UPCOMING SERVICES

Next Sunday, January 19^th we will share a Potluck Lunch 

Together following the worship service. Please bring a large pot of soup or prepared buns & dessert, so we can share a delicious meal together with our friends and guests.

Next Sunday, January 19^th 

We continue our exploration of the spiritual disciples by reflecting on Matthew 4:1-11, the Discipline of Solitude by looking at the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness after spending 40 days and nights fasting alone in the wilderness. God meets us in places like the wilderness, times of solitude. Solitude gives us the space to listen more closely to God, to reflect on who we are and the lives we are living. Solitude helps us to prepare ourselves to be obedient to God when the times of stress and temptation come by allowing us to spend time immersed in Scripture. This helps us keep our focus on God and Jesus’ call on our life and identity.

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

Please remember our church family in your daily prayers, at mealtimes and during your personal devotions. Remember those who are unable to worship regularly with us: Jennie Bajema, Bill Wildeboer and Rena DeRuiter. Pray also for those who struggle in silence with ongoing physical, spiritual, and emotional issues. Continue to pray for our missionaries around the world.

Peter Zuidhof came home from the hospital on Monday afternoon. He is now slowly recovering at home. Thank you for your prayers and concern. We continue to pray the pathology results of the mass will be benign.

Bethel News

Highlights of the Council Executive meeting of January 6^th:

1. We are excited to meet again and start 2020.

2. The Minutes of all the Ministry Leadership teams were reviewed.

3. The Renovation Team is still working on finishing their proposal. You will be updated as things

progress.

4. We accepted the membership of Femmie Ten Hove from Woodynook CRC in Lacombe and also

accepted the membership of Pearl Nienhuis from First CRC in Red Deer. We look forward to

continued worship with you!!

5. Plans are underway to host Classis in March of this year.

The Bible is the most important book we read and study as followers of Jesus, but it is not a book like any other, it is actually 66 different books written by many different authors over a long period of time, all gathered together to create what we call the Bible. These 66 books are written in different styles and genres and so it is helpful to learn the differences and what that means for how we understand what the different authors were getting at.

Pastor Jake will be hosting a 7-week course on reading the Bible based on the book How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, 4^th edition by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart so that we can learn how to read, and even interpret, the different genres of books found in the Bible. We will meet Sunday evenings at the church from 7:30-9ish beginning February 2^nd and going until March 15^th or 22^nd, depending on the March break. You can purchase the book from Google Play, Kobo, Kindle and other e-readers, or you can order it from Amazon or Kennedy’s Parables. You can even download earlier editions as pdfs from online if you wish.

“The Discipline of Prayer" The rulers of the earth are rising up, shouting loudly, raising fists, making all sorts of plans....But the Lord Almighty is looking down from heaven. Everything is under His control. To the extent that even today not a hair can fall from our heads that He doesn't know about. He sees us, knows us. Gives us what we need. With His Son, Jesus, our Savior, will He not also give us all that we need for everyday life? Psalm 81: "In your distress, call on Me....Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it."

We meet this Tuesday, January 14^th at 10 a.m. at Bethel church to practice one of the Spiritual Disciplines that Pastor Jake has been teaching us on, Prayer. The song writer says, Prayer is the soul's sincere desire. Unuttered or expressed, the motion of a hidden fire that trembles in the breast." by J. Montgomery. Come join us at 10 a.m. if you can, either at the church or mark your calendar and join us where ever you are as we "lay our requests before Him and wait in expectation." Psalm 5:3.

BETHEL YOUTH

Tuesday Nite Youth 

meets this Tuesday, January 14^th at 7:30 p.m. Doors will open at 7:00 p.m. See you there!

Woody Nook Winter Fest 

will be held on Sunday, January 26^th at 3:30 p.m. This event is for Youth in Grades 7 to Grade 12. Meet at the ABC Christian Store parking lot in Lacombe at 3:30 p.m. at 1 - 5230 College Avenue. Bring sleds and warm clothes for downhill sledding. At around 4:45 p.m., students will be bussed to Woody Nook CRC for supper. There will be a Worship Service at 6 p.m. led by Pastor Chad Vandervalk. Parents can pick up their kids by 7 p.m. at Woody Nook CRC (or join us for worship at 6!) Please sign the waiver form and bring it along to the event.

DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

Neighbourhood Life Update: 

This week Joyce and I are in Uganda and Kenya with Partners Worldwide. We will be learning and sharing about the business/ministry model while visiting local coffee farmers from whom we hope to engage in ministry and business. We will also be visiting Diana Boot while In Entebbe, Uganda, as we are both involved with Resonate Global Mission. Upon return, Neighbourhood Life will join other Western Canadian Resonate missionaries at MissionFest in Vancouver. We are grateful for your questions and support, and in this new year we look to continue facilitating the good news of Jesus Christ through neighbourhoods. With grateful hearts we say thanks. Pastor Rick Abma.

