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World Renew Christmas Giving:  The December special offering is to help people who live in extreme poverty experience more of the fullness of life God intends for them,  we are striving to raise funds for two of World Renew’s best seller bundles (p. 17 in the gift catalogue). One bundle, worth $4,181, contains goats and quackers, the herd, 1 farm team, the whole barnyard, a family-sized water filter, 1 bicycle and “where needed most”.  You are also invited to visit the  Christmas Giving Tree and ‘buy’ an ornament (or ornaments). Each ornament is a unique gift that can make a difference for people in need around the world. Click here to see the World Renew Gift Catalogue.

Youth Group:  Here is the rest of December's Youth Group Schedule! 

December 9&10 - Combined "Christmas Lock-In" with Immanuel at Willoughby - 8pm-8am

December 18 - Youth Christmas Party at Stortebooms 6-8pm.  Please bring an appy to share!!

Noort Funeral:  The Memorial Service for Klazina Noort will be on Wednesday, December 14, at 2:00pm, here at Willoughby Church. All are welcome to attend. Please keep Dick Noort and the whole family in your prayers at this difficult time.

Women's Bible Study:  This Wednesday December 14, at 7:00pm, the group will be focusing on the fourth chapter of Ephesians.  This Friday December 2, at 10:00am the group, will be studying Romans 5:1-10.  All are welcome, please come and join either session!

Seniors: Come and join us for a Christmas celebration & liturgy on Thursday December 15th at 10 am as we enjoy a morning of fellowship and community together.  After, we will be going out for lunch as a group to the Ricky's in Murrayville. All are welcome!

New Song: We will be adding a new song to our Sunday worship list in a few weeks, please have a listen and become familiar with the song! Phil Wickham -  Hymn of Heaven

A Christmas Concert: The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet & Organ will be having a Christmas Concert on Monday, December 12, 2022 at 7:30 PM at the Langley Canadian Reformed Church (21804 52 Avenue, Langley). Admission is $20 for Adults, $10 for Students and Children are free. Come out and support the VSO and enjoy some holiday music.

Handel’s Messiah: Saturday, December 10th at 2:00 PM Central Heights Church, Abbotsford   Join the Valley Festival Singers and the Pacific Spirit Choir along with four outstanding soloists for this timeless work - led by concertmaster Calvin Dyck and conductor Gerry van Wyck. Tickets at calvindyck.com or on Eventbrite. 

The Gloria Dei Chorale, under the direction of Rob Workman, is pleased to present this Christmas “Sing Gloria”, featuring choral selections, readings, and congregational songs, on Saturday, December 17 at 7:00 pm in the Oasis at Elim Village, 9025 160 Street, Surrey, BC and on Sunday, December 18 at 7:00 pm at the New Westminster Christian Reformed Church, 8255 – 13th Ave, Burnaby, BC.  Contact Tina 604-588-6377 or Elaine at 604-271-0283 for more information.  A free-will offering will be received.

Celebrate the Season:  The Langley Community Chorus presents Celebrate the Season a Christmas Concert on Friday, December 16, 2022 at 7:00pm here at Willoughby Church. Tickets are $20 for Adults and  Children 12 and under are free. Tickets are available on the LCC website or at the door. 

Come Messiah:  Langley Immanuel CRC is presenting a wonderful evening of Christmas music on Sunday December 18, 2022 at 6:00pm.   This candle lit evening will feature both our choirs, congregational singing and readings throughout telling the Christmas story as well as a short message by our Pastor Chris.  Admission will be by cash donation at the door to the Langley Food Bank.  Hope you can come enjoy this special evening with us! 

"O Holy Night":  Alison Nystrom (soprano), Carmen Hollett (piano) & Calvin Dyck (violin) invite you to a special Christmas concert – “O Holy Night” on Thursday, Dec 22nd at 7pm at South Abbotsford Church. The trio will perform some of your favourite Christmas songs including O Holy Night.  Tickets on Eventbrite or www.calvindyck.com/concerts 

Coffee Break:  We are planning to resume in the new year on Tuesday, January 10, 2022  with the study of the prophet, Habakkuk.  We look forward to celebrating together! For more details please connect with Elsa at coffeebreak@licrc.ca or Rose at coffeebreak@willoughbychurch.com  

"Prepare the Way" - Free Advent Devotion - Prepare the Way is an email devotional series put together by World Renew, Resonate, and CRCNA Social Justice that features reflections from people with CRC ministries around the world during Advent 2022. Sign up to receive the email devotions every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in Advent at crcna.org/advent.

