VISIT THE ‘EVENTS’ TAB TO VIEW OUR CALENDAR
MOUNTAINVIEW NEWS
Join us Sunday morning at 10 am in person or online. Pastor Jolene Veenstra will present the third message in our Advent series entitled “Listening for God-given Joy”, looking at Luke chapter 2 verses 8-20.
The Christmas story is full of people listening to angels. Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and some shepherds watching over their flocks all listen to angels and receive incredible news. We think of advent as a time of waiting, and it is. But it's also a time for listening. Listening for the joy that comes when our creator gives us the gift of who we are.
LET’S BUILD SOME COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS!
(Click on the pictures to go to related webpages, links or emails)
JOYFUL GIVING
Sunday’s offerings are for our Ministry Promise (a.k.a. Budget) AND for...
Upcoming Offering:
December 21st A.M. – Benevolence - Refugee Sponsorship: Mountainview has a long history of sponsoring refugee families. World Renew has submitted paperwork to Immigration Canada on behalf of the Deacons to sponsor the Said family, originally from Somalia. Their family was forced to flee to Uganda after immediate family members were murdered, and their farm was taken. Our goal is to relocate the Said family out of the refugee camp and into a new life in Canada. Immigration Canada will be interviewing the Said family in the spring. Mountainview must provide proof that all required funds for sponsorship (approximately $75,000) is held in trust when the interview takes place (the funds will be paid out for resettlement over a two-year period). Approximately $8,000.00 has been raised to date. We are confident that our love for God and our neighbour will move and inspire us to raise the remaining funds needed to begin the work that will change the life of the Said family. The Deacons of Mountainview and the Said family thank you for your generous support
Grimsby Life Centre - Are you looking for a way to give back this Christmas? Many families and individuals in our care would benefit from receiving a gift during the Christmas season. Ornaments are on a tree in our office and they name specific items or gift cards that would be greatly appreciated. Please stop by the office to pick an ornament (or two) up. Gifts must be brought back to the office by December 15. Unable to stop by? Call 905 309 0944. We are happy to provide more info on how you can help. Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
We are excited to announce our $200,000 match campaign- an incredible opportunity to see your generosity doubled to bless children and youth in our community. With your support, we can continue providing a safe place where kids experience God's love, learn Biblical truths, and grow in hope for a brighter future through meals, mentorship, and faith-based programs. Campaign: Nov 1- Dec31; www.rosecitykids.com. (Ways to give: e transfer (office@rosecitykids.com), cheque, cash, credit card) Questions? Barb Donker (905 788 9800) or office@rosecitykids.com
World Renew Nicaragua Young Adults Trip - Young adults (18–30), join us in Nicaragua from February 13-22, 2026! Experience God in another culture, while you explore poverty, international development and the global church through the lens of faith. Discover the impact of World Renew's work, witnessing how Nicaraguans are transforming their lives through faith and resilience. To learn more about this trip and to register, visit: https://bit.ly/nicaragua2026info
The Gift of Christmas - Next week, we celebrate the gift of Jesus, who left his heavenly throne to be born on earth and offer us the hope of redemption. By giving a gift for World Renew this season, you can help share the hope of Christ with families facing poverty, disaster, or crisis worldwide. Please give generously during the upcoming offering for World Renew or online at worldrenew.ca/gifts
Act Now! Help The Banner Meet Its Year-End Goal - Please help The Banner magazine reach its annual goal of raising $500,000 by giving before December 31. Your gift will enable The Banner to continue reaching North Americans with inspiring and insightful Reformed content for another year. Donate now at TheBanner.org/Give
Other…
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
& OPPORTUNITIES
A few devotional options and preparatory activities for the Advent Season:
CRC Network: Advent Resources Round-up
Advent is coming! Let Free A Family mothers, fathers, and children connect you to the the reason for the season through World Renew's Advent Calendar.
KidsCorner has Advent Devotions and Parent Blogs (The Season of Waiting/Teaching Our Children to Wait). Visit https://kidscorner.net/search and enter “Advent” or “Wait”
Canadian Bible Society: This Advent, we return to the Nativity, not as distant observers, but as participants in a story that still carries us today. Join us for Advent Journey: Trusting the Nativity Story.
