Please check the Worship Service page for our virtual worship services during COVID-19. A video sermon and other service information will be posted to the page around 10 am on Sunday morning.
We Hear and Respond to God's Word Welcome & Announcements Call to Worship God's Greeting Gathering Song: "As We Gather" Sermon Text: Matthew 25:31-46 Sermon Title: Seeing Christ in Others Song of Response: "Let It Be Said of Us" Congregational Prayer Closing Song: "They'll Know We Are Christians" Parting Blessing
OUR CHURCH FAMILY Prayer Requests: - For Teresa W, and Adrianna B. - For Brian, John H., Alida , Paul R. and Chris R. as they serve as our elders; for Jake, Rob, Robert, and Greg as they serve as our deacons. - Pray for the nurses in our area (including Janine and Kailyn) who have volunteered to temporarily serve in a retirement home where there are many active covid-19 cases; pray also for their co-workers who may be working short-staffed while they are away. - Give thanks for the birth of Priscilla! - Resonate missionaries Stan and Bessie Kruis in the Philippines ask you to pray for the country as it recovers from two typhoons. Heavy rains have caused a lot of destruction and lost lives. Pray for rescue of any people in danger, flooding to subside, relief assistance to come quickly to those in need, and wisdom for church and community leaders as they respond. - As Advent and Christmas near, many CRC churches are wondering how to share the light of Christ. Many people are more open to the gospel this year, but COVID-19 restrictions have limited how churches can host worship services and other events. But there are some new opportunities as well! Pray for creative approaches to engage mission this Advent season. - Pray for Resonate missionaries in Cambodia who disciple young leaders. Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and guidance in these important relationships. Ask God to work powerfully through these young leaders to strengthen Christ’s church. - Guatemala Monthly Prayer: Pray for the process that staff and partners hope to take to return to the offices and to the field visits; may God be their guide. Upcoming Special Collections: Although we are unable to meet together for regular Sunday worship gatherings, there is still opportunity to share of our gifts, talents and resources. First, be creative in thinking of the ways that you can be a blessing to those nearby to you (offering to buy or pick up groceries, offering child care for those who need to work, offering to cook a meal, etc.) Second, for our church members (we do not expect our guests to contribute financially) there are ways to continue to support our church and the other ministries/agencies that we would normally support on Sunday mornings. Our church is set up to receive e-transfers; they may be sent to vanastracrcdonations@gmail.com. Please add in your note where the donations are to be directed (i.e. Church Budget, World Renew, etc.) If you are not set up for e-transfer or do not feel comfortable with it, then cheques may be mailed to the church at 50 Fifth Ave. Vanastra, ON N0M 1L0. Please consider giving as if we were gathering together regularly on those Sundays. Upcoming Collections Nov 15: Church Ministries Nov 22: Church Ministries/HCS Tuition Bursary Fund (Tuition Relief) Nov 29: Church Ministries / World Renew Gifts Dec 6: Church Ministries / Ministry Shares Counselling: During COVID19 restrictions the CAP counselling ministry through Shalem Mental Health Network continues to make anonymous professional counselling support available to congregants of our church at no charge. All services are provided through a secured video or telephone connection. To book a CAP appt, call Shalem directly at 1-866-347-0041. And for more resource information check their website at https://shalemnetwork.org/. Congratulations! This week Jeff and Nicole welcomed Priscilla Maggie-Jane, a healthy and happy home birth! Catechism Time Change: Starting this week (Nov. 22) Catechism will be held following the morning service on Sunday Mornings starting at around 11:00am. It will last roughly 45 minutes to an hour. World Renew Gifts: Once again, we will be raising money toward World Renew Gifts during the Advent season (second collections on Nov 29, Dec 13-27). Starting this week, Gift Catalogues will be available in the sanctuary foyer and ONLINE. This year, we are going to be focusing on collecting gifts to feed those who are in need or free a family from the grips of poverty. Donations made through the church will be put toward "emergency food for a month". We are also encouraging families to prayerfully consider donating directly to World Renew to provide $27/month or $324 a year to help a family break from a cycle of poverty. Congregational Meeting: November 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. All professing members are encouraged to attend. The agenda and supporting documents have been emailed out. Please contact the office if you did not receive the documents. Please remember to RSVP to vanastracrcclerk@gmail.com if you plan to attend. A New Gift: As we navigate these strange times, we are constantly looking for ways to stay connected and to learn and grow in our faith. One new resource that we have made available is RightNow Media. It gives us access to over 20,000 Bible study, kids programs, marriage study and other videos. It is accessible to entire community at no cost to you and can be accessed by following this link: https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Account/Invite/VanastraCommunityCRC. Council Clippings: The roof has been replaced. We are very thankful to the congregation for stepping up to make this happen so fast. We would like to formally welcome Nancy M. as our new administrator. She will be starting December 7, 2020. Save the date: Congregational membership meeting Monday, November 30, 2020. Deacons Dinner: On December 12 our Deacons will be offering a Take-Out Christmas Dinner for Seniors (60+). Please RSVP by November 25 by emailing vanastraccrc@gmail.com or calling 519-482-7376. Pick up (likely a "drive-thru" style) will be between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. Flyers with this information will also be available on the table in the foyer on Sunday.
