Online Bulletin
December Special Offering: For the month of December the special offering is for World Renew - Gift Catalogue, to help people who live in extreme poverty experience more of the fullness of life God intends for them. We are striving to raise funds for three of World Renew’s best-seller bundles (p.17 in the gift catalog). One bundle, worth $3,878, contains goats and quackers, the herd, 10 bars of soap, the whole barnyard, a family-sized water filter, 1 bicycle, and “where needed most”. You are also invited to visit the Christmas Giving Tree in the church lobby and ‘buy’ an ornament(s). Each ornament is a unique gift that can make a difference for people in need around the world. Complete the information on the ornament card and mail it directly to World Renew. You can also browse or purchase the giving ornaments online with the World Renew Gift Catalogue.
Tuesday's Bible Study: This Tuesday, December 3rd we will be meeting at 2:00pm in the prayer room to read and reflect on James 4. All are welcome to join!!! Any questions, call or email Pat Storteboom.
Youth: Join us on Sunday evenings at 6:30pm for faith, devotion and fun!!! Youth is for children in grades 8-12 and they meet every Sunday evening here at Willoughby.
Here is the activities for the month of December:
- December 1st - Bible Study
- December 8th - Bible Study
- December 15th - Cooking night with Linsey K. - 5-7pm
- December 22nd - Family Skating Night - 4:30-6:30pm
- December 29th - Christmas Break - No Youth
Thanks, Christian & Joanna
Women’s Connect: Saturday, November 30, 10:00am-12:00pm. Join us as we kick the Christmas Season off with Christmas around the World, sharing Christmas traditions from our homelands. Invite someone to join us and help us get into the festivities! Back by popular demand, White Elephant Game, bring a wrapped gently used item in good condition that you have at home and no longer need. (We don’t want you to go out and purchase something) Remember it must be wrapped! We are looking forward to a morning of fun as we enjoy each other’s company. Sign up table in the foyer after the service. Any Questions contact, Kim (604) 928-0307 or Marlene (604) 312-4463
Congregational Meeting: There will be a Semi - Annual Congregational Meeting on Monday, December 2nd at 7:00 pm to review the upcoming years budget. This is an in person meeting only, below is the link to the documents that will be discussed, including the agenda and budget. A package is available in your mailbox for review prior to the meeting. If there are any questions, they can be sent to council@willoughbychurch.com.
Preteens: Join us on Thursday evenings for faith, activities, bible study, games and a whole lot of fun!!! Preteens is for children in grades 4-7 and they meet on the first and third Thursday's of every month at 6:30pm.
Here is the upcoming schedule for the rest of the year:
- December 5th – What the Church and I Believe about God (BIBLE STUDY)
- December 19th – NO PRETEENS - FAMILY SKATING NIGHT ON DEC 22 (4:30PM-6:30PM)
If you are interested in joining or want to know more about the program please contact Christian at Christian@willoughbychurch.com.
Seniors: We invite all seniors to join us on Thursday December 12th at 10:00am, here at the church. After a short Christmas program, we will make our way to Ricky's Restaurant (Glover Road & the Bypass) for lunch! Anyone who has not signed up already for the lunch is asked to contact Marion Griffioen. All seniors are welcome to join us! Hope to see you all there!!!!
Sermon Sketchbooks: Congregation, Not sure if you have noticed the new box in the lobby with notebooks! These are sermon sketchbooks, use this book whenever you come to church to engage with the sermon. Feel free to take it home with you or return it to the box to find it again next week! Thanks, The Staff at Willoughby
The Journey of Peace – An evening for Advent. You are invited to New Life Church on Friday, December 6, 2024 at 7:00pm for a presentation of the Peace & Reconciliation Network. We are living in a time of great disruption in our world, which we feel locally, and witness across our world. Dr. Salim Munayer will offer the feature presentation. He is an Israeli citizen and a Palestinian Christian with thirty years of experience in reconciliation work in the Middle East. His perspectives and lived experience will invite us to think, pray and respond with Christ’s love and care in the face of injustice and turmoil. The evening will also include an Advent reflection featuring Bolivian artist Daniela Amestegui. Click here to RSVP.
