March 24th, 2024 News
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MOUNTAINVIEW NEWS
Join us Sunday morning at 10 am or anytime throughout the week. This morning we continue with part 6 our Lent series asking the question, “Who Is this?” Pastor Brady answers that question with a message entitled, “The Servant King.” He will be focusing on the book of Matthew, chapter 21, verses 1-11.
Jesus rides into Jerusalem to kingly acclaim. But do the people shouting and cheering know who Jesus really is?
LET’S BUILD SOME COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS!
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YOUR MOUNTAINVIEW DEACONS
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JOYFUL GIVING
Sunday's offerings are for our Ministry Promise (a.k.a. Budget) AND for...
UPCOMING OFFERINGS: March 29th P.M. – Good Friday – Resonate Global Mission: Formerly Christian Reformed World Missions and Christian Reformed Home Missions, we came together in 2017 as Resonate to walk alongside CRCs as they join God’s mission in their own neighborhoods and around the world.
We do this by planting churches and supporting ministry in North America as well as sending missionaries around the globe to share the good news. But sending people is only part of God’s plan for your congregation. Your church partners with Resonate as you join God’s mission in your own neighborhood and around the world. Resonate is here to walk alongside you in preparing missionaries and volunteers, calling and supporting church planters and campus ministers, connecting with ministries overseas, engaging church members and younger generations in mission work, and following the Spirit by discerning new ways to demonstrate and proclaim the gospel. Together, we help build God’s church.
March 31st A.M. – Easter Sunday - Bible League of Canada provides Scriptures and training worldwide, so people will be brought into relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church… because the world needs the Living Word of God more than anything else! Change, real change, happens from the inside out. When people come into a relationship with Jesus, they are transformed by the power of God’s Spirit. The Holy Spirit inspires new Christians to adopt and apply Biblical values to address their needs. Family, friends, whole communities experience this transformation! Adult Bible-based literacy, Church planter training, Children’s Ministry Programs and support for persecuted Christians are the programs we use to deliver the Living Word of God in 43 countries. By God’s grace, the eternal Living Word impacts generations to come. THANK YOU for your support.
Join us in Inspiring, Empowering, and Equipping Deacons and Congregations - Our Diaconal Coaches have a passion to serve! Working with deacons from the CRC, they help to them engage with their local community, promote stewardship, live justly and love mercy—and work out their calling in their church and community. We want to GROW THE IMPACT of our Diaconal Coach network, allowing them more time to be available for workshops and one-on-one visits with deacons and churches. These new initiatives take extra time and money so we look to generous donors and churches with a diaconal heart to step up and fund these exciting new ventures. Help us grow the impact of our coaches! -Your one-time or monthly donation will help us extend our reach and increase our impact! Donate to Diaconal Ministries Canada today -diaconalministries.com/donate-now/ or via etransfer at dmc@crcna.org
Legacy giving to the CRCNA - Did you know cash isn’t always the best way to give to CRCNA ministries like Thrive? You may be able to increase your potential impact— and experience significant tax benefits by giving stock, real estate or other non-cash assets. Write to advancement@crcna.org to learn more.
Other…
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
& OPPORTUNITIES
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Brock Campus Ministry: Easter is coming soon, and we would like to invite you to host a gathering with a few international students! Hosts, from all over the Niagara region, can make a difference in internation-al students’ lives by inviting them to their home for a meal this Easter! The gathering can take place any-time over Holy Week from Palm Sunday to Easter Monday (March 24 - April 1, 2024). It's a great oppor-tunity to connect with students who are far away from their own family, and share the love of Christ! If you are interested please sign up here, be-fore March 20: https://friendsfordinner.ca/hosts/hosts-stcatherines/; for more information contact Hilda at hildavk@gmail.com.
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!
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.
SOCO Beach Project Update: In this newsletter, see how we are casting vision for the SOCO house and property for additional retreats and young adult discipleship. Keep up to date with the renos. Pray for SOCO as we prepare for the summer 2024 participants. If you have a gently used/new fridge or dryer to donate to SOCO, see the newsletter for details: https://mailchi.mp/southcoastbeachproject/soco-update-march-21-6221513
Worship for Justice Concert - Redeemer is sponsoring The Worship for Justice tour featuring Don Moen, Paul Baloche, and Brooke Nichols when it comes to campus for one of four concerts in Southern Ontario in April 2024. Learn More.
