Online Worship and Newsletter

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, 

and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. (John 14:12)

Jesus spoke these incredible words to his disciples just before promising the gift of the Spirit and just before going to the cross.  One of the key goals of being a disciple is to do as Jesus did.   What promise is in these words for us today?  What are these ‘greater things’?  Come join us Sunday as we wrap up the sermon series ‘Practicing the Way.’ 

Our  Sunday worship begins @ 10:30.  Sunday School is available for children ages 3 to grade 3 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 :   Practicing the Way:  Do as Jesus did  (John 21:15-25) 

NEWS, THANKS and PRAYERS:

• Simon and Audrey have had some challenging weeks and have now moved to transitional care at Hogarth.  Please pray that spaces open for them at the same longterm facility so they can be together. 
• Please continue to uphold Scott and Mari-lou in prayer.  May God give you healing, strength and the peace of his hand upon you both! 

DEACONS’ OFFERINGS: 

This Week: Transport for Christ (K. McGratton)

Next Week: WR CN foodgrain bank 

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.

FROM THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE: Gifting for the first 10 months of 2025 have been tallied. Your individual 10-month statement will be in a secure envelope in your mail slot. THANK YOU for contributions toward operating our local church via “budget” and our denomination governance via “denominational ministry shares” (DMS). Thanks is also given for monies received and advanced directly to third-party causes through your gifts to “collections” for the first 10 months. Please keep these three gifting paths in your prayers as we approach year end.

PRAISE AND PRAYER WEDNESDAY:  Join us @ 7pm,  for a time of prayer and being with Jesus in conversation for all that is on His heart and on ours

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

BETHLEHEM CHRISTMAS DINNER: Save the date –  the annual  Bethlehem Friends and Family Christmas Dinner will be held on Sunday, December 7.  Doors open at 4:30 with dinner at 5.

The main course will be provided by the Fellowship Committee with dessert provided by the Deacons.  Please bring a side dish to share and plates and cutlery if you are able.

We are planning some fun activities, carols and a children’s activity as we prepare to celebrate Our Saviour’s birth.

Hope to see you there!

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.  

HOPE CHURCH: Save the Date: Grab your broom and get ready to slide into some fun!  We’re hosting a Bonspiel on Saturday, December 27th at 6:00 PM at Kakabeka Curling Club to raise funds for The Gathering Place, and we’d love for you to be a part of it! More details to come next week!

NORTH OF 60: North of 60 lunch will be held Thursday November 20th at Hope CRC in our newly refurbished (now heated) gym.  Come on out and enjoy our new bright gym along with a great lunch and fellowship.  Coffee/tea will be ready if you want to drop in before lunch. If you’ve never been and are over 60 you are more than welcome to come on out. An offering will be taken to offset the rising grocery costs.

THUNDER BAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL: November 20–21 | Online & In-Person

Dust off your boots and grab your cowboy hats — it’s time for our Annual Bazaar & Auction, and this year we’re goin’ country style!

Join us for two days of fun, food, and fantastic finds:

Live & Online Auctions – Bid on amazing items, experiences, and treasures from the comfort of your home or right here at the event!

Kids’ Auction – A special, kid-friendly auction where young cowpokes can join in the fun. 

Food & Festivities – Enjoy delicious eats, the traditional Olliballen, and western-themed fun for the whole family.

Bring your friends, family, and best auction spirit — you won’t want to miss this rootin’-tootin’ good time!

Save the Date: November 20–21

THE GATHERING PLACE: The Gathering Place Bonspiel

Get ready to rock the ice and sweep up some good times while supporting The Gathering Place. 

Date: Saturday, December 27th

Location: Kakabeka Curling Club

Cost per Team: $260 (includes dinner)

Dinner Only: $25 

To register your team or to secure your spot for dinner, email Stacey at staceycollie@gmail.com

We are inviting your congregation to participate in our upcoming Toothbrush & Toothpaste Drive, beginning October 19. This initiative, organized by The Gathering Place for Open Hands Food Program, aims to provide essential oral hygiene items to individuals and families in need within our community.  Your support through donations or by helping us spread the word will make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.

Job Opportunity – The Gathering Place Executive Director: The Gathering Place is looking to hire their next Executive Director! This is a key leadership role for the non-profit organization that has served some of Thunder Bay’s most challenged neighbourhoods over the past 40 years through food and clothing distribution, community building, personal supports, and more. This is a full-time position (35 hours per week) at a wage of $30.00 per hour. A complete description of the role can be found on our website: https://www.thegatheringplacetbay.ca/volunteer-careers.

If you feel that God may be calling you to this position, apply by submitting a copy of your resume to the chair of The Gathering Place’s board of directors, Fred Rekman, at fmrekman@gmail.com. We would also appreciate your prayers during this search process, as well as your support in helping share this position opening with those who may be equipped for this role and encouraging them to consider applying. God has blessed this joint initiative of the Christian Reformed Churches of Thunder Bay for decades and we can’t wait to see what God has in store for The Gathering Place in the decades to come!

PRAYER CORNER:  Faithful in the Small Things

It is important to spend time being quiet before the Lord. If we are doing all of the talking, we won’t be able to hear Him speak. “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10). I wonder how many instructions and promptings we miss because we don’t take the time to learn to distinguish the voice of the Shepherd! “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27).

When you sense that you have a word from the Lord and it agrees with the Bible, act upon it. God is not going to give us more than we can handle, and He will likely start us out slowly. As you are faithful in the small things, He will trust you with bigger issues. Maybe He will impress upon your heart to write a note to someone, or to make an encouraging phone call. If you didn’t actually hear directly from the Lord, you are still doing something that is like the character of Jesus living within you. 

Prayer starter:

Lord Jesus, sometimes I long to do the big splashy deeds that make You known widely. But then, You quietly remind me that the smallest touch, a quiet encouragement, or act of mercy is living out faithful obedience within Your kingdom! Help me to be a servant that doesn’t need to live my life to be seen by men. Give me a listening heart to obey even the smallest task You choose to give me, to share a word or a call to some one that  you put on my heart, I pray this in Jesus name, 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: Greg Kok clerk@bethlehemcrc.ca

Elders:  Corinne Hoogsteen, Sharon Jaspers, Abraham Drost and Greg Kok

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