As we worship together on Sundays, we ask that you remember to do the following to keep everyone safe during the pandemic:

• If you are not feeling well please stay home and worship with us on the Bethel YouTube channel. We are live-streaming the Sunday services starting at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday!
• On Sunday morning as you enter Wilson’s Funeral Chapel you are asked to maintain Physical Distancing (6 feet or 2 meters from each other.)
• Please use the hand sanitizer and sign in on the sheets provided in the foyer. Wipe the pen with the wipes provided when you are finished.
• Wearing a mask is required, they are provided. This is to protect others around you!
• Family groups may sit together but we do ask others to maintain physical distancing in the pews.

Please note: Please bring your printed emailed Order of Worship with you to the service. There will not be copies available.

UPCOMING SERVICES

Next Sunday, September 6^th 

We continue 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 Ezekiel 47:1-12, The River Flowing from the Temple. We touched on this passage in a previous sermon a few weeks back, but we will dig deeper into the image of blessing, plenty and grace that are found in this passage. We will listen to the echoes back to Genesis and then forward to Revelation, the beginning and the end of the Bible. Not many passages are able to echo so clearly from beginning to end.

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:

• We celebrate with Jordan, Amy Van Stryland and their family with the birth of a beautiful baby girl.
• Congratulations to Eleanor Wildeboer as she celebrates her birthday on Tuesday. May our Lord bless you richly on your special day and into your new year with family and friends.
• Pray for all those involved in heading back to school next week. Principals, teachers, staff, students and parents all hold different degrees of excitement, worry and anxiety as school begins this week. Parents have extra choices and decisions to make this year in terms of schooling and we ask that you keep our schools, faculty, and families in your prayers.

Bethel News

Full Council Highlights from August 26, 2020:

· Our new Executive Council was decided. The new Chairman is Craig Van Stryland. The new Vice Chair is Darren Vreugdenhil. Ina Jackson will remain the council Treasurer. The new General Adjunct is Adam Eisses. We appreciate those who accept these positions.

· Sunday Worship and Protocol was discussed, council decided to resume singing and require all who attend worship services to wear masks.

· Retiring office bearers shared their experiences and encouragement for those still in the role. We are thankful for their faithful service.

Pastor Jake has relocated his study 

to Wolf Creek Community Church for the next few months while our Bethel Church building undergoes renovation. Feel free to stop on by for coffee, tea and a chat. I am in my study most mornings Monday through Friday. See you soon.

Do you have a desire to grow in your faith, explore who God is and who you are, reflect on what it means to be a follower of Jesus who makes more followers of Jesus? Are you willing to commit yourself to an 11-month journey with a small group to walk this journey? Pastor Jake will be hosting a small group of 3-4 people who will meet monthly to discuss God, faith, discipleship and more, who will commit to praying for each other, meet together at least once each month to pray for and encourage each other, and who will commit to hosting a similar small group within 2 years. If the Holy Spirit is leading you to walk this journey, speak with Pastor Jake and your elder and ask your elder for a letter of reference.

News from the Reno Team: 

Thank you to everyone that helped out with the garage sale. Many items were purchased and will be repurposed in a variety of ways. We will use all the money collected from the garage sale toward the cost of the renovation. As we begin demo more items will become available. We will contact the congregation through email when these items are ready to be sold.

Thank you 

to those who helped with the clean up yesterday, much appreciated as we begin our renovation.

We look forward to keeping you up to date and the renovation moves forward. The Reno Team

Book Club: 

There will be a meeting of our book club again, on Wednesday, September 9^th, at 10 a.m. at Martha's. The book for September is The Illegal, by Laurence Hill. Refreshments are also by Martha. See you all there!

Are you missing a Baking Dish? 

A 9 x 13 glass baking dish from the kitchen has gone unclaimed. If you are missing this dish, please contact Margaret Roolker for pick up.

BETHEL YOUTH

Calling all Youth! Mark your calendars!!

· BETHEL YOUTH RETREAT will be on Saturday, August 29^th 

from 1:00-9:30 pm as a kick off to our youth season. The youth leaders will host a free fun youth day at Anderson Park, Gull Lake with games, beach time, good food and a whole lotta fun! All those in grades 7-12 are invited to attend and please bring your friends. A letter of consent will need to be filled out and can be found on the Youth Facebook page or from Jen Zuidhof. Please RSVP by Wednesday, August 26^th to Jen Zuidhof if you are able to attend.

· TUESDAY NIGHT YOUTH 

will start on Tuesday, September 8^th for grades 7-12. More details to follow

Highway Clean Up: 

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. The Alberta Transportation is pleased to inform us that it has been rescheduled for September 19, 2020. This 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. If you have any questions please contact your youth leader or youth elder.

Heading off to campus? 

As you study, experience a multitude of perspectives and worldviews, and develop new relationships, why not also be part of a diverse community that gathers together to grow in faith and to engage God’s world? There are over 35 CRC Campus Ministries on campuses across North America, comprised of students, faculty and staff. To find out if there is one on your campus please check this map: resonateglobalmission.org/campusmap. No campus ministry at your school? You can also locate a nearby CRC at crcna.org/church-finder. For more information about our unique ministries, please contact us at campusministry@crcna.org

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The King’s University will be offering, starting this September, online and live-streamed courses to the public at a significantly reduced rate, only $155.00 each! Experience Edmonton’s Christian University without the stress of assignments and tests, and in a format that easily adapts to your schedule. Register

for classes today at kingsu.ca/public-courses.

THE PERSECTUED CHURCH

In 2016, Russia passed religion laws restricting "illegal missionary activity" by either citizens or foreigners. This activity could involve speaking to people about religion, or the distribution of either printed, audio or video materials. Between January and June of this year, there have been 42 known prosecutions, resulting in 36 convictions. Most of the recent convictions were individuals who were sharing their faith. Those charged were convicted because they did not notify the authorities of the existence of their "religious group," even though they were acting as individuals. Prayerfully uphold our brothers and sisters in Russia who are presently encountering opposition for sharing their faith. Pray that the government will respect its citizens' rights for religious freedom by honouring Russia's constitutional guarantees for such privileges.

WEEKLY CALENDAR

Monday, August 31^st 

1:30 p.m. Worship Ministry Leadership Team at the home of Henry & Joan Eisses

7:30 p.m. General Administration Leadership Team in the Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, September 1^st 

10:00 a.m. Prayer meeting at the home of Henry & Joan Eisses

Thursday, September 3^rd 

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

Cooks: Doreen & Hilda