April 17, 2005 Newsletter

Issue #367

Adult Sunday School Explores Questions
of Life and Faith Today
The Adult Sunday School, starting today at 11:30 at the Parish House, will be
watching a video series called the ?Question of God?. This is dramatic PBS
presentation on the lives of Sigmund Freud and C. S. Lewis and explores the
great questions of life and faith. Everyone is invited to come and join in the
discussion.

Hey, All You 20-Somethings!
Come and join the 20-Somethings Group this Sunday afternoon at 3:00 for a time
of fellowship and continued discussion about practical ways that we can "be
church" in our neighborhood! This week's opinion article is "Samarinating: Why
Servanthood is Bad." If you need a copy, talk to Sarah after church.Looking
forward to some great dialogue and learning!

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.

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.

Bethany Family
Hackley Hospital:
Gracie Sytsema
Home: Ken Hoeker
Al Rockwood
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.

Christian Sympathy
We extend Christian sympathy to Tom Holtrop and his family in the death of
Larry Holtrop, Tom?s brother. His sustaining grace is supportive in times of
sorrow as well as joy.

Prayer Vigil Planned
Thank you to all those who have already secured a time slot for the Pentecost
Weekend (May 13-14) 24-hour Prayer Vigil! Nearly one-half of the vigil is
covered. We still need a number of the faithful, prayerful, sanctified
insomniacs (like Paula Foreman and Grace DeVries) to cover the early Saturday
morning slots (from midnight to 6:00 AM.) Sign up today in the Fellowship Room.
For more information, feel free to talk with any member of the Prayer Action
Team (Leah Sieplinga, Marietta Hasper, Grace Eckman, Pat Flickema, Willy
VanderKooi or David Sieplinga).

Special Birthday Honors for Those 80 and Over
Jeanne Vanderlaan will be celebrating her 89th birthday on April 27, 2005. Her
address is:
Holland Home, Rm. 328
1450 E. Fulton St.
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Gerard Hasper will be celebrating his 82nd birthday on April 30, 2005. May God
bless you both on your special day!

This Week
Apr. 21 Alex Ahumada

Next Week
Apr. 27 Judith Schutter
Jessica Medema
Bill Mogren
Jeanne Vanderlaan
Apr. 29 Carol Patton
Kyle Miesch
Apr. 30 Gerard Hasper
James Jr. McCollum
Marc Rottman

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.

Collection Schedule
Apr. 24 Gen. Fund/Property
Improvements

Advance Notice
You won't want to miss The Bible League Spring Luncheion! It will be at
Maranatha on Wednesday, May 18 at 12:00 noon. Both men and women are invited.
Tickets are $9.00. Get tickets from Grace Eckman - 780-3988.

Stocking Shelves
Our shelves are running low. Could you help us stock up on these items?
Spaghetti sauce, tooth paste, peanut butter and jelly, fruit, chicken and tuna
helper, hand soap, jello, pudding and toilet paper. Thank you in advance for
your generosity to this ministry.

Tape Ministry
Tapes of morning worship services are available. If you are interested in
having a copy, please call the church office. (725-7325)

You've Been So Kind
Thank you to the Bethany knitters for the shawl they gave me. I?ve had a lot of
compliments on it. I also wish to thank the Buthker children for the beautiful
flowers. ~ Jute Bowman

Note of Praise and Thanks
We thank people of Bethany for their prayers on behalf of our daughter, Mindy.
We praise God that he hears and answers our prayers and that He can touch
peoples' hearts and change them when nothing else can!? ~ Gary and Beth Post

Housecleaning Position
Aylia Yeck needs help with household chores and the State will pay someone to
do this. If anyone is interested or knows someone who would be, please contact
the church office. 725-7325.

Golf Outing
Plan ahead! 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.

MCS Annual Fund Drive
The MCS Annual Fund Drive is being held now to help Muskegon Christian School
close the gap between the cost of education and tuition amounts.?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!

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). Kindergarten Round Up is at 6:00 p.m.
on April 18 and our Open House follows at 7:00 p.m.

Director of Development Needed
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.

Love Notes
Love INC is now offering two new classes open to all. Powerful Parenting will
begin May 19 from 7:00 - 8:00 PM. The second class, Bloom Where You?re Planted
- values and decision making skills, from 7:00 - 8:00 PM. Call 773-3448 if you
would like to attend the class. These classes, as well as our Budget Class are
held at 3815 Henry St., Forest Park Covenant Church.

Love INC is experiencing a significant loss in financial contributions. We
would deeply appreciate your donation for any amount at this time. This
ministry is for you. Our services are offered at no charge to the community, in
the Name of Christ. Call Cynthia at 773-3448 should you have questions.