Prepare your heart. - Starting December 2, 2019, World Renew and the CRC Office of Social Justice will distribute a free email devotional to your inbox during Advent. Don’t let Christmas presents overtake the Christmas Presence. Sign up to receive reflections on this year’s theme of How Long, Lord? every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday through Christmas Day. How Long, Lord? will explore how witnessing destruction and injustices can often lead us to ask the same question that God’s people and the prophets in the Bible asked: “How Long, Lord?” Yet, in the midst of asking that question, we can have hope that our pain will not be forever and that the God who made us is with us, now and forever. Go to crcna.org/advent to sign up today!
From Back to God Ministries International
A Jesse Tree Family Devotional - A family devotional and craft for Advent from Today. Focus your family on the coming Christ. Share devotions together and color ornaments to explore the stories and symbols foretelling the promised Messiah. To get it, subscribe to Today for free at TodayDevotional.com/jessetree.
GROUNDWORK: BUILDING BLOCKS FOR BIBLICAL SUCCESS - How can we deal with opposition when we are trying to rebuild after our life has fallen apart in some way? Study Nehemiah 2:11-18, Nehemiah 4:1-15, and Nehemiah 5:1-12 with Groundwork to discover what we can learn from Ezra and Nehemiah’s experience with opposition. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL? - What’s the big deal about little sins? Why is Liz’s dad so upset when Liz didn’t do anything really bad? Listen now at kidscorner.net and subscribe to KC’s weekly emails for future episodes. Download KC’s Advent Gifts of Kindness devotionals to lead your family’s Bible study as you prepare for Christmas.
From Centre for Public Dialogue
Faith In Action Workshop - On November 30th from 10am-3:30pm, First CRC Orillia will be hosting a Faith In Action workshop from the CRC Center for Public Dialogue. Learn how to advocate for systemic policy changes in Canada. Read more at bit.ly/FaithInActionOrillia
From Faith Formation Ministries
At-Home Faith Formation Tip - In Liturgy of the Ordinary (IVP 2016), Tish Warren writes, “In my daily life I’ve developed habits of impatience—of speeding ahead, of trying to squeeze more into my cluttered day. How can I live as one who watches and waits for the coming kingdom when I can barely wait for water to boil?” As the Advent season draws near, how might you more fully embrace the discipline of waiting in your everyday home life? (Tip from Faith Formation Ministries; crcna.org/FaithFormation)
Free Advent Jesse Tree Resource - Jesse Tree: God's Big Advent Story is now available FREE for CRC families! This downloadable package from Faith Alive and Faith Formation Ministries includes 25 simple devotions that are great for kids of various ages and printable story symbol ornaments that follow God's story from creation to the birth of Jesus. Each day’s reading invites families to read and wonder about a Bible story together, pray together, and step away from the busyness of the season. Learn more and download the devotions and symbols at tinyurl.com/DwellJesseTree.
From Other
BENEFIT CONCERT HOSTED BY THREE CHOIRS - Crescendo, Men of Note, and Men of Praise are performing together and hosting a Benefit Concert at Maranatha Christian Reformed Church, 735 Frontenac Crescent, Woodstock, on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 7:30 pm. Come and enjoy an evening of music with us. There will be a freewill offering to support the work of The Lighthouse. For more information contact Rob Datema at 416-535-6262 or 416-802-5943 or rob@lighthousecentre.ca.
From Resonate Global Mission
Team and Volunteer Coordinator in Nicaragua - Resonate partner Tesoros de Dios in Nicaragua is searching for a passionate Team and Volunteer Coordinator! Translated as "God's Treasures," Tesoros de Dios serves children with disabilities and their families. In this role, you'll organize and coordinate volunteers as they serve. Learn more by visiting www.resonateglobalmission.org/treasures
From World Renew
Careers at World Renew - Join our team of energetic individuals who are passionate about Living Justice, Loving Mercy and Serving Christ. World Renew has the following exciting career opportunities: Donor Relations Manager - Alberta, ideally based in between Calgary & Edmonton; Donor Relations Manager - Michigan and the East Coast, based in Grand Rapids, MI; Volunteer Program Coordinator (Part-Time), based in Burlington, ON; or Country Consultant, Mozambique. See worldrenew.net/careers for more details about these opportunities and the links to apply.
Doubling Hope for Mothers - World Renew is partnering with women seeking justice for themselves and their families in Bangladesh. Your gift of $50 changes the lives of 4 women by providing training for birthing attendants, more nutrition classes, and start-up funds for more community groups where mothers gain access to the resources they need to help their children thrive. And thanks to our match campaign with One Day’s Wages, hope for 4 girls becomes hope for 8. Help double the hope by giving to onedayswages-worldrenew.funraise.org. Thank you for giving to #4justgirls.
Short-Term Volunteers - Are you 18 to 24 years old and interested in embarking on a short-term volunteer opportunity with life-long impact? World Renew’s Global Volunteer Program provides opportunities to live, work, eat, and play in an international community while exploring how God wants to use your talents and skills for His purpose. For more information, contact Andrew at globalvolunteer@worldrenew.net.