OUR CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY A Thank you from Resonate: Thank you for supporting God’s mission! Your giving is making a special impact this year. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, ministry has been so challenging for your missionaries and church planters around the world. We’ve received many special requests for funding and resources—and your support has made it possible to keep proclaiming the gospel. When you give to Resonate Global Mission, you are investing in overcoming the challenges of this crisis and helping lead people to faith in Jesus Christ. You are investing in the future of this denomination and declaring that gospel mission is essential! Around the world, people are anxious, stressed, grieving, and searching for answers and support. Thank you for being there for them. Thank you for sending people to walk alongside them, pray with them, and encourage them. Ministry leaders around the globe couldn’t do it without your support. Thank you for standing with us. Thank you for your partnership in living out the gospel. In Christ, Kevin DeRaaf, Acting Canada Director. South Coast Beach Project (SCBP): If you or someone you know is 18 – 25 years old, wanting to grow in leadership and discipleship, then check out the SCBP! Make life-long friends. Deepen your faith. Get summer work experience. And do all this while living in Port Dover on the shore of Lake Erie. What a better way to spend this summer 2021. Living in intentional Christian community with your peers; learning opportunities about integrating your faith and life; getting work experience through summer employment; connecting with a local congregation. For more information: www.southcoastbeachproject.org or contact Pastor Willemina Zwart at info@southcoastbeachproject.org. A ministry of Immanuel Christian Reformed Church, Simcoe and in partnership with Resonate Global Mission. There is also a description and video posted to the Bridge App. HCS Cheese and Dutch treats order: We are once again offering our Dutch Market and Jennard Cheese fundraiser! This is a major fundraiser as we earn 30% back on what is sold. A large variety of cheese and Dutch treats are available to order. Order forms are available on the website www.huronchristianschool.ca or at the school or by emailing trip@huronchristianschool.ca. Orders are due by November 23rd for delivery the 8th or 10th of December (to be determined the week prior). Contact Lorraine or Trish at 519-482-7851 at Huron Christian School on Wednesday mornings. Thank you for your support!! Huron Christian School (HCS) invites applications for full time grade 2 maternity leave position, effective January 25, 2021. If you are an OCT qualified, Christian educator who is passionate about sharing your love for God and discovering the wonder of His creation with children, we would like to hear from you. If you would like to become part of a school community that is growing, and has just moved into a newly renovated building, please submit your cover letter, resume, statement of faith, philosophy of Christian education, along with three references (professional, personal and pastoral) electronically to the attention of the principal, Mr. Nick Geleynse at principal@huronchristianschool.ca by November 27, 2020. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Fall Mainstage: Stranger in the Land - Dec. 12, 2020. Written and directed by Redeemer’s own Professor Ray Louter, Stranger in the Land is the story of Anne Vander Berg, a woman coming to terms with generational trauma and her connection to the people who immigrated to Canada after the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The performance will be recorded in front of a small audience from November 27-28 and released digitally on December 12. For more details, visit redeemer.ca/stranger-in-the-land.
