February 27, 2005 Newsletter

March 6, 2005
Issue #361

Tonight
5:00 PM
A Concert of Sacred Music featuring
Black Voices of Inspiration
with a Gospel Message by Elder Michael Jackson Souper Singles
Please note the soup supper in March has been canceled.

Bethany Family
Home: Carol Patton
Betty Kingshott
Christian Care: Marian DeYoung
Priscilla Gunn is scheduled for surgery March 7 at Mercy Hospital. * If you have a prayer request you would like to put in this newsletter, please give copy to Laurie in the office by Wednesday noon, or fill out a request card and place it in the Prayer Request Box on the Literature Table in the foyer.

Birthday Honors for Those 80 and Over
Special birthday congratulations go to Clarence Achterhoff. Clarence will celebrate his 87th birthday on March 13, 2005.

Share the Joy of Easter!
Liss of addresses of our shut-ins are available on the literature table for those who wish to visit them or send cards for Easter.

Thank You!
Your many prayers, love, and concerns were really appreciated during my recent surgery and confinement. God has been so good to Verna and me. ~Ken Hoeker

Pantry Volunteer Luncheon
Food Pantry Volunteer’s Luncheon will be March 16 at 1:00 PM at Bethany Church. Mark your calendars. Hope to see you there!

Collection Schedule
Mar. 13 Gen. Fund/ Missions
Mar. 20 Gen. Fund/BCES
Mar. 23 Maundy Thursday: Sacred Suds
Mar. 27 Gen. Fund/Property Improvements

The work of praying is prerequisite to all other work in the Kingdom.

Needing Encouragement
Tom and Cyndy Johnson’s daughter, Larissa, is in her 6th week of hospitalization. She now has a blood problem. A specialist was called in and he thinks he can correct it without a bone marrow test. She is really feeling down. Please pray for her and her husband, Bob. If you could send her a card of encouragement, she could sure use it! Her home address is:
Larissa Swanson
110 Hopemont Lane
Suffolk, VA 23434.
Thanks, ~Tom & Cyndy

New Address
Marian DeYoung
Christian Care Senior Care
1530 McLaughlin, Rm. 201
Muskegon, MI 49442
Ph. 773-1431

Elder’s Notes from Council
1. Adult Education: Faith Based Initiative, Bill Mogren, Leader
2. Elders with Education Committee: Approval, designated class room #24 as permanent for archives.
3. Delegates to Classis March 3 are Dick Flickema, Joan Workman and Dave Sieplinga
4. Elders acquiesced to Ken Natte’s request to transfer membership to 1st CRC, Muskegon
5. Michael Jackson to preach at the March 6 PM service was Approved.

Birthdays This Week
Mar. 6 Al Kroese
Mar. 7 Art Brown
Carol Burnet
Mar. 8 David Bogema
Van Phong Nguyen
Mar. 10 Mark Lovrencevic
Mar. 11 David Brown
Birthdays Next Week
Mar. 13 Clarence Achterhoff
Mar. 14 Robert Pell
Ken Sherwood
Mar. 17 Barb Villalpando

The birthdays listed are from the information we currently have in our ‘membership list’. Should your birthday be recorded incorrectly or not appear, please contact the office @725-7325. Should you wish to send cards but do not have current addresses, please call the office as well.

Ministry Opportunities for March 13
Greeters: Jerry & Betty Heykoop, Doris Brondsema, Alma Steendam
Ushers: Bob Sytsema, Tom Miller, Mike Abbott, Ken VanHemert Sr.
Coffee Fellowship: Catherine Butterfield, Alma Steendam
Transparency: Brett Westra
Reader: Judy DeBoer
Lectionary: Ezek.37:1-14; Ps. 130; Rom. 8:6-11; John 11:1-45
Offering Opportunities: General Fund and Missions
Nursery Today: Betty Heykoop, Ev Christenson, Bryant Westra
Nursery for March 13: Melissa Deans, Jan Koons, Kayla Deans

Bethany Monthly Account Balance Summary
February 28, 2005
MONTHLY ANNUAL
General Fund
Beg. Balance $2,872.05 $2,406.23
Receipts $20,334.06 $40,780.25
Disbursements $19,285.73 $39,266.10
Gen. Fund Balance $3,920.38 $3,920.38

Disbursed Year Annual Difference
to Date Budget Year to Date
Total Gen. Fund Income $40,780.25 $278,264.00 -$5,597.08
Total Budget $39,266.10 $278,264.00 -$7,111.23

Early Kindergarten Enrollment
Muskegon Christian School will be offering early Kindergarten enrollment for constituent families and students coming from supporting churches through April 11. After April 11, applications will be considered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each student must submit an application, even if you enroll through your church. If you are interested in enrolling your child in Kindergarten for the 2005-2006 school year or if you know of a family who might be, please call the office for an application (733-3221).

WMCHS 8th Grade Lock In
Do you want to spend six hours eating pizza, tug-o-war, singing karaoke, hanging out with friends, meeting new people, watching a Disney movie with popcorn and having more fun than you can imagine... all while tiring out the WMCHS principal, Mr. VerMerris? If yes, then the 8th grade lock in is for you! If you’re in 8th grade you are invited Friday, May 13th - the fun starts at 6:00 PM and ends at midnight. You’ll go home full of junk food and tired from all the activities!
Our current students will be leading the groups and organizing the games. WMC is the place for you to be in high school. Come and get to know this great group of students.
RSVP to Joyce Workman before May 1, 2005 at 231-799-9644 or email wmchsjw@yahoo.com. There is no charge for the whole evening. We just ask that you come ready for fun!

Love INC Note
Love INC pantries need meat products such as beef stew, tuna, etc. We also need personal care products. Please call Cindy at 773-3448 if your church group would like to host a food or personal care drive.

Youth groups that desire hands on ministry are invited to participate in our ‘Love Around the Community Day’ on Saturday, Apr. 2, from 9:00 AM - noon. A food drive will be held at the Love INC building and we need groups who are willing to collect food items. Call Cynthia at 773-3448.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of our ministry. Without you, Love INC cannot do ministry. Would you consider becoming a phone volunteer on Monday mornings or afternoons? You may choose the hours you want to work. Call Cindy at 773-3448.

Moment for Missions
France: The Catholic Church losing influence here. Baptisms of children declined from 75% of all children in 1970 to 20% in 1999. Islam is the second religion of France. Evangelical Christians are few. There are 50 million French people with no real link with a Christian Church. Ask God for a spiritual awakening among the French. Pray for the many Muslims living in France.

Reformed Marriage
Encounter Retreat
Looking for a new way to let your spouse know you love them in the midst of your busy lives? Tell him or her they’re still #1 in your life... share the next Reformed Marriage Encounter weekend of April 15-17 with each other. To learn more about the weekend, please visit www.reformedme.org. To receive a registration brochure or to register, call Jim & Kathy Molenkamp at 616-538-2749.