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
FEBRUARY 2013
This Month
THINGS
TO KNOW Childcare on Valentines Day For families at Bethel with young children, we are offering FREE childcare on Valentine’s Day February 14th from 5:30PM to 9:30PM to give married couples an opportunity to enjoy a date night together. All we ask is that you sign-up by Sunday, February 10th to allow us time to prepare a program for the number of children.
Ukraine Missions Trip Bethel is increasing its involvement in the nation of Ukraine. A Missions trip is planned for August 1st-15th to work with Missionary Ed Dickson to do a week of ministry at a Government Summer Youth Camp. We already have 12 young people in going and we are looking for a few more adults to also participate in this trip. We are also looking for those who may be interested to come alongside a building construction team as they build the church in Smila. In addition to this, there is also opportunity for another team from Bethel to travel this Fall to work in churches and conferences. If you have any interest in Missions and the possibility of God using you in Ukraine, an information and discussion meeting will take place on Monday February 11th at 7:00PM in the Fellowship room at Bethel.
Plan To Protect It is the policy of Bethel Church that all those who work with children and youth to go through a Plan to Protect program and be renewed every two years in this program. Our next Plan to Protect is scheduled for Saturday February 2nd from 10AM to 12PM. For those who work with youth or plan to be, it is important to be at this meeting
Annual Meeting - March 3rd Our Annual Church Business meeting will take place on Sunday March 3rd immediately following the morning service. Childcare will be provided during this meeting. Nominations for the Elder Board must be received to the Church Office by Wednesday, February 6th.
Coming Soon
BE PART OF ALPHA AT BETHEL IN 2013 As part of Bethel’s ongoing discipleship program from January 2013 onwards we will hold Alpha Courses starting on different dates so that one is bound to fit your schedule. - Thursday evenings starting February 14th at 6.30 pm at Darwin and Angela Armstrong’s house. - Monday evenings starting April 1st at 6.30 pm at Bethel Church.
What Is Alpha More than fifteen million people all over the world have completed the Alpha course during the last fifteen years in churches, homes, schools, universities and prisons. Alpha is an opportunity for anyone to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed, non- threatening setting over nine thought-provoking weekly sessions. It is low-key, friendly and fun.
Who is Alpha For? Everyone is welcome on an Alpha course and people attend for a wide variety of reasons. Some want to investigate whether God exists and if there is any point to life; others are concerned about what happens after death. Still others may have attended church all their lives but felt they have never really understood the basics of the Christian faith. People come from many different backgrounds, holding many different viewpoints - but all come with the same objective - to establish whether Jesus Christ has any real relevance for their lives.
OUR STEPS ARE ORDERED There is a fresh move of the Spirit of God taking place at Bethel. How we thank Him for His presence amoung us! As 2012 was coming to a close, I felt directed of the Lord, in calling our church family, to sanctify the first 13 days to the Lord in prayer and fasting for His will to be done in our church. What wonderful times of prayer we had! One prayer time in particular, there was such an awesome sense of the glory of God in our Sanctuary. It was holy! We moved from that time to 4 days of special meetings with guests Tracy Stewart and Jan Painter. I can truthfully say that I have never been in 4 days of meetings where so much prophetic words were deposited into my life personally and into our church body. The declaration was that this would be the year of Testimony! Also, that a Move of God is coming to Bethel and has already begun. We are in a pivotal time. What God will do will surge and will supersede all of what God has done to this point. We are now stepping into our future and into what God has called us to be. The key to this move will be our hearing from the Lord. (These are just some of the highlights of the words given. All the messages from the Encounter services with Jan Painter and Tracy Stewart are available online at bethelsarnia.com).
