COVID – Living Hope CRC

2023 Lent Newsletter Excerpt | Catch the Light Reflection

Living Hope CRC — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 20:18:04 +0000

2023 Lent Newsletter Excerpt

Catch the Light Reflection

By Ann Oenema, Congregational Member

Introduction by Pastor Steve Berkenpas

During Advent, we encouraged the submission of artwork or pictures from the congregation that captured our themes of light and darkness. We had great variety in the pictures and even had some background stories that came alongside the images. Ann Oenema’s picture was one that had extra layers of meaning in it once it was explained. We thought we would share her reflections with you (with Ann’s permission). I hope this helps you to reflect on our continued need for the Light of the World as we enter into Lent—where we look towards the ultimate way in which the Light of the World brings hope in and through the cross.

December 2020, my dear husband Henk, my rock and soulmate, passed into the arms of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Henk was set free from his earthly afflictions, but his passing has left a hole in our hearts.

While I was still grieving the loss of Henk, 2021 brought many challenges to me and my family which included two of my sisters being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and the evacuation of several of my family in the Nicola and Okanagan Valleys due to the wildfires in those regions. I also had a nasty fall and fractured both thumbs and wrists. This was a very humbling and incapacitating experience for me but also a time of reflection and sensing God’s presence in my life.

Four dear people in my extended family passed on into Glory. During the year when the Lord called them to their eternal home, we were also impacted by the devastating atmospheric rivers and flooding which left myself and several of my children stranded in different locations due to highway closures.

In December 2021, we commemorated the one-year anniversary of Henk’s death. As I was still recovering from my fractures, my Christmas decorating was very minimal with no Christmas lights outdoors on my balcony, but that just didn’t feel right!

I felt the need for light in my life! I purchased a green floodlight as green represents life and growth. For me it also represented the light of Jesus and brought a sense of peace and comfort in my heart.

For Advent and Christmas, the green floodlight is again shining on my balcony. It is a simple decoration which brings me joy, knowing that Jesus is the Light of the World!

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

January 9 | Acts Sermon Series: Study Guides

Living Hope CRC — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 17:09:00 +0000

January 9

Acts Sermon Series Study Guides

Are you looking for ways of connecting with others and digging deeper into God’s word? Here’s an opportunity to do both! Throughout the series in Acts, we have a study guide put together by Ko Spyksma that is intended to draw us deeper into God’s word together. This will run through our entire series on Acts – from January 16 – February 20 (see schedule below). We encourage you to take these 5 Sundays to go out of your way to connect with others.

These are made in such a way that you can do them on your own, but as you will note in our study, part of being the church is that we are church in community. Whether it is with existing small group members, members of your household, or someone you’ve connected with in the church – your encouraged to use these materials to connect with others.

Small Group – Sunday Evenings @ 7:30pm on Zoom

For those who are not sure who to connect with – Ko Spyksma and Pastor Steve will host a Zoom discussion each Sunday evening at 7:30pm starting January 16 and running throughout the series in Acts (see the schedule below).

All are welcome! You are invited to join for as many as you are able to. In order to get the most out of the discussion you are asked to read the passages and look through the questions before getting together.

Copies of the study guides can be found below. Click on the buttons to download a copy.

STUDY GUIDE 1 STUDY GUIDE 2 STUDY GUIDE 3 STUDY GUIDE 4 STUDY GUIDE 5 STUDY GUIDE 6

DATE & ZOOM DISCUSSION	STUDY GUIDE	STUDY GUIDE PASSAGES	SUNDAY SERMON PASSAGES
JANUARY 9 \| No Discussion	Introduction to series \| No Study Guide	N/A	Acts 9:1-31
JANUARY 16 \| 7:30pm	Study Guide 1	Acts 1 & 2:1-41	Acts 2:42-47
JANUARY 23 \| No Discussion	Week Off \| No Study Guide	N/A	Visiting Pastor
JANUARY 30 \| No Discussion	Week Off \| No Study Guide	N/A	Visiting Pastor
FEBRUARY 6 \| 7:30pm	Study Guide 3	Acts 6:8-7:60	Acts 6:1-7
FEBRUARY 13 \| 7:30pm	Study Guide 4	Acts 9:1-31 & 22:1-29	Acts 15:1-41
FEBRUARY 20 \| 7:30pm	Study Guide 5	Acts 8:1-8, 26-40	Acts 17:16-32
FEBRUARY 27 \| No Discussion	Study Guide 6	Acts 10:1-11 Matthew 28:18-20 Acts 1:8	N/A

ZOOM MEETING LINK

December 3 | COVID Guidelines Update

Living Hope CRC — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 20:52:47 +0000

December 3

COVID GUIDELINES UPDATE

As we continue to ensure we are creating a space that feels safe and hospitable for as many people possible, we have the following update in response to the new guidelines released December 1:

Beginning December 5, masks for ages 5+ will be required at all times indoors with an exception for those speaking or leading.
We also will have people keeping track of how many people are in the service to ensure we do not exceed 50% of our capacity which is 250 people. We are grateful for the space to be worshipping together and encourage all who feel safe enough to join us to do so as our in-person attendance has been below 250 people for the past few months.
As we look towards Christmas, may we be encouraged in the reminder that God comes to dwell with us. Whether you are worshiping at home, or able to join us in the sanctuary, know that the God who became flesh to be with us, is the same God who graces us with God’s presence wherever we are.

