Online Bulletin
The September Special Offering is for the Indigenous Ministry CRC which is made up of a national committee (Canadian Indigenous Ministry Committee), three Urban Indigenous Ministries, and a Senior Leader for Indigenous Justice, each using their strengths to support healing and reconciliation between Indigenous peoples and non-Indigenous people in Canada. It is rooted in a recognition of our Creator’s love for all creation and in the understanding that we all have gifts to offer one another.
Youth Group: It's that time of year again and the Youth Ministry is back!! Here is the upcoming schedule for September:
- Sept 8-10: Re:Activate at Immanuel CRC. If you aren't registered for the whole weekend you're encouraged to join the worship on Friday & Saturday evening!
- Sept 17: Welcome back! Bring your favourite snack to share with the group. Games and chat from 7-830pm.
- Sept 24: Youth Dinner from 5-7pm.
Thanks! The Youth Team - Amanda, Will & Joanna
Preteens: Preteens Youth Night is back! The new ministry year has begun and we are excited to have the children in grades 4-7 at Willoughby, meet at the Church every second Wednesday at 7:00pm. The group is lead by Brooklyn, with Jamie-Lynn & Josiah as other leaders. Their first event is on Saturday, September 23rd at the Aldergrove Waterpark! With the first official meeting on Wednesday, October 4th. If you are interested in joining or want to know more about the program please contact Brooklyn at willoughbygems@gmail.com.
Seniors: Come and join us on Thursday September 14th at 10 am for a Picnic here at Willoughby Church to kick off the new ministry year! Bring your lawn chair and enjoy a time of food, fellowship and community. Guests are always welcome!
Join Hearts Exchanged - Wondering how to personally move ahead on Indigenous reconciliation? Joining Hearts Exchanged might just be your next step. Hearts Exchanged, a project of the Christian Reformed Church, is designed for those who want to grow in understanding of and practices towards Indigenous people. Starting this fall, Liz Tolkamp is hosting an in-person Hearts Exchanged cohort just for Willoughby Church! We will meet once a month for 7 - 8 months with individual self-guided online learning between cohort meetings. If you are interested in joining this cohort, contact Liz at liztolkamp@gmail.com
Celebration for LIZ!: We will be getting together as a church and community to Celebrate Pastor Liz Tolkamp as she retires from Children's Ministry here at Willoughby Church, with a potluck lunch theme of "Ethnic/International dishes" on Sunday, September 17th after the church service. Bring your favourite International/Ethnic dish that you love to cook, enjoy or reminds you of your childhood!! Please join us for a lunch of different tastes from around the world. This will be a time for reflection and thanks, on all Liz has given to Willoughby and our church community over the past 20+ years!! See you all there!
Garden Sharing Table: If you have extra vegetables and fruit in your gardens, you are invited to bring them to our Garden Sharing Table located in the front hallway of the church. We will continue the sharing table through the summer months.
Re:Activate: Re:activate is a youth convention for the Reformed Churches in British Columbia, Canada and Washington, USA. TO UNITE AND INSPIRE REFORMED YOUTH TO LIVE OUT THE CALL THAT GOD HAS PLACED ON EACH OF THEM. Click Here to Read More & Register
Coffee Break: Coffee Break, a Bible Study for women of all ages and stages of life and Story Hour and nursery care for children, ages 0-5, is ready to begin a new season! We are inviting YOU to come to our fellowship, refreshments and Registration morning at Langley Immanuel Church (21713-50 Avenue, Langley) on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. Doors open at 9:15 a.m. We are beginning our study this season with a book, “Identity Theft: Reclaiming the Truth of Who We Are in Christ” Editor: Melissa Kruger “Who am I? It’s a question we all ask ourselves at some point. Depending on the season we focus our identity on our job performance, marital status, personality type, or social network, among other options. However, there’s a larger question to consider. Who does the Bible tell me I am in Christ? From the wisdom and perspective of insightful authors—including Jen Wilkin, Hannah Anderson, Trillia Newbell, and Jen Pollock Michel—we’ll seek to answer this question.” We look forward to meeting with YOU!
Dear Brothers & Sisters of Willoughby Church: You are making a difference! On behalf of the ministries of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, thank you for your gifts to ministry shares. Your support enables congregations to do so much more to further God's Kingdom than any one church could do alone. Our denomination could not impact the world through missions, media, and church development without your incredible and faithful support. Thank you! To discover more visit crcna.org/ministryshares.
