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 10th we will be meeting at 2:00pm in the prayer room to read and reflect on James 5. 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 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
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!!!!
December Services: This December Living Word Church, will be offering a Christmas Eve Service on the 24th at 6:00pm or you can join us on Christmas Day for our service with a wide variety of familiar Christmas songs, and a message from Pastor Bert. Expect vibrant worship and warm fellowship as we anticipate and celebrate the coming of the Savior into this world.
Family Fun Skate: Join our Youth and Preteens for a great afternoon of ice skating!! They will be hosting a Family Fun Skate, that is open to all the congregation. See the details below and we hope you can enjoy the festivities with us!! Details for December 22: Location: Langley Sportsplex - 20165 91A Ave #100, Langley Twp, BC V1M 3A2, Time: 4:30pm-6:30pm, Fees: Skate rentals ($5) & Helmet rentals ($2). Their rental shop closes at 5pm. If you do plan to rent, please come early. After our session, they will have a bin to return the skates to. Feel free to bring your own skates, hockey sticks and FRIENDS!!! Hope to see you all there!!!
Potluck Lunch: On Sunday, December 29th we are blessed to be having a combined Sunday morning service with Living Word Church. We will be celebrating the new year with a potluck lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the service. Please bring the required dish based on your last name, A-H: Salads, I-P: Desserts or Sweet, Q-Z: Hot or Cold Appetizer. Please join us in worship and building community as we get ready for the coming of the New Year. 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
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. Coffee Break Christmas Social On Tuesday, December 10, 2024. Please bring a brunch item to share with the group. If you are interested in joining in contact Elsa at CoffeeBreak@licrc.ca or Rose at coffeebreak@willoughbychurch.com.
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.
Christmas Pipe Organ Concert with audience singing with organist, Aart Bijkerk, (Yarrow). There will be seasonal sacred music by Bach, Dupré, Widor and Zwart on the Heritage Pipe Organ (1912). It's a concert for the whole family. When: Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 3 PM Where: Maranatha Canadian Reformed Church, 12300 - 92 Ave, Surrey, B.C. Admission by donation, refreshments will be served following the concert. Contact: maranathaorgan@gmail.com
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.
Stories & Strategies: Strengthening the CRC in Canada - Are you interested in learning more about ministry happening in CRC churches? Join the Canadian Ministry Board for stories (and best practice learnings from those experiences) and how they might be applicable to your local church context. We look forward to discussing these ideas with you alongside other church members & leaders. Join us virtually on January 25, 2025 (11am-1pm ET / 8-10am PT). More at crcna.org/Canada
Share Christ’s Hope this Christmas - In two weeks, the global church will reflect on the hope that Christ’s birth brings. But for people facing hunger, families in conflict zones, and communities that grapple with the effects of extreme weather, hope can seem lost. Through your World Renew offering, you can help renew hope for communities struggling with poverty, disaster, and injustice. Your gift will help World Renew equip communities with the resources and training needed, so they can move forward with faith in God’s goodness—and his hope. To give a gift of hope, visit: worldrenew.ca/gifts or call 1-888-975-3769.
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
A Unique Mission Trip for Teenagers - Join a group of teenagers from multiple countries on a trip across three Central American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Guatemala) to learn more about these countries' histories and learn how local ministry leaders are working to meet the needs of communities in difficult realities. This is a great opportunity to grow in your faith and understanding of mission! Learn more and apply online at www.resonateglobalmission.org/encounter
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:
Spiritual Disciplines: What the Bible Says to Us What is one passage of Scripture that means a lot to you, and why? This simple survey question has yielded more than 2,790 responses.
Global Mission: Loving Our Neighbors Through Plants One B.C. church is showing love to its neighbors by offering them free pots, plants, and soil for apartment balconies.
Diversity & Unity: Appreciative Inquiry Equips Churches An initiative aims to strengthen staff support for Canadian churches that are engaging in community ministry.
The Banner: Searching for Christmas What does A Charlie Brown Christmas have to teach us about Advent?
Groundwork: Jesus: Our Mighty God - The prophet Isaiah next calls the coming Messiah “Mighty God.” Join Groundwork as we explore Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 10:21, Acts 1:6-8, and Revelation 5:6,11-14 to discover what this title communicates to us about Jesus. Together, we’ll discuss how his presence as a helpless baby displays the awesomeness of God’s power and gives us hope as we anticipate his return. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - “Rejoice, Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.” This refrain from the beloved Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” calls us to rejoice—not because of our immediate circumstances but because of the promises we have in Jesus Christ. Ponder a few things that cause you to rejoice. Offer them up to God in gratitude. 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