December 8th, 2024 News
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MOUNTAINVIEW NEWS
Join us Sunday morning at 10 am or anytime throughout the week. Pastor Erick Schuringa continues our Advent Series “In The Fullness of Time” with the second message entitled “David: The Anointed One”. He will be looking at the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 16, verses 1-13.
We started with Father Abraham and now we move to King David. He was anointed to be the next king and filled with the Holy Spirit. These are some of the ways that his life points ahead to Jesus.
Join us this Sunday evening at 6 pm for a Blue Christmas Service. A contemplative service of healing and hope for those who are hurting this Christmas.
LET’S BUILD SOME COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS!
(Click on the pictures to go to related webpages, links or emails)
JOYFUL GIVING
Sunday's offerings are for our Ministry Promise (a.k.a. Budget) AND for...
UPCOMING OFFERING: December 15th A.M. – The Bridge – Steve De Boer (Niagara Falls): An inner-city mission in a neglected area of Niagara Falls, the Bridge exists for the "placeless" of the city - the invisible, unseen ones of our society. In partnership with Third Space Cafe, The Bridge serves a nutritious breakfast every day to 50 - 75 people living on the streets, in tents, abandoned buildings, and under-serviced motels. More than that, The Bridge seeks to be a community of support and connection, working collaboratively with the City, Region, faith communities, businesses, not-for-profits, and people of peace who have a heart for homelessness, and compassion for the issues connected to it. Learn more by watching this video: https://youtu.be/WHfBqjFzxE4. Opportunities for monthly giving and volunteering are appreciated. Need more info? Contact our Mission Pastor steve@thebridgenf.ca.
Canada Post Strike - With the holiday season upon us and the Canada Post strike affecting mail delivery, we want to make it easy for you to support your favourite ministries! You can still make your year-end gifts quickly and securely online at crcna.org, by calling us at 888-827-5272, or through The Bridge App. If your donation was sent in the mail during the strike, we will confirm its receipt as soon as we can after the strike is over. Strike or no strike, your support makes all the difference for our ministries —thank you for making this season one of hope and generosity!
Help us Make Double the Impact with Rose City Kids We are excited to announce our $200,000 match campaign. It 2X the support for the 700 children and youth God has placed in our lives to serve. At RCK, we believe in sharing the love of Jesus with each child who walks through our doors. With your help, we can keep providing a safe place where kids experience God's love, and grow in hope for a brighter future. Campaign Nov 1- Dec 31, 2024. Questions? Contact Barb Donker (905-788-9800) or office@rosecitykids.com/www.rosecitykids.com.
Other…
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
& OPPORTUNITIES
A few devotional options and preparatory activities for the Advent Season:
CRC Network: Advent Resources Round-up
Thrive: Colab of World Renew, Resonate, and CRCNA Social Justice -sign up here for Advent Justice-based devotions 2024 (previous years are also here).
Indwell - has again developed a series of five Advent devotionals — this year they're written from the unique perspectives of 5 Indwell staff! Sign up now at indwell.ca/advent.
Canadian Bible Society: 2,000+ years ago, a Baby born in a manger brought hope to the shepherds, reminding them that God had revealed Himself through Christ. Today, in the midst of life’s challenges, that same hope, peace, joy, and love are available to us. This Advent, join us on a journey of waiting for His presence to transform our lives and discovering the gifts of the season. LEARN MORE
Right Now Media has Advent (& Christmas) Studies and devotionals for adults, kids and families. Check out our Mountainview Page for some ideas or search under “Advent” and “Christmas”.
SOCO Beach Project Update: 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. Check out this week's newsletter, as we consider the hope-filled opportunity of leaving a kingdom legacy. Be part of this ministry with a year end gift! https://mailchi.mp/southcoastbeachproject/soco-update-december-5-8566101
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, 2025, 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).
On Friday December 13 at 7:30pm and Sunday December 15 at 3pm — the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and the Bach Elgar Choir come together for Handel's monumental work Messiah, led by HPO Music Director James Kahane as Conductor at St. Catherine of Sienna Church on the mountain. This performance promises to uplift and delight audiences during the festive season. Tickets can be purchased at HPO.org. Tickets can also be purchased directly here: https://www.hpo.org/handels-messiah-2024/
Dutch Christmas Hymn Sing – Immanuel CRC and Grace Community CRC invite you to a Nederlandse KERST SAMENZANG held on Sunday Dec. 15th at 3pm at Grace Community CRC, Ancaster. Put it in your calendar, and plan to join! The hymn sing will also be live-streamed. For more information contact John VanderLaan at 905-648-3170 or Femke Visser-Elenbaas at visser.elenbaas@gmail.com.
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
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
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: Jesus: Our Mighty God - The prophet Isaiah next calls the coming Messiah “Mighty God.” Join Groundwork as we explore Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 10:21, Acts 1:6-8, and Revelation 5:6,11-14 to discover what this title communicates to us about Jesus. Together, we’ll discuss how his presence as a helpless baby displays the awesomeness of God’s power and gives us hope as we anticipate his return. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Kids Corner: Advent Week 2: The Servant - Check out this week’s kids’ devotion at www.kidscorner.net/. This week, read the story of Mary in Luke 1:26-45. God had an important role for Mary. She responded, “I am the Lord's servant! Let it happen as you have said." Whatever God has for us to do, let our reply be the same as Mary's. No matter how young or old we are, God will give us everything we need to be a faithful servant. Check out all the great content at kidscorner.net, like the Bible Story Podcast The Birth of Jesus.
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - “Rejoice, Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.” This refrain from the beloved Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” calls us to rejoice—not because of our immediate circumstances but because of the promises we have in Jesus Christ. Ponder a few things that cause you to rejoice. Offer them up to God in gratitude. Brought to you by Thrive: crcna.org/Thrive
Introducing The Postma Post! - Stay connected with Al Postma, ED of the CRCNA in Canada, as he shares updates, reflections, and key highlights about the incredible work God is doing in our communities. Through this new email, you’ll receive updates like highlights from the Canadian Board meetings and insights into our strategic goals—delivered right to your inbox. Sign up today: crcna.org/canada/postma-post
Stories & Strategies: Strengthening the CRC in Canada - Are you interested in learning more about ministry happening in CRC churches? Join the Canadian Ministry Board for stories (and best practice learnings from those experiences) 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. Join us virtually on January 25, 2025 (11am-1pm ET). More at crcna.org/Canada
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
Shalom 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.
Sunday Service Volunteers/ Accompanist needed for 2025! Meaningful worship opportunities are important to our residents and us! Our residents love to make a joyful noise unto the Lord and we are in need of accompanists to assist them for Sunday Services / Wed. am sing songs. Can you accompany on either the piano or organ, or help with ushering residents to these services? If so, it would be very appreciated. Please contact Brooke at volunteercoord@shalommanor.ca or at 905-945-9631, ext. 1115.
We're Hiring! Canada Global Coffee Break Representative - The successful candidate will promote and support the Global Coffee Break Program and Resonate Core Initiatives in churches and organizations by connecting leaders to a learning community, training, leader care, and coaching. This position is part-time remote, with an expectation to work 18 hours/week. Apply at crcna.pinpointhq.com