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Offering for weeks 3 & 4 of March:

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; 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; 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. 

You are invited to donate through the offering plate on Sunday mornings or by clicking here to give through Tithley (Chaplain Refugee Support Mobilizer).

* 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! *

Youth: Join us on Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm for faith, devotion and fun!!!  Youth is for children in grades 8-12 and they meet every Wednesday evening here at Willoughby. Here is the activities for the month of April:

  • April 2 - Bible Study
  • April 9 - Games Night
  • April 16 - No Youth (week of Good Friday/Easter)
  • April 23 - Bible Study
  • April 30 - Family Bowling Night 6:30pm-8:30pm at Alder Alley

If you are interested in joining or want to know more about the program please contact Christian at Christian@willoughbychurch.com.

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 April:

  • April 3 - Bible Study
  • April 17 - Gym Night 6pm-8pm at Yorkson Creek Middle School
  • April 30 - Family Bowling Night 6:30pm-8:30pm at Alder Alley

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, March 31st to read and reflect a Lament of Psalm 57. All are welcome! For any questions, call or email Pat.

Seniors: We will be meeting on Thursday April 3rd at 10am in the Fellowship Hall. Come join us for fellowship, refreshments and some shared activities. We will also be welcoming back, Len Batterink who will share part two about the missionary trips of the Apostle Paul. Anyone is welcome! Hope to see you all there!!!!

2025 Nomination Process: Willoughby Church Council is once again engaging in a nomination process for selecting new persons to serve as Office Bearers beginning September 2025. For this process to be both meaningful and comprehensive, the council invites and encourages all members to prayerfully consider our congregation’s leadership needs and to suggest people to serve as these Office Bearers. Council will then approach and interview potential nominees and make recommendations. We encourage you to pray for God to lead us through this process of choosing new Office Bearers. Submit your suggestions by April 30, 2025. Hard copies of the nomination forms will be available on Sunday morning, or are available at the church anytime during office hours! Blessings, Council

Women's Connect: Save the date! Our next Women’s Connect event is Saturday, May 3rd @ 10am. "PreLoved Fashions & Show" presented by The Upper Room Boutique.

Tenebrae Service: Join us on Thursday, April 17th, at 7:00pm for this year's Tenebrae Service.  Although it is similar to a Good Friday service, Tenebrae is a service that focuses specifically on the story of Jesus' passion and is characterized by a gradual extinguishing of candles to symbolize the coming of His death.  There will be songs and Scripture readings, of the story of Christ's journey to the cross. Join us as we prepare our hearts in commemorating Christ's death and looking forward to His resurrection on Easter Sunday. Hope to see you there!

Citizens for Public Justice: On Monday, March 31, from 7:00-8:30 pm PDT at Fleetwood Christian Reformed Church (9165-160 St, Surrey),  or on Friday, April 4 from 7-8:30 pm PDT at New Life Christian Reformed Church in Abbotsford join Citizens for Public Justice for "Faithful Election Conversations". At the event, we’ll hear from CPJ policy experts about key issues of interest to Canada’s faith communities: climate change, poverty, and immigrant, refugee, and migrant rights. Please visit the Faithful Election Conversations webpage to learn more and register.

Coffee Break: Bible Study will be taking a two week break during Spring Break. We will resume on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. For more info please contact Elsa at CoffeeBreak@licrc.ca or Rose at coffeebreak@willoughbychurch.com. 

Easter Pipe Organ Concert with audience singing with organist, Aart Bijkerk, (Yarrow) Seasonal sacred music by Bach, Guilmant, Widor, Pikethy, VanVliet and Zwart. A concert for the whole family! When:  Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 2:30 PM Where: Maranatha Canadian Reformed Church, 12300 - 92 Ave, Surrey, B.C. Admission by donation. Refreshments served following the concert. Contact: maranathaorgan@gmail.com

Blood Donor Clinic: This month we will be hosting two Blood Donor Clinics, one on Tuesday, April 8th starting at 1pm and one on Wednesday, April 9th starting at 1pm. If you are able, please join in saving lives together by donating blood.  Appointments are necessary and can be booked at blood.ca or click the link below.

The GLORIA DEI CHORALE, under the direction of Cathrie Yuen, is pleased to lead the Palm Sunday Worship Service, featuring choral selections, including three from Stainer’s Crucifixion, readings, and congregational songs, on Saturday, April 12 at 7:00 pm in the Oasis Room at Elim Village, 9025 160 Street, Surrey, BC, and on Sunday, April 13 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.