Dutch Easter Hymn Sing - Immanuel and Grace Community CRCs invite you to a Nederlandse Paas Zangmiddag on Good Friday, March 29 at 3pm at Grace Community CRC in Ancaster. Sing well known Lent and Easter hymns as well as some of your favourite Dutch Songs of Faith. For more, contact John VanderLaan at 905-648-3170 or Femke Visser-Elenbaas at 289-887-2201
LAST CALL!!!! The 13th Annual Hosanna & Mattaniah Choirs Concert at FirstOntario Concert Hall, 1 Summers Lane, Hamilton on Saturday, March 30 at 7:30pm. Tickets are available at $25 & $35, and can be obtained through the choir’s website (www.hosanna-choir.org) a choir member, or contact Wendy den Hollander at 905-628-1211 or athdenhollander@yahoo.com.
Join the Institute for Christian Studies in Italy for ART in Orvieto! ART in Orvieto is an advanced summer studies program in art, religion, and theology located in Orvieto, Italy - a magnificent hill town 90 minutes north of Rome. The program offers an ecumenical exploration of Christian understandings of the arts through a three-week residency for those interested in engaging the intersection of art, religion, and theology. Financial aid is available for grad students, K-12 school teachers, and professional artists. Visit icscanada.edu/art-in-orvieto, or email recruitment-coordinator@icscanada.edu to learn more - Applications are due March 31.
You are invited and we’d love for you to join us! The Niagara Christian Gleaners will once again be hosting a Fundraising Dinner Weekend on Friday, 5 April & Saturday, 6 April. Where: West Niagara Agricultural Centre, 7402 Mud St W, Grassie. Silent Auction at 5pm; Dinner at 6pm. Guest speaker: Mr. Jeremy Frith, CEO Barnabas Aid USA. Seating is limited. A free will offering will be taken. All proceeds go towards NCG’s Operating Expenses. RSVP for seats at www.niagaragleaners.org/. Donations for our Silent Auction are appreciated. Drop them at the Gleaners any weekday am. Questions? Contact ncgdinners@gmail.com.
Awake to Praise Choir Easter/Spring performances: Friday, April 5 at 8:00 pm, and Saturday, April 6 at 5:30 pm and 8 pm. at Vineland Free Reformed Church. Also, Friday, April 12, at 8 pm at the First Ontario Performing Arts Center in St. Catharines. Visit our website at www.awaketopraisechoir.com for more info. All seats (including VFRC) need to be pre-selected from our website. We respectfully request that no infants or children under the age of 5 attend to ensure a peaceful and enjoyable experience for guests and musicians. If you have any questions during the process of receiving your tickets, please email – awaketopraisetickets@gmail.com.
Choose Life Niagara Annual Dinner: Saturday, April 13, 6:00 pm at Club Roma in St. Catharines. Guest Speaker: Blaise Alleyne, co-author of “A Guide to Discussing Assisted Suicide". Join us for dinner, fellowship and an excellent speaker. Details and tickets ($60, Students $30) available at ChooseLife.ca/events or call 684-7505. Registration deadline is April 1.
Attention Youth: A FREE youth event is being held with Blaise Alleyne just prior to the dinner from 3:00-5:00 pm, also at Club Roma. Refreshments provided. Sign up by visiting ChooseLife.ca/Events. Students who stay for the dinner get a discounted rate.
Beyond the Culture Wars Conference - Our world and our churches are so polarized and divided these days. Why is that the case, and what can we do about it? Come find out at "Beyond the Culture Wars," a conference put on by the Institute for Christian Studies and hosted by Martin Luther University in Waterloo, April 18-20. Featuring presentations by James K.A. Smith, Kristin Kobes Du Mez (“Jesus and John Wayne”) and many others, this conference will educate and equip you to help make more people feel more comfortable at your church and in the faith. Supported by the CRC, Shalem Mental Health Network, Citizens for Public Justice, and more. Register/Find out more at luther.wlu.ca/beyond.