EVERY BRILLIANT THING plays Sept 6-17 at Langley’s Bez Arts
Burnt Thicket Theatre's astonishing comedy about depression and cultivating joy is back! "You’re 7 years old. Mum’s in hospital. She finds it hard to be happy. You start making a list of everything worth living for. You leave it on her pillow. You know she’s read it because she’s corrected your spelling." 20 years and thousands of things later, the list takes on a life of its own, exploring the lengths we go to for those we love. Featuring Sarah Robertson, playing Sept 6-17 at Bez Arts Hub in Langley, tickets & details at www.bezartshub.com/events. "One of the funniest plays you’ll ever see.” —The Guardian.
Regent College: ALUMNI ELECTION RESULTS ARE IN: Congratulations to Jenna Fabiano (MDiv ’17) and Vincent Kong (DipCS ’05, MATS ’07). The two Regent alumni were recently elected and confirmed to the College's Board of Governors. "Jenna and Vincent bring important experience and valuable perspective to our shared work of pursuing the mission of Regent," says President Jeff Greenman. Read about Jenna and Vincent and the new election process that allows Regent degree-holders to recruit two new Board members every three years. Click here for the news story!
Regent College: BIBLE SATURDAY WITH RIKK WATTS • SEP 9 at 9:30 AM – 11:45 AM - While often appreciated, Ephesians tends to play "second fiddle" to Romans and Galatians. Many even question its authenticity. Join us for the first Bible Saturday of the Fall term to hear Professor Rikk Watts teach on "Ephesians: The Heart of Paul and God's Purpose for His People," and learn how it alone captures Paul's cosmic vision of what God intended through his Christ. Learn More
PUBLIC LECTURE & RESPONSE: Thursday, Sept 14 • 7–9 pm (PT) Regent College Chapel & Online - Fr John Behr, Houston Centre Fellow and Regius Professor of Humanity at the University of Aberdeen, has published the first English-language translation of Gregory of Nyssa’s classic text On the Human Image of God (De hominis opificio) since the 1800s. In this public lecture, Fr John will expound St Gregory’s anthropology and its ongoing relevance for the central question of what it means to be human. This event will take place at Regent College and will also be streamed live. Click here for full event details.
GLORIA DEI CHORALE, a Christian Community Mixed Voice Choir under the direction of Rob Workman, is excited to start singing again on Wednesday, September 13, 2023. We welcome new and former members to join the choir this fall. If you love to sing, you've come to the right place! Rehearsals are at 7:30 pm on Wednesday nights at New Westminster Christian Reformed Church: 8255 - 13th Ave, Burnaby. Contact Tina 604-588-6377 or Marilyn 604-290-5454 for more information. http://www.gloriadeichorale.com/
M2W2 - GALA DINNER AND SILENT AUCTION - October 2: Join us for our annual fundraiser! We’ll gather together, enjoy a delicious meal, bid on amazing silent auction items, and hear stories about how M2W2 walks with people as they overcome challenges related to incarceration. TICKETS ON SALE NOW! WWW.M2W2.COM/FUNDRAISER
1Life September 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 September 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:
Make Decisions About Truth Without Losing Grace: We need discernment and decision-making in the face of challenging issues; both need to be rooted deeply in faith. Click here to read the full article.
Being Missional Means Avoiding Insider Language: If I’m speaking to someone who has never read the Bible or been to church, would they understand what I’m saying? Click here to read the full article.
Groundwork: Stand Firm In The Reality Of Christ's Resurrection - As Paul responds to false teachings in Corinth, he is adamant that it is necessary to believe in the truth of Christ’s bodily resurrection. Join Groundwork as we study 1 Corinthians 15 to discover why this truth is crucial to the gospel message. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Job Postings:
Classis BCSE & BCNW Safe Church Team Ministry (SCT) supports the important ministry work done by the Christian Reformed churches in BC. The SCT is looking to fill the position of Abuse Prevention and Response Coordinator. This position would require on average approximately 20 hrs per week, with certain months having increased hours. The work includes providing abuse prevention and response education and requires travel to the Christian Reformed churches in BC. Applicants must be knowledgeable about the subject of abuse, have related work experience & education. Start date is flexible & training for the position will be provided. For more information/ job description, please email the SCT executive chairperson – Andrew Vanderleek - avdleek@gmail.com.
M2W2: Are you a CGA or CPA? Are you looking for part-time employment? M2W2 is seeking a part-time Financial Controller to oversee its financial record keeping and planning. If you are qualified and interested, please contact M2W2 Board Chair William Veenstra at 604-702-8564 or frogcrossing27@gmail.com
Based in Abbotsford, BC, M2W2 serves people affected by incarceration by providing opportunities for mentoring, work experience, and post-prison support. Visit m2w2.com to learn more
The Banner: The September 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