VISIT THE ‘EVENTS’ TAB TO VIEW OUR CALENDAR
MOUNTAINVIEW NEWS
Join us Sunday morning at 10 am or anytime throughout the week. Pastor Erick Schuringa will present a message based on the Cadet theme for 2024-2025 “Called to LEAD THE WAY.” He will be looking at their theme verse from 1 Timothy chapter 4 verse 12.
Leadership is not about age, but about character. On this Cadet Sunday, as our boys help lead us, we are reminded again that we can be led by anyone who is following Jesus.
LET’S BUILD SOME COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS!
(Click on the pictures to go to related webpages, links or emails)
DivorceCare starts another session of meetings in January!
Find healing from the pain of separation and divorce. Next course begins Tuesday, January 21st and runs Tuesdays at Mountainview from 7 – 8:30 pm (till April 15th).
Visit: www.mountainviewcrc.org/divorcecare
JOYFUL GIVING
Sunday's offerings are for our Ministry Promise (a.k.a. Budget) AND for...
Upcoming Offering:
January 26th A.M. – Global Aid Network (GAiN) – Tyler Couperus: Together we are revealing hope by sharing God’s unconditional love and restoring life by demonstrating the gospel through compassionate action to those who are living in poverty, injustice and crisis around the world.
“That is where I come in. I work with GAiN full-time. In order to successfully fulfill our mission as GAiN, we need staff who can lay the groundwork, and do project management to empower staff in the field as well as our local partners. My role is managing our disaster relief programs and our preparedness. I collaborate with our partners worldwide, particularly those in our Disaster Relief offices. My position includes training new volunteers at our DART team training, as well as potential field visits, and ongoing conversation with our project partners about how we can work better together. Thank you for partnering with me in your time, prayers and encouragement, as well as finances so that I can fulfill my kingdom calling. I have been blessed by the church throughout my life; in each church we have celebrated together, mourned together and supported each other. I look forward to growing that community.” Tyler C.
World Renew Honduras Discovery Tour - Begin the year by embarking on an unforgettable journey from March 15-20, 2025! Join us to see firsthand the incredible impact of World Renew's work in Honduras. This exciting tour offers a unique opportunity to explore World Renew's integrated agriculture projects in the beautiful, mountainous region of La Campa. For more information and to register, bit.ly/2025honduras!
A Unique Mission Trip for Teenagers - Join a group of teenagers from multiple countries on a trip across three Central American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Guatemala) to learn more about these countries' histories and learn how local ministry leaders are working to meet the needs of communities in difficult realities. This is a great opportunity to grow in your faith and understanding of mission! Learn more and apply online at www.resonateglobalmission.org/encounter
Other…
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
& OPPORTUNITIES
Is there a charity close to your heart that you would love to see thrive for years to come? Christian Stewardship Services is hosting open Q&A sessions every week this winter to answer all of your questions on charitable giving and estate planning. Explore topics or register at : https://csservices.ca/winter-conversations-2025/
Each session will have a 10 minute introduction, then an interactive Q&A on any charitable giving and estate planning questions. The first four topics are: Multiplying your Gift, Pets, Life Insurance, adding a Charity Child, and Cryptocurrency.
Cairn Christian School is hosting our annual Information and Registration Evenings for 2025/26 at 7 pm on January 20 at our Smithville campus & on January 21 at our Stoney Creek campus. Come find out more about how Christian Education inspires students to live, learn, and lead together in God's world!
Cairn Christian School Stoney Creek is looking for a temporary part time ESL instructor for late January until mid February for some visiting Korean students. (1-2 hours per school day.) Please reach out to Bonnie Desjardins if you enjoy working with students who are curious about learning English!
