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MOUNTAINVIEW NEWS
Join us Sunday morning at 10 am or anytime throughout the week. Pastor Erick Schuringa will present a message “Immersed in God’s Identity.” He will be looking at Genesis 1:26-27; Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Corinthians 3:18.
As we celebrate what it means to join the church community, we will look deeper at the baptism identity statement "in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." This is more than a mere formula, it is a recognition that we are immersed in the image and likeness of God. Knowing this shapes how we understand life.
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
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 Offerings:
Upcoming Offering: January 12th A.M. – Benevolence: Your contribution to Mountainview’s Benevolent Fund provides assistance for those in need in our church family and in our local community. These include basic needs such as food, clothing, housing and schooling. A church and community of our size has many varied needs within it. Please continue to support our ministry of Benevolence.
Other…
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
& OPPORTUNITIES
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
SOCO Beach Project (Christian Discipleship & Summer Experience for Young Adults): Applications for SOCO Summer 2025 are OPEN! 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 are open - deadline for first consideration is January 15. Check out the latest newsletter and be part of this ministry with a year end gift! Link: https://mailchi.mp/southcoastbeachproject/soco-update-december-19-8566565
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).
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!
JWorld 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, visit 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
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.
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
Christ or Barabbas? - Join us on January 29, 2025 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.”
HAMILTON MEN SING THY PRAISE – Male-Voice Audience Psalm/Hymn Sing: All men are invited to a male audience psalm/hymn sing, the Lord willing, on Saturday, February 1 at 7:00PM at Maranatha Free Reformed Church, 1114 Old Mohawk Rd, Ancaster, ON. Whether you sing tenor, bass or just enjoy singing the melody of songs, you will enjoy this event. A beautiful collection of psalms & hymns will be sung. The evening will be 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. If you have any questions, contact hdenhollander@yahoo.com. To view and enjoy the October 19, 2024 evening, search Hamilton Men Sing Thy Praise on YouTube.
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: Learning from the Sins of King David - Complacency and desperation lead David to compound sin upon sin as he unsuccessfully relies on his own power and abilities to right his wrongs. Join Groundwork as we explore 2 Samuel 11 to study David’s fall from grace, the consequences of his actions, and how his journey can illuminate our own path toward honesty, repentance, and a life that pleases the Lord. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Kids Corner: God's Guidance - Check out this week’s kids’ devotion at www.kidscorner.net. Ask yourself, “How can you tell what God wants you to do?” Spoiler Alert: the key is to remember who God is. Listen now at kidscorner.net and subscribe to KC’s weekly emails for all the new content. Check out all the great content at kidscorner.net, like KC’s The Bible in One Year Plan.
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - Today is Epiphany Sunday, when we celebrate Jesus’ coming as the light to all people. On this Sunday we remember the Magi, who saw the light in the sky and followed it to hono(u)r the birth of Jesus. Read Matthew 2:1-12. Talk about what kind of gift you would bring to Jesus, and why. 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
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