February Connect by Bethel Sarnia

CONNECT BETHEL CHURCH

WELCOME TO BETHEL 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

FEBRUARY 2016

THIS MONTH

BETHEL NEWS ANNUAL MEMBERS MEETING

Our annual church business meeting for Bethel members will take place on Sunday, March 6th immediately following our shortened AM Worship service.

NEIGHBOURLINK OPPORTUNITIES

NeighbourLink is urgently seeking someone to fill the paid NeighbourLink director position, as well as the volunteer position of board treasurer. For more information, please contact NeighbourLink at 519-336-5465 of neighbourlink@cogeco.net..

LAMBTON COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL A new Christian school is beginning this Fall 2016 for grades JK-Grade 8. A special information night for prospective parents and interested supporters is taking place on Thursday, February 18th at 7:00 p.m. at 6482 Telfer Road (Christ Lutheran Church). For more information, please contact office@ lambtoncountychristian.ca. Please pass the word around to let people know of this new Christian school opportunity.

Dorothy Dunne

A Story of 60 Years of Ministry She was much too little to reach the keys, so her mother adjusted the stool, adding a few cushions before helping her daughter sit down to play the family’s organ. At only three years old, with her sister below her pushing the pedals, Dorothy Dunne began playing the organ, falling in love with how the light touch of her fingers could make such a beautiful sound fill the living room. Born into a musically gifted family, Dorothy naturally fit in whether playing the organ, piano or trumpet. Her sisters and brother played string instruments,

how one day she would sit in a Church behind an organ and effortlessly play hymns and choruses switching from one chord to another. It was during her time in Toronto that Dorothy attended a service at an Apostolic Church. At the end of the service, as she was slipping out the door, the Pastor stopped her and told her that if she returned next week she would be filled with the Holy Spirit. A week later, back in that same Church she reminded the Pastor of his words and as he prayed for her, she began to speak in other tongues. In the days that followed, as she prayed in the Spirit, she remembered back to being 7 years old, sitting on a swing outside her home, singing “when I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of Glory died…” and her notes giving way to singing in the Spirit.

the guitar and fiddles, and their father rounded out their family band by adding rhythm with spoons. Dorothy grew up with music filling their house and the family’s social schedule as they performed at political rallies and dances. Dorothy grew up in Church, her mother was committed to being at her Methodist Church every Sunday, even though it meant a 3 mile walk to Church and back each week. When the local Anglican Church heard about a 15 year old girl with a natural ability for the organ, they asked Dorothy to leave her spot in the United Church choir to play their organ. Dorothy gladly accepted their invitation, thrilled that they would ask her at such a young age to help with the worship ministry.

Her years in Toronto also introduced her to a young man who shared her love of music; it was only fitting that she met her future husband playing in the Evangel Temple band. After they were married, her husband was offered a job in Sarnia in 1955. Dorothy had a full life in Toronto, teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, playing trumpet in the band; all these things made moving to Sarnia a difficult decision for their family. So

After 4 years of playing the organ for the Anglican Church, Dorothy moved to Toronto to study piano at the Conservatory. Thoseyears studying music taught her theory and notes and the ability to switch chords with ease. At the time Dorothy didn’t know how these lessons would help in the future,

Dorothy prayed and asked God to give her the 2 desires of her heart upon moving: a good Church and an opportunity for ministry. With her requests laid out before the Lord, Dorothy and her husband moved to Sarnia and settled

into a new Church family at Bethel Pentecostal Church on Essex Street. In January of 1956 an evangelist and his family came to Bethel for 2 weeks of special services. Before they arrived they asked if arrangements could be made for the Church to rent an organ while they were at Bethel ministering. During those services the Bethel congregation fell in love with the worship music coming from the organ and plans were made to purchase their own. The Lord had already answered Dorothy’s first request for a good Church and now with a new organ in the Church sanctuary, her second request was answered as Dorothy found her place of ministry, playing the organ every Sunday at Bethel.

Over the past 60 years Dorothy has never waived in her commitment to worshipping the Lord from her place of ministry at the organ. As new choruses came in, she quickly adapted, leaning back on her years of playing jazz music to learn the new rhythms and strings of chords. When you ask her what her favorite songs are to play, you might expect her to recite hymns from her childhood, instead her response speaks volumes of her heart of worship. “My favorite is whatever we’re playing now. Although I do really like ‘I’ll Fly Away.’” After 60 years of playing the organ, Dorothy still loves it and has no plans of quitting. “Two separate times, from two separate people, the Lord has spoken through them to say to me, ‘You are a blessing to this Church. Don’t quit playing until the Lord tells you. Don’t let anyone ever tell you that you’re too old.’ So I’m going to keep playing until the Lord tells me to stop, then maybe He’ll have another ministry for me.” Dorothy, on behalf of your Bethel Church family, THANK YOU for your dedication to ministry. You truly are a blessing to this Church and we are so grateful that God hasn’t told you to stop yet. Your music and spirit has greatly ministered to us all. We are a better Church because you said yes to God’s call to serve Him with your life.

