August 28, 2005 Newsletter

Issue #386

Telecare: 9:00 a.m. 365 days a year
bethany.crc@verizon.net
bethanychurchmuskegon.org
Office: 725-7325
Summer Office Hours:
Mon. - Thurs. 9:00 - 2:30
Closed Friday & Saturday

Take time to pray for those who lead us in knowledge as we live in the world of
learning.

Outside Fellowship
Thank you to everyone who helped with our after church cookie fellowship this
summer--those who made the delicious cookies and those who helped serve. As an
"end-of-summer" celebration we will be having an outdoor Ice Cream Social after
the morning service. Come prepared to spoil your Sunday dinner!!

Bethany Family
Knollview: Ken Medema

Christian Sympathy
We extend Christian sympathy and support in Christ to all the family and
friends as they grieve the death of Anne Spoelman on August 23, 2005. ?May our
Father in heaven comfort you with His peace and the promise of the resurrection
of life everlasting in Jesus Christ.

* 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.

A Thousand Thank You's
Thank you to everyone who made pastor's open house a success, Carol Burnet for
the delicious pastries, Mary Abbott for the yummy lemon bars, and everyone else
who made goodies. A big special thank you goes to Mary Sytsema for set-up and
decoration. Everything looked lovely (as usual). Thank you also to Joe Buthker
and all the other Buthker's who helped with set-up and take-down this summer
for our cookie fellowship. And a HUGE thank you to the ladies in the Fellowship
committee (and spouses!) and our scheduled "cookie helpers" for their hard
work to make the cookie fellowship possible this summer.

Help Needed!
Some of our transparency volunteers are going off to college and we could use a
couple more pairs of hands. You should be in high school or older and some
musical ability is helpful, but not necessary. If interested, please see Mrs.
Gail Hall.

Benevolence Funds Depleted
Thanks to all who support the Bethany Benevolence Fund! Due to a lack of money
at the Department of Human Services (FIA) and the United Way agencies (like
Salvation Army), we have been very busy trying to help meet the needs of those
in the McLaughlin Neighborhood. In July we had 33 requests and were able to
help 13 of those for $1,310.49. So far in August we have had 30 requests and
have helped 12 with $1,362.00. At this time we have no money left. The DHS will
get more money for emergency needs in October. So until then things will be
pretty lean. Please remember this next Sunday when you put money in your
Benevolence Fund envelope. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good and his love
endures forever! ~ Bethany Deacons & Tom Johnson

Birthday Celebration
Thanks to the congregation at Bethany for your expressions of love, cards and
sharing in my birthday celebration. God is good! ~ Betty Kingshott and family.

Ministry Opportunities for September 4
Greeters: Rog & Geri Langeland, Anne Rose, Florence Saunders
Ushers: Art Brown, Mike Abbott, Jim Dephouse, Bob Heethuis
Coffee Fellowship: Catherine Butterfield, Polly Kukulka
Transparency: Kaila Westra
Reader: Dr. Mary Klesner
Lectionary: Ezek. 33:7-11; Ps. 119:33-40; Rom. 13:8-14; Matt. 18:15-20
Offering Opportunities: General Fund and Benevolence
Nursery Today: Mary Abbott, Carol Patton, Misty Patton
Nursery Sept. 4: Jamey Foreman, Paula Foreman, Benjamin Klemm

Birthdays This Week
Aug. 28 Quoi Pham
Aug. 31 David Klemm
Willy VanderKooi
Birthdays Next Week
Sept. 5 Chris Abbott
Sept. 6 David Sieplinga
Sept. 8 Mike Post
Stephanie Cashbaugh
Sept. 10 Sandra Lovrencevic
Katherine Mogren
Matt Spitters
Anna Clark
Ardi Pranger

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.

Intermediate Club
Bring your appetite and smile August 30 at 9:00 AM! Let?s start the day
together at Mickey?s Restaurant.

Reading Group
The reading group which had 3 meetings last spring will begin again in Sept.
This small group welcomes new members for either regular participation or for
participation in the discussion of particular books selected for a particular
month.
The September selection is The Blueist Eye by Toni Morrison. This is a short
novel and was the first of many by this 1993 Nobel Prize winner. Pastor Dave
will facilitate the discussion of the book at church Thursday, Sept. 15, at
10:00 AM.
The October selection is Without a Doubt; Answering the 20 Toughest Faith
Questions by Kenneth Richard Samples. The author is expected to make an
appearance in Grand Rapids in October ,so readers of this award-winning book
might find that as an added attraction. Mike Sodini will facilitate the
discussion of this book.
The November selection is CS Lewis The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. This
is one of the seven small books constituting the Chronicles of Narnia, the
famous childrens' series which many adults have read and reread. This selection
may have special appeal to many readers at this time because the Disney film
based on it is expected to be released in December.
Generally, the reading group plans to meet on the 3rd Thursday of the month at
10:00 AM. Occasionally, we may have to make adjustments of which regular
members will be aware.

