New Posts on The Network | Best Christmas Ever? 🌟

VIEW IN YOUR BROWSER | FORWARD TO FRIEND Network Newsletter 12.8.20 The Light Shines Brightest in the Darkness Last week I was grieving the loss of family Christmas parties and in-person church services. Yet as I read the blog When the Passion for Christmas Is Missing it hit me: the best part of Christmas is not cancelled. Not even close. God went to great lengths to be with us that first Christmas and still does so now. And the hope of Immanuel, God with us, shines brightest in the darkness. Best Christmas, indeed! Featured Posts Worship, Audio-Visuals, Special Times Advent and Christmas Resources for Use During COVID by Worship Ministries Resources for churches to utilize as they plan Advent and Christmas Worship during COVID. Faith Nurture, Worship Preparing for Christmas in a Pandemic by Deb Koster Are you struggling to find your Christmas joy amid the pandemic? Focus on God's precious gifts of hope, peace, love, and joy even amid the challenges. Biblical Justice, Community Engagement Christmas With World Renew by World Renew World Renew would like to invite you to celebrate Christmas with us! Join us in a virtual celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 pm EST. Leadership Development, Pastors, Financial Shalom Attention, Bivocational Pastors! by Nathan Rauh-Bieri Financial Shalom seeks to support current or potential bivocational pastors through a new program called the Bivocational Growth Fellowship. Learn more and apply! Community Engagement, Deacons Gifts That Give: Better Than Santa by Jodi Koeman The best ways for us and our churches to give at Christmas, or any time, is by discovering and building on the gifts and skills of people and communities. Faith Nurture, Parenting One Mom's Perspective on "Real" vs "Home" Church by Trudy Ash For my own sanity and in the effort to do what's best for my kids, I need to get off this roller coaster of feelings about "real" vs "online" church. Classis Classis Meetings During COVID: Collected Learning by Al Postma Collected experiences, learning, and advice for hosting classis meetings during COVID. . . and beyond. Faith Nurture When the Passion for Christmas Is Missing by Philip VanderWindt Advent is the perfect time to not feel like singing. Think about that first Christmas night. A pregnant virgin. Tired shepherds. God did not meet them in their passion, but in their emptiness. Worship Comfort Food at the Lord's Supper During COVID by Ryan Struyk As we opened Chinese takeout containers filled with saltine crackers and grape juice in a courtyard on Sunday, I couldn't help but think about our uncomfortable times. Muslim Ministry How Resonate's Salaam Project is Changing by Greg Sinclair Resonate's Salaam Project was started to equip churches for ministry to Muslims in the post 9/11 context. Greg Sinclair, former missionary and program coordinator for Salaam, reflects on the project's history and its future.   Ministry Q&As Check out the latest ministry questions posted on The Network: Ideas for Using a Peg Doll Nativity Set? by Staci Devries Shepherding Elders and Administrative Elders Model? by Janine Shelton Church Positions Check out the latest church and ministry openings on The Network: Director of Youth and Emerging Adult Ministry at Covenant CRC (Edmonton, AB) by Lisa Vanden Dool Pastor at First Christian Reformed Church (Sheldon, IA) by Mark Kleinwolterink Live Production Lead at Cascade Fellowship Church (Grand Rapids, MI) by Bryan Haley More Posts Check out the latest Resources, Discussion Topics and other posts on The Network:  Recording: Town Hall for Christian Reformed Canadians by CRC Communications Institutional Intelligence by Al Postma Need Ministry Help? If you're involved in a church ministry and wondering if your denomination can help with something, just: CALL 800-272-5125 CLICK www.crcna.org/Resources CHAT from any page on crcna.org or The Network We're here to serve, and would love to connect you with people and resources to support your church's ministry. Follow us!    You are subscribed as drvitus2.love@blogger.com. You are receiving this email because you signed up for the CRC Network newsletter on our website. This is a weekly summary of the latest content posted by our Network guides. Update Profile/Preferences  |  Unsubscribe From All Forward to a Friend | Email Us |  Follow on Twitter | Follow on Facebook Copyright © 2020 Christian Reformed Church in North America. All rights reserved. 1700 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508-1407 | 3475 Mainway, Burlington, ON L7R 3Y8