Community Christian Reformed Church Kitchener, Ontario February 18, 2018
February 18, 2018 10:00 a.m. Pastor Carel Geleynse Elder-in-Charge: Gwen H [* Please rise, in body or spirit] Gathering and Greeting Welcome and Announcements *Call to Worship *God s Greeting *Songs of Praise: Amid the Thronging Worshippers Confession and Assurance Call to Confession Meekness and Majesty Song: Humble Thyself in the Sight of The Lord Prayer of Confession Song: Humble Thyself in the Sight of The Lord Assurance of Pardon Song of Response: Awesome God Children s Blessing Children ages 3 and 4 (only) are now invited to participate in Sunday School. Children need to be signed in and out by a parent or guardian. Proclamation of the Word *Song of Preparation: Speak, O Lord Prayer for Illumination Scripture Reading: Mark 9:30-41 Sermon: The Way to the Kingdom Prayer of Application Response to the Word Song of Response: PsH #287 Have Thine Own Way, Lord
Prayers of the People PsH 424 vs. 1, 2 Spirit of the Living God Offering: 1) Ministries of Community Christian Reformed Church 2) Centre for Public Dialogue *God s Parting Blessing *Doxology: PsH #637 Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow The congregation is asked to remain in their seats after the service to allow the Pastor and people with special duties or disabilities to exit first. Please exit when the music begins. Following the service, everyone is invited to come together for fellowship and coffee/tea/juice in the gymnasium. Coffee for seniors is served in the Multi-Purpose room. 6:00 p.m. Pastor Amanda Bakale Pianist: Ashley M [* Please rise, in body or spirit] Praise and Prayer Welcome *Call to Worship Pastor: Cong: Pastor: Cong: Pastor: Cong: Pastor: Cong: Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Jesus Christ is the light of the world, the light no darkness can overcome. Stay with us, Lord, for it is evening and the day is almost over. Let your light scatter the darkness and guide your people.
*God s Greeting *Song of Praise: PsH 481 Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies Psalm Reading: Psalm 27 Pastor: The Lord is my light and my salvation - Cong: whom shall I fear? Pastor: The Lord is the stronghold of my life - Cong: of whom shall I be afraid? Pastor: When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; Cong: though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. Pastor: One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: Cong: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, Pastor: to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. Cong: Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. Pastor: My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Cong: Your face, Lord, I will seek. Pastor: Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; Cong: you have been my helper. Pastor: Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Saviour. Cong: Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. Pastor: I remain confident of this: Cong: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Pastor: Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart Cong: and wait for the Lord.
Prayers of the People For prayers of thanksgiving, please respond with "Thanks be to God!" For prayers of petition, please respond with "Lord, hear our prayer" Offering: Centre for Public Dialogue Hearing the Word Song of Preparation: PsH #371 Christ, the Life of All the Living Prayer for Illumination Confession of Faith: Belgic Confession, Article 22 Scripture Reading: Galatians 2: 15-21 Sermon: Faith is the Instrument Silent Reflection and Prayer *Song of Response: PsH #495 I Know Not Why God s Wondrous Grace *God s Parting Blessing *Doxology: PsH #341 Amen (Three-fold) OUR CHURCH FAMILY The bracketed numbers indicate the Community to which these individuals belong Sad news was received earlier this week that Fred T, eldest son of Dwayne and Gladys T, died as the result of a mountain climbing accident in Mexico. Fred passed away last Sunday, February 11, at the age of 31. Dwayne and Gladys T are known to many of us because Gladys grew up in this church and CCRC has provided missionary support to the family for many years while they served with Christian Reformed World Missions in the Philippines. Our condolences are extended to John and Karen S (14) as Fred was their nephew. He was a cousin to Carita (7), Alanna (in the UK), and Olivia (14). The funeral was held this past Friday in Mexico City. May the Lord comfort and strengthen to these families as they mourn this loss. A memorial service for Fred T is tentatively booked for March 3 in our church. If you would like to send a note or card of condolence to the T family, please put it in John and Karen S s mailbox and they will be sure to pass it along. This coming week a group of 4 people will be going to Manitoulin Island to continue work on the Daystar Ministry building project and to learn more about the ministry. This group includes Derrick G Sr. (9), Harry O (4), Matthias M (11) and Arno W (3).