SOCO Beach Project Rental Ministry: If you are a young adult between 18 - 29, check out this summer opportunity (May - August) to deepen your faith and live in intentional Christian community, all while having a summer job in beautiful Port Dover. Applications available for SOCO 2025. Deadline for first consideration is Jan 15 (rolling thereafter).Check out this week's newsletter to learn how you can get out for an overnight or weekend while supporting SOCO: https://mailchi.mp/southcoastbeachproject/soco-update-january-9-8566900
The January Series - The January Series of Calvin University returns January 20 through January 31. From Paralympians to historians, adventurers, and innovators, we have a topic for you to deepen your curiosity. Join us in the Covenant Fine Arts Center on campus or online. Information can be found at www.calvin.edu/january-series
YOUTH TALKS: Youth and Young Adults are invited to join together for the evening on Sunday, January 26 at Covenant CRC in St. Catharines (278 Parnell Rd). Arrive between 5:30-7pm to enjoy some food, socializing and fun. Worship will begin at 7pm. Always a good time – bring a friend!
The Young Adult Winter Retreat (YAWR) is back again at Maranatha CRC, Woodstock! We encourage all young adults ages 18-30 to join us for this weekend of faith-based discussions, service, fellowship, and funtivities! Pastor Stephen Terpstra (First CRC Iowa) will be leading us in a series of discussions on engaging community. Date: January 24-26, Theme: Engage. Early bird registration: $60. Grow in faith, build lasting connections, and have fun! Follow us: Instagram (yawinterretreat) or Facebook (Young Adult Winter Retreat). Email: ya.retreat.team@gmail.com. Register at: https://forms.gle/pz9Bw8ReB1mg3Djm6 (Reg. opens Dec 1st).
Join Brock Campus Ministry at the Faith and Life Centre from 9:30AM - 11:30AM on Saturday, February 1st for our Open House! Chaplain Zack, Hilda, and their student leaders will give an experiential glimpse into our work on campus and share about all that God is doing in our Classical ministry at Brock University. Light refreshments and free parking provided. RSVP here to attend: https://forms.gle/kAaAAWcUnb15dAKd9.
HAMILTON MEN SING THY PRAISE: All men are invited to a male audience psalm/hymn sing, on Saturday, Feb 1 at 7:00pm at Maranatha Free Reformed Church, Ancaster. Come sing tenor, bass or just enjoy singing the melody of a beautiful collection of psalms & hymns. Directed by Herman den Hollander and accompanied by Tjeerd Klaver on the organ. A free-will offering will be taken in support of Compassion Care. Looking forward to seeing you there. Questions? Contact hdenhollander@yahoo.com. October 19, 2024 can be viewed on YouTube - Hamilton Men Sing Thy Praise.
Mercy & Justice Webinars - February - Gain Christian spiritual insight and practical understanding on timely and complex issues to do with the church's calling to practice mercy and justice. Feb 4: Changing Immigration Law & Refugee Support w/ Dena Nicolai; Feb 11: Disability without Poverty, w/ Rachel Vroege and Amanda Lockitch; Feb. 18: Positive Care & Grace in Dementia, w/ Steve Berkenpas; Feb 25: Reflecting on MAID, w/ Caroline Short. Info & Registration: crc1life.ca/2024/12/spotlight-on-mercy-justice-an-online-webinar-series/
You are invited to our Guatemala Fundraising dinner at Smithville Christian High School, on February 7th. Doors open at 6 pm. All are welcome! For planning purposes, it would be very helpful if you could RSVP at the following link http://forms.gle/cLw6TzVCxkXGUGqS9. We will be having a lasagna dinner, with student led worship to follow. There is no admission cost, but there will be a free will offering. Tax receipts will be given out for donations over $20.00. Invite your friends and family to come join us for a time of connection, good food and worship. We hope to see you there!
