CONNECT | April 2013 by Bethel Sarnia

CONNECT BETHEL CHURCH

WELCOME

Welcome to Bethel! We are so glad to have you here! As you look through this Connect Bulletin, we trust that you will quickly find that Bethel has something for you and your family. Our hope is that you will take the next step into our community and get involved. As you do, you will begin to see that Bethel is more than just a Sunday service, it is a family of everyday people following Christ to bring hope and change to the world - one life at a time.

www.bethelsarnia.com

APRIL 2013

This Month

NEXT STEP - BE PART OF ALPHA AT BETHEL

Introductory Dinner

The Alpha Course is an opportunity for everyone to

the Alpha Course is all about. If you cannot make this

explore the Christian faith in a relaxed, non-threatening

free ‘gourmet’ event, then we hope to see you the

setting over 10 thought-provoking weekly sessions. It is

following Monday for the start of Alpha. (Transportation

low-key, friendly, and fun using a mixture of video

can be provided – call the church office at 519 542 7731)

MONDAY APRIL 1ST AT 6:30PM. Enjoy an excellent 3-course meal and learn more of what

teachings with group discussion times, coupled with great social times over a meal each week. WEEKLY ALPHA SESSIONS 6:30-9:00PM IN THE GYM AT BETHEL CHURCH STARTING APRIL 8TH.

THINGS

TO KNOW Elder Board for 2013 The members of the Elder Board for 2013 are Darwin Armstrong, Grace Celaire, Caleb Courtney, Louis DeBrum, Bob Foster, Doug Nixon, Derek Shannon, Dave Strevel.

Live Stream Bethel is now live streaming our Sunday morning services and all special Encounter services. We do plan in the next few months to also stream the Sunday night services as well. To watch a service live, simply go to our web page (bethelsarnia.com) at the service time. If you are interested in being involved in this ministry, please speak to Matt Routley or contact the church office.

Men’s Trip to Tigers Game A few tickets are still available for a Men’s outing to Comerica Park to see the Atlanta Braves play the Detroit Tigers on Saturday, April 27th. The ticket cost is $32 and includes entrance to the game as well as a pre-show that morning to hear testimonies from Christian players from both teams. Transportation is not provided. See Shannon Smith or contact the church office for more information and to purchase a ticket.

Restoration Retreat

Encounter Services

HULDAH BUNTAIN ................................................... In 1954, Huldah and her late husband, Rev. Dr. Mark Buntain, along with their baby daughter, Bonnie, sailed to Calcutta for a one-year service opportunity. After seeing the need all around them, God moved on their hearts to stay in India. Shortly following the Buntains’ arrival in Calcutta, a beggar walked up to them and screamed, “Feed our bellies and then tell us there is a God in heaven who loves us.” This inspired the Buntains to launch a feeding program to nourish the physical needs of the poor. Equally concerned about the uneducated children of India, Mark Buntain built a primary school in 1964, with an initial enrollment of 200 children. With the success of their first school, the Buntains inaugurated over 100 more in Calcutta and its surrounding areas with hundreds of children enrolled. When a young student suddenly collapsed in class one day, Mark Buntain rushed her to a crowded, local hospital that was unable to promptly attend to the child’s emergency. Recognizing the sizable need for quality and affordable healthcare, Mark resolved to build a hospital of his own to serve the poor of the region. On March 17, 1977, as donations poured in from numerous and unexpected sources, the 120-bed hospital opened its doors to the city of Calcutta. Over the years, the Buntains continued to create new programs including an outpatient facility, nursing school, vocational training schools, home for boys, and rural clinics. Today, Calcutta Mercy Hospital provides quality healthcare at an affordable price with 173 beds and 30 multi-specialty centers. Serving over 100,000 patients a year, 40 percent are treated free of charge irrespective of their caste, creed, or religion. Its breadth of care continues to expand as new medical services and facilities are added each year and Mercy Clinics are planted in surrounding villages. Dedicated to the complete

health and happiness of Calcutta’s poor, Calcutta Mercy Ministries supports a larger holistic network of programs that includes a blind school, daily feeding stations for 25,000, leadership training centers, and a Hope House for disadvantaged children. In addition, the Buntains’ also have planted 950 churches and 5 Bible schools. After her husband passed away in June 1989, Huldah became Chairman and Senior Pastor of the Calcutta Mission for a number of years. Since her husband’s death, she has continued to faithfully serve the people of India, and also travels extensively around the world raising funds for projects in all of the vast areas that come under the Calcutta Ministries. In 2005, Huldah founded Calcutta Mercy Ministries to support the comprehensive ministries that she and her late husband built over the past 60 years. What an honour it is for Bethel to have this esteemed missionary, Huldah Buntain, for services on Sunday, April 14th.