Focus on the Family has a free 24 day Advent Devotional “An Advent Song”
Right Now Media has Advent (& Christmas) Studies and devotionals for adults, kids and families. Check out our Mountainview Page for some ideas or search under “Advent” and “Christmas”.
SOCO Beach Project Update: Calling all young adults - ages 18 (one year post highschool) to 29. Recruitment for this summer's SOCO 2026 has begun – and Jan 12, 2026 is the deadline for first consideration. Join in the fun of the year end Polar Bear Plunge Campaign - all proceeds strengthen SOCO's mission, opening the door for young adults to say "yes" to an enriching summer experience. https://mailchi.mp/southcoastbeachproject/soco-update-dec-11-8572843
Shalom Manor is seeking a volunteer piano or organ accompanists for Sunday church services throughout 2026. If you or someone you know is interested in serving in this meaningful role, please contact Brooke Roorda at volunteercoord@shalommanor.ca for more information. We look forward to welcoming a musician who can help enrich our worship and bless our community through music!
Cairn Christian School is hosting our annual Information and Registration Evenings for 2026/27 at 7 pm on January 19 at our Smithville campus & on January 20 at our Stoney Creek campus. Come and learn how Christian Education inspires students to live, learn, and lead together in God's world! If you know of a family that has children of school age, please pass this along and encourage them to come out to find out more.
The Young Adult Winter Retreat (YAWR) is back again at Maranatha CRC, Woodstock! We encourage all young adults ages 18-30 to join us for this weekend of faith-based discussions, service, fellowship, and funtivities! We are excited to announce that Pastor Harry Frielink from Covenant CRC in Barrie will be leading in the theme “The Gift of Friensdhip”. When: January 23-25, 2026. Early bird registration is $60. Registration opens December 1st. Need more Info? Follow us on Instagram (yawinterretreat), Facebook (Young Adult Winter Retreat), or email us at ya.retreat.team@gmail.com.
Members of Classis Niagara churches are welcome to join us on Sunday, January 4, to celebrate the many years of ministry Pastor Frank Engelage served as Pastor of Congregational Life at Bethel CRC and in numerous leadership roles within Classis Niagara. You are invited to stay for a soup social following worship (held next door at Dunnville Christian School). An open mic time will allow people to express their appreciation of Pastor Frank, who officially retires on December 31st. Unable to attend in person? Want to submit greetings to be read? Please share with Christopher Deklerk at Chris_deklerk@outlook.com.
At FAMILY OUTREACH ONTARIO we are confidential and not here to fix or condemn, we are here to help. Why wait till things get out of control? Visit www.familyoutreachontario.com, email info@familyoutreachontario.com or call 905-933-3994
Addiction to alcohol and/or drugs; how bad is it? Is “that bad” a skid row drunk, losing your family, home, job…….??? “That bad” is irrelevant -- what is relevant is help before it gets “that bad”, for yourself and your loved one. Knowledge is the beginning of wisdom. We are available to share our experience, strength and hope. Confidentiality guaranteed. 905-933-3994 or www.familyoutreachontario.com. At FAMILY OUTREACH ONTARIO we are confidential and we are not here to fix or condemn, we are here to help. Why wait till things get out of control?
NEWSLETTERS FROM OUR MINISTRY PARTNERS
Links are available on our website under
“Community Connections” - “Partnerships”
Paper copies can be requested from the church office.
DENOMINATIONAL NEWS
ReFrame Ministries Provides Devotions, Podcasts, and Blogs - Start a new Biblical habit with resources from ReFrame Ministries. DEVOTIONS including the Today devotional offer short daily meditations and scripture. Kids Corner includes devotions, especially for children and guardians. PODCASTS help you dig into scripture with Groundwork, explore pop culture and Christianity with Think Christian, or energize your church communications with Church Juice. BLOGS offering spiritual advice for parenting, dating, and more are available in new posts from Family Fire. Learn more about the spiritual habit of praying with ReFrame’s prayer ministry.
