Online Bulletin
November Special Offering: World Renew - World Hunger: Due to conflict, climate change, and current economic crises, as many as 828 million people do not know where their next meal will come from. While the scale of the current global hunger crisis feels enormous, your gifts will help hungry families to plant, grow, and harvest enough food. Help World Renew change the story of hunger for good.
When you give to end world hunger, you are giving families around the world access to essential tools and in-depth training in sustainable, climate-adaptive farming. With your gift, you not only provide families with nourishment—but also with the opportunity to educate their children, start new businesses, and save for the future. With enough food, families can thrive.
Together let our hunger for good inspire action. And today, let the action start with you. You are invited to donate to this worthy cause via the offering or click here to give through the Tithley website. (World Renew - World Hunger)
Guatemala Missions 2024: Once again, we hope to have a team of 14 heading down to Guatemala to be involved with house building, wheelchair distribution, and visiting homes to get to know the people. It is a busy week of seeing the great things God is doing in this country! If you are interested in being involved with this team and for more information about costs, please email Al Vandenberg at al@scouttg.com. Dates are March 2 – 9, 2024.
Youth Group: Here is the schedule for November & December:
- Nov 12: No Youth - Remembrance Day Weekend
- Nov 19: Youth Dinner 5 to 7pm at Willoughby
- Nov 26: Ice Skating! Meet at George Preston Arena at 4:15pm (pre-registration required)
- Dec 3: Study with Will & Joanna 7 to 83pm at Willoughby
- Dec 10: Cookie Decorating with Young Adults 3 to 5pm (@ Ravensbergen's 20945 50a Ave)
- Dec 17: Christmas Party at the Scott's 6 to 830pm. (5028 200B st) Please let your leaders know what appy you can bring! Also bring a wrapped $15 gift for a gift exchange.
Thanks! The Youth Team - Amanda, Will & Joanna
Peter Fish: Help fill our Peter Fish with coins! The Sonlife kids are hosting a "Cookies for Kids" to support World Renew on Sunday, November 26, following the worship service. Bring your loose coins and trade them for delicious cookies brought by the children. All proceeds will go to the World Renew campaign to fight world hunger. Blessings, Sonlife Children!
Congregational Meeting: There will be a Semi - Annual Congregational Meeting on Monday, November 27 at 7:00 pm to review the upcoming years (2024) budget. This is an in person meeting only, and a package will be available in your mailbox for review prior to the meeting. If there are any further questions for council, they can be sent to council@willoughbychurch.com.
URGENT NEED: Covenant Kids Christian Daycare (CKCD) is in urgent need of a staff member who is also able to drive the (24-passenger) bus before and after school. We are looking for someone with an Early Childhood Educator (ECE) certificate who also has a Class 4 Driver's License. If you know of anyone who may be interested in this position, you are encouraged to pass this information on. Joni Garratt, the CKCD Director, can be contacted at 604-530-5619 or at joni@willoughbychurch.com. Anyone with a Class 4 Driver's License who doesn't have an ECE Certificate and is interested in a part-time small bus driving position, is also encouraged to apply.
Thank You: Willie and the Vanderhoek family extend a thank you to all who attended and helped at Ted's funeral. They are very grateful for all the beautiful cards, flowers and support received by the Willoughby Church Family & Langley Community.
Women's Bible Study: Women's Bible Study meets weekly on Friday's, from 2-3 pm in the Fireside Room. This week we will study Ephesians 3:1-13. All are welcome!
Guess Who's Coming to Lunch: Sunday, November 19 following the worship service. To sign up, you can pick up a card in the foyer after the services on November 5 & 12. Guests bring the dessert and Hosts prepare the lunch. Please fill it out and hand it to Rose or Tamara by November 12. You will receive an email before November 19, 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!!
Blood Donor Clinic: This month we will be hosting a Blood Donor Clinic on Tuesday, November 21 starting at 1pm. If you are able, please join in saving lives together by donating blood. Appointments are necessary and can be booked at blood.ca.
"Coffee Break-Story Hour" will be completing their study of "Identity Theft" on December 5, 2023. Then on December 12, 2023 we will close with a Christmas Coffee Break Brunch as we take a break for the Christmas season. We will resume on January 9, 2024 and invite women of all ages to come! Story Hour and nursery available for your preschoolers. Please mark your calendars! Interested? Please email Elsa at CoffeeBreak@licrc.ca
The Gloria Dei Chorale, under the direction of Rob Workman, is pleased to present “CELEBRATE the MUSIC of LIFE” on Saturday, November 25 at 7:00 pm at New Westminster Christian Reformed Church, 8255 – 13th Ave, Burnaby, BC. We welcome special guest musician, cellist Ben Goheen, to the concert. Tickets: $25, 11 and Under: Free, available from members, at the door and on Eventbrite.ca. Contact Tina at 604-588-6377 or Elaine at 604-271-0283 for more information.
HEALTHCARE & THE CHRISTIAN LIFE: FREE WEBINAR AND Q&A Thursday, November 23, 2023
11 am – 12 pm. What features define human life? How do individuals and communities understand and withstand suffering and pain? What is good about dying? In our time, these essential human questions are often viewed primarily as bioethics issues. In reality, these are not exclusively medical or bioethical inquiries. Rather, they are questions that all human individuals and societies ultimately wrestle with. Dr. Quentin Genuis is an Emergency Physician at St. Paul's Hospital and a Physician Ethicist for Providence Health Care. Join us on Zoom for a one-hour webinar as Quentin introduces these topics and previews his upcoming course, Healthcare & the Christian Life.