Consistory met this past Tuesday, February 13, and were excited to welcome Thomas R (3) for Public Profession of Faith. We look forward to celebrating with him in the near future. They also forwarded the membership of John and Gloria F to Immanuel CRC in Hamilton and Sam v to First CRC in Brandon Manitoba. We wish them God s blessing in their new worshipping communities! Please continue to pray for: those who are shut-in and/or unable to worship with us on a regular basis because of various health issues; those dealing with depression and other forms of mental illness; those dealing with cancer, its treatment and effects: Shannon B (7); Olga S (11) who remains as a patient at St. Mary s and Jane D (14) who continues her stay at Victoria General in London; those dealing with broken relationships; those who are unemployed or underemployed; John and Jane H with Samaritan Foundation in the Dominican Republic; Anthony and Barbara P with Daystar Ministries on Manitoulin Island; Kim H with Resonate Global Mission in Guatemala; Hank and Rosario S volunteering with Resonate Global Mission in Guatemala the persecuted Church; the Ministries and the Leadership of our congregation Congratulations to the following members in our congregation celebrating a birthday in the coming week: Feb 18 Kor H (14) Feb 19 Ralph V (11) Feb 20 Nel V (6) Feb 20 - Alma W (13) Feb 22 - Herman J (8) May they experience God s richest blessings in the coming year and as they celebrate their birthdays! The Church office will be closed tomorrow due to the Family Day Holiday. It will reopen on Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. Feb 25 Mar 4 UPCOMING SERVICES 10 a.m. Pastor Amanda 6 p.m. Communities Meet 10 a.m. Pastor John 6 p.m. Pastor Carel OFFERING SCHEDULE Budget Contributions For February 11, 2018 Actual Contributions Received Targeted Contributions Contributions (Shortfall)/ Surplus Feb 11 $8,365 $12,758 ($4,393) YTD $76,639 $94,375 ($17,736) Laurentian Hills Christian School $ 1,867 Ontario Christian Gleaners $ 75 Centre for Public Dialogue $ 40
This week our offering is for the Centre for Public Dialogue. This organization is defined as follows: We are Reformed Christians who believe that every person is created in the image of Creator God. From this foundation, we work to promote the flourishing of all people through constructive dialogue and advocacy in Canada. We believe that God calls all Canadians to be engaged citizens and to stand with vulnerable and marginalized people in our communities as allies. As Christian citizens, we work toward a just world in which structures and institutions give every person the opportunity to thrive. It's our goal to present a positive voice of faith in Canadian public life, and to live out justice, hope, and reconciliation in advocacy and citizenship. Our main office sits around the corner from Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Our grassroots advisory committee comes from Christian Reformed and Reformed Church in America churches across Canada from Halifax to Victoria. For more information go online at: https://www.crcna.org/publicdialogue. Next week our offering is for the Denominational Office of Race Relations: The Ministry of Race Relations is mandated by synod to design, organize, and implement programs that will assist the denomination, churches, and members in eliminating the causes and effects of racism within the body of believers and throughout the world. For more information go online to https://www.crcna.org/race. MISSIONARY CORNER We recently received a newsletter from Rev. Brian B who is the Campus minister with the Waterloo Campus Ministry at Laurier and Waterloo universities. Please help yourself to a copy and read about the ministry highlights happening on these campuses since September. Note from Kim H serving with Resonate Global Mission in Guatemala: I am writing to thank you for your support for my ministry in Guatemala these past 3 years. It has allowed me to serve wholeheartedly in the community in which we live and has provided for some of our family needs. Community CRC has been a partner with us for a few years now, and we are grateful for both your financial support and your prayers. I hope you also feel you have been contributors to the work going on in Santa Catarina Pinula children that attend Kairos School and the local centers are flourishing in their environment- not just academically but also spiritually and emotionally!! Thank you for being a part of it. I am also writing to inform you that I am transitioning out of my role at Kairos Christian School and the local center. This month will be spent tying up loose ends and leaving everything ready so that local staff can continue running the sponsorship program, and editing/printing a final copy of the ministry manual I have worked on this past year. What does this mean for you as my supporters? Mainly, that I will no longer be serving through Resonate Global Mission as an official missionary after this month. What does this mean for me? Well, I believe that being a missionary is a way of
