December 31st, 2023 News
VISIT THE ‘EVENTS’ TAB TO VIEW OUR CALENDAR
MOUNTAINVIEW NEWS
Join us Sunday morning at 10 am or anytime throughout the week. This Sunday we will take a look back and a look forward. Pastor Erick will present a message entitled “A Prayer for Smart Love.” He will be looking at the book of Philippians chapter 1, verses 1-11
We end the year looking at another biblical prayer. Paul expresses great appreciation as he looks back; at the same time, he has a powerful request for more. We will join him in that prayer.
LET’S BUILD SOME COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS!
Check out our Mountainview Page (Linked here) for some Advent & Christmas picks!
CLICK ON THE IMAGE OR SCAN THE QR CODE
TO GET FREE ACCESS TO RIGHT NOW MEDIA!
JOYFUL GIVING
Sunday's offerings are for our Ministry Promise (a.k.a. Budget) AND for...
This week: December 31st A.M. – The Village Church (Thorold): Thank you for partnering with us in another amazing year of ministry! Highlights of 2023: The launch of two new Dinner Churches at Covenant CRC and the Third Space Café; the launch of Summer for the city (Christian entrepreneurship and mentoring); the ability to provide a meal and the gospel message to 200 guests at our Village Socials and to see 2 baptisms! There is much to celebrate and to anticipate with 12 new Dinner Church launches planned in our Classis over the next six years. Please remember us in your year end giving. We are currently running a 36,000 deficit and are working on plans for a more sustainable 2024 while still working to share the life-changing message of Jesus Christ with our neighbours in new and fruitful ways. Blessings to you in 2024!
UPCOMING OFFERINGS: January 7th AM – Shalom Manor & Gardens is a special Christian, non-profit long-term care home and retirement centre, serving seniors mostly of Dutch descent who belong to the community of Reformed faiths. Limited government funding does not allow the services our seniors require that meet our expectations and standards. Your gifts will enhance immediate resident care, programs, and debt load.
Niagara Christian Gleaners – In 2023 we were entrusted with over 3 million lbs of fresh, surplus produce. With these generous food donations and with the help of our volunteers and financial supporters we were able to prepare and share over 13 million servings of dehydrated food aid in 2023. Through our trusted distribution partners, we sent food into 9 different countries including Canada. Out of the more than 13 million servings, over 4 million servings were used as crisis aid in Poland, Romania and Ukraine as the war in that region continues. The global demand for food aid continues to grow as food insecurity is the reality for many across the world. Canada is incredibly blessed with an abundance of food and our willingness to compassionately share with others is the test we want to pass - all in Christ's name. To learn more about this ministry please visit https://niagaragleaners.org/
NEW AGAIN SECOND USE STORE in Beamsville is looking for new volunteers. Help support Cairn Christian School by volunteering for an hour or 3 hours, daily weekly or monthly. We are looking for help with customer service, sorting donations, cleaning and organizing and also cashiers. This is a great way for students to get their volunteer hours and also for you as parents and grandparents to give back to your community and schools. Questions? Contact Sandra: (289)566-8463 or newagainbeamsville@gmail.com.
Giving Thanks at Christmas - Thank you for sharing God’s love through the World Renew Gift Catalogue during Advent. Your donation of a chicken, water filter, or goat can be a miracle for people who are facing poverty, hunger, and injustice today. It’s not too late if you want to give in the New Year! Go to worldrenew.ca/gifts or call 1-888-975-3769. Thank you!
ROSE CITY KIDS: Join us in Doubling Your Impact. As a community, we are blessed to have the incredible opportunity to be able to be a witness to more than 700 children and youth @ Rose City Kids in Welland. Every week we provide spaces where children can experience Jesus' love. In a world filled with uncertainties, our children need more than just guidance, they need hope, and Jesus provides the ultimate source of hope, love, and purpose! We are running a $100,000 match campaign where every contribution will be doubled. Please help us reach our goals (give by the end of Dec.). Need more info? Please contact sonya@rosecitykids.com (289 687 5727). Thank you!
Is there a charity close to your heart that you would love to see thrive for years to come? Questions about wills and legacy? Christian Stewardship Services is hosting open Q&A sessions about these topics and more throughout the winter to answer all of your questions on charitable giving and estate planning. Find out more about the Winter Conversation series here. While you are planning ahead, why not contact a consultant to maximize your year end giving, or set up an appointment to review your will in the new year? Schedule an appointment today!
