April 24, 2005 Newsletter

Issue #370

With Hannah we proclaim “My heart rejoices in the Lord.”

Prayer Vigil Planned
Thank you to all those who have signed up to participate in the May 13-14
24-hour Prayer Vigil. In your mailbox today you will find a reminder of your
prayer time and a prayer guide. We will begin and end the vigil with one half
hour of prayer in the Fellowship Hall from 6:00 - 6:30 PM on Friday the 13th
and from 5:30 - 6:00 PM on Saturday, the 14th.

Bethany Family
* 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.

Choir Members Note
No Choir rehearsal today due to Mother’s Day.

Welcome Dordt!
Today we are privileged to have Dr. Carl Zylstra, President of Dordt College,
and a traveling ensemble from Dordt sharing leadership in our morning worship
service. This is Dordt's Jubilee Year; we join in honoring the college and its
many alumni at Bethany.

Unity 2005
Make plans now to attend the best Christian music festival in the USA, right in
our back yard, on Aug. 11-13. Headline acts this year are Avalon on 8/11,
Jeremy Camp and tobyMac on 8/12, and Steven Curtis Chapman on 8/13. Advanced
tickets are cheaper if you order through the church: $25 for one day, $35 for
two days, $50 for all three days. Family passes are ONLY available through the
church (good for parents and children under 18) at $120 for two days and $150
for three. Sign up with Gail Hall in the Fellowship Hall, or call her at church
or home (759-9012). Checks should be made out to Alive on the Lakeshore.

Also see poster regarding concert Thursday, May 19 at Sunshine Community Church
in Grand Rapids. Fernando Ortega, Bebo Norman, and Sara Groves are all
appearing.

Entrepreneurship: Test It Out
Mike Jackson and Sarah Rinsema-Sybenga will be starting a Youth Empowerment
Program for neighborhood youth that is focused around entrepreneurship. As part
of our planning, we would like to invite Bethany members to an evening to "test
out" a business simulation game. This will serve 2 purposes:
1. It will give you all a taste of this youth entrepreneurship curriculum and
2. It will give us a chance to practice facilitating the game before we bring
it to the youth!
If you are able, please join us on Thursday, May 12th, from 7:00 -8:30 PM in
Bethany's Fellowship Hall for an evening of healthy competition and FUN! Sign
up at the table downstairs.

Women’s Softball News
Second practice is May 9, at 7:00 PM, at Beukema field. Newcomers are welcome.
Any questions, call Pat Miller (777-1715).
Practices:
May 16 7:00 Beukema
May 23 7:00 Beukema

Elder’s Notes
1. Registration and mileage cost for Gail Hall to attend the Willow Creek
Leadership Conference was Approved.
2. Motion to recognize volunteer staff for Children’s Worship and Education was
Approved.
3. Pastor Dave’s vacation: 2-weeks to complete his move to Muskegon (and into
the parsonage), requires pulpit supply for Sundays June 19, and 26: referred to
Joan Workman.
4. Recommendation to cancel 5:00 PM services for May 29, July 3, and Sept. 3
was Approved.

Council Notes
1. Dick Flickema reported he paid “ministry shares” for the first quarter to
BCES and Classis.
2. Linda Bultema and Tom Johnson have agreed to co-chair the Property
Committee.
3. To Fund the summer program for $1,500.00 was Approved.
4. Pastor Dave reported he will have completed 90% of his “Listening Tour”
through the congregation by the end of May, and will use the first two weeks of
June to reschedule postponed or canceled visits.
5. Next meetings:
Administrative: May 12, 2005 @ 7:00 PM
Council: May 25, 2005 @ 7:00 PM
June, July and August Council will meet on 4th Thurs.

Enhancing Summer Fellowship
Everyone Loves Cookies and everyone loves enjoying warm summer days! The
Fellowship Committee would like to enhance our summer fellowship by having
homemade treats served outdoors (weather permitting). If you are willing to
take a turn to provide 6-7 dozen cookies on a Sunday, please sign up in the
Fellowship Hall. We will do this as many Sundays this summer (June - August) as
we have cookies. Thank you!!