life, not just a job, so of course my service will continue! I simply feel at this point that God is calling me to be a non-support raising missionary, so I will be looking for a job locally over the next few months, and hopefully I will still be able to serve during some my free time but no longer raising support. COMMUNITY CHURCH NEWS New! Lent Devotional Activity: Lent in a Bag: Looking for a way to deepen your experience of Lent this year? Then pick up one of the Lent-in-a-bags available in the front foyer of the church building. Each Lent-in-a-bag includes a devotional guide to be used by families or individuals over the 6 weeks leading up to Good Friday and Easter, as well as tangible items (sand, pebbles, etc.) tied to each weekly devotion. Please take one per household. Have a question? Ask Pastor Amanda. TODAY Booklets: The March/April 2018 edition of the Today Devotional Booklet is available at the Information Centre, on the shelves by the front doors. Large print copies are in the mailboxes of those who have requested them. Please, help yourself to a copy. Photography Note: For the next little while Laura D or Terri-Lyn M will be taking pictures around the church or during the service. They are gathering images and pictures for the soon-to-be updated website. Permission will be sought by anyone appearing in a photograph prior to appearing on the website. Elder/Deacon Nominations: It is time to consider nominations for retiring office bearers. Many Communities have been busy with this already. But besides the Community elder or deacon retiring we are also looking for two administrative elders and a youth elder. The following pastoral elders and deacons are retiring this June: Community 2: Deacon: Craig H Community 8: Elder: Shannon C Community 9: Deacon: Aaron D Community 13: Elder: Adom P; Deacon: Annette N Community 14: Elder: Larry L The following Administrative Elders are also retiring: Ian B, Jerry P The following Youth Elder is retiring: Elaine A If you discern that someone has the gifts for any of the positions listed, please pass along their name to the Nomination Committee Ian B, Gwen H or Raymond M. Church Directory: The time has come to update the church directory. Please take some time to check your contact information (name, address, home phone number and cell phone number(s) and email address(es)) The directory will display contact information only. A hard copy is posted in the gym today for you to check this information. Please look for the following: If all information is correct put a check mark beside your name and initial so the office knows it was reviewed. If any changes are needed to your information, print the details neatly beside your name. Cell phone
numbers can be included in addition to home phone numbers. If you are listed with your parents and would prefer to be listed separately, please indicate that on the sheets with all your contact information. If you are not listed and would like to be included, there are empty sheets at on the table for you to provide the necessary information. Please note: the directory is not an official membership list so if you are a regular worshipper at CCRC you are welcome to have your contact information included. Any questions or concerns? Contact Donna V in the church office (519) 743-9482 or office@ccrc.on.ca during church office hours. The following ministries are looking for volunteers: The Worship Committee Musicians The Worship Committee Congregational Representative The Safe Church Team The Missions Strategy Team Please check out the Connect, Participate, Serve bulletin board for more details. Prayerfully consider if you are able to give of your time and talents to become involved in one of these ministries. Thank you to those who stepped forward to volunteer for the Fire Safety Committee, the Safe Church team, and the Kitchen Auxiliary! Hey All VINE participants: we meet today to discuss Life Issues. Bring your questions and appetite: we hope to satisfy both! Have questions, comments, ideas, etc.? Contact Matthias M or Trevor B. Cadets (boys 7-13) will NOT meet tomorrow evening. Enjoy the long weekend! Cadets will meet again on Feb 26 at 7:00 p.m. at the church. Life After Fifty Five (L.A.F.F.) will meet this Tuesday at the church. Coffee and fellowship is at 10:15 a.m. with the meeting to start at 10:45 a.m. This week the group will joined by, Vicki K, from Young Drivers of Canada. She will speak about winter driving. Hopefully it is not too late to pick up some good safety tips. Lunch is provided. Hope to see you there. Friendship meets this Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. at the church. This week, Colin will be the storyteller, using session three, We Pray. Volleyball: Volleyball will meet this week on Tuesday night (February 20). All are welcome to join in for fun and noncompetitive volleyball. If you have questions or would like to know more, please contact Adom P or check out our Facebook Page "Volleyball at CCRC.
