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An Evening of Lament: Sunday, December 12th @ 7:00 pm - This Advent, join us for a time of reflection, lament, and prayer as together we pause to remember the past weeks, months,  and for some of us, years of difficult times. Through readings, prayers, and songs we will reflect on our individual and communal losses and be offered a message of hope and an assurance of God’s presence with us, even in the midst of our darkness. 

Women's Bible Study: The last session for this year will be on December 15th at 9:30 am followed by a luncheon at Adrian's at the Airport at 11:45 am.  Sessions will start again in the new year on January 5th.

Church Family:

  1. We would like to thank everyone who called, visited, sent cards and prayed for us during Marion's recent illness.  We continue to thank God for his healing and strength and are so grateful to be part of this church family.  'Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever' Psalm 118: 29  Bill & Marion 
  2. Eve & Keith hope to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on December 19th and Jackie & Neil hope to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on the 20th. As health and safety does not allow both couples to currently attend church, they might appreciate receiving cards or phone calls  from their church community to congratulate them. 

The Gloria Dei Chorale, under the direction of Tresor Otshudi, is pleased to present this Christmas “Night of the Father’s Love”, featuring choral selections, readings, and congregational songs, on Saturday, December 18 at 7:00 pm in the Oasis at Elim Village, 9025 160 Street, Surrey, BC.  Contact Tina 604-588-6377 or Marilyn 604-290-5454 for more information.  A free-will offering will be received.  

Joy Has Dawned - A Christmas Musical - You are formally invited to join Langley Immanuel CRC for a Christmas musical on December 19 at 7:00 pm.  Composed and arranged by Lloyd Larson, this musical tells the Christmas story through Chorus, Narration and Children's Chorus.  Admission is by donation for Abbotsford flood relief.  You can donate online or with cash at the door.  There will be a sign up to attend the evening, if the 19th fills up, there will be another showing on the 22nd.  Click here to sign up.

World Renew - Advent Means Hope - With World Renew’s 2021-2022 Gift Catalogue, you can help a family plant seeds to grow food after COVID-19 lockdowns, give a child the supplies they need for health with a nutrition kit, or provide safety for a disaster survivor. Choose a gift that gives someone who is struggling with hunger and income insecurity the opportunity for transformation today and hope for the future. Visit the Giving Tree in the church lobby to choose an ornament and look through the Gift Catalogue.

Groundwork: Christmas Hope: Ruth - When the trials and challenges of life drag on with no end in sight, it’s easy to wonder if God cares, or if continued faithfulness is worth our effort. Join our Groundwork conversation as we study Matthew 1:3-6, Ruth 1-4, Luke 16:10, and Micah 6:8 to discover how God uses the simple faithfulness of Ruth and Boaz to ensure the continuation of the Messiah’s family tree. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.

At-home Faith Practice Reflection Tip - Reflection and Discussion Starter—the Practice of Hospitality: Read Leviticus 19:33-34 and ponder or discuss the following questions. Leviticus 19 is full of commands for how to be holy. One of those commands is to love strangers (in this case people who are from other lands) as you love yourself. How do you live out this command? What are some ways that you, your family, your church, your wider community, and your nation could love people from other lands as yourself?

Book Club: Have you made plans for the new year? How about joining a book club? This January 2022 (13, 20 & 27) online, from 4 - 5 pm PDT, dig into Kate Bowler's new book: No Cure for Being Human (And Other Truths I Need to Hear). Hosted by Disability Concerns CRCNA. For information and to register click here. 

Devotions for a Blue Christmas - In the midst of hard times, find strength and encouragement through God's word. A set of fourteen encouraging Today devotions reassure you that even during the darkest of Christmas seasons, you’re not alone. Receive this free email series and ebook when you subscribe to Today at todaydevotional.com/bluechristmas.

Sunday Song Selection:

Here are the current song selections for this Sunday's service, please feel free to familiarize yourself with the music ahead of time by clicking on each song below. * Please note that adjustments may be made prior to Sunday morning.

  1. Come To Us
  2. Canticle Of The Turning
  3. Holy is the Lord
  4. Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
  5. Joy To The World (Unspeakable Joy)
  6. Light of the World
  7. Behold Him

The Banner: The December 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

Job Opportunities:

Resonate Global Mission Position Opening - Resonate Global Mission, an agency of the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA), has a full-time (40 hrs/wk) opening for a Program Coordinator. This position will serve the North America (NA) Regional Teams and NA Regional Teams Director by managing and continually improving the systems, processes, and programs for internal operations of six regions. Visit www.crcna.org/jobs for details or to apply by 12 midnight (EST) on December 17, 2021.

CARETAKER OF AN INTENTIONAL COMMUNITY (CHILLIWACK, BC) – Bethesda. Bethesda is seeking an on-site caretaker couple or family for a beautiful and well-established 9-unit townhouse community. Opened in 2016, the Vedder Terrace community has become a place rich in belonging for people with and without disabilities. People who, with their unique contributions and their personal dreams and goals, have created a vibrant community and lifestyle that reflects their shared commitment to inclusion and interdependence. This position includes: (1) annual salary plus free rent including utilities as a taxable benefit on an on-site 3-bedroom suite, (2) excellent extended benefits package, including pension plan and, (3) 3 weeks vacation to start. This role is suitable for a couple or family. The caretakers will live on site in a 3-bedroom townhouse suite and have the flexibility to schedule duties to suit.*Please note that as per current provincial health orders, all Bethesda staff must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an exemption by January 14, 2022.* Interested applicants may apply online at https://bethesdabc.com/careers or submit a resume, cover letter, and references to the Chief Human Resources Officer via email (careers@bethesdabc.com)  or mail (2775 Emerson Street, Abbotsford BC V2T 4H8). Deadline to apply is December 20, 2021. Applicants should reference posting #821. (Full job description is available on Bethesda’s website)