1Life December 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 December 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!

Canadian National Gathering 2023 - Every three years, representatives of Christian Reformed churches and classes across Canada gather to discuss, pray, listen, and plan next steps for ministry at a congregational, regional, and national level. The next Canadian National Gathering will be held May 25-28, 2023 in Ottawa, Ontario, on the campus of Algonquin College and will focus on Indigenous justice and reconciliation. Representatives from every classis across Canada are invited to participate. If you are interested in attending to represent your area, please talk to someone who is attending the next meeting of your classis. For information, go to www.crcna.org/canadian-national-gathering

Online Stewardship Course - Does your church need resources and guidance in the area of stewardship? HELP IS ON THE WAY! Diaconal Ministries Canada is excited to share that a brand new, online, self-guided Stewardship Course will go live on the CRCNA's learning portal in January 2023! The online course includes an introductory module on the definition and basics of biblical stewardship as well as modules for each of the four T’s of Stewardship (Time, Talents, Treasures & Trees/Creation Care). Resources and ideas for individuals and teams are included as well. Find out more on our website: https://diaconalministries.com/stewardship/#stewardship-resources.

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. Joy To The World (Unspeakable Joy)
  2. The Stand
  3. Before The Throne of God Above
  4. O Come O Come Emmanuel
  5. My Worth Is Not In What I Own
  6. Crown Him With Many Crowns

A Tough Time of Year:  Are you having a challenging time this Christmas season? Telecare Crisis & Caring Line is available to support you if you are feeling lonely, low, and stressed. Trained listeners are sisters and brothers in Christ who understand difficult times. You can reach them toll free at 1-888-852-9099 or locally at 604-852-9099 (Mission & Abbotsford). Let Telecare help make your Christmas season a little lighter and brighter.

CRC NEWS:    

1. 2022 Ministry Highlights: A report summarizing the work of CRCNA ministries in 2022 is now available.   Click here for the full article.

2. Imagination and Generosity: If you are like me, you have never heard a sermon on imagination.  Click here for the full article.

3. The Women in Jesus’ Family Tree: This 5-part audio series explores the stories of the women in Jesus’ family tree   Click here for the full article.

Advent At-home Faith Formation Tip - During Advent, we light the candle of Joy. Joy is not a fleeting happiness, but an attitude of the heart that springs from gratitude. What brings you joy? How might you spread joy to others? Wonder and talk about that this week. (Tip from Faith Formation; bit.ly/CRCFaithFormation)

Groundwork: Mary: The Angel Gabriel Foretells Jesus' Birth - Our understanding of the virgin birth begins with the story of the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary. Join our Groundwork conversation as we study Luke 1:1-4, 26-56 to learn from Mary’s strong example of faith, wholly trusting God and submitting to his will in our lives as we continue to prepare our hearts for Christmas. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.

Tour the Biblical Lands of Israel - March 6 – March 17, 2023. Experience a refreshing renewal of your faith, and gain a deeper understanding of the Bible, as you tour the biblical lands with teaching host, Pastor Peter Tuininga, and Sindbad Tours of Israel. See many of the biblical places (Jerusalem, Galilee, Caesarea, Jericho, and much more), and gain spiritual and historical insights which will make the Bible come alive for you. For complete information, cost, and registration, go to toursofisrael.wordpress.com or call Peter Tuininga: 1 289 877 8433 or e-mail: peter.tuininga@gmail.com

CRCNA Position Openings - Resonate Global Mission of the CRCNA has a full-time position opening for a Campus Ministry Coordinator anywhere in the United States or Canada. The purpose of this position is to provide leadership through capacity-building, connecting, innovation, learning, and resourcing in the area of Campus Ministry within the Resonate system and across the denomination. For details visit www.crcna.org/jobs. Deadline is January 5, 2023.

Now Hiring: SUPPORT WORKERS (RICHMOND, LADNER, SURREY, LANGLEY & MAPLE RIDGE, BC) – Bethesda. A support worker at Bethesda supports people with intellectual disabilities in a variety of sites or resources. You must have the desire and capacity to support people with diverse abilities and must believe that the person receiving support is uniquely valuable. Competitive salary: $21.63 – $25.19/hr. **NEW** hiring bonus + leadership development program + exclusive employee discounts through Perkopolis. *Please note that as per current provincial health orders, all Bethesda staff must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19*. Interested applicants may reference posting #818 and apply online at bethesdabc.com/careers. See full job description on Bethesda’s website. 

The Banner: The November 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