Join in Anniversary Celebration
The family of Les and Marva Stevens invite all of their friends to join them
for cake and punch after the morning service on Sunday, May 22, to celebrate
their 50 years together.

Collection Schedule
May 15 Gen. Fund/BCES
May 22 Gen. Fund/Property Improvements
May 29 Dave & Daphne Smith

Special Birthday Honors for Those 80 and Over
Leah Sieplinga will will celebrate her 81st birthday on May 10, 2004. On May
16, Geneva Bush will celebrate her 91st birthday.
May God bless you both on your special day!

Advance Notice
On Sunday, May 29, in our 10:00 AM service, we will witness the baptism of
Gracie Sytsema, the daughter of Marty and Heidi. Please note that there will be
no 5:00 PM service on that day in light of Memorial Day holiday weekend.

HIS MEN in Concert
HIS MEN presents a Benefit Concert for Love INC on Saturday, May 14 at 7:00 PM,
at Forest Park Covenant Church, located at 3815 Henry St. Heaven’s Harmony, a
male quartet from Laketon Bethel Reformed Church and a combined Men’s Choir
from area churches will also perform. A freewill offering will be taken to
benefit Love INC.

Birthdays This Week
May 8 Cyndy Johnson
Jeff Kowitz
Trung Pham
May 9 Christian Foreman
Amanda Fielstra
May 10 David Olson
Leah Sieplinga
May 13 John Mogren
May 14 Allison Deans

Birthdays Next Week
May 16 Geneva Bush
May 17 Jennifer Press
May 19 Mary Pranger
May 20 Jim Dephouse
Marlene Koster

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 May 15
Greeters: Don & Ardi Pranger/Art & Patty Brown, Nelson & Pat Gould
Ushers: Jim Dephouse, Mike Gordon, Bob Heethuis, Dale Palmer
Coffee Fellowship: Mary Anderegg, Nancy Rhodes
Transparency: Kara Westra
Reader: Dr. Mary Klesner
Lectionary: Acts 2:1-21; Ps. 104:25-35, 37; 1 Cor. 12:3b-13; John 20:19-23
Offering Opportunities: General Fund and Bethany Christian Education Society
Nursery Today: Jamey Foreman, Paula Foreman, Bryant Westra
Nursery for May 15: Melissa Deans, Kayla Deans, Jan Koon

Bethany Financial Summary
April 30, 2005
MONTHLY ANNUAL
General Fund
Beg. Balance $3,035.88 $2,406.23
Receipts $20,943.77 $79,650.11
Disbursements $24,210.40 $82,287.09
Gen. Fund Balance ($230.75) ($230.75)

Disbursed Year Annual Difference
to Date Budget Year to Date
Total Gen. Fund Income $79,650.11 $278,264.00 -$13,104.56
Total Budget $82,287.09 $278,264.00 -$10,467.58

You’ve Got Mail
Please find a letter from Dave and Daphne Smith in your mailbox. He speaks of
the baby they miss, an empty relationship with an idol, and “if leading people
to Christ was simply a matter of handing out movies, we would be done by now”.
They have projects on the horizon. See how you can help.

Advance Notice
The Bible League Spring Luncheon will be at Maranatha on Wednesday, May 18, at
12:00 noon. Come, see and hear what exciting things God is doing in the League!
The program will feature the Salvation Army musical group Timbrelist for
Christ. Funds raised will be used to provide Bibles for Philippines. Both men
and women are invited. Tickets are $9.00. See Grace Eckman for tickets.
780-3988.

Women’s Breakfast Tea
A Women’s Breakfast Tea, “A Time to Laugh”, featuring comedian Donna East will
be at the Muskegon Holiday Inn (939 3rd. St.) May 14, at 9:00 AM. The cost is
$10.00. Please see the display on the table in the Fellowship Hall.

