November 13, 2005 Newsletter

Issue #397

Telecare: 9:00 a.m. 365 days a year
bethany.crc@verizon.net
bethanychurchmuskegon.org
Office: 725-7325
Office Hours:
Mon. - Thurs. 9:00 - 3:30
Closed Friday & Saturday

God calls us to be a praying people.

Adult Education Forum: The Persecuted Church
Today is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. In our
morning worship service we will offer prayers for brothers and sisters under
duress -- in some cases threatened with martyrdom -- for the cause of Christ.
After the service, beginning at 11:35 AM, Pastor David Sieplinga will
facilitate an Adult Education Forum on the Persecuted Church. Grab a cup of
coffee and head to the Parish House for the important adult education
opportunity.

Christian Community Development Association Conference
This week, from Thursday, November 17, through Saturday, November 19, six
Bethany members will be participating in the annual Christian Community
Development Association (CCDA) Conference in Indianapolis, IN. Please pray for
Joshua Holwerda, Michael Jackson, Marlene Koster, Sarah Rinsema-Sybenga, Judy
Schutter and David Sieplinga as they travel to Indianapolis early Thursday
morning; and pray that this conference will provide inspiration and direction
to our community ministry initiatives. We also want to express appreciation to
City Vision, CRWRC and the Dreyer Fund for a $1,000. grant to Bethany, making
attendance at this important conference possible!

Needed
Cardtables & Volunteers
Contact Josh Holwerda

Bethany Family
Home: Abigail Kanaar
Carol Patton
* 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.

Christmas Luncheon
Women's Fellowship Christmas Luncheon is December 1, 2005. More info will come.
That will be the last meeting till January 6, 2006.

Thank You So Much
Ken Sherwood thanks you for your prayers and cares during his surgery and
recovery. You are wonderful people.

Thanksgiving Baskets
We are again getting ready to make Thanksgiving Baskets. Needed: canned fruit,
jello, stuffing, pumpkin pie mix, crust mix, potatoes, sweet potatoes,
vegetables, cranberry sauce and apples. Cash contributions can be given to Ev
Christenson or the church office.

Share Thanksgiving With Our Shut-Ins
Please find addresses of many of those from Bethany Church who can not attend
church regularly because of health reasons or distance. Why not express your
care for them by sending them a card for Thanksgiving. Better yet, why not make
it a regular habit to send a card, as well as to pray for them.

Soffit and Painting Update
The Bethany congregation has contributed $14,315.00 towards the parking lot
paving and soffit painting! Money is still coming in and we need only $8,583.00
more. A big "Thank You" to those who have given to this cause. If you still
want to contribute, there are envelopes for this on the table below the
sanctuary steps.

Council Report
1. Approved vacation for Pastor Dave Jan. 2 - 16, 2005; Joan Workman to search
for Pastors for these Sundays.
2. Jeff Boersma's request that Bethany be his "Calling Church" was Approved.
3. Congregational Ballots totaling 90 were tallied and resulted in 33
individuals receiving 20 votes or more.
4. Congregational meeting is scheduled for Dec. 11, 2005 after the morning
worship to approve the budget for year 2006 and draw deacons and elders for
Council.

Holiday Worship Schedule
Wednesday, November 23, 7:00 P.M.
Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service

Sunday, December 11, 5:00 P.M.
A Children's Christmas Celebration

Sunday, December 18, 5:00 P.M.
A Candlelight Christmas Musical

Sunday, December 25, 10:00 A.M.
Christmas Day Service
[No 5:00 P.M. Service on 12.25]

Saturday, December 31, 7:00 P.M.
New Year's Eve Worship Service

Sunday, January 1, 2006, 10:00 A.M.
New Year's Day Service
[No 5:00 P.M. Service on 01.01.06]

Birthdays This Week
Nov. 15 Jason Dephouse
Nov. 17 Ginny Gilbert
Mark Deans
Nov. 18 Polly Kukulka
Doris Brondsema
Nov. 19 Caroline Bolema

Birthdays Next Week
Nov. 21 Jennifer Ketchum
Nov. 22 Pat Gould
Nov. 23 Nathan Mars

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.

Special Birthday Honors to Those 80 and Over
We celebrate with Doris Brondsema who will be turning 81 on Nov. 18, 2005. Hope
your birthday is extra fun!

Reading Group
The next meeting will be Thursday, Dec. 1, at 10:00 AM at church. The selection
to be read is C. S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
This short book is a particularly timely selection because the movie, which is
based on the book, is opening Dec. 9 at Cinema Carousel and will certainly have
broad appeal in the faith community.
Everyone who is interested should feel free to read the book and join in the
discussion on Dec. 1.
Pat Palmer will facilitate the discussion and she recommends, as a supplemental
reading for those who want to do a bit more, a short book by Gene Veith called
The Soul of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

A BIG THANK YOU
Dear Bethany,
I praise God for the blessing of my church family! Thank you so much for your
generous gift of $845.00. It is so encouraging to us to have people who believe
in the work that we are doing! Sacred Suds continues to see families and
individuals in need. As the winter season approaches, we know the need for this
will increase dramatically. We are hopeful that the relationship that develops
between us and the neighbors who come and use the facility will be beneficial
to both of us.
Praise God for the opportunity and invitation that we all have to participate
in the building of the Kingdom of God, right here and right now. It is exciting
for me to think about how our little ministry in McLaughlin Neighborhood can
contribute to making this neighborhood more of a picture, or preview, of
heaven!~Sarah Rinsema-Sybenga

Church Members Need
If you have a sofa chair that you are willing to donate, please call Aylia
Yeck. She is looking for one.

Marian DeYoung needs a volunteer to give her a ride to church. This involves
being able to lift a wheelchair. Contact the church office or Marian DeYoung if
you can help.

Lost and Found
There are 2 jackets, assorted shirts and jeans, a yellow tray and a large red
and white cooler in the lost and found. The cooler was left in the kitchen.
Please claim these items soon. In time they will be donated to a worthy cause.

Collection Schedule
Nov. 20 Gen. Fund. /BCES
Nov. 23 World & Home Mission & Benevolence
Nov. 27 Gen. Fund/Property Improvements

The Butler Did It
Western Michigan Christian High School proudly presents The Butler Did It this
Thanksgiving on Nov. 24 & 25 at 7:30 PM, in the auditorium (Big Room) at the
new campus (455 E. Ellis Rd.) Enjoy a great family night out as you watch a
group of bungling detective writers attempt to solve the murder mystery on
Turkey Island. When they're not tripping over clues, they're tripping over each
other. The ending will surprise and delight you as the true killer is unmasked.
Tickets are available at the high school office or at the door. Adults: $4.00.
Students: $2.00.

Sponsor a Child
Did you know that nearly 50% of our students who come from non-supporting
churches need financial assistance in order to attend Muskegon Christian
School? Please remember MCS as you make your year-end charitable gifts. If you
would like to sponsor a child, send your check marked "BOOST" to Muskegon
Christian School, 1220 Eastgate St, Muskegon, MI?? 49442.

Love INC
Pots and pans are needed desperately. Contact 773-3448 or drop off at Love.

Community Concert
Nov. 13 at 3:00 PM
Frauenthal Theater