September 30 | COVID Guidelines

Living Hope CRC — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 23:27:34 +0000

September 30

COVID Guidelines

Living Hope is now gathering in person! Everyone is welcome!

At Living Hope we have committed to following the best practices laid out by our health officials. We see this as being hospitable for those who are vulnerable and otherwise would not feel comfortable in coming to church. We also see this as a way of showing care and concern for our neighbours and broader community. This is why, following the announcement on Monday Aug 23 for masks to be worn in indoor public spaces, we ask that you wear masks as you come into the church building.

The guidelines for our Sunday services are:
• We ask you to wear masks when you are inside the church building, only removing them when you are seated.
• We strongly recommend wearing masks while singing.
• As you find your seat we ask that you keep social distancing in mind where possible, spacing ourselves out the best we can throughout the whole sanctuary.
• We will be providing childcare for all ages under kindergarten. Children are welcome to stay in the service as well.
• We ask that you keep your greeting contact free.
• After the service you will be encouraged to carry the fellowship outdoors rather than inside

Click here to read our Living Hope Moving Forward document

June 24 | Living Hope Moving Forward Updated

Living Hope CRC — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 19:16:03 +0000

June 24 Update

Living Hope Moving Forward

We have updated our Living Hope Moving Forward document again! This time it has been adjusted to BC’s plan for loosening restrictions released this past month. It also gives a glimpse into some of the things we are planning for the upcoming church year.

Click on the button below to find out more!

Living Hope Moving Forward | Updated

May 14 | Living Hope Moving Forward Revisited

Living Hope CRC — Fri, 14 May 2021 19:44:10 +0000

May 14

Living Hope Moving Forward Revisited

Over a year ago, we put together a document called Living Hope Moving Forward which outlines the 12-18 month timeline of restrictions according to the Health authority estimates. We hope and pray that this timeline remains accurate, and we will be able to return to familiar ways of life.

Take a look at the document and be reminded to connect together as a community; look outwards towards the needs of our neighbours and city all the while growing together even in the midst of isolation.

Please find an updated version on the Expanded document below.

Updated Expanded Version

April 4 | Easter Resurrection Eggs

Living Hope CRC — Sun, 04 Apr 2021 15:43:00 +0000

April 4 | Easter Resurrection Eggs

This year the Children’s Ministry and staff put together Resurrection Eggs for families to bring home. These kits provided a new way to tell the Easter story that was simple and tactile. Each egg contained a small symbol of the Easter story, and these symbols were accompanied by an explanation card describing the item and scripture verses connecting it to the Easter story as a whole. Attached below is a document showing the information cards included in the kit.

Resurrection Eggs

February 17 – March 31 | Lent Podcast & Corresponding Liturgy

Living Hope CRC — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 16:16:18 +0000

February 17

Lent Podcast & Corresponding Liturgy

Living Hope Christian Reformed Church is pleased to partner with Highland Community Church (highlandcommunitychurch.ca) in offering a 7-part series of Lenten meditations called “Practice Resurrection.” Each Wednesday a reflection and exercise focused on the Last Seven Sayings of Jesus will be made available.

You are invited to…
1. Download the audio recording that includes music, along with prayers and reflections written by the Living Hope and Highland pastors.
2. Access the accompanying liturgy (below) in order to sing the songs and speak the prayers. Also available are colouring pages that can be printed off.
3. Gathering pens or pencils for colouring, along with a candle.
4. Feel free to access and use these resources at any time throughout the week…at the supper table with your kids, in your quiet time before bed—be creative!

We trust that as you engage in these resurrection practices you will find yourself more fully and wholly alive in the image of the Resurrected Son.

Download Week 1 // Lent Podcast Liturgy: Practice Resurrection // KNOW

Download Week 2 // Lent Podcast Liturgy: Practice Resurrection // TRUTH

Download Week 3 // Lent Podcast Liturgy: Practice Resurrection // HERE

Download Week 4 // Lent Podcast Liturgy: Practice Resurrection // FORSAKEN

Download Week 5 // Lent Podcast Liturgy: Practice Resurrection // THIRSTY

Download Week 6 // Lent Podcast Liturgy: Practice Resurrection // FINISHED

Download Week 7 // Lent Podcast Liturgy: Practice Resurrection // COMMEND

February 15 | Lent 2021

Living Hope CRC — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 19:35:59 +0000

February 15

Lent 2021

From the Staff & Leadership at Living Hope…

This Lent and Easter Living Hope has a number of things happening to mark it as a special season in the church calendar. We hope that this can be a meaningful and powerful time of journeying to the cross and celebration of the resurrection together!

