January 4th, 2026 News
VISIT THE ‘EVENTS’ TAB TO VIEW OUR CALENDAR
MOUNTAINVIEW NEWS
Join us Sunday morning at 10 am in person or online. Pastoral Intern Brady DeBoer will present a message entitled “The Forms of Faith”, reflecting on the book of John, chapter 11 verses 1-44.
Pastor Brady will lead us through the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Together we'll look at the many different characters present in this story and how they react to the tragedy at hand.
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:
UPCOMING OFFERINGS: January 11th A.M. – Benevolence: Your contribution to Mountainview’s Benevolent Fund provides assistance for those in need in our church family and in our local community. These include basic needs such as food, clothing, housing and schooling. A church and community of our size has many varied needs within it. Please continue to support our ministry of Benevolence.
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
Other…
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
& OPPORTUNITIES
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. Looking for a hospitable place for a small group retreat or weekend away - check out the SOCO house. This week's newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/southcoastbeachproject/soco-update-december-18-8573031
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!
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.
Open House and Celebration of Learning – You are welcome to join us from 7-9 for a mini chapel, intro for new families, and some time to explore the school. New families: Please register on our website for we know to expect you! www.smithvillechristian.ca. Questions? 905-957-3256 or email admissions@smithvillechristian.ca
Family Outreach Ontario invites you to an information evening on Friday, January 16, at the Can. Reformed Church of Dunnville (109 Inman Rd.). Our Executive Director, John Kowtecky, will present An Overview of Addiction. Please plan to attend and tell others about it. It will be an evening you will be sure to remember. A collection will be taken to cover our costs. 7:00 pm - Doors open, Refreshments/Meet & Greet; 7:30 - 9:00 pm - Presentation and Q&A period followed by refreshments and opportunity for talk with Mr. Kowtecky or other Family Outreach members..
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 would like to 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 us in a series of discussions on the importance of Christian friendships. The retreat will take place from January 23 to 25, 2026, with the theme “The Gift of Friendship.” Early bird registration is $60. Registration opens December 1st, 2025. Don’t miss this chance to grow in faith, build lasting connections, and have fun! For more information or the registration link, follow us on Instagram (yawinterretreat), Facebook (Young Adult Winter Retreat), or email us at ya.retreat.team@gmail.com
Truth, Reconciliation, and Exchanging Hearts - Calvin Theological Seminary’s Truth, Reconciliation, & Exchanging Hearts course offers a focused look at Canada’s Indigenous history and practical guidance for ministry leaders pursuing reconciliation. Deadline to apply is January 30. Learn more: https://loom.ly/I4i8mu
Niagara College Students for Life is a pro-life club starting at Niagara College (Niagara-on-the-Lake campus). This club is dedicated to upholding the value of all human life. We will meet several times a month to discuss pro-life topics, take part in fun activities, and educate others on this cause! If you are interested in joining or have questions, please register here or email studentsforlife1@gmail.com.
Safe Families Niagara Guest Speaker – January 14 | 7:30 PM Special invitation to anyone who works with children, youth, or families! Safe Families Canada – Niagara invites you to an evening with Sean Elliot at Bethany Christian Reformed Church (1040 Balfour St, Fenwick). Sean will share his personal journey as a former youth in care alongside research from his publication, Navigating Higher Education: Factors Contributing to Former Foster Care Youth’s Graduation from Post-Secondary Education. His message will highlight key success factors in overcoming crisis, including the vital role of mentors and supportive communities. All are welcome! We’d love to know if you’re able to join us—please email niagara@safefamilies.ca to help us plan accordingly.
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: The Light of the World Among Us Explore the profound meaning of Christ’s light shining in our world by examining Bible passages that describe his birth, life, and the hope he brings, and what this means for how we live as children of light. Listen now at Groundworkonline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Check out this week’s Kids Corner Devotion, “New Year! New Me!” at www.kidscorner.net. This week it’s all about practicing the Fruit of the Spirit at home, at school, and around the neighborhood. Explore all the great content at kidscorner.net devotions, bible stories, crafts, and activities.
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - - “Visio divina” is the practice of meditating on Scripture using art or other images. Try it by reading the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 and then meditating on the art in Calvin University’s collection based on this story (tinyurl.com/ProdigalArt). Learn more at crcna.org/FaithPracticesProject
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.
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
Smithville Christian High School is looking for a part-time Financial Administrator. For more information, please visit our website under job opportunities. https://smithvillechristian.ca/smithville-christian-high-school-job-opportunities/
Shalom Manor is entering an exciting season of growth and renewal. With deep gratitude for the decades of compassionate, faith-centered care provided within the Dutch Reformed community, we are prayerfully seeking a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead Shalom Manor into its next chapter. This role offers the opportunity to build upon a strong foundation in Grimsby while providing strategic leadership as we expand to a new campus in Hamilton. We are looking for a servant-hearted leader who shares our values and is committed to excellence in long-term care.
Shalom Manor is inviting qualified and experienced leaders to apply for the role of Administrator of our 144 bed long-term care home. Reporting to the CEO, the Administrator will oversee the day-to-day operations of our long-term care home, ensuring high-quality resident care, regulatory compliance, operational effectiveness and a positive environment for residents, families, staff and volunteers. This position will be integral to promoting and integrating Christian values into organizational culture and decision-making. If you feel called to lead in a faith-filled organization where faith, compassion and excellence are central, we invite you to apply. The full posting, including how to apply, is available on at this link or visit https://shalommanor.ca/get-involved/careers/
EduDeo Ministries: We’re Hiring a Co-Impact Program Manager - Are you a strong communicator and strategic organizer who enjoys connecting people to meaningful opportunities? Do you excel at coordinating details while also keeping the bigger mission in view? If so, EduDeo Ministries invites you to consider this role. As EduDeo’s Co-Impact Program Manager, you’ll lead and strengthen our short-term volunteer program - recruiting, equipping, and supporting teams as they serve alongside our international partners. This is a unique opportunity to invest your skills in work that has global, lasting impact. Visit https://edudeo.com/careers for more information. Applications are due on January 7.
Wellingstone Christian Home (Hamilton, ON): Hiring! Full-time Superintendent – This is a full time, live in position with a provided unit. This role is ideal for a couple who are detail-oriented with strong interpersonal skills and experience in property maintenance and repairs. Duties will include cleaning all common areas and coordinating some repairs. A percentage of weekends and statutory holidays will be worked. Learn more and apply before January 31, 2026 at employment@wellingstone.ca. All applications and resumes are appreciated, only candidates invited for interviews will be contacted.