Songs, Strings & Steps presents "Celebrate Christmas!" featuring Calvin Dyck, Festive Brass, Ken Lavigne (tenor) and the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra! Don't miss out on this annual community favourite happening Dec 6th & 7th in Abbotsford at Central Heights Church. Ticket link: www.calvindyck.com/concerts If you have trouble with online ticket purchasing, please email sssevents123@gmail.com.
The Gloria Dei Chorale, under the direction of Cathrie Yuen, is pleased to present their Christmas Worship service, “Night of the Father’s Love”, featuring choral selections, readings, and congregational songs, on Saturday, December 14 at 2:00 pm in the Oasis at Elim Village, 9025 160 Street, Surrey, BC and on Sunday, December 15 at 7:00 pm at the New Westminster Christian Reformed Church, 8255 – 13th Ave, Burnaby, BC. Contact Tina 604-588-6377 or Elaine at 604-271-0283 for more information. A free-will offering will be received.
Give a Gift Giving Tuesday - Giving Tuesday is on December 3rd! Your support on this day and beyond can help the CRCNA to equip CRC churches to grow gifts of spiritual disciplines, empower a new generation of leaders, foster hospitality among diverse groups of people, and share the gospel all across our country. Your gifts give extra horsepower to areas where God is already at work. Donate now: crcna.org/canada/giving-tuesday
Regent College - J-term 2025: Special Invitation for Church Groups What's better than taking a great course? Saving on a great course while you learn with members of your community! When you register as part of a group of 3 to 10 people from your church, you'll each get 25% off the cost of tuition for your course. The Church Group Benefit is great for small groups, Sunday school classes, ministry teams, or any group that wants to learn together. Questions? Get in touch! Email registration@regent-college.edu, and our team will be happy to answer any questions and help you walk through the process.
Canada Post Strike - With the holiday season upon us and the Canada Post strike affecting mail delivery, we want to make it easy for you to support your favourite ministries! You can still make your year-end gifts quickly and securely online at crcna.org, by calling us at 888-827-5272, or through The Bridge App. If your donation was sent in the mail during the strike, we will confirm its receipt as soon as we can after the strike is over. Strike or no strike, your support makes all the difference for our ministries —thank you for making this season one of hope and generosity!
Introducing The Postma Post! - Stay connected with Al Postma, Executive Director of the CRCNA in Canada, as he shares updates, reflections, and key highlights about the incredible work God is doing in our communities. Through this new email, you’ll receive updates like highlights from the Canadian Board meetings and insights into our strategic goals—delivered right to your inbox. Sign up today: crcna.org/canada/postma-post
1Life December 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 December 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:
Every Generation: Youth Group Visits Indigenous Family Centre A youth group from Guelph, Ont., went to serve and learn at an urban Indigenous ministry centre in Winnipeg, Man.
Diversity & Unity: Taking Church beyond the Building Outreach isn’t about bringing people into the church building; it’s about being the church wherever people are.
The Banner: Anti-echo Chamber In our divided world and divided church, we need media that break down divisions, not reinforce them.
Groundwork: Jesus: Our Wonderful Counselor - The prophet Isaiah calls the coming Messiah a "Wonderful Counselor.” Join Groundwork as we explore Isaiah 9:6, Proverbs 1:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:18-24, and Colossians 1:15-19 to discover what this title communicates to us about Jesus and its connection to the biblical wisdom tradition. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - Advent is a season of waiting. We wait expectantly for the birth of Christ, and we wait with hope for his coming again. Yet this season is often marked by hurried consumerism and overfilled calendars. How might you practice “waiting” in new ways this Advent season? Brought to you by Thrive: crcna.org/Thrive
Job Posting:
We're Hiring! Canada Global Coffee Break Representative - The successful candidate will promote and support the Global Coffee Break Program and Resonate Core Initiatives in churches and organizations by connecting leaders to a learning community, training, leader care, and coaching. This position is part-time remote, with an expectation to work 18 hours/week. Apply at crcna.pinpointhq.com
The Banner: The November 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
Canada Post and The Banner - With the Canada Post strike affecting mail delivery, please note that the December Banner delivery might be delayed in Canada. Additionally, please note you can still support The Banner despite the strike. You can make your year-end gifts quickly and securely online (thebanner.org/donate) or by phone (888-827-5272).
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