January 18th, 2026 News
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MOUNTAINVIEW NEWS
Join us Sunday morning at 10 am in person or online. Today is GEMS Sunday and Pastor Erick Schuringa will reflect on their theme, “Walk on Water.” focusing on the story of Peter in Matthew 14:22-23 and their theme from Deuteronomy 7:9.
GEMS girls and people everywhere are battling the storms of life, being tossed and turned by waves of lies, doubt, and fear. But what if the we really knew the One more powerful than the wind and waves and lived anchored to the unchanging Truth of Scripture? Walk on Water: Stepping Out to Trust Our Faithful God teaches us that God is always with us and invites us to trust Him by stepping out in faith.
LET’S BUILD SOME COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS!
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JOYFUL GIVING
Sunday’s offerings are for our Ministry Promise (a.k.a. Budget) AND for...
Upcoming Offering:
January 25th A.M. – Cadets is a program for boys 9-14 years of age. The ministry of cadets is to teach the boys to learn more about God and respond to the world around them in a Christ-centered way. This is done through activities such as Bible study, badge work, crafts, games, campouts and league activities. Your donations help us to mentor and nurture boys in our church and surrounding community, in their walk with God.
Young Adult Opportunity with Resonate - Are you around 16-20 years old? Speak some Spanish? Interested in getting a taste of ministry in Central America? Join an unforgettable two-week journey with Resonate Global Mission—travel through Guatemala and El Salvador where you'll dive into real-life mission work, get to know Central American young people, experience God's love, and discover how God might be calling you to make a difference now and in the future. The trip is July 1-15, 2026 and the application deadline is February 28, 2026. Learn more at www.resonateglobalmission.org/encounter
2026 Guatemala Discovery Tour - World Renew invites you to experience Guatemala from the inside through the 2026 Discovery Tour, a learning journey alongside communities already leading change. Join us from March 14-22, 2026 to hear powerful stories of transformation and experience Guatemala's rich culture and hospitality. Come discover what God is doing in Guatemala! Registration closes January 31, 2026. For more information and to register, visit: bit.ly/guatemala2026info
Other…
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
& OPPORTUNITIES
The January Series at Calvin University returns on January 19, 2026. Join us in-person or online. Speaker lineup and registration (for online viewing) can be found at www.calvin.edu/january
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
Attention all highschool students and young adults!! You are invited to our Youth Conference on Friday, January 23 @7:30 pm. The cost is free so bring out all your friends and let’s make this an evening of fellowship, learning, and praise! Wilf Bout will be speaking on the theme: “True Friends Speak Truth: What are you speaking about with your friends?” Location: Vineland Free Reformed Church (3685 King St.) For questions or interest in musical contribution contact vfrcyoungpeoples@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
Avanti Singers Present: Creation/Extinction – February 7 @ 7:30pm – This program pairs Haydn’s oratorio “The Creation”, celebrating the beauty and wonder of the natural world, with excerpts from Christopher Tin’s “The Lost Birds”, a poignant reflection on environmental loss and humanity’s role as caretakers of the Erath. Through choral music and projected imagery drawn from diverse cultures and traditions, this concert invites audiences to reflect on our shared responsilbilty to care for the earth and the legacy we leave for future generations. avantisingers.com/tickets
We are pleased and excited to inform you that the Annual Inter-Classis Safe Church Conference is scheduled for March 7, 2026, from 9:00am-3:30 pm. at the Waterloo CRC. Speakers:
Dr. James Watson (Tyndale Seminary) will be the plenary speaker: “Grace and Truth: What Shapes our Shared Spiritual Life?”. He will also lead a workshop: “Healthy Directions: A Way Forward for Leaders”.
Cathi Watson (Interfaith Community Counseling Center in New Hamburg) will lead a workshop: “Responding to Spiritual Abuse as a Congregant.” Dr. Stephen Vander Klippe, a medical practitioner in Wingham and member of the Synodical Taskforce dealing with medically-assisted dying, will be hosting a workshop: “Power dynamics surrounding Medically-Assisted Suicide.”
Julia Rathbun (Safe Church Consultant with the CRCNA) will also be leading a practical safer church workshop. At a time of history when truth is being challenged and when power is being abused, please come and join us for a time of learning and discussion. For further information contact Carel Geleynse (Classis Huron Safe Church Coordinator) at carelgeleynse20@gmail.com.
Paul’s Missionary Journey in Greece (April 3 - 13. 2026): Travel by motor coach (6 days) and cruise ship (3 days) to sites connected with Paul’s second and third missionary journeys, as well as visit other major sites of biblical, archaeological, and cultural interest. Jeff Weima, professor at Calvin Theological Seminary and leading Pauline scholar, hosts this inspirational tour. For more information, contact Dr. Weima at 616-328-3110 or weimje@calvinseminary.edu.