WOMEN’S EVENTS

HEAVEN’S GATES HELL’S FLAMES OCTOBER 24 - 25

A Faithful Servant By Pastor Tim Gibb

This month we will celebrate 60 years of Dorothy Dunne’s worship ministry at Bethel Church. Knowing Dorothy now for 16 of those years, I have come to really appreciate the beautiful person that Dorothy is and have observed the many excellent qualities that Dorothy possess. Let me share a few of those:

1. A faithful servant. It kind of goes

without saying after 60 years of ministry, but even within those years I have witnessed the unwavering commitment that Dorothy has to the worship ministry at Bethel. Some may not know that Dorothy lives in Oil City which is approximately 45 minutes from Bethel. Yet Dorothy was always at every service, traveling back and forth twice every Sunday for morning and evening services and then also for special mid-week revival meetings. I can think of different occasions when the winter weather kept many away from church, yet Dorothy was always there.

2. A worshipper. Dorothy did not just provide musical support from the organ, she was a worshipper. Many times I would look over and see Dorothy with one hand on the keyboard and another hand lifted in worship

to God. Many times with tears in her eyes as she felt the Holy Spirit’s presence in worship.

3. A love for the move of the Spirit. Dorothy loves being in a Pentecostal church. She has a sensitivity to the Spirit. She loves when there is a spontaneity that comes into a service when the Holy Spirit moves and has the ability to flow in the direction the anointing brings.

4. She hears from the Holy Spirit. I know Dorothy prays about the

songs she is to play, particularly the preservice and offertory which usually comes right before the preaching of the Word. Very rarely would Dorothy know what the given sermon would be that day, but time after time I have witnessed how the choice of song for the offertory would fall right in line with the message of that service.

5. A happy person. Like many

people, Dorothy has had her share of challenges in life and heartache. Yet Dorothy has the ability to rise above the circumstances, maintain faith in the goodness of God, and keep on the sunny side of life. If she gets down, it is never for long. Dorothy’s disposition is always positive, cheerful and happy.

6. An ability to adjust. As we have

seen many changes come into the church over the years, particularly with worship styles and tends, Dorothy has been able to easily navigate those changes and adjust to those changes. I can think of different times when we have had a special youth emphasis service and I will tell Dorothy, “We will not have the organ this service because we are going to let the youth lead the worship.” I can then see the disappointment on Dorothy’s face as she wants to be part of the youth worship band. When asked what her favourite hymn or song is…her reply “Whatever we are playing now!”

7. A sharp dresser. When I think

about Dorothy on the organ, what also comes to mind is lipstick and high heels! Dorothy is always dressed to the T and ready to minister and serve. Dorothy serves as a beautiful example to follow. The Bible says, “Give honour to whom honour is due.” Dorothy, with hearts full of love and appreciation, we honour you and thank you for 60 years of faithful service that continues on. Pastor Tim Gibb

Sun

FEBRUARY 2016

Mon

SUN

MON

10:30 AM Service Pastor Tim Gibb “Alive For His Purpose” Communion

15 FAMILY DAY OFFICE CLOSED Family Skate 4-5pm Clearwater Arena

10:30 AM Service Pastor Tim Gibb “Gifted for Service”

TUE

6:30 PM Service Pastor Tim Gibb “Financial Health”

10:30 AM Service Pastor Tim Gibb “Pray for Power”

WED

6:00PM Rescue

Thu

THUR

7:00 PM REVO

Sat 6

SAT

7:00 PM District Women’s Event-New Life Assembly in Petrolia

13 Sting’s Hockey GameFaith Night

7:00 PM REVO

6:30 PM Bible Study & Hymn Sing-Prayer Room

6:00PM Rescue

7:00 PM REVO

9:30AM Prayer GroupPrayer Room

FRI

6:00PM Rescue

9:30AM Prayer GroupPrayer Room

Fri 5

6:30 PM Bible Study & Hymn Sing-Prayer Room

Wed

6:30 PM Bible Study & Hymn Sing-Prayer Room 9:30AM Prayer GroupPrayer Room

10:30 AM Service Pastor Tim Gibb “Belong To His Family” 6:30 PM Service Pastor Tim Gibb “Relational Health”

9:30AM Prayer GroupPrayer Room

6:30 PM Service Pastor Tim Gibb “Emotional Health”

14 Valentine’s Day

Tue

Valentine’s Childcare at Bethel 12:30-4:30PM or 5:00 to 9:00 PM

12:00 PM Keenagers at John’s Restaurant 6:00PM Rescue

7:00 PM REVO

6:30 PM Service Pastor Tim Gibb “Vocational Health”

Transformed Small Groups Meet Throughout the Week Contact Church Office for Available Groups

OUR PASTORS PASTOR TIM GIBB

Lead Pastor Ext. 228 pastortim@bethelsarnia.com

PASTOR TRICIA GIBB Student Ministries Pastor Ext. 223 tricia@bethelsarnia.com

PASTORS KEITH & PATRICIA PATRICK Pastoral Care Ext. 226 pastorkeith@bethelsarnia.com

NEED A RIDE TO CHURCH? Need a ride to Church on Sunday morning? Just call the church office before 8:30AM Sunday morning & follow the instructions to leave a message.