Coffee Break meets this Wednesday, at 9:30 am at the church. Women of all ages and stages of life are encouraged to join us for a morning of prayer, fellowship and renewal. Childcare is provided. Any questions, please contact coffeebreak@ccrc.on.ca. GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Saviour Girls 7-13) will meet this Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at the church. Friday Night Bible Study will meet this Friday, February 23 at 7:30 at the B's. We will be studying Chapter 1 of our Colossians study booklet. Please let John and Agnes know whether or not you will be attending by either calling them or sending them an email. Teen Club Grade 7 & 8 Well, gang, if you re in grade 8, you know what this is all about. If you re in grade 7, you ve probably heard all about this one. This is the big one, the one we wait so long for. Yep. THE ALL NIGHTER. What is it? Exactly what it s called. THIS Friday, Feb. 23 rd, we have our ALL NIGHTER. You get dropped off at the church at 11 p.m. Try your very best to stay up ALL NIGHT. It won t be too hard the leaders have some amazing games planned that night for you. You ll be kept busy and hoppin, until the wee hours of the morning. You ll need to be picked up Saturday morning at 7:00 a.m. By that time, you ll be begging to go home and sleep your day away. Who s going to try to sneak a few minutes of sleep that night? Who s going to be able to last all night long without a single wink? The leaders are veterans at this event, but will you outlast even them?! Let us know if you re in so we can plan for food and games. Shoot us an email at youth@ccrc.on.ca Oh, and leave your pillows at home. You won t need them.until you get home on Saturday. Student Impact High School Youth (Gr. 9 12) This week we have a fun social night planned for you. We are giving you the choice between Plant It or Play It. Plant it will be a fun terrarium building workshop. Bring $10 to cover supplies. Play It will be an evening of video games set up at the church ready for some serious gaming fun! We are looking for a couple extra games, consoles and controllers. If you have some that you could bring with you Wednesday night send and email to Paul Graansma so that we can make sure there are enough games, consoles and controllers for everyone. See you Wednesday night! AOYC 2018 - The All Ontario Youth Convention is an opportunity for high school-age youth to connect, worship and serve with other youth from across Ontario. This annual event is a highlight for many, and will be held at Wilfrid Laurier University May 18-21. More info is available at allontario.com. In order to get the Early-Bird rate, you must register on-line on the AOYC site before March 1. CCRC is also contributing $50 for our youth who register before April 15. To receive the $50 bursary, do not pay online at the AOYC site. Instead, print out the
confirmation form, and submit it with your cheque payable to CCRC for the total amount minus $50 to Steve or Michelle Fluit. If you have any questions, please talk to a Student Impact leader or contact Steve or Michelle F. DENOMINATIONAL NEWS For all of the announcements, employment and volunteer opportunities available through the Denomination and others, please see the listing and posters on the Deacons bulletin board across from the washrooms for information. The Annual Inter-Classis Safe Church Conference will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2018 from 9:00-3:30 at the Waterloo CRC. All are welcome! In light of the denominational Safe Church theme, this year s workshops will include workshops on human trafficking and how to create a safe and just community in light of the spate of recent allegations of sexual harassment. Other workshops will address the popular Netflix s series 13 Reasons Why as well as how to have healthy boundaries in ministry relationships. All ministry leaders (pastors, elders, deacons, youth ministry leaders) and those involved with abuse awareness are urged to attend. For further information and registration visit www.wmott.ca/scc. Brochures are available at the Information Centre. Please help yourself. Training Event on Ministry and Aging - A training event called "Aging: Challenges and Opportunities" will help pastors, elders, deacons, disability advocates, caregivers and others embrace the life God gives us as we age. Dr. Syd Hielema will keynote this event at Maranatha CRC, Woodstock ON, on Saturday, April 21. Sponsored by Disability Concerns, the keynote and workshop topics will include: growing in faith as we age; resources for ministry with older adults; caring for aging parents; aging and mental health. For more information and to register visit www.disabilityconference.org. Lent Prayer Campaign for Indigenous Justice - The Christian Reformed Church has affirmed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. But what does that mean? This Lent, the CRC s Canadian Aboriginal Ministry Committee invites you to enter into the themes of the Declaration through prayer. This is our prayer this week: For Indigenous people exercising their rights to be peacemakers and builders of healthy communities, even and especially, in those times when those calls disrupt our complacency, we give thanks. Join with us this Lenten season to pray: crcna.org/declarationprayers.
