Online Worship and Newsletter

 “Mercy triumphs over judgement’  (James 2:13b) 

As we dig into the wisdom found in the book of James, we have this beautiful phrase of great comfort!!   

 Please join us Sunday @ 10:30  for worship and to look into the mirror of God’s word for what these words should reflect in our lives. 

Sunday School is available for children ages 4 to grade 4 with childcare available for those younger.  All children will be dismissed partway through the service. 

The worship service streams on youtube beginning at 10:25  and can be watched later as a video at:    Bethlehem CRC – Thunder Bay – YouTube  

WORD & WORSHIP :  James 2:1-19   The Cross-shaped life

NEWS, THANKS and PRAYERS:

•  Our condolences are extended to Kathy and Don with the passing of Kathy’s mother Jan at the age of 89. 
• Please continue to lift the need for a staff person at the Gathering Place in prayer.  The lack of staff puts limitations on the ability to serve and bless the community and there is much need!
• Leslie V. celebrates a birthday this week.  We thank God for Leslie and the blessing and encouragement she brings to so many. 

DEACONS’ OFFERINGS: 

This Week:  Resonate – Strydhorst

Next Week:   Community Clothing Assistance

For e-transfer: giving@bethlehemcrc.ca

E-transfers can be used for the deacon’s offering, church budget, ministry shares, or work of the deacons (blessing/bread box).  Please make sure to indicate this in your e-transfer. You can also leave an offering in the collection plate.  Unless otherwise designated, it will go to the deacon’s offering for that particular Sunday.

WEDNESDAY PRAISE AND PRAYER:  Please join us Wednesday @ 7pm for an hour of prayer.  This small group meets in the sanctuary to gather before our Father who delights to hear our prayers. 

DUTY LIST: 

If you’re not on the list and wish to be added contact Mari-Lou by emailing her at Office@bethlehemcrc.ca. If you’re on the duty list and do not plan on attending church at this time please find your replacement. 

UPDATED: Duty List Updated.xlsx

MONTHLY FINANCIAL UPDATE: 2026.03 Monthly Financial Update for Bethlehem CRC.docx

SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY:  You are invited to join our small group, currently studying the book of James. We will be meeting at Yvonne’s house at 7 pm on the following Sunday evenings:

April 26: James 2:1-26 Love and Faith, May 24: James 3:1-18 Taming the Tongue

May 31: James 4:1-17 Desires and Gifts, June 14: James 5:1-20 Patience and Faithfulness

Please call Yvonne (807-631-8991) for more information. 

BREAD BOX:  Reduce, REUSE, Recycle!

Don’t throw away your plastic dairy containers- the Bread Box can re-use them!

Please bring your washed yogurt, sour cream, and cottage cheese containers and lids. You can place them in the bin by the front entry.

HOPE CHURCH: Job Opportunity

Hope Church is excited to share a new ministry opportunity as our congregation continues to grow. We are currently seeking a Family Ministry Pastor to join our team.

We invite you to view the full job description on our website and share this opportunity with anyone in your network who may feel called to this role: https://www.hopecrc.com/workwithus. Deadline to apply is May 15th .

GATHERING PLACE:  We’re looking for a summer intern for the months of May-August with a potential of up to 35 hours a week.  If you know of a college or university student looking for work, please speak with Fred Rekman or check the Gathering Place website for the posting. 

THUNDER BAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL: The Thunder Bay Christian School Spring membership meeting is planned for May 11th @ 8pm in the school gymnasium. All members are encouraged to attend. Meeting packages will be going out May 1st. If you do not receive one, please kindly contact the school office at office@tbcs.school. 

Thunder Bay Christian School is currently seeking to hire for the 26/27 school year; one full-time intermediate/junior Teacher, one full-time primary Teacher, and two Teacher’s Assistants. More information and a staff application package can be found on the school website at tbcs.school under the “About Us” link. Please email resume to admin@tbcs.school or drop off at the school during school hours.

