February 23rd, 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 Erick Schuringa will lead us in a special service celebrating our Friendship Ministry with a message entitled “God Loves and Cares for His People .” He will be looking at Genesis chapter 50, verses 15-21.
The story of Joseph is full of ups and downs, great acts and horrible deeds. Through it all the message is clear: God is with us and is working things out for his purposes in the end.
LET’S BUILD SOME COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS!
(Click on the pictures to go to related webpages, links or emails)
LENTEN GUIDED PRAYER: We are looking forward to the start of Lenten Guided Prayer. Everyone can access the information and instruction material on the PRAYER tab on the Mountainview website. On the home page click on PRAYER, and the documents will be found there along with the Devotion.
1. Outline/Schedule (Sunday groups have a separate schedule. A copy will be given to them).
2. Prayer Journey and Meditative prayer
3. Guide for Praying Scripture
4. Journaling
5. Open Ended Questions
6. Weekly Devotions (posted each week)
If you wish to participate and are not able to access our web page please contact Karin in the office. She can copy a Lenten Prayer Package for you.
We use the open-ended questions to help the group share their prayer experience, and to encourage them to listen to God. Each week another new Devotion will be uploaded on Tuesdays to the website. There are 6 weeks of Lent and 6 devotions on FOUNDATION, REBELLION, CORNERSTONE, SOFT HEARTS, LIVING STONES, and REJECTION, with an Easter Sunday message recapping the weekly themes.
Celebrating 10 Years of Kids@Mountainview Camp!
2016
JOYFUL GIVING
Sunday's offerings are for our Ministry Promise (a.k.a. Budget) AND for...
Upcoming Offering:
March 2nd A.M. – World Renew – Canada Foodgrains Bank: Let’s Answer God’s Call to Feed the Hungry. God provides more than enough food to feed the global population; yet around the world, millions of people are in food crisis. Now more than ever we need to answer God’s call to feed the hungry. Today is Canadian Foodgrains Bank Sunday and through your gifts you can help World Renew provide emergency food to address the immediate needs of families in food crisis and the training communities need to sustainably overcome hunger. Your gifts will be matched up to 4X by Canadian Foodgrains Bank. To donate, call 1-888-WRLD-RNW or go online to: worldrenew.ca/food
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
2025 Guatemala Christian Leaders Tour - Are you a current or emerging leader in your church? Join World Renew in Guatemala from May 3-11, 2025 for a transformative experience exploring poverty, justice, and faith in action. Visit impactful community programs focused on education, agriculture, livelihoods, and more. Gain powerful insights into anti-racism from Indigenous women and discover how to apply those lessons to ministry in Canada. Step into this unique opportunity to deepen your leadership, broaden your global perspective, and be inspired for ministry. Learn more: https://bit.ly/guatemala2025info
Other…
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
& OPPORTUNITIES
If you are a young adult between 18 - 29, there's still time to consider 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. For more information: www.southcoastbeachproject.org. SOCO Fundraising Event ~ Friday, March 28 at Good News Church (London) - doors open at 6:45 p.m. and show starts at 7:15 p.m. Enjoy the one woman play, "The Downs" and support the SOCO ministry. Come hear Mille Johnson as she takes us back to 1940's farm life in northern New Brunswick with all the thrills and chills that came along with washin' laundry by hand. When workin' hard hada whole different meanin' and homemade bread and a cup of tea warmed your heart. Tickets are $40. For more information and to purchase tickets: https://socobeachproject.regfox.com/the-downs-soco-fundraiser
The Collective is a Christ-seeking worshipping community for young adults across Niagara to create meaningful relationships, to be encouraged in their daily walk of faith, and empowered to serve their local churches. Join us for bi-weekly gatherings. Contact Pastor Brady bradydb@mountainviewcrc.org / 289-455-7513.
