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.
Please keep the Youth Mission
team in your prayers as they are serving our Lord in Victoria,
B.C. Pray that they may feel God working through them and as they
witness to the people in the city of Victoria. Pray for safety, health,
and protection for the team.
Our Family
of Week is Jan & Jolyn Rodenburg along with their children Grayson &
Kesler. Please keep them in your daily
prayers this week.
Congratulations
to Tilly Biel as she celebrates her birthday on Friday! Wishing you the Lord’s richest blessings on
your birthday and in the coming year.
Do remember
those who are unable to worship regularly with us: please keep Albert &
Tilly Biel, Klaas Boskers, Gerry Doornenbal, Lea Dykstra, Lillian Mercier, Ernie
Stebner and Grace Vander Veen in your prayers.
Pray for our
missionaries around the world.
PRAYER
ITEMS
Local: Neighborhood Life – Pastor Rick
Abma
Classis: Covenant CRC, Rocky Mountain House – Pastor Nick Wolmerans
Bethel News
Next Friday, April 3rd is Good Friday.
We gather in Worship at 10:30 a.m.in a solemn service of remembrance that will include partaking in the Lord’s Supper. In scripture reading and song we will walk with Jesus on the road to the cross.
Next Sunday, April 5th is Easter Sunday.
We come together in celebration and praise that in this world of sin and death there is life and hope through Jesus’ resurrection. We will stand amazed at this great love of God for us. Pastor Mike will lead our worship.
April 5th Evening Service
There will be no evening worship service on April 5th.
From the secretaries:
Please note that the deadline for bulletin announcements this week will be 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 2nd. We will be in the office that day instead of Friday due to the Good Friday worship service on April 3rd.
Denominational:
Christian Reformed World Missions: Eastern Europe – Ukraine and Russia, among other Eastern European
countries, are currently in a state of economic turmoil. In some cases, missionary teachers have seen
their international students from these countries postpone their education.
Pray for economic stability in Eastern Europe.
Spring Newsletter:
The newsletter team is ready to put
together a newsletter for the spring. We hope to have it in your
mailboxes for Easter Sunday. We are looking forward to your contributions
once again. We will be including the reports from the spring
congregational meeting as well as any updates that we receive regarding
programs and plans. If you have anything special you would like included,
please have it to either Harriet Luymes or Anita Geldof by tomorrow, March 30th. Stories, poems, a special cover page perhaps? Thanks once again for
helping to make this an interesting, informative and fun newsletter to read.
BETHEL
YOUTH
Tuesday Nite Youthwill NOT meet this week due to Spring break.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Spring
is almost here and the committee for the Canadian Food Grains Bank for the
County of Lacombe is still looking to rent a piece of land for this year’s
crop. We ask that farmers prayerfully
consider whether they could help by supplying a piece of land for the 2015 crop
year. Please call any committee member
or Craig Van Stryland at 403-391-3299. Thank you.
PERSECUTED
CHURCH
Ukraine
One
year since the annexation of Crimea by Russia, Ukrainian Christians say they
are facing persecution by separatists. Evangelical churches in particular have
come under severe restrictions in Crimea, and a church leader is warning that
Ukrainian churches will also lose their religious freedom if the Russians take
control of their country. Separatists accuse evangelical Christians
in the Ukraine for spying on behalf of the West and they have confiscated
their church buildings. Some believers in the occupied areas were even killed.
After annexation, Ukrainian churches were told they had no right to exist
there. Every church has to be re-registered. Some pastors and priests have
been forced to accept Russian citizenship. Those who refused were forced to
leave. Amid the current climate of instability, pray
that the faith of believers living in Crimea and Ukraine will be unwavering and
secure. Ask God to work in the hearts of the separatists so that they will come
to accept Jesus as Saviour and Lord. May He also bless Christian workers
ministering in this troubled area of the world, granting them greatly needed wisdom
and encouragement as they faithfully serve these suffering Ukrainian people.