AN EVENING WITH THE HONOURABLE PRESTON MANNING: CANADA'S POLITICAL FUTURE
AND HUMAN FLOURISHING - Thursday, November 30 • 7–9 pm UBC Sage Bistro Lecture Hall | 6331 Crescent Rd : You are invited to attend a public lecture by the Honourable Preston Manning, author, founder of the Reform Party of Canada and the Canadian Reform Conservative Alliance, and former member of Canadian Parliament. With an eye toward Canada's political future, Mr. Manning will discuss the different understandings of human flourishing found in secular politics and in Christianity, obstacles to the effort to bring political life and government fruitfully to bear on human flourishing, and alternative approaches to overcoming some of these obstacles. Two respondents, Fr Dcn Andrew Bennett (Program Director, Faith Communities, Cardus) and Leanne J Smythe (Assistant Professor of Political Studies, Trinity Western University), will offer remarks on Mr. Manning's lecture.
Concert Event: Songs Strings & Steps presents “The Celtic Tenors” from Ireland performing at Central Heights Church (Abbotsford) on Sunday December 3rd at 3:00 pm. More information/ticket links can be found at www.calvindyck.com/concerts.
With the Fall season comes preparations for Christmas at Sea. This year the Ministry to Seafarers will again be delivering Christmas gifts for seafarers. Your donations for this project can be made by cheque payable to Ministry to Seafarers, and mailed to 401 E Waterfront Rd, Vancouver, BC V6A 4G9. You can also make donations online via our website, ministrytoseafarers.com. Please designate gifts for "Christmas at Sea." Thank You! For more information or to view our Fall Newsletter, please click here!
Annual General Meeting - The Annual General Meeting of Diaconal Ministries Canada is open to ALL who are interested in diaconal work in Canada. This year's AGM will be held via ZOOM on Thursday, November 23, 2023, at 8:00pm EST (5pm PST, 6pm MST, 7pm CST, 9pm AST, 9:30pm NST). We'll review the mission and mandate of Diaconal Ministries and share about how we work with deacons and churches across Canada to impact communities with Christ's love. A time for questions and open discussion is also included. Visit our website to view all meeting materials and to register! https://diaconalministries.com/agm/
All Saints Community Church: Their Christian family is on a mission to save the last existing church in Cresent Beach, Surrey. Christians have been worshipping there since 1946. The building needs repairs, so if you are interested in helping out this community. Please visit www.allsaintswhiterock.com for more details.
Paul’s Missionary Journeys in Greece (May 31 - June 11, 2024): Travel by motor coach (7 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.
1Life November Newsletter: 1Life exists to curate a curriculum of resources that equips individuals and congregations to become increasingly whole-hearted, vibrant communities of Christian worship, discipline & mission. Click here for the November 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:
Mercy & Justice: Working Together to Share Hope - Jamie McIntosh recently visited the south of Madagascar with Cheryl Weber, host of 100 Huntley Street. Click here to read the full article.
Global Mission: Learning a Life of Mission - How does faith shape your life and work? That’s a question Avigail Venema explored at Urban Lab, a program of Mission Montréal. Click here to read the full article.
Groundwork: Transformed Living - The apostle Paul continued to unpack the new realities of their life in Jesus Christ for the Roman Christians; he challenged them to live transformed lives. Join our Groundwork conversation as we study Romans 12-13 to learn how to we too should live in light of the Gospel and what it means to renew our minds and be living sacrifices for God. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - We often associate generosity with financial giving, but we can also cultivate a generous spirit in our relationships. Ponder how you might practice this in daily life, perhaps by focusing on refraining from mental criticism, attributing the best motives to people’s actions, being “present” and attentive when spending time with others (especially children), or doing acts of random kindness. Learn more at crcna.org/FaithPracticesProject
Job Postings:
Job Opening: Abuse Prevention and Response Coordinator: Classis BCSE & BCNW Safe Church Team Ministry (SCT) supports the important ministry work done by the Christian Reformed churches in BC. The SCT is in the process of succession planning and is looking for someone to succeed our current Abuse Prevention and Response Coordinator who is looking ahead to retirement. 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 and have related work experience & education. The start date is flexible & training for the position will be provided. For more information/ job description, please see this job posting, and email the SCT executive chairperson – Andrew Van der Leek - avdleek@gmail.com.
Position Opening: Administrative Coordinator (Thrive) - The successful candidate for this position will provide administrative coordination for Thrive as it supports congregations and local ministry leaders. Tasks will include event logistics in collaboration with Thrive staff; fostering communications and relationships with church leaders and members; preparing presentations, reports, invoices, cheque requests, and expense reports; and other administrative support to Thrive staff. This position offers a flexible work schedule, attractive benefits package, including Group RRSP program and generous paid time off policies. The successful applicant will be able to work either at our Burlington office, hybrid, or remotely in Canada.
CRCNA Position Opening - The Christian Reformed Church in North America is looking for a part-time (10-15 hrs/wk) Sales Representative for The Banner. The Banner Sales Representative is responsible for meeting Banner advertising sales objectives by maintaining excellent relationships with our existing advertisers, developing new accounts, and managing the workflow of display ads. This position is hybrid (Grand Rapids, MI, or Burlington, ON, area) or remote anywhere else in the US or Canada. Visit www.crcna.org/jobs for details or to apply.
The Banner: The October 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 donating. 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