Justice: An Everyday Spiritual Journey - Thrive, in partnership with the CRC Centre for Public Dialogue, World Renew, and Diaconal Ministries Canada, is excited to present its latest workshop—offered online and in person— to help you to explore how the Bible talks about peace, justice, and faithful action. This workshop is designed for people who are new to biblical justice conversations, and also for those who have spent years putting it into practice—there’s something for everyone to learn!
Mark your Calendars!! Christian Stewardship Services (CSS) is now in the second half of their Winter Conversation Series.The upcoming evening Webinars are on March 11 (Best choice for Executor and POA) and March 27 (One receipt and online giving); Don’t miss them. RSVP links on our website at Events. CSS can assist you in the preparation of your Will, or help you with your regular or preparation of major gifts. These services are available to any CRC member without charge, or obligation. If you have decided in your heart to give, we can help!
You are invited to join us for the upcoming Wolters Centre social sciences lecture on March 5, featuring Dr. Abby Foreman. Her lecture, "Sharing Responsibility: Getting Creative in Responding to the Needs of the Vulnerable," will explore the history and development of social welfare, examining how competing narratives of responsibility and agency have shaped it over time.
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.
Cultivating Shalom: Faithful Responses to Food and Climate Series - Join a 5 week Virtual Series on Wednesday evenings February 19, 26, March 5, 12, 19 at 7:30 pm. Hosted by World Renew in collaboration with Thrive, Climate Witness Project, and Center for Public Dialogue, guest leaders will share their expertise and perspectives about the intersection of our faith to our relationship with creation, the impacts of that relationship to food and climate, and ways to faithfully respond. Register here (https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tgslZOeHTVWysZfPcdk8zg) to receive access to ALL weeks of the series. The hope is that this series will motivate people of faith and faith communities to cultivate a faith-filled and shalom-seeking relationship with creation. Questions? Contact Jodi,jkoeman@worldrenew.net
Annual Inter-Classis Safe Church Conference is scheduled or March 1st from 9am-3:30pm at the Waterloo CRC. Sheila Wray Gregoire will be the plenary speaker. Dr. Amanda Benckhuysen and Julia Rathbun, both Safe Church Consultants with the CRCNA, will be leading workshops. The conference is hosted by the Classis Huron Safe Church Team. To register please go to crcna.regfox.com/safe-church-conference-2025. Please register by February 27. Questions? Contact Carel (Safe Church Co-ordinator) at carelgeleynse20@gmail.com.
Choose Life Niagara will be hosting their Annual Dinner on Saturday, March 1, at 5 pm at Club Roma in St. Catharines. Guest Speaker, Liana Gordan, will share her story and talk about effective ways we can defend the sanctity of life. Tickets are $60 for adults and $30 for students $30. Buy tickets here: ChooseLife.ca/Events.
Choose Life Niagara will also be having their AGM at 4:30 pm on the same day as the annual dinner. This is for members only who have made a donation to or volunteered for Choose Life Niagara. There will be a brief overview of the year’s work and financials for Choose Life Niagara.
The Dordt University Concert Choir invites you to a concert on Wednesday, March 5 at 7:00 pm at the Mountainview CRC in Grimsby. This free concert is part of a spring tour. Directed by Dr. Ryan Smit, the choir will perform a rich and varied selection of music representing many styles and time periods from the Renaissance motets to traditional spirituals to modern works. Featured composers include Palestrina, Sweelinck, Randall Thompson, Brahms, Ola Gjeilo, Dan Forrest, Jaako Mäntyjärvi, Shawn Kirchner, and F. Melius Christiansen. The concert is free, with a freewill offering received to help defray tour expenses.
Looking for hope in these difficult times? Meeting God in the Wilderness, a zoom Lent course by Dr. Sylvia Keesmaat will explore how the wild spaces are places of hope for those grappling with fear and despair, as well as the place where the Creator God shapes us into who we are called to be. March 9-April 13; pay what you can. Go to www.bibleremixed.ca for info / to register. We are continually grateful for the many people from across the country (and continent!) that join us for these learning journeys.
