Our Church Family

Please keep our family of the week, Curt & Amy Dowling and family in your prayers.

We express our sincere condolences to Pastor Peter Sluys and the family with the death of his dear wife and partner in ministry, Ruth. She died peacefully last Sunday afternoon. She was 74 years old. The funeral will be tomorrow, Monday at 2:00 p.m. here at the church. For those who desire, there will be a viewing at Wilson’s Funeral home from 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the private family interment. May God comfort the family in their loss with the assurance of Jesus our Lord and Savior.

Congratulations to Pita Doornenbal as she celebrates her 78^th birthday this Thursday and to Klaas Boskers as he celebrates his 86^th on Friday. To each of you may your special days be filled with an abundance of love, laughter and God’s richest blessings!

Do remember our seniors and shut ins in prayer: Tilly Biel, Lea Dykstra, Wigger Meindersma, Theresa Salomons and Ruth Sluys.

Remember our missionaries around the world.

Bethel News

We will join together this afternoon at 4:00 p.m. for the Bethel Christmas program. Children of all ages, from babies to young adults will participate in this special service which takes the place of our regular evening service.

Next Sunday, December 20th

We continue the Advent theme of “Who is Jesus?” with the claim that this infant child is the “Creator of All.” In the evening we have our special Candle Light service. Pastor Mike will lead the services.

Attention Christmas Program Participants!

Everyone involved in the Christmas program is asked to attend a practice TODAY immediately following the morning service. Thank-you!!

Attention all parents of Sunday School Children:

We are asking all parents of the Sunday School children to please take a dozen or two of baked goodies to be shared with the congregation after the Christmas Program today. Thank you!

Sinterklaas Bazaar

A BIG THANK YOU to all who came and supported our Sinterklaas Bazaar on December 5^th. Even with the big winter storm that hit Alberta, we had a large crowd. The Dutch food was delicious. The games and fellowship were great fun and lots of people went home with either prizes, baking or poinsettias. Sinterklaas & Zwarte Piet found time to visit us in their busy schedule and the children got a chance to talk to them and receive a candy bag. Our profit was $2,300.00. Thank you again from the Youth Mexico Mission team.

Christmas Baking:

We are asking members of the congregation to bring some baking to share for our Christmas Day and New Year's Day services! Bring your favorite Christmas cookies or special "ethnic" dishes that you love to prepare at this time of year to share with coffee after the services. You may drop them off at the church kitchen anytime. Please mark that they are for the Christmas & New Year’s day services. Thank-you!!

Council Christmas Dinner 

We plan to meet as Full Council members and spouses on Wednesday, December 16^th at 6:00 p.m. here at the church for a tasty and fun evening of Christmas celebration. Everything is organized so just come with good appetites and good humor.

The Cadets

Will hold a bottle drive on January 9^th. If anyone has bottles you need cleaned up please let any Cadet counselor know and we will be happy to arrange for them to be picked up or if you are so inclined you may bring them to church and the Cadets or counselors would be happy to assist you in unloading them. The Cadets appreciate your support of this worthwhile cause.

Bethel Youth

Youth Mexico Mission team:

Commitment forms and trip deposits are due today, December 13^th. Please hand them in to either Gerry or Trudy. Our next meeting will be January 11, 2010.

Young People’s Christmas Social

Will be held at 5:30 p.m. tonight after the Christmas program at the Scholings. Please bring an appetizer or snack, and if you choose to participate in the gift exchange, a $10-$15 gift. Also bring warm clothes and skates. For more information contact Kendra or Carmen.

Tuesday Nite Youth

Tuesday Nite Youth will meet on Tuesday, December 15^th. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.

Junior, Senior Youth & Young Adults

keep Friday, December 18^th open for a Hay Ride at Marvin & Jeanne Ebens’ home. The fun will start at 7:30 p.m. and you are asked to bring a snack to share with everyone. We will also be collecting food items for the Lacombe Food Bank. You can bring non-perishable or perishable items – they are all needed at this time of year. For more information call Marvin or Jeanne Ebens at 403-782-7872 or Phil Tenbrinke at 403-782-7951.

Announcements

Central Alberta Christian High School Fall Drive

The fall drive for Central Alberta Christian High School will be officially over on Monday, December 14^th. This year’s goal was set at $120,000.00, so far the drive has resulted in donations totaling $56, 250.00. If you would still like to make a donation please send it directly to the school at 22 Eagle Road, Lacombe, Alberta, T4L 1G7. Attention - Wendy Barnes. We would like to thank the many people who have contributed to our annual Fall Drive thus far.

Persecuted Church

China

The leader of a house church in Zhejiang province, China was released on November 30^th after authorities arbitrarily detained him without warrant on November 23^rd. Officials and local villagers targeted Shao Wangui after he and his brother, owners of the Xinba Shoes Factory, refused to pay a fee to support the building of a Buddhist temple in their village. Wangui also asked the members of his house church to refuse to support the construction project. When the village secretary found out about Wangui's actions, he began initiating a campaign of mistreatment against the known believers in the community. In late November, local "vandals" destroyed the brothers' factory as punishment for their refusal to provide funds.

Pray that this experience will bring Wangui, his brother and the members of this house church closer to Christ. Pray that the persecutors will know Christ's love, forgiveness and blessing through the lives of these Christians (Romans 12:14, 21).