As the Word came forth in these meetings, I ask God for His direction for what we as a church body must do. This is what I believe the Lord said to me: Lean into what I am doing (the picture is that like a downhill ski jumper who leans into where he wants to go - and as he leans, things will accelerate!). We lean into this move in prayer. Emphasize prayer more than services. Trust Me to lead you. I will order your steps. Between Christmas and New Years, I received a communication from Michael Livengood (U.S. Evangelist who ministered at Bethel this past October), inviting me to attend a Prayer conference in Illinois this past Jan 21-23. I prayed about this and felt the prompting of the Spirit to attend. I then learned that Pastor John Kilpatrick, of Brownsville and Bay Revivals, would be presenting at the conference. The first night at the conference, as I was worshipping, a man tapped me on the arm and said, “Pastor John wants to see you.” I was directed to Pastor Kilpatrick and he asked me, “Son, what is happening?” I told him of our 13 days of prayer and our Encounter services, and that we would be honoured to have him come again to Bethel. He replied, “OK I will come.” And then added, “I could even come next week.” Over the next 2 days I communicated with his assistant and while he was not able to come “next
week”, he is coming back to Bethel, February 10th and 11th. Now I find it very significant that this man that God has used in one of the greatest moves of God in America, suddenly, without months of planning, will be in our house at this “pivotal” time. God is leading! Now we do not look to man to bring a Move of God. First, a Move of God has already begun. Second, what will cause this Move to snowball and become greater is our seeking Him in response to the leading of His Spirit. I feel directed to have many times of prayer over the next weeks as well as days of fasting. We must “seek the Lord while He may be found and call upon Him while He is near.” I believe that this Move of God will result in many salvations. On March 23 & 24th, Bethel will be hosting the drama “Heaven’s Gates, Hell’s Flames”. This drama has resulted in many, many people coming to faith in Christ. On Sunday morning Feb 10th, Tom McIntyre of Reality Ministries will be sharing about this drama and how we can get involved. I believe even the timing of this drama with what God is doing in our midst is not a coincidence, but rather God has ordered our steps!
Pastor Tim Gibb
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
Hall
6:30 PM Service Pastor Tim Gibb
10:30 AM Service Pastor Tim Gibb
Course-Boardroom
24 9:00 AM Alpha
6:30 PM Service Pastor Tim Gibb
10:30 AM Service Pastor Tim Gibb
Course-Boardroom
17 9:00 AM Alpha
6:30 PM Encounter Service John Kilpatrick
10:30 AM Service Tom McIntyre
Course-Boardroom
10 9:00 AM Alpha
6:30 PM Service Pastor Tim Gibb Communion
10:30 AM Service Pastor Tim Gibb
3 9:00 AM Alpha Course-Boardroom 9:30 AM Membership Class– Fellowship
Sun
FAMILY DAY OFFICE CLOSED
6:30 PM Bible Study & Hymn Sing-Prayer Room
11:00 AM Mom’s In Prayer
Sloggett Crt
7:00 PM LIFE-Young Adults at –116 Paul
26
Sloggett Crt
7:00 PM LIFE-Young Adults at –116 Paul
6:30 PM Bible Study & Hymn Sing-Prayer Room
19
7:00 PM Encounter Service—John Kilpatrick
Sloggett Crt
7:00 PM LIFE-Young Adults at –116 Paul
12
6
Wed
7
Thu
5:30PM Prayer
6:00 PM Rescue 6:00PM 6:30 PM Rescue Prayer 7:00PM 7:30 PM Choir Choir
27
5:30PM Prayer
6:00 PM Rescue 6:00PM 6:30 PM Choir Prayer 7:00PM 7:30 PM Choir
20
7:00 PM Encounter Service
13
5:30PM Prayer
6:00 PM Rescue 6:00PM 6:30 PM Choir Prayer 7:00PM 7:30 PM Choir
6:30 PM Alpha Course-Darwin & Angela’s 7:00 PM REVO3
28
6:30 PM Alpha Course-Darwin & Angela’s 7:00 PM REVO3
21
6:30 PM Alpha Course-Darwin & Angela’s 7:00 PM REVO3
14
7:00 PM REVO3
D AY S O F FA S T I N G & P R AY E R 6:30 PM Bible Study & Hymn Sing-Prayer Room
5
Tue
25
Family Skate 4-5pm Clearwater Arena
18
7:00 PM Encounter Service John Kilpatrick
11:00 AM Mom’s In Prayer
11
7:00 PM Plan To Protect
11:00 AM Mom’s In Prayer
4
Mon
9
10:00 AM Plan To Protect
2
Sat
March 1
7:00 PM REAL WOMEN– Time Time Of of WorshipIn & His Soaking Soaking Presence
22
1:00 PM Keenagers Movie & Pizza
9:30 AM Mom’s Group
15
8:00 AM MEN’S TIME OUT with Dick DeGraaf –PAOC and David Lee from Toronto Argo’s
March 2
23
16
Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage Seminar Friday 6:30-9:00PM Saturday 9:30-12:30PM
9:30 AM Mom’s Group
8
9:30 AM Mom’s Group
1
Fri
FEBRUARY 2013