Online Bulletin
World Renew Christmas Giving: This is the last Sunday to give to the Special Offering!! 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.
Church Christmas Office Hours:
Friday, December 23rd - closed
Tuesday, December 27th - closed
We will be open regular office hours December 28th - 30th.
If you have any questions, please call the office @ 604-530-5959
New Years Eve Service: Potluck Dinner - This New Year's Eve we are again blessed with having a combined service with Living Word Church. We will be celebrating and worshipping with a potluck meal in the Fellowship Hall. If attending, please bring the required dish based on your last name, A-H: Salads, I-P: Desserts or Sweet, Q-Z: Main or Savory Dish. Please join us in song and testimonial, to celebrate the coming of the New Year. Hope to see you all there!!
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
"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
Begin 2023 with Free CRC Leadership Training - Register now to take the Thriving Essentials virtual training in January at no cost (limit 25 persons). The two, 2-hour-long Zoom sessions (Jan. 11 + 18) can help get all church leaders on the same page concerning the key concepts of Mission, Discipleship, Discernment, and Leadership. Take the class for yourself, then decide if attendance would benefit your core church leadership. More info at: crcna.org/Thrive
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!
SoCo Beach Project: Summer Young Adult Discipleship Experience: Are you or is someone you know a young adult (18 - 29) looking to dig deeper into the life of faith and what impact that has on their unfolding life story? Check out the SoCo Beach Project - an intentional Christian community experience from May - August located in Port Dover, Ontario. Applications are open for SoCo 2023- deadline is Jan. 16 '23. For more information or a deeper conversation about this experience, email Pastor Willemina Zwart: info@southcoastbeachproject.org. Check out the website: www.southcoastbeachproject.org and this video to hear the reflections of last year's participants.
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 weekend's services, 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 the service.
Christmas Eve:
- The First Noel (Born Is The King)
- O Come All Ye Faithful
- Midnight Clear/Love Song
- What A Beautiful Name/Agnus Dei
- O Come O Come Emmanuel
- Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone
- O Holy Night/Silent Night
Christmas Day:
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. Gathering at the Manger: Zachary King, general secretary, and Al Postma, Canadian transitional executive director, share an advent reflection. Click here for the full article.
2. Ministry Continues Despite Haitian Unrest: Despite months of gang violence, World Renew and Resonate are continuing in their ministry in Haiti. Click here for the full article.
3. The Days of Noah: When people peer into our lives in the days of Noah—in our ordinary days—here’s what we want them to say. Click here for the full article.
At-home Faith Formation Tip - Today we light the Christ candle to remind ourselves that the light of Christ has come into the world. Light a Christ candle in your own home today as you celebrate. Consider lighting a candle at each mealtime in the coming week (or year!) to remind you that Jesus is always with you. (Tip from Faith Formation; bit.ly/CRCFaithFormation)
Groundwork: Jesus, Shepherds, and Angels: A Savior is Born - The story of Jesus Christ’s birth is wonderfully familiar, but slowing down to read and study it again brings comfort and renewed hope. Join Groundwork as we read and discuss the good news of Jesus’ birth and the magnificent message the angels delivered to the shepherds in Luke 2:1-20. 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 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