Dear New Life Congregation,

Welcome to a new year, 2021!  We all wish, or at least joked, that a new year could bring a clean slate to this pandemic situation. Unfortunately, it is still with us. At New Life we keep pressing into God’s calling to work for changed lives, a diverse community, and a radical impact. Admittedly, it does get frustrating to discern exactly what restrictions there are, how they apply to us, and for how long. Through it all, we are still making plans for ministry, and feeling enthusiastic about the opportunities God places before us.

Shifting Focus

Recently, staff discussed moving forward in ministry. We discerned God’s call to a more outward focus in serving the community. In the past year we placed a lot of energy and effort into producing virtual worship experiences and sustaining community through various connections and Life Group meetings. Worship and Community remain important pieces of our ministry, and in addition we want to place our initial focus on serving for the coming year. Many are already serving in various capacities, and we are glad for that. This shift in focus is not an expectation that we just do more, but that we recognize God’s on-going purposes in our life together.  Let us know that you are in:  1) send us back a reply here; or 2) comment in the staff video here.  We would love to hear your stories of serving too!

Serve Opportunity

This month our “serve” focus will land on the Abbotsford Food Bank. Not only does the food bank require on-going donations of food and money, but especially in this pandemic season, they need people willing to deliver groceries to food-bank clients. New Life deacons would like to provide teams of drivers that could participate on a monthly rotating schedule to make deliveries. If you could serve in this capacity, please contact deacon Mark Heidelberg who will direct you to the scheduler at the food bank.

Ministries

With health restrictions renewed for another month, worship services will continue to be pre-recorded and posted on our website, YouTube, and Facebook.  Though we don’t expect it for another couple months, we will be prepared to return to all live worship services when in-person gatherings are permitted for churches.  We encourage Life Groups to stay connected by electronic means.  A current public health order does allow some children and youth programming.  We are exploring how to proceed with this.

Thank you for your encouragement and support to church staff and leaders during this unusual season.  And if you are feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or depressed, or if you need assistance in any way, make sure that you stay connected with us directly, or through your Life Group, and elder or a deacon.

In Christ,

Nathan Elgersma (Lead Pastor)

[email protected]

(604) 743-8001

Dear New Life Congregation,

In this time of pandemic and on-going disruption, and especially in this Christmas season, the staff of New Life want to bless you with peace and grace.  As we have been dealing with necessary adaptations to our plans at church, we know that you also have to make changes, adjustments, and even sacrifices.  This week we’ve reminded ourselves of the need to rest on God’s grace, sufficient for all that we must endure.  And so we bless you.

We have been so excited about the Bethlehem Walk that we’ve been planning since September, and have been announcing for some time now.  The idea was to allow people to go through the church building with decorated stations that tell and reflect on the Christmas story.  It would have been so exciting to welcome you through the building.  The latest restrictions from any kind of gatherings or events have forced us to make changes.

So, we hope to present to you an online version of the Bethlehem Walk that will be our gathering point for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  You will be at home, but we will virtually gather to celebrate our Saviour’s birth through video.

Weekly online services will also continue to be produced for Sunday worship in your own homes.  This virtual gathering will be the only way to meet until at least Sunday, January 10, 2021.  We encourage you to participate in these online services and keep connection with New Life Church.   If you have any needs or concerns, please don’t hesitate to be in touch with us.  Email or call the church, or use Pastor Nathan’s direct line (604) 743-8001.  We will continue to assess when we might resume in-person gatherings for Sunday worship and other ministry groups.

Thank you for extending so much encouragement to the New Life staff in this peculiar season.  At times it has been exasperating to continually adapt ministry with changing health restrictions.  Thank you also for your continued faithfulness in giving to ministry at New Life Church.  We have worked hard to keep focused on worshipping together, on sustaining a sense of community, and extending a hand of grace and mercy to the people around us.   Your donations have made that possible.

As we near the year-end please consider a gift that will continue to sustain New Life Church as we move into a new year, with great anticipation that no matter the circumstances, we can proclaim the love of God to our neighbours.

In Christ,

Nathan Elgersma (Lead Pastor)

Our mission partners are once again excited to have their items displayed in the catalogue. Please take a look at the catalogue and prayerfully consider how you can support New Life’s partners and missionaries.

Click here to see the Catalogue.

There are 3 ways to order:

1. Print off the PDF order form and bring it to the office with your payment.
2. Fill in the PDF order form and email it to the office.
3. Click here to fill out the online order form.  Once you’ve put in your online order, payment can be made by dropping off a cheque or cash to the NL office before Dec 31 or by e-transfering [email protected].

Thank you so much for your support!