2:4-6 to examine the relationship between sin and shame and unpack why Jesus’ experience of shame was necessary for our salvation. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - Most of us are not naturally good listeners, and that can affect our relationship with God. Practice “listening prayer” this week. Find a quiet spot, calm your mind, and invite God to speak to your heart. Learn more at crcna.org/FaithPracticesProject
Job Postings:
Open Position: Stated Clerk, Classis BC South-East Later this year Classis BC South-East will need a new stated clerk. The current clerk will complete his term in October and will not continue in the role. The position involves preparation of agendas for classis and the Classis Ministry Committee, taking minutes at the meetings, record keeping, as well as communications with churches and denominational offices in Burlington and Grand Rapids. It's a high traffic position with ties to gifted people across the classis and denomination. If you have an interest, feel free to contact the current clerk Len Batterink (statedclerk.bcse@gmail.com) for more information. If needed, a transitional training period is available.
The Banner: The March 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