New Life News
Switchlife Prayer Night – January 30
Prayer is important and praying corporately is one simple way that we can grow as a church and as individuals. Group prayer is outside of many of our comfort zones, but that doesn’t mean that this isn’t for everyone. Whether you pray silently or pray out loud, the annual Switchlife Prayer Night is an important tradition and opportunity. We will break into different small groups and each group will be led in prayer by 3 or 4 youth. We will be praying for topics chosen by those students.
This is a unique opportunity to learn the minds and hearts of our young ones as we seek God together. If you’re a grandparent, an uncle or an aunt, a parent, or simply someone who wants to pray with the next generation of leaders, this prayer night invitation is for all. We hope to see you on Thursday, January 30 at 7:30pm.
let’s do lunch sunday – Feb 9
We continue to seek to be a hospitable community that puts love into action! On Sunday, Feb 9, at 12:30pm we want you to be a HOST or a GUEST at a potluck. The goal is to have 10, 20, or even 30 potlucks happening at the same time all over Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission, etc. Everyone will be responsible to contribute to the meal whether you are the host or guest. We will begin on January 3 by finding as many HOSTS as we can. Once that is settled everyone will be invited to sign up to attend as a GUEST. Signs up will be available below.
Host Sign Ups: Closing Soon!
Whether your house can host 4 people or 20, you could be a host! If you would be willing to open up your home on February 9 for a potluck, please use the button below to let us know. On the form you will give us all the important details like where you live and how many you can host. Host sign ups are open now until Wednesday, January 22. We currently have 11 hosts, but are still hopeful for a few more!
Guest Sign Ups: Opening January 26
Once we have collected as many host homes as we can, guests will be able to sign up for one. Guest sign ups will take place on Sunday mornings with physical paper copies as well as online. If you choose to sign up online (using the button below), you will be placed at a home based off the information given. If you sign up after service on Sunday, January 26 or February 2, you will be able to choose which house you’d like to attend. Guest sign ups will be open from January 26 – February 2.
Last year New Life was in a sermon series called “At The Table”. This series focused on hospitality and being an open community. The New Life congregation participated in this event and it was an astounding success. Many people were encouraged and blessed by the potlucks they attended. We ALWAYS want to be a hospitable and welcoming community and that’s why we are excited to do this again! We hope and pray that you will consider participating in this years “Let’s do Lunch Sunday”.
If you have any questions about being a host or guest, please contact the church office.
The Journey – Jan 19
Using Walter Bruggemann’s book, Sabbath as Resistance, January’s “The Journey” workshop will look at how keeping Sabbath is less about keeping rules but more about breaking the restless cycle of consumption, performance and possessions. We will look at how Sabbath keeping is an alternative way for followers of Jesus to live a more fulfilling and simple life in a world of wanting more, getting more, owning more, using more, and eating more. If you are weary from the “contemporary rat race of anxiety” (as Bruggemann would say), then come to the workshop to get a glimpse into how keeping Sabbath could help you become whole persons and break free from that cycle. These Journey workshops are held once a month on Sunday evenings to equip Men and Women of all ages for the journey of faith. This specific session will be on Sunday, January 19 at 6:30pm in Room 303.
Upcoming Journey Sessions:
- February 16: Heidelberg Confessions
- March 16: TBD
- April 13: Lent
Newcomers Lunch – January 19
Are you new to the New Life community? Whether you have come once, a handful of times or been attending for many months, we’d love to have lunch with you! Come upstairs after the service to room 303 on Sunday, January 19. You will have a chance to meet New Life Staff and Elders, ask questions and hear from Pastor Nathan a brief intro of New Life’s mission, vision and values.
- Where: New Life Church – Room 303
- When: 11:30am-1:30pm (following the service)
- Who: Anyone who is new or would like to learn more about New Life. Children are welcome, we will have some activies to keep them engaged.
New Life Missions Give Guide
We are inviting you to serve our community with gifts to our mission partners & missionaries.
Here are seven opportunities for you to give:
- Hope for Korah – They have a gift catalogue available online at org/gift-guide. You can give a child breakfast, become a sponsor and lots more.
- Joshua House – There is a large box near the mail boxes in the church foyer where you can deposit items such as shoes (sizes 11, 12), winter coats (sizes L,XL, XXL), new socks & underwear for the men overcoming addiction.
- Brand New Life – You can provide a child a full set of clothes, including shoes, for $70. Donate through New Life and mark it for “Brand New Life”.
