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Council Announcement:  Council is aware of the fact that the congregation has been left wondering and will have questions about Pastor Ed Gerber’s resignation. To date we have been working through the formal process required by Classis BCSE when a pastor resigns or leaves a church. We invite you to attend this special congregation meeting which will be held on Monday April 25, 2022, at Willoughby Church starting at 7:00 p.m. Your attendance is both desired and requested.  In Christ - Council WCRC  

ART SHOW and SYMPOSIUM – A CREATURE CHRONICLE: April 22  -  May 21, 2022. This art installation, created by artist Betty Spackman, former art instructor at TWU and Redeemer University, and hosted at Swallowfield Farm (J and D DeGroot) encourages visitors to ask questions of themselves and each other about what it is to be human. Deliberately handmade and personal, the agenda of the exhibition and the symposium is not to prove points but to open up different perspectives in order to see ourselves better and inspire true dialogue.  “It specifically addresses the Christian faith, “ says Spackman, “as this is the only tradition I can legitimately critique, and also one that has held perceived and real tensions with science. I hope this installation might increase curiosity, challenge complacency, and cause us all to celebrate creation in all its forms with wonder.” A CREATURE CHRONICLE is a 15-panel double-sided circular installation approx. 24 ft. in diameter and 8 ft. high. The symposium includes weekly lectures, presentations, talks and performances by guests from around the world. Click here for more information.   

Willoughby Church Refugee Update:  The Refugee Sponsorship Team continues to be grateful for your financial support (this month's special offering) for the families we have sponsored.  Your support makes it possible for us to meet our monthly budgeted commitment which covers rent, food, hydro, phone, internet, and transportation. As we are currently helping two small families settle, and awaiting another family of six, our immediate financial need is higher than usual. We are grateful for your partnership in welcoming and supporting these newcomers through their first year in Canada.  We are also currently looking for any leads on a good, used vehicle for one of our families. We are also seeking a 3 or 4 bedroom/ 2 bathroom house or large suite for our newest family, preferably close to downtown Langley. (We are hoping the family arrives within the next month or so).  Please email Evelyn Bouwman (bouplumb@telus.net) or Peter Roukema (phroukema@gmail.com) if you have any leads on either the car or the house/suite. Thank you in advance!   

Spring Book Club - We will be offering a Spring Book Study for all Moms & Dads, though everyone is welcome.  The book club will begin sometime in May, please sign up by the end of April.  Mom's will be reading "Ragged" & Dad's will be reading "Being Dad" Once all interested parties have signed up the schedule will be worked out by the group for the best dates and times.  Register Here.

Theology of Parenting Conference, Saturday, May 7, 2022, 3-9pm - Come join us for a conference dedicated to modern Christian parenting in a digital age. There will be two workshops with dinner for $35 hosted by Rob Rhea of TWU & Greg Gerber of NYIT.  With a public evening lecture by Ivan Desilva of TWU.  Everyone is welcome to the lecture at 7:30pm. 

Invitation to Seniors: Seniors of all ages! Come join us Thursday, May 5th at 10 am for coffee time and to hear John Marek speak about’ Living in the Czech Republic as a Christian in a Communist Country’.  Our annual bus trip is planned for May 19 for Harrison Hot Springs. Be sure to sign up for a seat on the bus. Questions? Ask Marion Griffioen or seniors@willoughbychurch.com 

40 Days of Prayer - Sign Up Today! - As part of the CRCNA's year-long prayer initiative, Together Seeking God's Face, you are invited into a 40-day season of intentional, guided prayer leading up to Synod 2022. Learn more and sign up for daily Scripture and prayer prompts to be sent to your email for 40 days: network.crcna.org/prayer/seeking-gods-face-forty-days-prayer

Paul’s Missionary Journeys in Greece - (October 6 - 18, 2022) Travel by motor coach (8 days) and cruise ship (3 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

Cascade Christian Counselling E-Newsletter – Please find the link to our latest Spring 2022 E-Newsletter with articles that offer suggestions on how one can manage the stresses and anxiety that might surface from the series of challenging events happening to us on a local and global scale. Our counselors have shared some tools on how one can ensure self-care in these times. 

CRC NEWS:

South Africa Group to Sing: When 6 South African young people began singing together in 2016, they didn’t know their music would lead them to Inspire 2022. Click here for the full article.

40 Days of Prayer: Join us for 40 days of prayer (with daily email prompts) leading up to Synod 2022.   Click here for the full article.

Field Volunteering Returns: For the first time since the start of COVID-19, Resonate Global Mission sent a team to volunteer in the field.  Click here for the full article.

Family Fire - Family Fire is an online community exploring Spirit-led family, marriage, parenting, in-laws, blended families, and intimacy. Find encouraging articles and devotions at familyfire.com. Subscribe for regular email updates and connect with our Family Fire community on Facebook.

