March 15th, 2026 News
VISIT THE ‘EVENTS’ TAB TO VIEW OUR CALENDAR
MOUNTAINVIEW NEWS
Join us Sunday morning at 10 am in person or online. Pastor Erick Schuringa continues our Lent Series “The Passion Story - Journey to the Cross” with a look at Matthew 26:36-46 - “Painful Prayer”
This week we look at Jesus struggling with what he was facing. The powerful emotional struggle shows us how we are to face up to things when we are called to surrender. Prayer is a big part of this journey.
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:
UPCOMING OFFERING: March 22nd – Redeemer University is a Christian undergraduate university offering programs leading to Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education degrees. From its Hamilton, Ontario campus, Redeemer has prepared graduating classes — the next generation of Christian leaders — for more than 30 years. Redeemer students are being shaped by the Reformed Christian commitment to see faith woven through all aspects of learning and life. Across the world, from the classroom to the convocation stage to careers and churches, our faculty, students and alumni are making an impact.
2026 Cambodia Discovery Tour - World Renew invites you on a learning journey to explore Cambodia! Grow in your understanding of World Renew’s work from communities already leading change, while experiencing the history, traditions, and culture of Cambodia. Join us from November 6-16, 2026 and come discover what God is doing in Cambodia. Registration is limited. For more information and to register, visit: https://bit.ly/cambodia2026info
This Event is taking place at Mountainview!
You’re Invited to Cairn Christian School's Board Dinner 2026 – Woven Together
Join us on April 25th, 6-9pm at Smithville Christian Reformed Church for an inspiring evening celebrating how God is weaving our school community together in faith, learning, and love.
Our annual Board Dinner will feature a delicious meal, meaningful stories from our community, and a plant sale (details coming soon!). It’s a special opportunity to gather, give thanks, and invest in the continued growth of our school.
Reserve your tickets here!
Would you consider partnering with us as a sponsor? Details here! We hope you’ll join us for this meaningful night together!
Other…
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
& OPPORTUNITIES
Looking for a family to Room and Board, from Monday pm until Friday pm, March 18 - middle of May. A Female Student from a Christian family has a teaching placement at the West Niagara High School. If you have some space in your home and a spot at your kitchen table, please consider helping this young woman out. Please contact Veronica DeBoer if taking in this student for a short period of time is possible for you.
Prepare your Heart for Easter - with the Discover Your Bible: Easter study. This 6-lesson series traces Jesus’ journey, connecting Old Testament promises with New Testament eyewitness accounts. Great for families, small groups, or personal study. Try it free: visit our website to download a sample of Lesson One and experience again the power of Christ’s sacrifice. resonateglobalmission.org/globalcoffeebreak
Beyond the Headlines: Faith, Community, and the Stories that Shape Us - Join a new justice education series from Thrive, World Renew, and the Christian Reformed Centre for Public Dialogue. This four-part series explores immigration, food justice, climate justice, and gender justice through a biblical lens—equipping participants to recognize harmful narratives, understand root causes, and take meaningful, faith-informed action. Learn more and register today: tinyurl.com/yrhe9a6b
SOCO Beach Project Update - This newsletter covers the joint spring break trip for disaster relief in North Carolina, organized by Mohawk College Campus Ministry & SOCO in conjunction with World Renew. Support our mission to equip young adults with your donations. Info on how to donate is in the newsletter. https://mailchi.mp/southcoastbeachproject/soco-update-march-5-8574306
Visit Redeemer – Next Campus Visit Day on March 18.
Musical Showcase - On March 18 at 7:30 pm, join us for a free musical showcase by students and faculty in the Redeemer auditorium.o
Grand Opening of H. Evan Runner Reading Room - Join us on March 27 at 11 am in the Redeemer library for the public grand opening of the H. Evan Runner Reading Room, featuring a ribbon cutting, refreshments and remarks from Dr. Al Wolters.
Spring Concert: Christ's Death - Our Life - On March 27, come and enjoy a concert of sacred choral music at Redeemer's annual Spring Concert. Presented by the 60 voices of the Redeemer University Concert Choir with guest instrumentalists, under the direction of Dr. Roger Bergs. Tickets go on sale March 4 at the Redeemer Box Office.
Senior Art Exhibit - Join us on March 28 at 7 pm in the Redeemer Art Gallery for this year's Senior Art Exhibit, featuring artwork by fourth-year Redeemer students.
Celebrating 150 years of Calvin University - Hamilton event: Calvin University is celebrating 150 years of God's faithfulness, and we're bringing the celebration to Hamilton! Join us on Wednesday, March 25 at 6 pm at The Gasworks for an evening of Inspiring campus updates, meaningful connection with alumni & friends, heavy appetizers & beverages, a joyful celebration of Calvin's legacy and future. $10/pp. More information and registration available at Event info & Registration.