- Esperanza – The green house New Life built was taken down by a tree in a storm this year. We’d like to replace it. Donate through New Life and mark it for “Esperanza Greenhouse”.
- Youth Unlimited – A faith-based organization that meets vulnerable youth in Abbotsford needs funds to support their ministry to youth. They also would be blessed by baked goods and hot chocolate, contact the Youth Unlimited office via email (jacquie@youthunlimited.com) for arrangements. In the New Year, there will be opportunities to volunteer with Doug’s sports programs at the two Sumas Prairie schools.
- Archway Food Bank – You can bring food or monetary donations to the church. Food can be placed in the large box near the mailboxes and monetary donations should be made out to New Life Church, but marked as “Archway Food Bank.”
- Donate to one of our missionaries: Fred in Middle East, Eve in Ethiopia, Fernando in Colombia, Doug in Abbotsford or the Barnhoorn family doing Bible translation work for Nigeria.
We know there are many ways to give and many things to which we can give. Let us give with thankful hearts in response to the gift God has given us.
Either donate directly to the cause you choose or through New Life by any of our giving methods, but make sure you clearly indicate in the memo who the gift is for. There are also many giving Catalogues made by other non-profits such as World Renew.
Please give all gifts by December 20.
We wish you joy as you reach out to others this Christmas Season.
Merry Christmas!
Christmas Services
Celebrate Christmas with worship services at New Life Church that encourage and inspire. We’re keeping Christmas real with the theme Christmas Unpolished during the four Sundays of Advent (Dec.1, 8, 15, 22). On Sunday, December 22 at our regular 10 AM service children will give a special presentation called The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. On Tuesday, December 24 there is a Christmas Eve service at 4:30 PM. This will be our annual candle-light service, a service that will help you reflect on what you want from Christmas. With the theme of “On Your Way Rejoicing” a Christmas Day service is held on Wednesday, December 25 at 10 AM, complete with a Christmas choir. Invite friends and neighbours into this season of hope and joy and celebrate with them the promise of God’s love and peace.
Nursery for ages 0-2 will open for both of these services. Activity sheets will be available on the stage for any kids ages 3 – Grade 5.
New Life Live – Dec 4
Save the date for our semi-annual congregational meeting coming up on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 7pm. This meeting will include a review and approval of the financial statement for the past ministry year and group prayer time for ministries of New Life and the church in Abbotsford. A full meeting agenda and report will be available in church mailboxes, at the information booth and in the New Life Encourager. The meeting will be held in the New Life Auditorium and will not be livestreamed. Please submit questions you would like addressed at this meeting in advance to office@newlifecrc.ca.
The Journey of Peace – Dec 6
You are invited on Friday, December 6, 2024 at 7:00pm for a presentation of the Peace & Reconciliation Network. We are living in a time of great disruption in our world, which we feel locally, and witness across our world. Dr. Salim Munayer will offer the feature presentation. He is an Israeli citizen and a Palestinian Christian with thirty years of experience in reconciliation work in the Middle East. His perspectives and lived experience will invite us to think, pray and respond with Christ’s love and care in the face of injustice and turmoil. The evening will also include an Advent reflection featuring Bolivian artist Daniela Amestegui. Click here to RSVP.
The Journey – Nov 17
This workshop will be about Grief and Grief Support. The presentation is led by Susanne Fehr from Abbotsford Hospice & Grief Support Society.The Journey workshops are held once a month on Sunday evening to equip Men and Women of all ages for the journey of faith. You are welcome to attend any or all of these sessions. This will be on Sunday, November 17 at 6:30pm in Room 303.
Upcoming Journey Sessions:
- January 19: Heidelberg Confessions
- February 16: Sabbath
- March 16: TBD
The Journey – Oct 20
The next Journey workshop is scheduled for Sunday, October 20 at 6:30pm in room 303. . This month’s workshop will seek to provide an overview of Acts by looking at the growth of the early Church, the spread of the gospel, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit demonstrated through key figures like the apostles Peter and Paul. Whether you’re new to studying the Bible or looking to deepen your understanding, this workshop is open to all. Bring your questions and insights! The workshop length is two hours. Refreshments will be available. This is open to anyone, no registration required
The Journey sessions are held once a month to equip participants for the journey of faith. The intent for these discipleship workshops is to help form our faith as we learn to be followers of Jesus.
Upcoming Journey Sessions:
- November 17: Grief Support
- January 19: Heidelberg Confessions
- February 16: Sabbath