Online Bulletin
Offering for weeks 3 & 4 of February: This is the last Sunday to give to either of the Special Offerings for February!! ABBA Canada: ABBA Canada provides financial assistance and support to Canadian Christian families wanting to grow their family through domestic or international adoption. Although not every Christian will adopt, ABBA believes every Christian is called to play a part in caring for the orphan. ABBA Canada was born as a response to seeing Christian families who desired to bring a child in need into their family, but not pursue adoption because of the overwhelming process and financial hurdles. Since 2011, ABBA Canada has provided $700,000 in adoption grants to over 170 deserving Canadian Christian families. 100% of all donations to ABBA Canada help fund a Canadian family’s adoption without deducting administration costs. Our dream is for every believer to be engaged with helping these vulnerable children.
You are invited to donate to this worthy cause by the offering plate or click here to give through Tithley (ABBA Canada)
* The Deacons we will be doing two Special Offerings per month, Cedar Haven Women's Recovery will run for Weeks 1&2, with ABBA Canada running 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 February! *
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 February:
- February 23rd - Laser Tag with Preteens - 6pm-8pm - meet at Planet Lazer 19033 54 Ave - $10 Admission Fee
- March 2 - Bible Study
- March 8 - Curling Outing 10am-12pm (no youth March 9)
- March 16 - no youth (spring break)
- March 23 - no youth (spring break)
- March 30 - no youth (starting on Wednesdays in April)
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 end of February and March:
- Febraury 20th - No Preteens - Laser Tag with Youth on February 23rd - 6pm-8pm - meet at Planet Lazer 19033 54 Ave - $10 Admission Fee
- March 6 Bible Study
- March 20 no preteens (spring break)
If you are interested in joining or want to know more about the program please contact Christian at Christian@willoughbychurch.com.
Monday's Bible Study: The bible study group meets on Mondays at 7:30pm in the prayer room! Come join us on Monday, February 24th to read and reflect on Psalm 136, salvation and history. All are welcome! Any questions, call or email Pat.
From the Ensing's - we would like to thank the congregation for the visits, food, cards, flowers, and prayers during this difficult time. Fred's death came as a complete shock.. The kindness and thoughtfulness of our community was a real blessing during a time of crisis for us. We are grateful for your support. Elizabeth, Erin, Leah and our extended family
Join us for an Ash Wednesday Service, on March 5 @ 7:00pm to mark the beginning of the season of Lent. Ash Wednesday starts the time during Lent of deepening reflection and renewal and an opportunity to renew our commitment to Christ as we journey toward Easter.
Come join the African Children’s Choir as they perform in our community during their Canadian Tour! The Choir will be performing at our church on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at 7:00 pm. Come and experience a performance that shows the beauty, dignity and potential of each African child! Admission will be free for all ages; a free-will offering will follow the Choir’s concert. We are looking for Volunteers & Host Familes for the Day of the event, if you would like to help out: Click Here to Volunteer or Click here to register as a Host Family
1Life On-line Mercy & Justice Webinars: register at crc1life.ca for Feb 25: Reflecting on MAiD: how can we remain faithful in our living and dying? w/ Caroline Short and Mar 11: Positive Care and Grace in Dementia w/ Steve Berkenpas.
Blanket Exercise: On Sunday, March 16, from 4:30 – 6:00 pm, the Blanket Exercise will be held here at Willoughby Church. The Blanket Exercise walks participants through the history of relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. Much of the content is written by Indigenous people and helps participants understand why reconciliation is needed and how to take steps toward reconciliation and new relationships. This in-person experience is free of charge and open to anyone 11 years of age (Grade 5) or older. Please register by clicking the link here. For more info contact Evelyn Bouwman or Liz Tolkamp. Please bring a large throw-type blanket for this exercise.
Lent Devotionals: During the season of Lent, we are offering a devotion from Union Gospel Missions to help you seek the Lord through prayer and scripture. The copies of the devotional will be available in the church lobby after the service for the next few weeks.
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. We will be studying the Book of Mark by Pastor Tim Keller. For more info please contact Elsa at CoffeeBreak@licrc.ca or Rose at coffeebreak@willoughbychurch.com.
Dear sisters and brothers at Willoughby CRC, Thank you so very kindly for your recent large sum of support which is simultaneously humbling and encouraging. Here in the refugee camp on Lesvos, the students are learning English, some quickly and some slowly , some struggling with the effects of never having received any schooling at all. The Afghan women come in with bright eyes and budding confidences as they begin life once again far from the cruel absurdities of the Taliban. Thank you for joining me in this work.
In His name,
Hannah van der Kamp
P.S. For those interested, there is always the possibility of volunteering in the camp for a month or two: https://www.resonateglobalmission.org/get-involved/serve-short-term
Annual Inter-Classis Safe Church Conference - Save the date! The 2025 annual inter-classis safe church conference is scheduled for March 1, 2025, from 9:00am-3:30 pm at the Waterloo (Ontario) CRC. Planning is ongoing, but we have confirmed that Sheila Wray Gregoire will be the plenary speaker. Dr. Amanda Benckhuysen and Julia Rathbun, both Safe Church Consultants with the CRCNA, will be leading workshops. The conference is hosted by the Classis Huron Safe Church Team under the coordination of Rev. Carel Geleynse. Further details will be available soon.