You are invited to an evening with ARCADY as they present Handel's Messiah at Grace Community CRC in Ancaster on Friday, March 27 at 7:30 pm. Handel's Messiah was originally intended for the Easter season. The first Messiah performance, held during Lent in April 1742, featured an intimate chamber ensemble who also form the chorus, a tradition continued by Arcady. The result is an intimate, chamber-style performance and word clarity that brings the audience especially close to the performance. Tickets are $46, available through arcady.ca or by calling 519-428-3185. Contact John VanderLaan for more info: 905-648-3170/john_vdl@hotmail.com
Join us Easter long weekend (April 2 – evening, and April 4 – daytime) for Safe Families Niagara’s first-ever Hockey Tournament Fundraiser! This fun, family-friendly event will feature team competition, opportunities to volunteer, a family skate, and plenty of action on and off the ice. Teams of 10–15 players are invited to register. Local businesses and community partners are also encouraged to participate as sponsors—an excellent way to support families in our community while gaining local visibility.
For more information or to register a team, volunteer, or learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Danica at niagara@safefamilies.ca or call/text 289-257-4846. We hope you’ll join us for this exciting weekend in support of local families!
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.
Awake to Praise Choir: This spring, we will hold 3 concerts at the Vineland Free Reformed Church: Friday, April 10 at 8:00 pm and Saturday, April 11 at 5:00 & 8:00 pm. Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, March 11, at 7:00 PM. We respectfully request that no infants or children under 5 attend to ensure a peaceful and enjoyable experience for guests and musicians. All ticket purchasing as well as more information can be found on our website - www.awaketopraisechoir.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
Focus on the Cross - Lent is a season to focus on the hope of Jesus Christ. Receive a free Today devotional email series to help you refresh, refocus, and renew your faith during Lent. Or download the ebook! Subscribe at todaydevotional.com/lent.
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: Carrying Jesus' Cross on the Road to Golgotha - When we reach stations seven and eight of the Stations of the Cross, we reflect on the movement of Jesus and the cross toward Golgotha. Join Groundwork as we study John 19:6-17, Matthew 27:19-31, and Mark 15:21 to consider the symbolism of the cross beam placed on Jesus, the significance of Simon of Cyrene carrying Jesus’ cross, and what it means to bear the cross with Jesus in our lives. Listen now at Groundworkonline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Check out this week’s Kids Corner Devotion, “Jesus Cried” at www.kidscorner.net. Everyone has big feelings, and learning to notice how others feel helps us be kinder friends. Just like Jesus, we can listen, care, and show love when someone is sad or happy. Prepare for Easter with all the great content at kidscorner.net, like Kids Corner’s Lent Devotional.
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - The New Testament Gospels all include the account of a woman who interrupts a dinner party and pours out a precious perfume to anoint Jesus (Matt. 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; Luke 7:36-50; John 12:1-8). The disciples are offended at the intrusion. Jesus calls it a fitting tribute to his love, and a preparation for the way he will lay down his life. This week be mindful of incidents that interrupt your plans, or of individuals who intrude on your time and space. See each one as a divinely orchestrated opportunity to reorient your attention to the Savior who poured out his life for you. 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
Hiring! The Director of Thrive will provide overall direction and leadership for Thrive, ensuring that strategic planning, fiscal management, programming, resource development, staff care and development, achievement of goals, and administrative functions are effectively carried out. The Director will ensure the overall implementation, assessment, and success of Thrive’s mandate serving churches in both Canada and the US. This is a full-time, hybrid position based in Burlington or Grand Rapids. Apply by March 23: crcna.pinpointhq.com
We’re pleased to announce that the Director of Communications position at World Renew is now live! This full time, hybrid role—based in Burlington, ON or Byron Center, MI—leads World Renew’s voice, narrative, and public presence. The Director oversees brand storytelling, media relations, editorial direction, and a binational communications team, ensuring mission aligned, faith rooted, and ethical content. Interested? We encourage you to apply at https://world-renew.breezy.hr/
Christian Stewardship Services (CSS) is seeking a faith-driven Ontario Stewardship Consultant to help individuals and families steward God’s gifts through Biblically grounded estate and gift planning. This ministry-focused role involves meeting with donors, providing estate planning guidance, and strengthening Christian organizations through legacy stewardship. Hybrid (home-based or Cambridge, office). Salary, RRSP contributions and comprehensive benefits. Visit: Csservices.ca/posting. Apply to , send your resume to Maynard Wiersma at maynardw@csservices.ca.
EduDeo Ministries invites you to consider the role of Donor Stewardship Coordinator. In this position, you will strengthen our support community through donor engagement, stewardship, and thoughtful administrative coordination - helping sustain Christ-centred education around the world. Visit https://edudeo.com/careers for more information. Applications due March 30.