Online Bulletin

Monday's Bible Study: The bible study group meets on Mondays at 7:30pm in the prayer room! Come join us on Monday, April 21st to read and reflect on Psalm 66. All are welcome! For any questions, call or email Pat.

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 hosted by Willoughby & Living Word is Saturday, May 3rd @ 10am. Join us for a "PreLoved Fashion Show" presented by The Upper Room Boutique. You can also, Redeem… Repurpose… Renew your gently used clothing & accessories at our clothing swap!! Limit of 10 pieces can be donated and please indicate size on the bag to assist with sorting. Clothes can be dropped off at the Church office up to Thursday May 1st. Hangers are appreciated. Don't forget to bring your shopping bags!! Tickets on sale, starting Sunday April 6th for $5.00! Hope to see you all there!! All left over clothes will be gratefully donated to Raphael House.

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!

Guess Who's Coming to Lunch: We are doing another mystery lunch here at Willoughby on Sunday, April 27th!! If you are intersted in hosting or being a guest sign up, by filling out a card after the service in the lobby!!  They will be available from March 30th to pick up and hand in to Rose or Tamara by April 20th, or email rose.scholtens@gmail.com and include all of the information in your email. Guests bring Dessert & Hosts prepare Lunch!! You will recieve an email prior to April 27th, on the address you will be having lunch at or how many you will be hosting!  Hope you all join in to build our community here at the Church and make new friends!!

LEADERSHIP CONDUCT & POWER in the CHURCH: WHEN: Wednesday April 30, 2025. 7-9pm WHERE: Willoughby CRC. All around us, real situations of Church Leadership Sexual Misconduct & Abuse of Power continue to surface. WHAT does that mean for how churches respond? In this interactive workshop we will dig into a scenario that challenges all churches/leaders to examine the how, why & impact of our responses, as we learn more about both the use and misuse of power in our churches. WHO is this workshop for? All of council, staff, church leaders & interested congregants. Everyone is welcome. WHY? Participants will learn helpful information that supports a healthy understanding of leadership conduct, the use of power and responses in the church. It takes a WHOLE CHURCH to be a SAFE CHURCH. REGISTER: Willoughby Church office: tamara@willoughbychurch.com Presented by Classis BCSE & NW Safe Church Ministry – in partnership with Willoughby staff & council. Website: www.bcsafechurch.com Presenters: Faye Martin & Jiyoung Jung – Abuse Prevention & Response Coordinators Faye@bcsafechurch.com Jiyoung@bcsafechurch.com.

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. For more info please contact Elsa at CoffeeBreak@licrc.ca or Rose at coffeebreak@willoughbychurch.com. 

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.

Planning Ahead to Finish Well Seminar: Come for a faith-informed & hope-filled day of learning about the practicalities associated with dying and death. Presentations include considerations for Will planning, what to expect with funeral homes and cemeteries, encouragement to think through various medical decision making, and holding all of this through the eyes of faith in the one who overcame the grave. Saturday, April 26, 9 am - 1:30 pm at First CRC Vancouver (2670 Victoria Drive), firstvan.ca  Register at  Planning Ahead to Finish Well Seminar.

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.

Outstanding Young Pianist coming to Abbotsford! On Saturday, May 3rd, Songs Strings and Steps will present 19-year-old Kevin Chen performing Piano Concerto No. 1 by Frederick Chopin along with a symphony orchestra and the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra (AYO). In addition to the Chopin, the concert will also include some pieces by the AYO and feature Kevin playing “Réminiscences de Don Juan” by Franz Liszt. Don’t miss this special concert taking place on Saturday May 3rd at 6:30 pm at Central Heights Church in Abbotsford. Tickets available at calvindyck.com/concerts.

Come and join us at the Abbotsford Young at Heart Senior’s Expo and visit all the amazing exhibitors who are joining us. The Young at Heart Expo: Redefining Our Aging Years in Abbotsford at the Abbotsford Curling Club & Events Centre, 2555 McMillan Rd., Abbotsford, B.C. May 7th, 2025, from 10:00AM - 3:00PM. Our Young at Heart events have proven to be vital to our communities to allow our more senior community to get out, learn new things, discover new ventures and businesses, connect with the community, and have some fun with friends and family alike!

"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.

CASCADE CHRISTIAN COUNSELLING – Our nine counsellors have been very busy this year meeting the great demand of individuals, couples and families seeking counselling. We have two Cascade offices, one in Surrey and one in Abbotsford. We also have counsellors available in Chilliwack. All therapists offer online counselling options as well. Feel free to read through their bio’s on our website to gain a sense of which one might be the best fit for you. Cascade is committed to removing the financial barrier for Christ-like, professional support services. The sliding scale is from $90.00-$130.00. For more information or to book an appointment, go to www.cascadechristiancounselling.com or call our office at 604-585-1411.

Journey with World Renew in Uganda! - Join the World Renew Uganda Discovery Tour from August 9–19, 2025, and experience the transformative power of God firsthand. Visit communities focused on maternal and child health, food security, and conservation agriculture. Connect with youth empowerment clubs and village savings groups, witnessing how lives are being changed for a brighter future. Experience the breathtaking Murchison Falls, embark on an exciting safari adventure, and immerse yourself in the incredible beauty of Uganda. For more information and to register, visit: https://bit.ly/2025ugandainfo

Help Families Affected by the Myanmar Earthquakes - World Renew is working with our partners and network peers in Asia to share Christ's hope with survivors of the recent earthquakes in Myanmar. For families displaced by this disaster, and currently living in the open, the situation has been made more dire by the onset of heavy rains. Your gifts will help us to provide food, shelter, medical support, clean water, and other essentials to the most vulnerable families impacted by this crisis. Please give generously at worldrenew.ca/earthquake or call 1-888-WRLD-RNW.

A Special Opportunity on Mission with the Christian Reformed Church - Don’t miss out on an opportunity to double your gift to God’s mission! Resonate Global Mission is your Christian Reformed Mission agency, working together across our denomination to help your church spread the gospel. This Easter season, you can help provide hope and transform lives—and double your gift—by giving to our special campaign at www.resonateglobalmission.org/Double. Any amount you give will be matched dollar for dollar!

1Life April 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 April 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:

The Network: How a CRC Helped Save My Life Ryan Nirula shares his journey with Jesus from jail cell to CRC pulpit.

Global Mission: Meeting the Girl from the Tea Plantation Global Coffee Break leaders share stories of faith from their work in South Asia.

The Banner: Editorial: Lament Like the psalmists of old, I have been lamenting lately, honestly sharing my griefs, fears, and frustrations with God. Allow me to share some of them with you.

Groundwork: Holy Week: The Week of Jesus' Death - Many formative events for our Christian faith occurred in the last week of Jesus’ journey to the cross. Join Groundwork as we study Matthew 21:1-11, John 13:1-17, 34-35, Matthew 26:26-30, and Matthew 27:32-50 to remember, meditate on, and nurture our faith by once again journeying through Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday with Jesus. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.

Thrive Faith Formation Tip - Palm Sunday - Today we remember that Jesus rode into Jerusalem as the crowds sang, “Hosanna! Hosanna!” Imagine being there in the crowd that day. What would you be thinking about or feeling? What could you do today or this week to help bring Jesus’ kingdom of peace here on earth right now? Brought to you by Thrive: crcna.org/Thrive

The Annual Banner Appeal is underway! - The 2025 appeal for The Banner, the CRC’s award-winning monthly magazine, has started. The Banner is delivered free in print and online, and this annual donation appeal makes it possible. To help keep this community conversation going please give online now at: TheBanner.org/Give

The Banner: The March 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