Parents Seminar at Temple Baptist

LISTENING? THE STRUGGLES OF THIS GENERATION

featuring: DAVE OVERHOLT PROF. YOUTH MINISTRY AT TYNDALE contributor to... HEMORAGING FAITH: WHY TEENAGERS ARE LEAVING THEIR FAITH

TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH FRIDAY 7-9 || SATURDAY 9-11 $5.00 PER PERSON

APRIL 12+13

HEAVEN’S GATES HELL’S FLAMES 1129 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE LIVE DRAMA PRESENTATION The ‘Heaven’s Gates Hell’s Flames’ drama presentation that took place on March 23rd and 24th, was a great success with all 3 shows playing to a full house! “We knew we were in for a great weekend when 1 hour before the first show, our lobby was already full of people waiting for the doors to our Sanctuary to open to get a seat.” said Pastor Tim GIbb “A lot of prayer went into this drama, both weeks before the drama and during the presentations. There was certainly something special, that being the Spirit of God, on the

117 PEOPLE

MADE A DECISION TO FOLLOW JESUS AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE DRAMA PRESENTATION

drama that spoke to people in attendance. And we are thrilled with the response.” We wish to thank all those who made this drama presentation a reality. We had 38 people as actors and stage hands along with 6 people providing technical support. We want to specifically thank Matt Routley for all of his work in coordinating all the technical aspects and team, Dave Ouellette and his team for the construction of the stage and entrance to heaven, and Louie DeBrum

and Roger Laundry for their hours of work in setting up the set design. As well, special thanks to Pastor Keith and his teams of altar workers, intercessors, and welcome teams. All those involved did a wonderful job and their involvement is greatly appreciated. The eternal results makes it all very worthwhile. At the time of this writing (March 27th) we have 50 people signed up to attend the Alpha course as a direct result of the drama.

Marriage Mentoring - A program that matches experienced married couples with couples that want to improve their marriage, fix problems, or are preparing for marriage.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY Sunday mornings during service: Nursery - Newborn to Age 3 Pre-School - Ages 3 to 5 Kidsplosion - Grades 1 to 4 YOUTH MINISTRY Revo 3 - Thursday night Jr. & Sr. High Youth service [Ages 13-17} Additional activities planned throughout the year. ADULT MINISTRY We have many groups with ongoing activities, check the bulletin and website for details of what’s upcoming! Young Adults - Weekly Bible Study group called “Life” meets Tues. nights at 116 Paul Sloggett Crt. Led by Chris & Linda Guerette and Steve & Kathy Fraser. Real Women - Ongoing activities for women of all ages. Led by Pam Lozon. The Core Men’s Ministry - Activities for all men. Led by Shannon Smith. Keenagers Seniors Ministry - Monthly lunch or special activity. Led by Carl & Faye Johnson. Music Ministry - Is always looking for new talent, including choir, audio and visual personnel. Speak to Caleb or Stephanie Courtney. Home Fellowship groups - New to Bethel or desire to connect with others? Join one of our Thursday evening Home Fellowship Groups. Contact Darwin & Angela Armstrong or Pastors Keith & Patricia for more details. A great way to connect with others. Bible Study - Tuesday night Bible Study & Hymn Sing. Restoration Course - A course on the essentials of Christian faith followed by a retreat weekend. Led by Pastor Keith Patrick.

Connect At Bethel

6:30 PM Alpha

6:30 PM Service Neil Armstrong

28 11:30 AM Mom’s in Prayer

6:30 PM Alpha

6:30 PM Service Pastor Tim Gibb

10:30 AM Service Pastor Tricia Gibb

11:30 AM Mom’s in Prayer

10:30 AM Service Pastor Tim Gibb

Fellowship Hall

6:30 PM Alpha

10:30 AM Service Huldah Buntain 6:30 PM Service Huldah Buntain 6:30 PM Foundation Course-

11:30 AM Mom’s in Prayer

6:30 PM Alpha

11:30 AM Mom’s in Prayer

6:30 PM Alpha

11:30 AM Mom’s in Prayer

Mon

6:30 PM Service Masters College

Newcomers Reception

10:30 AM Service Pastor Tim Gibb

Sun

Sloggett Crt

7:00 PM LIFE-Young Adults at –116 Paul