Loyalty Drive Kick-off
Today is the second week of Bethany Christian Education Society’s annual
Loyalty Drive. We have set a goal to raise $5,000 by the end of May to help
Bethany’s children attend Muskegon Christian School and Western Michigan
Christian High. Please use the envelopes in your mailboxes for gifts.
Additional envelopes are available in baskets on tables at the back of church.
If you are considering a Christian education for your children, call Art Brown
(616-846-3165) or Marva Spitters (739-7684).

Getting Down to the Grassroots
On Monday May 9, Rev. John Perkins (www.jmpf.org), the founder of the Christian
Community Development Association (CCDA) (www.ccda.org), will be at Calvin
College for meetings and will be available to converse with local church and
community leaders about the history and importance of the Christian Community
Development Association from 7:00 - 8:00 PM in the Gezon Auditorium. CCDA is a
national movement of churches and urban ministry workers who are committed to
expressing the love of Christ in America’s poor communities, not at arms
length, but at the grassroots level.
If you’d like to hear more about the CCDA model of community ministry, attend
this event on the evening of May 9th, 7:00 PM, at Calvin College's Gezon
Auditorium.

Summer Mission Trips
MOSES is accepting teen and adult registrations for summer mission trips to
Mexico. A rustic trip to an Indian community is planned for June 15-26 (medical
staff people are needed.) Two trips to Ensenada are planned for July 5-17 and
July 12-24. All trips provide opportunities to serve with VBS or construction.
Sports camps will be offered during the July trips. Contact Judy Vander Ark at
616-949-0344 or mosesjudy@Mollema.com.

Hymns of Faith
The Muskegon Chamber Choir will be presenting a program called “Hymns of Faith”
on Sat., May 14, at 8:00 PM at First Congregational Church, United Church of
Christ in Muskegon. Tickets: $8 for general admission, $6 for senior citizens
and students are available at the door.

Senior Services
PathFinder Senior Services is West Michigan’s free referral placement service,
helping the elderly and their families find appropriate senior housing. We have
helped hundreds of families find a facility that fits their loved one’s needs,
financially, physically and geographically. We do all the leg-work! Due to the
overwhelming request for reliable and competent homecare, we have added
PathFinder ‘At Home.’ Brochures are on the table at the foot of the stairs. Any
questions, call 231-780-5099.

Love INC
Do you have a love for books? Do you treasure and value the gift of the printed
word? Would you like to share your love of books with others? Love INC has a
ministry for you to share the world of books with others. Call Cynthia at
773-3448.

Consider Christian Education
Muskegon Christian School is an excellent choice when considering Christian
education for your child. If you are interested in enrolling your child for the
2005-2006 school year or if you know of a family who might be, please call the
office for an application (773-3221).

MCS Golf Outing
Sign up today! The first annual MCS Golf Outing is May 21 at Moss Ridge Golf
Club. Organize your foursome or sponsor a hole in the name of your business.
Call Rhoni Kaastra at 231-719-8635 for more information and sign up.

Position Open at MCS
Muskegon Christian School has an opening for a Director of Development. This
position is approximately 60% time. For details, please call Dan DeKam at
231-773-3221 or e-mail to m.christianel@comcast.net. This position will begin
August 1, 2005.

Annual All School Society Meeting
Muskegon Christian School will be holding the annual (all-school) Society
Meeting on Thursday, May 19, at 7:00 PM in the MCS gym. We will be approving
the budget, hearing committee reports and selecting new board members. All
parents and supporters of the school are encouraged to attend.

Christian School Offers Day Camp
Muskegon Christian School is offering two sessions of Day Camp this summer.
They will run from June 13-17 and August 1-5. See flyers in church or contact
MCS to have one sent to you. Child care is also available other weeks; contact
MCS Daycare at 231-773-3221, ext. 250 to sign up.

Paper Drive
Muskegon Christian School will be holding another Paper Drive on Friday May 20
(3:00 PM to 6:00 PM) and Saturday, May 21 (9:00 AM to 2:00 PM). Bring your
bundled or bagged newspapers and telephone books to the truck in the south
parking lot off of Evanston. If you need any help, please call Jill Schuitema
at 733-1430.