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MOUNTAINVIEW NEWS
Join us Sunday morning at 10 am in person or online as Pastor Erick Schuringa presents a message “The Weight of Honour”, focused on Ephesians chapter 6 verses 1-3
For this Mother's Day, we will consider what it means to honour parents. We may be surprised at some of the connections and implications this word "honour" has.
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...
From Mother’s Day to Father’s Day Grimsby Life Centre will be running their Hope Grows Here Campaign in hopes of raising $25,000! The funds raised help us to keep our counselling free and available to anyone who needs help. We encourage you to think of a word, message or prayer of encouragement and hope, and write it onto the flower cut out we provide to you. On Father’s Day, we ask that you return the flower cutout and donation card to the church. You can also mail in your donation or give online via credit card or etransfer at www.grimsbylife.org
We hope that these flowers will be a visible reminder to every person in our waiting room that they are not alone, and that they have Hope! Every flower sent back to us will be displayed on our front window for all to see. As our clients put in the work to change their lives and situations, they can see that a group of people they might not even know is supporting them. We see hope taking root and growing daily at the centre, and we are so thankful for how God reaches the hearts of those who seek him!
Upcoming Offering:
May 18th A.M. – Cairn Christian School: Our Cairn Christian School sites in Smithville and Stoney Creek work to inspire Grade K-8 students to love, learn, and lead together in God's world. This offering provides vital support in achieving this mission, enabling students and families the opportunity to access an amazing Christian Education, and communicates our love for their students. Thank you for your support and prayers.
The Annual Banner Appeal is underway! - The 2025 appeal for The Banner, the CRC’s award-winning monthly magazine, has started. The Banner is delivered free in print and online, and this annual donation appeal makes it possible. To help keep this community conversation going please give online now at: TheBanner.org/Give
Celebrate Women of Hope with World Renew - This Women of Hope Sunday, as we celebrate the women in our lives who inspire, support, and guide us, let us join World Renew and learn how our gifts can help support vulnerable women to become Women of Hope. World Renew’s Maternal and Child Health Program helps equip new mothers and pregnant women with the training and support they need to help their families become healthy and more resilient. To give a gift of hope, call 1-888-WRLD-RNW or go online to: worldrenew.ca/womenofhope
World Renew Nicaragua Young Adults Trip - Young adults (18–30), join us in Nicaragua this August 9–17, 2025! Experience God in another culture while developing a perspective on poverty, missions, and community development. Scholarship available via application! Contact Maria Oliveira at moliveira@worldrenew.ca or visit https://lit.ly/nicaragua2025info to learn more and register.
Other…
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
& OPPORTUNITIES
SOCO Beach Project Update: Take a close look at this update… One of our own members is a part of SoCo this year!
Meet the rest of the SOCO 2025 participants as well as the summer assistant. The "Light the Way" monthly donor campaign has been extended! Save the date for the SOCO Camping Retreat: July 18-20. Read all about it in this week's newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/southcoastbeachproject/soco-update-may-8-8569167
St. John's Presbyterian Church in Grimsby will be hosting a May Speaker Series geared towards Seniors in our Community and led by our Seniors Ministry Coordinator, Rev. Maria Lallouet. Each Wednesday in May we will host a special guest speaker on various topics that include, Fraud (Bank Manager and Police), Fire Prevention and Safety, Falls in the home and prevention. This free event is open to the general public. We invite you to join us! Speaker timing: 10:30am-12:00pm in Memory Hall.
Momentum is back and ready to make you laugh and sing! Monday, May 12, at 7pm. We all could use a good laugh these days. Momentum Choir will bring you to tears with songs and jokes about dogs, cats, foxes, pirates, more specifically romance with pirates :), duct tape, pizza and SO much more. Come and see Momentum Choir at it's finest, making the audience laugh and sing together! Buy tickets here! (First Ontario Performing Arts Centre, St. Catharines).
A ‘Securing Your Legacy’ Seminar will take place at Riverside CRC in Wellandport on Monday, May 26 at 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm. Did you know that the average age of a widow is just 56? Being prepared can ease the burden on your loved ones during a difficult time. Joanne Schreuders (Van Tuyl), a widow, retired homeschooling mom of ten, a Christian author and speaker, will be sharing personal stories and practical tips on how to prepare for more than 87 decisions your family may face amid grief. You are guaranteed to come away with new insights and helpful information. Open to all ages. No charge, just a free will offering.
Hamilton Leadership Prayer Breakfast - Redeemer is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the inaugural Hamilton Leadership Prayer Breakfast. Join us on May 27 from 7-8:30am at Carmen’s Event Centre in Hamilton as we cover the city in prayer, knowing Jesus Christ alone is our hope and salvation. Click HERE to register.
You’re Invited: Will Clinic – Lunch & Learn - Tuesday, May 27 (12–2 PM) at the CRC Burlington offices. Join World Renew, Resonate Global Mission, Thrive, Canadian Justice Ministries, ReFrame, and Christian Stewardship Services for a free in-person Will Clinic Lunch & Learn. Learn how to: Plan or update your will, understand tax and distribution impacts, or simplify and maximize charitable giving. Meet local ministry partners, enjoy lunch, and gain faith-informed estate planning guidance. RSVP: www.crcna.org/canada/events. Contact: 905-336-2920 #7044 or 1-888-975-3769
Come and hear an inspirational testimony of hope and healing from author Lainie Hartley, who grew up in the foster care system, overcame huge challenges, and later became a foster and adoptive mom herself. Learn about the ways in which you can support kids in care and advocate for the vulnerable. Vineland Free Reformed Church on Friday, May 30 at 7pm. Free event. All are welcome.