MISCELLANEOUS ALL ABOARD! Woodland Christian High School s Annual Dessert & Benefit Auction is taking flight Saturday, March 3, 2018 from 5PM 9PM. You are invited to an evening of fun, food, and fellowship traveling the world and marking your passport with items that you would like to bid on in the LIVE, SILENT, and DESSERT auctions. All proceeds raised will go toward the school s Tuition Assistance Fund. Join us early for an Italian Feast (Served from 5-7:00 PM), and preview the select items reserved for our Live Auction. Watch the Woodland website (www.woodland.on.ca) for details, sponsor logos, and the Auction Booklet (available electronically Feb. 26 th ). If you are a business who would like to support the auction with a donation of goods or services, please contact the school before Feb 28 th. Classis Huron Meeting Highlights from February 14, 2018 Pastor Andrew DeGelder of Palmerston CRC welcomed the Delegates. Delegates began the day with songs of praise, after which Rev. John Vanderstoep shared a short history about church planting, and what it means to move toward a posture of being on mission. He explained the differences in daughter, seeker, missional churches and the various characteristics of each. He stressed that while there are differences in structure and composition, we are all ONE Church, as we work together in responding to God s mission. Classis heard the examinations of Bart Eisen, Youth Pastor at Bethel CRC, Listowel, and Sara DeMoor, Chaplain at University of Guelph, who sought approval to be ordained as Commissioned Pastors. Upon completion of the examinations, Classis Delegates joyfully approved their requests. Rev. Andrew Zantingh expressed his appreciation to Classis Huron for its encouragement in serving as the Pastor of The Journey CRC in Kitchener. Classis heard from leadership of The Journey, Community CRC, Kitchener, and Rev. Zantingh, of his desire to be released from his position as Pastor, in order to pursue new/different ministry opportunities. Classis heard that this was an amicable separation, supported by all involved. Classis approved steps taken to effect the separation and the Synodical Deputies concurred Rev. Darrell Bierman shared information about the Council of Delegates [the body that has taken the place of the Board of Trustees in governing the CRCNA]. He shared about his involvement and role with the COD, sharing also that his term of office expires June 30, 2018.
As a result of an election process, Classis asked Rev. Ralph Wigboldus, Bethel CRC, Listowel to serve on COD on behalf of Classis Huron. Classis Delegates heard reports from: Youth Ministry Champion Amy Baarda of Stratford CRC, about the recent retreat, the EQUIP Conference, and the need to share all available resources so that both youth and the Church as a whole, are better able to respond to daily challenges of ministry and life. Safe Church Committee Chairperson, Atie Ott of Waterloo CRC, informed Delegates that the age of protection has gone from 16 to 18; that pornography is rampant everywhere, [also within the Church at large], and that office bearers are responsible for keeping the Church a safe place. Rev. Brian Bork, spoke about the Waterloo Campus Ministry, outlining some of the activities that form part of his ministry, at both WLU and UW. The Pre-Advice Committee re Kitchener Community CRC Overture, recommended that Classis adopt the overture re Faith Formations Ministry Solutions as presented. Classis gives its support. Rev. John Vanderstoep spoke re The Bridge in Fergus: sharing the values of that community, stories about various activities and about the people and their practices as members of The Bridge. He also spoke about his role as lead learner in learning/sharing what it means to walk by faith. Len Bakelaar as the Regional Advocate for Disability Concerns spoke about the need for the Church at large to be concerned about the aging of its members and attendant needs, sharing that there is an upcoming conference addressing this topic, on April 21, at Woodstock Maranatha CRC. Rev. Ron Vanden Brink, Diaconal Ministries Canada, shared his personal story about the overall ministry of DMC and how to respond to poverty, in order to restore people to rightful conditions. Guelph Campus Ministry asked Classis [and it approved] to support a request for Classis to fund its activities by covering the personnel costs at the equivalent rate of one fulltime campus minister. Classis elected Rev. John Medendorp [Kitchener Community], Rev. Kevin te Brake [Exeter], Deacon Jim Vanderleeuw [Waterloo] and Elder Rick DeGraaf [Cambridge Maranatha] as its representatives to Synod 2018. Alternates elected were Rev. Ed Jager [Guelph New Life], Rev. Victor Laarman [Collingwood], Elder Jeremy Vandenberg [Waterloo], and Deacon Herman Vandermunnik [Cambridge] On behalf of Classis, Vice-Chair Rev. Carel Geleynse expressed appreciation to Chair Rev. Gary Van Leeuwen for his leadership [applause]. Delegates rose to sing The Doxology. Classis is adjourned. Classis Huron meets next on Saturday May 5/18 at Maranatha CRC Cambridge