Offering for weeks 3 & 4 of September:
The other special offering for September is for the Willoughby Church Benevolent Fund . The Benevolent Fund is used to support families in this congregation and in the Langley community with rent, utilities, food vouchers, Christmas hampers and Christian School tuition relief. The recent inflation in Canada caused by global supply chain disruptions, an increase in demand for items that weren't available during the pandemic, and widespread droughts affecting agriculture output. Have seen a significant increase in food, rent and gas costs resulting in more requests for assistance. Please consider giving generously to this church fund, to help support our community.
You are invited to donate through the offering plate or click here to give through Tithley (Benevolence-Deacons-Willoughby Church)
* The Deacons now do two Special Offerings per month, ReFrame Ministries will run for the first two weeks, with Willoughby Church Benevolent Fund for weeks 3&4. You are invited to give to either or both offerings as they will both be available on tithe.ly for the whole month of September! *
National Truth & Reconciliation Day: September 30 is the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. The day coincides with Orange Shirt Day, a grassroots commemoration marked by the wearing of Orange Shirts for children forced to leave their families and attend residential schools. If you'd like to learn more you can click here for information from the CRC's Idigeneous Ministry or click here for information from the CRC's Indigeneous Justice.
Preteens is back on October 3rd!!!! Preteens is for children in grades 4-7 and they meet on Thursday evenings at 6:30pm, for activities, bible study and games!! If you are interested in joining or want to know more about the program please contact Christian at Christian@willoughbychurch.com.
Youth: Youth will be returning on Sunday, October 6th, at 6:30pm here at Willoughby!!! Meet with your new Director Christian, and find out what's going on in this new ministry year!! If you are interested in joining or want to know more about the program please contact Christian at Christian@willoughbychurch.com.
Wednesday's Bible Study: We will be, beginning on Wednesday, Oct 9 2:00 pm in the prayer room. If you would like to join, please read and reflect on James 1:1-18. Any questions, call or email Pat 604-787-0246.
Seniors: We invite all seniors to join us on Thursday October 10, 10:00am at the church. We will be celebrating Thanksgiving together with a short program and conclude it with a delicious warm lunch prepared for us by some wonderful volunteers. A donation of $8 will be appreciated. Guests are warmly welcomed. Hope to see you all there!!!!
Thanksgiving Service: Join us on Thanksgiving Monday, October 14th at 10am for a service of gratitude! There will be singing, a homily, and an opportunity to give to the Langley Food Bank.
Connenct Course: We are pleased to be offering our Connect Course for new members here at Willoughby Church. There will be three sessions, on October 20, 27 & November 3. All three courses are in person and will be after the Sunday morning service in the Fireside Room. Lunch will be provided and we hope to see you all there. If you would like to register for the course, please click here! Any questions, please contact myself or Pastor Jenna! Thanks, Tamara
Health & Wellness Fair - Friday, Oct 4 | 8:30am - 3pm The Oasis Auditorium, Elim Village Fleetwood
9008 - 158 Street, Surrey, BC. Join us for Elim's 2024 annual Health & Wellness Fair! The theme is Healthy Aging: Nurturing the Garden Within and this day-long event is packed with exciting content: * Keynote Speaker: Terry Small, The Brain Guy & Guest Speakers: Dr. Robyn Land, ND & Marian Heemskerk a Special Concert: Judah Rodway. Community time over a buffet lunch - Attendees will receive a gift bag! This event is open to all (residents, family members, staff, those part of the broader seniors living community, and those interested in joining our community one day). Tickets are on sale now! Call now to purchase your ticket, or visit our Main Administration at Elim Village Fleetwood, Monday - Friday (9am - 4pm) at 9025 - 160 Street, Surrey, to buy one in person. Ticket Cost: $20 - Includes event, buffet lunch, coffee/tea, snacks, prizes, concert, Exhibitor Fair, and a gift bag! Questions? Email events@elimvillage.com or call 604-583-3546. Ticket purchase deadline is September 24, 2024.
