Online Bulletin
Offering for weeks 3 & 4 of August: The special offering for weeks 3 & 4 is for a new charity for the church, Raphael House. Their Mission is to support families by providing them with groceries, life skills, and resources in community. They are a local Langley centre where families experiencing hardship are supported through everyday necessities and are empowered into other support areas.
Raphael House began during COVID when school food services were discontinued and many families found themselves with no access to food and no alternatives. Today through a collaborative partnership with local churches, the Langley School district and community agencies, Raphael House supports 400 families in the district with fresh food and groceries, English, cooking and art classes, friendship, and advice, and connecting families to each other. Over 60 countries are represented by families who access the services provided by Raphael House and is supported by 100 volunteers. Please give generously.
Youth/Preteens Summer Outings:
- Join us on the Church front lawn on Thursday, August 28th at 5pm. We'll be getting together to have our first annual epic water fight and enjoy hotdogs for dinner!!!
Potluck Lunch: We will be getting together as a church and community for another potluck lunch this summer, on Sunday, August 24th after the church service!! Bring your favourite "Appetizer" to share with your church family!! Dessert, coffee & juice will be provided by the Church. See you all there!
Women’s Connect – Save the Date!
Date: Saturday , September 13
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Event: Fun Social + Sign-Making Class!
Join us for a time of creativity, connection, and fun! We’ll enjoy fellowship while making beautiful signs together.
Cost: $15 per person (cash or etransfer only)
Due to limited space, payment is required to reserve your spot.
Sign-up begins Sunday, August 17
Look for the sign-up sheet in the lobby!
Blood Donor Clinic: For the month of August we will be hosting two more Blood Donor Clinics, one on Thursday, August 21 & one on Tuesday, August 26th both 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.
World Renew: Chidi Nwen, World Renew Church Relations Advisor, is hosting an informal Coffee and Conversation event in Langley (location TBD) on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 6, between 2:00–5:00 p.m. This will be a great opportunity to hear stories of impact, learn about World Renew's current initiatives, and share your thoughts and feedback. Contact Liz Tolkamp if you are interested.
1Life Learning Cohorts: Needing a time of re-visioning on essentials of the Christian faith? Consider joining 1Life’s Theology Conversation Cohort, in-person, second Thursday of the month @ 6:30 p.m. w/ Pastor Wilma van der Leek. Wondering how to do more than just help your neighbours? Consider joining the Flourishing Together cohort on-line with Rachel Vroege, Diaconal Ministries. See 1Life newsletter for more info or sign up here.
Former members/congregants of Ladner CRC: It is with great thankfulness to God that Ladner Christian Reformed Church celebrates her 75th anniversary at Ladner CRC on October 18, 2025. Please join us for light refreshments and a ‘walk’ through each 25-year period from 1950-2025 (2-3pm), a celebratory program (3-4 pm) and coffee/tea and cake (4-5 pm). This event is for high-school aged guests and older, please. RSVP to the church office by September 30, with number of guests attending: email office@ladnercrc.com or call (604) 946-7033. All are welcome to a service of praise and thanksgiving on Sunday, October 19 at 10:00 am.
BCSE Youth and Children's Task Force: Greetings Congregations, The stories we’ve heard often repeat themselves. A young woman ages out of the youth group she’s been connected with for years and feels like she’s been marooned. A high school graduate relocates to a different town for college and struggles to feel a sense of belonging at her new church. A young man with a heart for ministry longs for a meaningful relationship with his older community but struggles to feel acknowledged on Sunday mornings. Older generations struggle to welcome younger parishioners into their churches. It’s not difficult to understand why. There are cultural differences. Communication can be challenging. But ultimately, it’s because most churches aren’t equipped to build bridges across the pews.
Generation Spark was born out of this need. We want to help churches that are struggling to break this cycle. We offer hands-on coaching, practical strategies, and extensive support to help all generations form meaningful relationships that ultimately result in sustained, lifelong faith. We’d love to see the grace of Jesus grow in your community as you learn to cross generational boundaries in the spirit of care and discipleship.
We believe that all generations of leaders can learn from, support, and grow in faith together. We also believe that giving our young people a place to lay their heads isn’t just “planning for the future.” It’s an expression of the very gospel we live by.
And Generation Spark is here to help you live into this reality. We invite you to learn more through an upcoming informational webinar. At the webinar, you will learn more about how Generation Spark works and what it might look like for your church to join a cohort. (Each webinar will have the same content.)
- August 21, 4:30-5:30 p.m. PST
- September 11, 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. PST
Can’t make it to any of the webinar calls? Don’t worry! The webinars will be recorded and available after the event. NOTE: Even if you are unable to attend the event, please register for one of the webinars if you wish to receive the recording.
Kevin Lobert – on behalf of the Generation Spark Leadership Team.
Worship Conference: You’re invited to a special, one-day worship conference at Langley Immanuel Christian Reformed Church! Join together with other worship leaders, volunteers, and worshipers for a special day of praise and learning shaped around the theme of bringing our entire selves into the presence of God. Sometimes we have heard the message that we must leave our cares and struggles, hardships and challenges, trials and doubts at the door when we enter worship - but what happens when we bring the whole of who we are into the presence of all of who God is? God calls all our inmost being to praise his holy name (Psalm 103:1). Part of that includes shining the light of worship on our fears, sorrows, and tears—along with our hopes, joys, and gratitude. For more information and to register click “Learn More”.
Garden Sharing Table 2025: If your vegetable or flower garden is producing more than you can use, why not share the abundance? Starting this Sunday, you're invited to bring your extras to our Garden Sharing Table, located in the church’s front lobby. Whether you have a handful of herbs or a bumper crop of rhubarb, all contributions are welcome. Let’s bless others with the bounty and enjoy the gifts of the season together. The table will be available every Sunday throughout the summer. Happy harvesting—and happy sharing!
Calvin University 150th Anniversary Events - Calvin University is celebrating its 150th anniversary and you're invited to join us in marking the occasion all year long! Check the calvin.edu/150 website for details on many events going on at Calvin throughout the anniversary year. Some ways we're celebrating include Celebration Weeks on campus, Calvin On-the-Road events to 30 cities, an Anniversary Worship Celebration in March 2026, and a 150th Anniversary Hymn Text Contest.
Support The Banner Magazine - The Banner’s annual fundraising campaign continues! More than just an award-winning magazine, The Banner is a journalistic ministry dedicated to informing, inspiring, and connecting our CRC community. Available to you in both print and online, this vital resource is made possible by the generous support of individuals like you. Help meet the ambitious $500,000 goal for the 2025 campaign by giving today! thebanner.org/donate
1Life August 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 August 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:
Diversity & Unity: Global Team Seeks Input The Global Vision Implementation Team initiated by Synod 2024 would like your input.
Global Mission: Faith and Farming Resonate Global Mission trains Ugandan farmers to connect faith and work as they care for their land and produce more crops.
The Network: Prayer For Immigrant Churches Churches and individuals are invited to join a virtual prayer time on Sept. 10.
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - In his book Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson writes, “The true measure of our character is how we treat the poor, the disfavored, the accused, the incarcerated, and the condemned. We are all implicated when we allow other people to be mistreated.” These words speak directly to the heart of Micah 6:8. As you go through this week, focus on aligning your actions with those of the one who seeks justice in all spaces. Note down your observations at the end of the week, and consider what your daily practice can become moving forward. Brought to you by Thrive: crcna.org/Thrive
The Banner: The July/August 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