Online Bulletin
Offering for weeks 1 & 2 of March:
Canadian Foodgrains Bank is rooted in the belief that humankind is created in the image of God and that it is God’s desire that no person should go hungry. It is estimated that up to 720 million people are facing hunger worldwide and do not enjoy “food security,” meaning they do not have regular access to enough nutritious food to live healthy and active lives.
Over 30 years ago, World Renew was one of five founding members of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Today, this organization is comprised of 15 member organizations who are all committed to providing a Christian response to global hunger. World Renew responds to the food needs of families around the world who have been impacted by conflict, disaster, and food insecurity. Together, World Renew and the Foodgrains Bank assist communities with today's recovery, while laying the groundwork for tomorrow's security through vital agriculture and nutrition programs.
Through the Government of Canada’s support, the Foodgrains Bank can leverage donations from individuals, churches, and businesses up to a ratio of 4:1 for food assistance in the developing world—up to $25 million each year!
Funeral Services:
- Anke Ravensbergen - formerly of New West CRC and Oma to Pieter-Jan and Julianna, Jamie-Lynn and William and Jilise Ravensbergen - passed away on March 7, 2026 in Chilliwack. Her funeral service will be held March 16, 2026 at 11 am at Willoughby Church, 20525 72nd Avenue, Langley. Viewing will be available before the service at 9:30 am at the church. Anke's Obituary.
- The service for Johanna de Blieck will be held on Wedensday, March 18th at 2:00pm, here at Willoughby Church.
- The service for Al Vandermey will be held on Friday, March 20th at 2:00pm, here at Willoughby Church.
Potluck Lunch: We will be getting together as a church and community for a potluck lunch, on Sunday, March 15th after the church service!! Our theme this month is Around the World, so pack your taste buds!!! Bring a dish inspired by a different country or culture creating a global feast right here in our church community! Dessert, coffee & juice will be provided by the Church. See you all there! Any questions, please reach out to Tamara at tamara@willoughbychurch.com
Seniors: We will be meeting on Thursday, March 19th at 10am. Come join us for fellowship, refreshments and some shared activities. The focus will be on Lent / Easter with a special program. We hope to see many of you there and as always anyone is welcome to join!!
Blood Donor Clinic: For the month of March we will be hosting another Blood Donor Clinic on Saturday, March 28th at 10am. If you are able, please join in saving lives together by donating blood. Appointments are necessary and can be booked at blood.ca.
Mercy Canada - Discipleship Study: Keys to Freedom is an eight-week discipleship study designed to help individuals recognize God’s voice, heal from life’s hurts, and discover their identity and freedom in Christ. We are offering this study here at Willoughby starting on April 15 at 7pm. Across eight weeks, with five 20-minute daily readings each week, this devotional-style self-study will educate, equip, and empower your relationship with God as you explore: Hearing God’s Voice; Committing and Connecting to Christ; Renewing Your Mind; Healing Life’s Hurts; Choosing to Forgive; Breaking Generational Patterns; Using Your Authority in Christ; & Maintaining Lifelong Freedom.
Using biblical teaching, practical application, and reflective questions, every participant will gain the opportunity to draw closer to God and discover greater freedom in their life.
If you are interested in this study, a sign up sheet is available in the lobby after the service!!
Songs of Faith: As we sing, so we believe: A seminar on Christian formation through hymnody with Dr Bruce Hindmarsh (Regent College).
You are warmly invited to a morning of rich reflection on our shared history of congregational music and what it can teach us today. Hymn writers throughout history, from Ambrose of Milan to John Newton to the Gettys, have grappled with the issues of their day and responded with a Christological focus that continues to form us as followers of Jesus Christ. This seminar will take place at Trinity Western University (Block Hall) from 9:30am-12pm, on Tuesday, March 17. We've scheduled it in the morning so that local pastors, ministry leaders, and music/worship directors may attend. However, it is open to anyone who'd like to attend. This seminar is free to all. Registration is required. Those currently serving in church ministry are heartily encouraged to attend. A question-and-answer period will be held at the end of each seminar. Coffee/tea and a light brunch buffet will be included.
Swallowfield Farm is pleased to be hosting Little Dipper Theatre's next production, Tempting Providence by Robert Chafe March 12-29: Based on a true story, this Canadian gem has wowed audiences around the world with its poetry, emotion and celebration of community and resilience. The Great War is over, but Myra Bennett will not slow down. She has left England on a temporary assignment as the lone nurse to nearly 500km of rural coastline in Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula. Determined to leave her mark, Myra must brave the culture shock and decide whether she will allow the feisty locals to leave their mark on her as well. Soon, matters of the heart mix with matters of business, and her temporary contract threatens to become anything but! Visit www.littledippertheatre.com for more details and use promo code SFB10 for 10% off your ticket!
You are invited to Dawn of Living Hope, a Palm Sunday Worship Service presented by the GLORIA DEI CHORALE, under the direction of Cathrie Yuen. Featuring choral selections, readings, special music and congregational songs, the Worship Services will be held on Saturday, March 28 at 3:00 pm in the Oasis Room at Elim Village, 9025 160 Street, Surrey, BC, and on Sunday, March 29 at 7:00 pm at the New Westminster CRC, 8255 13th Ave, Burnaby, BC. A free-will offering will be received. Contact Tina 604-588-6377 or Elaine at 604-271-0283 for more information.
