February 12, 2006 Newsletter

February 12, 2006
Issue #410

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

Take time to thank God again that He gave His only son
that we might have Eternal Life.

Black History Month
February is Black History Month. During several of our morning worship services
we will be celebrating the ways African Americans have enriched Christian
worship through song, poetry and dance.

Healthy Congregations Workshops
On the afternoons of Feb. 14, 28 and March 14, 28, Pastor David Sieplinga will
be participating in a series of Healthy Congregations Workshops, facilitated by
the Christian Reformed Board of Home Missions and funded by a Lily Foundation
grant for Sustaining Pastoral Excellence. Please pray that these seminars will
have benefit for Bethany!

Bethany Family
Mercy General, Oak Campus: Dob Sieplinga
Knollview: John DeYoung
Home: Jim Hughes
Seminole Shores: Rolland Achterhoff
* 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.

Adult Education
After church today at 11:30, Adult Education will continue its theme, "Engaging
the World outside the Four Walls." Today we welcome Earl James, from City
Vision/CRWRC, who will speak to us on "Exegeting Your Neighborhood," and
explore how we as church members can see our neighborhood with fresh eyes, so
that we can both seek out the gifts in our neighborhood and acknowledging the
needs. Earl will help us brainstorm practical ways that we can help make this
neighborhood more of a preview of heaven!! Please help us welcome Earl to
Bethany by participating in this workshop in the Parish House from 11:30-12:30!

Souper Bowl Sunday Appreciation
We wish to express our thanks to the congregation and the Bethany Young People
for their participation and support for Souper Bowl Sunday. We received $191.48
and these funds will be used for pantry supplies.

WELCOME to the Family of Bethany
The membership papers of Jeff and Michelle Boersma and their children, Morgan,
Marc and Gabrielle, have been received from Calvin CRC. May you enjoy the
fellowship of Bethany.

Tip Nite Turnout
BYP would like to offer a HUGE Thank You to the Congregation for coming to tip
night last Monday at the Pizza Ranch. We made over $700 and had a lot of fun in
the process. Thanks again!

Church School Note
There will be no Church School next week due to Mid Winter Break.

Birthdays This Week
Feb. 13 Michael Abbott
Feb. 15 Debra Bell
Muon Pham
Sue Goorman
Feb. 16 Grace Eckman
Ken Hoeker
Feb. 17 Lisa VanGennep
Sam Villalpando
Feb. 18 Val Westra

Birthdays Next Week
Feb. 19 Doris Bogema
Holiday Hall
Bryan Hoeker
Feb. 20 June VanHemert
Feb. 22 Catherine Butterfield

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 at 725-7325. Should you wish to send cards but do not
have current addresses, please call the office as well.

Ministry Opportunities for February 19
Greeters: Anne Rose, Florence Saunders, Marv & Ethel Brown
Ushers: Art Brown, Jim Dephouse, Jamey Foreman, Andy DeBoer
Coffee Fellowship: Tim and Sandy Lovrencevic
Transparency: Joe Buthker
Reader: Pat Gould
Lectionary: Isa. 43:18-25; Ps. 41; 2 Cor. 1:18-22; Mark 2:1-12
Offering Opportunities: General Fund and Bethany Christian Education Society
Nursery Today: Amy Varnado, Ilene Rosales, Bryant Westra
Nursery Feb. 19: Melissa Deans, Jan Koons, Kayla Deans

The Rose
The rose today celebrates the birth of Kirsten Emily as Bethany joins Tim and
Lin Holtrop and family in thanking God for the gift of new life.

Where Are All the Keys?
We are, once again, suffering from building key loss. There is no key for the
East or South door of the Parish House in the wooden key cabinet. If you have a
key, please tell Tom so he can register it or return it if you don’t need it.
If you have any key that you don’t need, please give it to Tom. ~ Thanks,
Properties Committee

To my Bethany Friends
I want to thank everyone for all the cards, flowers, visits and delicious meals
I was so blessed with during my surgery and recovery time. I’m having a little
problem with being patient right now, but all the words of encouragement and
support keep me focused. Thank you so much for caring. God bless you. ~ Pam
Sipe

Where’s Nick?
Nick Hall has moved to Pensacola, Florida for some additional training. He will
be there for several weeks and then likely be assigned to a new ship or base.
He is temporarily without an email address: we will keep you posted.

Collection Schedule
Feb. 19 Gen. Fund/BCES
Feb. 26 Gen. Fund/Property
Improvements

Special Birthday Wishes to Those 80 and Over
Grace Eckman will be celebrating her 84th birthday on Feb. 16, 2006. Happy
Birthday Grace! Doris Bogema will celebrate her 92nd birthday on Feb. 19, 2006.
Catherine Butterfield will celebrate her 82nd birthday on Feb. 22, 2006. Happy
Birthday Doris and Catherine!

Need in Community
If you have an electric stove you are willing to donate, please call Larel at
578-9706.

COACHING POSITION
Western Michigan Christian High School is accepting applications for JV
baseball coach for the 2006 spring season. Please call 231-799-9644 for an
application form.

Need a Valentine Card?
Help Love INC by purchasing valentine cards that are at Hage’s Christian
Bookstore and at the Family Christian Bookstore. Proceeds from the cards, so
beautifully designed by Linda Postmus, will benefit Love INC.

Attention Artist
After a long winter, would you like to share your talents and gifts at a spring
art fair? We are planning a spring fair and would like to know your interest.
Call Cynthia at Love INC if you are interested, 773-3448.

Unity Fest in the News
Unity Fest is looking for Church Contact Volunteers to promote Unity 2006 in
your church. Responsibilities include bulletin/newsletter announcements,
hanging posters, and making announcements in your church service. Love INC also
needs regular volunteers for Unity 2006. To sign up, call Cindy at 773-3448.

Love People?
If you are gifted in working with people, Love INC could use your talents and
abilities. Call Cindy at 773-3448. We have many opportunities for ministry.

Wanted
Printer ink cartridges and used cell phones. Love INC will recycle them. Please
call us and we will pick them up or you may drop them off at the Love office.

An Evening with Phillips, Craig & Dean
The Muskegon Rescue Mission is presenting “An Evening with Phillips, Craig &
Dean” at the Frauenthal Center in downtown Muskegon on Thursday, April 20 at
7:30 PM. See flyer on bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall.

Understanding Alzheimer’s
Join us for an orientation program and learn more about memory loss and signs
of Alzheimer’s disease. This introductory program is February 23 at 6:00 - 8:00
PM at Mercy General Hospital, Mercy Campus, 1500 E. Sherman, Conference Room C.
$10 fee for program materials: fee waived for those who are unable to pay -
call for application. Advance registration and payment are required. For more
information or to register, call 800.272.3900 or visit www.alzmigreatlakes.org

The Concordia Choir
The Concordia Choir will be at Mona Shores High School Auditorium Tuesday, Feb.
28 at 7:30 PM. Adults $10 - Students $5. For tickets or concert information,
call 744-1522. Tickets also available at the door. Sponsored by ELCA Churches
and Mona Shores High School Choir.