Bethesda Christian Association is partnering with Northwest Baptist College & Seminary, as well as some local churches and agencies to explore what type of appetite there is for seeing the church become a place where people of all abilities can thrive within the body.  We are inviting churches, lay and ordained leaders, individuals and organizations to come and move the conversation about diverse abilities forward. "Assess the interest" event Time and location: April 2 - 11:30am-2:30pm Central Heights Church 1661 McCallum Rd, Abbotsford, BC V2S 3M4. This event is free to attend, and lunch and coffee will be provided.  All you have to do is register, show up, and get the word out in your community. 

Surrey/Abbotsford Area CRCNA Airlines - Board the “CRCNA Airlines”, where your flight attendants will lead you on a wild adventure following our ministry share dollars across the globe. We'll jet off to Cambodia, Uganda, traverse Canada and the USA, explore our Urban Indigenous Ministries, and so much more. You'll leave feeling inspired and empowered, knowing that your ministry share dollars are hard at work, making a significant impact on countless lives. Are you ready for a fun adventure? Join us for this epic Ministry Shares workshop and be part of something truly extraordinary! DATE: Saturday, April 5th, 2025 @ 9:00 a.m. LOCATION: Fleetwood CRC, 9165 160 St., Surrey, BC, V4N 2X7 RSVP: crcna.regfox.com/crcna-airlines-surrey or April 6th, 2025 @ 7:00 p.m. LOCATION: New Life CRC, 35270 Delair Rd, Abbotsford, BC V3G 2E2 RSVP: crcna.regfox.com/crcna-airlines-abbotsford

Join us for an afternoon of singing with the Vancouver Orpheus Male Choir & Langley Community Chorus, who present for The Joy of Singing a Choral Concert here at Willoughby Church on Saturday, April 26th at 3:00pm. Tickets $25, $15 for Students and children 12 and under are free.  Tickets are available at the door or on line at www.langleychorus.org.

"Ministry to Seafarers" announces its 55th anniversary Port Tour Cruise planned June 28, 6-9 PM. Join us for a beautiful cruise, including light snacks and a narrated port tour. Cost is $100/person. Payment by e-transfer to finance@ministrytoseafarers.com, or by cheque to: Ministry to Seafarers Vancouver, 401 E Waterfront Rd, Vancouver, BC V6A 4G9. Contact Gary at crcvanportchaplain@gmail.com for more information.

Cascade Family Bible Camp – July 3-7 at Warm Beach Camp, Stanwood, WA: Join us for a summer of faith, fellowship, and fun! Whether you're single, a couple, a family, or a senior, this retreat offers a refreshing time of worship and connection in a beautiful setting. Enjoy inspiring speakers, engaging programs for kids (preschool through post-high), and a variety of activities—including swimming, mini golf, tennis, basketball, volleyball, bocce, a ropes course, rocket launching, and new this year – a ZipLine and Laser Tag!  Choose to camp with your tent or RV, or opt for comfortable lodging with meals included. First-time attendee? Discounts are available! Register online: https://cascadefamilybiblecamp.org/registration-info For questions, contact rona718@hotmail.com or dean@lithocraft.com.

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.

Double Your Gift to Resonate Global Mission - Resonate Global Mission has a great opportunity for your giving to God’s mission through the Christian Reformed Church! Now through April 30, any amount you give for our special campaign will be matched, dollar for dollar, by a generous donor! Learn more at www.resonateglobalmission.org/Double

Forty Days of Prayer for Synod - Join people from across the denomination and around the world for 40 days of prayer leading up to Synod 2025. Writers of different ages, abilities, backgrounds, and places, from CRC congregations and ministries have shared prayers on the theme, Journey With Jesus. Find resources and sign up at crcna.org/synod/prayer

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:

Every Generation: Intergenerational Conversation Spark Dialogue is a new podcast that explores ways to bring young people more intimately into the life of a church.

Mercy & Justice: Navigating the Hunger Crisis in Honduras World Renew responds to hunger crisis, providing food parcels and monthly food vouchers to nearly 2,000 people.

The Banner: God’s Red Mittens Cathy sat on a bench by the library, smoking a cigarette and clutching a cup
of coffee.

Groundwork: Jesus Predicts His Death - During the season of Lent, we reflect and prepare our hearts for Easter. Similarly, Jesus tried to prepare his disciples for his death. Join Groundwork as we study Mark 8:31-36 and Luke 18:31-34 to study Jesus’ words and see how Jesus’ journey to the cross invites us to follow Him in faith, sacrifice, and hope. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.

Thrive Faith Formation Tip - In Acts 2:42-47, we read how the early church lived and worshiped in community, “praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people” (v. 47, NIV). Think of your own church community this week. How can you make everyone feel welcome? Look at things in your church like the raised platform (pulpit area) and the seating. Is everyone in your congregation able to access these areas? Is the building welcoming to visitors? Do you have a way for individuals who may be sensitive to noise to participate in worship? Spend some time this week talking with others about how you can welcome everyone to your church community. Brought to you by Thrive: crcna.org/Thrive

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