April 3, 2005 Newsletter

Pray that the Spirit of God will lead you and teach you as you live each day.

The Healing of Memories
This evening Pastor David Sieplinga will begin a series of studies introducing
the concept and practice of "The Healing of Memories," including an examination
of the validity of what is known as "Theophostic Prayer Ministry" [TPR}.

Prayer Vigil Planned
The Prayer Action Team is planning a 24-hour prayer vigil on Pentecost Weekend
(May 13-14), in preparation for the Service of Prayer on Pentecost Sunday
morning, May 15. Members are asked to sign up for 1/2 hour periods of prayer,
and may pray in their own homes. Sign up begins today in the Fellowship Room.
Details will follow, but in the meantime, feel free to talk with any member of
the Prayer Action Team (Leah Sieplinga, Marietta Hasper, Grace Eckman, Pat
Flickema or David Sieplinga).

The Rose
“The rose today celebrates God's gift to the Sytsema family with the safe
arrival of Grace Huanlei. We rejoice with Heidi, Marty, James and Anna for this
welcome addition to their family and ours!” ~Mary Sytsema

Discussing Gilead
The reading group will next meet on Thursday, April 21, 10:00 AM at church. The
book to be discussed is Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. Since quite a few people
in church have already read this acclaimed and well-reviewed book, we’re
inviting all who have read it to join in our discussion of it at that time.

Special Birthday Honors for Those 80 and Over
Billie Flickema will be celebrating her 88th birthday on April 15, 2005. Happy
Birthday Billie!

This Week
Apr. 4 Sheryl Peltier
Apr. 9 Aron Rosales

Next Week
Apr. 10 Matt Miller
Apr. 11 Calvin Hinken
Bill Pranger
Apr. 13 Darrell Hall
Patti Brown
Mark Christenson
Apr. 14 T’asia Ketchum
Apr. 15 Billie Flickema
Bruce VanderKooi
Apr. 16 Marcia Kuyers
Sarah Neal
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.

Souper Singles
Singles, are you tired of eating alone, making a meal for one? Come Wednesday,
April 20, 5:00 PM to Wilma DeLeeuw’s house for "Singles Only Soup Supper."
Please sign up in the Fellowship Hall.

COG Brown/Buthker Special Note
The Brown/Buthker’s Circles of Grace group will be meeting April 11, 2005 at
6:15 PM at the Pizza Ranch. See you there!

Welcome to the Family of Bethany
Next Sunday, April 10, we will have the privilege of witnessing the Adult
Baptism of Judy Rottman and the Reaffirmations of Faith of Diane Jolie, Dale
and Jamie Palmer.

Children’s Worship Centers Note
The Children’s Worship Center’s will not meet today. They will continue as
usual on April 10.

Bethany Family
Home: Ken Hoeker
Al Rockwood
DeBoer Nursing Home:
Willie Workman

* 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.

Collection Schedule
Apr. 10 Gen. Fund/Missions
Apr. 17 Gen. Fund/BCES
Apr. 24 Gen. Fund/Property
Improvements

Missing
The church kitchen is missing two round white cloth table cloths. If you have
them at home, please return them to the church as soon as possible.

Book Review With Robert Sikkenga
Friday, April 8 at 1:00 PM - Muskegon native, author and humorist, Robert
Sikkenga, author of Moon Over Ajalon and Amity Street will be at Bethany CRC.
His book talk will be on Moon Over Ajalon. This devotional book invites readers
to consider themselves as characters in the drama of Israel by following the
stories of heroes, villains, and everyday folk in the first six books of the
Bible. As per the author, “many of my happy memories from Sunday School are
recorded”. Amity Street is “set in familiar surroundings between Wood and
Getty, the celery flats and the churches, and recalls a few familiar ghosts of
the past such as a preacher, a drunk, a junk man and few other characters
thrown in to make a good story.”
After the talk, everyone is invited to enjoy coffee and cookies during Bob’s
book signing.
If you would like to join the Bethany Intermediate Club for lunch with the
author at 11:30 AM, please call Marva Stevens at 755-0579 or Grace Eckman at
780-3988 before Tuesday, April 5.

Position Open at WMC
Western Michigan Christian High School is looking for a qualified person to
assist with building and grounds maintenance at the 1212 Kingsley campus. This
part-time, year round position includes some janitorial work and outdoor work
around the building and soccer field. Interested candidates should send their
resume or letter of interest to Jack Wolffis, 455 E. Ellis Rd., Muskegon, MI
49441.

Operating Debt Update
We are almost there! With $55,000 of operating debt to go, we are asking that
55 families pledge $100 per month over the next 10 months to cover the
remaining debt. Please consider a pledge and/or gift to MCS / Debt Reduction,
1220 Eastgate Street, Muskegon, Michigan 49442.

MCS Annual Fund Drive
The MCS Annual Fund Drive is here! Did you know that the cost of educating one
student at Muskegon Christian School is approximately $5,000? However, our
tuition is consistently lower than the cost. We can close the gap between cost
and tuition through the MCS Annual Fund Drive going on now. Please prayerfully
consider a gift to MCS /AFD by directing it to 1220 Eastgate Street, Muskegon,
MI 49442. Thank you for supporting Christian education in Muskegon!

Kindergarten Roundup
Muskegon Christian School will be offering early Kindergarten enrollment for
constituent families and student coming from supporting churches through April
11. After April 11, application 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 (773-3221). Kindergarten Round Up is at 6:00 p.m. on
April 18 and our Open House follows at 7:00 p.m.

Love Offers New Courses
In response to the needs expressed by participants of Love INC services, two
new courses will be hosted by Love INC at Forest Park Covenant Church, 3815
Henry St. Blossom Where You’re Planted (Exploring your values and how choices
determine where you go in life) and Powerful Parenting (How you can be the best
parent you can be and improve communication with your children or teens), are
7-week, one hour courses offered free of charge on Thursdays. Call Gail at
773-3448 for details. We invite you to join us.

We need phone volunteers on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. Be involved in
helping to transform lives while enjoying the fellowship of other believers.
Call 773-3449.

Volunteers Needed
Skilled Site Coordinators: Are you an experienced carpenter? Retired? Are you a
teacher with the summer off and have construction skills? Muskegon County
Habitat for Humanity (MCHFH) needs you! A site coordinator is in charge of
overseeing a Habitat build. This person must be comfortable supervising both
skilled and unskilled volunteers, as well as, maintain communication and take
direction from MCHFH’S Building Coordinator. Come make a difference in a
family’s life and your community this summer.
MCHFH needs volunteers too for the construction of four houses being built this
spring. The houses must be completed by June 24 for the Jimmy Carter Work
Project 2005 dedications. Join us during this history making event.
Also needed are volunteers for MCHFH reSTORE. Assist the reSTORE manager with
pick-ups, help customers find their discounted treasures, or organize and price
our many new donations.
Please call or e-mail Emilie, Volunteer Coordinator, 231-727-6020.