End of Year Giving Opportunities for Diaconal Ministries Canada (DMC) - DMC partners with deacons and CRC churches and ministries to demonstrate God’s love in the community. In 2023, our Diaconal Coaches and Regional staff conducted more than 65 workshops & training events with deacons across Canada and were able to have over 75 consultations & meetings with deacons, pastors, and congregations. This support covered important areas of deacons' work within local congregations and their communities. Workshops like: Helping Without Harming, Developing Benevolence Guidelines, Everyday Justice, and Stewardship…just to name a few. Have you been blessed by our work this past year? Also, our NewGround program (formerly Operation Manna) has partnered with churches to break new missional ground, nurturing Spirit-led ideas that bear everlasting fruit. Will you help DMC continue its work in equipping deacons and helping churches love their communities? Support our #EndofYearGiving2023 by donating today. Go to: diaconalministries.com/donate-now/ for ways to donate! And thank you for your ongoing support!
Other…
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
& OPPORTUNITIES
Kerstzangmiddag Recording Available! In case you missed the Kerstzangmiddag, but would still enjoy some Dutch Christmas hymns this weekend, the recording is still up on YouTube at the following link: https://youtube.com/live/fGu9gcZQEfk?feature=share
MALE-VOICE AUDIENCE PSALM/HYMN SING: All men are invited to a male audience psalm/hymn sing, the Lord willing, on Saturday, February 3 at 7:00PM at Maranatha Free Reformed Church. Whether you sing tenor, bass or just enjoy singing the melody of songs, you will enjoy this event. A beautiful collection of psalms & hymns will be sung. The evening will be directed by Herman den Hollander and accompanied by Tjeerd Klaver on the organ. A free-will offering will be taken for the Niagara Christian Gleaners (Smithville) and Ontario Christian Gleaners (Cambridge). Looking forward to seeing you there. If you have any questions, contact hdenhollander@yahoo.com.
Host an international student for Smithville Christian High School Expand your horizons. Try new food. Offer the gift of hospitality. Enrich your life. You can do all these things and be remunerated for expenses when you host an international student from Smithville Christian High School. New students are arriving at the end of January and we are looking for host homes for them. If this intrigues you and you would like to know more please email Marlene Bergsma at mbergsma@smithvillechristian.ca
Shop Canada’s Newest Christian Bookstore – 21FIVE - You may know 21Five as the bookstore on campus for all things Redeemer. Today we want to re-introduce it to you as Canada’s newest Christian bookstore curating a collection of the best gospel-centred, God-glorifying books and products. We've added hundreds of books to our catalogue recently and will continue that along with giftware, apparel, and more in the near future! Visit us in store or country-wide online to find products that often are only available from retailers outside of Canada. Shop the new 21Five.ca
Work at Redeemer - Redeemer is hiring a Campus Services Coordinator, Admissions Counsellor, Learning Strategist, and Donor Relations Manager. Learn more about these positions and many others below. APPLY NOW
Online Courses with Institute for Christian Studies – Learn with us. Tuition is $1,500 to take a course for credit, $600 to audit, or $400 for first-time auditors. The registration deadline for winter term courses is January 12, 2024 - email academic-registrar@icscanada.edu to register, or visit icscanada.edu/winter-courses to learn more.
You are invited!! Who: Young Adults; What: YAWR; When: Fri. Jan 19 – Sun Jan 21 (Early Bird deadline ($65) Jan. 7; Reg. Deadline ($75) Jan 14; Where: Maranatha CRC Woodstock; Why: Connect with other Yas in Southern Ontario, Grow in Jesus.
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/W3wfU1zYke3FkDV98
Facebook Event: https://fb.me/e/1rRLnuyqh. We are praying for an amazing turnout of young adults!
You are invited!! Who: Young Adults 18-30ish; What: YA Weekend Retreat; When: Fri. Jan 19 – Sun Jan 21; Early Bird deadline ($65) Jan. 7th; Reg. Deadline ($75) Jan 14th; Where: Maranatha CRC Woodstock; Why: Connect with other YAs in Southern Ontario, grow in relationships with them and with Jesus. Registration: https://forms.gle/W3wfU1zYke3FkDV98. Facebook: https://fb.me/e/1rRLnuyqh; PROMO VIDEO: https://youtu.be/FcfZmrwM09U
We are praying for an amazing turnout of young adults!
