UPCOMING SERVICES

Good Friday: 

April 10^th we will be remembering Jesus’ journey to the cross, on our behalf. Join us as we remember the cost of the free grace that we receive from God.

Next Sunday, April 12^th is Easter Sunday. 

The church’s historical greeting on this day is: Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed! We will be reflecting on Matthew 28:1-10, He is Risen, Just as He Said. After Jesus’ crucifixion, the Jewish rulers were still afraid, afraid that something unexpected might happen to Jesus’ body. Since they knew about Jesus’ claim that he will rise again in three days, they persuaded Pilate to post guards on Jesus’ tomb. As the saying goes, you can’t keep a good man down. This is especially true if he’s the Son of God who has taken the sin of the world to the grave with him. What a great reason for rejoicing!

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.

Donna Vandenborn’s father, Lloyd Westra has recently received a diagnosis of cancer. Please keep him and the family in your prayers.

From the Pastor: 

During these trying times, it’s more important than ever to stay connected when we are asked to practice social distancing. How does Bethel do this? The following are currently being offered to you. If you are in need of assistance to view or obtain hard copies of sermon or bulletin, contact Pastor Jake or Dana.

• A Daily Devotion will be posted on the Bethel Facebook page (Bethel Christian Reformed Church, Lacombe, AB) and website (www.lacombebethelcrc.org).
• Facebook Live: Pastor Jake will be taking a moment on Facebook to chat and pray. Like us and share so your friends and family can hear some encouraging words.
• Sunday Worship Services will be videotaped and posted on the new Bethel YouTube channel. A link will be emailed to you Saturday when the video is ready for viewing.
• Sunday Worship Services will continue to be recorded, audio only and posted on the Bethel website.
• Sunday Sermon written version, will be posted on Pastor Jake’s blog (Jacob's Musings @ http://jacobboer.blogspot.ca/) and on the Facebook page.
• Sunday Sermon & Bulletin: A hard copy of both papers will be delivered to a number of our seniors at their place of residence. An envelope with your name will be dropped off at the front entrance for you to pick up.

Pastor’s Spring Class: 

This spring Pastor Jake will be leading a study in the area of Growing in Our Faith. We will be studying The Prodigal God by Tim Keller and reflecting on our image of God as a Father, and the power of grace. We will be setting dates for this class once we have some clarity on when it will be safe to gather together again.

Profession of Faith Class: 

Pastor Jake will be holding a class for all those interested in doing Profession of Faith this June. These classes will be held Tuesday evenings from May 5^th to June 2^nd. For those who took the Membership Class last fall and are from non-Christian Reformed backgrounds, this is also a good time to take the last step in becoming a full member by having a visit with one of the Elders or Pastor Jake and formally joining the Bethel Church family on the Profession of Faith/New Member Sunday this June.

Tuesday Prayer: 

Thoughts on Prayer. Psalm 2:8 we read, "Ask of me, and I will give you the Nations for your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for your possession." What inheritance are we longing for, a temporal one such as money or possessions or pleasure? Or are we longing for a true and lasting inheritance, a spiritual one, an eternal one? It’s easy and quite natural for us to be drawn to the temporal way, the way of least resistance. The church has been praying for a revival among God's people and the world for some time. We are witnessing an unprecedented time in our generation of the world finding itself brought to its knees by a tiny virus. Suffering makes us realize we are not in control. Now is a time when prayer continues to be an essential (though I didn't see it listed as an essential on the government's web site). God has given us an assignment at this time, an assignment to reach out and help those around us, but first of all to pray and ask God to heal our land, our churches, ourselves, our communities, our country and our governments. To bring us back to the One who gives graciously to those who ASK! S.D. Gordon said over 100 years ago, “Prayer isn't the only thing, but it is the chief thing." Let us come together to pray unceasingly at this time! Note: We are preparing to do an on-line group gathering format through ZOOM. All Bethel members will be emailed a link on Monday to join and participate in praying together on Tuesday morning. We will be gathering online at 9:45 a.m. then praying together by 10 a.m. Let’s give this a try, Let us Pray! If you have any questions contact Henry Eisses at 403 350 8777.

Dear Bethel Church

we have placed a wooden cross outside the front doors of the church so that you, your friends, family and neighbours can post prayers on the cross during this time. We will take note of the prayers and will pray for the requests offered. Each Friday, Pastor Jake plans to take some time on Facebook Live to offer some of these prayers up to the Lord.

THE PERSECUTED CHURCH

Several places in Asia: 

For many Christians already persecuted for their faith, the global pandemic is making life even more difficult. They have less access to healthcare, medicines and community services. A Christian nurse in Asia asks: "Please raise #prayer for us. Christian nurses are being assigned corona cases, because it is dangerous and the Muslim nurses don’t want the risk. We are dispensable." The impact of the corona virus crisis is immense. Many Christians are seen as the lowest in their societies and are neglected when aid is provided, particularly in some Islamic countries where Christians are seen as infidels. Today, remember persecuted Christians on the frontlines.