Online Bulletin
Offering for weeks 1 & 2 of October:
The local Langley Foodbank is the focus of our giving for week 1&2 in October. The Langley Food Bank is a not-for-profit organization and is funded entirely through the support of local churches, organizations, and individuals. With the rise of inflation rates and increased cost of food, the food bank is being utilized more and more by families in need. You have a few options for giving: Food/grocery items; grocery bags with a list of food items to purchase (3 of an item, 2 of an item, and 1 of an item) for the Langley Food Bank are available in the church lobby. Return the filled grocery bags to either of our Thanksgiving weekend services or drop them by the church office at your convenience. As well you are invited to donate through the offering plate on Sunday mornings or by clicking here to give through Tithley (Langley Food Bank). Please give generously to this great cause!
* The Deacons do two Special Offerings per month, the Langley Food Bank will run for the first two weeks, with Resonate - Naji & Hannah for weeks 3&4. You are invited to give to either or both offerings as they will both be available on tithe.ly for the whole month of October! *
Youth - Youth will be returning this Sunday, October 6th, at 6:30pm here at Willoughby!!! Meet with your new Director Christian, and find out what's going on in this new ministry year. Looking forward to seeing you all! Thanks, Christian & Joanna
Wednesday's Bible Study: We will be, beginning on Wednesday, Oct 9 2:00 pm in the prayer room. If you would like to join, please read and reflect on James 1:1-18. Any questions, call or email Pat 604-787-0246.
Seniors: We invite all seniors to join us on Thursday October 10, 10:00am at the church. We will be celebrating Thanksgiving together with a short program and conclude it with a delicious warm lunch prepared for us by some wonderful volunteers. A donation of $8 will be appreciated. Guests are warmly welcomed. Hope to see you all there!!!!
Thanksgiving Service: Join us on Thanksgiving Monday, October 14th at 10am for a service of gratitude! There will be singing, a homily, and an opportunity to give to the Langley Food Bank.
Sign Up for a Community Group!: The oppourtunity is once again here to sign up for a short-term community group this Fall! These groups will run for 8 weeks from October-December, starting the week after Thanksgiving, and the two options for gathering are Wednesday evenings or Friday evenings. These groups are intentionally about spiritual formation and doing life together. How exactly the evenings are structured can be determined by the group, but the encouragement is always to include the four essentials: food, fun, fellowship, and formation. You have until October 7 to sign up! Once we have the groups, Pastor Jenna will be in touch to help get you started, and then you'll be free to go and gather!
Connenct Course: We are pleased to be offering our Connect Course for new members here at Willoughby Church. There will be three sessions, on October 20, 27 & November 3. All three courses are in person and will be after the Sunday morning service in the Fireside Room. Lunch will be provided and we hope to see you all there. If you would like to register for the course, please click here! Any questions, please contact myself or Pastor Jenna! Thanks, Tamara
Welcoming Our Neighbour: Building Churches we can all call Home - We will be hosting a workshop on Wednesday, October 30th at 7:00pm by Union Gospel Mission. This workshop aims to equip people to welcome others using a trauma-informed lens. We will ground our approach in the Biblical narrative surrounding the orphan, widow and foreigner. We will consider how to best care for those requiring different approaches, including those struggling with homelessness, newcomers to Canada, along with people in active addiction, mental health and accessibility challenges.
Coffee Break Bible Study, fellowship and refreshments for women of all ages, With Story Hour and nursery care for children, ages 0-5. Every Tuesday morning at Langley Immanuel Church (21713-50 Avenue, Langley) Doors open at 9:15 a.m. Need more info? Email Elsa at CoffeeBreak@licrc.ca
Worship Conference: Coming in October to Langley Immanuel CRC: Lift Up Your Voice. You are invited to join us at a worship conference happening on Saturday October 26, 2024. You are welcome to arrive at 12:30pm and enjoy some worship alongside a few sessions with Stacey Gleddiesmith and Phil Vanderveen. The cost is $10 per person, and we hope to see you there!
Housing Request: Hi, my name is Elisha Ramstad, I have been working in the Okanagan as a Librarian but have since secured a full time position at Trinity Western University. I am looking for a rental in the area for November 1st. I’m quiet, respectful and have references. 250-463-1384 or ramstad.elisha@gmail.com Thank you!
RESTORATIVE CONGREGATIONS: Learning How to Grow Restorative Churches: Over two Saturdays, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2, you will explore a relational framework and explicit practices that help to build, sustain, and heal relationships. You will learn and practice how to facilitate circles and learn how to implement restorative practices in your community. After this training, participants will have the tools they need to support the implementation of restorative practice in their congregations. Some of the topics covered are: what does it mean to be a restorative church? how to facilitate circles, and the different types of circles. This training will introduce participants to a framework & vision for being and becoming a restorative congregation. Click here to register For more information contact Liz liztolkamp@gmail.com or Anthony at anthoniej@hotmail.com
Would your school or Sunday School class be interested in making cards for this year’s Christmas at Sea gifts? Seafarers so appreciate the cards! Ministry to Seafarers aims to put a card with a personal note in as many gifts as possible. If you are interested, contact Gary Roosma by email (crcvanportchaplain@gmail.com) for more information. It's a great way to introduce students to this ministry, and to get them involved.
Paul’s Missionary Journeys in Turkey and the Seven Churches of Revelation - (May 27 - June 8, 2025) Visit ancient sites connected with Paul’s first, second, and third missionary journeys as well as the seven churches to whom John wrote the Book of Revelation. Join Jeff Weima, professor at Calvin Theological Seminary and leading biblical scholar, for this inspirational biblical tour. Contact Dr. Weima at 616-328-3110 or weimje@calvinseminary.edu.
1Life October 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 October 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: Hurricane Helene World Renew Disaster Response Services is collaborating daily with officials and other voluntary organizations to plan a coordinated response to Hurricane Helene.
The Network: All Nations Heritage Week “After this I looked, and before me there was a great multitude no one could count . . .”
The Banner: Reformed and Always Reforming Despite being a Reformation slogan, no written evidence suggests the reformers used these words in this way.
Groundwork: Live a Holy Life Set Apart for God - When the culture we live in makes our faith feel restrictive, the apostle Peter encourages believers to embrace a new perspective. Join Groundwork as we study 1 Peter 1:13-2:3 to learn what it means to live a holy life, set apart by God for his purposes, and how God’s Word provides the spiritual sustenance we need to maintain an active faith in all circumstances. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - Today is All Nations Heritage Sunday! To celebrate and give thanks to God for the beautiful gift of diversity, learn how to say “Thank you, God” in a new language every day this week. Practice these phrases as you pray with thanks to God for your siblings in Christ around the globe. Thank you, God! For more information about how you can support growing diversity in CRC ministries, leadership, and congregations, visit crcna.org/AllNations. Brought to you by Thrive: crcna.org/Thrive
Job Posting:
Job Opening: Abuse Prevention and Response Coordinator (APRC) Classis BCSE & BCNW Safe Church Team Ministry (SCT) supports the important ministry work done by the Christian Reformed churches in BC. The SCT is in the process of succession planning and is looking for someone to succeed our current Abuse Prevention and Response Coordinator who is looking ahead to retirement. This position would require on average approximately 20 hrs per week, with certain months having increased hours. The work includes providing abuse prevention and response education and requires travel to the Christian Reformed churches in BC. Applicants must be knowledgeable about the subject of abuse, have related work experience & education. Start date is flexible & training for the position will be provided. For more information/ job description, please see this job posting, and email the SCT executive chairperson – Andrew Van der Leek - avdleek@gmail.com.
The Banner: The October 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