A Rocha: Harvest Celebration - Saturday, October 5 from 12 - 4pm, $10/adult, $5/child. It's almost time for our Annual Harvest Celebration! Come celebrate the abundance of the harvest and the goodness of creation with A Rocha this fall! Join us for all the festivities: food trucks, live music, fresh squash, kids’ activities, lawn dancing, raptor friends, apple cider pressing, hay rides, and more! Tickets are available for purchase in advance online, or on the day of at the entrance. For more information & tickets, click here!
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. Need more info? Email Elsa at CoffeeBreak@licrc.ca
Worship Conference: Coming in October to Langley Immanuel CRC: Lift Up Your Voice. You are invited to join us at a worship conference happening on Saturday October 26, 2024. You are welcome to arrive at 12:30pm and enjoy some worship alongside a few sessions with Stacey Gleddiesmith and Phil Vanderveen. The cost is $10 per person, and we hope to see you there!
RESTORATIVE CONGREGATIONS: Learning How to Grow Restorative Churches: Over two Saturdays, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2, you will explore a relational framework and explicit practices that help to build, sustain, and heal relationships. You will learn and practice how to facilitate circles and learn how to implement restorative practices in your community. After this training, participants will have the tools they need to support the implementation of restorative practice in their congregations. Some of the topics covered are: what does it mean to be a restorative church? how to facilitate circles, and the different types of circles. This training will introduce participants to a framework & vision for being and becoming a restorative congregation. Click here to register For more information contact Liz liztolkamp@gmail.com or Anthony at anthoniej@hotmail.com
Would your school or Sunday School class be interested in making cards for this year’s Christmas at Sea gifts? Seafarers so appreciate the cards! Ministry to Seafarers aims to put a card with a personal note in as many gifts as possible. If you are interested, contact Gary Roosma by email (crcvanportchaplain@gmail.com) for more information. It's a great way to introduce students to this ministry, and to get them involved.
1Life October 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 October 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: Learning How to Live in Community When Toon Garritsen graduated from university, he had a job lined up—but he felt God nudge him to do something else.
The Network: Three Responses to Synod 2024 Guidance for moving forward with humility following Synod 2024.
The Banner: Why People Read the Bible Differently It’s easy to conclude that the person in disagreement with me has stopped treating the Bible as authoritative.
Groundwork: Praise God for Our Living Hope - Life is full of ups and downs, yet even in suffering we have reason for great joy: our living hope and identity in Jesus Christ. Join Groundwork as we study 1 Peter 1:1-12 to discover the incredible value of our faith as Peter opens his letter by praising God for the living hope and inheritance we receive as a direct result of our faith in Jesus Christ. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - First Peter 3:15 urges us to be prepared to share with others the reason we have hope. As Christians, we have hope because Jesus loves us and promises that one day, there will be no more sadness, no more sickness, no more hurt (Rev. 21:4). Spend some time praying this week about whom you can talk with about Jesus. Consider with whom God may be calling you to share the hope you have in Christ. Brought to you by Thrive: crcna.org/Thrive
Job Posting:
Job Opening: Abuse Prevention and Response Coordinator (APRC) Classis BCSE & BCNW Safe Church Team Ministry (SCT) supports the important ministry work done by the Christian Reformed churches in BC. The SCT is in the process of succession planning and is looking for someone to succeed our current Abuse Prevention and Response Coordinator who is looking ahead to retirement. This position would require on average approximately 20 hrs per week, with certain months having increased hours. The work includes providing abuse prevention and response education and requires travel to the Christian Reformed churches in BC. Applicants must be knowledgeable about the subject of abuse, have related work experience & education. Start date is flexible & training for the position will be provided. For more information/ job description, please see this job posting, and email the SCT executive chairperson – Andrew Van der Leek - avdleek@gmail.com.
Job Opening: Senior Leader for Intercultural Ministry (Canada) - The Senior Leader for Intercultural Ministry provides leadership for the CRCNA in Canada to foster a healthy intercultural church. This role is crucial in a context where local churches and society are becoming increasingly diverse, and racialized groups are seeking equity, inclusiveness, and belonging. The Senior Leader equips, trains, and encourages congregations to navigate the opportunities and challenges arising from growing diversity and to create communities where all members fully belong. Apply at crcna.pinpointhq.com
The Banner: The September 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