Groundwork: Out of Darkness and into the Light - Turning on a light changes everything. What changes can we anticipate when Jesus brings his light to our world? Join Groundwork as we study Isaiah 2:2-5, John 8:12-19, and John 12:44-50 to discover the significant effects we can expect the presence of the Light of the World to bring in our lives and our world. Listen now at Groundworkonline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Check out this week’s Kids Corner Devotion, “Advent at Home: Joy to the World” at www.kidscorner.net. This week of Advent is all about joy! Maybe light the hope, peace, and joy candles with your family, sing a favorite Christmas song, like Joy to the World, and remember that Jesus is the best reason to celebrate. Explore all the great content at kidscorner.net, like the Kids Corner Christmas Collection of devotions, bible stories, crafts, and activities.
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - Around the world a lot of people are thinking about giving and receiving gifts for Christmas. Did you know that Christmas is, in some way, God’s gift to God? It marks that important moment when God entered our earthly life in order to restore God’s broken world through the cross of Christ and the empty tomb. A restored world had been a desire of God’s heart for a long time, so now is a good time to write God a Christmas card, praising the Lord that salvation is possible through the birth of the Christ-child in Bethlehem. Brought to you by Thrive: crcna.org/Thrive
Family Fire - Family Fire is an online community exploring Spirit-led family, marriage, parenting, in-laws, blended families, and intimacy. Find encouraging articles and devotions at familyfire.com. Subscribe for regular email updates and connect with our Family Fire community on Facebook.
Do you long to help youth and young adult ministry grow and flourish? Classis Ministry Council invites you to apply for this position by December 31st. The Classis Niagara Youth & Youth Adult Champion (CNYC) serves to empower and encourage those working on the frontline in youth and young adult ministry within Niagara. The CNYC will listen, pray, help connect, and be a voice on behalf of youth and young adult workers at the classis level. David Scholman, who currently holds this position, is stepping down due to time constraints. David has already created a strong network of youth leaders and resources in Niagara. We are very thankful for the work David has done to revitalize Youth & Young Adult ministries in the past year. This is a part-time permanent position, averaging 15 hrs/month, with annual $6,000 compensation. A job description is available at classisniagara.ca/classis-personnel/. Send applications to CMC c/o Rev. Erick Schuringa, ericks@mountainviewcrc.org.
JOBS AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Cairn Christian School is looking for spare bus drivers for both our Smithville and Stoney Creek locations. If you or someone you know would like the opportunity for occasional work, and a chance to drive our kids (and some of yours), please reach out and let us know. We take care of all the training, and associated costs, so please come join our team. I look forward to hearing from you. Blessings, Gord MacCharles, Transportation Coordinator, gmaccharles@cairnchristianschool.ca, 289-456-0041
The Director of Justice and Peace position at World Renew is now live -This is a full-time, leadership role open to candidates in Canada and the US. This position will strengthen World Renew’s capacity in Justice and Peace initiatives, ensuring programming is rooted in biblical principles and aligned with our global strategy. Learn more and apply at worldrenew.ca/careers by January 2.
Resonate Global Mission is hiring a temporary Communications Specialist (content writer & editor to support our storytelling and donor communications during a 3-month parental leave). This role is ideal for a creative, detail-oriented communicator with strong writing skills and a passion for global mission. This is a part-time, hybrid or remote position based in Burlington, Grand Rapids, or in North America. Learn more and apply before December 8, 2025 at crcna.pinpointhq.com
We Are hiring at Shalom! Working at Shalom is a great opportunity to share your gifts and talents in a wonderful workplace and to become involved in the community! We take pride in offering the best possible care and making Shalom home for our residents. Become part of the team! We are always accepting resumes for potential future hiring. Please send your resume or any questions to hr@shalommmanor.ca to see if a career with Shalom is a good fit for you!
The Board of Shalom Manor is excited to determine whom God has selected to be our next Chief Executive Officer. Linked here is a letter with more details about the position and qualifications. Visit shalommanor.ca for more details about our organization. Contact Janice Wagner with inquiries or to apply: janice@maxwellmanagementgroup.com 1-855-305-4078 ext.209