Online Bulletin
March Special Offering: Chaplain and Refugee Support Mobilizer: The other Special Offering this month is for the Chaplain and Refugee Support Mobilizer ministry of Dena Nicolai. Through her work, Dena provides a ministry of presence to people who have arrived in Canada as refugees, and partners with supportive communities in extending practical and relational support to these newcomers. These are just some of the ways Dena has served Willoughby Church and other church communities:
- Working with churches to help them learn more about healthy support of refugees.
- Supporting churches in thinking through whether they have the capacity to privately sponsor a refugee or refugee family.
- Helping churches share affordable rental housing information with refugee-serving agencies.
- Advising church refugee teams when a refugee family moves in nearby.
- Helping churches imagine and plan potential ministries such as hosting newcomer potlucks and English-conversation groups.
- Sharing stories of how God is working through Canadians and newcomer refugees.
- Connecting churches to broader kingdom work by working with residents and staff of partner agencies such as the Immigrant Services Society of BC. This ministry receives some denominational support but is also very dependent on local church support.
* 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! *
Women's Bible Study: Women's Bible Study meets weekly on Wednesday, starting on April 3rd at 2pm. We will be studying from Micah 1. Everyone welcome! Please contact Pat Storteboom for more info.
Tenebrae: Join us on Thursday, March 28th at 7:00pm for our Tenebrae Service as we commemorate Christ's suffering and death through scripture and song. We will also be serving the Lord's Supper during the service. Hope to see you all there!
Youth Group: Here is the schedule for April:
- Apr 7 Study with Joanna and Will 7 to 830pm
- Apr 14 Vancouver Canadians Baseball Game
- Apr 21 Youth Dinner 5 to 7pm at church
- Apr 28 Study with Joanna and Will 7 to 830pm
Thanks! The Youth Team - Amanda, Will & Joanna
The GLORIA DEI CHORALE, under the direction of Rob Workman, is pleased to lead the Palm Sunday Worship Service, featuring choral selections, readings, and congregational songs, on Saturday, March 23 at 7:00 pm in the Oasis Room at Elim Village, 9025 160 Street, Surrey, BC, and on Sunday, March 24 at 7:00 pm at the New Westminster CRC, 8255 13th Ave, Burnaby, BC. A free-will offering will be received. Contact Tina 604-588-6377 or Elaine at 604-271-0283 for more information.
TWU Presents "O Let Me Rise and Sing": TWU Chamber Choir and Masterworks Chorus will be performing a concert with brass and organ on Friday, April 5th at 7:30pm at Willoughby Christian Reformed Church, 20525 72 Ave, Langley and Saturday, April 6th at 2:30pm at St. Joachim and Anne, 2827 273 st, Aldergrove. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door (cash only) or through Eventbrite.ca under TWU Choral Concert 2024.
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.
Thank You: Friends at Willoughby, thank you for joining God in all He’s doing through Resonate! All around the globe, God is working through your church’s support for your Christian Reformed missionaries, church planters, and ministry leaders. Together, we are taking part in the way God’s Spirit is moving! I hope you are continually encouraged by the good and fruitful work we are accomplishing together. Your church’s gifts and prayers help make it possible to carry the hope and redemption of Jesus to the ears of unreached people in over 40 countries around the world! Your community’s support is an important way you help make this ministry possible. We couldn’t do it without you! Thank you for using your gifts to partner with Resonate. I hope that you find warmth in knowing that by sending others to share the Good News of Jesus, your church is helping change the lives of individuals and communities for generations to come! Thank you! In Christ, Kevin DeRaaf, Director, Resonate Global Mission
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. We begin again on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. We invite women of all ages to come out as we begin a short 4-week study from Global Coffee Break Discover Your Bible Study Guides: Shalom-The Promise of Peace. Even if you’ve never come before or you’ve been away, join us for this last session of Coffee Break of the season. We would love to have more children coming to Story Hour and these last weeks would be a wonderful opportunity to give it a go! This session will end with a closing social on May 14, 2024. Interested? Check with Elsa for more info at CoffeeBreak@licrc.ca
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 and to register go to crc1life.ca.
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 & Writing - The Festival of Faith & Writing is a biennial gathering of readers, writers, and publishers interested in how issues of faith become fleshed out in the written word. The Calvin Center for Faith and Writing invites you to attend this year's 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? Check out https://ccfw.calvin.edu/festival-2024/ or reach out to ccfw@calvin.edu.
Christian Stewardship Service: Would you like to learn new ways to support your charities more effectively?
Love to use Cryptocurrency? It is estimated that 1.2 million Canadians own cryptocurrency. Learn about how this currency might be used in donations, how to plan for any that might land in your estate, and more. Christian Stewardship Services is hosting a complimentary open Q& A sessions this winter to answer all of your question on Cryptocurrency Donations and Estate Planning. Explore the topics and register here!
For more information, contact: info@csservices.ca.
Legacy giving to the CRCNA - Did you know cash isn’t always the best way to give to CRCNA ministries like Thrive? You may be able to increase your potential impact— and experience significant tax benefits by giving stock, real estate or other non-cash assets. Write to advancement@crcna.org to learn more.
Donate to Diaconal Ministries Canada Today - Diaconal Coaches are a vital connection to local diaconates (deacon teams). They are the ”feet on the street” when it comes to mentoring and walking alongside deacons in the local church. Diaconal Ministries Canada currently has 15 coaches across Canada working to support deacons in local Christian Reformed churches. Our coaches work with deacons to support and train them as they engage with their local community, promote stewardship, live justly and love mercy—and work out their calling in their church and community. Did you know that when you support Diaconal Ministries Canada you are helping to ensure the ongoing training and support of deacons right across the country? Your support makes a difference: when deacons thrive in their role, so do the churches and communities surrounding them! Donate to Diaconal Ministries Canada today - diaconalministries.com/donate-now/ or etransfer your donation to dmc@crcna.org
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:
Synod 2024: Materials Have Arrived March 15 was the deadline for agenda materials to be submitted for Synod 2024. There are 46 new overtures and 26 communications.
The Network: Easter Activities for Everyone Find great resources to celebrate this Easter with the whole family.
New Resource: The Banner Resource Explores Scripture Engaging Scripture is previously published Banner articles designed to help Christians dive deeper into the Bible.
Groundwork: The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ - Examining the story of Jesus’ crucifixion in each of the four gospels reveals a beautiful tapestry of perspectives. Join our Groundwork conversation as we study Matthew 27:45-53, Mark 15:40-41, Luke 23:13-25, and John 19:28-37 to witness the fulfillment of Scripture and remember the significance of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - In Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “Just as love to God begins with listening to His Word, so love for the brethren is learning to listen to them.” Who might you show this kind of “listening love” to in the coming week? 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