February 2nd, 2025 News
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MOUNTAINVIEW NEWS
Join us Sunday morning at 10 am or anytime throughout the week. Pastor Erick Schuringa continues the series on “Stewardship” with a message entitled “Crash Course in Gifts.” He will be looking at a number of passages… Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Peter 4:8-11.
Spiritual Gifts are part of your great big mission budget. You are called to manifest gifts in service of others. God distributes gifts so that the variety can foster mutual support and multi-faceted functioning. Unfortunately, what sometimes happens is competition and judgment around differences.
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:
February 9th A.M. – Thrive Ministries (formerly Congregational Ministries): Nine ministries are joining to equip and encourage our congregations more than ever before. Our new name is Thrive. In coming together, we hope to provide churches with one-stop access to support resources that are fully integrated, and responsive to the changing needs of local congregations. As we make this transition, we continue to support churches in the areas of faith formation, abuse prevention, disability inclusion, racial reconciliation and diversity, pastors and church support, chaplaincy, justice, and worship. Your prayers and continued financial support are critical, whether through Ministry Shares or individual donations. To keep up to date on all of our work, subscribe to the new Thrive monthly email.
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
Due to unforeseen circumstances we have to postpone our Campus Ministry Open House this Saturday, February 1st. We have emailed all of those who have RSVP'd, as was required, but if you could add this to any e-blast that might be going out, that would be greatly appreciated. We will try again for a date in March, so stay tuned!
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.
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
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.
You are invited to join us for our annual Fundraising Dinner Weekend: Friday, 21 & Saturday, 22 March at the beautiful West Niagara Agricultural Centre, Grassie. Doors open for the Silent Auction at 5pm and Dinner is at 6pm. A rep from Samaritan’s Purse Canada (a trusted distribution partner) will speak. Seating is limited. A free will offering will be taken. All proceeds go towards NCG’s Operating Expenses. Please reserve your seats through our website at http://www.niagaragleaners.org. Donations for our Silent Auction are very appreciated. Please drop them off at the Gleaners any weekday mornings. Questions? Contact us: ncgdinners@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!
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 Prays for Us - In his High Priestly Prayer, Jesus prayed for us to experience unity and the Father’s love, and for the world to know God through our lives. Join Groundwork as we explore John 17:20-26 to witness the depth of Jesus Christ’s love for us and discuss what it means to live in the reality of Jesus’ prayer. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Kids Corner: God Created Me - Check out this week’s kids’ devotion at www.kidscorner.net. God deliberately designed each one of us. This means we fit together in God’s story like pieces in a giant puzzle. Being part of a huge family means we will always have someone we can help or someone who can teach us. Check out all the great content at kidscorner.net, like KC’s Valentine Cards.
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.
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
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!
Technology Support Volunteer Opportunity in Nicaragua - Do you have IT skills and a heart for service? Tesoros de Dios, a ministry in Nicaragua serving children and youth with disabilities, is seeking a volunteer to help improve their technological systems. This flexible opportunity ranges from 1 week to 3 months. Basic Spanish is preferred. Visit resonateglobalmission.org/technology to learn more and apply!
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.
Bethel CRC in Dunnville is searching for a part-time Music Director. Requirements: An authentic relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and expression of a Reformed/biblical worldview utilizing a broad range of musical skills in “blended worship”. More info at bethel@dunnvillecrc.ca. Submit application to Pastor Frank Engelage at mc4bethel@dunnvillecrc.ca or bethel@dunnvillecrc.ca
Camp Shalom Summer Staff - This summer at Camp Shalom, our theme is "Paid in Full." We’ll be sharing the message of God’s grace and generosity with 1000+ campers, teaching them how He gave the ultimate gift of Jesus Christ to cover all their debts. We're hiring 45 young adults looking for fun and with an interest in sharing the Gospel, as counselors, lifeguards, kitchen staff, and maintenance staff. All positions are paid and you must be 16 years old before Dec. 31st, 2025, to apply. Visit www.countrysidecamp.com to apply and for info on positions.