As this unusual time we're in stretches longer, the various charities we support as a church family are being stretched thinner than ever. If you are able to help out, even a small gift can make a large difference in someone's life at a time like this.
Ian
Prins has not been feeling well for the past little while. An assessment in
Calgary this week led to Ian being hospitalized in the Foothills hospital. We
pray that the specialists may be guided by our God to find the cause of the
problems and that Ian and the family would feel God’s love and care.
The
Scholing family wishes to express their deepest thanks in the recent
passing of Herman Scholing Sr. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers. Thanks to all who sent cards, baking, soup,
casseroles, flowers, phone calls, memorial contributions, and many other
gestures of kindness & expressions of sympathy in the loss of our husband,
father, and grandfather. Thanks to those
who assisted in the memorial service – Pastor Mike, organist - Pearl
Meindersma, sound - Henry Geldof, Power Point - Cindy Prins and to the CoffeeBreak
ladies for serving a lovely lunch and tea. Thanks to all & God Bless...
Congratulations to Pita Doornenbal with her 79th
birthday this coming Friday, December 17th and Klaas Boskers with
his 87th birthday this coming Saturday, December 18th. May God bless you both with a special day of
celebration!
Do
remember our seniors and shut ins in prayer: Tony & Henny Middag, Ann
Vander Wal, Tilly
Biel and Lea Dykstra
Remember our missionaries around the
world.
Bethel News
The church deacons
Would like to invite all single seniors to a time of food & fellowship today, December 12th following the morning service. Please join us in the fellowship hall for lunch & games.
Next Sunday, December 19th
We continue our Advent series in the morning on Christmas Angels in reading Matthew 1:18-25 as an Angel confronts Joseph’s skepticism and affirms his love for God and Mary. We would also like to go Christmas carolling as a congregation during the afternoon of December 19th from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. with a Potluck dinner to follow here at the church at 5:30 p.m. Please feel free to join in with both activities or just the potluck. In the evening at 7:00 p.m. we will have our Candle Light service of lessons and carols. Pastor Mike will lead our worship for both services.
Christmas Banners:
We wish to thank Gaylene Tenbrinke and Jenny Tenbrinke for their beautiful work
painting the Christmas banners this year. The set of five banners/canvases
expresses the Advent themes of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love, concluding with
Christ, the light of the world.
A BIG THANK YOU
To
all who came and supported our Sinterklaas Bazaar on December 4th. The Dutch luncheon 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. Our profit was $2,450.00. Thank you again from the Youth Mexico Mission team.
Community Christmas Dinner:
We are still in need of people to
help on the morning of December 25th to warm up food and finish
setting up. We also need people to do
the clean up after the meal. We are
looking for a donation yet of one turkey and one ham. If you could help
us out with this, please contact Jen Zuidhof, Jeanne Ebens, or Liz
Stad. Thank you from the Outreach MLT.
The Seniors’ club Christmas social
Is planned for this coming Tuesday, December 14th. We hope to gather shortly after 11 a.m. for
coffee & punch with dinner at 11:45 a.m. A Christmas liturgy & Christmas carols will be on the program as
well.
The
annual Council Christmas social
Is planned for Wednesday, December 15th
at 6:30 p.m., here at the church. This
is a time of fellowship and fun for Elders, Youth Elders and Deacons and their
spouses as we share the joy of Jesus our Savior. The theme of the evening this year is
“Knowing Bethel better.”
Bethel Youth News
Youth Mexico Mission team:
Commitment forms and trip deposits are due today,
December 12th. Please
hand them in to either Gerry or Trudy. Our next meeting will be January 6th,
2011 at 7 pm.
Attention all Junior & Senior Highs:
On the evening of the 14th
of December, TNY will be having a movie night at 6:30 p.m. We will be
showing a film called “To Save a Life”. Please bring a small snack to
share. If you need more information contact any of the TNY leaders.
Junior youth and Young peoples
Christmas Hay Ride
Will be held at the Ebens’ on Monday, December 20th at 7:30 p.m..
Please bring a snack for everyone to share and please consider something for
the food bank as well. It is optional but all things are welcome such as turkeys,
ham and non perishable foods.
Attention all High School students - you
are invited!
A Christmas Coffee at Kavaccino’s on December
21st at 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Come, relax and celebrate our Lord’s birth with one another. Your TNY leaders, Dana, Brad and Pastor Mike
will be hosting this event so we hope that you all come. If you have any questions, please contact any
one of us for more information.
Announcements
Fall drive for Central Alberta Christian
High School
Will be officially over on December 15th. 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.
Immanuel: A Dutch/Afrikaans Christmas Singalong
Will be held on
Tuesday, December 14th at 2:30
p.m. at 1st CRC in Red Deer. Join us and tell your friends about
this. M.C. will be Pastor Jack Hielema who will give a meditation on
“Immanuel”.
Everyone is invited
To meet up with past classmates, parents, and other fans
from years’ gone by during the CACHS
Alumni Competitive VolleyballTournament this Saturday, December 18th.
Pregnancy Care Centre
What Christmas gifts can the Pregnancy Care Centre use this year?”
We have had many church groups ask us this very thing, so we have created
a list of things we are short of this Christmas season. Diapers and wipes; Baby
shampoo, wash and lotion; Small maternity clothes; Size 0-24 month clothing for
boys and girls; Children’s picture Bibles and toys; New receiving blankets;
Baby blankets ; All sizes of new baby clothing; Used Onesies; Nursing pillows;
Journals; NLT Bibles for clients. If you
are able to give any of the above, just bring them to our centre in Red
Deer. Thank you so much and have a
Blessed Christmas!
Denominational
News
myCRC Question of the Week
"Tell your story of
why you're Christian Reformed. If you were born into the CRC, what keeps you
here?" This is just one of five questions on myCRC - a project to capture
stories, experiences, and perspectives on being Christian Reformed. Already,
we've collected some great stories from a wide variety of people! See what
others have written and share your responses at www.crcna.org/myCRC
The Persecuted Church
Somalia
A 17 year old Somali girl who converted to Christianity from Islam was shot
to death on November 25th in an apparent "honour killing".
Nurta Mohamed Farah, who fled her village to live with relatives after her
parents tortured her for leaving Islam, was shot in the head and chest with a
pistol. Area sources said they strongly suspect that the two unidentified men
who shot her were relatives or acting on their behest. Farah was killed about
200 metres from where she had taken refuge. Christian sources said Farah's
parents had severely beaten her for leaving Islam and regularly shackled her to
a tree at their home. She had been confined to her home since May 10th,
when her family found out that she had embraced Christianity. Pray the Lord will protect and
deliver Somali Christians from those who persecute them (Romans 15:30-31). Pray
the gospel will continue to spread in this nation despite opposition. Ask God
to bring many government officials and leaders to faith in Christ.