Feeling overwhelmed with anxiety, stress or loneliness? Want to talk to one of our psychotherapists or counsellors? We are here to help ! Please call 905.309.0944. We will be answering the phones Monday - Friday daily between 9am – 4pm. Sessions typically run about an hour. All of our services are free and confidential. Sometimes we all need help!
Has ALCOHOL OR DRUGS taken over your or a loved one’s life? Family Outreach Ontario can help. There are literally thousands of Christian recovering addicts out there… you may be sitting beside one in church next Sunday. Confidentiality guaranteed. Visit our web site for more info at www.familyoutreachontario.com, contact us at 905-933-3994, or e-mail us at info@familyoutreachontario.com.
Paul’s Missionary Journeys in Greece - October 13-24: Travel by motor coach (6 days) and cruise ship (4 days) to sites connected with Paul’s second and third missionary journeys, and other major sites of biblical, archaeological, and cultural interest. Jeff Weima, professor at Calvin Theological Seminary and leading Pauline scholar, hosts this inspirational tour. Contact Dr. Weima at 616-328-3110 or weimje@calvinseminary.edu.
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 Classis Niagara Ministry Leadership Team invites students intending to go into ordained ministry in the CRC to apply for financial support after their undergraduate studies are completed and after they qualify for entry at Calvin Seminary or a comparable institution recognized by Classis. Applicants need to receive endorsement from their home church. Contact Pastor Mike Vandyk (mike.vandyk@gracecrc.ca) for an application form and funding criteria. (Deadline May 31, 2025).
40 Days of Prayer for Synod 2025 - It's not too late! Pray-ers from around the denomination and the world began praying for Synod 2025 on May 4, but new pray-ers are always welcome. With prayers contributed by a wide variety of CRC writers, join us as we seek God's guidance and presence for this year's synod. Learn more and sign up for either daily Scripture and prayers OR a week’s worth of Scripture and prayers that will be emailed to you. crcna.org/synod/prayer
Pre-Synod Prayer Gatherings - Synod 2025 will be held June 13-19 at Redeemer University in Ancaster. In preparation for synod, on Wed., June 11, there will be a Pre-Synod Prayer Gathering at Grace CRC in Ancaster 9am - 5pm to spend time in worship, and intercession all those who will be participating at Synod. Lunch will be provided with registration. From 7-8:30pm, there will also be a Synod prayer service that is open to all. On June 12, 9-11 am, there will be a prayer walk starting on the floor of Synod and then throughout Redeemer's campus. Learn more and register at crcna.org/synod/prayer
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: Adopt the Mindset of Christ - While Mother’s Day is not part of the church calendar, it provides a great opportunity to give thanks to God for the people in our lives—whether they be mothers, siblings, aunts, grandmothers, or friends—who nurture, support, love, and encourage us to be all that God created us to be. Consider who has functioned in this way in your life, and take time this week to thank them. Listen now at GroundworkOnline.com and subscribe to Groundwork's weekly emails for future episodes.
Kids Corner: Rest and Recharge - Check out this week’s kids’ devotion “Rest and Recharge: Following Jesus’ Example in a Digital World” www.kidscorner.net. Jesus took time to rest, pray, and spend time with his friends, and we should too! Taking breaks from technology helps us feel refreshed, connect with God, and enjoy time with the people we love. Check out kidscorner.net, and KC’s Colouring Packet Collection.
Thrive Faith Formation Tip - Mother’s Day - Ephesians 4 says that Christ himself gave us leaders, including teachers, “to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (4:11, NIV). At a mealtime with family members this week, share a story of a teacher who had a big impact on your life. How did God use them to help guide and encourage you? Brought to you by Thrive: crcna.org/Thrive
Finding Hope in Hospitality: A Faith-Based Conversation on Welcoming the Stranger - On May 15, from 7:30–9:00 PM EST, we invite you to a cross-border virtual gathering. In a time when refugee resettlement and immigration spark complex emotions and conversations across North America, Thrive, the Centre for Public Dialogue, Exodus World Service, and World Renew’s Canadian Refugee Sponsorship and Resettlement Team invite you to a different kind of gathering—one rooted in hope, hospitality, and faith. Learn more and register today! network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/biblical-justice/refugees/finding-hope-hospitality-faith-based-conversation
CRC Leadership Training - Thriving Essentials is a valuable training course for elders, deacons, church staff, and any volunteer ministry leader. Right now, the CRCNA is offering this training for entire church leadership teams. We’re gauging interest from different regions to determine where we can set up events and send facilitators in the coming months and years. Learn more and register your church now at crcna.org/Essentials.
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
Board Member Needed - Do you: Like having your voice heard on important issues? Like collaborating with other like-minded individuals to bring positive change to the local church through the ministry of the deacons? Have time to volunteer to help deacons across Canada flourish? Then become a Diaconal Ministries Canada Board Member for your local classis! Email our Board Chair today to find out more: Peter VanHarmelen, pvanharmelen@gmail.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.