Save the Date – Thunder Bay Christian School Golf Tournament

Mark your calendars and get ready to tee off! Thunder Bay Christian School invites you to join us for our upcoming Golf Tournament on Saturday, June 6. It’s sure to be a hole-in-one kind of day!

We will be looking for:

• Golf Teams of 4 – gather your friends, family, or colleagues and hit the course together
• Sponsors – businesses and individuals willing to support this event and help us drive Christian education forward
• Volunteers – lend a hand on tournament day and help everything run above par

More details and registration information will be shared soon—so don’t putt it off!

HEALING WITH JESUS PRAYER MINISTRY:  If you desire prayer, are struggling with unforgiveness, need healing in a relationship or healing from a hurt you’ve experienced, if you are finding it hard to know God’s love then please consider making a prayer appointment.   In this time, a team of people will pray with you as we look to Jesus who is the great physician. 

Brochures are available in the church foyer that explains inner healing prayer and what happens at a prayer session.To make a prayer appointment, please connect with Pastor Marg

or send an email TBhealingprayer@gmail.com.  

FIRST CHURCH:

Summer Ministry Coordinator – 1 Position

First Christian Reformed Church of Thunder Bay is seeking a mature, organized and

self-directed individual. Flexible hours beginning May 2026 to August 2026

$25-28/hour based on qualifications and experience

Camp Leaders – 2 Positions applicants must be 15-30 years old at the time of hiring as per Canada Summer Job Grant, 8 weeks, 35 hrs/week, $18.50/hour

Deadline for Applications: Thursday, April 30, 2026 Please submit your cover letter and resume by email to Harold Heerema hheerema10@gmail.com by April 30, 2026. If you have any

Questions 807-626-2476.

DEW DROP IN: The Friends of Chippewa and the Dew Drop Inn are seeking vendors for a Celebrating Mothers Luncheon on Sunday, May 31st.

PRAYER CORNER:          Full Access to God

“But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:6).

The most significant transformation in my prayer life came while reading Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ commentary on this verse. Lloyd-Jones said that when he began to understand the meaning of this verse, he realized he could enter into his “closet” with the Lord whether he was in his private study or standing in a crowd of thousands. His wife would say after his death, that what she missed most about “The Doctor’s” ministry was not his preaching, but his praying. He knew how to enter in. 

God is not necessarily talking about a physical closet in this verse, although such a practice is fine, but is not always available. I have a mental picture when I begin to pray that has changed everything for me. Let me paint it for you in hopes that it will enhance your praying.

Imagine opening a door and stepping into a foyer … the entrance to God’s Throne Room. Now, turn behind you as you enter and shut the door. Shut the door on others and on last week and next week. Even (in a sense) shut the door on yourself. Your sole focus is the One you are about to encounter. 

Next, consciously step into the Throne Room of God! You have total access here because of Jesus Christ. Paul says this well:

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2).   Prayer starter :Beautiful God, thank You for Your word that reminds me of my complete access to You in prayer! When I lean into You I literally enter Your throne room! Help me to shut the door on every distraction and focus on You alone. May I long to step into Your presence continually throughout the moments of my day. For you are my God and Father living in me no matter where I am , for you hear my prayer always, Amen.                Hank.

BETHLEHEM CONNECTIONS: 

Bulletin announcements or ‘Family News’: Please submit to Mari-Lou by Thursdays at 6:00 pm bulletin@bethlehemcrc.ca 

Pastor Marg welcomes your calls or visits.   Please reach out to her or stop by the office: 

pastor@bethlehemcrc.ca or (807) 767 3961.   

Clerk of Council:  clerk@bethlehemcrc.ca

Elders:  Corinne Hoogsteen, Sharon Jaspers, Abraham Drost 

Deacons:  Erica Snippe-Juurakko, Lori Lawrence, Mark Heerema and Mikaela Hummel