January 12th, 2025 News
VISIT THE ‘EVENTS’ TAB TO VIEW OUR CALENDAR
MOUNTAINVIEW NEWS
Join us Sunday morning at 10 am or anytime throughout the week. Pastor Jolene Veenstra will present a message “Psalms: When Resolutions Fail.” She will be looking at Psalm 51 and Psalm 52:8-9.
How are you at keeping New Year's resolutions? These promises of betterment remain a popular ritual even though there is a common expectation that we will fail at keeping them. But perhaps resolving to seek transformation and growth isn't the problem. And perhaps scripture gives us a better process for this seeking than our New Year's resolutions can provide.
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 Offerings:
Upcoming Offering: January 19th A.M. – Cadets is a program for boys 9-14 years of age. The ministry of cadets is to teach the boys to learn more about God and respond to the world around them in a Christ-centered way. This is done through activities such as Bible study, badge work, crafts, games, campouts and league activities. Your donations help us to mentor and nurture boys in our church and surrounding community, in their walk with God.
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.
“Smithville Christian High School is hosting our annual Open House and Celebration of Learning on Thursday, January 16th from 7-9 pm at SCHS, 6488 Townline Road in Smithville. If you are interested in learning more about Christian education and what we offer at SCHS, please stop by for the evening. You can pre-register for the event at https://learn.smithvillechristian.ca/smithville-jan-2025-open-house-w/.“
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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/
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!
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
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: Repentance, Forgiveness, and Sin's Consequences - Does God still punish us for our sins, even though in Jesus he forgives all our sins? Join Groundwork as we explore 2 Samuel 12 and the prophet Nathan’s conversation with King David to help us answer that question and discover God’s hope even in bad situations. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Kids Corner: Loving My Enemy - Check out this week’s kids’ devotion at www.kidscorner.net. As you listen, remember that what bullies say about you doesn’t define you. God has already said who you are. Check out all the great content at kidscorner.net, like KC’s The Bible in One Year Plan.
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.
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
We're Hiring! Learning and Development Specialist - This position will implement a learning and development program for denominational staff, focusing on improving skills, knowledge, and overall professional development. The successful candidate will also oversee the Performance Review System and collaborate with the Human Resources Directors to execute the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) strategy for denominational staff. This full time, hybrid position can work from either Grand Rapids, Mich., or Burlington, Ont. Apply at crcna.pinpointhq.com
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.