Church Family - April 19th, 2026
Offering Prayers
We pray for all those mourning the loss of loved ones. May God grant peace, strength, and hope as they walk the road of grief. May they know the presence of the Spirit, a community of care/support, and the nurturing of their faith along that path.
Theresa Jongerden was hospitalized late last week as she has been experiencing a lot of pain which has been challenging to treat. She has returned home but needs our ongoing prayers. May God give her and her family peace, strength, and grace on this road together.
It was noted in a service (but not in Church Family yet) that Coby Hoiting’s mother, Willy, passed away on April 2nd in Emmanuel House Hospice, Hamilton. The funeral and visitation have taken place. We pray a blessing on Willy’s family and friends, particularly on Coby and her siblings, as they have said their good-byes and now move forward in faith without her. May God grant them grace in their grief and also the peace that passes understanding. Her Obituary along with a livestream of her service are linked HERE.
We pray for the tenuous peace deals being brokered in the Middle East. We pray for many other countries across our world where no peace is in site due to war, disasters and political or economic instability. So many people are suffering for the sake of politics and power. May God have mercy. May God’s compassion and wisdom fill the hearts and minds of those leading and making decisions. May God’s Shalom enter into and pervade the lives of all those most impacted. May we be agents, how we are able and where we can manage from a distance, of God’s peace and justice. Praying for God’s blessing on all the people and organizations bringing light into dark places.
Please join us in holding up in prayer those who manage daily burdens of one kind or another (chronic or acute illness, grief, mental health, loss of abilities). We think specifically this week of: John & Henny VanderKolk, Clarence Alkema, Lois Hanson, Henny Draaistra, Marie Petervari, and Rina VanTellingen. May God give them each what they stand in need of. May God give wisdom and strength to those who walk alongside them. We also pray for those who are dealing with issues of which we are not aware.
Giving Thanks
We give thanks for Kevin’s work with the Canadian Armed Forces developing policy and training for his fellow Chaplains.
May God bless his efforts and give him what he needs.
As our denomination marks Abuse Awareness, we are thankful for Safe Church Ministry, leaders and policy. Although policy is not generally something people celebrate, this policy enables our church to be transparent, courageous, caring and responsive in challenging and uncomfortable situations. It protects the vulnerable among us, creates safe space to build healthy relationships and minsitries, and give us courage to stand up to any abuses of power or position. Thanks be to God for Safer Churches!
We celebrate the funds raised at last weekend’s Youth Bowling Fundraiser “Westward We Roll”. So thankful for generousity, community building and support for our Youth and Youth Leaders.
We received a generous Canada Summer Jobs grant for Summer Camp! This money is essential to offering the kinds of programs and support that best meet the needs of kids and families in our community. It also enables us to provide 30+ people with summer employment this year. We are very thankful for our government’s commitment to families and students in our region. Job offers have also gone out and staff positions are getting sorted. We are thankful for the leaders desiring to serve at camp and for their development as leaders here. We are thankful for Christine and the Admin Team’s guidance of that growth. Camp is filling up. Art, Science and Games week are full with the other weeks close to follow. We are thankful for all of the families who choose Kids@Mountainview Summer Camp for their children and pray that everyone grows closer in relationship with God on this summer's Kingdom Quest!
We Celebrate The Coming Week’s Birthdays!
(Milestone Bdays listed by request) - On BRIDGE APP in the DIRECTORY see “UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS”
Sunday April 19 – Peter Zwart (97), Gary Meijerink
Tuesday April 21 – Trudy Holfand (92), Jerry Gerritsen
Wednesday April 22 – Donna Feddema, Andrew Heinen, Gavin Kikkert
Thursday April 23 – Brendan Heidbuurt, Maria Oliveira, Daniel Velandia
Friday April 24 – Charles Hostovsky, Peter Kranenburg, Jack Smit
Saturday April 25 – Connie DeRoche, Maria Smedes, Rafael Velandia, Al Voorberg
REMINDER: The most up-to-date information for members, at any given time, can be found in the Bridge App Directory.