FAMILY OUTREACH ONTARIO was there for this family and addict. This was his response after accepting he had an issue with alcohol: “I thought I could fix the problem on my own and nobody would know about it. What a mistake that has been. It almost ripped our whole family apart. Thank you so much for your love and care.” Call 905-933-3994, e-mail us at info@familyoutreachontario.com, or visit our web site www.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
NEWSLETTERS FROM OUR MINISTRY PARTNERS – Available under “Community Partners” on our Website. Posted as they come in. Paper copies can be requested from the church office.. Browse through the work of local and CRCNA ministries...
Stories & Strategies: Strengthening the CRC in Canada - Are you interested in learning more about church planting and renewal in the CRC? Join the Canadian Ministry Board for stories (and best practice learnings) and how they might be applicable to your local church context. We look forward to discussing these ideas with you alongside other church members & leaders. More at crcna.org/Canada
Groundwork: Your Questions about Scripture and Hope - Join Groundwork as we study Matthew 6:9-13, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 11:13-16, Revelation 20:1-6, John 15:18-25, and Psalm 46 to look at some of the questions you asked this year in response to our discussions on the Lord’s Prayer, Joshua, and Revelation; then we’ll talk about the issues that feel most pressing for our faith right now and where we can find the hope and encouragement to keep living faithfully each day. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Kids Corner: Big Plans - Check out this week’s kids’ devotion at www.kidscorner.net. Do you like to make plans? By making plans, you can be excited about what’s coming and anticipate what you may need to prepare. But did you know God has made even bigger plans for you? Check out all the great content at kidscorner.net , like KC’s The Bible in One Year Plan.
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - Eugene Peterson says of Scripture engagement, “Reading is an immense gift, but only if the words are assimilated, taken into the soul–eaten, chewed, gnawed, received in unhurried delight.” Read your favorite Scripture passage that way today. Take time to savor and “gnaw” on it, noticing any new insights that come to mind. Learn more at crcna.org/FaithPracticesProject
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.
JOBS AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The CRCNA is seeking a candidate to fill the full-time, permanent position of Executive Director Canada. A search team has been tasked with recruiting for this position with the goal of having the successful candidate begin on or before May 1, 2024. Learn More at crcna.org/executive-director-canada-search
Christian Reformed Church (CRCNA) Position Opening – We are looking for a part-time (10-15 hrs/wk) Sales Representative for The Banner. They will be responsible for meeting Banner advertising sales objectives by maintaining excellent relationships with our existing advertisers, developing new accounts, and managing the workflow of display ads. This position is hybrid (Grand Rapids, MI, or Burlington, ON, area) or remote anywhere else in the US or Canada. Visit https://www.crcna.org/jobs for details or to apply.
We are thrilled to introduce a new role to our Indwell Team in Hamilton. The Event Coordinator will love to plan and carry out key events that unify people who have a shared interest in the ultimate well-being of our vulnerable population.Posting at www.indwell.ca/careers. The closing date for applications is January 9, 2023.
Resonate Global Mission is looking for an accountant to serve for 2-3 weeks in Nigeria. Timeframe for serving is flexible. Learn more at www.resonateglobalmission.org/opportunity/accounting
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! Visit our website and send your resume or any questions to hr@shalommmanor.ca to see if a career with Shalom is a good fit for you!
We are currently hiring in the following departments:
MANOR NURSING: PSW (full-time, part-time and casual); RPN (part-time and casual); RN (casual)
GARDENS NURSING: PSW/HCA (casual); RPN (casual)
ADMINISTRATION: Scheduling Coordinator/Receptionist (part-time)
Hairdresser Needed! We are looking for a self-employed, independent, contract hairstylist to work in our Hair Salon. This position would be two morning per week. Please e-mail your interest to hr@shalommanor.ca.
Wellingstone Christian Home is presently seeking applicants for a live-in co-superintendent position. This position is responsible for 28% of the superintendent duties at Wellingstone Christian Home, with an anticipated start date of February 1, 2024. If you or anyone you know would be interested in this position, or for more information on the full job description, please contact the Wellingstone Office by email at office@wellingstone.ca or by phone at 905-383-0754.