September 4, 2005 Newsletter

Issue #387

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

We learn best to pray by doing it.

Children's Worship Centers will begin September 11.

Ladies!
You and your friends are invited to Women's Fellowship each Thursday at 2:00 PM
for a lively discussion of Genesis, led by Pastor Dave. There is no upper or
lower age limit- we can all learn from each other. If you have school aged
children, you can be home in time to greet them. We'd love to welcome you at
our first meeting on Sept. 15th!

Soffit, Trim & Asphalt Update
The Soffit, Trim & Asphalt Campaign goal is $22,898.00. We have received as of
Aug. 29, 2005, $9,610.00. We have additional envelopes for special gifts.Thank
you for prayerfully considering these appeals and Bethany's needs.

Pantry Needs
T.P, T.P and T.P! We are completely out of toilet paper. Pork and beans,
pancake flour and syrup, peanut butter and jelly and any else would be
appreciated. Cereal is also always in demand. Thank you for your generosity to
our neighborhood community.

Bethany Family
* 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.

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.

Church School Staff
Commissioning and
Kick Off Celebration
will be Sept. 18.

Congratulations!
We wish to congratulate Oscar and Claudia Gailhouse on 30th years of marriage.
God has been good!

Attention Singers!
Choir is beginning a new season of praise to God with a rehearsal on Sunday,
Sept. 11 at 11:30 AM. All singers high school age and above are invited to join
us in the choir room.

Bethany Monthly Account Balance Summary August 31, 2005
MONTHLY ANNUAL
General Fund
Beg. Balance 3,279.40 $2,406.23
Receipts $23,682.28 $164,630.70
Disbursements $18,259.66 $158,334.91
Gen. Fund Balance $8,702.02 $8,702.02
Actual Budget Difference
Year to Date Year to Date Year to Date
Total Gen. Fund Income $164,630.70 $185,509.33 -$20,878.63
Total Disbursed $158,334.91 $185,509.33 -$27,174.42

Birthdays This 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

Birthdays Next Week
Sept. 13 Miriam Schaafsma
Sept. 14 Bob Sytsema
Sept. 15 Sirrah Bey
Florence Saunders
Sept. 16 Marian DeYoung

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.

Ministry Opportunities for September 11
Greeters: Rog & Geri Langeland, Anne Rose, Florence Saunders
Ushers: Art Brown, Mike Abbott, Jim Dephouse, Bob Heethuis
Coffee Fellowship: Mary Abbott, Jan Koon
Transparency: Joe Buthker
Reader: Judy DeBoer
Lectionary: Gen. 50:15-21; Ps. 103:[1-7] 8-13; Rom. 14:1-12; Matt. 18:21-35
Offering Opportunities: General Fund and Missions
Nursery Today: Jamey Foreman, Paula Foreman, Benjamin Klemm
Nursery Sept. 11: Ilene Rosales, Betty Gould, Bryant Westra

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

Special Birthday Honors to Those 80 and Over
We wish a special birthday to Florence Saunders and Marian DeYoung. Florence
will be 85 on Sept. 15 and Marian will be 83 on Sept. 16, 2005.

Christian School News
MCS Harvest Fest dinner and auction will be held at Calvin CRC (973 W. Norton
Ave).Reserve Friday, October 28 for our 5th Annual Fund raising Event! Our
goal is $20,000! This year a pig roast, auction, and supervised children?s
activities will be held again to help MCS raise funds. Needed: Food preparation
team for October 28 at Calvin CRC (contact Lisa Dadd at 821-0206); some bold
volunteers who love to ask for donations; and auction items such as vacations,
timeshares, golf outings, recreation and lawn equipment, etc. Call Tara at
231-773-3221, ext. 110 if you or your business would like to donate time or
auction items.

YOU can give the opportunity of Christian education to a student! Our BOOST
scholarship program needs partners. Give the opportunity of Christian education
to those families who have financial need by joining us in helping them reach
their tuition goals. Contact Tara at 231-773-3221, ext 110 for more information
how you can partner with BOOST!

Need to renew some magazines? Want to get a head start on your holiday
shopping? Muskegon Christian School students can help! Ask an elementary school
student (KE-5) to see the catalog of gift ideas, Worlds Finest chocolates,
gift-wrap, and more.See a middle school student (6-8) to renew your magazine
subscriptions and order some new ones. Both sales will run from September 1-16
and these are the main student fund raisers for the 2005-2006 school year. MCS
receives 40-50% of the proceeds, so get ready to shop!

Golf Outing
Athletic Boosters Golf Outing for WMCHS will be held on September 17.

Save the Date
Sept. 20th is Love INC Volunteer Banquet. We invite you to join us as we share
how God is working in our ministries. More details to come.

Want To Help But Can't Volunteer Weekly?
Our clients have great need for "hands on" training as they get ready to
deliver their babies and start their new road to motherhood. We need women who
are interested in serving as instructors for periodically held life skills
classes. If you are interested in teaching a skill, anything from how to plan
meals, budget your household income, care for the newborn, labor & delivery
preparation, to creative play, please let us know. This a great opportunity for
you experienced homemakers, or retired nurses who are looking for a way to be
used in ministry for the Kingdom of God. Call 231-726-2677.

Married Couples, Go Home
Married couples, go home... from a Reformed Marriage Encounter weekend more in
love with each other than ever! The next weekend is Sept. 30 - Oct. 2. To learn
more about the weekend, please visit reformedme.org. To receive a registration
brochure or to register, call Kathy at 616-538-2749.

Worship on the Waterfront
This Sunday, September 4, 2005, Worship On the Waterfront welcomes Selah to the
Grand Haven Waterfront Stadium. There is a special time for this evening - 7:00
- 8:15 PM. This Dove award winning group has achieved the unique feat of
successfully introducing hymns and classic songs of the faith to a new
generation of listeners. The unique sound of this group will be a blessing to
all. This year W.O.W. will be held at the stadium, rain or shine, so come
dressed for the weather.