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.
Please remember our
church family in your daily prayers at mealtimes and during your personal
devotions. Continue to remember those young and old with ongoing physical,
spiritual, and emotional struggles.
Congratulations to
Ann Vander Wal with the celebration of her birthday on February 27th
and to Hans (February 25th) and Grace (March 1st) Spelt
with the celebration of their birthdays this coming week. May you all be blessed on your special day
and in the year to come.
Remember
our missionaries around the world.
Bethel News
Next Sunday, March 3rd
We begin our time of Lent remembering the suffering of our Lord Jesus as he made his way to the cross to die for our sins. Our Lent theme this year is “Characters around the Cross” and we begin with “Peter, The Rock, who crumbled” and denied his Lord, Mark 14:53-72.
We also finish our one month trial of afternoon services and switch back to the evening service time of 7:00 p.m. WMLT will review the evaluations and also have an opportunity at our congregational meeting to get feedback.
In the evening we read from Romans 10 and the Universal truth that we are saved by faith alone in Jesus. Pastor Mike will lead our worship.
Summer Seminary Student
We offer prayers
for the Summer Seminary Student
application process. On February 19th there is an “Information
meeting” where student applications are distributed. On February 26th student applications
are due. On March 5th church
applications are due (ours was sent in on December 18th.) On March 12th students submit
their top three choices. On March 19th
placements are proposed to the churches. On March 26th students are notified of finalized placements
and they contact the church.
Council nominations
Once again it is time
to consider Council nominations.
This year we have two deacons (Bryan Noordhof and Terry Vandenborn) a Youth
Elder (Wayne Bouwman) and two elders (Wilf Ebens and Paul Prins) completing their
terms. Who is eligible for nomination? All office bearers are given a
minimum two year break between terms of service. Those who are therefore
ineligible are: John de Regt, Henry Eisses, Scott Fraser, August Luymes, Craig
Van Stryland and Darran Vreugdenhil. Women are eligible for the position of
deacon. You do not need to speak with each person you nominate and you can
nominate as many people as you feel are qualified. The district elders will
officially approach people with the appropriate amount of nominations.
The
present Council members are: Wayne Bowman, Bindert de Jong, Rod Duckett,
Wilf Ebens, Henry Geldof, Art Hazelhoff, Pete Heidelberg, Bryan Noordhof,
Gerald Noort, Paul Prins, Peter Prins, Herman Scholing, Andrew Tenbrinke, Terry
Vandenborn, Pastor Mike Vandyk, John van Gyssel, Rod Venhuis, Donald Wildeboer
and Rick Wildeboer.
An actual nomination
form will be given to you on Sunday, March 3rd during the offering
and collected as you leave the sanctuary. At that time you fill in the names of
those you feel are gifted to serve. Those who cannot be present on March 3rd
can make other arrangements to submit their nominations. If you have questions
please contact Peter Prins. In the weeks preceding the nomination we seek the
Lord for his guidance in this process. Council deeply appreciates your
prayerful consideration on this matter.
From
Classis Alberta North:
A review of the
Classis AB North Treasurers’ report for 2012 regarding Ministry Shares received
showed that in 2012 most congregations met or exceeded the expected
contribution per member with an overall total of 95% of the expected
amount. It is with joy and gratitude
that we note this very positive blessing!
Baby bottles for the
Pregnancy Care Centre:
The deacons are asking any church members who
still have these fund raising baby bottles to return them to the church. If you are still filling them up with change,
just return them as they are. Empty ones
are welcome as well. They can be placed
on the table in the foyer.
Bethel Newsletter:
Can you believe another month is more than half over?! The newsletter
team is gearing up for the March edition. We will be focusing on
Lent/Easter but we love to have contributions from members regarding other
topics as well. A few people went to the Break Forth conference. We
hope you will share a bit with us about what you learned and enjoyed
there. Our Ministry Leadership teams are encouraged to share your work,
passions, ideas and challenges. The newsletter is a great way to 'build' church. When we share and
communicate well, we can pray and grow well too. Please talk to Harriet
Luymes or Anita Geldof if you have any questions.
Dutch
Cheese Orders:
Today,
in your mailboxes you will find another chance to order Dutch cheese. All
orders must be placed in Wannetta Brander's mailbox by March 10th and the order
will be ready for pick up from the church on Sunday, March 24th. Thank
you for your support.
BETHEL YOUTH
Tuesday Nite Youth
will meet on Tuesday, February 26th. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rimbey
Christian School Spring Family Banquet
This
is the last week to purchase tickets for the banquet in March 9th
from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Blindman
Ag Center in Bentley. There will be a
delicious dinner followed by an evening of entertainment by the Doll Sisters. The Doll Sisters are a young acoustic roots
duo who captive audiences with their beautiful instrumentation and stellar song
writing. It’s a great family event you
will not want to miss. Tickets are $30
for adults, $15 for ages 6-15, children 5 and under free. Call the school to reserve your tickets at
403-843-4790 Ticket deadline is Friday, March 1st. For more information contact Vernanda at
403-843-4535 or mvbuwalda@gmail.com
Annual
Membership Meeting of the Burial Society:
All members of the Lacombe Christian Reformed
Burial Society are encouraged to attend the Annual General Meeting to be held
on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. at Woodynook Christian Reformed Church.
Soul Patrol Choir
Dessert Night
Everyone is invited to join the Soul Patrol Choir for an evening of singing
and fellowship, Friday, March 8th at 7:00 p.m. at Woody Nook Church.
Soul Patrol Choir is an un auditioned group of singers from Grade 2-8.
If you are wondering about
joining
the choir, this is a great opportunity to check us out.
THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
TANZANIA:
A pastor was killed
on the morning of February 11th during an attack made by a gang of
youths believed to be Muslim extremists. The Muslim leaders demanded the
immediate closure of the butcheries in town, owned by Christians. While making
a morning delivery to a Church those working for the butchery were attacked by
the gang. In response, the pastor intervened at the scene and he himself was
attacked and beheaded. The deceased church leader leaves behind a wife and
several children. One of the attackers later died in a nearby hospital due to
serious injuries. Pray
for all the members of this shattered community who need God's love and peace
in their midst. May many miracles take place as a result. Uphold the family and
congregation of the Pastor who need the Lord's comfort in their grief. May He
grant them the strength and ability to exemplify the character of Christ
through their love and prayers for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:43-48).
Also pray for the family of the individual who died in hospital from injuries.