Tickets are now available for the Hosanna Choir & Mattaniah Christian Male Choir concert at FirstOntario Concert Hall (1 Summers Lane, Hamilton) on Saturday, April 4 at 7:30pm. The choirs will be accompanied by Ryan Vandenberg (Organ), Andre Knevel (Organ), and Naomi Noorduyn (Piano) and the 16-piece Scott Harrison String/Brass/Percussion Ensemble. Tickets are $25 & $35, and can be purchased through the choir’s website (www.hosanna-choir.org). Questions? Contact Wendy den Hollander at 905-628-1211 or at hdenhollander@yahoo.com.
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
The CRCNA is looking for nominees willing to serve as At-Large members of the Council of Delegates and the Canada Ministry Board. The Council of Delegates acts as the interim governing body of the CRCNA, providing governance and oversight of the denomination’s ministries and activities between our annual Synods. The Canada Ministry Board provides governance and oversight of the work of the Canadian Ministries If you have skills and expertise in board governance and a heart for the CRCNA, or know of someone who does, we invite you to complete this nomination form (https://bit.ly/COD-nominations).
Celebrating 75 Years of 𝑇𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑦 - For 75 years, 𝑇𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑦 has been part of the daily rhythms of faith for readers around the world, and we thank God for the ways these devotions continue to point people to Christ. ReFrame Ministries invites you to a special virtual Direct Connect on Thursday, January 29 at 1:00 pm EST as we celebrate this milestone, reflect on God’s faithfulness, and look ahead to what God is still doing through 𝑇𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑦. Register at reframeministries.org/events. A recording will be shared with all who sign up.
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: Did Paul and James Agree on Salvation? - Paul emphasizes salvation by grace, but James teaches the importance of our works. Do our works contribute to our righteousness? Join Groundwork as we study James 1:1-8, James 2:14-26, Colossians 3:5-10, and 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 to compare what we learn from James to what Paul teaches about the relationship between God’s grace and our works, and then consider what it means for our daily lives. Listen now at Groundworkonline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Check out this week’s Kids Corner Devotion, “Goodness: Are You A Good Person?” at www.kidscorner.net. Want to know what it really means to be good? When we let God fill our hearts with love, kindness, and patience, we can grow “good fruit” and make the world a brighter, better place. Check out all the great content at kidscorner.net, like KC’s The Bible in One Year Plan.
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - Because we are called to honor and uphold the sanctity of every human life—from the womb to the tomb—we invite you on this Sanctity of Human Life Sunday to put this calling into action. Consider volunteering your time at a local pregnancy center or elder care home as a tangible expression of your commitment to life. As you serve, reflect on how the experience deepens your understanding and strengthens your role as an advocate for the dignity and value of every human life. Take time to write down how this experience has shaped your heart and perspective. 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.
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/
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.
Job Opening! Director of ReFrame Ministries - The Director of ReFrame Ministries will provide executive leadership and vision for the agency. This role involves strategically planning and implementing policies and decisions. Additionally, the Director will ensure that all organizational activities comply with established bylaws and frameworks, effectively supporting the mission of ReFrame Ministries, the denominational strategic ministry plan, and the mission of the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA). This is a full-time, hybrid position based in Burlington, Ont., or Grand Rapids, Mich. Apply at crcna.pinpointhq.com
Job Opening! ReFrame Advancement Director - The ReFrame Advancement Director will give leadership to ReFrame Ministries’ donor relations and communications teams by providing vision, strategic direction, and initiatives to advance the mission of the ministry. This is a full-time, hybrid position based in Burlington, Ont., or Grand Rapids, Mich. Apply at crcna.pinpointhq.com
Position Opening: Safeguarding & Compliance Specialist - This full-time, exempt role is part of the Operations Team and reports to the Director of Safeguarding and Accountability, supporting safeguarding policy implementation and accountability standards across North American programming. The position is open to applicants in the United States or Canada. If you’re passionate about creating safe, transparent, and accountable environments, we invite you to learn more or apply by visiting our careers page. https://world-renew.breezy.hr/
An exciting opportunity is available at Bethany CRC in Fenwick. We are seeking an engaging and motivational leader to be Bethany’s next Summer Camp Director. The Director will be responsible for the overall management of the camp, as well as, ensuring the provision of memorable high-quality summer camp experiences for all campers. For more info visit https://www.bethanycrc.ca/jobpostings