At its core, climate change is profoundly unjust. It exacerbates hunger, poverty, and even political instability, disproportionally impacting the most vulnerable people of the world, the very ones we Christians are called to love and care for. Canadian, Climate Scientist, Dr. Katharine Hayhoe joins us online as she untangles the complex science behind global warming and highlights the key role our faith and values play in shaping our attitudes and actions on this crucial topic. A Critical, Contemporary conversations – not to be missed – Join us online: WED MARCH 12 @ 7 PM via ZOOM LINK HERE
You are invited to join us for our annual Fundraising Dinner Weekend: Friday, March 21 & Saturday, March 22 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.
The Awake to Praise Choir is pleased to announce the following dates for their Spring performances themed - Creation. Saturday, April 5, at 5:00 & 8:00 pm at the Vineland Free Reformed Church, and Tuesday, April 8 at 8:00 pm at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Center in St. Catharines. Ticket sales begin Wed, March 5 at 10:00 am. Purchase tickets on our website (you'll be directed to the the Performing Arts website). Visit our website for more info. - www.awaketopraisechoir.com
Tickets are now available for the annual combined concert of the Hosanna Choir & Mattaniah Christian Male Choir Concert which will once again be held at FirstOntario Concert Hall, Hamilton on Sat., April 19 at 7:30pm. The choirs will be accompanied by Ryan Vandenberg (Organ), Andre Knevel (Organ), and Naomi Noorduyn (Piano) and the 16-piece Scott Harrison String/Brass/Percussion Ensemble. Tickets are available at $25 & $35 via the choir’s website (www.hosanna-choir.org) any choir member, or Wendy at 905-628-1211 or at hdenhollander@yahoo.com.
Paul’s Missionary Journeys in Greece - October 13-24, 2025: Travel by motor coach (6 days) and cruise ship (4 days) to sites connected with Paul’s second and third missionary journeys, as well as visit other major sites of biblical, archaeological, and cultural interest. Jeff Weima, professor at Calvin Theological Seminary and leading Pauline scholar, hosts this inspirational tour. For more information, contact Dr. Weima at 616-328-3110 or weimje@calvinseminary.edu.
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: Paul's First Journey: The Gospel Spreads and the Church Grows - After Jesus ascends to heaven and the Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost, the apostles start teaching and spreading the good news of salvation. Join Groundwork as we study the Apostle Paul’s first missionary journey in Acts 13-14 and let his teaching and experiences instruct our faith today. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Kids Corner: Show Respect - Check out this week’s kids’ devotion at www.kidscorner.net. One way to be kind and respectful is to remind yourself that God made other people in his image (Genesis 1:27). 1 Peter 5:5 tells us to obey our elders and “be humble toward everyone else.” Check out all the great content at kidscorner.net, like KC’s Church In Action Comic Book.
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - Think about a favorite Bible verse. Look it up in translations that are different from what you normally use. What do you notice in a new way? What stands out to you? Rewrite the verse in your own words or draw a picture of what this verse means to you. Brought to you by Thrive: crcna.org/Thrive
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
Diaconal Ministries Canada equips and supports CRC deacons in their role within your church, the broader community, and beyond. We are currently accepting applications for the full-time position of NATIONAL DIRECTOR. Start date would be Fall 2025. Visit our website for more information and full job descriptions: diaconalministries.com/our-team/careers-opportunities/. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview.
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
Covenant Church St. Catharines is hiring for the summer! We are seeking young adult(s) (18-30 for CSJG) to join our team this summer as either our Summer Program Coordinator or Ministry Intern. These are full-time positions for 13 weeks (May – August 2025). Details can be found at https://www.covenant-church.ca/employment-opportunities. Applications will be received until MARCH 21st. Please email your resume to apply@covenant-church.ca
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.
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.