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April Special Offering:  The special offering for April is the Willoughby Church Refugee Sponsorship Fund.  Willoughby has successfully helped to settle 11 families over the past 10 years. We are expecting 2 newcomers this year who will be co-sponsored by their families. And we are looking forward to welcoming 2 new families in the next few years. Over the upcoming weeks, we will hear from our Refugee Sponsorship Team, celebrating past sponsored newcomers and presenting information about upcoming individuals and families. As always, we are grateful for the generous support that the Willoughby church community has provided for refugees who are seeking a new, safe home country and pray for continued generosity. 

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!!

Youth Group (Grades 8-12):  Here is the April Youth Group Schedule! 

  • April 2 -  Bible Study at Willoughby from 7 pm to 8:30 pm with Will & Joanna
  • April 9 -  Easter Sunday - No Youth
  • April 16 - Lazer Tag 7 to 830 - bring $10 & a water bottle!
  • April 23 -  Bible Study at Willoughby from 7 to 8:30pm with Will & Joanna
  • April 30 -  Youth Dinner 5 pm to 7 pm at Willoughby

Women's Bible Study: The following are all the sessions offered at the church for Women's Bible Study, please feel free to join any session at any time.  All are welcome!

  • Wednesday, April 26th, at 7:00pm,  the season’s final wrap up meeting we will be discussing our favourite bible verses.
  • Friday, April 28th, at 10:00 am, studying Daniel 4.

Jam Session: Do you play an instrument, love to sing are interested in tech or sound? The worship leaders are looking for new recruits and would love to have you join them on Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 10 am - 2 pm for a Jam Session.  Come play or learn how to mic an instrument, use the soundboard, and just enjoy making music with one another!! No sign-up necessary, just stop by anytime between 10 am - 2 pm and be ready to play, sing or learn in the tech booth.

Seniors: Come and join us on Thursday April 27th at 10 am for coffee fellowship and to enjoy watching an interesting short documentary on the "White Pass and Yukon Railway”. It’s history and as a tourist attraction of today. Guests are invited and very welcome.  Hope to see you all there!!

Guess Who's Coming to Lunch: * This is the last Sunday to Sign Up* Sunday, April 30th following the worship service.  To sign up you can pick up a card in the foyer after the services on April 2, 9, 16 & 23,  guests bring dessert & hosts prepare lunch.  Please fill it out and hand it to Rose or Tamara by April 23. You will receive an email prior to April 30, with the address where you will have lunch or how many you will be hosting!  Hope you all join in to build our community here at the church and make new friends!!

Invitation to a conversation on mutual transformation in welcome: Kinbrace Community Society (Vancouver) in partnership with Worn Words Media invites you to a virtual or in-person conversation on mutual transformation in welcome. This event is free and open to anyone, especially those involved in welcoming refugees and newcomers. 

Raising Kids in a Hyper-Sexualized Culture: You are invited to an evening discussion with Marvin Bravo and Faye Martin on the challenges of “Raising Kids in a Hyper-Sexualized Culture.” Langley Immanuel CRC is hosting this event on April 23 at 6 pm. If you want to learn ways to protect and support your child or teen's mind, eyes, safety, and welfare while they are online, this workshop is for you! For more details please visit www.licrc.ca/events/raising-kids This workshop is for all parents, teens, and church leaders. 

Conversations on Hopeful Citizenship in a Divided World: Sunday, April 23, 6:30 - 8:30 pm - Fleetwood CRC. Come & join the conversation to discuss mutual respect as salt and light Christian witness in today's political climate. We'll share stories, draw on some CRC Justice and Reconciliation ministries resources and remember that hope is action we take in the community. Mike Hogeterp, the Director of the CRC's Centre for Public Dialogue will be facilitating the conversations. This workshop/conversation is hosted by the Classis 1Life equipping and learning hub. Refreshments will be served. Registration will reserve your spot however drop-ins are welcome!  

 All of Life: We would like to invite your congregants to an important conversation at Hope Community Church (Surrey). Our upcoming ‘All of Life’ Evening event is an interview and audience Q&A with special guest UBC Law Professor, Dr Brian Bird. We will be discussing Euthanasia in Canada and the proposed Federal changes to Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD).  (This is an in-person event only.)  April 27, 2023 at Hope Community Church 18625 Fraser Highway Doors, Drinks and Delectable Delights at 7pm Event begins at 7:30. 

Langley Ukulele Spring Concert: On Saturday, May 6th the Langley Ukulele Association is presenting their Spring Concert here at Willoughby Church, concert starts at 7:00pm.  Come support Ryan Scott as he plays in the Ensemble!!  Tickets are $8.00 and they are available at the door or from Tracy or Ryan Scott.  

