New Life News
Flood Crisis Update – November 23, 2021
Church property outside has no flooding, there was extensive flooding in the surrounding area. We also have withstood some water damage in the basement of the church. Almost every part of the basement will need some kind of repair. A restoration company has already been in to evaluate and repair. We do not know how long the repairs will take. This means for the next little while our basement will be off limits.
If you are someone who would like to help practically, please contact Justin Dudney by email, jdudney@newlifecrc.ca, or call/text 604-768-8277. There are families who will need a variety of help: Meals, Cleaning, Removal of garbage, Light demo, Dump runs, Clearing barns, Etc. Justin, along with a leadership team from New Life, will be organizing work crews to help.
If you are someone who needs help, please contact Justin Dudney by email, jdudney@newlifecrc.ca, or call/text 604-768-8277. We will organize work crews to come out to you.
Other ways to help are to donate food to Archway Community Services at 2420 Montrose Avenue. You can donate clothing to Bible for Missions on 2337 West Railway Street. You can also give a financial donation to New Life Church and make sure you designate it to “Flood Relief.”
Please remain patient with us as we navigate this crisis. Please be ready to serve your neighbour when a need arises. We appreciate already the huge amount of support for the church family.
November Serve Focus
This month for our second last serve focus we are working with Ministry to Seafarers with their Christmas at Sea drive. We are going to collect a bunch of items that this ministry will then use to make christmas bags to hand out at the ports. Below is a list of items and also a link to a sewing pattern that can be used for the actual Christmas bags.
- Bars of soap
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrushes
- Good moisturizing cream
- Shampoo
- Razors
- Lip balm
- Good new warm men’s socks
- Chocolate bars
- Dental floss
- Small shower gel
- Toques
- Thank you/merry christmas/God bless cards
Bag Pattern: https://ministrytoseafarers.com/ditty-bag-pattern/
Click here to learn more about the Ministry to Seafarers!
Marriage Night – POSTPONED
Unfortunately, due to the flooding in Abbotsford and Chilliwack, we are going to postpone our Marriage Night scheduled for this Friday, Nov 26. We will look to find another date in the new year. We have members and participants from Chilliwack who would not be able to make it out. We feel the members of our community need more practical help in these times and we want to available.
We want to focus our attention during these coming days and weeks to be Gods hands and feet and practically serve our community.
We thank you for your understanding and look forward to hosting this event in the New Year.
October Serve Focus
This month’s serve focus will be on serving the Abbotsford Food Bank. Every year in October we have a Thanksgiving food drive. This year the deacons are expanding that to a month-long food drive. Instead of bringing all our grocery donations on just one Sunday, each Sunday (and on Thanksgiving Day) this month you will be asked to bring a single item to church for the food drive. In the service, at the offering time we will all bring and place our food items on the stage steps.
Reverse Offering Schedule:
October 10 – Cooking Oil
October 11 – Rice (preferably in 1or 2kgs Bags)
October 17 – Jam
October 24 – Pasta Sauce
October 31 – Anything
Thanksgiving Day Breakfast – Oct 11
Thanksgiving Day is on Monday, October 11 and we are gathering again under the theme of “Nourish & Be Nourished”, as we did last year. This year is a special celebration of being able to meet together. So we invite you to gather right here, with gifts of Rice for the Abbotsford Food Bank and we are going to worship and give thanks and have breakfast together. The service begins at 9:00am on Thanksgiving Day.
New Life Live – September 22
NEW LIFE LIVE this year will be on Wednesday September 22 at 7:00pm. This meeting will be a presentation of the new fiscal year budget, a ministry summary, and a motion to approve a new board member. This will be both an online and in-person event, you choose how to attend. We encourage the congregation to participate in the event and to submit any questions. You can submit questions by email prior to September 22 by emailing the office or you can watch the event online and ask questions during the presentation through the chat function. The voting will take place electronically and will remain open for a week from Wednesday, September 22 to Tuesday, September 28.
New Life County Fair – Sept 19
Septemeber 19 is our yearly kick off! This year we are celebrating by hosting a County Fair. Under a “county fair” theme, we want you to celebrate with the Delair community after the worship service from 11:30-1:30pm. We’ll have carnival games, bouncy castles, fellowship, and FOOD! And it’s all free! Can’t wait to see you there!