Valentines Dinner Church Fundraiser on February 14th @ 6pm at Beacon Christian School: Come be part of an unforgettable evening featuring a formal meal, an inspiring silent auction, live music, and captivating stories of how God is transforming lives through Dinner Church! Today, Dinner Church is spreading across the Niagara Region, with 8 established Dinner Churches serving diverse communities such as international students, seniors, and unhoused persons. There are literally thousands of people across our region who aren’t ready to step into a traditional church setting but are eager for the chance to share a meal and find connection. We love them and we share the gospel with them over a meal. Our goal is to raise $60,000 to train and equip leaders and to launch new Dinner Church ministries in Niagara and beyond. We cannot do this without you and look forward to it! Tickets: https://www.myvillagechurch.ca/events/dinner-church-valentines-day-fundraiser-dinner-1.
The World and Our Calling lecture: Join us on January 29th as Dr. Jonathan Askonas receives the 2024 Emerging Public Intellectual (EPI) award and speaks on “Christ or Barabbas?” Christian Political Theology in a Post-Christian Society.”
Watoto Children's Choir Performance - Join us on February 12 for a performance by the Ugandan Watoto Children's Choir as they sing, dance and share stories of restoration and hope!
Church Leadership Microcredentials - Be equipped to serve your church through short, online learning opportunities on administration, human resources and congregational care. Learn more at redeemer.ca/church-leadership.
Not-For-Profit Management Certificate - Increase your skills in not-for-profit program planning, fundraising, partnership-building and more through these fully online courses. Learn more at redeemer.ca/nfp.
Online Course - "Cultural Values in Ministry" equips leaders of all types of ministries with practical tools for relating well to people from a variety of cultures. Understanding and respecting cultural differences is key to a healthy ministry. Held online February 3-March 9, 2025. Register at worship.calvin.edu/events/2025/cultural-values-ministry
Start the New Year with a Study—Join one of our Global Coffee Break Online Zoom Studies. This is your opportunity to participate in a CRCNA resource led by their team. Space is limited. Men, women, and young adults are welcome. Go to Globalcoffeebreak.org/events for more information and to register!
Four Christian Scholars share new publications on challenging and important comtemporary topics. Join us for good coffee, good cheesecake and great conversation. Hybrid Event. In person Thursday, February 6, 2025 7-9pm ET @ Faith Baptist Church Oakville OR Meet Us Online VIA ZOOM LINK. Books being discussed: Citzenship Without Illusions – David T Koyzis; Human Difference – Andrew Barron; The Power of the Church – Michael R Wagenman; Blessed are the Undone – Peter Schuurman & Angela Reitsma Bick.
Join us for an inspiring Information Evening on Motherhood at Living Light Church in Grimsby. This event is a place of refuge and encouragement for struggling moms, their support people, and ministry leaders who wish to better understand and care for the needs of mothers in their community. The evening will include heartfelt testimonials, practical insights, and resources to empower moms and their communities. Featuring Speakers:Pastor Winston and Berber Bosch.
Date: Friday, February 7th @ 7:30 pm; Hosted by: The Christian Postpartum Support Group. RSVP Today: Email Karyn at karyns93@hotmail.com. We look forward to welcoming you to this evening of connection, support, and hope. Together, let’s build stronger communities for mothers and families.
Feeling overwhelmed with anxiety, stress or loneliness? Want to talk to one of our psychotherapists or counsellors? We are here to help ! Please call 905.309.0944. We will be answering the phones Monday - Friday daily between 9am – 4pm. Sessions typically run about an hour. All of our services are free and confidential. Sometimes we all need help!
Has ALCOHOL OR DRUGS taken over your or a loved one’s life? Family Outreach Ontario can help. There are literally thousands of Christian recovering addicts out there… you may be sitting beside one in church next Sunday. Confidentiality guaranteed. Visit our web site for more info at www.familyoutreachontario.com, contact us at 905-933-3994, or e-mail us at info@familyoutreachontario.com.
NEWSLETTERS FROM OUR MINISTRY PARTNERS
Links are available on our website under
“Community Connections” - “Partnerships”
Paper copies can be requested from the church office.
