UPCOMING SERVICES

Next Sunday, July 12^th 

We are continuing our summer series focused on the many references to rivers in the Bible. Rivers and water hold deep meanings in many passages and often point us to different aspects of who God is. We will be reflecting on Psalm 137, Weeping by the River. This psalm was written when Israel was taken into exile by the Babylonians and then mocked by being told to sing their songs of worship. How do you sing during sad times, in difficult times? This is a hard psalm with difficult images that reflect the situations we may find ourselves in through our lifetimes.

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 and Bill Wildeboer. Pray also for those who struggle in silence with ongoing physical, spiritual, and emotional issues. Continue to pray for our missionaries around the world, Diana Boot, Margaret Njuguna, Albert & Carolyn Strydhorst and John & Marian VanderMeer.

Prayer Requests:

• Rena DeRuiter passed away on Tuesday, June 30^th, a week after her 92^nd birthday. Her family is blessed to know that she has gone home to be with her Lord and Savior. A private funeral will be held on Monday, July 6th. Please remember her family in prayer.
• Craig and Marcella Van Stryland continue to ask us to pray for their son Jordan and his wife Amy and their family as they are expecting a child. Pray for healing and God’s strength and peace for the family as the baby is due sometime in August.
• Joan Eisses is recovering at home from hip surgery.
• Gerald Keitel had surgery to replace the plate in his foot. Pray that his recovery will go well and smoothly.
• Continue to pray for Henry Geldof and Anita as Henry continues to work on regaining his strength and health.

Bethel News

Pastor Jake vacation dates: 

Pastor Jake and Joyce will be taking vacation this year from July 12^th to August 3^rd. Pastor Jake will be back in his study again on Tuesday, August 4^th.

Office hours 

for this will be Friday only. Please have your bulletin announcements in by 9 a.m. Cindy will be in the office if you have any questions or concerns.

Today Devotionals for July and August 

are now available for pick up. Please help yourself!

In-Person worship 

has arrived again! We are holding in-person worship services at Bethel again while also still doing Worship at Home. We will start gradually by inviting 2 elders’ lists each week to gather for in-person worship. This week’s elder’s guest lists comes from August Luymes & Ben Van Essen. Our prayer is that we can hold a worship service where everyone who feels comfortable to attend in person, and can all gather together next Sunday, July 12^th rather than being invited by elders’ lists.

We know that each of us is at a different place when it comes to our health and comfort level in gathering together in person so we will be continuing our Worship at Home services as well, especially since it is also now a part of our broader outreach ministry. Council has approved installing new video equipment that will enable us to do live-streaming of our worship services and once that is arranged and installed, we will move to live-streaming our services so we will all be able to worship together live as a church family. Since our live-streaming is also a recording, the service will also be available for those who are unable to gather together at 10:30 a.m. If you are a member of Bethel Church, you will have received a document that outlines what in-person worship will look like and it is also available on our website and Facebook page for those who did not receive the email. May the Lord bless us and be with us as we worship Him!

Council has been praying for new Elders and Deacons 

for Bethel Church and listening to the nominations that you have sent in to council. A number of members have been chosen to receive invitations to allow their names to stand for various council positions and letters of invitation will be extended to them in the next week. Council is asking all members to pray for these servants whom God is calling as they reflect on their call and make a decision to accept or not accept God’s call at this time. Thank you.

Bethel Newsletter: 

Time for our summer edition of the Bethel newsletter. We hope to print the newsletter on Friday night so please have your contributions in to either Harriet Luymes or Anita Geldof by Wednesday, July 8^th at noon. We love to hear from the congregation whether it be a story, a poem, a picture or perhaps a reason to be thankful. We strive to make the newsletter interesting and informative for all. It is our prayer that it be a way of staying connected, getting to know each other and our church and giving good starting points for prayer, praise and thanksgiving.