A New Baby Boy!
We wish to congratulate Nathan and Emily Mogren on the birth of a new baby boy,
born Aug. 15, 2005. His name is Gunnar Nathan.

Collection Schedule
Sept. 4 Gen. Fund /Benevolence
Sept. 11 Gen. Fund /Missions
Sept. 18 Gen. Fund/BCES
Sept. 25 Gen. Fund /Property Improvements

Telecare Cares!
John is a sixty-six year old bachelor, living alone in Barkley Village, who we
call every morning for Telecare. Last Wednesday Barb Rocha called him at 9:00
AM, but John was a little confused. She called several times later in the day
but the phone was busy so someone went there to check on him. His sister found
John on the floor, unable to move. She took him immediately to Hackley
Hospital. John has now returned to his apartment in Barkley Village and he and
his family wish to thank Bethany Telecare.
Do you know someone who should be checked on daily? We would like to include
you or that person on our daily calls. Please call Anne Rose 798-2020. She will
explain and make arrangements for your calls. Telecare cares!

Annual Society Meeting
The Annual Society Meeting for Western Michigan Christian High School is August
29, from 7:30 - 9:00 PM, in our chapel. This meeting is for all of the
supporting Christian School community. Freshmen class overview will be given
that night. The budget will be presented along with election of new board
members. Please try to make this informative meeting.

Transitional Housing
Public Protection Transitional Service is offered to those who were
incarcerated and are transitioning back into society. Clean and sober temporary
housing is offered for 6 to 8 months while utilizing community resources to
obtain permanent housing for themselves. For information, contact Michael
Johnson at 231-327-1292 or Mike Gordon at 755-1972, or they can be reached at
1831 Fifth St.
Donations payable to Mike Johnson or Mike Gordon in care of First Step House.

Forgotten Man Ministries
The Forgotten Man Ministries will host the Annual Stewardship Dinner at 6:30 PM
on Sept. 13, at Reeths-Puffer High School Cafeteria in North Muskegon.
Reservations can be made through Jack Rottman or by calling Chaplain Acheson at
724-6304.

Bereavement Program
Hospice of Muskegon-Oceana is sponsoring The Healing Path, an overnight
experience for women under sixty-five who are grieving the loss of their
partners. A variety of activities will help participants consider their grief
experience, learn about grief work, chart the progress they've made toward
healing, and prepare for the continuing journey. This program will be held
Friday, Sept. 9 through Saturday evening Sept. 10 at the Maranatha Conference
Center. For more details, call Kathy 728-3442 or 873-0359. Space is limited.
Deadline for registration is Aug. 31.

For Hurting Marriages
Bridge to Life offers The Rebuild & Restore Seminar Series for 12 consecutive
weeks. Meetings are every Tuesday evening from 7 - 9:00 PM. This
non-threatening lecture style does not require participants to share their
personal problems. BTL strives to serve Jesus Christ for the purpose of
reconciling men and women to God and each other. Flyers can be found on the
Literature table at the foot of the stairs.

Love Notes
Love INC's warehouse ministry has been placed for adoption. The ministry needs
dedicated workers who seek opportunities to minister to both the physical and
spiritual needs of people. People don't care how much you know, until they
know how much you care.? Would you or your church pray about adopting this
ministry? Call Cindy at 773-3448.
It?s not for money, it's not for fame, and it's not for personal gain.
Volunteering has its own reward. Love INC will train you to respond to the
needs of people when you become a phone volunteer. Call Cindy at 773-3448.
Personal care items have been greatly reduced over the summer months. Please
contact Love if you have personal care items that you would like to donate.

Basketball/Volleyball Leagues
The Christian Ref. Conference Grounds has a new facility to use in many ways.
Two of those ways are for a basketball and volleyball league. Each league will
accept the first 7 teams who sign up. The leagues will begin Sept. 27 for
volleyball (and be played every Tuesday night for 8 weeks), and the Basketball
league begins Sept. 29 and will be played every Thursday night for 8 weeks.
Both leagues will play their final games the week of Nov. 14.
If you have questions, contact Kurt at (616) 842-4478. Info is also posted on
bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall.

Wonderful Support
Christian Care appreciates the wonderful support given for the Aug. 4th Ice
Cream Social. The many hours of volunteer help along with the donation of many
delicious cakes are what makes this wonderful event happen. We are thrilled to
let you know that this year's profits are already over $5,000. As is our
policy, these profits are used for special projects to benefit our residents.
If you still have some of the unaccounted for tickets or sales money, please
turn them into the Christian Care office at 1530 McLaughlin as soon as
possible.

Worship on the Waterfront
This Sunday, August 28, 2005, Worship On the Waterfront welcomes Peder Eide to
the Grand Haven Waterfront Stadium from 7:30 - 8:45 PM. Peder ministers to
nearly 100,000 students a year as a full-time national singer, songwriter and
speaker. His love for young people fuels his desire to encourage, challenge and
motivate people to a closer walk with Jesus. This year W.O.W. will be held at
the stadium, rain or shine, so come dressed for the weather.