Laing Lectures 2026: On March 23 and 24, join us in the Regent College Chapel or online for the 2026 Laing Lectures. Dr. Meghan Sullivan, Wilsey Family College Professor of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame, will speak on the subject of artificial intelligence and ethics. Come explore faith, ethics, and the technological trajectories shaping our world. Click Here to Learn More
Gallery 7 Theatre proudly presents Anastasia, An Epic Story of Self-Discovery. Book by Terrence McNally | Music by Stephen Flaherty | Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. Inspired by the Twentieth Century Fox Motion Pictures by special arrangement with Buena Vista Theatrical. From the play by Marcelle Maurette as adapted by Guy Bolton. As the Russian empire crumbles, young Anya sets out an epic adventure to unravel the secrets of her past. Featuring soaring ballads, dramatic tension, and inspiring hope, this beloved musical celebrates home, love, family and the historical roots that form the foundation of who we are. Running March 13 & 14, 18 – 21, 25 – 28, 2026 @ 7:30 PM with Matinees on March 14, 21, 22, 28 & 29, 2026 @ 2:00 PM at the Abbotsford Arts Centre, 2329 Crescent Way, Abbotsford. Tickets and info: www.gallery7theatre.com or call 604-504-5940. Group rates available!
Easter Pipe Organ Concert with audience singing: Join us for a concert with organist, Aart Bijkerk with seasonal sacred music by Bach, Bossi, Van Vliet & Vierne on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 2:30pm at Maranatha Canadian Reformed Church, 12300 - 92 Ave, Surrey, B.C. Admission is by donation and there will be refreshments served after the concert. For more information contact: maranathaorgan@gmail.com.
Handel's Messiah: A Sacred Oratorio: Join the Trinity Western University and St John's Vancouver Choirs with the West Coast Chamber Orchestra, co-conducted by Calvin Dyck and Ben Ewert, for performances of this incredible work on April 11 at 2:00pm at Central Heights Church, Abbotsford and April 12 at 3:30pm at the Chandos Pattison Auditorium, Surrey. Tickets are available on Eventbrite for Abbotsford, April 11 (click here) and Surrey, April 12 (click here).
The Canadian National Gathering of Christian Reformed churches will take place May 28–31, 2026 at Redeemer University in Ancaster, Ontario, under the theme “Foundation to Future.” Participants from across Canada will gather to reflect on the shared history of the CRC in Canada and engage in six key ministry areas shaping the future of our churches. Churches are invited to nominate members to participate – anyone CRC member is welcome to be nominated to attend. Their trip and travel will be compensated. To nominate someone, please click this link. If you have any questions, please reach out to Kevin Lobert at kevin@licrc.ca.
Seafarers Ministry: The Spring Edition of Get on Board is now available, see the updates from Rev. Gary Roosma. Click here to read the online edition, there is also paper copies available in the church lobby!
Training & Support for Churches - Diaconal Ministries Canada equips and trains deacons and churches across Canada in the areas of justice, benevolence, and stewardship, and helps them join in God's restorative work in their local neighbourhoods and beyond. We offer workshops, trainings, and personalized coaching. Visit our website for more information: https://diaconalministries.com/
1Life March 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 March 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:
Disaster Response: World Renew Responds in Lebanon Conflict across the Middle East has increased humanitarian needs in Lebanon.
NETWORK: Ten Years from Now A letter to an older congregation as they welcome a younger pastor.
BANNER: Dog Outreach Ginny, our dog, is the best tool in my evangelism toolkit.
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - The New Testament Gospels all include the account of a woman who interrupts a dinner party and pours out a precious perfume to anoint Jesus (Matt. 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; Luke 7:36-50; John 12:1-8). The disciples are offended at the intrusion. Jesus calls it a fitting tribute to his love, and a preparation for the way he will lay down his life. This week be mindful of incidents that interrupt your plans, or of individuals who intrude on your time and space. See each one as a divinely orchestrated opportunity to reorient your attention to the Savior who poured out his life for you. Brought to you by Thrive: crcna.org/Thrive
Groundwork: Carrying Jesus' Cross on the Road to Golgotha - When we reach stations seven and eight of the Stations of the Cross, we reflect on the movement of Jesus and the cross toward Golgotha. Join Groundwork as we study John 19:6-17, Matthew 27:19-31, and Mark 15:21 to consider the symbolism of the cross beam placed on Jesus, the significance of Simon of Cyrene carrying Jesus’ cross, and what it means to bear the cross with Jesus in our lives. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Job Postings:
New Life Church is seeking a welcoming, organized, and adaptable Office Administrator to support the daily life of our church. This role plays a key behind-the-scenes part in helping our staff, volunteers, and congregation stay connected, informed, and supported. The Office Administrator serves as a central point of coordination for office operations, scheduling, ministry support and communication, helping ensure that ministry flows smoothly and people feel cared for. This is a temporary, full‑time (35 hours/week), paid position intended to cover a maternity leave. The anticipated term is from May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027. Specific start and end dates will be confirmed with the successful candidate. To learn more, see the full job description and apply, please visit newlifecrc.ca/employment.
Hiring! Director of Thrive - The Thrive Director will provide overall direction and leadership for Thrive, ensuring that strategic planning, fiscal management, programming, resource development, staff care and development, achievement of goals, and administrative functions are effectively carried out. The Director will ensure the overall implementation, assessment, and success of Thrive’s mandate serving churches in both Canada and the United States. Ths is a full-time, hybrid position based in Burlington, Ont., or Grand Rapids, Mich. Learn more and apply by March 23 at crcna.pinpointhq.com
Position Opening: Director of Communications - We’re pleased to announce that the Director of Communications position at World Renew is now live! This full time, hybrid role—based in Burlington, ON or Byron Center, MI—leads World Renew’s voice, narrative, and public presence. The Director oversees brand storytelling, media relations, editorial direction, and a binational communications team, ensuring mission aligned, faith rooted, and ethical content. If you or someone you know is committed to mission driven communications, we encourage you to apply at https://world-renew.breezy.hr/
The Banner: The January/February 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