DENOMINATIONAL NEWS
ReFrame Ministries Provides Devotions, Podcasts, and Blogs - Start a new Biblical habit with resources from ReFrame Ministries. DEVOTIONS including the Today devotional offer short daily meditations and scripture. Kids Corner includes devotions, especially for children and guardians. PODCASTS help you dig into scripture with Groundwork, explore pop culture and Christianity with Think Christian, or energize your church communications with Church Juice. BLOGS offering spiritual advice for parenting, dating, and more are available in new posts from Family Fire. Learn more about the spiritual habit of praying with ReFrame’s prayer ministry.
Groundwork: When Jesus Prays - Listening to a person pray gives us a glimpse into their heart. Join our Groundwork conversation as we study John 17:1-5, the opening verses of Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer. Together we’ll discuss the meaning of Jesus’ words as he asks God to glorify him and the implications of his prayer in our own lives. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Kids Corner: Word Power MLK Day - Check out this week’s kids’ devotion at www.kidscorner.net. Did you know words have power? Your words. Your neighbor’s words. Everybody’s! Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. knew that. He used his word power to help people see each other as equals, no matter their skin color. Check out all the great content at kidscorner.net, like KC’s The Bible in One Year Plan.
Celebrate the Sanctity of Human Life - Thrive invites congregations to explore a holistic ethic of life as it relates to the unborn, people with disabilities, and end of life issues on. Learn more and discover other resources now at this website: crcna.org/life
Family Fire - Family Fire is an online community exploring Spirit-led family, marriage, parenting, in-laws, blended families, and intimacy. Find encouraging articles and devotions at familyfire.com. Subscribe for regular email updates and connect with our Family Fire community on Facebook.
Annual Inter-Classis Safe Church Conference - Save the date! The 2025 annual inter-classis safe church conference is scheduled for March 1, 2025, from 9:00am-3:30 pm at the Waterloo (Ontario) CRC. Planning is ongoing, but we have confirmed that Sheila Wray Gregoire will be the plenary speaker. Dr. Amanda Benckhuysen and Julia Rathbun, both Safe Church Consultants with the CRCNA, will be leading workshops. The conference is hosted by the Classis Huron Safe Church Team under the coordination of Rev. Carel Geleynse. Further details will be available soon.
World Renew Honduras Discovery Tour - Begin the year by embarking on an unforgettable journey from March 15-20! Join us to see firsthand the incredible impact of World Renew's work in Honduras. This exciting tour offers a unique opportunity to explore World Renew's integrated agriculture projects in the beautiful, mountainous region of La Campa. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/2025honduras!
A Unique Mission Trip for Teenagers - Join a group of teenagers from multiple countries on a trip across three Central American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Guatemala) to learn more about these countries' histories and learn how local ministry leaders are working to meet the needs of communities in difficult realities. This is a great opportunity to grow in your faith and understanding of mission! Learn more and apply online at https://www.resonateglobalmission.org/encounter
JOBS AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
We Are hiring at Shalom! Working at Shalom is a great opportunity to share your gifts and talents in a wonderful workplace and to become involved in the community! We take pride in offering the best possible care and making Shalom home for our residents. Become part of the team! We are always accepting resumes for potential future hiring.
Position Opening: NewGround Coordinator - Through its NewGround program, Diaconal Ministries Canada (DMC) partners with deacons and churches, offering grants, coaching, and other resources to help them start or grow a local community ministry. Overall, its mission is to help churches build strong connections with their local communities, offering practical and spiritual support to the marginalized and under-served populations. We are currently seeking a part-time NewGround Coordinator (18 hrs/week) who will provide ongoing development and administration for this vital program. To read the full job description, visit DMC's website now: www.diaconalministries.com/our-team/careers-opportunities
EduDeo Ministries is Hiring! - Do you thrive on building strategic and healthy relationships that inspire global, Christ-centred impact? Are you passionate about aligning programs with a shared mission, vision, and values? Do you enjoy working with partners to develop initiatives that advance kingdom transformation? If so, join EduDeo's team as the International Partnership Director. Visit https://edudeo.com/careers for info. Applications due February 12, 2025.