Libertas Male Choir - Concerts at Knox Presbyterian Church (51 Church St E, Elora) Thursday, May 30 at 7.30 pm; Knox Presbyterian Church (59 Riddell St, Woodstock) Friday, May 31 at 7.30 pm; or Mountainview CRC (290 Main St E, Grimsby) Saturday, June 1 at 7.30 pm. Tickets: Adult $25, Youth (10-14) $10. Child>10 Free. E transfer: Tjitskevr@outlook.com; Email: rtveld96@gmail.com; Call: 905 522 0001/905 745 5609. Tickets at door: Cash only. Info: www.libertasvoices.com. Director: Martin Mans; Organist: Martin Zonnenberg; Pianist: Joyce Postmus.
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
We want to let you know about our special series of Lent devotions Focus on the Cross, from our Today devotional. These devotions are a perfect way to focus on the depth, beauty, and mystery of the death and resurrection of Christ this Lenten season. You can receive this series straight to your inbox, or download them as one file for printing.
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...
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: The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ - Examining the story of Jesus’ crucifixion in each of the four gospels reveals a beautiful tapestry of perspectives. Join our Groundwork conversation as we study Matthew 27:45-53, Mark 15:40-41, Luke 23:13-25, and John 19:28-37 to witness the fulfillment of Scripture and remember the significance of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Kids Corner: Called By Name - Check out this week’s kids’ devotion at www.kidscorner.net/. Mary was alone at the tomb. Then she met Jesus but didn’t recognize him. All he had to do was say her name, and then she knew she was loved and not alone anymore. Check out all the great content at kidscorner.net, like KC’s Lent and Easter Collection.
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - In Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “Just as love to God begins with listening to His Word, so love for the brethren is learning to listen to them.” Who might you show this kind of “listening love” to in the coming week? 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
Cairn Christian School is inviting applications for a part-time (20% FTE) office support position in Stoney Creek starting in August 2024. Tasks include: regular reception, daily school communication, internal administration for the school building and staff, and creating and publishing the weekly newsletter.
Our mission is to inspire students to love, learn, and lead together in God's world. We are looking for a candidate who will both embrace and further this mission in a dynamic, fluid environment, bringing the energy and confidence needed to support the staff and student learning community. Questions? Email Bonnie Desjardins: bdesjardins@cairnchristianschool.ca. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Part-time Office Assistant for Diaconal Ministries Canada (DMC). Responsibilities include providing administrative support to Diaconal Ministries’ National Director, other staff, the Diaconal Ministries' board of directors and its committees. Start date is April 1, 2024. Must be able to work at least one day per week at the DMC office in Burlington, ON. Visit our website for the full job description and compensation details: diaconalministries.com/our-team/careers-opportunities
Board Members Needed - Are you eager to contribute time toward making a positive contribution to your local church and classis? Do you have experience in non-profits, budgeting, strategic planning, or governance? Do you have time to volunteer to help your local church and its deacons impact communities with Christ’s love? THEN BECOME A BOARD MEMBER with Diaconal Ministries Canada! Diaconal Ministries has been equipping and supporting deacons in the CRC in Canada for over 20 years. We are currently searching for a Board Member for Classis Niagara and for Classis BC NW. (Our Board includes one representative from each Canadian classis in the Christian Reformed Church.) If you would like to receive more information on this role or if you would like to submit your interest, please contact Ron Vanden Brink, National Director, at rvandenbrink@crcna.org. He'd love to connect with you!
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!
Camp Shalom - This summer at Camp Shalom our theme is going to be "Something New" based on Isaiah 43. Campers and staff will learn about how God wants to give them something that they'll never have without Him. If you're interested in learning more about this new thing, and you're excited about sharing that great news with kids and adults who have special needs, then we have a position for you! We're hiring 50 young adults for a variety of positions including counselors, maintenance staff, kitchen staff, lifeguards, and more. For more information or to apply please visit www.countrysidecamp.com/apply.