Online Bulletin
July Special Offering: The special offering for this month is for Campus Re/Formed Okanagan. This ministry is led by Chaplain Rev. Dr. Todd Statham at UBC Okanagan and seeks to equip and encourage students, staff, and faculty to be lifelong disciples of Jesus. Chaplains are supportive listeners who are on campus to support campus well-being and encourage students, faculty, and staff on their spiritual journey. Dr. Statham is an ordained CRC pastor and has been serving as campus pastor since 2016.
Kid's Summer Camp: Join us for our kids’ drop-in summer camp, Thursday mornings only, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm, July 13 – Aug 10, for kids ages 4 through Grade 5. Feel free to bring a friend! Our summer camp is filled with activities that will help your child explore what it means to have compassion for themselves, for others, and for the world. Using Psalm 104, participants will learn how God provides for his world, what all living things need to live – shelter, food, water, air, and community – and how they can participate in caring for God’s creation. This summer camp is free, but pre-registration is desired, visit our website to sign up!
Welcome: There’s a new face around the office! We are excited to have Natalie Storteboom join us for the summer. Her main tasks will be to assist with coordinating our summer kids’ camp and organizing the Faith Formation resource library. Natalie is a member here at Willoughby Church. She is involved in Sunday morning worship playing keys and is a regular participant in youth group. Join us in welcoming Natalie!
Garden Sharing Table: This is the time of year when home vegetable gardens are beginning to produce vegetables ready for picking. Many of us tend gardens that produce more than we can eat ourselves. If you have extras, you are invited to bring them on Sundays to our Garden Sharing Table located in the front hallway of the church. We will continue the sharing table through the summer months.
Faith & Family Night: Willoughby Church has been invited to particpate in the Faith & Family night at the Langley Events Centre with the Vancouver Bandits Basketball Team on Friday, July 14th at 7:30pm. Doors open at 6:00pm and there will be a half time sock toss, post game faith based player Q/A, as well as a mini concert series. Tickets are $15.00 or $12.50 if we have a group of 20 or more! If you are interested in attending, please email Tamara Wevers at tamara@willoughbychurch.com to sign up.
Meal Hosting: The Young Adults have made their schedule for the next few months and would love to continue the tradition of having their dinner and devotions at church members households. If you would like to host (or re-host) the young adults on a Monday during the summer, please reach out to Jilise or email youngadults@willoughbychurch.com.
Recommeded Resource: Sounds of Freedom: Released this past week, Sound of Freedom (Angel Studios) is based on a true story about former US Homeland Security agent Tim Ballard who left the security of his career to rescue children from sex traffickers in Columbia. This film shines a light on the disturbing prevalence (2 million children around the world) of human trafficking and exploitation. Rated PG-13. Click the link for more information and to view the trailer. https://www.angel.com/watch/sound-of-freedom
Langley Food Bank Donations: The Deacons have set up a permanent basket in the lobby for Food Bank Donations, you can bring in canned goods, personal items, baby items or dry goods at anytime the church office is open or on Sunday mornings. Thanks for continuing to support this great cause!
Volunteers Needed: Do you want to serve?? We need volunteers for all areas of the church. If you are interested in being involved in any way including on tech teams, greeting, or in hospitality. Please see Tamara or email tamara@willoughbychurch.com, thanks!!
Hearts Exchanged: This Fall - Hearts Exchanged is a learning and action journey designed to equip Reformed Christians to engage with Indigneous people as neighbours. It's a great way to learn more about the history of Canada. You can participate in a cohort with people from your area! Read more and express your interest today. crcna.org/hearts-exchanged
Healing Hearts Transforming Nations Retreat - Register Today! - Sunday, July 30 - Thursday, August 3 This three-day workshop on Bowen Island aims to equip Christian leaders to be agents of healing and reconciliation. A combination of interactive teaching, group sessions, ministry times and participant interaction are used. The workshop seeks to bring healing and reconciliation to communities suffering from division and hatred. People from differing backgrounds are invited to encounter God and one another at heart level. To register CLICK HERE!
Youth Justice Project - Make a difference in your community! The Youth Justice Project is a video contest funded by NewGround (a program of Diaconal Ministries Canada). Teens from CRC’s across Canada are invited to identify an injustice in their community and share ways they hope to address it, along with the deacons of their church. Approved applicants will receive up to $6,000 as well as coaching and support from NewGround staff. Get your youth group together this summer and start planning! Find out more here: diaconalministries.com/newground/new-ground-youth-justice-project/
1Life July Newsletter: 1Life exists to curate a curriculum of resources that equips individuals and congregations to become increasingly whole-hearted, vibrant communities of Christian worship, discipling & mission. Click here for the July 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:
Breaking the Pecking Order: There is a delicate science to introducing baby chicks to a community of chickens. This kind of generational conflict can exist in our churches, too. Click here to read the full article.
The Evolving Face of the CRCNA: Clearly, the face of the once-primarily Dutch denomination is in transition. But becoming more diverse has not been easy. Click here to read the full article.
Groundwork: Lead Us Not into Temptation, but Deliver Us from the Evil One - Perhaps you’ve wondered, “Does God lead us into temptation?” Join our Groundwork conversation on the fifth petition of the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:13 and Scripture passages that assure us that God does not lead us into temptation. We’ll discuss the nature of sin, what temptation is, how it plays out in our lives, and how praying this petition helps us remember our own identity and purpose. Listen now at Groundworkonline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Job Postings:
Part-time Administrative Assistant - Hope Community Church in Clayton Heights, is looking for a dynamic and organized part-time administrative assistant to join their team. Successful candidate must possess strong verbal and written skills, thrive at balancing the many moving parts of a busy church, salary is commensurate with experience and education. This role requires flexibility as some periods in the church calendar will require more attention, however, a standard work week will be Tuesday to Friday, 9-3pm (22 hours) with a strong preference for the admin assistant to work in the office, although there is freedom to work from home when need be. Please click here to view the detailed job description. All interested applicants can send in their resume and cover letter to Sandy Vegt at sandyvegt@gmail.com Closing date for applications is July 21, 2023.
CRCNA Position Openings - Resonate Global Mission has the following fulltime position openings: Communications Specialist (Hybrid in Grand Rapids, MI) and Operations Manager, Church Planting (Remote/Hybrid in US or Canada). Please visit www.crcna.org/job for details or to apply.
The Banner: The June 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 making a donation. 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