Online Bulletin
Offering for weeks 1 & 2 of January:
The first special offering for 2026 will be for a new mission ministry, the Reinders working with YWAM. Please read the message below from Jenna & Stephan on what they do and how your offerings will help their mission work.
Greetings Willoughby Church,
We are Stephan and Jenna (Rodermond) Reinders and we are missionaries with Youth with a Mission in The Netherlands. As a movement, YWAM carries the vision to know God and make Him known to the ends of the earth. The way we do this is through training, evangelism and mercy ministries. We are part of this movement that longs to see young people activated into missions and equipped to share the gospel in either their local surroundings or abroad on the mission field.
We believe that God has called us as a couple to carry out this vision through worship ministry. We long to create spaces for people where they can meet with the Lord and experience him in a more personal level. We do this on our missionary base through hosting worship services, by going on outreaches and by giving training to other worship leaders.
However, we can’t do this alone and as missionaries with YWAM, we rely solely off of financial gifts. We would like to invite you to partner with us in this vision. Whether it be through prayer or giving through financial gifts, we want to do this with you. Partner with us to see Gods kingdom established here on earth. If you would like to partner with us or know more please contact us at stephan.jenna.reinders@gmail.com or receive our newsletter at reindersonamission.substack.com
Many blessings, Jenna and Stephan
New Year's Potluck: We will be getting together as a church and community to kick off 2026!!! It's a New Year's potluck on Sunday, January 4th after the church service!! Bring your favourite "Appetizer" to share with your church family!! There is a sign up sheet below for what you plan on bringing! Dessert, coffee & juice will be provided by the Church. See you all there! Any questions, please reach out to Tamara at tamara@willoughbychurch.com
New Members: Lunch & Orientation - Sunday, January 11, 2026
Are you interested in know more about becoming a member of Willoughby Christian Reformed Church? Who We Are and What We Believe?
Please join us for a New Member Lunch & Orientation after the church service at noon on Sunday January 11th! We look forward to having you learn more about membership.
Sign up here!!! *Childcare will be provided by me!!
Teach-It Tuesday: The End of Western Civilization - Tuesday, January 13, 2026
In January we'll be welcoming Pastor Erik Delange from Cornerstone Christian Reformed Church in Chilliwack to talk to us about "The End of Western Civilization"!
Erik writes this:
"Western Civiliation is largely defined by 4 terms: Modern, Liberal, Capitalist, and Democracy. What has been happening in the past number of years is that these realities are shifting and changing or perhaps being undermined completely. We are in a Post-Modern, Post-Liberal, Post-Capitalist, and possibly even Post-Democracy society and that is understandably rattling, as it seems to shift the ground that we stand on.
"But as Christians our faith is not in the West, but in Jesus Christ, and modernity already sowed the seeds of it's own demise right from the Start. By looking back in time to the Gospels and thinkers like Plato, it is my hope we will be able to reclaim an enchanted view of the world that will help us to withstand even the toughest of storms in our Modern Western World."
Consider coming out to join us on Tuesday, January 13, for dinner and discussion on this important topic! Click the link here to sign up for the event.
Watoto Children' Choir: We're so excited to welcome all the way from Uganda, East Africa, the Watoto Children’s Choir, performing songs from their brand-new album, “Better Days—There Is Hope”. Come join us on January 18, 2026 at 10:00am for this vibrant celebration of God’s love.
Don’t miss out on this uniquely immersive worship experience through song, dance and video story-telling!
We are looking for Volunteers for the Day of the event, if you would like to help out, click here to register your name!
Thanks, The Staff at Willoughby Church
Host Families Needed: We will be hosting the Watoto Children's at Willoughby Christian Reformed Church on Sunday, January 18, 2025 at 10:00am. (Hosting the children will be for one night, Saturday, January 17th.)
A note from the Choir: Thank you for opening you home and hearts to Watoto. Your hospitality is greatly appreciated!
Hosting Needs:
- 10 homes and 2 hotel rooms (one for the choir team leader and one for the bus driver) for one night, Saturday, January 17th! The choir will be leaving after the service Sunday morning for another concert that evening!
Requested Housing Breakdown:
- 5 homes with 1 boy and one male chaperone each
- 1 home with 2 boys and one male chaperone
- 1 home with 1 girl and one female chaperone each
- 3 homes with 2 girls and one female chaperone each
If you are able to host the choir, please click the link here or contact Tamara at tamara@willoughbychurch.com!!
The January Series - The January Series at Calvin University returns on January 19, 2026. Join us in-person or online. Speaker lineup and registration (for online viewing) can be found at www.calvin.edu/january
Truth, Reconciliation, and Exchanging Hearts - Calvin Theological Seminary’s Truth, Reconciliation, & Exchanging Hearts course offers a focused look at Canada’s Indigenous history and practical guidance for ministry leaders pursuing reconciliation. Deadline to apply is January 30. Learn more: https://loom.ly/I4i8muI
Paul’s Missionary Journeys in Greece (April 3 - 13. 2026): Travel by motor coach (6 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.
Go Deeper in Faith Through a Trip with Resonate - Come on a journey with Resonate Global Mission—starting in Grand Rapids, Michigan, through Guatemala, and ending in Costa Rica as we visit stops along the route of people on the move. Together we will learn from their faith, hear their stories and connect them to our own, and learn to better love our neighbors as ourselves. The trip is April 17-28, 2026 with an application deadline of January 31, 2026. Learn more and let us know you're interested at www.resonateglobalmission.org/move
Journey With Us in 2026 - Planning your 2026 travel? Looking for a trip with a purpose? Journey with us to see the transformative work of World Renew, while experiencing God in another country and growing in your faith. Consider Guatemala, Tanzania, Cambodia, or Nicaragua! To learn more, please visit: https://worldrenew.ca/travel
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:
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - Epiphany (January 6) reminds us that Jesus was revealed to the Magi, who were considered outsiders and seekers. This week ask God to show you someone who might feel like an outsider or seeker. How can you reflect Christ’s light and love to them? Sometimes the simplest act—an invitation, a kind word, a prayer—can be a guiding light in a weary world. Brought to you by Thrive: crcna.org/Thrive
Groundwork: God's Covenants and Our Salvation - At times, we experience tension when trying to discern the relationship between God’s grace and our works in relation to our salvation. Join Groundwork as we study Genesis 12:1-3, Genesis 15:1-18, Genesis 17:1-11, Matthew 26:26-29, and Hebrews 8:6-13 to let God’s covenants provide a deeper understanding of how he works, his gift of grace, and what he expects from us as his people. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Job Opportunity:
Hiring! Disability Concerns Specialist - Canada - The Disability Concerns Specialist will foster relationships and communities that promote a sense of belonging and assist churches, agencies, institutions, and leadership within the CRCNA and the Reformed Church in America (RCA). The goal is for these parties' actions to align with the biblical call regarding people with disabilities. This position will work to break barriers of communication and attitude. This is a part-time position with an expectation to work 18 hours/week, and is available as hybrid (Burlington, Ont.) or remote (Canada). Apply at crcna.pinpointhq.com
The Banner: The December 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