A Renegotiating Faith Presentation and Panel Discussion 

is being held this Wednesday evening, January 15^th from 7-9 p.m. at King’s University. Rick Hiemstra is a co-author of the important Renegotiating Faith report addressing young adults and faith formation in Canada. First, he will discuss his research and findings regarding the report. Then he will be joined on stage with a panel of five people selected from local churches in Edmonton. These people will then be asked to respond to Rick’s presentation and relate their own experiences in the area of young adult faith formation practices and experiences. There will be a time for questions and answers from both Rick and the five panelists. Also, a handout with additional resources on this topic with available to all who attend. Please join us in this quest to consider how the Church may better understand andbest minister to those who are young adults in our churches and in the community around us.

Communal Gathering: Please note a change of dates! 

On the Sunday evenings of February 2^nd and February 9^th at 6:30 p.m. at Covenant CRC and West End CRC respectively, together with the Classis Alberta North sub-committee formed to look at matters of sexuality, are hosting next steps in information and discussion on matters of sexuality, specifically LGBTQ2+. The evenings will be under the theme, Walking Alongside. The first evening at Covenant CRC will look at Walking Alongside LGBTQ2+ Christians and Biblical Perspectives on LGBTQ2+ Issues. The second evening at West End CRC will be a panel discussion on Growing up LGBTQ2+ in the church. Please mark these dates and consider joining us for these presentations and discussions.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lacombe Christian School

is now accepting Registration Applications for Playschool and Kindergarten! Registration for Playschool is open to children who will reach the age of 4 by December 31, 2020. We have 2 classes available: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:45 am-11:15 am (2.5hrs), OR Fridays, 8:45 am-11:45 am (3hrs) in the East Campus. Registration for Kindergarten is available for children who will reach the age of 5 by December 31, 2020. We offer 2 day Kindergarten, either Monday, Wednesday or Tuesday, Thursday, 8:40 am-3:35 pm, with busing included. For more information, please call us at 403-782-6531. Also, feel free to drop in to pick up your registration package at the school office (5206-58 St.) or download them from our website: www.lacs.ca

Days for Girls 

will meet again on Tuesday, January 21^st from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Woodynook CRC. Come to sew or chat all day or half an hour. We are excited to pack kits to send away again this time! Soup and buns will be provided for lunch. Contact Joanna Luna (587-877-3400) for more information. We look forward to seeing you!

Please mark your calendars for our upcoming Rimbey Christian School fundraising banquet!!

Saturday, February 1, 2020 at the Peter Lougheed Community Center, Rimbey. Entertainment is The Fallow Years (Christian band from Red Deer). Tickets are $60 each or $450.00 for a Table of 8 (tickets are available at the school or Stationery, Stories and Sounds in Rimbey.) Doors open at 5:45 p.m. and supper starts at 6:30 p.m. Catered by Starkist Catering. Come and enjoy the night! Come listen to the band and their love for music and their love for God. They sing an assortment of music: Christian, country, folk, rock, etc. (music from the past and present). Come join us for a night of great food, great music and an enjoyable night hanging out with friends. Hope to see you there!

Save the Date: Swing into Spring. 

Please mark Thursday, March 5, 2020 on your calendars for Central Alberta Christian High School’s spring fundraiser, Swing into Spring! Once again you will be able to bid on your favorite desserts and will be treated to a delicious dinner from CACHS catering. More details to follow. If you own a business and would like to sponsor a table please phone Candace at the school at 403-782-4535.

THE PERSECUTED CHURCH

India 

Three Christians were arrested in Madhya Pradesh region on December 16^th after fellow villagers accused them of practising illegal medicine. They spent 11 days in jail before being released on bail. Pastor Mukam Kiraad, along with two members of his church were shocked to learn they were charged with medical malpractice after praying for physical healing. Please pray that all charges be dropped so they will be free to continue in their service for the Lord, leading others to salvation through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. On behalf of the many believers throughout India, pray they will be given discernment and the right words to say as they interact with those who lack an understanding of the Christian faith.

Food for Thought: 

Someone has said that our prayers are the oars with which we move our lifeboat. Your boat won't go far without you rowing in the right direction. Rowing is work. But isn't it a wonderful thing to talk to God, and lay your life before Him, and share and listen to Him? At times He will even sing to you! (Zephaniah 3:17)