Join us in Praying for Synod 2022 - Synodical delegates, church leaders, and CRCNA members across the continent are praying for Synod 2022. Please join us! Prayer gatherings for synodical delegates are scheduled for April 27, May 11, and May 25. We will post prayer guides on the Network each time so that you can pray with us at a time that works for you as families, individuals, church councils, small groups, and others. Need some prayer points to pray through now?  Find the March 30 prayer guide at network.crcna.org/prayer/prayer-guide-synod-philippians-44-9

Together We Can Help Foster Moms of Hope - In many communities around the world, women are denied opportunities to earn income and to thrive. In two weeks, learn how, through our gifts to World Renew’s Free A Family® program, we can help share God’s love and equip women with the tools and training needed to become Moms of Hope–women who help their families to journey away from hunger and poverty. For more information, go to: worldrenew.ca/momsofhope

Faith Practice Reflection Tip - Reflection and Discussion Starter—the Practice of Celebrating: Read Luke 15:20-24 and ponder or discuss the following questions. How would you feel if a child of yours whom you thought was dead appeared on your doorstep, seeking your forgiveness? If you were the father in this story, what would your celebration look like in today’s world? What does this story tell you about God’s character? (For more on faith practices from Faith Formation Ministries, visit bit.ly/FaithPracticesProject)

Get Inspired This Summer - Join us August 4-6 in Tinley Park, near Chicago for Inspire 2022. Be refreshed by three days of speakers, worship, workshops, prayer, and fellowship with CRC members from across the continent. Register now for the early bird rate, and gather five or more from one church to get the group rate! Learn more at crcna.org/inspire

Scriptoria: An Interfaith Writing Workshop - Morning workshops. Afternoon instruction. One-on-ones with editors. Deep faith conversations. Think boot camp for your writing—whether it’s fiction, nonfiction, or poetry—on June 20-24, 2022 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Scriptoria: An Interfaith Writing Workshop with Gary Schmidt, Hugh Cook, Patrice Gopo, L. S. Klatt, Robert Hudson, Nikki Grimes, Vinita Hampton Wright, and more. Visit scriptoriaworkshop.org

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 As You Are
  2. Better Is One Day
  3. Great Is The Faithfulness
  4. Blessed Assurance
  5. Come People of the Risen King
  6. My Worth Is Not In What I Own
  7. Doxology

Donation Requests:

Last Chance to Double Your Gift! - You can help join God’s mission and spread the gospel in North America by supporting Resonate Global Mission. It’s not too late to double your gift by visiting www.resonateglobalmission.org/MatchMyGift! Any amount you give to this special campaign will be matched dollar for dollar by a generous donor! Don’t wait—give today while your gift will go twice as far.

Diaconal Ministries Canada - NewGround is a program of Diaconal Ministries that empowers churches to be courageous and creative with ministry opportunities in their community. Our partners are stretched across Canada and they are showing and sharing the love of Christ and growing God’s Kingdom in beautiful ways! Sunday, May 1st is NewGround Sunday. Whether your church is holding an offering or not, please prayerfully consider how you can support other Canadian CRCs and ministries by giving generously to NewGround. Visit our website (diaconalministries.com/newground) or our Facebook page (@diaconalministries) for more information. Thank you for your ongoing support!

Bethesda's Lend a Hand Campaign -  Bethesda's Lend a Hand campaign raises funds to provide practical and much-needed support to people with disabilities and their families in communities across BC. Please consider a gift of partnership with Bethesda. You have three different ways of donating:

  1.  mail your cheque to 2775 Emerson St, Abbotsford, V2T 4H8
  2.  go on-line to www.BethesdaBC.com and click on Donate,
  3.  or, if you live in the area, feel free to drop off your donation.

Watch our Why Donate video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dqHAaCizbM Visit our webpage at https://bethesdabc.com/lend-a-hand/ to learn more about the Lend a Hand campaign. If you have questions, please email life@BethesdaBC.com or phone us at 604-850-6604 (locally) or toll-free at 1-866-455-2231. 

The Banner Needs You! - The Banner is the CRC’s award-winning monthly magazine. It is delivered free in print and online to every household in the CRC, and their annual donation appeal makes it possible. Please support this journalistic ministry and keep the community conversation going. You can give online now at: TheBanner.org/Give

Job Postings:

 We’re HIRING IN Western Canada!  Christian Stewardship Services is seeking a Stewardship Consultant for Western Canada to assist Christians in planning, giving and managing their God given resources to accomplish His work.  This is an opportunity to join a team of positive and knowledgeable individuals who are passionate about helping people steward God’s gifts. Find the full job posting here: Western Canada Consultant.  More detailed information about CSS can be found on our website: CSSERVICES .  Please email your resume to the attention Maynard Wiersma, Executive Director care of: lindad@csservices.ca 

The Banner: The April 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

Get The Banner Straight to Your Inbox - The Banner, the magazine of the CRC, will send you news, features, and columns straight to your email inbox! Sign up for the weekly e-newsletter by visiting thebanner.org/signup. 

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