Community Meal Share Program: Are you tired of meal prep? Or have extras to give? The community meal share is a way for each of us to bless and be blessed by our community on a regular basis with culinary delights. On Sundays, and throughout the week, during office hours the church will be open for meals to be dropped off or taken home whenever is convenient for you. This is not charity, it's just community. Grab a meal for no other reason than you want to, or you're having a busy week. Bring a meal just because you had leftovers! Swap a meal if you're dropping off and another meal looks good! Labels to provide the date and any common allergens will be provided, and there will be a space in the freezer for the meals. 

Coffee Break:  A Bible Study for women along with Story Hour and nursery care for children, ages 0-5 meeting at Langley Immanuel Church has completed their study by Nancy Guthrie, “The Word of the Lord-Seeing Jesus in the Prophets”. We will continue meeting for the next three Tuesdays with some relaxed morning fellowship/studies and end on May 9, 2023, with our closing social. We invite everyone who attended this past season to join us, bring a friend and/or neighbour to any or all of these four sessions as we look forward to another Coffee Break season in the fall.   For more details please connect with Elsa at coffeebreak@licrc.ca or Rose at coffeebreak@willoughbychurch.com 

1Life Learning Hub Conference w/ Andrew Root - Join us Friday, May 12 through Sunday, May 14 for a 1Life Learning Hub Conference w/ Andrew Root, Will there be Faith? Following Christ in a secular age. Author & cultural critic Andrew Root (Luther Seminary) and jazz musician Mark Glanville (Regent College) will unpack Jesus’ big question at the first-ever 1Life Foundations conference at Fleetwood CRC in Surrey. For more info or to sign up, see crc1life.ca. Sign up for the whole conference or for single events.

CLAYBURN COLLECTIVE | SPRING ARTISAN MARKET Mark your calendars for Mother’s Day weekend as Living Hope CRC is hosting a Spring Artisan Market! Dates: Friday, May 12 | 5pm-9pm & Saturday, May 13 | 10am-2pm  Location: 34631 Old Clayburn Road, Abbotsford 

Student Fund Committee Classis BCSE: Students intending to go into ordained ministry in the Christian Reformed Church may apply for financial support after their undergraduate studies are completed and they qualify for entry at Calvin Seminary or a comparable institution recognized by Classis. Applicants need to receive an endorsement of their home church. Contact licrc.pvanhuizen@shaw.ca for an application form and funding criteria. (Deadline May 31, 2023) 

1Life April 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 April 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:

Jesus Came to Bring Joy: So many people in our culture live with deep regret and defeat rather than hope and contentment and joy.   Click here for the full article.

My Dad Can Still Pray: As my elderly Dad prayed, I began to recall the many times he had been faithful to pray, and his prayers had made a difference.   Click here for the full article.

Groundwork: Understand: Jesus on the Road - On the road to Emmaus, two of Jesus’ followers listened as their companion explained the Scriptures to them. As their understanding of Scripture grew, so did their faith. Join Groundwork as we study this story in Luke 24:13-35 and discuss how we too cultivate our faith yet today as we develop a greater understanding of God and his ways through Scripture. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.

Job Postings:

Love horses, camp ministry and want a change of scene? Camp Homewood located on 200 acres of stunning property on Quadra Island is looking for a year round Barn and Horse Manager. More details can be found here. 

Camp Homewood is also looking for a Red Seal Chef to join the team onsite, year round as a Food Service Manager. Besides the stunning location and  great staff we have a brand new dining room and state of the art professional kitchen! More details can be found here. 

Donation Opportunities:

Churches Loving Communities - NewGround is a program of Diaconal Ministries that empowers churches to be courageous and creative with ministry opportunities in their communities. (Perhaps you remember it as Operation Manna!) 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 7, 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!

Your Gift to Resonate Will Go Twice as Far - As we celebrate our Savior who is the Resurrection and the Life, let’s go out with joy in our hearts to join God’s mission! This Easter, you can help Christian Reformed church planters, missionaries, and campus ministers live out the good news by making a gift to Resonate while your gift will go twice as far! Find out how at www.resonateglobalmission.org/Double!

The Annual Banner Appeal is underway! - The 2023 appeal for The Banner, the CRC’s award-winning monthly magazine, has started. The Banner is delivered free in print and online, and this annual donation appeal makes it possible. To help keep this community conversation going please give online now at: TheBanner.org/Give

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

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