Online Bulletin
December Special Offering: The December special offering is for the World Renew - Gift Catalogue, 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 World Renew’s best-seller bundles( pg 16 in the gift catalog). One bundle, worth $4,290.00, contains 1 goat, 1 chicken, goats and quackers, the whole barnyard, a friendship pack, a family-sized water filter, the herd, 1 bicycle, 10 bars of soap, and “where needed most”. You are also invited to visit the Christmas Giving Tree in the church lobby and ‘buy’ an ornament(s). Each ornament is a unique gift that can make a difference for people in need around the world. Complete the information on the ornament card and mail it directly to World Renew. You can also browse or purchase the giving ornaments online with the World Renew Gift Catalogue.
Willoughby Council Update: As part of Willoughby's on-going pastoral and leadership responsibilities, we are grateful for new officebearers who were elected at our AGM this past Monday evening. They are: Al Vandenberg - governing elder, Joanna DeVries with a renewal of term as governing elder, Mabel Roukema as pastoral elder and Mark Yang as a deacon, along with Jackie Hofstede for a one year renewable term as deacon.
Youth: Join us on Sunday's at 6:00pm for an evening of devotion and fun!!! Youth is for children in grades 8-12 and they meet every Sunday evening here at Willoughby. We welcome our new Youth Leaders, Brooklyn & Joshua, for this ministry year!! If you are interested in joining or want to know more about the program please contact Brooklyn at youth@willoughbychurch.com. Thanks!!
Toy Drive: We would like to start off the Christmas season this year by having a toy drive for the Langley Christmas Bureau. This organization helps over 2,000 children in the Langley area receive a gift for Christmas. If you would like to give to this toy drive, please bring an unwrapped new toy or gift card on Sunday, December 7. The Bureau is looking for gifts for school age students, ages 5 through 16. Due to potential allergies, please do not buy stuffed animals. And please consider giving a gift card for those in their teenage years, as this is an area of need. Please bring your gift on Sunday December 7 and place it under the designated tree in the foyer.
Teach-It Tuesday: For our December Teach-It Tuesday, we're welcoming Pastor Steve Berkenpas from Living Hope CRC in Abbotsford. Steve has done extensive work on the topic of Dementia and will be walking us through:
1) The realities of dementia: What is it outside of a label? How does one experience dementia?
2) Scientific background for understanding dementia: What is the actual impact on the brain?
3) The implications for how we care: What is the missional and prophetic call in caring for those with dementia?
Join us on Tuesday, December 9. Dessert will start at 6:30pm, and Steve will start speaking at 7:00pm.
Women's Connect Christmas Event: Join us for a joyful morning as we celebrate the Christmas season together! Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025 Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm. We will be making a beautiful Christmas Greenery Swag, sipping on hot beverages, enjoying delicious treats, and most importantly, connecting with one another in the spirit of the season. Bring your friends and your family. Also, bring your pruners or wire cutters for the activity. There is no cost to attend. Sign up starts on Sunday, November 16 until Sunday, December 7. For event questions, contact: Evelyn Groeneveld (evelynhg@telus.net) or Kim Purdy (kim.purdy@outlook.com). We cannot wait to spend this special time with you! Women's Connect Team
Potluck Sunday: We will be getting together as a church and community for a Christmas potluck lunch, on Sunday, December 14th after the church service!! On the menu is Soup & Buns or Christmas Baking!!! Bring a pot of soup, some buns or Christmas baking to share with your church family!! Click here to sign up for what you plan on bringing! Coffee & juice will be provided by the Church. See you all there! Any questions, please reach out to Tamara at tamara@willoughbychurch.com
You are all invited to attend the Community Christmas Craft & Bake Fair happening at Langley Immanuel Christian Reformed Church (21713-50th Avenue, Langley) on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Bring your friends and family to stop by between 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. We have over 45 vendors coming and we would love to see you there!
Christmas Concert: Please join us for a Christmas choral celebration of the birth of our Savior. The Gloria Dei Chorale, under the direction of Cathrie Yuen, is pleased to present their Christmas Worship service, featuring choral selections, readings, and congregational songs, on Saturday, December 13 at 3:00 pm in the Oasis at Elim Village, 9025 160 Street, Surrey, BC and on Sunday, December 14 at 7:00 pm at the New Westminster Christian Reformed Church, 8255 – 13th Ave, Burnaby, BC. Contact Tina 604-588-6377 or Elaine at 604-271-0283 for more information. A free-will offering will be received.
Christmas Gifts is coming to town on December 12 & 13, 2025. Songs Strings & Steps Events presents this must-see Christmas concert which is bursting with festive cheer featuring a full symphony orchestra directed by Calvin Dyck, incredible vocalists, dazzling dancers, gifts, and a sleigh-full of surprises. It is a joyful celebration that brings the whole community together–and you would not want to miss a moment!
Location: Central Heights Church, Abbotsford
Friday Dec 12th 7pm concert
Saturday Dec 13th 2pm and 7pm concerts
Looking for the perfect gift?
Why not check off your Christmas list early with tickets to "Christmas Gifts"?
Tickets are going fast – grab yours today! www.calvindyck.com/concerts
Christmas Pipe Organ Concert with Audience Singing with organist, Frank Ezinga, (Langley)
World Renew Nicaragua Young Adults Trip - Young adults (18–30), join us in Nicaragua from February 13-22, 2026! Experience God in another culture, while you explore poverty, international development and the global church through the lens of faith. Discover the impact of World Renew's work, witnessing how Nicaraguans are transforming their lives through faith and resilience. To learn more about this trip and to register, visit: https://bit.ly/nicaragua2026info
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, discipline & 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!
CRC NEWS:
Global Mission: Disciples Making Disciples At a Multiply Conference in November, 187 CRC members shared their passion for mission and church planting.
The Network: 2026 Call to Prayer and Fasting Join our denomination in praying for the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
The Banner: A Prayer for Enough Recognizing that God provided those moments for me helped inspire a new prayer for my last days at college.
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - Advent is a season of waiting for Jesus. This week bring awareness to moments in your daily life when you are waiting. Instead of pulling out your phone or passing time with another distraction, use that time to connect with God in prayer. For example, if you’re in a doctor’s office waiting room, try praying with your eyes open, talking to God about the people who work there and those who come for care. If you have children, invite them to point out things you can pray for as you are waiting and then pray for them together. Whether you are in the school pick-up line, sitting in traffic, or waiting for vegetables to roast, embrace the opportunity to spend time with God. Brought to you by Thrive: crcna.org/Thrive
Groundwork: Preparing for the Light of the World - Jesus Christ is the ultimate light of the world. During Advent, we celebrate his birth and anticipate his second coming. Join Groundwork as we study Isaiah 40:1-5, Matthew 3:1-3, John 1:1-14, and Matthew 25:35-40 to learn what it means to live in the light of Christ with expectation and to explore what it means to prepare our souls for the hope and illumination that Jesus brings. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Job Opportunity:
Hiring! Temporary Communications Specialist - Resonate Global Mission is seeking a temporary content writer & editor to support our storytelling and donor communications during a 3-month parental leave. This role is ideal for a creative, detail-oriented communicator with strong writing skills and a passion for global mission. This is a part-time, hybrid or remote position based in Burlington, Ont.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; or elsewhere in North America. Learn more and apply before December 8, 2025 at crcna.pinpointhq.com
The Banner: The November 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