IGNITE Evangelism Workshop @ NWCRC, March 8, 2025 When was the last time you shared your faith? Join us and discover how and why we share our stories as part of the bigger story. On March 8, New West CRC will be hosting an IGNITE workshop by ShareWord Global. This free full-day event is a dynamic and interactive evangelism workshop with one goal: to mobilize believers to share the gospel and Scripture with the people around them in their day-to-day lives. It aims to ignite your joy and passion for the gospel and help build your confidence to share your faith with Scripture. You will be imparted with powerful yet simple skills and Scripture resources to support your evangelism and reach out to the local community together. Date & Time: March 8, 2025; 9am - 3pm (a light lunch will be provided) Location: New Westminster CRC (8255 13th Ave. Burnaby BC) For more information or to register, visit our website: nwcrc.ca or contact us at office@nwcrc.ca / (604) 521-0111.
Let’s Answer God’s Call to Feed the Hungry - God provides more than enough food to feed the global population; yet around the world, millions of people are in food crisis. Now more than ever we need to answer God’s call to feed the hungry. Today is Canadian Foodgrains Bank Sunday and through your gifts you can help World Renew provide emergency food to address the immediate needs of families in food crisis and the training communities need to sustainably overcome hunger. Your gifts will be matched up to 4X by Canadian Foodgrains Bank. To donate, call 1-888-WRLD-RNW or go online to: worldrenew.ca/food
Justice: An Everyday Spiritual Journey - Thrive, in partnership with the CRC Centre for Public Dialogue, World Renew, and Diaconal Ministries Canada, is excited to present its latest workshop—offered online and in person— to help you to explore how the Bible talks about peace, justice, and faithful action. This workshop is designed for people who are new to biblical justice conversations, and also for those who have spent years putting it into practice—there’s something for everyone to learn! crcna.org/SocialJustice/workshops/justice-everyday-spiritual-journey
CSS: Mark your Calendars!! Christian Stewardship Services (CSS) is now in the second half of their Winter Conversation Series. The upcoming evening Webinars are on February 27 (Joint accounts), March 11 (Best choice for Executor and POA) and March 27 (One receipt and online giving); Don’t miss them. You can find the RSVP links on our website at[https://] Events. CSS can assist you in the preparation of your Will, or help you with your regular or preparation of major gifts. These services are available to any CRC member without charge, or obligation. If you have decided in your heart to give, we can help!
2025 Guatemala Christian Leaders Tour - Are you a current or emerging leader in your church? Join World Renew in Guatemala from May 3-11, 2025 for a transformative experience exploring poverty, justice, and faith in action. Visit impactful community programs focused on education, agriculture, livelihoods, and more. Gain powerful insights into anti-racism from Indigenous women and discover how to apply those lessons to ministry in Canada. Step into this unique opportunity to deepen your leadership, broaden your global perspective, and be inspired for ministry. Learn more: https://bit.ly/guatemala2025info
Paul’s Missionary Journeys in Greece - October 13-24, 2025: Travel by motor coach (6 days) and cruise ship (4 days) to sites connected with Paul’s second and third missionary journeys, as well as visit other major sites of biblical, archaeological, and cultural interest. Jeff Weima, professor at Calvin Theological Seminary and leading Pauline scholar, hosts this inspirational tour. For more information, contact Dr. Weima at 616-328-3110 or weimje@calvinseminary.edu.
1Life February 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 February 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: A Family’s Legacy of Rebuilding Hope Family legacies are deeply meaningful. For Jessica and Ron Grassmid, their family legacy involves volunteering to bring hope.
The Network: The Promise of Presence: Living Faith in Lonely Times How can we lean into God’s promise of presence throughout all of time?
The Banner: Celebrating the Nicene Creed For 1,700 years, the Nicene Creed has been believed and memorized and confessed by Christians as a standard of their faith.
Groundwork: Paul's First Journey: The Gospel Spreads and the Church Grows - After Jesus ascends to heaven and the Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost, the apostles start teaching and spreading the good news of salvation. Join Groundwork as we study the Apostle Paul’s first missionary journey in Acts 13-14 and let his teaching and experiences instruct our faith today. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - Think about a favorite Bible verse. Look it up in translations that are different from what you normally use. What do you notice in a new way? What stands out to you? Rewrite the verse in your own words or draw a picture of what this verse means to you. Brought to you by Thrive: crcna.org/Thrive
JOB POSTINGS:
CHILDREN’S PASTOR New Life Church in Abbotsford is inviting applications for a full-time (30-40 hours) position of Children’s Pastor. The Children’s Pastor is called and gifted to be a pastor to the children and give leadership to faith formation ministries of New Life Church. The aim of all New Life’s ministries is to make lifelong disciples of Jesus. This person will connect with families and kids to build engagement, excitement, long-term faith and meaningful involvement in the church. This person must demonstrate an ability to build ministry teams, recruit and develop leaders and volunteers, and bring creative ideas into reality within safe and vibrant ministries. See the full job description and to apply, please visit newlifecrc.ca/employment.
Job Opportunity - Diaconal Ministries Canada equips and supports CRC deacons in their role within your church, the broader community, and beyond. We are currently accepting applications for the full-time position of NATIONAL DIRECTOR. Start date would be Fall 2025. Visit our website for more information and full job descriptions: diaconalministries.com/our-team/careers-opportunities/. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview.
The Banner: The January/February 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