Rain Plan Update: If there is rain on that day, we will be moving the county fair inside the church. All the same games, food, and entertainment will still be available! A final decision will be made on Friday.
Switchlife Youth Registration & Re:Activate
If you or your youth Grades 8-12 is interested in attending Switchlife Youth this year please register them using the link below. We are also, heading to Re:Activate on Sept 10-12 at Willoughby CRC and you also need to REGISTER for that, link & information is also below.
Register here for Switchlife: https://new-life.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/151/responses/new
Register here for Re:Activate: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reactivate-youth-convention-2021-registration-164020562919
Re:Activate is a annual 2 night youth retreat hosted by Willoughby CRC for all CRC youth groups in the Fraser Valley. If you would like to learn more please visit https://www.reactivatecrc.com/. Re:Activate has always been a highlight for many students and it is a great & exciting way to start off the year. We can’t wait!
We are planning some fun events and we even hope to sneak one in before reactivate. Keep an eye on your emails for those details and follow us or encourage your youth to follow us on Instagram if you aren’t already @snapswitchlife.
See you soon!
Taylor & Janessa
Covid Update – August 9, 2021
Dear New Life Family,
We have now been meeting for in-person gatherings each week since June 6. It’s wonderful to enjoy fellowship and each other’s presence. Please be mindful of public health recommendations that reduce the spread of the Covid-19 virus: face masks, handwashing, and social distancing. Let’s also make sure we are caring for one another by respecting other people’s concerns, especially for those who are immune compromised.
Online Campus
A “blessing in disguise” resulting from the pandemic has been the opportunity to develop ministry with electronic media. The New Life Online Campus offers people a way to participate in the community and ministry of New Life Church where ever they are. When you view a worship service online, for example, you can participate in the chat throughout the service and engage with others in fellowship as you worship. We are excited about this ministry platform and hope that it will continue to expand and serve as a tool for growing God’s kingdom. Videos of past worship services continue to be available as well. All of it is available by going to www.newlifecrc.ca.
Facility Upgrade Project
Another blessing has been the opportunity to bring some necessary upgrades to the New Life auditorium. With a fresh coat of paint throughout the auditorium, a new projection system, and new stage lighting, there is quite a different look. New house lighting will be installed hopefully during the week of August 9, which should complete projects that we have planned. Not only were these upgrades over-due, but they also have allowed us to develop our media ministry (e.g. live streaming worship services). Along side of these upgrades we have recently addressed rising security concerns for the facility. We have contracted with a security company to install cameras that will be monitored for dangerous activity in and around the premises. This upgrade should be completed by the end of August.
Serve 2021
Throughout 2021 we have been emphasizing the pillar of “serving” in our ministry plan. Thank you so much for the ways you have participated and responded to the opportunities extended to us. In the month of August we want to serve the Delair community around the church by offering hospitality, fellowship, and fun with Superhero Park Days at Delair Park (corner of Delair and Old Yale). We hope you come out to meet your neighbours. That’s happening Monday through Thursday, August 9-12 from 10am to 12pm.
Hopefully you’ve had opportunity for refreshment this summer. We are entering a new fall ministry season that will draw people to Jesus and help us follow him with all our heart. Please keep all of the ministry start-up in prayer. We depend on your enthusiasm, volunteering, and support. Let us know how you are willing to help. God is doing a great work in and through us. Let’s grab hold of that work and celebrate his goodness together.
Serving Christ together,
Pastor Nathan
Superhero Park Days August 9-12
We want to head into our community and have some fun by hosting Superhero Park Days at Delair Park. On August 9-12 (Monday-Thursday) from 10am-12pm we will be getting to know the families and children of the Delair Community. Everyone is welcome to come and join in on the fun. We will bring games, sports, crafts, face painting and more. If you would like to be part of this, we have many opportunities for you to serve and help out with this event. Sign up to help with planning, preparing and attending this event. We need help planning crafts or playing games with the kids. Click here if you would like to volunteer or email Sam Visser if you have questions.