Below you will find several resources to utilize during this Lenten season. The Overview document briefly describes them and how it might be best to use them. We hope you are blessed during this time leading up to Easter.

LENT OVERVIEW
In this document you will find an overview of what Lent 2021 will entail at Living Hope.

Click the icon to read more.
LENT LITURGY
We have prepared a Lent Liturgy card to be used each Sunday for the first 5 Sundays of Lent. We will be speaking the same words each Sunday, growing in our familiarity to them.

Click the icon to download a copy.
MID-WEEK PODCAST | LENT PRAYERS
Click the icon to listen to our mid-week podcast based on the 7 last ‘words’ of Jesus from the cross.
COLOURING PAGES
We have colouring pages that go with the theme of each day lent prayer podcast. These have been purchased from illustratedministry.com and comes in two forms: detailed or simplified colouring pages. Please contact the church office if you would like a copy.
SABBATH MEAL
We are inviting households to try out a new practice: a Sabbath Meal. This is a unique way to welcome the Sabbath. While this is a practice that can be done on any week, we will be encouraging you to partake in a Sabbath Meal on Saturday, March 13th simply as a time we can be doing this as different households – together.

Click the icon to download the Sabbath Meal Booklet for guidelines on how to implement this practice in your own home.
LENT SERIES | STORIES ALONG THE WAY
Join us in our Lent Series: Stories Along the Way. Click the icon to watch our livestream each Sunday morning.

“Aslan is on the move!” You hear these words spoken by different characters throughout C.S. Lewis’ book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. These are words of encouragement: something is happening! In the gospel of Luke a similar pronouncement is given to signal the second half of the book. In Luke 9:51 he proclaims, “When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.” Everything that happens from here to Luke 19 are set in the context of Jesus’ resolute movement towards the cross. Jesus is on the move!

The parables in Luke show up in this context. These are not just ‘stories along a way’ but ‘stories along the way.’ These are stories Jesus told as he set his face towards the way of the cross, his death and resurrection, and the ascension. You might expect that with Jesus’ recognition that his time before the cross is looming that this is a space of great and urgent preparation. It is time to ensure that his disciples get all their information straight. It is lecture time: gathering the most important and brightest people to copy down his every word and his formulas for how to bring the kingdom. But instead we hear stories of Jesus eating and feasting with outsiders telling short stories about ordinary things: sheep, coins, and lost sons; widows and judges, manure and vineyards. The placement of these parables in Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem is unique in Luke. In Matthew and Mark it takes a mere 2 chapters to get to Jerusalem but in Luke it takes 10. In placing these parables in this part of the gospel story Luke gives these stories extra significance. These stories with every-day, ordinary analogies are given a primary space in the gospel as they teach us much about what the kingdom of God is and who God is. They also have much to tell the followers of Jesus with regards to the question: What does it mean to be people of the way?
This year we will be exploring these parables with pastors Grant Vanderhoek from Mission Hills and Trevor Vanderveen from First CRC as they bring their unique perspectives in what God may be speaking to us through these passages.

Watch below for an Introduction to this year’s Lent Series, “Stories Along the Way.”

January 11 | COVID Response Team Update

Living Hope CRC — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 01:24:19 +0000

January 11

COVID Response Team Update

Hello Church Family,

In light of the new updates from provincial health, all worship services, indoor and outdoor social gatherings of any size, in-person religious gatherings and worship services have been extended until February 5, 2021 at midnight. This order prohibits social gatherings of any size with anyone other than
those in your household or core bubble for single people. As a result of the update, we will keep doing our part in following our governments’ efforts to push back the spread of COVID-19 by continuing to worship together in our live-streamed services on Sundays at 10 a.m.

We know this season seems to be dragging itself out longer than (most of us) expected, but we encourage you to not to lose sight of what Jesus’ Spirit is able to do at this time. We believe that we are called to be the Church…to love and serve others. The Psalms tell us that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1.) … It means that God is with us, and we need not be afraid. It means we can take comfort in being in God’s presence, trusting in the promise of eternal life.

If you’re struggling right now, please reach out and contact the prayer chain or your elder for prayer. We also encourage you to keep praying for those who are struggling with loneliness, for families whose loved ones have died, for those who have lost their livelihood through the growing economic impact, and for many who have lost community through self-isolation and limited travel. Thank God for the many front-line workers and pray for their safety. As well, pray that the authorities may have wisdom when making decisions that impact so many lives along with wisdom in the distribution of the vaccine.

At the same time, we urge you to continue following all current guidelines and orders set forth by the province. As Dr. Bonnie Henry has stated, “these measures are not forever, but they are very important for now, to protect the health of everyone in the community and in the province. There will be a time when we can all come together again. Until then, participating safely in services and activities is integral to preventing the spread of COVID-19 and protecting those who are most vulnerable to complications of this disease.”

Please make sure you are up to date with the parameters around the new Provincial Health Order in effect until February 5, 2021.

Click here to read about the latest restrictions.

Information for Faith-Based Organizations

Blessings,
The Covid Response Team