Tuesday Morning Prayer: 

Paul's call to prayer to the Colossians in chapter 4:2-4 is paraphrased, "Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for opportunities to speak about the Good News of Christ, that is why you are here! Make the most of every opportunity. And let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone." Let us join together as God's family this Tuesday, July 7^th at 10 a.m. for half an hour to pray. Feel free to contact Pastor Jake or your district elder if you have any questions for more in depth prayer items. Please pray for the nomination process and for council as they seek to guide and give leadership midst the changing times we are facing.

Book Club: 

Ladies, a reminder that there will be a book club meeting on Wednesday, July 8^th at 10:00 a.m. at the home of Martha Warner. If the weather will not cooperate we will have our discussion in the church. The book for this month is Sins of the Fathers by James Scott Bell. Refreshments will be taken care of by Ann Wildeboer.

BETHEL YOUTH

YOUTH & LEADERS: 

As you are aware, due to the COVID19 Pandemic the annual highway clean-up scheduled for May 2^nd did not proceed as planned as there were significant health measures/restrictions implemented that made holding the event impossible. With the recent announcement by the Premier and Dr. Hinshaw about the possibility of phasing the relaxation of the health restrictions, this has allowed Alberta Transportation to review this year’s clean up timing. Alberta Transportation knows how critical the volunteer funding is to organizations and is pleased to announce that this year’s highway clean-up will now be taking place on September 19, 2020. This event is subject to the following factors: weather, in-place health and social distancing requirements at that time, and any other potential events/incidents that could cause cancellation.

Canada: Youth Ambassador Virtual Journey of Reconciliation: 

Join other young adults who are interested in the role of reconciliation and learning more about Canadian indigenous history. It is our hope that this program will better equip non-Indigenous CRC young people with the tools and opportunity to act as bridges between their church community and a local Indigenous community. Check out this link: https://worldrenew.ca/youth-ambassadors-of-reconciliation

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lacombe Christian School 

is accepting applications for a temporary Grade One Teaching Position commencing August 2020 until December 18, 2020 with the possibility to continue through the end of the school year. The closing date for this position will be Monday, July 13, 2020. We are looking for teachers with a passionate walk with Jesus Christ, and a developed Christian worldview. To learn more about our school visit www.lacs.ca. Applicants must hold or be eligible for a valid Alberta Teaching Certificate. Please forward a cover letter, current resume, statement of faith, and three references to: Martin Folkerts, Principal, Lacombe Christian School, 5206 - 58 Street, Lacombe, AB T4L 1G9 or mfolkerts@lacs.ca.

DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

GEMS leaders, ministry friends, and all women 

are invited to join GEMS for their Online Conference this year. The event will occur on July 30^th & 31^st. Together we will explore what it means to confident in God's Unshakeable Kingdom amidst a season of uncertainty and confusion. Worship, breakout sessions, the debut of the Friended. Curriculum, online coffee chats, and connection await! Keynote speakers include Bob Goff, Annie F. Downs, Arlene Pellicane, Lynn Cowell, Bruce Martin, Lenae Bulthuis, and Cindy Bultema. The registration rate is $99 USD/$133 CAD and includes access to view the event for up to 2 weeks following July 30-31. Find out more and register at gemsgc.org/events/onlineconference/.

THE PERSECTUED CHURCH

NIGERIA: 

Reports of "Unfolding Genocide" For several years, suffering has been a way of life for Christians in Nigeria. Thousands of lives have been lost, along with the destruction of numerous homes and churches, and the abduction of hundreds of innocent victims. Intercede for Nigeria's Christians who are facing these ongoing campaigns of violence from various opposing sources. Pray that the government will act responsibly on behalf of these innocent victims by making efforts to halt the alarming number of casualties, rampages of destruction, and the resulting grief and suffering.

WEEKLY CALENDAR

Tuesday, July 7^th

10:00 a.m. Prayer at Home

Wednesday, July 8^th 

10:00 a.m. Book Club meeting at Martha Warner’s home

Thursday, July 9^th 

5:00 p.m. Circle of Friends Community Supper

Cooks: Doreen & Hilda